Preliminary
Proxy Statement
Dated
July 2, 2009, Subject to Completion
July ___,
2009
Dear
Stockholder:
You are
cordially invited to join us at a special meeting of the stockholders of
Cavalier Homes, Inc. (the “
Company
”) to be held
on August __, 2009, beginning at ______:00 P.M., Central Daylight Time, at the
Company’s office at 32 Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama
35540.
At the
special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote on a proposal to approve
the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 14, 2009 (the “
Merger Agreement
”),
providing for the acquisition of the Company by Southern Energy Homes, Inc.
(“
Southern
Energy
”) in a merger of T Merger Sub, Inc. (“
Merger Sub
”), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy, with and into the Company. If the
merger is completed, the Company will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Southern Energy, and you will receive $2.75 in cash for each share of our common
stock that you own, as more fully described in the accompanying proxy
statement.
The
merger is conditioned, among other matters, on the approval of the transaction
by the Company’s stockholders. The Board of Directors has unanimously approved
the Merger Agreement and has determined that the merger contemplated by the
Merger Agreement is fair to you and in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders.
THE BOARD
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AT THE
SPECIAL MEETING, “FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING, IF NECESSARY, TO
SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES, AND “FOR” THE PERSONS NAMED AS PROXIES TO CONSIDER
AND ACT UPON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE SPECIAL
MEETING.
Our Board
of Directors considered a number of factors in evaluating the transaction and
also consulted with its financial advisors and legal counsel, a detailed
discussion of which is contained in the accompanying proxy statement. The proxy
statement accompanying this letter provides you with detailed information about
the proposed merger and the special meeting of stockholders to vote on the
adoption of the Merger Agreement. We encourage you to read the entire proxy
statement and the Merger Agreement carefully. A copy of the Merger Agreement is
attached as Annex A to the accompanying proxy statement. You may also obtain
more information about the Company from documents we have filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
It is
important that your shares be voted at the meeting. Accordingly, whether or not
you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete, sign, date and return
the enclosed proxy card promptly so that we may be assured of the presence of a
quorum at the special meeting. If you attend the meeting and wish to vote your
shares personally, you may revoke your proxy.
We look
forward to seeing you on August __, 2009.
Sincerely
yours,
|
|
|
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CAVALIER
HOMES, INC.
|
|
|
|
Barry
B. Donnell
|
Bobby
Tesney
|
Chairman
of the Board of Directors
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
YOUR VOTE
IS VERY IMPORTANT
PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
CAVALIER
HOMES, INC.
_____________________
Notice
of Special Meeting of Stockholders
To
be held August __, 2009
_____________________
TO THE
STOCKHOLDERS OF CAVALIER HOMES, INC.:
Notice is
hereby given that a special meeting of stockholders of Cavalier Homes, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (“
we
,” “
us
,” “
our
,” the “
Company
” or “
Cavalier
”), will be
held at the Company’s office at 32 Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama 35540
on August ____, 2009, at ___:00 P.M., Central Daylight Time, for the following
purposes:
|
(1)
|
To
consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of June 14, 2009, as amended from time to time (the
“
Merger
Agreement
”), by and among Southern Energy Homes, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“
Southern
Energy
”), T Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of Southern Energy (“
Merger Sub
”),
and the Company. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to
the accompanying proxy statement;
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(2)
|
To
approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes
at the time of the special meeting to adopt the Merger Agreement;
and
|
|
(3)
|
To
consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the
meeting.
|
Only
stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on
July 2, 2009 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting and at
any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. A list of stockholders
entitled to vote at the special meeting will be available for inspection at our
offices located at 32 Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama 35540 for a period
of ten days prior to the special meeting and at the place of the special meeting
for the duration of the special meeting.
The
adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote (in person or by
proxy) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s
common stock entitled to vote thereon, with each share having a single vote.
Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, we urge you to vote your
shares by completing, signing, dating and returning the accompanying proxy card
as promptly as possible in the postage-paid envelope prior to the special
meeting to ensure that your shares will be represented at the special meeting.
If you sign and return your proxy card without indicating how you wish to vote,
you proxy will be voted in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement. If you
fail to return your proxy card and do not vote in person at the special meeting,
it will have the same effect as a vote against the adoption of the Merger
Agreement. Any stockholder attending the special meeting may vote in person even
if he or she had already voted by proxy card; such ballot will revoke any proxy
previously submitted. However, if you hold your shares through a bank or broker
or other custodian, you must provide a legal proxy issued from such custodian in
order to vote your shares in person at the special meeting.
The
Company’s stockholders who do not vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger
Agreement will have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their
shares of the Company’s common stock if the merger contemplated by the Merger
Agreement (the “Merger”) is completed, but only if they submit a written demand
for appraisal of their shares before the taking of the vote on the Merger
Agreement at the special meeting and they comply with all requirements of
Delaware law, which are summarized in greater detail in the accompanying proxy
statement.
After
careful consideration, our Board of Directors, by unanimous vote, has approved
and declared advisable the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and has determined that the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including
the
merger of
Merger Sub with and into the Company (resulting in the Company becoming a wholly
owned subsidiary of Southern Energy), are fair, advisable and in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Our
Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of
the Merger Agreement, “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if
necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposal
to adopt the Merger Agreement if there are insufficient votes at the time of the
special meeting to adopt the Merger Agreement and “FOR” the persons named as
proxies to consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before
the special meeting.
We urge
you to read the entire proxy statement carefully. Whether or not you plan to
attend the special meeting, please vote by promptly completing the enclosed
proxy card and then signing, dating and returning it in the postage-prepaid
envelope provided so that your shares may be represented at the special meeting.
Prior to the vote, you may revoke your proxy in the manner described in the
proxy statement. Properly executed proxy cards with no instructions indicated on
the proxy card will be voted “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement, “FOR”
the proposal to adjourn the meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit
additional proxies in favor of the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement if
there are insufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement at the time of the
special meeting and “FOR” the persons named as proxies to consider and act upon
such other matters as may properly come before the special meeting. Your failure
to vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the adoption of the Merger
Agreement, but will not affect the outcome of the vote regarding any adjournment
proposal.
|
BY
ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
|
|
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|
Michael
R. Murphy
|
|
Secretary
|
Post
Office Box 540
32 Wilson
Boulevard 100
Addison,
Alabama 35540
July__,
2009
PLEASE
DO NOT SEND YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES AT THIS TIME. IF THE MERGER IS COMPLETED,
YOU WILL BE SENT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE SURRENDER OF YOUR STOCK
CERTIFICATES.
CAVALIER
HOMES, INC.
32
Wilson Boulevard 100
Addison,
Alabama 35540
PROXY
STATEMENT
For
the Special Meeting of Stockholders
To
be held August __, 2009
This
proxy statement is being furnished to holders of common stock of Cavalier Homes,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “
Company
” or “
Cavalier
”), in
connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of
Cavalier for use at the special meeting of stockholders to be held on August __,
2009, at __:00 P.M., Central Daylight Time, at our corporate headquarters at 32
Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama 35540, and any adjournments or
postponements thereof. This proxy statement and the accompanying notice of
special meeting of stockholders and form of proxy were first sent or given to
stockholders on or about July __, 2009.
At the
special meeting, Cavalier’s stockholders will be asked to consider and vote on
the following proposals:
|
(1)
|
To
consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of June 14, 2009, as amended from time to time (the
“
Merger
Agreement
”), by and among Southern Energy Homes, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“
Southern
Energy
”), T Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly
owned subsidiary of Southern Energy (“
Merger Sub
”),
and the Company. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to
the accompanying proxy statement;
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(2)
|
To
approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes
at the time of the special meeting to adopt the Agreement;
and
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(3)
|
To
consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the
meeting.
|
Cavalier’s
Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of each of these
proposals. Please give your careful attention to the more detailed information
regarding each of these proposals that appears in this proxy
statement.
This
proxy statement is dated July __, 2009.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Contents
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Page
|
INTRODUCTION
|
1
|
SUMMARY
|
2
|
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MERGER
|
10
|
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
|
15
|
CHAPTER
1 – THE MERGER
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17
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THE
MERGER
|
17
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The
Companies
|
17
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Background
of the Merger
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17
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Reasons
for the Merger; Recommendations of Our Board of Directors
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21
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Opinion
of Our Financial Advisor
|
24
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Effects
on Cavalier if the Merger is Not Completed
|
29
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Our
Directors, Executive Officers and Employees Have Interests in the Merger
that Differ from Your Interests
|
30
|
Governmental
and Regulatory Approvals
|
33
|
Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger
|
33
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Litigation
Related to the Merger
|
34
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Delisting
and Deregistration of Our Common Stock
|
34
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THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
|
35
|
The
Merger
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35
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Effective
Time
|
35
|
Merger
Consideration
|
35
|
Payment
Procedures
|
36
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Treatment
of Stock Options
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36
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Representations
and Warranties
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37
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Conduct
of Business Prior to Closing
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38
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No
Solicitation
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40
|
Indemnification
|
41
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Employee
Benefit Plans
|
41
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Conditions
to the Closing of the Merger
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41
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Termination
|
42
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Termination
Fee; Expenses
|
43
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Amendment
and Waiver
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44
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Contents
|
Page
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Guaranty
Agreement
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44
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APPRAISAL
RIGHTS
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45
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
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48
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Ownership
of Common Stock by Directors and Executive Officers
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48
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Ownership
of Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners
|
49
|
MARKET
PRICE OF THE COMPANY COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
|
51
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CHAPTER
II – INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING
|
52
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Special
Meeting, Record Date and Vote Required
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52
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Voting
and Revocation of Proxies
|
52
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Solicitation
of Proxies
|
53
|
Recommendations
of Our Board of Directors
|
53
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Other
Business for the Special Meeting and Adjournment
|
53
|
CHAPTER
III – ADDITIONAL STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION
|
55
|
FUTURE
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
|
55
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
|
55
|
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
|
55
|
|
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Annex
A – Agreement and Plan of Merger
|
|
Annex
B – Fairness Opinion of Avondale Partners, LLC
|
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Annex
C – Delaware General Corporation Law Section 262
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INTRODUCTION
This
proxy statement is being mailed to the stockholders of Cavalier in connection
with the Company’s special meeting of stockholders. This document is organized
into three chapters.
Chapter I
– “The Merger” provides summary and detailed information about the Company’s
proposed Merger with Southern Energy on which stockholders of the Company will
vote at its special meeting.
Chapter
II – “Information About the Special Meeting and Voting” provides information
about the Company’s special meeting, how stockholders may vote or grant a proxy
and the vote required to approve the Merger.
Chapter
III – “Additional Stockholder Information” explains where stockholders of the
Company can find more information.
You
should read this proxy statement carefully before you vote your
shares.
SUMMARY
The
following summary highlights selected information in this proxy statement and
may not contain all the information that may be important to you. Accordingly,
we encourage you to read carefully this entire proxy statement. Each item in
this summary includes a page reference directing you to a more complete
description of that topic. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning
on page 55 of this proxy statement.
Unless
we otherwise indicate or unless the context requires otherwise, all references
in this proxy statement to the “
Company
,” “
Cavalier
,” “
we
,” “
our
” and “
us
” refer to Cavalier
Homes, Inc. and its subsidiaries; all references to “
the Board of
Directors
” and “
our Board of
Directors
” refer to the board of directors of Cavalier Homes, Inc.; all
references to “
Southern Energy
”
refer to Southern Energy Homes, Inc.; all references to “
Merger Sub
” refer to
T Merger Sub, Inc.; all references to “
Merger Agreement
”
refer to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 14, 2009, by and
among the Company, Southern Energy and Merger Sub, as amended from time to time,
a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement; all references
to the “
Merger
”
refer to the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and all references to
the “
SEC
” refer
to the Securities and Exchange Commission. All other capitalized terms used but
not defined here have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger
Agreement.
The
Parties to the Merger (page 17)
Cavalier
Homes, Inc.
32 Wilson
Blvd. 100
Addison,
AL 35540
(256)
747-9800
Cavalier
Homes, Inc. and its subsidiaries design, produce, and sell a wide range of
manufactured homes, serving markets in the South Central and South Atlantic
regions of the United States. Currently, Cavalier operates four plants that
produce homes sold by a network of independent dealers, including exclusive
dealers. Cavalier’s shares trade on the NYSE Amex under the ticker symbol
“CAV”.
Southern
Energy Homes, Inc.
144
Corporate Way
Addison,
AL 35540
(256)
747-8589
Southern
Energy Homes, Inc. is an industry leader in producing top quality, customizable
manufactured homes. Its core markets are in the Southeast and South Central
United States. Currently, Southern Energy produces homes at six manufacturing
facilities under five brand names and sells its homes at more than three hundred
retail sales centers in approximately 20 states. It is a subsidiary of CMH
Manufacturing, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway
Inc.
T Merger
Sub, Inc.
144
Corporate Way
Addison,
AL 35540
T Merger
Sub., Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy. It was formed solely
for the purpose of effectuating the Merger and the transactions contemplated by
the Merger Agreement. It has not engaged in any business except in furtherance
of this purpose and the activities incident to its formation.
The
Merger and the Closing (page 35)
The
Merger Agreement provides that, if the agreement is adopted by our stockholders
and the other conditions to closing are satisfied or waived, Merger Sub shall be
merged with and into Cavalier, and Cavalier will continue as the surviving
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy. After the Merger,
Southern Energy will own all of Cavalier’s outstanding stock and Cavalier’s
common stock will no longer be listed on the NYSE Amex. Upon completion of the
Merger, each share of Cavalier common stock issued and
outstanding
immediately
prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than shares held by (i)
Cavalier as treasury stock, (ii) Southern Energy or Merger Sub or any direct or
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy or Cavalier, and (iii)
stockholders, if any, who properly demand and perfect their appraisal rights
under Delaware law) will be converted into the right to receive $2.75 in cash,
without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. Following the
closing, each stockholder will have the right to receive the applicable merger
consideration but, will no longer have any rights as a Cavalier
stockholder.
Reasons
for the Merger; Recommendations of Our Board of Directors (page 21)
After
careful consideration, our Board of Directors, by unanimous vote, approved and
declared advisable the execution, delivery, and performance of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and has determined that the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the
Merger, are fair, advisable, and in the best interests of Cavalier’s
stockholders.
Our Board of
Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement,
“FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate,
to solicit additional proxies in favor of the proposal to adopt the Merger
Agreement if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to
adopt the Merger Agreement and “FOR” the persons named as proxies to consider
and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the special meeting.
For a discussion of the material factors considered by our Board of
Directors in reaching its conclusions, please see “The Merger - Reasons for the
Merger; Recommendations of Our Board of Directors” on page 22 of this proxy
statement.
Treatment
of Stock Options (page 36)
Pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, each unexercised stock option outstanding (whether
vested or unvested) that represents the right to acquire shares of our common
stock and was granted under the Company’s employee benefit plans will,
immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, be cancelled, and the
holder thereof will only have the right to receive a cash payment equal to the
excess, if any, of the $2.75 per share merger consideration over the exercise
price of such stock option, less any applicable withholding taxes.
Market
Price of the Company Common Stock (page 51)
The
closing sale price of our common stock on the NYSE Amex on June 12, 2009, the
last trading day prior to the announcement of the execution of the Merger
Agreement, was $2.23 per share. The $2.75 per share to be paid for each share of
our common stock in the Merger represents a premium of approximately 23% over
the closing sale price on June 12, 2009. On July ___, 2009, which is the most
recent practicable date prior to the date of this proxy statement, the closing
sale price of our common stock was $______ per share.
Opinion
of Avondale Partners, LLC (page 24)
In
connection with the Merger, Avondale Partners, LLC (“Avondale Partners”),
delivered an oral opinion on June 12, 2009 (which was confirmed in writing on
the same day) to our Board of Directors that, as of June 12, 2009, and based
upon and subject to assumptions made, matters considered and limits of the
review undertaken by it, as set forth in its opinion, the $2.75 per share merger
consideration in cash to be received by holders of our common stock pursuant to
the Merger Agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.
The full text of Avondale Partners’ written opinion dated June 12, 2009 is
attached to this proxy statement as Annex B. Holders of our common stock are
encouraged to read this opinion carefully in its entirety for a description of
the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and limitations on
the scope of review undertaken.
Avondale Partners’ opinion was
provided to our Board of Directors for its information in connection with its
evaluation of the $2.75 per share merger consideration in cash from a financial
point of view. The opinion does not address any other aspect of the proposed
Merger and does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder as to how
such stockholder should vote or act with respect to any matters relating to the
Merger. Pursuant to the terms of our engagement letter with Avondale Partners,
Cavalier agreed to pay a fee of $150,000 in connection with Avondale Partners’
opinion, and a success fee equal to a percentage of the merger consideration
that will be payable upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement.
The
Special Meeting (page 52)
Date,
Time and Place (page 52)
The
special meeting of our stockholders will be held on August ___, 2009 at 32
Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama 35540 at ______ P.M., Central Daylight
Time.
Purpose
of the Special Meeting (page 52)
At the
special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to (1)
adopt the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and
into Cavalier, with Cavalier continuing as the surviving corporation and a
wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy; (2) approve the adjournment of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if
there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to adopt the
Merger Agreement; and (3) to allow those persons named as proxies to consider
and act upon such other matters as may properly come before the special
meeting.
Record
Date and Quorum (page 52)
You are
entitled to vote at the special meeting if you owned a share of our common stock
at the close of business on July 2, 2009, the record date of the special
meeting. You will have one vote for each share of our common stock that you
owned on the record date. As of July 2, 2009, there were ___________ shares of
our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the special
meeting.
The
presence at the special meeting in person or by proxy of the holders of a
majority of all outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the
special meeting as of the close of business on the record date will constitute a
quorum for purposes of considering the proposals at the special
meeting.
Vote
Required for Approval (page 52)
The
adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote. A
failure to vote your shares of common stock, an abstention or a broker non-vote
will have the same effect as voting
“
AGAINST
”
the adoption of the Merger
Agreement at the special meeting.
Approval
of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to
solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the
special meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, whether or not a quorum is
present. A failure to attend the special meeting and vote your shares of common
stock or failure to submit a proxy or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on
the outcome of any vote to adjourn the special meeting. An abstention will have
the same effect as voting
“
AGAINST
”
any proposal to adjourn the
special meeting.
Voting
and Proxies (page 52)
Any
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the special meeting may submit a proxy
by returning the enclosed proxy card by mail or appearing at the special meeting
and voting in person. If no instructions are indicated on your signed proxy
card, your shares will be voted
“
FOR
”
the adoption of the Merger
Agreement,
“
FOR
”
adjournment or postponement
of the meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies and
“FOR” the persons named as proxies to consider and act upon such other matters
as may properly come before the special meeting.
If your
shares of common stock are held in “street name” by your broker, you should
instruct your broker on how to vote your shares of common stock using the
instructions provided by your broker. If your shares of common stock are held in
“street name” and you do not provide your broker with instructions, your shares
of common stock will not be voted and that will have the same effect as voting
“
AGAINST
”
the adoption of the Merger
Agreement and will have no effect on the outcome of any vote to adjourn or
postpone the special meeting.
Revocability
of Proxy (page 52)
If you
hold your shares in your name as a stockholder of record, you have the right to
change or revoke your proxy at any time before the vote taken at the special
meeting by:
|
·
|
delivering
to our Corporate Secretary, at 32 Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama
35540, a signed, written notice of revocation, bearing a date later than
the date of the proxy, stating that the proxy is
revoked;
|
|
·
|
attending
the special meeting and voting in person (your attendance at the meeting
will not, by itself, change or revoke your proxy — you must vote in person
at the meeting to revoke a prior proxy);
or
|
|
·
|
submitting
a later dated proxy card.
|
You have
the right to change or revoke your proxy at any time before the vote taken at
the special meeting if you hold your shares through a broker by following the
directions received from your broker to change or revoke those
instructions.
Interests
of the Company’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (page
30)
When
considering the recommendation of the Board of Directors and in considering how
to vote on the Merger, you should be aware that Cavalier’s directors and certain
employees have interests in the Merger that are in addition to, or different
from, the interests of our stockholders generally, and that create potential or
actual conflicts of interest. Together, our directors and the executive officers
control ____% of the outstanding stock of Cavalier as of the record date
(excluding options held by such directors and executive officers). Our Board of
Directors was aware of these interests and the potential conflicts arising from
such interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving the Merger
Agreement. These interests include, among others, the ownership of stock
options, continuation of employee benefits and potential change in control
severance payments that, under certain circumstances, are payable to certain of
our executive officers. Stockholders should take these benefits into account in
deciding whether to vote for approval of the Merger Agreement
Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (page 33)
For U.S.
federal income tax purposes, a U.S. stockholder who receives merger
consideration in exchange for our common stock generally will recognize a
taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash such
stockholder receives for such stock in the Merger and the stockholder’s adjusted
tax basis in the stock exchanged therefor. The U.S. federal income tax
consequences to non-U.S. stockholders will vary based on a number of factors.
See “The Merger – Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger”
on page 33 of this proxy statement.
Tax
matters are complicated, and the tax consequences of the Merger to you will
depend upon the facts of your particular situation. In addition, you may be
subject to state, local, foreign or other tax laws that are not discussed
herein. Accordingly, we strongly urge you to consult your own tax advisor for a
full understanding of the tax consequences to you of the Merger.
No
Solicitation (page 40)
We agreed
to immediately cease any discussions or negotiations with any parties with
respect to a “takeover proposal” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and to
seek to have returned to us any confidential information that we may have
provided in such discussions or negotiations. We have additionally agreed that
neither we nor our subsidiaries will authorize or permit any of our or our
subsidiaries’ officers, directors, employees, affiliates, investment bankers,
financial advisors, attorneys, accountants or any other representatives retained
by us or by any of our subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit,
initiate, or knowingly encourage, or take any other action designed to
facilitate, any inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or may
reasonably be
expected
to lead to, a takeover proposal or (ii) participate in the discussions or
negotiations regarding a takeover proposal.
If,
however, we receive an unsolicited bona fide takeover proposal, and our Board of
Directors determines that it is a “superior proposal” (as defined in the Merger
Agreement), the Company may:
|
·
|
request
information from the party making such takeover proposal for the sole
purpose of our Board of Directors informing itself about the takeover
proposal and the party that made
it;
|
|
·
|
furnish
information with respect to the Company to the party making such takeover
proposal pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement, provided that
(i) such confidentiality agreement does not contain terms less favorable
to the Company than the confidentiality agreement dated May 4, 2009,
between the Company and Southern Energy, and (ii) we advise Southern
Energy of all nonpublic information delivered to such person concurrently
with its delivery to the requesting party;
and
|
|
·
|
participate
in negotiations with such party regarding such takeover
proposal.
|
Conditions
to the Completion of the Merger (page 41)
The
completion of the Merger depends on the satisfaction of a number of conditions
at or prior to the effective time of the Merger, including the
following:
|
·
|
the
Merger Agreement must have been approved by a majority of the outstanding
shares of our common stock;
|
|
·
|
no
statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or injunction shall have been
promulgated, entered, enforced, enacted or issued or be applicable to the
Merger by any governmental entity that prohibits, restrains or makes
illegal the consummation of the
Merger;
|
|
·
|
all
governmental consents, orders, approvals and waiting periods required for
the consummation of the Merger and the other contemplated transactions
shall have been obtained and shall be in effect, or, with respect to
waiting periods, shall have expired or been
terminated;
|
|
·
|
each
of our representations and warranties and the representations and
warranties of Southern Energy and Merger Sub must be true and
correct;
|
|
·
|
we,
along with Southern Energy and Merger Sub, must have performed or complied
with all material obligations, agreements and covenants as required by the
Merger Agreement;
|
|
·
|
there
shall be no statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or injunction that
(i) prohibits, or imposes a material limitation on, Southern Energy’s
ownership or operation of its assets or Southern Energy’s, Merger Sub’s or
the Company’s business and assets, or (ii) imposes material limitations on
Southern Energy’s ownership of the surviving corporation, and no action by
a governmental entity shall be pending that seeks either of these results;
and
|
|
·
|
CMH
Manufacturing, Inc. must have executed a guaranty in favor of the Company
related to certain indemnification obligations and the payment of merger
consideration. The form of guaranty agreement is attached to Annex A to
the Merger Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit
A.
|
Termination
of the Merger Agreement (page 42)
The
Company and Southern Energy may agree to terminate the Merger Agreement without
completing the Merger at any time before its consummation even after our
stockholders have adopted the Merger Agreement.
The
Merger Agreement may be terminated by either the Company or Southern Energy
if:
|
·
|
a
governmental entity has issued a nonappealable final order, decree or
ruling or taken any other nonappealable final action which permanently
restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits the Merger;
or
|
|
·
|
the
Merger has not been completed by December 1, 2009 (provided that the right
to terminate the Merger Agreement will not be available to any party whose
failure to fulfill any obligation under the Merger Agreement results in
failure of the Merger to occur on or before such
date).
|
We may
terminate the Merger Agreement if:
|
·
|
our
stockholders do not adopt the Merger Agreement at the special
meeting;
|
|
·
|
we
enter into a definitive agreement providing for a superior proposal (as
defined in the Merger Agreement), provided that we have previously or
simultaneously paid the applicable termination
fee;
|
|
·
|
any
of the representations and warranties of either Southern Energy or Merger
Sub are not true and correct as of the closing date and such inaccuracy
cannot be cured or has not been cured within 15 days after we give written
notice of such inaccuracy to Southern Energy;
or
|
|
·
|
either
Southern Energy or Merger Sub have breached or failed in any material
respect to perform or comply with any material obligation, agreement or
covenant, and such breach cannot be cured or has not been cured within 15
days after we give written notice of such breach to Southern
Energy.
|
Additionally,
Southern Energy may terminate the Merger Agreement if:
|
·
|
our
stockholders do not adopt the Merger Agreement at the special
meeting;
|
|
·
|
our
Board of Directors withdraws or modifies, or proposes publicly to withdraw
or modify, its approval and recommendation of the Merger to our
stockholders in a manner adverse to Southern
Energy;
|
|
·
|
our
Board of Directors fails to reconfirm its recommendation in favor of the
Merger within three business days after a written request by Southern
Energy to do so;
|
|
·
|
our
Board of Directors approves or recommends, or proposes publicly to approve
or recommend, any takeover proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
other than the Merger;
|
|
·
|
any
of our representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement are not true
and correct as of the closing date and such inaccuracy cannot be cured or
has not been cured within 15 days after Southern Energy gives us written
notice of such inaccuracy; or
|
|
·
|
we
have breached or failed in any material respect to perform or comply with
any material obligation, agreement or covenant, and such breach cannot be
cured or has not been cured within 15 days after Southern Energy gives us
written notice of such breach.
|
Termination Fees; Expenses
(page 43)
Generally,
all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement, the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be
paid by the party incurring such fees and expenses, whether or not the Merger is
completed.
We have
agreed, however, to pay Southern Energy a termination fee equal to 3% of the
merger consideration in the event that:
|
·
|
a
takeover proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is made known to
the Company, made directly to our stockholders or publicly announced, and
the Merger Agreement is thereafter terminated for one of the following
reasons:
|
|
·
|
the
Merger is not closed by December 1,
2009;
|
|
·
|
our
stockholders do not adopt the Merger Agreement at the special
meeting;
|
|
·
|
a
governmental entity issues a nonappealable final order, decree or ruling
or takes any other nonappealable final action which permanently restrains,
enjoins or otherwise prohibits the Merger, but only if the applicable
final order is based on the existence of a takeover proposal and such
takeover proposal is consummated within one year of the termination of the
Merger Agreement;
|
|
·
|
Southern
Energy terminates the Merger Agreement because our Board of Directors
withdraws or modifies, or proposes publicly to withdraw or modify, its
approval or recommendation of the Merger to our stockholders in a manner
adverse to Southern Energy;
|
|
·
|
Southern
Energy terminates the Merger Agreement because our Board of Directors
fails to reconfirm its recommendation in favor of the Merger within three
business days after a written request by Southern Energy to do
so;
|
|
·
|
Southern
Energy terminates the Merger Agreement because our Board of Directors
approves or recommends, or proposes publicly to approve or recommend, any
takeover proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) other than the
Merger; or
|
|
·
|
the
Company terminates the Merger Agreement and concurrently enters into a
definitive agreement relating to a superior
proposal.
|
The
termination fee is due to Southern Energy on the date of the termination of the
Merger Agreement, except in the case of a governmental entity action, following
which the termination fee is due upon the consummation of the takeover
proposal.
Appraisal
Rights (page 45)
We have
concluded that Cavalier stockholders are entitled under Delaware law to
appraisal rights in connection with the Merger. To exercise appraisal rights, a
Cavalier stockholder must:
|
·
|
before
the taking of the vote on the proposal to approve the Merger Agreement,
deliver to Cavalier a written demand for
appraisal;
|
|
·
|
NOT
vote in favor of the proposal to approve the Merger
Agreement;
|
|
·
|
continue
to hold your Cavalier common stock through the effective date of the
Merger; and
|
|
·
|
comply
with other procedures required by Section 262 of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware (the “
DGCL
”)
|
A copy of
the relevant provisions of DGCL Section 262 is attached to this proxy statement
as Annex C.
Surrender
of Certificates (page 36)
Promptly
after the effective time of the Merger, you will be mailed a letter of
transmittal and instructions specifying the procedures to be followed to
surrender your shares of Cavalier common stock in exchange for the applicable
merger consideration. You should not submit your stock certificates for exchange
until you receive the letter of transmittal and instructions. When Cavalier
stockholders surrender their stock certificates along with the properly executed
letter of transmittal, they will receive the applicable merger consideration
less any applicable withholding taxes.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MERGER
The
following questions and answers are intended to address briefly some commonly
asked questions regarding the special meeting and the proposed Merger. These
questions and answers may not address all questions that may be important to you
as a stockholder of Cavalier Homes, Inc. Please refer to the more detailed
information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement, the annexes to this
proxy statement and the documents referred to or incorporated by reference in
this proxy statement.
Q: What
is the proposed transaction?
A:
|
The
proposed transaction is the acquisition of the Company by Southern Energy
Homes, Inc., a Delaware corporation, in a merger pursuant to the Merger
Agreement. If the Merger Agreement is adopted by the Company’s
stockholders and the other closing conditions under the Merger Agreement
have been satisfied or waived, Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Southern Energy, will merge with and into the Company. Upon consummation
of the Merger, the Company will be the surviving corporation in the Merger
and will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy. After the
Merger, shares of the Company’s common stock will no longer be publicly
traded.
|
Q: What
will I receive for my shares of the Company’s common stock in the
Merger?
A:
|
Upon
completion of the Merger, you will receive $2.75 in cash, without interest
and less any applicable withholding taxes, for each share of our common
stock that you own (unless you have properly demanded and perfected your
appraisal rights under Delaware law, in which case any consideration that
you receive will be determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery). For
example, if you own 100 shares of our common stock, you will receive
$275.00 in cash in exchange for your shares of our common stock, less any
applicable withholding taxes. Upon consummation of the Merger, you will no
longer own shares in Cavalier, nor will you have acquired any shares in
Southern Energy, Merger Sub or the surviving
corporation.
|
|
See
the section entitled “The Merger – Material U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences of the Merger” on page 33 of this proxy statement for a more
detailed description of the tax consequences of the Merger. You should
consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of how the Merger
will affect your federal, state, local and foreign
taxes.
|
Q:
|
How
does the merger consideration compare to the market price of the common
stock prior to announcement of the
Merger?
|
A:
|
The
closing sale price of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE Amex on June
12, 2009, the trading day prior to the public announcement of the
execution of the Merger Agreement, was $2.23 per share as compared to the
$2.75 per share merger
consideration.
|
Q:
|
How
will the Company’s stock options be treated in the
Merger?
|
A:
|
Pursuant
to the Merger Agreement, each unexercised stock option outstanding
immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (whether vested or
unvested) that represents the right to acquire a share of our common stock
will, immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, be cancelled
and the holder thereof will only have the right to receive a cash payment
equal to the excess, if any, of the $2.75 per share merger consideration
over the exercise price of such stock option, less any applicable
withholding taxes.
|
Q: When
and where is the special meeting?
A:
|
The
special meeting will be held on August ___, 2009 at 32 Wilson Boulevard
100, Addison, Alabama 35540 at ____ P.M. Central Daylight
Time.
|
Q:
|
Are
all stockholders of the Company as of the record date entitled to vote at
the special meeting?
|
A:
|
Yes.
All stockholders who own our common stock at the close of business on July
2, 2009, the record date for the special meeting, will be entitled to
receive notice of the special meeting and to vote (in person or by proxy)
the shares of our common stock that they hold on that date at the special
meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the special
meeting.
|
Q:
|
What
vote of the Company’s stockholders is required to adopt the Merger
Agreement?
|
A:
|
For
us to complete the Merger, a majority of the outstanding shares of our
common stock at the close of business on the record date must vote
“
FOR
”
the adoption of the
Merger Agreement, with each share having a single
vote.
|
|
Because
the affirmative vote required to adopt the Merger Agreement is based upon
the total number of shares of our outstanding common stock, failure to
vote, an abstention or a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a
vote “AGAINST” adoption of the Merger
Agreement.
|
Q:
|
What
vote of the Company’s stockholders is required to adjourn the special
meeting?
|
A:
|
Approval
of the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or
represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote on the
matter, whether or not a quorum is present. A failure to attend the
special meeting and vote your shares of common stock or failure to submit
a proxy or a broker non-vote, will have no effect on the outcome of any
vote to adjourn the special meeting. An abstention will have the same
effect as voting “AGAINST” any proposal to adjourn the special
meeting.
|
Q:
|
Does
our Board of Directors recommend that our stockholders vote “FOR” the
adoption of the Merger Agreement?
|
A:
|
Yes.
After careful consideration, our Board of Directors, by a unanimous vote
of the directors, recommends that you
vote:
|
|
·
|
“
FOR
”
the adoption of the
Merger Agreement. You should read the section entitled “The Merger –
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendations of Our Board of Directors” on page
21
of this
proxy statement for a discussion of the factors that our Board of
Directors considered in deciding to recommend the adoption of the Merger
Agreement;
|
|
·
|
“
FOR
”
the adjournment of the
special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional
proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting
to adopt the Merger Agreement; and
|
|
·
|
“
FOR” the ability of
those persons named as proxies to consider and act upon such other matters
as may properly come before the special
meeting.
|
Q:
|
Do
any of the Company’s directors or officers have interests in the Merger
that may differ from or be in addition to my interests as a
stockholder?
|
A:
|
In
considering the recommendation of our Board of Directors with respect to
the Merger Agreement, you should be aware that some of the Company’s
directors and executive officers, including individuals who participated
in meetings of our Board of Directors regarding the Merger Agreement and
the Merger, may have interests in the Merger that are different from, or
in addition to, the interests of our stockholders generally. See the
section entitled “The Merger – Our Directors, Executive Officers and
Employees Have Interests in the Merger That Differ from Your Interests” on
page 30 of this proxy
statement.
|
Q:
|
What
effects will the proposed Merger have on the
Company?
|
A:
|
Upon
consummation of the proposed Merger, Cavalier will cease to be a publicly
traded company and will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy.
You will no longer have any interest in our future earnings or growth, if
any. Following consummation of the Merger, the registration of our common
stock and our reporting obligations with respect to our common stock under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “
Exchange Act
”),
will be terminated upon application to the SEC. In addition, upon
completion of the proposed merger, shares of Cavalier common stock will no
longer be listed on the NYSE Amex, or any other stock exchange or
quotation system.
|
Q:
|
What
happens if the Merger is not
consummated?
|
A:
|
If
the Merger Agreement is not adopted by stockholders or if the Merger is
not completed for any reason, stockholders will not receive any payment
for their shares in connection with the Merger. Instead, Cavalier will
remain an independent public company and our common stock will continue to
be listed and traded on the NYSE Amex. If the Merger Agreement is
terminated, under specified circumstances, Cavalier may be required to pay
Southern Energy a termination fee as described in the section entitled
“The Merger Agreement – Termination Fee; Expenses” on page 43 of this
proxy statement.
|
Q:
|
How
do I vote my shares without attending the special
meeting?
|
A:
|
If
you hold shares in your name as a stockholder of record, then you received
this proxy statement and a proxy card from us. If you hold shares in
street name through a broker, bank or other nominee, then you received
this proxy statement from the nominee, along with the nominee’s voting
instructions. In either case, you may vote your shares by mail without
attending the special meeting. To vote by mail, mark, sign and date the
proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope
provided.
|
Q:
|
How
do I vote my shares in person at the special
meeting?
|
A:
|
If
you hold shares in your name as a stockholder of record, you may vote
those shares in person by giving us a signed proxy card or ballot before
voting is closed. If you want to do that, please bring proof of
identification with you to the special meeting. Even if you plan to attend
the meeting, we recommend that you vote your shares in advance as
described above, so your vote will be counted if you later decide not to
attend.
|
|
If
you hold shares in street name through a broker, bank or other nominee,
you may vote those shares in person at the meeting only if you obtain and
bring with you a signed proxy from the necessary nominees giving you the
right to vote the shares. To do this, you should contact your
nominee.
|
Q:
|
If
my shares are held in “street name” by my broker, will my broker vote my
shares for me?
|
A:
|
Your
broker will not vote your shares on your behalf unless you provide
instructions to your broker on how to vote. You should follow the
directions provided by your broker regarding how to instruct your broker
to vote your shares. Without those instructions, your shares will not be
voted, which will have the same effect as voting “AGAINST” the adoption of
the Merger Agreement.
|
Q:
|
Can
I revoke or change my vote?
|
A:
|
Yes.
You have the right to change or revoke your proxy at any time before the
vote taken at the special meeting. If your shares are held in your name,
you may revoke a proxy by notice in writing delivered to our Secretary,
Michael R. Murphy, at any time before it is exercised, or by attending the
special meeting and voting in person. The presence of a stockholder at the
special meeting, however, will not automatically revoke a proxy previously
given to us. If your shares are held in street name, you may revoke your
earlier proxy by re-voting as instructed by your broker; only your latest
vote will be counted.
|
Q:
|
What
do I need to do now?
|
A:
|
Even
if you plan to attend the special meeting, after carefully reading and
considering the information contained in this proxy statement, if you hold
your shares in your own name as the stockholder of record, please vote
your shares by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed
proxy card. You can also attend the special meeting and vote. Do NOT
return your stock certificate(s) with your
proxy.
|
|
If
your shares of common stock are held in “street name” by your broker, you
should instruct your broker on how to vote your shares of common stock
using the instructions provided by your broker. If your shares of common
stock are held in “street name” and you do not provide your broker with
instructions, your shares of common stock will not be voted and that will
have the same effect as voting “AGAINST” the adoption of the Merger
Agreement and will have no effect on the outcome of any vote to adjourn or
postpone the special meeting.
|
Q:
|
Am
I entitled to appraisal rights?
|
A:
|
Yes.
Cavalier has concluded that you are entitled under Delaware law to
appraisal rights in connection with the Merger. To exercise appraisal
rights, you must:
|
|
·
|
before
the taking of the vote on the proposal to approve the Merger Agreement,
deliver to Cavalier a written demand for
appraisal;
|
|
·
|
NOT
vote in favor of the proposal to approve the Merger
Agreement;
|
|
·
|
continue
to hold your Cavalier common stock through the effective date of the
Merger; and
|
|
·
|
comply
with other procedures as required by DGCL Section
262.
|
Q:
|
Should
I send in my stock certificates
now?
|
A:
|
No.
After the Merger is completed, Cavalier stockholders will receive written
instructions for surrendering their shares for the merger
consideration.
|
Q:
|
When
do you expect the Merger to be
completed?
|
A:
|
We
anticipate that the Merger will be completed by the end of the third
quarter of 2009, assuming satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions
to the Merger. However, the Merger is subject to various regulatory
approvals and other conditions, and it is possible that factors outside
the control of Southern Energy and the Company could result in the Merger
being completed at a later time, an earlier time or not at all. There may
be a substantial amount of time between the date of the special meeting
and completion of the Merger.
|
Q:
|
If
the Merger is completed when can I expect to receive the merger
consideration for my shares of common
stock?
|
A:
|
Promptly
after the completion of the Merger, you will be sent a letter of
transmittal describing how you may exchange your shares of common stock
for the merger consideration. You should not send your common stock
certificates to us or anyone else until you receive these
instructions.
|
Q:
|
What
happens if I sell my shares before the special
meeting?
|
A:
|
The
record date of the special meeting is earlier than the special meeting and
the date that the Merger is expected to be completed. If you transfer your
shares of common stock after the record date but before the special
meeting, you will retain your right to vote at the special meeting, but
will have transferred the right to receive $2.75 per share in cash to be
received by our stockholders in the Merger. In order to receive the $2.75
per share, you must hold your shares through the completion of the
Merger.
|
Q:
|
Whom
should I contact with questions or to obtain additional copies of this
proxy statement?
|
A:
|
If
you have more questions about the Merger, need assistance in submitting
your proxy or voting your shares, or need additional copies of the proxy
statement or the enclosed proxy card, you should contact Michael R.
Murphy, the Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of Cavalier, by
telephone at (256) 747-9800 or go to
http://www.cavhomesinc.com
.
|
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This
proxy statement, and the documents to which we refer you to in this proxy
statement, contain forward-looking statements about our plans, objectives,
expectations and intentions. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the
safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
and include information concerning possible or assumed future results of
operations of our Company, the expected completion and timing of the Merger and
other information relating to the Merger. Such statements are often expressed
through the use of words or phrases such as “will result,” “are expected to,”
“anticipated,” “plans,” “intends,” “will continue,” “estimated,” “projection,”
“preliminary,” “forecast,” and other similar expressions. You should read
statements that contain these words carefully. They discuss our future
expectations or state other forward-looking information and may involve known
and unknown risks and uncertainties over which we have no control. In addition
to other factors and matters contained in this proxy statement, those risks and
uncertainties include, without limitation:
|
·
|
the
satisfaction of the conditions to close the Merger, including the approval
of the Merger Agreement by our
stockholders;
|
|
·
|
the
occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise
to the termination of the Merger Agreement, including a termination under
circumstances that could require us to pay a termination fee of 3% of the
total merger consideration to Southern
Energy;
|
|
·
|
the
outcome of any legal proceeding that has been or may be instituted against
us and others following the announcement of the Merger
Agreement;
|
|
·
|
the
amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the
Merger;
|
|
·
|
the
potential adverse effect on our business due to compliance with certain
covenants to which we agreed in the Merger
Agreement;
|
|
·
|
the
effect of the announcement of the Merger on our customer and vendor
relationships, operating results and business
generally;
|
|
·
|
the
risk that the Merger may not be completed in a timely manner or at all,
which may adversely affect our business and the share price of our common
stock;
|
|
·
|
our
inability to retain and, if necessary, attract key employees, particularly
in light of the proposed Merger;
|
|
·
|
risks
related to the Merger diverting management’s attention from our ongoing
business operations;
|
|
·
|
general
economic and market conditions;
|
|
·
|
the
risk of unforeseen material adverse changes to our business and our
operations; and
|
|
·
|
other
risks and uncertainties detailed in our filings with the SEC, including
the risks set forth in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (filed on February 20,
2009), referred to as the “Form 10-K.” See “Where You Can Find More
Information” on page 55 of this proxy
statement.
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We
believe that the assumptions on which our forward-looking statements are based
are reasonable. However, we cannot assure you that the actual results or
developments we anticipate will be realized or, if realized, that they will have
the expected effects on our business or operations. All subsequent written and
oral forward-looking statements concerning the Merger or other matters addressed
in this proxy statement and attributable to us or any person acting on our
behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements
contained or
referred
to in this section. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this
proxy statement or the date of any document incorporated by reference in this
document. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not
undertake to release the results of any revisions of these forward-looking
statements to reflect future events or circumstances.
CHAPTER
I – THE MERGER
THE
MERGER
The
Companies
Cavalier
Homes, Inc.
Cavalier
Homes, Inc. and its subsidiaries design, produce, and sell a wide range of
manufactured homes, serving markets in the South Central and South Atlantic
regions of the United States. Currently, Cavalier operates four plants that
produce homes sold by a network of independent dealers, including exclusive
dealers. Cavalier’s shares trade on the NYSE Amex under the ticker symbol
“CAV”.
For its
distribution system, Cavalier has chosen to build a network of independent
dealers, including independent exclusive dealers, which the Company believes
gives it many of the same efficiencies and market presence that captive retail
centers provide to other companies
Cavalier’s
main office is located at 32 Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama 35540 and
its website address is
http://www.cavhomesinc.com
.
Its telephone number is (256) 747-9800.
Southern
Energy Homes, Inc.
Southern
Energy Homes, Inc. is an industry leader in producing top quality, customizable
manufactured homes. Its core markets are in the Southeast and South Central
United States. Currently, Southern Energy produces homes at six manufacturing
facilities under five brand names and sells its homes at more than three hundred
retail sales centers. It is a subsidiary of CMH Manufacturing, Inc., an indirect
subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Southern
Energy’s main office is located at 144 Corporate Way, Addison, Alabama 35540 and
its website address is
http://www.sehomes.com
.
Its telephone number is (256) 747-8589.
Background
of the Merger
The Board
of Directors and management of Cavalier regularly review the manufactured
housing industry and Cavalier’s strategic and competitive position in that
industry, particularly in light of the continuing long-term trend of decreased
shipments or sales of manufactured homes, consolidation in the manufactured
housing industry and the declining availability of sources of financing for
retail customers and wholesale floor plan lending for dealers for the purchase
of manufactured homes. Management and the Board of Directors of Cavalier
consider various strategic alternatives as part of their continuing efforts to
enhance Cavalier’s position in the manufactured housing industry and to maximize
stockholder value. These strategic alternatives include continuing to operate as
an independent producer of manufactured homes, acquiring other manufactured
housing companies, and entering into a strategic business combination with a
similarly-sized or larger company. From time to time in past years,
representatives of Cavalier have had informal, preliminary discussions with
representatives of other manufactured housing entities concerning the
possibility of a business combination transaction. Other strategic initiatives
and considerations include efforts to increase operating efficiencies by
reducing personnel, closing or idling underutilized manufacturing facilities and
consolidating manufacturing operations in Cavalier’s core production facilities
in Addison and Hamilton, Alabama. Management and the Board of Directors also
have actively pursued potential purchasers of Cavalier’s various closed
facilities in order to convert idle assets such as real estate into cash to
augment the Company’s capital and liquidity positions.
During
the summer and fall of 2007, the Chief Executive Officer of Cavalier, who at
that time was David A. Roberson, and the Board of Directors engaged in several
planning and discussion sessions focusing on the direction and prospects of
Cavalier. Among the items and issues discussed at these meetings were the
operating losses being incurred by Cavalier in 2007 and the increasingly
challenging business and operating market anticipated in 2008. At that time, the
Board of Directors, through the Business Planning Committee, developed a
business plan in conjunction with Avondale Partners, LLC (“Avondale Partners”)
and senior management to focus on operating results and operating efficiencies,
and to focus on the short-term and long-term strategic direction
of
the
Company. In late 2007 through May 2008, the Business Planning Committee was
comprised of directors, Bobby Tesney, Barry Donnell and John Lowe and after May
2008 was comprised of directors, Bobby Tesney, Barry Donnell and Tom
Broughton.
As part
of that initiative, the Business Planning Committee and senior management met
with several investment banking and advisory firms to seek advice and input.
Following these meetings and interviews, the Board of Directors, based on the
recommendations of the Business Planning Committee and senior management,
determined to engage Avondale Partners to provide financial advisory and
investment banking services to the Board of Directors. On October 4, 2007, the
Board of Directors and Avondale Partners entered into an engagement letter under
which Avondale Partners agreed to advise and assist the Board of Directors in
considering and assessing an array of strategic alternatives and initiatives,
including a review and analysis of the financial and operating characteristics
of Cavalier, the competitive position of Cavalier and the ability of Cavalier to
access the public and private capital markets, whether through equity, debt or
some combination thereof. The engagement with Avondale Partners also involved
assisting and advising the Board of Directors on strategic alternatives
involving various possible business combinations or transactions, including a
sale or transfer of all or a portion of the business or assets of the Company by
way of a merger, reorganization, recapitalization, joint venture or other
transaction.
Thereafter,
during the fourth quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008, Avondale
Partners, in conjunction with senior management and the Business Planning
Committee, conducted an in-depth review of Cavalier. Beginning in the fourth
quarter of 2007 and continuing at various times during the first, second and
third quarters of 2008, Avondale Partners met with and made presentations to the
Business Planning Committee and the full Board of Directors regarding the
results of Avondale Partners’ various preliminary and ongoing investigations,
and certain conclusions and recommendations of Avondale Partners to the Business
Planning Committee and the Board of Directors. These results and recommendations
included increased efforts to reduce operating costs, including the sales of
idled or closed facilities, exploring possible strategic alliances or
combinations with larger manufacturing companies with larger capital bases and
greater prospects for accessing capital markets and other sources of capital,
and consideration of deregistering the equity securities of Cavalier in order to
eliminate the ongoing compliance requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
as well as eliminating the ongoing reporting requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934 and the internal costs and external legal and accounting
costs associated with operating a public company. Avondale Partners also
performed a review of the possible financial and operating impact on Cavalier of
a disposition of Cavalier’s finance business through various possible
structures, including a sale of the operations of the finance subsidiary or a
sale of all or portions of its loan portfolio.
Following
the presentation and review of these assessments and the continued review and
deliberation of the Business Planning Committee and the full Board of Directors
along with senior management, the Board and senior management determined to
continue to pursue and implement cost-cutting and efficiency initiatives, with
an eye towards improving operating efficiencies and gross margins. In addition,
the Business Planning Committee and the Board of Directors determined that it
would be appropriate for Avondale Partners, in coordination with senior
management, to explore, on an informal basis, possible interest in a business
combination with other manufactured home companies, to gauge levels of interest
and assess possible ranges of values and valuations of Cavalier and its
operations.
During
the spring and summer of 2008, Avondale Partners made various informal inquiries
to several manufactured home companies exploring the operating and expansion
plans of such companies. In addition, during this same time period, Mr. David A.
Roberson, who was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cavalier at that
time, engaged in informal discussions with senior management of several
manufactured home companies regarding possible interest in a business
combination with Cavalier. In August 2008, Mr. Roberson resigned his position
with Cavalier, and Mr. Bobby Tesney was appointed interim President and Chief
Executive Officer of Cavalier. Upon appointment, Mr. Tesney assumed the various
duties and responsibilities previously performed by Mr. Roberson, including the
implementation of the various strategic plans and initiatives developed by the
Business Planning Committee and the Board of Directors.
On or
about August 25, 2008, Avondale Partners made a presentation to the Board of
Directors regarding a possible transaction involving the acquisition by Cavalier
of a smaller manufacturing company (hereafter referred to as “Company A”) in a
stock-for-stock transaction. The presentation had been prepared by Avondale
Partners as a result of an indication of interest from Company A, growing out of
the informal inquiries by Avondale Partners. At
that
time, following the presentation of Avondale Partners and discussion by the
Board of Directors, the Board determined not to pursue this proposal, and
instead to focus on improving the operations and financial performance of
Cavalier.
Early in
the fourth quarter of 2008, Mr. Tesney contacted the chairman of a larger
manufacturing company (hereafter referred to as “Company B”) to inquire whether
Company B would be interested in a possible business combination with Cavalier.
The chairman of Company B and Mr. Roberson had engaged in informal discussions
earlier in the summer of 2008 regarding a possible business combination between
Cavalier and Company B, and Mr. Tesney contacted the chairman of Company B to
ascertain the status of interest. Following these discussions, Mr. Tesney and
the chairman of Company B did not engage in further discussions regarding a
possible business combination during the remainder of 2008.
On
January 21, 2009, Curtis D. Hodgson, a Cavalier stockholder, informally notified
Barry B. Donnell, the chairman of Cavalier, that Mr. Hodgson intended to
nominate three persons for election to the Cavalier Board of Directors at the
2009 annual meeting of Cavalier stockholders and to solicit proxies in
connection therewith. Mr. Hodgson formally notified Cavalier of this intention
on February 5, 2009 and February 6, 2009. On February 3, 2009, Legacy Housing,
LTD., Shipley Brothers, LTD., Curtis D. Hodgson, Kenneth E. Shipley, and certain
of their affiliates, as stockholders of Cavalier (referred to in this proxy
statement as the “
Committee for
Change
”), filed a Schedule 13D with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. This Schedule 13D filing expressed, among other alternatives, that
the Committee for Change might seek to encourage Cavalier to take certain
actions including, but not limited to, the exploration of value creating
alternatives including changes to the overall strategic direction of Cavalier,
corporate structure, capital allocation, capital raising activities, and
Cavalier Board of Directors and management composition. The Schedule 13D filing
also stated that the Committee for Change might be in communication with other
Cavalier stockholders regarding such matters.
In
February 2009, Mr. Tesney and the chairman of Company B renewed their informal
discussions regarding a possible business combination between Company B and
Cavalier. On January 30, 2009, Company B and Cavalier entered into a
confidentiality agreement related to their preliminary discussions and the
confidential exchange and review by both parties of operational and financial
data and materials.
In March
2009, Mr. Tesney, Mr. Barry E. Mixon, the executive vice president of Cavalier,
Michael R. Murphy, the chief financial officer of Cavalier, and the chairman of
Company B met at a manufactured housing industry trade show in Tunica,
Mississippi to discuss further a business combination between Cavalier and
Company B. At this meeting, the Cavalier management team and the chairman of
Company B discussed their respective business operations and methodologies, and
their relative operating efficiencies and how a possible combination might
affect their respective operations and efficiencies. At this meeting, the
chairman of Company B made a verbal proposal to the management team of Cavalier
in which Company B would acquire all of the issued and outstanding stock of
Cavalier in a stock-for-stock transaction in which Cavalier stockholders would
receive $1.75 of stock of Company B for each share of Cavalier stock. After
consultation with the Cavalier Board of Directors, the Board directed Mr. Tesney
to reject this proposal, which Mr. Tesney did in April 2009 during a phone call
with the chairman of Company B. The Board of Directors did not request its
financial adviser Avondale Partners to make a formal presentation and analysis
of this proposal, because it was the Board of Directors’ judgment and
determination that the offer was not adequate for further consideration by the
Board of Directors or its advisors.
Following
Mr. Tesney’s rejection of the offer of $1.75 per share in stock from Company B,
Mr. Tesney requested Avondale Partners to explore with Company B whether there
was any interest in discussing a higher range of value. Avondale Partners
inquired of Company B regarding possible interest in pursuing a higher proposal
or range of values. This inquiry did not result in a revised or further proposal
from Company B.
In early
May 2009, Keith O. Holdbrooks, the President of Southern Energy, telephoned Mr.
Tesney to inquire about the status of Cavalier’s proxy fight with the Committee
for Change. Mr. Tesney and Mr. Holdbrooks spoke several times by telephone and
in the course of these telephone conversations Mr. Holdbrooks indicated to Mr.
Tesney that Southern Energy might have an interest in a transaction with
Cavalier. After additional discussion regarding the future of their respective
companies, Mr. Holdbrooks and Mr. Tesney entered into a confidentiality
agreement on behalf of Southern Energy and Cavalier dated May 4, 2009.
Commencing on May 5 and continuing during May 6, 7 and 8, 2009, Cavalier and
Southern Energy engaged in various due diligence activities and
exchange
of financial and operating information. During the evening of May 8, 2009, Mr.
Holdbrooks made an offer on behalf of Southern Energy to purchase the stock of
Cavalier for $2.50 per share in cash, which offer was not contingent on
financing nor upon the subsequent stock price of Cavalier common stock, but
which included a requirement for a break up fee and an agreement not to solicit
other offers. The Southern Energy offer was confirmed on May 8 via email to Mr.
Tesney and to Mr. Barry Donnell, as chairman of the Board of Directors of
Cavalier.
Following
receipt of the Southern Energy proposal on May 8, 2009, Mr. Tesney and Mr.
Holdbrooks discussed by telephone on May 8 and over the weekend of May 9 and May
10 the pricing proposal and other aspects of the offer, including a termination
fee and a period of exclusivity for Southern Energy.
At a
meeting of the Board of Directors called on May 11, 2009, the full Board of
Directors was apprised of the proposal from Southern Energy and discussed the
proposal from Southern Energy, as well as the status of the negotiations with
the Committee for Change and the likelihood of the settlement of such
negotiations. It was the sense and judgment of the Board of Directors that,
given the likelihood of a possible settlement with the Committee for Change and
the fact that such a settlement would result in two new individuals being added
to the Cavalier Board of Directors at the annual meeting of stockholders
scheduled, at that time, for May 19, 2009, it would be prudent and consistent
with the best interests of the stockholders of Cavalier, both generally and as
specifically expressed in the proxy contest with the Committee for Change, to
have the anticipated new, full board of Cavalier (which the Board expected would
include two representatives of the Committee for Change), consider the proposal
from Southern Energy. Accordingly, following its considerations and
deliberations on May 11, 2009, the Board directed Mr. Tesney to communicate to
Southern Energy that the Board desired to have the expected newly-constituted
Board of Directors (which the Board expected would include the two new nominees
of the Committee for Change) to participate in the assessment and consideration
of the Southern Energy proposal.
On May
14, 2009, Cavalier and the Committee for Change entered into a settlement
agreement whereby two of the director nominees named by the Committee for
Change, Mr. Curt Hodgson and Mr. Kenny Shipley, were named to the Cavalier Board
of Directors. In addition, Cavalier agreed to pay certain expenses of the
Committee for Change incurred in the proxy fight and to take other actions
regarding the future nominations to and composition of the Cavalier Board of
Directors. At the annual meeting of stockholders of Cavalier subsequently held
on May 26, 2009, Mr. Curt Hodgson and Mr. Kenny Shipley, along with the eight
individual nominees of the Board of Directors of Cavalier, were elected to the
Board of Directors of Cavalier.
During a
regularly scheduled meeting of the newly-elected Cavalier Board of Directors on
May 26, 2009, called to order immediately following the annual meeting of
stockholders of Cavalier, Mr. Tesney reported to the Cavalier Board of Directors
regarding the Southern Energy offer of $2.50 in cash, as well as the status of
discussions and negotiations with Southern Energy. Also present at the meetings
of the Board of Directors were representatives of Avondale Partners who
discussed and presented various financial analyses of the proposal from Southern
Energy. Following these discussions and presentations, the Board of Directors
directed Mr. Tesney to make a counter-offer to Mr. Holdbrooks of $3.00 per share
in cash. Mr. Tesney telephoned Mr. Holdbrooks to convey the counter proposal and
discussed with Mr. Holdbrooks a number of assumptions underlying Southern
Energy’s offer of $2.50 per share in cash, including particularly the potential
financial effect to Southern Energy of Cavalier’s deferred tax assets of
approximately $16 million as of March 28, 2009, which are fully reserved and
includes federal and state tax net operating loss carry forwards. Subsequent to
that discussion, Southern Energy requested, and Cavalier provided, detailed
information concerning the tax net operating loss carry forward. Mr. Holdbrooks
and Mr. Tesney met in person on June 1, 2009 and Mr. Holdbrooks indicated that
Southern Energy was willing to increase its offer to $2.75 per share in cash,
subject to the same conditions specified in its previous offer. The increased
Southern Energy offer was confirmed on June 1 via email to Mr. Tesney and to Mr.
Donnell, as chairman of the Board of Directors of Cavalier.
Following
the receipt by Cavalier of the offer of $2.75 per share in cash, the Cavalier
Board of Directors met in a special meeting on June 3, 2009 to discuss the new
proposal. During the evening of June 2, 2009, Avondale Partners distributed to
the Board of Directors discussion materials regarding the offer from Southern
Energy including a financial analysis of the offer, and representatives of
Avondale Partners were present by telephone at the meeting of the Board of
Directors on June 3. Mr. Tesney reported at length to the Board of Directors
regarding the discussions and negotiations with Mr. Holdbrooks and Southern
Energy and the new proposal. Following this report
and
discussion, the Board of Directors requested Avondale Partners to discuss and
review with the Board the discussion materials and financial analysis of the
offer set forth in the discussion materials that Avondale Partners had provided
to the Board. Avondale Partners discussed at length the proposal and the
financial analysis of the proposed transaction and responded to questions from
the Board of Directors regarding the proposal and financial
analysis.
Counsel
from the firms of Lowe, Mobley and Lowe and Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
also were present by telephone for the meeting of the Board of Directors and
participated in these discussions. Counsel outlined and reviewed with the Board
of Directors the fiduciary duties of the members of the Board, and responded to
questions from members of the Board regarding such duties, the status of
negotiations with Southern Energy and the process in which the Board and
management had been engaged. The Cavalier Board of Directors continued to
discuss at length the proposal from Southern Energy and the presentations by the
Board’s financial and legal advisors. The Board of Directors also reviewed with
its representatives and management its views on various matters which were
continuing to be discussed and negotiated, including the request by Southern
Energy for exclusivity, the proposed termination fee and the ability of the
Board to respond to other offers or proposals.
Following
these discussions and deliberations by the Board of Directors at its meeting on
June 3, 2009, the Board directed Mr. Tesney to continue to pursue negotiations
with Mr. Holdbrooks and Southern Energy based on the offer of $2.75 per share in
cash. Mr. Tesney communicated this information to Mr. Holdbrooks and on June 4,
2009, counsel for Southern Energy delivered a draft of a proposed merger
agreement, which representatives of Cavalier and Southern Energy began to review
and negotiate.
In
addition, following the meeting of the Board of Directors on June 3, 2009,
Avondale Partners contacted a number of other parties in the manufactured
housing industry and solicited information from such parties regarding the
interest of any other party in a possible business combination with Cavalier.
Avondale Partners’ efforts did not result in any such party making a formal
offer or proposal to Cavalier.
On June
12, 2009, the Cavalier Board of Directors met to review the proposed
transaction. With the assistance of counsel and management, the Board of
Directors of Cavalier conducted a detailed review of the definitive Merger
Agreement and related aspects of the transaction, including the structure and
treatment of various financial, business and legal items under the Merger
Agreement and in the transaction. Counsel reviewed and discussed again the
fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors. The Cavalier Board of Directors also
considered a review of the transaction by Avondale Partners which included a
financial analysis of the Southern Energy proposal. Avondale Partners presented
to the Board of Directors of Cavalier its opinion that the merger consideration
to be offered to the stockholders of Cavalier by Southern Energy was fair to the
stockholders of Cavalier from a financial point of view. After further
discussion and consideration of the factors discussed below under “Reasons for
the Merger,” the Board of Directors of Cavalier, by unanimous vote, determined
that the Merger was fair to, and in the best interests of, Cavalier and its
stockholders, approved the Merger Agreement and the Merger, and, subject to the
exercise of its fiduciary duties, and the terms and conditions of the Merger
Agreement, voted to recommend that the stockholders of Cavalier approve the
Merger Agreement and Merger. In addition, the Cavalier Board of Directors
authorized Mr. Tesney to negotiate with Southern Energy the terms and conditions
of a Change in Control Agreement between Cavalier and Michael R. Murphy, the
chief financial officer of Cavalier.
Over the
weekend of June 13 and June 14, 2009, representatives of Southern Energy and
Cavalier continued to negotiate and finalize the Merger Agreement and Mr.
Murphy’s Change in Control Agreement. Cavalier and Southern Energy executed the
Merger Agreement during the evening of June 14, 2009, and issued a joint press
release publicly announcing the transaction on the morning of June 15,
2009.
Reasons
for the Merger; Recommendations of Our Board of Directors
Our Board
of Directors has unanimously approved the Merger Agreement and unanimously
recommends that the stockholders of the Company vote for the approval and
adoption of the Merger Agreement. In approving the Merger Agreement, our Board
of Directors considered the following factors:
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that
the merger consideration of $2.75 per share of Cavalier common stock
represents a premium of approximately 23% over the closing sale price on
June 12, 2009; a premium of
approximately
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31%
over the average trading price of Cavalier common stock one week prior to
announcement; and a premium of approximately 61% over the average trading
price of Cavalier common stock four weeks prior to
announcement;
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the
process undertaken by Avondale, which began in October 2007 and included
contacting or being contacted by a number of potential strategic buyers,
including all of the major participants in the manufactured housing
industry. Several parties provided indications of interest, and one of
those entities provided a verbal proposal to acquire Cavalier in a
stock-for-stock merger;
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the
opinion of Avondale that the merger consideration of $2.75 per share of
Cavalier common stock to be paid under the Merger Agreement was, as of the
date of the opinion and based upon and subject to factors and assumptions
set forth herein, fair from a financial point of view to Cavalier’s
stockholders (see “The Merger – Opinion of Our Financial Advisor” on page
24 of this proxy statement);
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the
Board’s view that the merger consideration is fair in light of the Board’s
familiarity with Cavalier’s business, assets, operations, financial
condition, strategy and prospects, as well as Cavalier’s historical and
projected financial performance;
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the
Board’s view that the merger consideration is more favorable to Cavalier’s
stockholders than the potential value that might result from pursuing
other strategic initiatives or continuing with Cavalier’s current business
plan, which view was based on the following
factors:
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the
prospects for the macro economy and the manufactured housing industry
which challenge Cavalier’s ability to sustain gross margins and increase
earnings;
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o
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the
perceived risks associated with the achievement of Cavalier’s business
plan;
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the
determination that Cavalier did not receive many of the benefits
associated with being a public company and faced significant continuing
costs associated with remaining a public
company;
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the
expected time, capital required and availability and cost to effectuate
other strategic business alternatives;
and
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the
continuing risk of uncertain returns to Cavalier’s
stockholders;
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that
the merger consideration is all cash, which provides certainty of value to
Cavalier’s stockholders;
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the
Board’s view that the Merger maximizes stockholder value by providing
stockholders with liquidity, without the risk to stockholders of a
business plan constrained by uncertain market
conditions;
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the
likelihood that the Merger will be consummated, in light of Southern
Energy’s reputation and financial capability; and the absence of any
financing condition to Southern Energy’s obligation to complete the
Merger;
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that
historically Cavalier’s common stock traded with low volume, making the
stock relatively illiquid and often difficult to sell without negatively
impacting the per share price;
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the
business, financial, market and execution risks associated with remaining
independent, including:
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the
long-term trend of decreased shipments and sales of manufactured
homes;
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the
declining availability of sources of financing for continuing
operations;
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the
lack of availability of sources of wholesale floor plan lending for
manufactured housing dealers;
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the
lack of availability of financing for retail customers for the purchase of
manufactured homes; and
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the
consolidation trend in the manufactured housing
industry;
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the
increased costs associated with being a public company, particularly those
costs associated with compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
which costs disproportionately impact smaller public
companies;
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the
availability of appraisal rights;
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the
terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement,
including;
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the
limited conditions to the consummation of the Merger, including the
requirement that the Merger Agreement be approved by Cavalier’s
stockholders;
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the
ability of the Cavalier Board of Directors, if the failure to do so would
be inconsistent with its fiduciary duty, to provide information to and
engage in negotiations with another party in connection with an
unsolicited, bona fide takeover proposal that the Board determines is a
“superior proposal” and, subject to paying a fee equal to three percent
(3%) of the merger consideration to Southern Energy, accept a superior
proposal (see “The Merger Agreement – No Solicitation” on page 40 of this
proxy statement); and
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the
belief of the Board of Directors that the three percent (3%) termination
fee payable to Southern Energy in certain circumstances is reasonable in
the context of termination fees that were payable in other comparable
transactions and would not be likely to preclude another party from making
a competing proposal.
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The Board
also considered a number of potentially countervailing factors in its
deliberations concerning the Merger, including:
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that
Cavalier will no longer exist as an independent company and its
stockholders will no longer participate in Cavalier’s growth, any future
increase in the value of Cavalier, or from any synergies the Merger may
create;
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that,
under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Cavalier cannot solicit other
acquisition proposals and must pay or cause to be paid to Southern Energy
a termination fee equal to three percent (3%) of the merger consideration
in cash if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances
provided in the Merger Agreement, including if the Cavalier Board
exercises its right to terminate the Merger Agreement and enter into an
alternative superior transaction, which may deter others from proposing an
alternative transaction that may be more advantageous to Cavalier’s
stockholders;
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that
gains from this all cash transaction will be taxable to Cavalier’s
stockholders for U.S. federal income tax
purposes;
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the
fact that upon the closing of the Merger, stockholders will be required to
surrender their shares involuntarily in exchange for a cash price
determined by the Cavalier Board and that stockholders will not have the
right to liquidate their shares at a time and price of their choosing;
and
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that
if the Merger does not close, Cavalier’s officers and other employees will
have expended extensive efforts attempting to complete the transaction and
will have experience significant distractions from their work during the
pendency of the transaction, and Cavalier will have incurred substantial
transaction costs as well as intangible costs in connection with the
transaction.
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The
Cavalier Board also considered the interests of its directors, executive
officers and employees in the transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement,
as well as such interests in connection with certain other transactions which
were finalized immediately prior to execution of the Merger Agreement, which are
described under “The Merger – Our Directors, Executive Officers and Employees
Have Interests in the Merger that Differ from Your Interests” on page 30 of this
proxy statement.
The
foregoing information and factors considered by our Board of Directors are not
exhaustive, but include all material factors considered. In view of the wide
variety of factors considered and discussed by our Board of Directors in
connection with its evaluation of the Merger and the complexity of these
factors, our Board of Directors did not assign any specific or relative weights
to the factors that it considered in reaching its decision, and individual
directors may have weighted factors differently.
The Board
of Directors discussed the foregoing factors and asked questions of our
executive management and legal and financial advisors, and determined
unanimously that the Merger was in the best interests of Cavalier and its
stockholders.
Opinion
of Our Financial Advisor
Pursuant
to an engagement letter dated October 4, 2007, Cavalier retained Avondale
Partners, LLC as its financial advisor in connection with Cavalier’s analysis
and consideration of various strategic alternatives, including the proposed
Merger, and to render an opinion to the Cavalier Board of Directors as to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be paid to
Cavalier’s common stockholders in connection with the proposed
Merger.
On June
12, 2009, Avondale Partners rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed by
delivery of its written opinion, dated June 12, 2009, to our Board of Directors
that, as of the date of its opinion and based upon and subject to the factors
and assumptions set forth in the opinion, the $2.75 per share in cash to be
received by the holders of the outstanding shares of Cavalier common stock
pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to the
stockholders.
The
full text of Avondale Partners’ written opinion, dated June 12, 2009, which sets
forth the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and
limitations on the review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is included
as Annex B to this proxy statement, and the written opinion is incorporated
herein by reference. You should read the opinion carefully and in its
entirety. The following summary of the Avondale Partners opinion is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion.
Avondale Partners provided its
opinion for the information and assistance of
our
B
oard of
D
irectors in connection with its
consideration of the
Merger
.
Avondale Partners’ opinion is not a
recommendation as to how any holder of Cavalier common stock should vote with
respect to the
Merger
.
The opinion addresses
only the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of our common
stock of the consideration to be received by such holders in the Merger. It does
not address the relative merits of the Merger as compared to alternative
transactions or strategies that may be available to the Company, nor does it
address the Company’s underlying decision to engage in the Merger.
We did
not impose any limitations on Avondale Partners with respect to the
investigations made or procedures followed in rendering its
opinion.
Avondale
Partners’ opinion and its related presentation were among the many factors that
our Board of Directors took into consideration in making its determination to
approve, and to recommend that our stockholders approve, the
Merger.
The
following description of Avondale Partners’ opinion is only a summary of the
analyses and examinations that Avondale Partners deems material to its opinion.
It is not a comprehensive description of all analyses and examinations actually
conducted by Avondale Partners. The preparation of a fairness opinion
necessarily is not susceptible to partial analysis or summary description.
Avondale Partners believes that its analyses and the summary set forth below
must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and of
the factors considered, without considering all analyses and factors, would
create an incomplete view of the process underlying the analyses set forth in
its presentation to our Board of Directors. In addition, Avondale Partners may
have given various analyses more or less weight than other analyses, and may
have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions.
The fact that any specific analysis has been referred to in the summary below is
not meant to indicate that this analysis was given greater weight than any other
analysis described below and should not be taken to be the view of Avondale
Partners with respect to the actual value of the Company.
In
performing its analyses, Avondale Partners made numerous assumptions with
respect to industry performance, general business and economic conditions and
other matters, many of which are beyond our control. The analyses performed by
Avondale Partners are not necessarily indicative of actual values or actual
future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those
suggested by these analyses. These analyses were prepared solely as part of the
analysis performed by Avondale Partners with respect to whether the
consideration to be received by our holders of common stock pursuant to the
Merger is fair to such holders from a financial point of view, and were provided
to our Board of Directors in connection with the delivery of Avondale Partners’
opinion. The analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices
at which a company might actually be sold or the prices at which any securities
may trade at any time in the future.
No
company or transaction used in the comparable company or comparable transaction
analyses described below is identical to the Company or the Merger. Accordingly,
an analysis of the results of such analyses is not mathematical; rather, it
involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in
financial and operating characteristics of the companies and other factors that
could affect the public trading value of the companies to which the Company and
the Merger are being compared.
Procedures
Followed
In
connection with its opinion, Avondale Partners:
|
(1)
|
reviewed
certain publicly available financial statements of the Company, including
the consolidated financial statements for recent years and certain other
relevant financial and operating data of the Company made available to
Avondale Partners from published sources and by senior management of the
Company;
|
|
(2)
|
reviewed
drafts of the Merger Agreement;
|
|
(3)
|
compared
the Company from a financial point of view with certain other companies in
the manufactured housing industry that Avondale Partners deemed
relevant;
|
|
(4)
|
reviewed
certain publicly available equity research reports regarding companies in
the manufactured housing industry;
|
|
(5)
|
considered
the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of selected recent
business combinations in the manufactured housing industry that Avondale
Partners deemed to be comparable, in whole or in part, to the
Merger;
|
|
(6)
|
reviewed
the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain other
transactions Avondale Partners believed to be reasonably comparable to the
Merger;
|
|
(7)
|
interviewed
senior management of the Company regarding the Company’s operating history
and its prospects;
|
|
(8)
|
reviewed
certain historical reported prices and trading activities of our common
stock;
|
|
(9)
|
took
into account Avondale Partners’ assessment of general economic, market and
financial and other conditions and its experience in other transactions,
as well as its expertise in securities valuation and its knowledge of the
industry in which the Company operates;
and
|
|
(10)
|
considered
such other factors and performed other such analyses and examinations as
Avondale Partners deemed
appropriate.
|
In
preparing its opinion, Avondale Partners did not assume any responsibility to
verify independently the information referred to above. Instead, with the
Company’s consent, Avondale Partners relied on the information being accurate
and complete. Avondale Partners also made the following assumptions, in each
case with our consent, that:
|
·
|
the
internal operating data and financial analyses and forecasts supplied to
Avondale Partners were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best
currently available information, estimates and judgments of our senior
management as to the Company’s recent and future
performance;
|
|
·
|
all
material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals
necessary for the consummation of the transaction will be obtained without
any delays, limitations, conditions, restrictions, or any other adverse
effect to the Company or on the expected benefits of the Merger;
and
|
|
·
|
that
any definitive transaction documents will not differ materially from the
drafts of the Merger Agreement Avondale Partners reviewed and that the
transaction will be consummated on the terms and subject to the conditions
described in the drafts of the Merger Agreement Avondale Partners
reviewed.
|
In
addition, for purposes of its opinion, Avondale Partners:
|
·
|
relied
on advice of our counsel and independent accountants as to legal and
financial reporting matters with respect to the Company, the Merger and
the Merger Agreement; and
|
|
·
|
did
not assume responsibility for making an independent physical inspection or
appraisal of any of the assets, properties or facilities of the
Company.
|
Avondale
Partners’ opinion was necessarily based upon market, economic, financial and
other conditions as they existed on, and could be evaluated as of, the date of
its opinion. Although subsequent developments may affect its opinion, Avondale
Partners has not assumed any obligation to update or revise its
opinion.
Summary
of Financial and Other Analyses
The
following represents a summary of the material financial analyses performed by
Avondale Partners in connection with providing its opinion to our Board of
Directors. Some of the summaries of financial analyses performed by Avondale
Partners include information presented in tabular format. In order to fully
understand the financial analyses performed by Avondale Partners, you should
read the tables together with the text of each summary. The tables alone do not
constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. Considering the
data set forth in the tables without considering the full narrative description
of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions
underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the
financial analyses performed by Avondale Partners.
Avondale
Partners reviewed the historical stock prices and trading characteristics over
the last two years of the Company’s common stock. The following table compares
the Merger offer price with various closing prices and averages over the last
two years:
Prices
as of 6/11/2009
|
Offer
Price
|
|
$
|
2.75
|
|
1
Week Average
|
|
$
|
2.18
|
|
1
Month Average
|
|
$
|
1.88
|
|
3
Month Average
|
|
$
|
1.69
|
|
9
Month Average
|
|
$
|
1.47
|
|
1
Year Average
|
|
$
|
1.64
|
|
2
Year Average
|
|
$
|
2.14
|
|
Avondale
Partners also reviewed the historical prices and historical trading activity of
our common stock over the one year and two year time periods ended June 11,
2009. Avondale Partners calculated the total number of shares traded at certain
share price ranges over the one year period ended June 11, 2009 beginning with
$0.75 to $1.00 and increasing at $0.25 increments to $2.25 to $2.50. Avondale
Partners calculated the total number of shares traded at certain share price
ranges over the two year period ended June 11, 2009 beginning with $0.50 to
$1.00 and increasing at $0.50 increments to $4.50 to $5.00. Avondale Partners
observed that no shares traded above the Merger offer price of $2.75 per share
in the one year time period ended June 11, 2009 and approximately 16% of the
shares traded above the Merger offer price of $2.75 per share in the two year
time period ended June 11, 2009.
Comparable
Company Analysis.
Based on public and other available information,
Avondale Partners calculated the multiples of enterprise value (which Avondale
Partners defined as equity value plus debt less cash and cash equivalents) to
the latest twelve months (LTM) and estimated calendar year 2009 (CY 2009)
revenues and the multiples of share price to the book value and tangible book
value (each as of the latest reported period) for companies in the manufactured
housing industry. The estimated financial data for the comparable companies was
based on publicly available research analysts’ estimates and public filings.
Avondale Partners believes that the companies listed below have some operations
similar to some of the operations of the Company, but noted that none of these
companies have the same management, composition, size, or combination of
businesses as the Company:
|
·
|
Champion
Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
·
|
Coachmen
Industries, Inc.
|
|
·
|
Deer
Valley Corporation
|
|
·
|
Palm
Harbor Homes, Inc.
|
The
following table sets forth the multiples indicated by this
analysis:
Metric:
|
|
Proposed
Transaction Multiples
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
|
Enterprise
Value to LTM Revenue
|
|
0.2x
|
|
0.1x
|
|
1.4x
|
|
Enterprise
Value to Estimated CY 2009 Revenues
|
|
0.2x
|
|
0.2x
|
|
0.8x
|
|
Price
to Book Value Per Share
|
|
0.9x
|
|
0.3x
|
|
1.1x
|
|
Price
to Tangible Book Value Per Share
|
|
0.9x
|
|
0.3x
|
|
1.9x
|
|
Avondale
Partners also calculated the implied Company share price based on the range of
LTM revenue, CY 2009 revenue, book value and tangible book value valuation
multiples based on the comparable company analysis. The range of LTM revenue, CY
2009 revenue, book value and tangible book value multiples implied equity value
per share ranges of $2.64 to $11.88, $2.73 to $5.69, $0.77 to $3.24, and $0.78
to $5.76, respectively, which compare to the Merger offer price of $2.75 per
share.
Precedent
Transactions Analysis.
Based on public and
other available information, Avondale Partners calculated the multiples of
enterprise value (which Avondale Partners defined as equity value plus debt less
cash and cash equivalents) to last twelve months (LTM) revenues and LTM earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) as well as the
equity value to book value and tangible book value implied in the following
acquisitions of companies in the manufactured housing industry that have been
announced since April 1, 2003:
Date
Announced
|
|
Name
of Acquiror
|
|
Name
of Target
|
12/20/2007
|
|
Champion
Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
SRI
Homes
|
07/16/2007
|
|
American
Homestar Corp.
|
|
Platinum
Homes, LLC
|
08/16/2006
|
|
Clayton
Homes, Inc.
|
|
Southern
Energy Homes, Inc.
|
08/01/2006
|
|
Champion
Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
North
American Housing
|
03/31/2006
|
|
Champion
Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
Highland
Manufacturing Company, LLC
|
03/31/2006
|
|
Opus
Acquisitions, The Warrior Group, Inc. and management
|
|
Miller
Building Systems, Inc.
|
02/27/2006
|
|
Champion
Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
Caledonian
Building Systems Ltd.
|
01/12/2006
|
|
Southern
Energy Homes, Inc.
|
|
Giles
Industries, Inc.
|
07/18/2005
|
|
Champion
Enterprises, Inc.
|
|
New
Era Building Systems
|
08/18/2004
|
|
NCI
Building Systems, Inc.
|
|
Heritage
Building Systems and Steelbuilding.com
|
04/01/2003
|
|
Berkshire
Hathaway Inc.
|
|
Clayton
Homes, Inc.
|
The
following table sets forth the multiples indicated by this analysis and the
multiples implied by the proposed Merger:
Metric:
|
|
Proposed
Transaction Multiples
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
|
Enterprise
Value to LTM Revenues
|
|
0.2x
|
|
0.2x
|
|
1.4x
|
|
Enterprise
Value to LTM EBITDA
|
|
6.0x
|
|
2.8x
|
|
7.8x
|
|
Offer
Price to Book Value Per Share
|
|
0.9x
|
|
1.3x
|
|
1.9x
|
|
Offer
Price to Tangible Book Value Per Share
|
|
0.9x
|
|
1.3x
|
|
2.5x
|
|
Avondale
Partners also calculated the implied Company share price based on the range of
LTM revenue, LTM EBITDA, book value and tangible book value valuation multiples
based on the precedent transactions analysis. This calculation resulted in an
implied equity value per share ranges of $3.05 to $12.26, $2.08 to $3.10, $3.87
to $5.79, and $3.87 to $7.46, respectively, which compare to the Merger offer
price of $2.75 per share.
Discounted Cash
Flow Analyses.
Avondale Partners
performed discounted cash flow analyses for the projected cash flows of the
Company for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2012,
using projections and assumptions provided by our management. Avondale Partners
performed these discounted cash flow analyses using three financial projection
“cases” provided by our management: “Decline Case”, “Flat Case” and “Growth
Case”, which projections were prepared for the purposes of this analysis. For
each of the three cases, Avondale Partners used a range of discount rates (10.0%
to 20.0%) and terminal multiples (0.2x to 0.6x) based on forecasted revenue for
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 to calculate a range of implied equity
values per share of our common stock. The following table sets forth the implied
values indicated by these analyses:
($
in millions,
except
per share data)
|
|
Proposed
|
|
Decline
Case
|
|
Flat
Case
|
|
Growth
Case
|
|
Transaction
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
Implied
Enterprise Value
|
|
$
|
21.80
|
|
|
$
|
5.40
|
|
|
$
|
30.10
|
|
|
$
|
7.80
|
|
|
$
|
37.20
|
|
|
$
|
20.20
|
|
|
$
|
61.80
|
|
Implied
Equity Value
|
|
$
|
48.50
|
|
|
$
|
27.10
|
|
|
$
|
51.70
|
|
|
$
|
29.40
|
|
|
$
|
58.80
|
|
|
$
|
41.80
|
|
|
$
|
83.40
|
|
Implied
Price per Share
|
|
$
|
2.75
|
|
|
$
|
1.53
|
|
|
$
|
2.93
|
|
|
$
|
1.67
|
|
|
$
|
3.34
|
|
|
$
|
2.37
|
|
|
$
|
4.73
|
|
Premiums Paid
Analysis.
Avondale Partners
reviewed the premiums paid in acquisitions of publicly traded companies in the
U.S. in selected industries with market values of equity between $20 million and
$100 million (immediately prior to announcement) that were announced between
June 29, 2006 and June 1, 2009.
Avondale
Partners calculated the premiums paid in these transactions over the applicable
stock price of the acquired company one day, one week and four weeks prior to
the announcement of the acquisition offer.
|
|
Premium
One Day Prior to Announcement
|
|
Premium
One Week Prior to Announcement
|
|
Premium
Four Weeks Prior to Announcement
|
High
|
|
159.3%
|
|
147.7%
|
|
137.4%
|
Low
|
|
(10.6%)
|
|
(9.7%)
|
|
(42.4%)
|
Proposed
Transaction
|
|
19.6%
|
|
31.6%
|
|
61.8%
|
Avondale
Partners calculated the implied range of Company share prices based on our stock
price as of June 11, 2009 and the range of premiums paid for the selected
time periods in the selected transactions. The range of premiums paid over
the price of the acquired companies’ share prices one day, one week and four
weeks prior to announcement implied equity value per share ranges of $2.06 to
$5.96, $1.89 to $5.18 and $0.98 to $4.04, respectively, which compare to the
Merger offer price of $2.75 per share.
General
Our Board
of Directors selected Avondale Partners to render an opinion with respect to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of the Company’s common
stock, of the consideration to be received by such holders pursuant to the
Merger. Avondale Partners was selected because of its expertise and its
reputation in investment banking and mergers and acquisitions, as well as the
manufactured housing industry. Avondale Partners is a nationally recognized
investment banking firm regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and
their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, negotiated
underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities and
private placements.
Under the
terms of its engagement letter, Avondale Partners acted as financial advisor and
investment banker to us in connection with the merger. For its services, we paid
Avondale Partners a cash retainer fee, which will be credited against the total
fees payable to Avondale Partners. Upon delivery of the fairness opinion by
Avondale Partners, we owed Avondale Partners a cash fee of $150,000. The opinion
fee was not contingent upon the consummation of the merger. In addition, upon
consummation of the merger Avondale Partners will be entitled to a success fee
of 1.00% of the transaction value, against which one half of the opinion fee
will be credited. Further, we have agreed to reimburse Avondale Partners for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and to indemnify Avondale Partners, its
affiliates, and their respective partners, directors, officers, agents,
consultants, employees and controlling persons against specific liabilities,
including liabilities under applicable securities laws. During the two-year
period prior to the date of its opinion, Avondale Partners provided investment
banking and financial advisory services unrelated to the Merger to us for which
Avondale Partners was compensated. In the ordinary course of its business,
Avondale Partners may trade in the equity securities of the Company or Berkshire
Hathaway Inc. for its own account and for the accounts of customers and,
accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in these
securities.
Effects
on Cavalier if the Merger is Not Completed
If the
Merger Agreement is not approved by our stockholders or if the Merger is not
completed for any reason, our stockholders will not receive any payment for
their shares in connection with the Merger. Instead, we will remain an
independent public company and our common stock will continue to be quoted on
the NYSE Amex. In addition, if the Merger is not completed, we expect that
management will operate our business in a manner similar to that in which it is
being operated today and that our stockholders will continue to be subject to
the same risks and opportunities to which they are currently
subject.
Accordingly,
if the Merger is not completed, there can be no assurance as to the effect of
these risks and opportunities on the future value of your shares of our common
stock. If the Merger is not completed, our Board of Directors will continue to
evaluate and review our business operations, properties, dividend policy
and
capitalization,
among other things, make such changes as are deemed appropriate and seek to
identify strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value. If the Merger
Agreement is not approved by our stockholders or if the Merger Agreement is not
completed for any other reason, there can be no assurance that any other
transaction acceptable to us will be offered or that our business, prospects or
results of operation will not be adversely impacted.
If the
Merger Agreement is terminated, under certain circumstances we will be obligated
to pay a termination fee of 3% of the total merger consideration to Southern
Energy upon or following such termination. For a description of the
circumstances triggering payment of the termination fee, see “The Merger –
Termination Fee; Expenses” on page 43 of this proxy statement.
Our
Directors, Executive Officers and Employees Have Interests in the Merger that
Differ from Your Interests
In
addition to their interests in the Merger as stockholders, certain of our
current and former directors and executive officers have interests in the Merger
that differ from, or are in addition to, your interests as a stockholder. In
considering the recommendation of our Board of Directors to vote “FOR” the
approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger, you should be aware of these
interests. Our Board of Directors was aware of, and considered the interests of,
our current and former directors and executive officers in approving the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement. All
interests are described below, to the extent material, and except as described
below, such persons, to our knowledge, have no material interest in the Merger
that differ from your interests generally.
Treatment
of Stock Options
As of
June 14, 2009, there were 477,998 outstanding shares of common stock subject to
stock options granted under the Company’s employee benefit plans.
Pursuant
to the terms of the Merger Agreement, each stock option outstanding (whether
vested or unvested) that represents the right to acquire shares of our common
stock and was issued under either the Company’s 2005 Non-Employee Directors
Stock Option Plan or the Company’s other stock option plans will, immediately
prior to the effective time of the Merger, be cancelled and the holders thereof
will only have the right to receive a cash payment equal to the excess, if any,
of the $2.75 per share merger consideration over the exercise price payable in
respect to such share of our common stock issuable under such stock option, less
any applicable withholding taxes.
The table
set forth below summarizes the outstanding vested and unvested options held, as
of June 14, 2009, by our current and former directors and executive officers and
the pre-tax consideration that each of them will receive in connection with the
Merger and the cash-out of their options:
Name
|
|
Number
of Shares Subject to Unvested Options
|
|
Value
of Unvested Options at $2.75
|
|
Number
of Shares Subject to Vested Options
|
|
Value
of Vested Options at $2.75
|
|
Total
Cash Value of All Options at $2.75 (1)
|
Broughton,
Thomas A.
|
|
|
2,917
|
|
|
$
|
4,929.73
|
|
|
|
36,976
|
|
|
$
|
7,620.27
|
|
|
$
|
12,550.00
|
|
Donnell,
Barry B.
|
|
|
2,917
|
|
|
$
|
4,929.73
|
|
|
|
22,083
|
|
|
$
|
7,620.27
|
|
|
$
|
12,550.00
|
|
Hodgson,
Curtis D.
|
|
|
4,584
|
|
|
$
|
4,996.56
|
|
|
|
416
|
|
|
$
|
453.44
|
|
|
$
|
5,450.00
|
|
Jordan,
Lee Roy
|
|
|
2,917
|
|
|
$
|
4,929.73
|
|
|
|
17,083
|
|
|
$
|
7,620.27
|
|
|
$
|
12,550.00
|
|
Lowe,
Jonathan B.
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
|
$
|
4,875.00
|
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
$
|
1,625.00
|
|
|
$
|
6,500.00
|
|
Murphy,
Michael R.
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
|
60,000
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
Roberson,
David A.
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
|
115,000
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
Shipley,
Kenneth E.
|
|
|
4,584
|
|
|
$
|
4,996.56
|
|
|
|
416
|
|
|
$
|
453.44
|
|
|
$
|
5,450.00
|
|
Smith,
Kenneth J.
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
|
$
|
4,875.00
|
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
$
|
1,625.00
|
|
|
$
|
6,500.00
|
|
Tesney,
Bobby
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
$
|
4,100.00
|
|
|
$
|
4,100.00
|
|
Thigpen,
Carl S.
|
|
|
3,750
|
|
|
$
|
4,875.00
|
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
$
|
1,625.00
|
|
|
$
|
6,500.00
|
|
Williams,
J. Don
|
|
|
2,917
|
|
|
$
|
4,929.73
|
|
|
|
47,083
|
|
|
$
|
28,820.27
|
|
|
$
|
33,750.00
|
|
(1) The
value of such vested and unvested options was calculated by multiplying (i) the
excess (if any) of $2.75 over the per share exercise price of the options by
(ii) the number of shares subject to the options, and without regard to
deductions for income taxes and other withholding.
Change
of Control Agreement
Michael
R. Murphy, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, is party to a Change in
Control Agreement with the Company dated June 14, 2009. The Change in Control
Agreement provides that if there is a change in control (as defined in the
Change of Control Agreement), and Mr. Murphy’s employment is terminated by the
Company other than for “Cause” or by Mr. Murphy without “Good Reason,” in each
case within 12 months after such a change in control, he will be entitled to (i)
a lump sum severance payment equal to his then annual base salary (but in no
event less than his current annual base salary of $210,000), reduced by the
aggregate amount paid as base salary to Mr. Murphy following a change in
control, and (ii) continued medical and dental health insurance benefits
following the termination for the remainder of the 12 month period, if any,
beginning on the date of the change in control, with the Company continuing to
bear the employer’s share of the cost of such benefits. Additionally, if Mr.
Murphy is retained in some capacity following a change in control at a reduced
base salary, Mr. Murphy will be entitled to the difference between his current
base salary and any reduction in salary for a period of one year, to be paid in
monthly installments.
Consummation
of the Merger will constitute a change in control under the Change in Control
Agreement.
Severance
Agreements
Each of
Greg Brown and Carl James has entered into an agreement with the Company which
provides severance benefits in the form of a lump sum payment of $75,000 minus
any and all applicable tax withholdings which will be deducted by the Company.
Both individuals were employees of the Company.
In
exchange, each of Mr. Brown and Mr. James agreed, among other things, that (i)
he will not receive any further compensation or benefits from the Company, (ii)
he will not disclose any of the Company’s confidential information to any third
party, and (iii) he irrevocably and unconditionally releases the Company from
any and all claims. Both the employees and the Company agreed to mutual,
six-month non-disparagement provisions.
Real
Estate Transactions
The
Company purchased two parcels of land located in Winston, Alabama, from Robert
L. Burdick, John W Lowe, Jerry F. Wilson, Jr., Judith H. Wilson, individually
and as Co-Trustee of the Trusts under the Last Will and Testament of Jerry F.
Wilson, Jonathan D. Wilson, and David Roberson, as Co-Trustee of the Trusts
under the Last Will and Testament of Jerry F. Wilson. One parcel consisted of
19.37 acres, and the second consisted of 12.08 acres. The Executive Committee of
the Board of Directors, in meetings held on June 11, 2009 and June 12, 2009,
approved the purchase of the two parcels of land by Cavalier Real Estate Co.,
Inc. for a purchase price of $8,273 per acre. The aggregate purchase price for
the 19.37 acre parcel was $160,248.01 and the aggregate purchase price for the
12.08 acre parcel was $99,937.84. The purchase price for the parcels was
determined by reference to an appraisal previously obtained by
Cavalier.
The
purpose of these transactions was to move the subject real estate from the
ownership of the sellers to the ownership and control of the Company. The
Company currently uses or has plans to use the subject real estate and these
transactions allow it to have complete control and discretion over the use of
the subject real estate.
Mr. Lowe
is a former director of the Company and the father of a current director,
Jonathan Lowe, and Mr. Roberson is a former chief executive officer of the
Company. Jerry F. Wilson, Jr. and Jonathan D. Wilson are the children of Jerry
F. Wilson, the founder of the Company. Mr. Wilson, Jr. is also former employee
of the Company.
Ancillary
Agreements with Jerry F. Wilson, Jr. and Jonathan D. Wilson
On June
11, 2009, the Company entered into an agreement with Jerry F. Wilson, Jr. and
Jonathan D. Wilson with respect to two life insurance policies that were issued
by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company insuring the lives of Jerry F. Wilson
(deceased) and Judy Wilson. The Company has, since the issuance of the policies,
paid the premiums on said policies. The agreement entered into between the
Company, Jerry F. Wilson, Jr. and Jonathan D. Wilson reconfirms that Messrs.
Jerry F. Wilson, Jr. and Jonathan D. Wilson are obligated, under the terms of
that certain Split Dollar Insurance Agreement and the subsequent Amendment to
Split Dollar Agreement, to reimburse the Company for all premiums paid by the
Company with respect to the life insurance policies out of any death benefits
following the death of Judy Wilson.
In
consideration of the purchase by the Company of the two parcels of land
partially owned by Jerry F. Wilson, Jr. and the execution by the Company of the
agreement reconfirming the existence of the Split Dollar Life Insurance
Agreement referenced above, Mr. Jerry F. Wilson, Jr. executed a general release
of any and all claims Mr. Wilson may have against the Company, certain Company
affiliates and their employees, officers, directors and other affiliates with
respect to any causes of action or conduct arising out of or resulting from any
claims of defamation, slander, misrepresentation or similar claims which pertain
directly or indirectly to any relationship between Jerry F. Wilson, the Company
and the Company’s named affiliates.
Mr. Jerry
F. Wilson, Jr. is the son of the Company’s founder, Jerry F. Wilson, and was
previously an employee of the Company. Mr. Jonathan D. Wilson also is the son of
Jerry F. Wilson.
Indemnification
The
Merger Agreement provides that for a period of not less than six years following
the Merger, Southern Energy and the surviving corporation will indemnify any
current or former director or officer of the Company or its subsidiaries against
any and all losses or claims made in connection with any action or suit
pertaining to the fact that such individual is or was a director or officer of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Southern Energy and the surviving
corporation will also indemnify any current or former directors or officers
against any losses or claims arising from the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby; however, in the case of the Merger Sub and
the surviving corporation, such indemnification will only be to the fullest
extent permitted under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“
DGCL
”), and in the
case of Southern Energy, such indemnification, while not limited by the DGCL,
will not apply to acts or omissions involving bad faith, deliberate dishonesty
or a gain of financial profit to which such indemnified individual was not
legally entitled. See “The Merger Agreement – Indemnification” on page 41 of
this proxy statement.
Continuation
of Benefits
The
Merger Agreement provides that Southern Energy will give full credit to our
employees for prior service for the purposes of making determinations under any
employee benefit plans, provided that such crediting does not result in a
duplication of benefits. Further, Southern Energy has agreed to honor the
employee benefits plans of our employees and will not reduce any such benefits
for a period of one year. See “The Merger Agreement – Employee Benefit Plans” on
page 41 of this proxy statement.
Board
of Directors and Management Following the Merger
Cavalier’s
directors and officers will not serve as directors and officers of the surviving
corporation. The directors of Merger Sub in office immediately prior to the date
that the Merger becomes effective shall serve as directors of the surviving
corporation from and after the date that the Merger becomes effective in
accordance with Cavalier’s bylaws. The officers of Merger Sub in office
immediately prior to the date that the Merger becomes effective shall serve as
officers of the surviving corporation from and after the date that the Merger
becomes effective in accordance with Cavalier’s bylaws.
Governmental
and Regulatory Approvals
In order
to consummate the Merger, after all of the conditions to the Merger have been
satisfied or waived, a certificate of merger will be filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware. We are not aware of any other federal or state
regulatory requirements that must be complied with or approvals that must be
obtained in connection with the Merger Agreement.
Material
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger
The
following discussion is a summary of the anticipated material U.S. federal
income tax consequences to a holder of our common stock whose shares are
converted into the right to receive cash in the Merger. This summary is based
upon provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable
Treasury regulations and judicial and administrative rulings and decisions all
as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. Legislative, judicial or
administrative changes may be forthcoming that could alter or modify the
statements set forth herein, possibly on a retroactive basis. This summary does
not purport to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation of the
Merger that may affect particular holders of our common stock in light of their
individual circumstances, nor with certain types of holders subject to special
treatment under the federal income tax laws, such as holders who acquired their
common stock as compensation, are dealers in securities or foreign currency,
financial institutions, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, brokers,
mutual funds or holders who hold their shares of common stock as part of an
integrated investment (including a “straddle,” “constructive” sale or
“conversion” transaction). In addition, this summary assumes that any of our
common stock exchanged in the Merger is held as a capital asset.
As used
herein, the term “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of shares of our common
stock that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual who
is a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or other
business entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate, the income of which
is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or
(iv) a trust if (a) a court within the United States can exercise
primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have
the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of that trust or
(b) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
If a
holder of our common stock is a partnership or other entity treated as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax treatment of a partner
generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the
partnership. Such holders should consult their own tax advisors as to the
consequences of the Merger to them.
A
non-U.S. holder is a holder of common stock that is neither a U.S. holder nor a
domestic partnership or an entity treated as a domestic partnership for U.S.
federal income tax purposes.
This
summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences is for general
information only and is not tax advice. Holders of our common stock should
consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the U.S.
federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax
consequences arising under any other U.S. federal tax laws (including U.S.
federal estate, gift and alternative minimum tax laws) and under the laws of any
state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction.
Tax
Treatment of U.S. Holders of our Common Stock
In
general, a U.S. holder whose shares of stock are converted into the right to
receive cash in the merger will be treated as having sold those shares to
Southern Energy in exchange for cash. A U.S. holder will recognize capital gain
or loss upon such sale in an amount equal to the difference between (i) the
amount of cash received with respect to such shares and (ii) the U.S.
holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares. Such gain or loss generally will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the holder held the shares for more than one
year at the time of the Merger. A holder’s gain or loss will be determined
separately for each block of shares (i.e., shares acquired at the same cost in a
single transaction) that are exchanged in the Merger.
Tax
Treatment of non-U.S. Holders of our Common Stock
A
non-U.S. holder of our common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on gain realized on the receipt of cash in exchange for shares in the Merger
unless (i) such non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the
United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the Merger and certain
other conditions are met, in which case the gain will be subject to tax at a
rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate); (ii) such gain is effectively connected
with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United
States and, if certain U.S. income tax treaties apply, is attributable to a
permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States,
in which case the non-U.S. holder will be subject to tax on the gain in the same
manner as if the non-U.S. holder were a U.S. holder and, if the non-U.S. holder
is a corporation, may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% (or
lower treaty rate) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that
taxable year and (iii) Cavalier is, or has been, a United States real
property holding corporation (“
USRPHC
”) during the
shorter of the non-U.S. holder’s holding period or the 5-year period ending on
the date of the Merger, provided, that as long as our common stock is regularly
traded on an established securities market, generally only non-U.S. holders who
have held more than 5% of Cavalier common stock at any time during such
five-year or shorter period will be subject to taxation under this rule. We
believe that we are not now and have not been within the previous five years, a
USRPHC.
Backup
Withholding
In order
to avoid “backup withholding” of federal income tax on payments of cash in
exchange for your shares of our common stock pursuant to the merger, you must,
unless an exception applies under the applicable law and regulations, provide
your correct taxpayer identification number, which we refer to in this proxy
statement as a TIN, on a Form W-9 (or, in the case of a stockholder that is a
nonresident alien individual or foreign entity, on an appropriate IRS Form W-8),
certify under penalties of perjury that such number is correct and otherwise
comply with the backup withholding rules. A Form W-9 (or a valid substitute)
will be included as part of the letter of transmittal to be sent to stockholders
by the exchange agent. If the correct TIN and certifications are not provided, a
penalty may be imposed on a stockholder by the Internal Revenue Service and the
cash payments received by a stockholder in consideration for shares of common
stock in the merger may be subject to backup withholding tax at a rate of 28%.
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 a
holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the holder files a U.S.
federal income tax return and timely furnishes required information to the
IRS.
THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER MAY VARY DEPENDING UPON THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES
OF EACH STOCKHOLDER. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR CONCERNING THE FEDERAL,
STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO
YOU.
Litigation
Related to the Merger
As of the
date of the printing of this proxy statement, we are aware of no lawsuits that
have been filed related to the Merger.
Delisting
and Deregistration of Our Common Stock
If the
Merger is completed, Cavalier’s common stock will no longer be traded on the
NYSE Amex and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act, and we will no longer
be required to file periodic reports with the SEC.
THE
MERGER AGREEMENT
This
section of the proxy statement describes the material provisions of the Merger
Agreement but does not purport to describe all of the terms of the Merger
Agreement. The description in this section and elsewhere in this proxy statement
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the completed text of the Merger
Agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement and incorporated
into this proxy statement by reference. This summary does not purport to be
complete and may not contain all of the information about the Merger Agreement
that is important to you. We urge you to read the full text of the Merger
Agreement carefully as the rights and obligations of the parties are governed by
the express terms of the Merger Agreement and not by this summary or any other
information contained in this proxy statement. This section is not intended to
provide you with any other factual information about us. Such information can be
found elsewhere in this proxy statement and in the public filings we make with
the SEC, as described in the section of this proxy statement entitled “Where You
Can Find More Information” beginning on page 55.
The
Merger Agreement is included to provide you with information regarding its terms
and is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company,
Southern Energy, Merger Sub or their respective affiliates.
The
Merger
Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger
Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy, will merge with and into
Cavalier. Following the Merger, Cavalier will continue as the surviving
corporation and will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Energy. Cavalier’s
common stock will cease to be listed on the NYSE Amex and will no longer be
publicly traded.
Upon
consummation of the Merger, the directors and officers of Merger Sub will be the
initial directors and officers of the surviving corporation, and the certificate
of incorporation and bylaws of Merger Sub will be the certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of the surviving corporation, until further amended in
accordance with their respective terms or by applicable law. All directors and
officers of the surviving corporation will hold their positions until their
successors are duly elected, appointed or qualified or their earlier death,
resignation or removal.
Cavalier
or Southern Energy may terminate the Merger Agreement prior to the consummation
of the Merger in certain circumstances, whether before or after the adoption by
our stockholders of the Merger Agreement. Additional information regarding the
circumstances under which the Merger Agreement may be terminated is described in
the section entitled “The Merger Agreement – Termination” on page 42 of this
proxy statement.
Effective
Time
The
Merger will be effective at the time the certificate of merger is filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (or at a later time, if agreed upon
by the parties and specified in the certificate of merger). Unless otherwise
agreed upon by the parties to the Merger Agreement, the parties are required to
close the Merger no later than the first business day after the satisfaction or
waiver of all the conditions to closing contained in the Merger Agreement (other
than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the closing,
but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of those conditions), described in the
section of this proxy statement entitled “The Merger Agreement – Conditions to
the Closing of the Merger” on page 41 of this proxy statement.
We intend
to complete the Merger as promptly as practicable, subject to receipt of
stockholder approval and all requisite regulatory approvals. Although we expect
to complete the Merger during the third quarter of 2009, we cannot specify when,
or assure you that, we and Southern Energy will satisfy or waive all conditions
to the Merger.
Merger
Consideration
Except as
noted below, each share of our common stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the effective time of the Merger will be automatically cancelled and
converted into the right to receive $2.75 in cash,
without
interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. The following shares will
not receive the $2.75 per share merger consideration:
|
·
|
shares
held by holders who have properly demanded and perfected their appraisal
rights under Delaware law;
|
|
·
|
shares
held in treasury by us; and
|
|
·
|
shares
owned by Southern Energy or Merger Sub or any direct or indirect
subsidiary of Southern Energy (if any) or
us.
|
After the
effective time of the Merger, each holder of a certificate representing any
shares of common stock (other than shares for which appraisal rights have been
properly demanded and perfected under Delaware law) will no longer have any
rights with respect to such shares, except for the right to receive the $2.75
per share merger consideration. See the section entitled “Appraisal Rights” on
page 45 of this proxy statement.
Payment
Procedures
Southern
Energy will appoint a paying agent reasonably acceptable to us for the benefit
of the holders of shares of our common stock. When and as needed, Southern
Energy will deposit with the paying agent such funds in trust for the benefit of
holders of shares of Cavalier common stock as needed for timely
payment.
At the
effective time of the Merger, we will close our stock transfer books. After that
time, there will be no further transfers of shares of our common
stock.
Promptly
following the effective time of the Merger (but in no event later than the tenth
day thereafter), the paying agent will mail to each holder of record of our
shares (other than shares held by holders who have properly demanded and
perfected their appraisal rights, shares held in treasury by us and shares held
by Southern Energy or Merger Sub or any direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Southern Energy or us) a letter of transmittal and instructions
advising you how to exchange certificates for the merger consideration. The
paying agent will pay you the $2.75 per share merger consideration in cash after
you have (i) surrendered your certificates to the paying agent and (ii) provided
to the paying agent your completed and signed letter of transmittal and any
other items specified in the letter of transmittal or that are customarily
required by the paying agent. Interest will not be paid or accrue in respect of
the $2.75 per share merger consideration. The paying agent will reduce the
amount of any merger consideration paid to you by any applicable withholding
taxes.
YOU
SHOULD NOT FORWARD YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES TO THE PAYING AGENT WITHOUT A LETTER
OF TRANSMITTAL, AND YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH THE
ENCLOSED PROXY.
If any
cash deposited with the paying agent is not claimed within one year following
the effective time of the Merger, such cash (including the proceeds of any
investments thereof) will be delivered, at Southern Energy’s option, to Southern
Energy or the surviving corporation. Holders of our common stock who have not
complied with the above payment procedures will thereafter look only to Southern
Energy with respect to payment of any unpaid merger consideration.
If you
have lost a certificate, or if it has been stolen or destroyed, then before you
will be entitled to receive the merger consideration, you will have to make an
affidavit of the loss, theft or destruction, and if required by the paying
agent, post a bond in a customary amount as indemnity against any claim that may
be made against the paying agent with respect to such certificate. These
procedures will be described in the letter of transmittal that you will receive,
which you should read carefully in its entirety.
Treatment
of Stock Options
Each
unexercised stock option outstanding (whether vested or unvested) that
represents the right to acquire shares of our common stock and was granted under
the Company’s 2005 Non-Employee Directors Stock Option
Plan and
the Cavalier Homes, Inc. 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan, each as amended
through the date hereof, and any other plan, arrangement, or agreement that
provided for the grant of Company stock options will, immediately prior to the
effective time of the Merger, be cancelled and will no longer be outstanding. In
consideration for such cancellation, the holders thereof will only have the
right to receive a cash payment, immediately prior to the effective time of the
Merger, in an amount (if any) equal to the product of (x) the number of shares
of our common stock subject to such stock option (whether or not vested at the
time of such cancellation) and (y) the excess, if any, of the $2.75 per share
merger consideration over the exercise price payable in respect of such shares
of our common stock issuable under such stock option, less any applicable
withholding taxes.
Representations
and Warranties
The
Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties made by each of the
parties regarding aspects of their respective businesses, financial condition
and structure, as well as other facts pertinent to the Merger. The
representations and warranties of the parties will expire upon completion of the
Merger. The Company’s representations and warranties relate to, among other
things:
|
·
|
due
organization, good standing and qualification, and other corporate matters
with respect to us and our
subsidiaries;
|
|
·
|
certificate
of incorporation and bylaws;
|
|
·
|
corporate
power and authorization to perform its obligations under the Merger
Agreement and to consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger
Agreement;
|
|
·
|
approval
and other actions taken by our Board of
Directors;
|
|
·
|
required
regulatory filings and consents and approvals of governmental
entities;
|
|
·
|
absence
of any conflict or violation of organizational documents, applicable laws
or other contracts as a result of entering into and carrying out the
obligations of the merger
agreement;
|
|
·
|
documents
filed with the SEC since December 31, 2005 and the accuracy of the
information in such documents, including our financial
statements;
|
|
·
|
absence
of certain changes since December 31,
2008;
|
|
·
|
absence
of undisclosed liabilities;
|
|
·
|
internal
controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and
procedures;
|
|
·
|
absence
of undisclosed litigation or governmental
order;
|
|
·
|
compliance
with applicable laws and permits;
|
|
·
|
accuracy
of company information;
|
|
·
|
labor
and employment matters;
|
|
·
|
inapplicability
of anti-takeover statutes or
regulations;
|
|
·
|
personal
and real property;
|
|
·
|
contracts
and agreements;
|
|
·
|
Board
of Directors’ approval of and recommendation to our stockholders to
approve the Merger Agreement and related transactions;
and
|
|
·
|
opinion
of our financial advisor.
|
Southern
Energy and Merger Sub jointly and severally made representations and warranties
to the Company relating to, among other things:
|
·
|
due
organization and good standing;
|
|
·
|
corporate
power and authorization to execute and deliver and to perform their
obligations under the Merger Agreement and to consummate the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement;
|
|
·
|
required
regulatory filings and consents and approvals of governmental
entities;
|
|
·
|
absence
of any conflict or violation of organizational documents, laws, or other
contracts as a result of entering into and carrying out the obligations of
the Merger Agreement;
|
|
·
|
absence
of brokers’ and finders’ fees;
|
|
·
|
operations
of Merger Sub;
|
|
·
|
accuracy
of Southern Energy and Merger Sub
information;
|
|
·
|
sufficiency
of funds to pay the merger consideration and related fees and expenses;
and
|
|
·
|
lack
of beneficial ownership of our common stock by Southern Energy or its
subsidiaries.
|
Conduct
of Business Prior to Closing
We have
agreed in the Merger Agreement that, until the consummation of the Merger or
termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms, except (i) as
required by law, (ii) expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement or (iii)
with the prior written consent of
Southern
Energy:
|
·
|
we
will, and will cause our subsidiaries to, in all material respects conduct
business in the usual, regular and ordinary course consistent with past
practices; and
|
|
·
|
we
will, and will cause our subsidiaries to, use reasonable best efforts to
maintain and preserve intact in all material respects our business
organization and the good will of those having business relationships with
us and retain the services of our present officers and key
employees.
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We have
agreed in the Merger Agreement that, until the consummation of the Merger or
termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms, except (i) as
required by law, (ii) expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement or (iii)
with the prior written consent of Southern Energy, we will not, and will not
permit any of our subsidiaries to:
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issue,
sell, grant, dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber, or authorize or
propose the issuance, sale, disposition or pledge or other encumbrance of
any additional shares of our capital
stock;
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accelerate
the vesting of any Company stock
options;
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redeem,
purchase or otherwise acquire any of the outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Company or any of our
subsidiaries;
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split,
combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of our capital stock, or
declare, set aside for payment or pay any dividend or distribution on any
shares of our capital stock;
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other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
incur or guarantee any indebtedness or make any loan, advances or capital
contributions to, or investments in, any other person other than the
Company or its direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiaries;
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sell,
transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of our property
or assets with a minimum value in excess of $100,000 to any individual,
corporation or other entity other than a direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company;
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except
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or
pursuant to contracts or agreements in force on the date of the Merger
Agreement, cancel, release or assign to any person any indebtedness in
excess of $100,000 or any claims related
thereto;
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increase
our inventory as computed on a GAAP basis, but excluding finished goods
inventory being serviced under the Floor Plan Servicing Agreement, dated
June 2, 2009, by and between the Company and Trial Financial Services,
Inc., by more than $500,000 over the amount stated on our condensed
consolidated balance sheet (unaudited) as of March 28,
2009;
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increase
our accounts receivable, net of allowance for losses, by more than
$500,000 over the amount stated on our condensed consolidated balance
sheet (unaudited) as of March 28,
2009;
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employ
or engage any employee, agent or consultant at a general manager or
officer level of responsibility;
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other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
make any acquisition or investment having a value in excess of $100,000 in
a business other than a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company;
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settle
or compromise for $50,000 or more any claim (including arbitration) or
litigation, or related series of claims or
actions;
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increase
in any manner the compensation of any of its directors, officers or
employees or enter into, establish, amend or terminate any of our employee
benefit plans, for or in respect to, any stockholder, officer, director,
other employee, agent, consultant or affiliate other than as required
pursuant to the terms of any agreements in effect as of the date of the
Merger Agreement or increases in salaries, wages and benefits of employees
who are not directors or executive officers of the Company made in the
ordinary course of business and in a manner consistent with past
practices;
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amend
its charter, bylaws, or similar organizational
documents;
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waive
or fail to enforce any provision of any confidentiality or standstill
agreement to which it is a party;
or
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make
any commitment to take any of the actions listed
above.
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No
Solicitation
We agreed
to immediately cease any discussions or negotiations with any parties with
respect to a “takeover proposal” (as defined below) and to seek to have returned
to us any confidential information that may have been provided in such
discussions or negotiations. We have additionally agreed that neither we nor our
subsidiaries will authorize or permit any of our or our subsidiaries’ officers,
directors, employees, affiliates, investment bankers, financial advisors,
attorneys, accountants or any other representatives retained by us or any of our
subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, or knowingly
encourage, or take any other action designed to facilitate, any inquiries or the
making of any proposal that constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead
to, any takeover proposal or (ii) participate in the discussions or negotiations
regarding a takeover proposal.
If,
however, we receive an unsolicited bona fide takeover proposal and our Board of
Directors determines that it is a “superior proposal” (as defined below), the
Company may:
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request
information from the party making such takeover proposal for the sole
purpose of our Board of Directors informing itself about the takeover
proposal and the party that made
it;
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furnish
information with respect to the Company to the party making such takeover
proposal pursuant to a customary confidentiality agreement, provided that
(i) such confidentiality agreement does not contain terms less favorable
to the Company than the confidentiality agreement dated May 4, 2009, by
and between the Company and Southern Energy, and (ii) we advise Southern
Energy of all nonpublic information delivered to such person concurrently
with its delivery to the requesting party;
and
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participate
in negotiations with such party regarding such takeover
proposal.
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We are
required to promptly (within two business days) notify Southern Energy both
orally and in writing of any takeover proposal, its material terms and
conditions and the identity of the person making such takeover proposal. We are
further required to keep Southern Energy apprised of all significant
developments that could reasonably be expected to culminate in our Board of
Directors withdrawing, modifying or amending its recommendation of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein. These provisions do not
prohibit us from making any disclosures to our stockholders.
A
“takeover proposal” means any inquiry, proposal or offer from any person (other
than Southern Energy and its subsidiaries, affiliates, and representatives)
relating to any:
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direct
or indirect acquisition or purchase of 15% or more of the assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or 15% or more of any class of equity
securities of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries;
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tender
offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person
beneficially owning 15% or more of any class of equity securities of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries;
or
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merger,
consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement.
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A
“superior proposal” means a bona fide written takeover proposal which our Board
of Directors concludes in good faith to be more favorable from a financial point
of view to our stockholders than the Merger with Southern Energy
after:
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receiving
the advice of our financial
advisors;
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taking
into account the likelihood of consummation of the superior proposal on
the terms set forth therein (as compared to the terms of the Merger with
Southern Energy); and
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taking
into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of such
proposal and any other relevant factors permitted under applicable
law.
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Indemnification
The
Merger Agreement provides that for a period of not less than six years following
the Merger, Southern Energy and the surviving corporation will indemnify any
current or former director or officer of the Company or its subsidiaries against
any and all losses or claims made in connection with any action or suit
pertaining to the fact that such individual is or was a director of officer of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Southern Energy and the surviving
corporation will also indemnify any current or former directors or officers
against any losses or claims arising from the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby; however, in the case of the Merger Sub and
the surviving corporation, such indemnification will only be to the fullest
extent permitted under the DGCL, and in the case of Southern Energy, such
indemnification, while not limited by the DGCL, will not apply to acts or
omissions involving bad faith, deliberate dishonesty or a gain of financial
profit to which such indemnified individual was not legally
entitled.
Southern
Energy has further agreed to pay all expenses of each indemnified individual in
the advance of a final disposition to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Counsel to each indemnified individual must be satisfactory to the indemnified
individual, Southern Energy and Merger Sub. Such indemnification obligations
will be binding on the successors and assigns of Southern Energy. Further, if
any claim is asserted on an indemnified party within such six-year period, all
such rights to indemnification in respect to such claim or claims will continue
until the final disposition of such claim.
Employee
Benefit Plans
The
Merger Agreement provides that Southern Energy will give full credit to
Cavalier’s employees for prior service for the purposes of making determinations
under any employee benefit plans of Southern Energy, provided that such
crediting does not result in a duplication of benefits. Further, Southern Energy
has agreed to honor the employee benefits plans of Cavalier’s employees and will
not reduce any such benefits for a period of one year.
Following
consummation of the Merger, the Company will not provide retiree medical health
insurance benefits, except as may be required by law or pre-existing contractual
arrangement, or any form of equity-based compensation to our
employees.
Conditions
to the Closing of the Merger
The
obligations of the Company, Southern Energy and Merger Sub to consummate the
Merger are subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the closing date of the
Merger of each of the following conditions:
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adoption
of the Merger Agreement by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of our common stock;
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no
statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or injunction shall have been
promulgated, entered, enforced, enacted or issued or be applicable to the
Merger by any governmental entity that prohibits, restrains or makes
illegal the consummation of the Merger;
and
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all
governmental consents, orders, approvals and waiting periods required for
the consummation of the Merger and the other contemplated transactions
shall have been obtained and shall be in effect, or, with respect to
waiting periods, shall have expired or been
terminated.
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The
obligations of Southern Energy and Merger Sub to effect the Merger are subject
to the satisfaction on or prior to the closing date of the following conditions
(which may be waived in whole or in part by Southern Energy):
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each
of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the
Merger Agreement must be true and correct, and Southern Energy and Merger
Sub shall have received a certificate to such effect signed on behalf of
the Company by our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer;
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we
must perform or comply with, as applicable, all material obligations,
agreements and covenants as required by the Merger Agreement, and Southern
Energy and Merger Sub must receive a certificate to such effect signed on
behalf of the Company by our chief executive officer and chief financial
officer; and
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no
statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or injunction shall have been
promulgated, entered, enforced, enacted, issued or be applicable to the
Merger by any governmental entity that (i) prohibits or imposes any
material limitations on Southern Energy’s ownership or operation of any
portion of its or its subsidiaries’ businesses and assets or (ii) imposes
material limitations on the ability of Southern Energy to effectively
exercise full rights of ownership of the shares of the surviving
corporation, and no action or proceeding by any governmental entity shall
be pending that seeks any such
result.
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The
obligations of the Company to effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction
on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions (which may be waived
in whole or in part by the Company):
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each
of the representations and warranties of Southern Energy and Merger Sub
set forth in the Merger Agreement must be true and correct, and the
Company shall have received a certificate to such effect signed on behalf
of Southern Energy by one of its
officers;
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Southern
Energy and Merger Sub must perform or comply with, as applicable, all
material obligations, agreements and covenants required by the Merger
Agreement to be performed or complied with by each of them, and the
Company must receive a certificate to such effect signed on behalf of
Southern Energy by one of its
officers;
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there
shall be no statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order or injunction that
(i) prohibits, or imposes a material limitation on, Southern Energy’s
ownership or operation of its assets or Southern Energy’s, Merger Sub’s or
the Company’s business and assets, or (ii) imposes material limitations on
Southern Energy’s ownership of the surviving corporation, and no action by
a governmental entity shall be pending that seeks either of these results;
and
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CMH
Manufacturing, Inc. must execute the Guaranty Agreement as attached as
Exhibit A of the Merger Agreement, which is attached hereto as Annex
A.
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Termination
The
Company and Southern Energy may agree to terminate the Merger Agreement without
completing the Merger at any time prior to its consummation even after our
stockholders have adopted the Merger Agreement.
The
Merger Agreement may be terminated by either the Company or Southern Energy
if:
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a
governmental entity has issued a nonappealable final order, decree or
ruling or taken any other nonappealable final action, in each case having
the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Merger; or
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the
Merger has not been completed by December 1, 2009 (provided that the right
to terminate the Merger Agreement will not be available to any party whose
failure to fulfill any obligation under the Merger Agreement results in
failure of the Merger to occur on or before such
date).
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We may
terminate the Merger Agreement if:
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our
stockholders do not adopt the Merger Agreement at the special
meeting;
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we
concurrently enter into a definitive agreement providing for a superior
proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement), provided that we have
previously or simultaneously paid the applicable termination
fee;
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any
of the representations and warranties of either Southern Energy or Merger
Sub are not true and correct as of the closing date, and such inaccuracy
cannot be cured or has not been cured within 15 days after we give written
notice of such inaccuracy to Southern Energy;
or
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either
of Southern Energy or Merger Sub has breached or failed in any material
respect to perform or comply with any material obligation, agreement or
covenant, and such breach cannot be cured or has not been cured within 15
days after we give written notice of such breach to Southern
Energy.
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Additionally,
Southern Energy may terminate the Merger Agreement if:
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our
stockholders do not adopt the Merger Agreement at the special
meeting;
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our
Board of Directors withdraws or modifies, or proposes publicly to withdraw
or modify, its approval and recommendation of the Merger to our
stockholders in a manner adverse to Southern
Energy;
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our
Board of Directors fails to reconfirm its recommendation in favor of the
Merger within three business days after a written request by Southern
Energy to do so;
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our
Board of Directors approves or recommends, or proposes publicly to approve
or recommend, any takeover proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
other than the Merger;
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any
of our representations and warranties in the Merger Agreement are not true
and correct as of the closing date, and such inaccuracy cannot be cured or
has not been cured within 15 days after Southern Energy gives us written
notice of such inaccuracy; or
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we
have breached or failed in any material respect to perform or comply with
any material obligation, agreement or covenant, and such breach cannot be
cured or has not been cured within 15 days after Southern Energy gives us
written notice of such breach.
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Termination
Fee; Expenses
Generally,
all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement, the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be
paid by the party incurring such fees and expenses, whether or not the Merger is
completed.
We have
agreed, however, to pay Southern Energy a termination fee equal to 3% of the
merger consideration in the event that:
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a
takeover proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is made known to
the Company, made directly to our stockholders or publicly announced, and
the Merger Agreement is thereafter terminated for one of the following
reasons:
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the
Merger is not closed by December 1,
2009;
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our
stockholders do not adopt the Merger Agreement at the special
meeting;
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a
governmental entity issues a nonappealable final order, decree or ruling
or takes any other nonappealable final action which permanently restrains,
enjoins or otherwise prohibits the Merger, but only if the applicable
final order is based on the existence of a takeover proposal and such
takeover proposal is consummated within one year of the termination of the
Merger Agreement;
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Southern
Energy terminates the Merger Agreement because our Board of Directors
withdraws or modifies, or proposes publicly to withdraw or modify, its
approval or recommendation of the Merger to our stockholders in a manner
adverse to Southern Energy;
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Southern
Energy terminates the Merger Agreement because our Board of Directors
fails to reconfirm its recommendation in favor of the Merger within three
business days after a written request by Southern Energy to do
so;
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Southern
Energy terminates the Merger Agreement because our Board of Directors
approves or recommends, or proposes publicly to approve or recommend, any
takeover proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) other than the
Merger; or
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the
Company terminates the Merger Agreement and concurrently enters into a
definitive agreement relating to a superior
proposal.
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The
termination fee is due to Southern Energy on the date of the termination of the
Merger Agreement, except in the case of a governmental entity action, following
which the termination fee is due upon the consummation of the takeover
proposal.
Amendment
and Waiver
Amendment
The
Merger Agreement may be amended by Cavalier, Southern Energy and Merger Sub at
any time prior to the effective time of the Merger, provided that after adoption
by our stockholders of the Merger Agreement, no amendment of the Merger
Agreement will be made that would require further approval by our stockholders
unless so approved by our stockholders.
Waiver
At any
time prior to the effective time of the Merger, any party to the Merger
Agreement may (i) extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other
act of any other party thereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracy in the representations
and warranties contained therein or in any document delivered pursuant thereto
and (iii) subject to the amendment provisions of the Merger Agreement, waive
compliance with any agreement or condition contained therein. Any such extension
or waiver must set forth in writing and signed by the parties to be bound by
such instrument.
Guaranty
Agreement
It is a
condition to the Company’s obligation to consummate the merger that CMH
Manufacturing, Inc., the sole stockholder of Southern Energy, execute a guaranty
agreement by which it fully guarantees (i) the indemnification obligations of
Southern Energy, Merger Sub and the surviving corporation and (ii) the
obligations of Southern Energy to deposit the merger consideration funds with
the paying agent pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Stockholders should read the
complete text of the guaranty agreement, the form of which is incorporated by
reference herein and attached hereto as Exhibit A to the Merger Agreement, which
is attached hereto as Annex A.
APPRAISAL
RIGHTS
Under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “
DGCL
”), you have the
right to dissent from the Merger and to receive payment in cash for the fair
value of your common stock as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery (the
“
Delaware
Court
”), together with a fair rate of interest, if any, as determined by
the Delaware Court, in lieu of the consideration you would otherwise be entitled
to pursuant to the Merger Agreement. These rights are known as appraisal rights.
Stockholders electing to exercise appraisal rights must comply with the
provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL (“
Section 262
”) in
order to perfect their rights. We will require strict compliance with the
statutory procedures.
The
following is intended as a brief summary of the material provisions of the
Delaware statutory procedures required to be followed by a stockholder in order
to dissent from the Merger and to perfect appraisal rights. This summary,
however, is not a complete statement of all applicable requirements and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to Section 262, the full text of which
appears in Annex C to this proxy statement. Failure to precisely follow any of
the statutory procedures set forth in Section 262 may result in a termination or
waiver of your appraisal rights.
Section
262 requires that stockholders be notified that appraisal rights will be
available not less than 20 days before the special meeting of stockholders to
vote on the Merger. A copy of Section 262 must be included with such notice.
This proxy statement constitutes our notice to our stockholders of the
availability of appraisal rights in connection with the Merger in compliance
with the requirements of Section 262. If you wish to consider exercising your
appraisal rights, you should carefully review the text of Section 262 contained
in Annex C to this proxy statement because failure to timely and properly comply
with the requirements of Section 262 will result in the loss of your appraisal
rights under the DGCL.
If you
elect to demand appraisal of your shares, you must satisfy each of the following
conditions:
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you
must deliver to us a written demand for appraisal of your shares before
the vote with respect to the Merger is taken. This written demand for
appraisal must be in addition to and separate from any proxy or vote
abstaining from or voting against the adoption of the Merger Agreement.
Voting against or failing to vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement
by itself does not constitute a demand for appraisal within the meaning of
Section 262;
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you
must not vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement. A vote in
favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement will constitute a waiver of
your appraisal rights in respect of the shares so voted and will nullify
any previously filed written demands for appraisal. A proxy which does not
contain voting instructions will, unless revoked, be voted in favor of the
Merger Agreement.
Therefore, a stockholder who
votes by proxy and who wishes to exercise appraisal rights must vote
against the Merger Agreement or abstain from voting on the Merger
Agreement;
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you
must continuously hold your Cavalier common stock from the date you make
your demand for appraisal through the effective date of the Merger;
and
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comply
with the other procedures required by Section
262.
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If you
fail to comply with any of these conditions and the Merger is completed, you
will be entitled to receive the cash payment for your shares of common stock as
provided for in the Merger Agreement, but you will have no appraisal rights with
respect to your shares of common stock.
All
demands for appraisal should be addressed to Cavalier Homes, Inc., 32 Wilson
Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama 35540, Attention: Corporate Secretary, and must
be delivered before the vote on the Merger Agreement is taken at the special
meeting, and should be executed by, or on behalf of, the record holder of the
shares of common stock. The demand must reasonably inform us of the identity of
the stockholder and the intention of the stockholder to demand appraisal of his,
her or its shares.
To be
effective, a demand for appraisal by a holder of common stock must be made by,
or in the name of, such registered stockholder, fully and correctly, as the
stockholder’s name appears on his or her stock certificate(s).
Beneficial owners who do not also
hold the shares of record may not directly make appraisal demands to us.
The beneficial holder must, in
such cases, have the registered owners, such as a broker, bank or other nominee,
submit the required demand in respect of those shares.
If shares are
owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or
custodian, execution of a demand for appraisal should be made by or for the
fiduciary; and if the shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in
a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or for
all joint owners. An authorized agent, including an authorized agent for two or
more joint owners, may execute the demand for appraisal for a stockholder of
record; however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and
expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, he or she is acting
as agent for the record owner. A record owner, such as a broker, who holds
shares as a nominee for others, may exercise his or her right of appraisal with
respect to the shares held for one or more beneficial owners, while not
exercising this right for other beneficial owners. In that case, the written
demand should state the number of shares as to which appraisal is sought. Where
no number of shares is expressly mentioned, the demand will be presumed to cover
all shares held in the name of the record owner.
If
you hold your shares of common stock in a brokerage account or in other nominee
form and you wish to exercise appraisal rights, you should consult with your
broker or the other nominee to determine the appropriate procedures for the
making of a demand for appraisal by the nominee.
Within
ten days after the effective time of the Merger, the surviving corporation must
give written notice that the Merger has become effective to each stockholder who
has properly filed a written demand for appraisal and who did not vote in favor
of the Merger Agreement. At any time within 60 days after the effective time,
any stockholder who has demanded an appraisal has the right to withdraw the
demand and to accept the cash payment specified by the Merger Agreement for his
or her shares of common stock. Within 120 days after the effective date of the
Merger, any stockholder who has complied with Section 262 will, upon written
request to the surviving corporation, be entitled to receive a written statement
setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the Merger
Agreement and with respect to which demands for appraisal rights have been
received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written
statement will be mailed to the requesting stockholder within ten days after
such written request is received by the surviving corporation or within ten days
after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal, whichever
is later. Within 120 days after the effective time, either the surviving
corporation or any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of Section
262 may file a petition in the Delaware Court demanding a determination of the
fair value of the shares held by all stockholders entitled to appraisal. Upon
the filing of the petition by a stockholder, service of a copy of such petition
shall be made upon the surviving corporation. We have no present obligation or
intention to file such a petition or to initiate negotiations in the event there
are dissenting stockholders. Accordingly, the failure of a stockholder to file
such a petition within the period specified could nullify the stockholder’s
previously written demand for appraisal.
If a
petition for appraisal is duly filed by a stockholder and a copy of the petition
is delivered to the surviving corporation, the surviving corporation will then
be obligated, within 20 days after receiving service of a copy of the petition,
to file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was
filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all
stockholders who have demanded an appraisal of their shares and with whom
agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the
surviving corporation. After notice to dissenting stockholders who demanded
appraisal of their shares, the Delaware Court is empowered to conduct a hearing
upon the petition, and to determine those stockholders who have complied with
Section 262 and who have become entitled to the appraisal rights provided
thereby. The Delaware Court may require the stockholders who have demanded
appraisal for their shares to submit their stock certificates to the Register in
Chancery for notation thereof of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and
if any stockholder fails to comply with that direction, the Delaware Court may
dismiss the proceedings as to that stockholder.
After
determination of the stockholders entitled to appraisal of their shares of
common stock, the Delaware Court will appraise the shares, determining their
fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or
expectation of the Merger, together with a fair rate of interest, if any. When
the value is determined, the Delaware Court will direct the payment of such
value, with interest thereon accrued during the pendency of the proceeding, if
the Delaware Court so determines to the stockholders entitled to receive the
same, upon surrender by such holders of the certificates representing those
shares.
In
determining fair value, and, if applicable, a fair rate of interest, the
Delaware Court is required to take into account all relevant factors. In
Weinberger
v. UOP, Inc.
, the Delaware
Supreme Court discussed the factors that could be considered in determining fair
value in an appraisal proceeding, stating that “proof of value by any techniques
or methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community
and otherwise admissible in court” should be considered, and that “fair price
obviously requires consideration of all relevant factors involving the value of
a company.”
You
should be aware that the fair value of your shares as determined under Section
262 could be more than, the same as or less than the value that you are entitled
to receive under the terms of the Merger Agreement. You should also be aware
that investment banking opinions as to the fairness from a financial point of
view of the consideration payable in a merger are not opinions as to fair value
under Section 262.
Costs of
the appraisal proceeding may be imposed upon the surviving corporation and the
stockholders participating in the appraisal proceeding by the Delaware Court as
the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon the application of a
stockholder, the Delaware Court may order all or a portion of the expenses
incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding,
including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and the fees and
expenses of experts, to be charged pro-rata against the value of all shares
entitled to appraisal. Any stockholder who had demanded appraisal rights will
not, after the effective time of the Merger, be entitled to vote shares subject
to that demand for any purpose or to receive payments of dividends or any other
distribution with respect to those shares, other than with respect to payment as
of a record date prior to the effective time of the Merger; however, if no
petition for appraisal is filed within 120 days after the effective time of the
Merger, or if the stockholder delivers a written withdrawal of his or her demand
for appraisal and an acceptance of the terms of the Merger within 60 days after
the effective time of the Merger, then the right of that stockholder to
appraisal will cease and that stockholder will be entitled to receive the cash
payment for shares of his, her or its common stock pursuant to the Merger
Agreement. Any withdrawal of a demand for appraisal made more than 60 days after
the effective time of the Merger may only be made with the written approval of
the surviving corporation and must, to be effective, be made within 120 days
after the effective time.
In
view of the complexity of Section 262, stockholders who may wish to dissent from
the Merger and pursue appraisal rights should consult their legal
advisors.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
Ownership
of Common Stock by Directors and Executive Officers
Set forth
below is information as of ________ ___, 2009, with respect to the beneficial
ownership of our common stock by all of our current directors and executive
officers and certain of our former officers.
Name
of Individual or Persons in Group
|
|
Number of Shares Beneficially
Owned
(
1)
|
|
Percent of Class Beneficially
Owned
(1)
|
Thomas
A. Broughton, III
|
|
|
80,576
|
(2)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Barry
B. Donnell
|
|
|
942,916
|
(3)
|
|
|
5.35
|
%
|
Curtis
D. Hodgson
|
|
|
826,850
|
(4)
|
|
|
4.70
|
%
|
Lee
Roy Jordan
|
|
|
22,416
|
(5)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Jonathan
B. Lowe
|
|
|
63,500
|
(6)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Barry
Mixon
|
|
|
32,500
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Michael
R. Murphy
|
|
|
125,234
|
(7)
|
|
|
*
|
|
David
A. Roberson
|
|
|
324,677
|
(8)
|
|
|
1.83
|
%
|
Kenneth
E. Shipley
|
|
|
922,950
|
(9)
|
|
|
5.24
|
%
|
Kenneth
J. Smith
|
|
|
4,500
|
(10)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Bobby
Tesney
|
|
|
35,200
|
(11)
|
|
|
*
|
|
Carl
S. Thigpen
|
|
|
2,500
|
(12)
|
|
|
*
|
|
J.
Don Williams
|
|
|
52,916
|
(13)
|
|
|
*
|
|
All
current directors and executive officers (12 persons)
|
|
|
2,957,058
|
(14)
|
|
|
16.6
|
%
|
* Represents
beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common
stock.
(1)
Beneficial
ownership in the foregoing table is based upon information furnished by the
persons listed. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is
deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares as of ________ ___, 2009,
that such person or group has the right to acquire within 60 days after such
date, or with respect to which such person otherwise has or shares voting or
investment power. For purposes of computing beneficial ownership and the
percentages of outstanding shares held by each person or group of persons on a
given date, shares which such person or group has the right to acquire within 60
days after such date are shares for which such person has beneficial ownership
and are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage for
such person, but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing
the percentage of any other person. Except as otherwise indicated in these notes
to the foregoing table, the beneficial owners named in the table have sole
voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock reflected
and the address of each of the persons is as follows: c/o Cavalier Homes, Inc.,
32 Wilson Blvd 100, Addison, AL 35540.
(2)
Includes
16,477 shares beneficially owned in an Individual Retirement
Account; includes 37,809 shares issuable pursuant to stock options
presently exercisable as of ________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days
thereafter.
(3)
Includes
22,916 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter, 100,000 shares held by the
Donnell Foundation, of which Mr. Donnell is a co-trustee and 100,000 shares
beneficially owned in an Individual Retirement Account. Mr. Donnell has voting
and investment power with respect to the shares held by the Donnell Foundation.
Also includes 13,000 shares held in his wife's Individual Retirement Account and
7,000 shares owned directly by his wife. Also includes 100,000 shares held by
the Sam Donnell Family Limited Partnership, 1% of which is held by a limited
liability company in which Mr. Donnell holds 51% of the limited liability
company interests. Mr. Donnell disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held
directly by his wife and the shares held in his wife's Individual Retirement
Account. The address for Mr. Donnell is 719 Scott Avenue, Suite 414 Wichita
Falls, TX 76301.
(4)
Includes
1,250 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of ___
__, 2009 or within 60 days thereafter. Includes 155,000 shares owned by Legacy
Housing, LTD., of which Mr. Hodgson is a limited partner; additionally, Mr.
Hodgson is a manager, vice president and secretary of GPHL, LC, the general
partner of Legacy Housing, LTD. Mr. Hodgson disclaims beneficial ownership of
the shares owned by Legacy Housing LTD.
(5)
Includes
17,916 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter.
(6)
Includes
2,500 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter.
(7)
Includes
60,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter, 4,700 shares held in Mr.
Murphy’s Individual Retirement Account and 3,700 shares held in his wife’s
Individual Retirement Account. Mr. Murphy disclaims beneficial ownership of the
shares held in his wife’s Individual Retirement Account.
(8)
Includes
6,510 shares beneficially owned in an Individual Retirement Account and 1,874
shares held in his wife’s Individual Retirement Account. Includes 18,272 shares
held by a family limited partnership of which Mr. Roberson is the general
partner. Includes 115,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently
exercisable as of ________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter. Mr. Roberson
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held in his wife’s Individual
Retirement Account.
(9)
Includes
1,250 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
______ __, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter. Also includes the following: (i)
155,000 shares owned by Legacy Housing, LTD., of which Mr. Shipley is a limited
partner; Mr. Shipley is a manager, president and assistant secretary of GPHL,
LC, the general partner of Legacy Housing, LTD. Mr. Shipley is a limited partner
in Shipley Brothers, LTD., which is a member and manager of GPHL, LC;
furthermore, Mr. Shipley is the president and sole owner of K-Shipley, LTD.,
which is a general partner of Shipley Brothers, LTD.; (ii) 137,200 shares owned
by Federal Investors Servicing, LTD., of which Mr. Shipley is a limited partner;
and, Mr. Shipley is a manager and the president of Federal Investors Management,
LC, which is the general partner of Federal Investors Servicing, LTD.; and,
(iii) 629,500 shares owned by Shipley Brothers, LTD., of which Mr. Shipley is a
limited partner in Shipley Brothers, LTD. Mr. Shipley specifically disclaims
beneficial ownership of shares of Cavalier Homes, Inc. common stock owned by
Legacy Housing, LTD., Federal Investors Servicing, LTD., and Shipley Brothers,
LTD., except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(10)
Includes
2,500 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter, and 2,000 shares held by a
limited liability company of which Mr. Smith is a 50% owner.
(11)
Includes
20,000 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter.
(12)
Includes
2,500 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter.
(13)
Includes
47,916 shares issuable pursuant to stock options presently exercisable as of
________ ___, 2009, or within 60 days thereafter.
(14)
See
notes 1-7 and 9-13 above. The total stock ownership of each of Messrs. Hodgson
and Shipley includes 155,000 shares owned by Legacy Housing, LTD.; therefore,
155,000 shares have been excluded from the total ownership in order to avoid
double-counting the shares owned by Legacy Housing, LTD.
Ownership
of Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners
The
following persons have reported ownership in Cavalier at a level greater than
5%, according to statements on Schedule 13D or 13G as filed by such persons with
the Securities and Exchange Commission:
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Number of Shares Beneficially
Owned
(1)
|
|
Percent of Class Beneficially
Owned
(1)
|
Dimensional
Fund Advisors LP
Palisades
West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Rd,
Austin, TX 78746
|
|
|
1,464,630
|
(15)
|
|
|
8.32
|
%
|
GAMCO
Investors, Inc.
One
Corporate Center, Rye, NY 10580-1435
|
|
|
3,494,099
|
(16)
|
|
|
19.85
|
%
|
T.
Rowe Price Associates, Inc./T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund,
Inc.
100
E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
|
|
|
1,602,900
|
(17)
|
|
|
9.11
|
%
|
* Represents
beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common
stock.
(15)
In
a Schedule 13G filed on February 9, 2009, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“
Dimensional
”), an
investment advisor registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisors Act
of 1940, reported having sole voting and dispositive power of 1,464,630 shares.
Dimensional furnishes investment advice to four investment companies registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and serves as investment manager to
certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts. These investment
companies, trusts and accounts are the “
Funds
.” In its role
as investment adviser or manager, Dimensional possesses voting and/or investment
power over the securities of the issuers described in the schedule that are
owned by the Funds. Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such
securities. All information in this footnote was obtained from the Schedule 13G
filed by Dimensional.
(16)
In
a Schedule 13D filed June 25, 2009, Mario J. Gabelli, and various entities which
he directly or indirectly controls or for which he acts as chief investment
officer (“
Gabelli
”), reported
having shared power to vote or dispose of 3,494,099 shares of common stock.
Included in the Schedule 13D is GGCP, Inc., MJG Associates, Inc., Gabelli
Foundation, Inc., Mario Gabelli, LICT Corporation, GAMCO Investors, Inc. (“
GBL
”), a public
company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the following entities of
which GBL is the parent company: GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., Gabelli Funds,
LLC, Gabelli Securities, Inc., Gabelli & Company, Inc. and Teton Advisors,
Inc. All information in this footnote was obtained from the Schedule 13D filed
by Gabelli.
(17)
In
a Schedule 13G filed February 12, 2009, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“
T. Rowe Price
”) and
T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund, Inc. (“
Small-Cap Fund
”)
jointly reported having sole power to vote or dispose of 1,602,900 shares of
common stock. These securities are owned by various individual and institutional
investors, including the Small-Cap Fund, which T. Rowe Price serves as an
investment advisor with power to direct investments and/or sole power to vote
the securities. For purposes of the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, T. Rowe Price is deemed to be a beneficial owner of such
securities; however, T. Rowe Price expressly disclaims that it is, in fact, the
beneficial owner of such securities. All information in this footnote was
obtained from the Schedule 13G and cover letter we received from T. Rowe Price
and Small-Cap Fund.
MARKET
PRICE OF THE COMPANY COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
Our
common stock is traded on the NYSE Amex under the ticker symbol “CAV.” The
following table sets forth, for the indicated fiscal periods, the daily high and
low closing sales prices of our common stock as reported by the NYSE
Amex:
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
Year Ending December
31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third
Quarter (through July __, 2009)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
$
|
2.71
|
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
$
|
1.75
|
|
|
$
|
1.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
|
$
|
1.80
|
|
|
$
|
0.89
|
|
Third
Quarter
|
|
$
|
2.49
|
|
|
$
|
1.90
|
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
$
|
2.60
|
|
|
$
|
1.51
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
$
|
1.95
|
|
|
$
|
1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December
31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fourth
Quarter
|
|
$
|
3.15
|
|
|
$
|
1.80
|
|
Third
Quarter
|
|
$
|
4.91
|
|
|
$
|
3.21
|
|
Second
Quarter
|
|
$
|
5.03
|
|
|
$
|
4.35
|
|
First
Quarter
|
|
$
|
5.00
|
|
|
$
|
3.85
|
|
On
June 12, 2009, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the
execution of the Merger Agreement, the closing sales price per share was $2.23.
On ________ ___, 2009, the most recent practicable trading day period to the
date of the printing of this proxy statement, the closing sales price per share
was $____.
We
discontinued payments of dividends in 2000. We are restricted by the Merger
Agreement from declaring dividends. We do not intend to declare any dividends
prior to the closing of the Merger.
CHAPTER
II – INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND VOTING
Special
Meeting, Record Date and Vote Required
The
special meeting of stockholders of Cavalier will be held at the Company’s office
at 32 Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama at _____ P.M., Central Daylight
Time, on August ___, 2009. The purpose of the meeting is to consider and vote
upon a proposal to approve the Merger Agreement. Only holders of record of
Cavalier common stock at the close of business on the record date, July 2, 2009,
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting. As of the
record date, there were 17,598,380 shares of Cavalier common stock issued,
outstanding and entitled to be voted. Each share of Cavalier common stock will
be entitled to one vote at the special meeting.
The
presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of at least a majority of the issued
and outstanding shares of Cavalier common stock entitled to vote at the special
meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting.
Approval
of the Merger will require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a
majority of the outstanding shares of Cavalier common stock. For this purpose, a
failure to return the enclosed proxy, an abstention from voting and a broker
non-vote will have the same effect as a vote
“AGAINST”
approval of the Merger.
Votes cast by proxy or in person at the special meeting will be tabulated by the
election inspector appointed for the meeting, who will also determine whether or
not a quorum is present.
Appraisal
rights may be demanded by Cavalier stockholders who do not vote in favor of the
Merger and who follow carefully the specified procedures of the DGCL. See the
section of this proxy statement entitled “The Merger—Appraisal Rights” on page
45 of this proxy statement.
Voting
and Revocation of Proxies
You may vote in person or by proxy.
Execution of a proxy will not affect a stockholder’s right to attend the meeting
and vote in person.
Record
holders may vote or cause their shares of common stock to be voted by proxy
using one of the following methods:
|
·
|
sign
and date each proxy card you receive and return it in the enclosed prepaid
envelope;
|
|
·
|
if
you hold your shares in “street name,” follow the procedures provided by
your broker, bank or other nominee;
or
|
|
·
|
appear
and vote in person by ballot at the special
meeting.
|
WHETHER
OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND
RETURN, AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE, THE ENCLOSED PROXY IN THE ACCOMPANYING REPLY
ENVELOPE. STOCKHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE MEETING MAY REVOKE THEIR PROXIES AND VOTE
IN PERSON.
If you
submit a proxy by returning a signed proxy card by mail, your shares will be
voted at the special meeting as you indicate on your proxy card. If you sign
your proxy card without indicating your vote, your shares will be voted “FOR”
the adoption of the Merger Agreement, “FOR” the adjournment of the special
meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies and “FOR”
the persons named as proxies to consider and act upon such other matters as may
properly come before the meeting.
If you
abstain, your shares of common stock will be treated as present at the special
meeting for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the
transaction of business; however, your shares will not be counted as votes cast
or shares voting on the proposals. If you abstain, it will have the same effect
as a vote “AGAINST” the proposals.
If your
shares of common stock are held in “street name,” you will receive instructions
from your broker, bank or other nominee that you must follow in order to have
your shares voted. If you do not instruct your broker, bank or other nominee to
vote your shares, it has the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the
proposals.
Proxies
received at any time before the special meeting, and not revoked or superseded
before being voted, will be voted at the special meeting. You have the right to
change or revoke your proxy at any time before the vote taken at the special
meeting if you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, by
following the directions received from your broker, bank or other nominee to
change or revoke those instructions.
You have
the right to change or revoke your proxy at any time before the vote taken at
the special meeting if you hold your shares in your name as a stockholder of
record by:
|
·
|
delivering
to our Corporate Secretary, at 32 Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama
35540, a signed written notice of revocation, bearing a date later than
the date of the proxy, stating that the proxy is revoked;
or
|
|
·
|
attending
the special meeting and voting in person. Stockholders should note,
however, that merely attending the special meeting in person without
casting a vote at the meeting will not alone constitute a revocation of a
proxy.
|
PLEASE
DO NOT SEND IN YOUR STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH YOUR PROXY CARD. IF THE MERGER IS
COMPLETED, A SEPARATE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL WILL BE MAILED TO YOU THAT WILL
ENABLE YOU TO RECEIVE THE MERGER CONSIDERATION IN EXCHANGE FOR YOUR CAVALIER
STOCK CERTIFICATES.
Solicitation
of Proxies
The Board
of Directors of Cavalier is soliciting your proxy. In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by use of the mail, directors, officers and other
employees of Cavalier may solicit the return of proxies by personal interview,
telephone, e-mail, facsimile or other means of communication. We will not pay
additional compensation to our directors, officers and employees for their
solicitation efforts, but we will reimburse them for any out-of-pocket expenses
they incur in their solicitation efforts. We will request that brokerage houses
and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries forward solicitation materials to
the beneficial owners of stock registered in their names. We will bear all costs
of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing the notice of special meeting of
stockholders, this proxy statement, the enclosed proxy and any additional
materials, as well as the cost of forwarding solicitation materials to the
beneficial owners of stock and all other costs of solicitation.
Recommendations
of Our Board of Directors
After
careful consideration, our Board of Directors, by unanimous vote, approved and
declared advisable the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger
Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby and has determined that the
Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the
Merger, are fair, advisable and in the best interests of the Company’s
stockholders.
Our Board of
Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposal to adopt the Merger
Agreement, “FOR” the proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or
appropriate, to solicit additional proxies and “FOR” the persons named as
proxies to consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before
the special meeting.
For a discussion of the material factors considered
by our Board of Directors in reaching its conclusion, please see “The Merger –
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendations of Our Board of Directors” on page 21 of
this proxy statement.
Other
Business for the Special Meeting and Adjournment
Our Board
of Directors does not know of any matters other than those described in the
notice of the special meeting that are to come before the special meeting. If
any other matters are properly brought before the special meeting, including,
among other things, a motion to adjourn or postpone the special meeting to
another time or place for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies in favor
of the proposal to approve the Merger Agreement or to permit the dissemination
of information regarding material developments relating to the proposal to
approve the
Merger
Agreement or otherwise germane to the special meeting, one or more persons named
in the Cavalier form of proxy will vote the shares represented by such proxy
upon such matter as determined in their discretion. If it is necessary to
adjourn the special meeting, no notice of the time and place of the adjourned
meeting is required to be given to Cavalier’s stockholders other than the
announcement of such time and place at the special meeting. At any subsequent
reconvening of the special meeting, all proxies will be voted in the same manner
such proxies would have been voted at the original convening of the meeting
(except for any proxies which theretofore have been effectively revoked or
withdrawn). The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of
our common stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and entitled to
vote at the special meeting although less than a quorum, is required to approve
such adjournment.
CHAPTER
III – ADDITIONAL STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION
FUTURE
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
If the
Merger is completed, we will have no public stockholders and there will be no
public participation in any of our future stockholder meetings. We intend to
hold the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “
2010 Annual Meeting
”)
only if the Merger is not completed or if we are required to do so by
law.
If a
stockholder wishes to submit a proposal for inclusion in the proxy statement and
form of proxy for the 2010 Annual Meeting, in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under
the Exchange Act, such proposal must be received by the Company at its principal
executive offices on or before December 7, 2009. To properly present matters
outside the Rule 14a-8 process or to nominate directors at the 2010 Annual
Meeting, stockholders must comply with the advance notice requirements contained
in the Company’s by-laws. Such notices must be received by the Company no
earlier than January 6, 2010 nor later than February 5, 2010 (unless the 2010
Annual Meeting is not held within 30 days of ________, 2010) and must include
the specified information concerning the proposal or nominee as described in the
Company’s by-laws.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file
annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public
reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also
available to the public at the SEC’s website at
http://www.sec.gov
.
You also may obtain free copies of the documents we file with the SEC by going
to our website at
http://www.cavhomesinc.com
.
The information provided on our website is not part of this proxy statement, and
therefore is not incorporated by reference.
Any
person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this proxy statement is
delivered may request copies of proxy statements and any of the documents
incorporated by reference in this document or other information concerning us,
without charge, by written or telephonic request directed to Cavalier Homes,
Inc., 32 Wilson Boulevard 100, Addison, Alabama 35540, Attn: Investor Relations,
telephone (256) 747-9800, or on our website at
http://www.cavhomesinc.com
or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at
http://www.sec.gov
.
Documents incorporated by reference are available without charge, excluding any
exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by
reference into those documents.
Southern
Energy has supplied all information pertaining to Southern Energy and Merger
Sub, and we have supplied all information pertaining to us.
THIS
PROXY STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION OF A PROXY IN ANY
JURISDICTION TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM OR FROM WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE
SUCH PROXY SOLICITATION IN THAT JURISDICTION. YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO
VOTE YOUR SHARES AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO
PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
The SEC
allows us to incorporate by reference certain information into this proxy
statement. This means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information
incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this proxy statement,
and later information that we file with the SEC will update and supersede that
information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
documents filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the date of this proxy statement and prior to the date of the
special meeting:
Cavalier Homes, Inc.
Filings:
|
|
Periods/Report
Dates:
|
Annual
Report on Form 10-K
|
|
Year
ended December 31, 2008
|
Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q
|
|
Quarter
ended March 28, 2009
|
Current
Reports on Form 8-K
|
|
January
21, 2009
|
|
|
February
26, 2009
|
|
|
May
13, 2009
|
|
|
June
15, 2009
|
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, information furnished under items 2.02 and 7.01 of any
Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits, is not
incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.
Any
person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this proxy statement is
delivered may request copies of reports, proxy statements or other information
concerning us, without charge, as described in the section entitled “Where You
Can Find More Information” on page 55 of this proxy
statement.
No
persons have been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this proxy statement and, if given
or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having
been authorized by us or any other person.
THIS
PROXY STATEMENT IS DATED JULY __, 2009. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER
THAN THAT DATE OR SUCH OTHER DATE AS MAY BE SPECIFIED HEREIN, AND THE MAILING OF
THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS DOES NOT CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE
CONTRARY.