09/12/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/12/2025 05:46
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Iowa
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2522
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42-0617510
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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James P. Dougherty, Esq.
Shanu Bajaj, Esq.
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 450-4000
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Megan A. Blazina, Esq.
Vice President, Chief Legal Officer,
& Secretary
Steelcase Inc.
901 44th Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
(616) 247-2710
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Brian W. Duwe, Esq.
Richard C. Witzel, Jr., Esq.
David R. Clark, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
320 South Canal Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 407-0700
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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Smaller reporting company
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☐
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Emerging growth company
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at the election of the holder of such share, subject to adjustment as described below (i) (a) 0.2192 shares of common stock of HNI ("HNI common stock") and (b) $7.20 in cash (the "mixed consideration"); (ii) an amount of cash (the "cash consideration"), equal to the sum (rounded to two decimal places) of (a) $7.20 and (b) the product obtained by multiplying 0.2192 by the volume-weighted average closing price (rounded to four decimal places) of one share of HNI common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") for the period of 10 consecutive trading days ending on the second full trading day prior to the date on which the closing of the mergers occurs (the "HNI common stock reference price"); or (iii) a number of shares of HNI common stock (the "stock consideration") equal to the sum of (a) 0.2192 and (b) the quotient (rounded to four decimal places) obtained by dividing $7.20 by the HNI common stock reference price; or
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in the case of any such share as to which the holder thereof does not make an election, the mixed consideration.
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Jeffrey D. Lorenger
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Sara E. Armbruster
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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HNI Corporation
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Steelcase Inc.
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Proposal to approve the issuance of shares of HNI common stock to holders of Steelcase common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the "HNI common stock issuance proposal").
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By Order of the Board of Directors
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Steven M. Bradford
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Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
HNI Corporation
[ ], 2025
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(1)
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a proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the first merger (the "Steelcase merger proposal"); and
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(2)
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a proposal to approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Steelcase's named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the mergers (the "Steelcase compensation proposal").
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If you are an HNI shareholder:
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If you are a Steelcase shareholder:
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HNI Corporation
600 East Second Street
Muscatine, Iowa 52761
(563) 272-7400
Attention: Investor Relations
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Steelcase Inc.
901 44th Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
(616) 292-9274
Attention: Investor Relations
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"BofA Securities" means BofA Securities, Inc., financial advisor to Steelcase;
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"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which all banking institutions in Grand Rapids, Michigan or Muscatine, Iowa are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close;
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"business combination statute" means Section 490.1110 of the IBCA;
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"Canceled Shares" means each share of Steelcase common stock held directly by HNI, Merger Sub Inc. or Merger Sub LLC immediately prior to the first effective time;
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"Closing" means the closing of the mergers;
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"closing date" means the date on which the Closing occurs;
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"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
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"combined company" means HNI after the consummation of the mergers;
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"election deadline" means 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the date that is three Business Days prior to the closing date (or such other time and date as HNI and Steelcase shall agree);
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"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
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"first effective time" means the effective time of the first merger;
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"first merger" means the merger of Merger Sub Inc. with and into Steelcase pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with Steelcase surviving such merger;
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"GAAP" means accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.;
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"Georgeson" means Georgeson LLC, proxy solicitor for HNI and Steelcase;
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"Goldman Sachs" or "GS" means Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, financial advisor to Steelcase;
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"HNI" means HNI Corporation, an Iowa corporation;
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"HNI acquisition proposal" means a proposal or offer from any person providing for any (i) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization or similar transaction involving HNI, pursuant to which any such person (including such person's or resulting company's direct or indirect shareholders) would own or control, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the voting power of HNI, (ii) sale, license or other disposition, directly or indirectly, of assets of HNI (including the capital stock or other equity interests of any of its subsidiaries) or any subsidiary of HNI representing 20% or more of the consolidated assets, revenues or net income of HNI and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) issuance or sale or other disposition of capital stock or other equity interests representing 20% or more of the voting power of HNI, (iv) tender offer, exchange offer or any other transaction or series of transactions in which any person would acquire, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial ownership of capital stock or other equity interests representing 20% or more of the voting power of HNI or (v) any related combination of the foregoing;
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"HNI articles of incorporation" means the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of HNI, as amended;
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"HNI by-laws" means the Amended and Restated By-laws of HNI;
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"HNI common stock" means the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of HNI;
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"HNI common stock reference price" means the volume-weighted average closing price, rounded to four decimal places, of one share of HNI common stock on the NYSE for the period of 10 consecutive trading days ending on the second full trading day preceding the first effective time;
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"HNI intervening event" means a material event or circumstance that was not known to, or reasonably foreseeable by, the HNI board of directors on August 3, 2025 (or if known or reasonably foreseeable, the consequences of which were not known or reasonably foreseeable to the HNI board of directors as of August 3, 2025), which event or circumstance, or any consequence thereof, becomes known to the HNI board of directors prior to the approval of the issuance of HNI common stock in connection with the mergers by the votes cast favoring such issuance exceeding the votes cast opposing such issuance, in each case, by the holders of the shares of HNI common stock, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the HNI special meeting at which a quorum is present; provided that in no event shall any inquiry, offer or proposal that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to lead to an HNI acquisition proposal constitute an HNI intervening event;
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"HNI preferred stock" means shares of serial preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share;
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"HNI superior proposal" means a bona fide written HNI acquisition proposal (provided, however, that for purposes of this definition, references to "20% or more" in the definition of "HNI acquisition proposal" shall be deemed to be references to "more than 50%"), which the HNI board of directors determines in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel) (i) to be reasonably likely to be consummated if accepted and (ii) to be more favorable to HNI's shareholders than the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in each case, taking into account at the time of determination all relevant circumstances, including the various legal, financial and regulatory aspects of the proposal, all the terms and conditions of such proposal and the Merger Agreement, and any changes to the terms of the Merger Agreement offered by Steelcase in response to such HNI acquisition proposal;
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"Iowa law" or the "IBCA" means the Iowa Business Corporation Act;
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"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service;
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"J.P. Morgan" means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, financial advisor to HNI;
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"Merger Agreement" means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and among HNI, Steelcase, Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC, as amended from time to time;
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"Merger Sub Inc." means Geranium Merger Sub I, Inc., a Michigan corporation;
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"Merger Sub LLC" means Geranium Merger Sub II, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company;
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"mergers" means the first merger and the second merger;
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"Michigan law" or the "MBCA" means the Michigan business corporation act;
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"MLLCA" means the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act;
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"NYSE" means the New York Stock Exchange;
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"SEC" means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission;
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"second effective time" means the effective time of the second merger;
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"second merger" means the merger of the surviving corporation with and into Merger Sub LLC pursuant to the Merger Agreement, with Merger Sub LLC surviving such merger as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of HNI;
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"Steelcase" means Steelcase Inc., a Michigan corporation;
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"Steelcase acquisition proposal" means a proposal or offer from any person providing for any (i) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization or similar transaction involving Steelcase, pursuant to which any such person (including such person's or resulting company's direct or indirect shareholders) would own or control, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the voting power of Steelcase, (ii) sale, license or other disposition, directly or indirectly, of assets of Steelcase (including the capital stock or other equity interests of any of its subsidiaries) or any subsidiary of Steelcase representing 20% or more of the consolidated assets, revenues or net income of Steelcase and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (iii) issuance or sale or other disposition of capital stock or other equity interests representing 20% or more of the voting power of Steelcase, (iv) tender offer, exchange offer or any other transaction or series of transactions in which any person would acquire, directly or indirectly, beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial ownership of capital stock or other equity interests representing 20% or more of the voting power of Steelcase or (v) any related combination of the foregoing;
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"Steelcase articles of incorporation" means the Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of Steelcase, amended as of July 13, 2011;
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"Steelcase by-laws" means the Amended By-laws of Steelcase, amended as of January 11, 2023;
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"Steelcase common stock" means the Steelcase class A common stock, no par value;
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"Steelcase intervening event" means a material event or circumstance that was not known by, or reasonably foreseeable to, the Steelcase board of directors on August 3, 2025 (or if known or reasonably foreseeable, the consequences of which were not known or reasonably foreseeable to the Steelcase board of directors as of August 3, 2025), which event or circumstance, or any consequence thereof, becomes known to the Steelcase board of directors prior to the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the first merger by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Steelcase common stock entitled to vote thereon; provided that in no event will any inquiry, offer or proposal that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to lead to a Steelcase acquisition proposal constitute a Steelcase intervening event;
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"Steelcase stock" means Steelcase common stock and Steelcase class B common stock, no par value;
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"Steelcase superior proposal" means a bona fide written Steelcase acquisition proposal (provided, however, that for purposes of this definition, references to "20% or more" in the definition of "Steelcase acquisition proposal" will be deemed to be references to "more than 50%"), which the Steelcase board of directors determines in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel) (i) to be reasonably likely to be consummated if accepted and (ii) to be more favorable to Steelcase's shareholders than the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, in each case, taking into account at the time of determination all relevant circumstances, including the various legal, financial and regulatory aspects of the proposal, all the terms and conditions of such proposal and the Merger Agreement, and any changes to the terms of the Merger Agreement offered by HNI in response to such Steelcase acquisition proposal;
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"supporting shareholders" means Robert C. Pew III, Susan H. Taylor and Jennifer C. Niemann;
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"surviving corporation" means Steelcase as the surviving corporation in the first merger;
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"surviving entity" means Merger Sub LLC immediately after the consummation of the second merger;
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"synergies" means the estimated amount and timing of the cost savings and related expenses and synergies expected to result from the transactions;
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"transactions" means the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and
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"voting and support agreements" means the Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and among HNI, Robert C. Pew III and Susan H. Taylor, and the Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and between HNI and Jennifer C. Niemann.
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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SUMMARY
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The Parties to the Mergers
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The Mergers and the Merger Agreement
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Treatment of Steelcase Equity and Cash Awards
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Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers
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HNI's Reasons for the Mergers; Recommendation of the HNI Board of Directors
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Steelcase's Reasons for the Mergers; Recommendation of the Steelcase Board of Directors
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Opinion of HNI's Financial Advisor
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Opinions of Steelcase's Financial Advisors
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Appraisal or Dissenters' Rights in the Mergers
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Interests of HNI's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers
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Interests of Steelcase's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers
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HNI Board of Directors After the Mergers
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Regulatory Matters
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Conditions to Completion of the Mergers
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Termination of the Merger Agreement; Termination Fees
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No Solicitation
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The Voting and Support Agreements
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Accounting Treatment
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The Rights of Steelcase's Shareholders Will Change as a Result of the First Merger
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Listing of HNI Common Stock; Delisting and Deregistration of Steelcase Common Stock
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The HNI Special Meeting
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The Steelcase Special Meeting
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Risk Factors
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RISK FACTORS
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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THE HNI SPECIAL MEETING
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Date, Time and Place of the Meeting
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Matters to Be Considered
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Recommendation of the HNI Board of Directors
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Record Date and Quorum
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Broker Non-Votes
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Vote Required; Treatment of Abstentions; Failure to Vote
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Attending the Special Meeting
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Proxies
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Shares Held in Street Name
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Revocability of Proxies
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Delivery of Proxy Materials
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Solicitation of Proxies
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Assistance
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HNI PROPOSAL
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HNI Common Stock Issuance Proposal
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THE STEELCASE SPECIAL MEETING
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Date, Time and Place of the Meeting
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Attending the Special Meeting
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Matters to Be Considered
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Recommendation of the Steelcase Board of Directors
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Record Date and Quorum
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Broker Non-Votes
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Vote Required; Treatment of Abstentions; Failure to Vote
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Participating in the Special Meeting
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Proxies
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Shares Held in Street Name
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Revocability of Proxies
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Delivery of Proxy Materials
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Solicitation of Proxies
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Assistance
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STEELCASE PROPOSALS
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Proposal 1: Steelcase Merger Proposal
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Proposal 2: Steelcase Compensation Proposal
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INFORMATION ABOUT HNI
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INFORMATION ABOUT STEELCASE
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THE MERGERS
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Terms of the Mergers
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Background of the Mergers
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HNI's Reasons for the Mergers; Recommendation of the HNI Board of Directors
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Opinion of HNI's Financial Advisor
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Steelcase's Reasons for the Mergers; Recommendation of the Steelcase Board of Directors
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Opinions of Steelcase's Financial Advisors
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Unaudited Prospective Financial Information Prepared by HNI
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Unaudited Prospective Financial Information Prepared by Steelcase
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Interests of HNI's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers
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Interests of Steelcase's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers
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HNI Board of Directors After the Mergers
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Accounting Treatment
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Regulatory Matters
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Stock Exchange Listings
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Appraisal or Dissenters' Rights in the Mergers
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THE MERGER AGREEMENT
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THE VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENTS
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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGERS
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DESCRIPTION OF HNI CAPITAL STOCK
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149
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COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS
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152
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LEGAL MATTERS
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167
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EXPERTS
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168
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FUTURE SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
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HNI
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Steelcase
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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Annex A
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Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and among HNI Corporation, Steelcase Inc., Geranium Merger Sub I, Inc. and Geranium Merger Sub II, LLC.
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A-1
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Annex B
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Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and among HNI Corporation, Robert C. Pew III and Susan H. Taylor
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B-1
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Annex C
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Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and between HNI Corporation and Jennifer C. Niemann
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C-1
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Annex D
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Opinion of JPMorgan Securities LLC
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D-1
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Annex E
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Opinion of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
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E-1
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Annex F
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Opinion of BofA Securities, Inc.
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F-1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Q:
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Why am I receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus?
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A:
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You are receiving this joint proxy statement/prospectus because HNI, Merger Sub Inc., Merger Sub LLC and Steelcase have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 3, 2025 (as it may be amended from time to time, the "Merger Agreement"). A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated by reference herein. Under the Merger Agreement, subject to the satisfaction (or to the extent permitted by law and in accordance with the Merger Agreement, waiver) of the conditions to the mergers set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub Inc. will merge with and into Steelcase (the "first merger"), whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub Inc. shall cease, so that Steelcase is the surviving corporation (sometimes referred to in such capacity as the "surviving corporation"). Immediately following the completion of the first merger, the surviving corporation will merge with and into Merger Sub LLC (the "second merger" and, together with the first merger, the "mergers"), whereupon the separate existence of the surviving corporation will cease, so that Merger Sub LLC is the surviving entity (sometimes referred to in such capacity as the "surviving entity").
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holders of Steelcase common stock adopt the Merger Agreement and approve the first merger; and
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holders of HNI common stock approve the issuance of HNI common stock in connection with the mergers.
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What will happen in the mergers?
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A:
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In the first merger, Merger Sub Inc. will merge with and into Steelcase, whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub Inc. will cease, so that Steelcase is the surviving corporation. In the second merger, immediately following the completion of the first merger, the surviving corporation will merge with and into Merger Sub LLC, whereupon the separate existence of the surviving corporation will cease, so that Merger Sub LLC is the surviving entity. Each share of Steelcase common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time (other than shares of Steelcase common stock held directly by HNI, Merger Sub Inc. or Merger Sub LLC) will, at the first effective time, be automatically canceled and converted into, at the election of the holder thereof, the right to receive the applicable merger consideration, as described below.
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Q:
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What will holders of Steelcase common stock receive in connection with the mergers?
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A:
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Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the first merger (the "first effective time"), each share of Steelcase class A common stock, no par value ("Steelcase common stock"), issued and outstanding immediately before the first effective time (other than shares owned by HNI, Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC) will convert into the right to receive, in accordance with and subject to the terms, conditions and procedures in the Merger Agreement, the following consideration (collectively with, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares as described below, the "merger consideration"), without interest and subject to any required tax withholding: at the election of the holder of such share, subject to adjustment as described below (i) (a) 0.2192 shares of common stock of HNI ("HNI common stock") and (b) $7.20 in cash (the "mixed consideration"); (ii) an amount of cash (the "cash consideration"), equal to the sum (rounded to two decimal places) of (a) $7.20 and (b) the product obtained by multiplying 0.2192 by the volume-weighted average closing price (rounded to four decimal places) of one share of HNI common stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") for the period of 10 consecutive trading days ending on the second full trading day prior to the date on which the closing of the mergers occurs (the "HNI common stock reference price"); or (iii) a number of shares of HNI common stock (the "stock consideration") equal to the sum of (a) 0.2192 and (b) the quotient (rounded to four decimal places) obtained by dividing $7.20 by the HNI common stock reference price; or in the case of any such share as to which the holder thereof does not make an election, the mixed consideration. See the information provided in the section entitled "The Merger Agreement-Merger Consideration." The HNI common stock reference price will be calculated as the volume-weighted (based on the number of shares of HNI common stock traded on each trading day used for this calculation) average of the closing sale price per share of HNI common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the applicable 10-consecutive-trading-day period.
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Q:
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What will holders of HNI common stock receive in connection with the mergers?
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A:
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Holders of HNI common stock will not receive any consideration in connection with the mergers, and their shares of HNI common stock will remain outstanding. Following the second effective time, shares of HNI common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "HNI."
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Q:
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How will Steelcase shareholders make an election as to the type of merger consideration they prefer to receive?
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A:
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Each holder of record of Steelcase common stock as of the close of business on [ ], 2025 will be mailed an election form ("Election Form"), including a letter of transmittal and related instructions. These materials will be mailed at least 20 Business Days in advance of the anticipated closing date. In addition, HNI will make available an Election Form (and other related documents) as may reasonably be requested by all persons who become record holders of Steelcase common stock between [ ], 2025 and the close of business on the Business Day prior to the election deadline. A holder of record of Steelcase common stock can make an election as to the type of merger consideration such shareholder prefers to receive by properly completing, signing and returning the Election Form in accordance with the related instructions. The Election Form will allow such holder to specify (x) the number of shares of such holder's Steelcase common stock with respect to which such holder makes an election to receive the mixed consideration (a "mixed election"); (y) the number of shares of such holder's Steelcase common stock with respect to which such holder makes an election to receive the cash consideration (a "cash election"); and (z) the number of shares of such holder's Steelcase common stock with respect to which such holder makes an election to receive the stock consideration (a "stock election"). Any Steelcase shareholder who does not make an election will be deemed to have made an election to receive the mixed consideration.
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Q:
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If I am a Steelcase shareholder, how will I receive the merger consideration to which I become entitled?
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A:
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If you hold shares of Steelcase common stock represented by a certificate, then, following the first effective time (1) the Exchange Agent will forward to you a form letter of transmittal to be completed and mailed by you to the Exchange Agent, unless the Exchange Agent previously received a properly completed and signed Election Form, together with any required letter of transmittal, from you by the election deadline with respect to those shares, and (2) once you have surrendered the certificate to the Exchange Agent (including if you surrendered the certificate to the Exchange Agent prior to the first effective time in connection with your making an effective election) and the Exchange Agent has received your duly completed and validly executed letter of transmittal and such other documents as may be required by the instructions to the letter of transmittal, the Exchange Agent will deliver the merger consideration to which you are entitled with respect to those shares. If you are a holder of shares of Steelcase common stock in book-entry form, you will not be required to take any specific action to receive the merger consideration with respect to those shares. After the first effective time, shares of Steelcase common stock held in book-entry form will be automatically exchanged for the applicable merger consideration. See the information provided in the section entitled "Merger Consideration Election; Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Steelcase Stock Certificates-Election Form/Letter of Transmittal."
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Q:
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Will I receive the form of merger consideration that I request on the Election Form?
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A:
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Not necessarily. The aggregate amount of cash and the aggregate number of shares of HNI common stock to be paid and issued, respectively, to Steelcase shareholders pursuant to the Merger Agreement are fixed.
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Q:
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What is the deadline for Steelcase shareholders to make an election as to their preferred form of merger consideration?
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A:
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A Steelcase shareholder's election as to their preferred form of merger consideration, to be properly made, must be received by the Exchange Agent by the election deadline, which the Merger Agreement provides will be 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, three Business Days preceding the closing date (or such other time and date as HNI and Steelcase shall agree). Steelcase and HNI will issue a press release announcing the date of the election deadline.
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Q:
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What happens if a Steelcase shareholder does not send an Election Form or if the shareholder's Election Form is not received by the election deadline?
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A:
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If you are a Steelcase shareholder, and the Exchange Agent does not receive a properly completed and signed Election Form from you on or prior to the election deadline, then you will be deemed to have elected to receive mixed consideration with respect to your shares of Steelcase common stock. You bear the risk of delivery of the Election Form to the Exchange Agent.
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Q:
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Can I change my election after the Election Form has been submitted?
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A:
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Yes. You may revoke your election prior to the election deadline by submitting a written notice of revocation to the Exchange Agent. A revocation must specify the name of the shareholder that made the election to be revoked and be signed by the shareholder in the same manner as the original signature on the Election Form by which such election was made. If you wish to submit a new election, you must do so in accordance with the election procedures described in this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the Election Form. If you instructed a bank, broker or other nominee holder to submit an election for your shares, you must follow directions from your bank, broker or other nominee for changing those instructions. A notice of revocation must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the election deadline to be valid.
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Q:
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May I transfer shares of Steelcase common stock after making an election?
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A:
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Yes, but only if you revoke your election or the Merger Agreement is terminated. Once you properly make an election with respect to any shares of Steelcase common stock, you will be unable to sell or otherwise transfer those shares, unless you properly revoke your election or the Merger Agreement is terminated.
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Q:
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Will the value of the merger consideration change between the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the first effective time?
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A:
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Yes. Although the aggregate number of shares of HNI common stock that holders of Steelcase common stock will receive is fixed, the value of the aggregate merger consideration will fluctuate between the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the completion of the first merger based on the market value of HNI common stock. Any fluctuation in the market price of HNI common stock after the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus will change the value of the shares of HNI common stock that holders of Steelcase common stock will receive. See the information provided in the section entitled "The Merger Agreement-Merger Consideration."
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Q:
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How will the mergers affect the Steelcase equity and cash awards?
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A:
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Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Steelcase restricted stock unit award that is outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time, including those held by Steelcase's executive officers, that vests based solely on continued service, and that is unvested as of immediately prior to the first effective time will be assumed by HNI and converted into an award that settles in an amount in cash (that accrues interest using the agreed upon applicable interest rate, as adjusted for the Steelcase's credit rating as of the end of Steelcase's fiscal year prior to the Closing (the "applicable interest rate")) and a number of shares of HNI common stock (rounded to the nearest whole share) that the holder would have received if the holder had converted all of the Steelcase common stock underlying such Steelcase restricted stock unit award based on an election to receive mixed consideration.
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Q:
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When and where will each of the special meetings take place?
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A:
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The HNI special meeting will be held virtually via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HNI2025SM, on [ ], at [ ] .m., Eastern time ([ ] .m., Central time). There will be no physical location for the HNI special meeting.
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Q:
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What matters will be considered at each of the special meetings?
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A:
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At the HNI special meeting, holders of HNI common stock will be asked to consider and vote on the following proposal:
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Q:
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How can I attend the HNI special meeting?
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A:
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The HNI special meeting will be a virtual-only meeting conducted exclusively via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HNI2025SM. There will be no physical location for the HNI special meeting.
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Q:
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How can I attend the Steelcase special meeting?
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A:
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The Steelcase special meeting will be a virtual-only meeting conducted exclusively via live audio webcast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/SCS2025SM. There will be no physical location for the Steelcase special meeting.
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Who do I contact if I am encountering difficulties attending each of the special meetings?
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A:
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If you encounter technical difficulties attending the HNI special meeting, please call the technical support telephone number that will be posted at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/HNI2025SM. Technicians will be available to assist you.
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Q:
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How does the HNI board of directors recommend that I vote at the HNI special meeting?
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A:
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The HNI board of directors recommends that you vote "FOR" the HNI common stock issuance proposal.
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Q:
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How does the Steelcase board of directors recommend that I vote at the Steelcase special meeting?
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The Steelcase board of directors recommends that the holders of Steelcase common stock vote "FOR" the Steelcase merger proposal and "FOR" the Steelcase compensation proposal.
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Q:
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Do any of Steelcase's directors or executive officers have interests in the mergers that may differ from or be in addition to the interests of holders of Steelcase common stock?
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A:
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Yes. In considering the recommendation of Steelcase's board of directors to vote for the Steelcase merger proposal and the Steelcase compensation proposal, you should be aware that Steelcase's directors and executive officers may have interests in the mergers that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of
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Q:
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Do any of HNI's directors or executive officers have interests in the mergers that may differ from or be in addition to the interests of holders of HNI common stock?
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A:
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Yes. In considering the recommendation of HNI's board of directors to vote for the HNI common stock issuance proposal, you should be aware that HNI's directors and executive officers may have interests in the mergers that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of holders of HNI common stock generally. The HNI board of directors was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the mergers), in adopting and approving the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the mergers) and in recommending to holders of HNI common stock that they vote to approve the HNI common stock issuance proposal. For a more detailed discussion of these interests, see the section entitled "The Mergers-Interests of HNI's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers."
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Q:
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Who is entitled to vote at the HNI special meeting?
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A:
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The record date for the HNI special meeting is [ ]. All holders of HNI common stock who held shares at the close of business on the record date for the HNI special meeting are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the HNI special meeting. If you hold your shares of HNI common stock through an account with a bank, broker or other nominee (that is, if you are the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name"), your bank, broker or other nominee that is the holder of record of those shares can give you the right to vote those shares at the HNI special meeting. See the answer to the question "How can I attend the HNI special meeting?" above for additional information.
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Q:
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Who is entitled to vote at the Steelcase special meeting?
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A:
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The record date for the Steelcase special meeting is [ ]. All holders of Steelcase common stock who held shares at the close of business on the record date for the Steelcase special meeting are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Steelcase special meeting. If you hold your shares of Steelcase common stock through an account with a bank, broker or other nominee (that is, if you are the beneficial owner of shares held in "street name"), your bank, broker or other nominee that is the holder of record of those shares can give you the right to vote those shares at the Steelcase special meeting. See the answer to the question "How can I attend the Steelcase special meeting?" above for additional information.
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Q:
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What constitutes a quorum for the HNI special meeting?
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A:
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A majority of the outstanding HNI common shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for action on that matter at the HNI special meeting. In the event that a quorum is not
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Q:
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What constitutes a quorum for the Steelcase special meeting?
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A:
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The holders of a majority of the voting power of shares entitled to vote at the Steelcase special meeting must be present or represented by proxy at the Steelcase special meeting to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Steelcase special meeting. In the event that a quorum is not present at the Steelcase special meeting, the chairman of the Steelcase special meeting may adjourn the Steelcase special meeting to a later date and time (in each case, subject to applicable law and compliance with the Steelcase articles of incorporation and by-laws). If you fail to submit a proxy or to vote at the Steelcase special meeting, or fail to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote, your shares of Steelcase common stock will not be counted towards a quorum. Abstentions are considered present for purposes of establishing a quorum.
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Q:
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If my shares of common stock are held in "street name" by my bank, broker or other nominee, will my bank, broker or other nominee vote my shares for me?
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A:
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If you hold your shares in a stock brokerage account or if your shares are held by a bank, broker or other nominee (that is, in "street name") and fail to give voting instructions, your bank, broker or other nominee will not vote those shares. This applies to shares of both HNI common stock and Steelcase common stock.
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Q:
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What vote is required for the approval of each proposal at the HNI special meeting?
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A:
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HNI common stock issuance proposal: approval of the HNI common stock issuance proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the HNI special meeting. Shares of HNI common stock not present, and shares present and not voted, whether by broker non-vote, abstention or otherwise, will have no effect on the outcome of the HNI common stock issuance proposal.
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Q:
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What vote is required for the approval of each proposal at the Steelcase special meeting?
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A:
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Proposal 1 - Steelcase merger proposal: approval of the Steelcase merger proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Steelcase common stock entitled to vote thereon at the Steelcase special meeting. Shares of Steelcase common stock not present, and shares present and not voted, whether by broker non-vote, abstention or otherwise, will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" the Steelcase merger proposal; and
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Q:
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Why am I being asked to consider and vote on the Steelcase compensation proposal?
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A:
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Under SEC rules, Steelcase is required to seek a non-binding, advisory vote with respect to the compensation that may be paid or become payable to Steelcase's named executive officers that is based on or otherwise relates to the mergers.
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Q:
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What happens if the holders of Steelcase common stock do not approve, by non-binding, advisory vote, the compensation proposal?
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A:
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The vote on the Steelcase compensation proposal is separate and apart from the vote to approve the other proposal being presented at the Steelcase special meeting. Because the vote on the Steelcase compensation proposal is advisory only, it will not be binding upon Steelcase, HNI, or the surviving entity or affect their obligation to pay or provide the compensation contemplated by the compensation agreements and arrangements. Accordingly, the compensation that is the subject of the Steelcase compensation proposal will be paid to Steelcase's named executive officers to the extent payable in accordance with the terms of their compensation agreements and arrangements even if the holders of Steelcase common stock do not approve the Steelcase compensation proposal.
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Q:
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What if I hold shares in both HNI and Steelcase?
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A:
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If you hold shares of both HNI common stock and Steelcase common stock, you will receive two separate packages of proxy materials. A vote cast as a holder of HNI common stock will not count as a vote cast as a holder of Steelcase common stock, and a vote cast as a holder of Steelcase common stock will not count as a vote cast as a holder of HNI common stock. Therefore, please submit separate proxies for your shares of HNI common stock and your shares of Steelcase common stock.
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Q:
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How can I vote my shares while in attendance at my respective special meeting?
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A:
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Record holders: Shares held directly in your name as the holder of record of HNI common stock or Steelcase common stock may be voted at the HNI special meeting or the Steelcase special meeting, as applicable. If you choose to vote your shares of HNI common stock at the HNI special meeting via the HNI special meeting website, please follow the instructions on your proxy card. If you choose to vote your shares of Steelcase common stock at the Steelcase special meeting via the Steelcase special meeting website, please follow the instructions on your proxy card.
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Q:
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How can I vote my shares without attending my respective special meeting?
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A:
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Whether you hold shares directly as the holder of record of HNI common stock or Steelcase common stock or you beneficially own shares held in "street name," you may direct your vote by proxy without attending the HNI special meeting or the Steelcase special meeting, as applicable.
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Q:
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What do I need to do now?
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A:
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After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please vote as soon as possible. If you hold shares of HNI common stock or Steelcase common stock as a holder of record, please respond by completing, signing and dating the accompanying proxy card and returning it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope, or by submitting your proxy by telephone or through the Internet, as soon as possible so that your shares may be represented at your meeting. If you beneficially own shares held in "street name," you should follow the voting instructions provided by your bank, broker or other nominee.
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Q:
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Why is my vote important?
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A:
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If you do not vote, it will be more difficult for HNI or Steelcase, as applicable, to obtain the necessary quorum to hold its respective special meeting. In addition, your failure to submit a proxy or vote at the respective special meeting, or failure to instruct your bank, broker or other nominee how to vote, will have the same effect as a vote "AGAINST" the Steelcase merger proposal.
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Q:
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Can I change my vote after I have delivered my proxy or voting instruction card?
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A:
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Yes. You can change your vote at any time before your proxy is voted at your respective special meeting. You can do this by:
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•
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timely delivery of a written notice of revocation of your proxy to Steelcase's or HNI's secretary or corporate secretary, as applicable, before the date of the respective special meeting;
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•
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signing and returning a subsequently dated proxy by 11:59 p.m., Eastern time (10:59 p.m., Central time) on the day before the HNI special meeting or the Steelcase special meeting, as applicable;
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•
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voting by telephone or the Internet at a later time; or
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•
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attending and voting at the respective special meeting.
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Q:
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Will HNI be required to submit the HNI common stock issuance proposal to its shareholders even if the HNI board of directors has withdrawn or modified its recommendation?
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A:
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Yes. Unless the Merger Agreement is terminated before the HNI special meeting, HNI is required to submit the HNI common stock issuance proposal to its shareholders even if the HNI board of directors has withdrawn or modified its recommendation.
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Q:
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Will Steelcase be required to submit the Steelcase merger proposal to its shareholders even if the Steelcase board of directors has withdrawn or modified its recommendation?
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A:
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Yes. Unless the Merger Agreement is terminated before the Steelcase special meeting, Steelcase is required to submit the Steelcase merger proposal to its shareholders even if the Steelcase board of directors has withdrawn or modified its recommendation.
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Q:
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What happens if I sell my shares of HNI common stock or Steelcase common stock after the record date but before the date of the HNI special meeting or the Steelcase special meeting?
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A:
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The respective record dates for the HNI special meeting and the Steelcase special meeting are earlier than the date of the HNI special meeting and the Steelcase special meeting and the date that the mergers are expected to be completed. If you transfer your shares of HNI common stock or Steelcase common stock after the applicable record date but before the date of the HNI special meeting or the Steelcase special meeting, you will retain your right to vote at the HNI special meeting or the Steelcase special meeting, as applicable, but holders of Steelcase common stock who have transferred their shares of Steelcase common stock before the first effective time will not have the right to receive the merger consideration to be received by the holders of Steelcase common stock in the first merger. To receive the merger consideration, you must hold your shares of Steelcase common stock through the first effective time.
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Q:
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Are holders of HNI common stock or holders of Steelcase common stock entitled to appraisal or dissenters' rights?
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A:
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No. No appraisal or dissenters' rights will be available to the holders of HNI common stock or the holders of Steelcase common stock in connection with the mergers. For more information, see the section entitled "The Mergers-Appraisal or Dissenters' Rights in the Mergers."
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Q:
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Are there any risks that I should consider in deciding whether to vote for the approval of the HNI common stock issuance proposal or the Steelcase merger proposal, or the other proposals to be considered at the HNI special meeting or the Steelcase special meeting, respectively?
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A:
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Yes. You should read and carefully consider the risk factors set forth herein in the section entitled "Risk Factors." You also should read and carefully consider the risk factors of HNI and Steelcase contained in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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Q:
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What are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers to holders of Steelcase common stock?
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A:
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The mergers are intended, taken together, to qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. The completion of the mergers, however, is not conditioned on the mergers qualifying for such treatment or upon the receipt of an opinion of counsel to that effect. In addition, an opinion of tax counsel neither binds the IRS nor precludes the IRS or the courts from adopting a contrary position. Neither HNI nor Steelcase intends to request a ruling from the IRS regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers. Accordingly, even if HNI and Steelcase conclude that the mergers qualify for such tax treatment, no assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge that conclusion or that a court would not sustain such a challenge. Assuming the mergers do so qualify as a reorganization, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the mergers to a particular U.S. Holder (as defined in the section entitled "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Mergers") of Steelcase common stock will depend on whether such holder of Steelcase common stock receives cash, shares of HNI common stock or a combination of cash and shares of HNI common stock in exchange for such holder's shares of Steelcase common stock. In general,
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•
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a U.S. Holder who receives solely shares of HNI common stock in exchange for shares of Steelcase common stock in the mergers will generally not recognize gain or loss as a result of such exchange. A U.S. Holder's aggregate tax basis in the HNI common stock received in exchange for the Steelcase common stock surrendered will equal the U.S. Holder's aggregate tax basis in the shares of Steelcase common stock exchanged therefor;
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•
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a U.S. Holder of Steelcase common stock who receives solely cash in exchange for shares of Steelcase common stock in the mergers generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received by such holder and such holder's adjusted tax basis in the shares of Steelcase common stock exchanged therefor; and
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•
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a U.S. Holder of Steelcase common stock who exchanges shares of Steelcase common stock for a combination of HNI common stock and cash will recognize gain, if any, (but not loss) equal to the lesser of (i) the excess, if any, of the amount of cash plus the fair market value at the first effective time of the HNI common stock received in exchange for such shares of Steelcase common stock in the mergers, minus such holder's adjusted tax basis in the shares of Steelcase common stock exchanged therefor and (ii) the amount of cash received by such holder in exchange for such shares of Steelcase common stock.
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Q:
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When are the mergers expected to be completed?
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A:
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HNI and Steelcase expect the mergers to close by the end of calendar year 2025. However, neither HNI nor Steelcase can predict the actual date on which the mergers will be completed, or if the mergers will be completed at all, because completion is subject to conditions and factors outside the control of both HNI and Steelcase. HNI and Steelcase must obtain the approval of the holders of HNI common stock for the HNI common stock issuance proposal and of the holders of Steelcase common stock for the Steelcase merger proposal, as well as obtain regulatory approval and satisfy certain other closing conditions.
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Q:
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What are the conditions to completion of the mergers?
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A:
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The obligations of HNI and Steelcase to complete the mergers are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions contained in the Merger Agreement, including (a) the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the first merger by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Steelcase common stock entitled to vote thereon; (b) approval of the issuance of HNI common stock in connection with the mergers by the votes cast favoring the HNI common stock issuance exceeding the votes cast opposing the HNI common stock issuance, in each case, by the holders of the
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Q:
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What happens if the mergers are not completed?
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A:
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If the mergers are not completed, holders of Steelcase common stock will not receive any merger consideration for their shares of Steelcase common stock in connection with the mergers, and Steelcase common stock will not be exchanged for HNI common stock, cash or a mixture of HNI common stock and cash in connection with the mergers. Instead, Steelcase will remain an independent public company, Steelcase common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE, and HNI will not complete the issuance of shares of HNI common stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement. In addition, the Merger Agreement provides for the payment by Steelcase to HNI of a termination fee of $67 million if the Merger Agreement is terminated in specified circumstances, and for payment by HNI to Steelcase of a termination fee of $71 million or $134 million, as applicable, if the Merger Agreement is terminated in specified circumstances. See the section entitled "The Merger Agreement-Termination Fees" for a more detailed discussion of the circumstances under which a termination fee will be required to be paid by either HNI or Steelcase.
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Q:
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Should I send in my Steelcase stock certificates now?
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A:
|
Please do not send in your stock certificates with your proxy. If you hold shares of Steelcase common stock in certificated form, you should instead submit your Steelcase stock certificates to the Exchange Agent with your Election Form for those shares in accordance with the instructions accompanying the Election Form. If you hold shares of Steelcase common stock in certificated form and do not submit your stock certificates to the Exchange Agent with an Election Form by the election deadline, after the mergers are completed, the Exchange Agent will send you a letter of transmittal and instructions for exchanging your Steelcase stock certificates for the merger consideration. See the section entitled "The Merger Agreement-Merger Consideration" for more information.
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Q:
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What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials for the same special meeting?
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A:
|
If you hold shares of HNI common stock or Steelcase common stock in "street name" and also directly in your name as a holder of record or otherwise, or if you hold shares of HNI common stock or Steelcase common stock in more than one brokerage account, you may receive more than one set of voting materials relating to the same special meeting.
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Q:
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Who can help answer my questions?
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A:
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HNI shareholders: If you have any questions about the mergers or how to submit your proxy card or voting instruction form, or if you need additional copies of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, please contact HNI's corporate secretary at the address or phone number indicated on the cover page of this joint proxy statement/prospectus, or HNI's proxy solicitor, Georgeson, by calling toll-free at 1-866-585-3807.
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HNI
Common
Stock
|
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Steelcase
Common
Stock
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Implied Value
of One Share
of Steelcase
Common
Stock
|
|
August 1, 2025
|
|
|
$50.62
|
|
|
$10.18
|
|
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$18.30
|
September 11, 2025
|
|
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$46.03
|
|
|
$17.00
|
|
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$17.29
|
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•
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the accelerated vesting of outstanding and unvested Steelcase restricted stock units, performance units and cash-based awards held by Steelcase executive officers upon a qualifying termination of employment following the closing of the mergers;
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•
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severance payments and benefits payable to executive officers of Steelcase under the Steelcase Executive Severance Plan (the "executive severance plan") upon a qualifying termination of employment following the closing of the mergers;
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•
|
a pro-rated annual cash bonus payment with respect to the performance period in which the closing of the mergers occur, payable shortly following the Closing;
|
•
|
a tax gross-up payment related to any excise taxes incurred by an executive officer under Section 280G or 4999 of the Code in accordance with the terms of the executive severance plan;
|
•
|
Steelcase's directors and executive officers are entitled to continued indemnification and insurance coverage under the Merger Agreement; and
|
•
|
Timothy C. E. Brown and Linda K. Williams will each be appointed to serve on the board of directors of HNI as of the first effective time, as further described in the section entitled "The Mergers-HNI Board of Directors After the Mergers";
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(i) HNI having obtained the HNI shareholder approval and (ii) Steelcase having obtained the Steelcase shareholder approval;
|
•
|
the shares of HNI common stock to be issued in connection with the mergers having been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
|
•
|
the registration statement on Form S-4, of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, having become effective under the Securities Act, and not being the subject of any stop order or any legal, administrative or other similar proceedings or actions by or before the SEC seeking a stop order;
|
•
|
any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the HSR Act relating to the completion of the mergers having expired or early termination thereof having been granted; and
|
•
|
no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction having issued or entered any order or promulgated or enacted any law after the date of the Merger Agreement having the effect of enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the completion of the mergers.
|
•
|
accuracy as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the closing date of the representations and warranties made by Steelcase to the extent specified in the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
Steelcase having performed or complied in all material respects with its obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be performed or complied with on or prior to the closing of the mergers;
|
•
|
since the date of the Merger Agreement, no event, circumstance, occurrence, effect, fact, development or change having occurred that had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a "material adverse effect" on Steelcase; and
|
•
|
HNI having received a certificate from an executive officer of Steelcase certifying that the above conditions have been satisfied.
|
•
|
accuracy as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the closing date of the representations and warranties made by HNI, Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC to the extent specified in the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
HNI, Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC having performed or complied in all material respects with each of their respective obligations required under the Merger Agreement to be performed or complied with on or prior to the closing of the mergers;
|
•
|
since the date of the Merger Agreement, no event, circumstance, occurrence, effect, fact, development or change having occurred that had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a "material adverse effect" on HNI; and
|
•
|
Steelcase having received a certificate from an executive officer of HNI certifying that the above conditions have been satisfied.
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by the mutual written consent of each of HNI and Steelcase;
|
•
|
by either HNI or Steelcase if the Closing does not occur on or before May 4, 2026, subject to an automatic extension for up to three periods of three months in the event that (i) any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act relating to the consummation of the mergers has not expired or early termination has not been granted or (ii) a governmental authority has issued an order or enacted a law that has the effect of enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the mergers, if such restraint is in respect of an antitrust law, but all other conditions described in "-Conditions to Completion of the Mergers" above have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing (if such conditions are capable of being satisfied were the Closing to occur at such time));
|
•
|
by either HNI or Steelcase if there exists a law or final and nonappealable order permanently restraining or prohibiting the mergers;
|
•
|
by either HNI or Steelcase upon a failure to obtain the Steelcase shareholder approval or the HNI shareholder approval (in either case after a shareholder meeting is held for such purpose);
|
•
|
by either HNI or Steelcase, respectively in the event of an uncured or uncurable breach by the other party (in the case of HNI, including Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC) of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements under the Merger Agreement, which would result in failure of the conditions related to representations and warranties or performance of obligations under the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
by Steelcase, prior to receipt of the Steelcase shareholder approval, to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Steelcase superior proposal, to the extent permitted by the Merger Agreement and provided that Steelcase pays the Steelcase termination fee or by HNI, at any time prior to receipt of the HNI shareholder approval, to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to an HNI superior proposal to the extent permitted by the Merger Agreement and provided that HNI pays the HNI termination fee;
|
•
|
by Steelcase in the event that prior to receipt of the HNI shareholder approval (i) the HNI board of directors makes an HNI adverse recommendation change, (ii) HNI or the HNI board of directors fails to include the HNI board recommendation in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (iii) HNI materially breaches any of its non-solicitation obligations or (iv) the HNI board of directors fails to (A) publicly reaffirm the HNI board recommendation within 10 Business Days of receipt of a written request by Steelcase to provide such reaffirmation following receipt by HNI of an HNI acquisition proposal that is publicly announced and not publicly withdrawn or (B) recommend against any HNI acquisition proposal that is a tender or exchange offer subject to Regulation 14D under the Exchange Act (in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, if such statement is required to be filed or is otherwise filed), within 10 Business Days after the commencement (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) of such tender or exchange offer; and
|
•
|
by HNI in the event that prior to receipt of the Steelcase shareholder approval (i) the Steelcase board of directors makes a Steelcase adverse recommendation change, (ii) Steelcase or the Steelcase board of directors fails to include the Steelcase board recommendation in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (iii) Steelcase materially breaches any of its non-solicitation obligations or (iv) the Steelcase board of directors fails to (A) publicly reaffirm the Steelcase board recommendation within ten Business Days of receipt of a written request by HNI to provide such reaffirmation following receipt by Steelcase of a Steelcase acquisition proposal that is publicly announced and not publicly withdrawn or (B) recommend against any Steelcase acquisition proposal that is a tender or exchange offer subject to Regulation 14D under the Exchange Act (in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, if such statement is required to be filed or is otherwise filed), within ten Business Days after the commencement (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) of such tender or exchange offer.
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each of HNI and Steelcase will (and will cause each of their subsidiaries and its and their respective officers and directors to) immediately cease, and will instruct and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and their respective other representatives to immediately cease, and cause to be terminated all existing discussions, negotiations and communications with any persons or entities with respect to any HNI acquisition proposal or Steelcase acquisition proposal, as applicable and in each case other than the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement; and
|
•
|
each of HNI and Steelcase will not, and will not authorize, and will use their reasonable best efforts not to permit any of their respective representatives, to, directly or indirectly through another person (A) initiate, seek, solicit, knowingly facilitate, knowingly encourage (including by way of furnishing any non-public information) or knowingly induce or knowingly take any other action which would reasonably be expected to lead to an HNI acquisition proposal or Steelcase acquisition proposal, as applicable, (B) engage in negotiations or discussions with, or provide any non-public information or non-public data to, any person relating to or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating any HNI acquisition proposal or Steelcase acquisition proposal, as applicable, or grant any waiver or release under or fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to enforce any standstill, confidentiality or other similar agreement (except if the applicable board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside counsel, that the failure to grant any waiver or release would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties), (C) approve, authorize, declare advisable or recommend any HNI acquisition proposal or Steelcase acquisition proposal, as applicable, (D) execute or enter into, any binding or non-binding letter of intent, agreement in principle, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other agreement contemplating or otherwise in connection with, or that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to lead to, any HNI acquisition proposal or Steelcase acquisition proposal, as applicable, (other than certain permitted confidentiality agreements), or (E) resolve to do any of the foregoing and (iii) each of HNI and Steelcase will not provide and will, within one Business Day of the date of the Merger Agreement, terminate access of any third party to any data room that has been set up with respect to or in the context of a possible HNI acquisition proposal or Steelcase acquisition proposal, as applicable, and (iv) within one Business Day of the date of the Merger Agreement, Steelcase will demand return or destruction of all confidential, non-public information and materials that have been provided to third parties relating to a possible Steelcase acquisition proposal within the 12-month period preceding the date of the Merger Agreement.
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the HNI common stock issuance proposal.
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|
the Steelcase merger proposal; and
|
•
|
the Steelcase compensation proposal.
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•
|
the market price of HNI common stock and/or Steelcase common stock could be reduced to the extent that the current market price reflects a market assumption that the transaction will be completed;
|
•
|
HNI could owe Steelcase a termination fee of $71 million or $134 million, as applicable, if the Merger Agreement were terminated under specified circumstances as described in the section titled "The Merger Agreement-Termination Fees" beginning on page 140;
|
•
|
Steelcase could owe HNI a termination fee of $67 million if the Merger Agreement were terminated under specified circumstances as described in the section titled "The Merger Agreement-Termination of the Merger Agreement" beginning on page 139;
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|
HNI and/or Steelcase could experience negative reactions from the financial markets or from their respective customers, dealers, suppliers or employees; and
|
•
|
HNI and Steelcase could become involved in litigation related to any failure to complete the mergers or related to any enforcement proceeding commenced against HNI or Steelcase to perform their respective obligations pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
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•
|
the risk that Steelcase shareholders may not approve the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
the risk that HNI shareholders may not approve the HNI common stock issuance;
|
•
|
uncertainties as to the timing of consummation the mergers;
|
•
|
the uncertainty of the value of the merger consideration due to the fixed merger consideration and potential fluctuation in the market price of HNI common stock;
|
•
|
the occurrence of events that may give rise to a right of either or both of HNI and Steelcase to terminate the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
the possibility that the mergers are delayed or do not occur;
|
•
|
the risk that the conditions to the closing of the mergers may not be satisfied in a timely manner or at all;
|
•
|
the risk that regulatory approvals are not obtained or are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated by the parties;
|
•
|
the effects of disruption to HNI's and Steelcase's respective businesses;
|
•
|
negative effects of the announcement of HNI's proposal to acquire Steelcase or the announcement or completion of the mergers on the market price of HNI common stock and/or Steelcase common stock, the financial performance of each of HNI and Steelcase and the ability of HNI and Steelcase to maintain their respective business operations (including relationships with employees, suppliers and customers);
|
•
|
the risks related to HNI and Steelcase being restricted in the operation of their respective businesses while the Merger Agreement is in effect;
|
•
|
the effects of pandemics, and industry, market, economic, political or regulatory conditions outside of HNI's or Steelcase's control;
|
•
|
HNI and Steelcase may incur significant transaction and other costs in connection with the mergers in excess of those anticipated by HNI or Steelcase;
|
•
|
any litigation relating to the mergers and other unknown liabilities;
|
•
|
HNI's ability to achieve the expected benefits of the mergers, including the synergies;
|
•
|
HNI's ability to promptly, efficiently and effectively integrate acquired operations into its own operations;
|
•
|
the ultimate timing, outcome and results of integrating the operations of HNI and Steelcase;
|
•
|
the ability of HNI and Steelcase to retain and hire key personnel;
|
•
|
the diversion of the time of management of HNI and Steelcase on transaction-related issues; and
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•
|
other risk factors as detailed from time to time in HNI's and Steelcase's reports filed with the SEC, including HNI's and Steelcase's respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC, including the risks and uncertainties set forth in or incorporated by reference into this joint proxy statement/prospectus in the section titled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 27. See the section titled "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page 170 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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•
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Mergers - On August 3, 2025, HNI, Merger Sub Inc., Merger Sub LLC and Steelcase entered into the Merger Agreement, which provides that (i) Merger Sub Inc. will be merged with and into Steelcase, whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub Inc. will cease, and Steelcase will continue as the surviving corporation of the first merger and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of HNI, and (ii) immediately after the first merger, Steelcase will be merged with and into Merger Sub LLC, whereupon the separate existence of Steelcase will cease, and Merger Sub LLC will continue as the surviving entity of the second merger and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of HNI.
|
•
|
Financing - On September 5, 2025 (the "Credit Agreement Effective Date"), HNI entered into the Credit Agreement with the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, Lenders and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent. The Credit Agreement provides for (i) a senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Revolver"), (ii) a senior secured "term loan A" credit facility (the "Term Loan A") and (iii) a senior secured "term loan B" credit facility (the "Term Loan B"). The Lenders' obligations to make available the commitments and fund the loans under the Credit Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of certain limited conditions, including the consummation of the mergers in all material respects in accordance with the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, concurrently with the consummation of the mergers on the closing date, HNI will have the ability to borrow (i) up to $425.0 million under the Revolver (provided that, after giving effect to the mergers and the refinancings that will occur on the closing date, there shall be at least $100.0 million of borrowing availability under the Revolver), (ii) up to $500.0 million under the Term Loan A and (iii) up to an expected $800.0 million under the Term Loan B. The aggregate amount of commitments under the Term Loan B on the Credit Agreement Effective Date was $0. The proceeds of borrowings under the Credit Agreement are expected to be utilized primarily to finance the consummation of the mergers and any prepayment or redemption of certain of Steelcase's and HNI's existing indebtedness. On the Credit Agreement Effective Date, upon the establishment of each of the Revolver and the Term Loan A, the commitments under Tranche A of the Bridge Facility (as defined and described in Note 4 in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements) were permanently reduced to zero. Upon establishment of the Term Loan B, the commitments under Tranche B of the Bridge Facility (as defined and described in Note 4 in the notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements) will be reduced in proportion to the commitments established pursuant to the Term Loan B and, on the closing date, the Bridge Facility will be retired. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared assuming that the facilities under the Credit Agreement will finance the consummation of the mergers and that the Bridge Facility will be undrawn and retired.
|
•
|
Exchange of Public Notes - HNI may elect to pursue an exchange of the currently outstanding Steelcase unsecured senior notes ("Public Notes") for HNI secured senior notes. The Public Notes have a face value of $450.0 million with a coupon rate of 5.125% per annum and mature in January 2029. If HNI elects to pursue an exchange of the Public Notes, and consents from holders holding at least 50.1% of the outstanding principal amount of the Public Notes are obtained for such exchange, (i) the principal amount of commitments under tranche B of the Bridge Facility will be reduced by two-thirds of the aggregate principal amount of the Public Notes, and (ii) the principal amount of commitments under the Term Loan A will be reduced by one third of the aggregate principal
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•
|
the historical audited consolidated statement of comprehensive income of HNI for the year ended December 28, 2024;
|
•
|
the historical audited consolidated statement of income of Steelcase for the year ended February 28, 2025;
|
•
|
the historical unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income of HNI for the six months ended June 28, 2025; and
|
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•
|
the historical unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income of Steelcase for the nine months ended November 22, 2024 and the three months ended May 30, 2025.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HNI
Corporation
|
|
|
Steelcase
Inc.
|
|
|
Reclassification
Adjustments
(Note 3)
|
|
|
Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
(Note 4)
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
Combined
|
|
|
|
(In millions)
|
||||||||||||||||
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
$32.0
|
|
|
$183.9
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$83.3
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$299.2
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
$6.2
|
|
|
$42.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$48.3
|
|||
Receivables, net
|
|
|
$290.7
|
|
|
$340.1
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$630.8
|
|
Inventories, net
|
|
|
$216.5
|
|
|
$286.6
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
F
|
|
|
$503.1
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
$52.3
|
|
|
$86.0
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$138.3
|
|
Total Current Assets
|
|
|
$597.6
|
|
|
$938.7
|
|
|
|
|
$83.3
|
|
|
|
|
$1,619.6
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net property, plant, and equipment
|
|
|
$515.0
|
|
|
$337.0
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
F
|
|
|
$852.0
|
Right-of-use lease assets
|
|
|
$126.9
|
|
|
$142.4
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
F
|
|
|
$269.3
|
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
|
|
|
$610.6
|
|
|
$349.8
|
|
|
|
|
$1,182.9
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
$2,143.3
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
$61.9
|
|
|
$487.5
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$549.4
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
$1,912.0
|
|
|
$2,255.4
|
|
|
|
|
$1,266.2
|
|
|
|
|
$5,433.6
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Liabilities and Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Current Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
$370.8
|
|
|
$528.9
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$899.7
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
$39.8
|
|
|
$39.6
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$79.4
|
|
Total Current Liabilities
|
|
|
$410.7
|
|
|
$568.5
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$979.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Long-Term Debt
|
|
|
$444.4
|
|
|
$447.3
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$1,093.2
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
$1,984.9
|
Long-Term Lease Obligations
|
|
|
$106.5
|
|
|
$115.0
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$221.5
|
|
Other Long-Term Liabilities
|
|
|
$139.4
|
|
|
$141.9
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$131.6
|
|
|
D
|
|
|
$412.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Capital Stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Preferred stock
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
$45.8
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$25.1
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
$70.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
$135.6
|
|
|
$37.4
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$1,086.1
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
$1,259.1
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
$630.0
|
|
|
$987.3
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$(1,111.8)
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
$505.5
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
$(0.4)
|
|
|
$(42.0)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$42.0
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
$(0.4)
|
Total Shareholders' Equity
|
|
|
$811.0
|
|
|
$982.7
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$41.4
|
|
|
|
|
$1,835.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Non-controlling interest
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Equity
|
|
|
$811.0
|
|
|
$982.7
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$41.4
|
|
|
|
|
$1,835.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Total Liabilities and Equity
|
|
|
$1,912.0
|
|
|
$2,255.4
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$1,266.2
|
|
|
|
|
$5,433.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HNI
Corporation
|
|
|
Steelcase
Inc.
|
|
|
Reclassification
Adjustments
(Note 3)
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
(Note 5)
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Pro
Forma
Combined
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
|
(In millions, except per share amounts)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
|
|
$1,266.8
|
|
|
$1,567.0
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(2.1)
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$2,831.7
|
|
|
||
Cost of sales
|
|
|
$742.3
|
|
|
$1,051.9
|
|
|
$(116.0)
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$(2.1)
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$1,676.2
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
$524.6
|
|
|
$515.1
|
|
|
$116.0
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$1,155.6
|
|
|
|||
Selling and administrative expenses
|
|
|
$423.1
|
|
|
$471.7
|
|
|
$116.0
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$2.8
|
|
|
B
|
|
|
$1,013.5
|
|
|
|
Restructuring and impairment charges
|
|
|
$8.9
|
|
|
$8.4
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$17.3
|
|
|
|||
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
$92.6
|
|
|
$35.0
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(2.8)
|
|
|
|
|
$124.7
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense and other, net
|
|
|
$11.7
|
|
|
$8.1
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$28.2
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
$48.0
|
|
|
||
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
$80.9
|
|
|
$26.9
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(30.9)
|
|
|
|
|
$76.8
|
|
|
|||
Income tax expense
|
|
|
$18.8
|
|
|
$(14.3)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(7.5)
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
$(3.0)
|
|
|
||
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
$62.2
|
|
|
$41.2
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(23.4)
|
|
|
|
|
$79.8
|
|
|
|||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
|
|
|
$(0.0)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(0.0)
|
|
|
|||
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation
|
|
|
$62.2
|
|
|
$41.2
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(23.4)
|
|
|
|
|
$79.8
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic
|
|
|
46.6
|
|
|
118.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71.7
|
|
|
F
|
||||
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common stock share - basic
|
|
|
$1.33
|
|
|
$0.35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1.11
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
|
|
|
47.6
|
|
|
119.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74.2
|
|
|
F
|
||||
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common stock share - diluted
|
|
|
$1.31
|
|
|
$0.35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1.07
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HNI
Corporation
|
|
|
Steelcase
Inc.
|
|
|
Reclassification
Adjustments
(Note 3)
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
(Note 5)
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
Combined
Pro
Forma
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
|
(In millions, except per share amounts)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales
|
|
|
$2,526.4
|
|
|
$3,166.0
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(4.6)
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$5,687.8
|
|
|
||
Cost of sales
|
|
|
$1,493.0
|
|
|
$2,119.5
|
|
|
$(229.2)
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$(4.6)
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$3,378.7
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
$1,033.4
|
|
|
$1,046.5
|
|
|
$229.2
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$2,309.1
|
|
|
|||
Selling and administrative expenses
|
|
|
$820.7
|
|
|
$888.0
|
|
|
$229.2
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
$130.4
|
|
|
B, D
|
|
|
$2,068.3
|
|
|
|
Restructuring and impairment charges
|
|
|
$6.2
|
|
|
$0.4
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$6.6
|
|
|
|||
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
$206.5
|
|
|
$158.1
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(130.4)
|
|
|
|
|
$234.2
|
|
|
|||
Interest expense and other, net
|
|
|
$27.2
|
|
|
$23.9
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$56.8
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
$107.9
|
|
|
||
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
$179.3
|
|
|
$134.2
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(187.2)
|
|
|
|
|
$126.3
|
|
|
|||
Income tax expense
|
|
|
$39.8
|
|
|
$13.5
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(41.1)
|
|
|
E
|
|
|
$12.2
|
|
|
||
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
$139.5
|
|
|
$120.7
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(146.1)
|
|
|
|
|
$114.1
|
|
|
|||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|||
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation
|
|
|
$139.5
|
|
|
$120.7
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
$(146.1)
|
|
|
|
|
$114.1
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic
|
|
|
47.4
|
|
|
117.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72.5
|
|
|
F
|
||||
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common stock share - basic
|
|
|
$2.95
|
|
|
$1.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1.57
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
|
|
|
48.5
|
|
|
118.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75.1
|
|
|
F
|
||||
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common stock share - diluted
|
|
|
$2.88
|
|
|
$1.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$1.52
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
the historical audited consolidated statement of comprehensive income of HNI for the year ended December 28, 2024;
|
•
|
the historical audited consolidated statement of income of Steelcase for the year ended February 28, 2025;
|
•
|
the historical unaudited condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income of HNI for the six months ended June 28, 2025; and
|
•
|
the historical unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income of Steelcase for the nine months ended November 22, 2024 and the three months ended May 30, 2025.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Assumptions
|
|
|
|
HNI common stock price per share
|
|
|
$43.73
|
Cash consideration per share of HNI common stock pursuant to Merger Agreement
|
|
|
$7.20
|
Equivalent HNI common stock share amount pursuant to Merger Agreement
|
|
|
0.2192
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares of
Steelcase Common
Stock
|
|
|
Shares of HNI
Common Stock
Exchanged
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
Consideration
|
|
Cash Consideration:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Shares of Steelcase common stock issued and outstanding
|
|
|
114,707,974
|
|
|
|
|
$825.9
|
|
|
||
Cash payments for Steelcase deferred restricted stock unit awards
|
|
|
444,386
|
|
|
|
|
$7.5
|
|
|
||
Steelcase common stock equivalent shares
|
|
|
6,857,309
|
|
|
|
|
$49.4
|
|
|
||
Total number of shares of Steelcase common stock for cash consideration
|
|
|
122,009,669
|
|
|
|
|
$882.7
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
Stock Consideration:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Shares of Steelcase common stock issued and outstanding
|
|
|
114,707,974
|
|
|
25,143,988
|
|
|
$1,099.5
|
|
|
HNI common
stock
|
Replacement Share-Based Awards:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Outstanding Steelcase restricted stock unit awards relating to Steelcase common stock
|
|
|
4,162,409
|
|
|
912,400
|
|
|
$27.4
|
|
|
HNI restricted
stock units
|
Outstanding Steelcase performance unit awards relating to Steelcase common stock
|
|
|
2,694,900
|
|
|
590,722
|
|
|
$21.7
|
|
|
HNI restricted
stock units
|
Total estimated preliminary purchase consideration
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$2,031.4
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Price
|
|
|
Purchase Price
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
As presented in pro forma combined results
|
|
|
$43.73
|
|
|
$2,031.4
|
|
|
$973.3
|
10% increase in the price per share of HNI common stock
|
|
|
$48.10
|
|
|
$2,141.7
|
|
|
$1,050.2
|
10% decrease in the price per share of HNI common stock
|
|
|
$39.36
|
|
|
$1,921.0
|
|
|
$896.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets acquired
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
$183.9
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
$340.1
|
Inventories
|
|
|
$286.6
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
$128.1
|
Property and equipment
|
|
|
$337.0
|
Right-of-use assets
|
|
|
$142.4
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
$559.4
|
Other noncurrent assets
|
|
|
$487.5
|
Total assets acquired
|
|
|
$2,465.0
|
|
|
||
Liabilities assumed
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
$528.9
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
$39.6
|
Lease liabilities
|
|
|
$115.0
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
$589.2
|
Total liabilities assumed
|
|
|
$1,272.7
|
Net assets acquired, excluding goodwill
|
|
|
$1,192.3
|
Deferred tax liability adjustment on the fair value of purchased intangibles, net
|
|
|
$(134.3)
|
Total estimated preliminary purchase consideration
|
|
|
$2,031.4
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
$973.3
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A.
|
Reclassification of Steelcase outbound freight and distribution expenses from cost of sales to selling and administrative expenses to conform with HNI's financial statement line item presentation.
|
A.
|
Represents adjustments to the combined company cash balance to complete and fund the mergers, including (i) net proceeds from HNI's new debt, (ii) estimated cash consideration to be paid in connection with the Closing, and (iii) HNI and Steelcase transaction costs to be paid:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
As of June 28, 2025
|
Net proceeds from HNI's new debt
|
|
|
$1,090.5
|
Cash consideration paid upon mergers
|
|
|
$(882.7)
|
HNI and Steelcase transaction costs
|
|
|
$(124.5)
|
|
|
||
Net adjustment to cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
$83.3
|
|
|
|
|
B.
|
Represents the net adjustment to goodwill, as well as the adjustment to record net intangible assets to estimated fair value based on the preliminary purchase price allocation as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
As of June 28, 2025
|
Elimination of Steelcase's historical goodwill
|
|
|
$(275.7)
|
Goodwill to be recorded based on the estimated preliminary purchase price allocation
|
|
|
$973.3
|
Net adjustment to goodwill
|
|
|
$697.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
|
As of June 28, 2025
|
|
|
Estimated
remaining
useful life (years)
|
Estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets acquired
|
|
|
$559.4
|
|
|
15
|
Elimination of Steelcase's historical intangible assets
|
|
|
$(74.1)
|
|
|
|
Net adjustment to intangible assets
|
|
|
$485.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Net adjustment to goodwill and intangibles, net
|
|
|
$1,182.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.
|
HNI intends to finance the mergers, in part, with debt financing, which could include revolving loans and term loans.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Debt and related balances
|
|
|
As of June 28, 2025
|
HNI proceeds from issuance of new debt, net of issuance costs
|
|
|
$1,090.5
|
Elimination of existing unamortized debt issuance costs of Steelcase
|
|
|
$2.7
|
Net adjustment to debt
|
|
|
$1,093.2
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
D.
|
Represents the adjustment to long-term deferred income tax liabilities, as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred taxes
|
|
|
As of June 28, 2025
|
Deferred tax liability adjustment on the fair value of purchased intangibles
|
|
|
$134.3
|
Deferred tax asset on the transaction accounting adjustment for transaction costs
|
|
|
$(2.7)
|
Net adjustment to long-term deferred income tax liabilities
|
|
|
$131.6
|
|
|
|
|
E.
|
Represents adjustments to shareholders' equity accounts to eliminate historical Steelcase balances, increase common stock and additional paid-in capital of the combined company for the estimated fair value of HNI stock consideration, and adjust retained earnings of the combined company as a result of transaction accounting adjustments to net income incurred at Closing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 28, 2025
|
|
Elimination of Steelcase's historical retained earnings
|
|
|
$(987.3)
|
Effect of transaction costs and other adjustments to net income
|
|
|
$(124.5)
|
Net adjustment to retained earnings
|
|
|
$(1,111.8)
|
Elimination of Steelcase's historical common stock
|
|
|
-
|
Estimated HNI common stock issued as purchase consideration
|
|
|
$25.1
|
Net adjustment to common stock
|
|
|
$25.1
|
Elimination of Steelcase's historical accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") balance
|
|
|
$42.0
|
Elimination of Steelcase's historical additional paid-in capital ("APIC") balance
|
|
|
$(37.4)
|
Estimated APIC recorded for HNI common stock issued as purchase consideration
|
|
|
$1,123.5
|
Net adjustment to APIC
|
|
|
$1,086.1
|
|
|
|
|
F.
|
No adjustments to the carrying value of inventory or property, plant, and equipment or right-of-use ("ROU") assets were estimated as HNI does not have sufficient information as to the types, nature, age, and condition of Steelcase's inventory and property and ROU assets to estimate fair value or conclude whether carrying value approximates fair value.
|
A.
|
Represents the elimination of sales of finished goods from HNI companies to Steelcase-owned dealers with the corresponding elimination to cost of sales on Steelcase.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended
June 28, 2025
|
|
|
Year ended
December 28, 2024
|
|
Net sales & cost of sales
|
|
|
$2.1
|
|
|
$4.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B.
|
Represents the elimination of historical amortization expense related to Steelcase intangible assets and the addition of amortization expense from the acquired intangible assets based on the preliminary estimated fair values and useful lives as discussed in Note 2 - Estimated Merger Consideration and Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation and Note 4 - Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended
June 28, 2025
|
|
|
Year ended
December 28, 2024
|
|
Elimination of Steelcase historical Intangible assets, net amortization expense
|
|
|
$(8.9)
|
|
|
$(17.4)
|
New amortization expense for newly acquired intangible assets
|
|
|
$11.7
|
|
|
$23.3
|
Total pro forma amortization expense adjustment
|
|
|
$2.8
|
|
|
$5.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
C.
|
HNI expects to fund the cash portion of the merger consideration with a combination of cash on hand and borrowings from HNI's credit facilities. See Note 4.C for additional information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended
June 28, 2025
|
|
|
Year ended
December 28, 2024
|
|
Interest expense related to new debt used to finance merger
|
|
|
$39.5
|
|
|
$79.0
|
Amortization of new debt issuance costs to interest expense
|
|
|
$1.8
|
|
|
$3.5
|
Transaction accounting adjustment to reflect absorption of Steelcase debt
|
|
|
$(13.1)
|
|
|
$(25.7)
|
Net pro forma impact to interest expense
|
|
|
$28.2
|
|
|
$56.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D.
|
Adjustment to reflect estimated non-recurring acquisition-related transaction costs, including investment banking, advisory, legal, valuation, and other professional fees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended
June 28, 2025
|
|
|
Year ended
December 28, 2024
|
|
Non-recurring transaction costs
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$124.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E.
|
Represents the impact on income tax expense of transaction accounting adjustments as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended
June 28, 2025
|
|
|
Year ended
December 28, 2024
|
|
Income tax impact of transaction costs
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$(26.0)
|
Income tax impact of the net increase in interest expense
|
|
|
$(6.8)
|
|
|
$(13.6)
|
Income tax impact of the net increase in amortization expense
|
|
|
$(0.7)
|
|
|
$(1.4)
|
Total transaction accounting adjustments for income tax expense
|
|
|
$(7.5)
|
|
|
$(41.1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F.
|
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined basic and diluted earnings per share calculations are based on the estimated weighted-average number of shares of HNI common stock outstanding on a pro forma basis, as illustrated below. The pro forma weighted-average shares of HNI common stock outstanding have been calculated as if the shares of HNI common stock expected to be issued as merger consideration had been issued and outstanding as of the start of the pro forma period presented and accounting for the dilutive impact of HNI common stock awards anticipated to be issued to Steelcase employees and which vest after the Closing. Amounts below are in millions except per share data.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended
June 28, 2025
|
|
|
Year ended
December 28, 2024
|
|
Pro Forma Weighted Average Shares (Basic)
|
|
|
|
|
||
HNI historical weighted average shares outstanding (basic)
|
|
|
46.6
|
|
|
47.4
|
Shares of HNI common stock issued as consideration for outstanding shares of Steelcase common stock
|
|
|
25.1
|
|
|
25.1
|
Pro Forma Weighted Average Shares (Basic)
|
|
|
71.7
|
|
|
72.5
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Pro Forma Weighted Average Shares (Diluted)
|
|
|
|
|
||
HNI historical weighted average shares outstanding (diluted)
|
|
|
47.6
|
|
|
48.5
|
Shares of HNI common stock issued as consideration for outstanding shares of Steelcase common stock
|
|
|
25.1
|
|
|
25.1
|
Dilutive impact of HNI common stock awards issued to Steelcase employees vesting after the Closing
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
1.5
|
Pro Forma Weighted Average Shares (Diluted)
|
|
|
74.2
|
|
|
75.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended
June 28, 2025
|
|
|
Year ended
December 28, 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Pro Forma Basic Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
||
Pro forma net earnings
|
|
|
$79.8
|
|
|
$114.1
|
Pro forma weighted average shares (basic)
|
|
|
71.7
|
|
|
72.5
|
Pro Forma Basic Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
$1.11
|
|
|
$1.57
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Pro Forma Diluted Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
|
|
||
Pro forma net earnings
|
|
|
$79.8
|
|
|
$114.1
|
Pro forma weighted average shares (diluted)
|
|
|
74.2
|
|
|
75.1
|
Pro Forma Diluted Earnings Per Share
|
|
|
$1.07
|
|
|
$1.52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
the HNI common stock issuance proposal.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
Vote required: Approval of the HNI common stock issuance proposal requires the votes cast favoring the HNI common stock issuance proposal exceeding the votes cast opposing the HNI common stock issuance proposal, in each case, by the holders of the shares of HNI common stock, present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the HNI special meeting at which a quorum is present.
|
•
|
Effect of abstentions and broker non-votes: If you mark "ABSTAIN" on your proxy, fail to submit a proxy or vote at the HNI special meeting or fail to instruct your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee how to vote with respect to the HNI common stock issuance proposal, it will have no effect on the HNI common stock issuance proposal.
|
•
|
By telephone: by calling the toll-free number indicated on the accompanying proxy card and following the recorded instructions.
|
•
|
Through the internet: by visiting the website indicated on the accompanying proxy card and following the instructions.
|
•
|
By mail: by completing and returning the accompanying proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. The envelope requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
submitting a written notice of revocation to HNI's corporate secretary;
|
•
|
granting a subsequently dated proxy;
|
•
|
voting by telephone or the internet at a later time, before 11:59 p.m., Eastern time (10:59 p.m., Central time) on the day before the HNI special meeting; or
|
•
|
attending in person and voting at the HNI special meeting.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
the Steelcase merger proposal; and
|
•
|
the Steelcase compensation proposal.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
By telephone: by dialing the toll-free number shown on your proxy card and following the instructions to vote by telephone.
|
•
|
Through the Internet: by visiting the website address shown on your proxy card and following the instructions to vote online.
|
•
|
By mail: by completing, dating, signing and returning your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. The envelope requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States.
|
•
|
At the special meeting: To vote at the Steelcase special meeting, attend the Steelcase special meeting and vote via the Steelcase special meeting website. See "-Attending the Special Meeting" above.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
submitting a written notice of revocation to Steelcase's secretary;
|
•
|
granting a subsequently dated proxy;
|
•
|
voting by telephone or the Internet at a later time (before 11:59 p.m., Eastern time (10:59 p.m., Central time), on the day before the Steelcase special meeting); or
|
•
|
attending the Steelcase special meeting in person via the Steelcase special meeting website and voting at the Steelcase special meeting. See "-Attending the Special Meeting" above.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
each of HNI's and Steelcase's business, operations, balance sheet and financial condition, asset quality, earnings, and prospects;
|
•
|
HNI's and Steelcase's highly complementary geographic footprints and dealer networks, which are expected to bolster HNI's and Steelcase's ability to serve small and medium-sized business customers and large corporate customers across diverse industry segments, including healthcare, education and hospitality;
|
•
|
that bringing together HNI's and Steelcase's respected and widely recognized brands could allow the combined company to better support an expanded customer base and capture growth opportunities;
|
•
|
that, by uniting a strong innovation engine with operational excellence, the combination of HNI and Steelcase would be expected to accelerate delivery of more advanced solutions to customers while increasing value for shareholders;
|
•
|
the expectation, based on estimates provided by HNI's management team prior to the execution of the Merger Agreement, that HNI and Steelcase combined will be able to achieve annual run-rate synergies of $120 million when fully mature, as more fully described under the section entitled "Unaudited Prospective Financial Information Prepared by HNI-Certain Estimated Synergies Attributable to the Mergers" beginning on page 107 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus;
|
•
|
the expectation that the transaction will enhance HNI's financial profile, which is expected to accelerate and increase investments in long-term operational enhancements, digital transformation and customer-centric buying experiences;
|
•
|
its understanding of the current and prospective environment in the workplace furnishings and residential building product industries, including national, regional and local economic conditions, scale
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
the aggregate amount of merger consideration payable in cash is fixed at $7.20 per share of Steelcase common stock and the aggregate amount of merger consideration payable in shares of HNI common stock is fixed at 0.2192 shares of HNI common stock per share of Steelcase common stock, regardless of the elections made by Steelcase shareholders to receive a combination of cash and shares of HNI common stock, only cash or only shares of HNI common stock;
|
•
|
the financial analyses presented by J.P. Morgan to the HNI board of directors and the August 3, 2025, oral opinion delivered by J.P. Morgan to the HNI board, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion dated August 3, 2025, to the effect that, as of such date, and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken by J.P. Morgan in preparing its opinion, the aggregate merger consideration to be paid by HNI in the proposed transaction was fair, from a financial point of view, to HNI, as more fully described in the section entitled "The Mergers-Opinion of HNI's Financial Advisor" beginning on page 79 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus;
|
•
|
that, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, HNI is entitled to pay regular quarterly cash dividends during the pendency of the mergers;
|
•
|
the support of the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement by Mr. Pew, Ms. Taylor and Ms. Niemann, each of whom entered into a support agreement pursuant to which, among other things, each agreed to (i) vote the shares of Steelcase common stock, which he or she has the sole power to vote or direct the voting thereof, in favor of the Steelcase merger proposal and (ii) not transfer such shares of Steelcase common stock, with certain limited exceptions, as more fully described below under the section entitled "The Voting and Support Agreements" beginning on page 143 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus;
|
•
|
the flexibility provided to the HNI board of directors to change its recommendation if, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, the HNI board of directors makes a good faith determination that not changing its recommendation would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law, subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
its review and discussions with HNI's management and advisors concerning HNI's due diligence examination of Steelcase;
|
•
|
its expectation that the required antitrust approval for the mergers could be obtained in a timely fashion;
|
•
|
that, under the terms of the Merger Agreement, HNI and its subsidiaries will not be required to agree to, commit to, proffer, propose or take any remedy action that would, or would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, result in the loss of (a) 10% or greater of the expected synergies to be derived from the mergers by HNI or (b) assets, properties, businesses, product lines or rights that accounted for annual revenues of $50 million or greater in the most recent completed fiscal year of Steelcase and its subsidiaries or HNI and its subsidiaries, as applicable;
|
•
|
the fact that 10 of the 12 directors of HNI following the mergers will be current members of the HNI board of directors;
|
•
|
its review with HNI's outside legal advisor, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, of the terms of the Merger Agreement, including the representations and warranties, covenants, deal protection and termination provisions, tax treatment and closing conditions; and
|
•
|
HNI's past record of integrating mergers and acquisitions and of realizing projected financial goals and benefits of those mergers and acquisitions, and the strength of HNI's management and infrastructure to successfully complete the integration process following the completion of the mergers.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
the risk that the mergers may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, including the risk that the failure to complete the mergers could cause HNI to incur significant expenses and lead to negative perceptions among investors;
|
•
|
the risk that the antitrust approval required in connection with the mergers may not be received in a timely manner or at all or may impose unacceptable conditions;
|
•
|
the fact that not all of the conditions to completion of the mergers are within HNI's control;
|
•
|
the risk that HNI shareholders do not approve the HNI common stock issuance proposal;
|
•
|
the risk that Steelcase shareholders do not approve the Steelcase merger proposal;
|
•
|
the possibility that HNI may be required to pay a termination fee;
|
•
|
the possibility of encountering difficulties in achieving anticipated synergies in the amounts estimated or in the time frame contemplated;
|
•
|
the possibility of encountering difficulties in successfully integrating HNI's and Steelcase's business, operations and workforce;
|
•
|
the risk of losing key HNI or Steelcase employees during the pendency of the mergers and thereafter;
|
•
|
certain anticipated transaction-related costs;
|
•
|
the requirement that HNI's regular quarterly cash dividends during the pendency of the mergers be coordinated with Steelcase's;
|
•
|
the diversion of management attention and resources from the operation of HNI's business towards the completion of the mergers;
|
•
|
the expansion of the HNI board of directors to add two members from the Steelcase board of directors;
|
•
|
the mergers' effect on the combined company's capital levels;
|
•
|
the risk that, because the aggregate amount of merger consideration payable in shares of HNI common stock would not be adjusted for changes in the market price of HNI common stock or Steelcase common stock, the value of the shares of HNI common stock to be issued to Steelcase shareholders upon the completion of the mergers could be significantly more than the value of such shares immediately prior to the announcement of the parties' entry into the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
the potential for legal claims challenging the mergers and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
the dilution caused by HNI's issuance of additional shares of common stock in connection with the mergers, as more fully described under the section entitled "Description of HNI Capital Stock-HNI Common Stock"; and
|
•
|
the other risks described under the sections entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 27 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" beginning on page 37 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
reviewed a draft dated August 2, 2025 of the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information concerning HNI and Steelcase and the industries in which they operate;
|
•
|
compared the proposed financial terms of the transaction with the publicly available financial terms of certain transactions involving companies J.P. Morgan deemed relevant and the consideration received for such companies;
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
compared the financial and operating performance of HNI and Steelcase with publicly available information concerning certain other companies J.P. Morgan deemed relevant and reviewed the current and historical market prices of HNI common stock and Steelcase common stock and certain publicly traded securities of such other companies;
|
•
|
reviewed certain internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by the managements of HNI and Steelcase relating to their respective businesses, as well as the estimated amount and timing of the cost savings and related expenses and synergies expected to result from the proposed transaction (the "synergies"), as discussed more fully in the section entitled "The Mergers-Unaudited Prospective Financial Information Prepared by HNI" beginning on page 105 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus; and
|
•
|
performed such other financial studies and analyses and considered such other information as J.P. Morgan deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
MillerKnoll Inc.
|
•
|
HNI Corporation
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Party
|
|
|
Metric
|
|
|
Implied Equity Value
|
|
|
Implied Equity Value Per Share
|
||||||
|
Low (rounded to
nearest $5 million)
|
|
|
High (rounded to
nearest $5 million)
|
|
|
Low (rounded to
nearest $0.05)
|
|
|
High (rounded to
nearest $0.05)
|
|||||
HNI
|
|
|
FV / 2025E Adj. EBITDA
|
|
|
$1,370 million
|
|
|
$2,390 million
|
|
|
$29.30
|
|
|
$51.00
|
|
FV / 2026E Adj. EBITDA
|
|
|
$1,235 million
|
|
|
$2,280 million
|
|
|
$24.60
|
|
|
$48.65
|
||
Steelcase
|
|
|
FV / 2025E Adj. EBITDA
|
|
|
$1,220 million
|
|
|
$1,975 million
|
|
|
$10.00
|
|
|
$16.15
|
|
FV / 2026E Adj. EBITDA
|
|
|
$1,175 million
|
|
|
$1,975 million
|
|
|
$9.60
|
|
|
$16.20
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Announcement Date
|
|
|
Acquiror
|
|
|
Target
|
March 2023
|
|
|
HNI
|
|
|
Kimball International
|
April 2021
|
|
|
Herman Miller
|
|
|
Knoll
|
May 2018
|
|
|
QuMei Home Furnishings
|
|
|
Ekornes
|
December 2017
|
|
|
Knoll
|
|
|
Muuto
|
March 2015
|
|
|
Fortune Brands
|
|
|
Norcraft Companies
|
February 2014
|
|
|
Haworth
|
|
|
Poltrona Frau
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Party
|
|
|
Implied Equity Value
|
|
|
Implied Equity Value Per Share
|
||||||
|
Low (rounded to
nearest $5 million)
|
|
|
High (rounded to
nearest $5 million)
|
|
|
Low (rounded to nearest
$0.05)
|
|
|
High (rounded to nearest
$0.05)
|
||
HNI
|
|
|
$2,445 million
|
|
|
$3,115 million
|
|
|
$52.15
|
|
|
$66.20
|
Steelcase
|
|
|
$2,160 million
|
|
|
$2,675 million
|
|
|
$17.70
|
|
|
$21.95
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Low (rounded to the nearest $5 million)
|
|
|
High (rounded to the nearest $5 million)
|
|
Implied Present Value of Synergies
|
|
|
$529 million
|
|
|
$1,679 million
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|||
Metric
|
|
|
Implied Exchange Ratio
|
|||
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
||
Discounted Cash Flow
|
|
|
0.1584x
|
|
|
0.2825x
|
FV / 2025E Adj. EBITDA
|
|
|
0.0546x
|
|
|
0.3060x
|
FV / 2026E Adj. EBITDA
|
|
|
0.0495x
|
|
|
0.3405x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
each of Steelcase's and HNI's business, operations, balance sheet and financial condition, asset quality, earnings, and prospects;
|
•
|
that the $18.30 implied value of the merger consideration based on the closing price per share of HNI common stock of $50.62 on August 1, 2025, the last trading day before the public announcement of the mergers, represented an approximately 80% premium to the closing price per share of Steelcase common stock of $10.18 on August 1, 2025;
|
•
|
Steelcase's and HNI's highly complementary geographic footprints and dealer networks, which are expected to bolster HNI's and Steelcase's ability to serve small and medium-sized business customers and large corporate customers across diverse industry segments, including healthcare, education and hospitality;
|
•
|
that bringing together Steelcase's and HNI's respected and widely recognized brands could allow the combined company to better support an expanded customer base and capture growth opportunities;
|
•
|
that, by uniting a strong innovation engine with operational excellence, the combination of Steelcase and HNI would be expected to accelerate delivery of more advanced solutions to customers while increasing value for shareholders;
|
•
|
the current and prospective competitive climate in the industries in which Steelcase and HNI operate, as well as the Steelcase board of directors' belief that the combined company will have superior value creation potential;
|
•
|
the expectation that the combined company will have a stronger financial profile than either Steelcase or HNI as a standalone company, positioning the combined company to accelerate and increase investments in long-term operational enhancements, digital transformation and customer-centric buying experiences;
|
•
|
Steelcase's standalone strategic plan and related financial projections and the risks and uncertainties in executing on the standalone strategic plan and achieving such financial projections, and the risks described in the risk factors section of Steelcase's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025;
|
•
|
the perceived risks of continuing as a standalone public company and the assessment that no other alternatives were reasonably likely in the near term to create greater value for Steelcase shareholders than the mergers, taking into account business, competitive, industry and market dynamics;
|
•
|
that, subject to a proration and adjustment mechanism, the Merger Agreement allows Steelcase shareholders to elect to receive the mixed consideration, the stock consideration or the cash consideration upon completion of the mergers;
|
•
|
that based on the fully diluted shares of HNI and Steelcase as of the date of the Merger Agreement, Steelcase shareholders immediately before the completion of the mergers would in the aggregate own
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
that, because the merger consideration is based in part on a $7.20 cash amount, holders of Steelcase common stock (irrespective of whether they elect to receive merger consideration in the form of cash, HNI common stock or a mixture of HNI common stock and cash) benefit from a substantial portion of the value of the merger consideration not being adversely affected to an unpredictable extent by a decrease in the trading price of HNI common stock prior to the business day before the Closing;
|
•
|
that two members from the Steelcase board of directors will be added to the HNI board of directors following the mergers;
|
•
|
that the Merger Agreement was the product of arm's-length negotiations and contained terms and conditions that are, in the Steelcase board of directors' view, favorable to Steelcase and Steelcase shareholders;
|
•
|
(i) the financial analyses presented by Goldman Sachs to the Steelcase board of directors and the August 3, 2025 oral opinion delivered by Goldman Sachs to the Steelcase board of directors, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion dated August 3, 2025, that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and other limitations set forth in the written opinion, the Aggregate Consideration to be paid to the holders (other than HNI and its affiliates) of Steelcase stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair from a financial point of view to such holders and (ii) the financial analyses presented by BofA Securities to the Steelcase board of directors and the August 3, 2025 oral opinion delivered by BofA Securities to the Steelcase board of directors, which was subsequently confirmed by delivery of its written opinion dated August 3, 2025, that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and other limitations set forth in the written opinion, the merger consideration to be received in the mergers by the holders of Steelcase common stock (other than Canceled Shares) was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders, in each case, as more fully described in the section entitled "-Opinions of Steelcase's Financial Advisors" beginning on page 90 of this proxy statement/prospectus (which written opinions of Goldman Sachs and BofA Securities are attached as Annex E and Annex F, respectively, to this joint proxy statement/prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference);
|
•
|
Steelcase's ability under the Merger Agreement, subject to certain conditions, to provide information to and engage in discussions or negotiations with any third party that makes an unsolicited Steelcase acquisition proposal that the Steelcase board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, to constitute or is reasonably likely to constitute or result in a Steelcase superior proposal;
|
•
|
that, if Steelcase were to receive from a third party a Steelcase acquisition proposal that the Steelcase board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, constitutes a Steelcase superior proposal, under the Merger Agreement, the Steelcase board of directors would be able, subject to certain conditions, to terminate the Merger Agreement in order to enter into a definitive agreement providing for such Steelcase superior proposal;
|
•
|
the other termination provisions contained in the Merger Agreement, and the Steelcase board of directors' belief that the termination fee of $67 million payable by Steelcase in connection with termination of the Merger Agreement in specified circumstances is reasonable in light of, among other things, the benefits of the mergers to Steelcase shareholders, the typical size of such fees in similar transactions and the likelihood that such a fee would not preclude or unreasonably restrict Steelcase acquisition proposals;
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
the ability under the Merger Agreement of the Steelcase board of directors, subject to certain conditions, to change its recommendation in favor of the mergers in response to a Steelcase intervening event if the Steelcase board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside financial advisors and outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties;
|
•
|
the likelihood that HNI would complete the mergers, taking into account the closing conditions and termination provisions under the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
that the Merger Agreement requires that HNI use its reasonable best efforts to take actions necessary to complete the mergers as promptly as reasonably practicable and to take certain actions to facilitate the obtaining of regulatory approvals for the mergers and provides an appropriate "outside date," subject to extension if the required antitrust approval has not been obtained, by which time it is reasonable to expect that the conditions to completion of the mergers relating to such approval are likely to be satisfied;
|
•
|
that the Merger Agreement provides for payment by HNI to Steelcase of a termination fee of $71 million or $134 million, as applicable, if the Merger Agreement is terminated in specified circumstances;
|
•
|
the Steelcase board of directors' knowledge of HNI, taking into account publicly available information regarding HNI and the results of Steelcase's due diligence review of HNI;
|
•
|
that the mergers are expected to qualify as a "reorganization" under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as a result of which the mergers would not be taxable to Steelcase shareholders to the extent that Steelcase shareholders receive HNI common stock as merger consideration;
|
•
|
the conditions to the closing of the mergers in the Merger Agreement and that there is no condition regarding financing;
|
•
|
that the Merger Agreement was unanimously approved by the Steelcase board of directors (with Ms. Niemann abstaining), which is composed of a majority of independent directors who are not affiliated with HNI and are not employees of Steelcase or any of its subsidiaries, and which received advice from Steelcase's financial and legal advisors in evaluating, negotiating and recommending the terms of the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
that the closing of the mergers is conditioned upon the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the approval of the first merger by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Steelcase common stock entitled to vote thereon, so that Steelcase shareholders will have the right to approve or disapprove of the first merger;
|
•
|
that holders of Steelcase common stock holding approximately 5% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Steelcase common stock have executed agreements to vote in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement, subject to the terms and conditions of those agreements; and
|
•
|
Steelcase's ability to specifically enforce HNI's obligations under the Merger Agreement, including HNI's obligation to complete the mergers.
|
•
|
that Steelcase shareholders would forgo the opportunity to realize the potential long-term value of Steelcase if on a standalone basis Steelcase were successful in its execution of its current standalone strategic plan, which included certain assumptions, projections and sensitivities that are subject to risks and uncertainties;
|
•
|
that, because the merger consideration is based in part on a fixed exchange ratio of shares of HNI common stock per share of Steelcase common stock, and because the value of the stock portion of the merger consideration at the Closing cannot be predicted, holders of Steelcase common stock (irrespective of whether they elect to receive merger consideration in the form of cash, HNI common
|
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•
|
that, under specified circumstances, Steelcase may be required to pay a $67 million termination fee in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated and the effect this could have on Steelcase, including the possibility that the termination fee payable by Steelcase to HNI upon the termination of the Merger Agreement under such circumstances could discourage some potential acquirors from making a Steelcase acquisition proposal, although the Steelcase board of directors believes that the termination fee is reasonable in amount and would not unduly deter any other party that might be interested in acquiring Steelcase;
|
•
|
the significant costs involved in connection with entering into the Merger Agreement and completing the mergers and the substantial time and effort required of management to complete the mergers, which could disrupt Steelcase's business operations;
|
•
|
the impact of the announcement, pendency or completion of the mergers, or the failure to complete the mergers, on Steelcase's relationships with its employees (including making it more difficult to attract and retain key personnel and the possible loss of key management, technical and other personnel), dealers, customers and suppliers (including as a result of customer or other contracts with provisions that require consent for, or have implications upon, a change of control of Steelcase);
|
•
|
the restrictions in the Merger Agreement on Steelcase's conduct of business prior to completion of the mergers, which could delay or prevent Steelcase from undertaking business opportunities that may arise, or taking other actions with respect to its operations that the Steelcase board of directors and management might believe were appropriate or desirable;
|
•
|
that the completion of the mergers would require expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act, the risk that regulatory agencies may not approve the mergers or may impose terms and conditions on their approvals that would cause the closing conditions in the Merger Agreement not to be satisfied or would adversely affect the business and financial results of the combined company, and the amount of time that might be required to obtain all required regulatory consents and approvals;
|
•
|
the risk that HNI shareholders do not approve the HNI common stock issuance proposal;
|
•
|
that Steelcase did not engage in a competitive bid process or other broad solicitation of interest due to the attractive financial terms and significant premium offered by HNI, the Steelcase board's assessment that is was unlikely that there were any potential alternative transaction counterparties interested in pursuing a transaction with Steelcase that would be more beneficial to Steelcase shareholders than the transaction with HNI and the risks associated with seeking to engage in discussions with potential alternative transaction counterparties;
|
•
|
the risk that Steelcase shareholders do not approve the Steelcase merger proposal;
|
•
|
that, while Steelcase expects the mergers to be completed if the Steelcase merger proposal is approved by Steelcase shareholders, there can be no assurance that all conditions to the parties' obligations to complete the mergers will be satisfied;
|
•
|
that the market price of Steelcase common stock could be affected by many factors if the Merger Agreement were terminated, including (i) the reason or reasons for such termination and whether such termination resulted from factors adversely affecting Steelcase; (ii) the possibility that, as a result of the termination of the Merger Agreement, possible acquirors may consider Steelcase to be a less attractive acquisition candidate; and (iii) the possible sale of Steelcase common stock by short-term investors following an announcement that the Merger Agreement was terminated;
|
•
|
the challenges inherent in the integration of Steelcase's business with that of HNI, and the risks of not being able to realize anticipated benefits of the mergers;
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•
|
the risk of litigation, injunctions or other legal proceedings related to the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the mergers;
|
•
|
that Steelcase shareholders are not entitled to appraisal or dissenters' rights under the MBCA; and
|
•
|
the risks of the type and nature described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" beginning on page 27 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the matters described in the section entitled "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" beginning on page 37 of this joint proxy statement/prospectus.
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(1)
|
reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Steelcase and HNI;
|
(2)
|
reviewed certain internal financial and operating information with respect to the business, operations and prospects of Steelcase furnished to or discussed with BofA Securities by the management of Steelcase, including certain financial forecasts relating to Steelcase prepared by the management of Steelcase, referred to herein as the Steelcase Forecasts;
|
(3)
|
reviewed certain internal financial and operating information with respect to the business, operations and prospects of HNI furnished to or discussed with BofA Securities by the management of HNI, including certain financial forecasts relating to HNI prepared by the management of HNI, referred to herein as the HNI Forecasts;
|
(4)
|
reviewed certain estimates as to the amount and timing of cost savings anticipated by the managements of Steelcase and HNI to result from the mergers, referred to herein as the Cost Savings;
|
(5)
|
discussed the past and current business, operations, financial condition and prospects of Steelcase with members of senior managements of Steelcase and HNI, and discussed the past and current business, operations, financial condition and prospects of HNI with members of senior managements of Steelcase and HNI;
|
(6)
|
reviewed the trading histories for Steelcase common stock and HNI common stock and a comparison of such trading histories with each other and with the trading histories of other companies BofA Securities deemed relevant;
|
(7)
|
compared certain financial and stock market information of Steelcase and HNI with similar information of other companies BofA Securities deemed relevant;
|
(8)
|
compared certain financial terms of the mergers to financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of other transactions BofA Securities deemed relevant;
|
(9)
|
reviewed a draft, dated August 3, 2025, of the Merger Agreement (the "draft merger agreement"); and
|
(10)
|
performed such other analyses and studies and considered such other information and factors as BofA Securities deemed appropriate.
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•
|
HNI Corporation; and
|
•
|
MillerKnoll, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Per Share Equity Value Reference Range for Steelcase
|
|
|
Implied Consideration Value
|
$10.25 - $14.50
|
|
|
$18.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquiror
|
|
|
Target
|
HNI Corporation
|
|
|
Kimball International, Inc.
|
Herman Miller, Inc.
|
|
|
Knoll, Inc.
|
Herman Miller, Inc.
|
|
|
HAY A/S
|
AB Fagerhult
|
|
|
iGuzzini Illuminazione S.p.A
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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|
|
|
Acquiror
|
|
|
Target
|
Qumei Home Furnishings Group
|
|
|
Ekornes
|
Knoll, Inc.
|
|
|
Muuto
|
AEA Investors LP
|
|
|
Generation Brands Holdings, Inc.
|
Haworth Inc.
|
|
|
Poltrona Frau S.p.A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Per Share Equity Value Reference Range for Steelcase
|
|
|
Implied Consideration Value
|
$14.00 - $25.00
|
|
|
$18.30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Per Share Equity Value Reference Range for Steelcase Stock
|
|
|
Implied Consideration Value
|
$14.00 - $19.75
|
|
|
$18.30
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
52-Week Trading Range: BofA Securities reviewed the trading prices of shares of Steelcase common stock for the 52-week period ended August 1, 2025, which ranged from $9.42 to $14.14 per share; and
|
•
|
Wall Street Analyst Price Targets: BofA Securities reviewed analyst price targets for Steelcase common stock available as of August 1, 2025, which indicated low to high price targets for Steelcase common stock of $15.00 to $18.00 (rounded to the nearest $0.25) and a present value of $13.50 to $16.25 per share (rounded to the nearest $0.25) when discounted by one year at an illustrative cost of equity midpoint of 11.5%.
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•
|
Steelcase Inc.
|
•
|
MillerKnoll, Inc.
|
•
|
Masco Corporation
|
•
|
Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.
|
•
|
Griffon Corporation
|
•
|
Gibraltar Industries, Inc.
|
•
|
MasterBrand, Inc.
|
•
|
American Woodmark Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
Implied Per Share Equity Value Reference Range for HNI
|
|
|
Closing Trading Price Per Share of HNI Common Stock on August 1, 2025
|
$37.25 - $54.50
|
|
|
$50.62
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
Implied Per Share Equity Value
Reference Range for HNI Common Stock
|
|
|
Closing Trading Price Per Share of HNI Common Stock on August 1, 2025
|
$45.00 - $66.50
|
|
|
$50.62
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
52-Week Trading Range: BofA Securities reviewed the historical trading prices and trading volumes of HNI common stock for the 52-week period ended August 1, 2025, which trading prices ranged from $40.26 to $57.49 per share; and
|
•
|
Wall Street Analyst Price Targets: BofA Securities reviewed analyst price targets for HNI common stock available as of August 1, 2025, which indicated low to high price targets for HNI common stock of $60.00 to $70.00 (rounded to the nearest $0.25) and a present value of $54.25 to $63.25 per share (rounded to the nearest $0.25) when discounted by one year at an illustrative cost of equity midpoint of 10.5%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Analysis
|
|
|
Implied Exchange Ratio
|
|
|
Mixed Election Stock Exchange Ratio
|
Selected Publicly Traded Companies Analysis
|
|
|
0.0819x - 0.1339x
|
|
|
0.2192x
|
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis
|
|
|
0.1511x - 0.1887x
|
|
|
0.2192x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|||
Implied Per Share Equity Value
Reference Ranges for Holders of Steelcase Common Stock
|
|||
Stand-Alone
|
|
|
Combined
|
$14.00 - $19.75
|
|
|
$19.95 - $21.20
|
|
|
|
|
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•
|
the Merger Agreement;
|
•
|
annual reports to stockholders and Annual Reports on Form 10 K of Steelcase for the five fiscal years ended February 28, 2025 and of HNI for the five fiscal years ending the Saturday nearest December 31, 2024;
|
•
|
certain interim reports to stockholders and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q of Steelcase and HNI;
|
•
|
certain other communications from Steelcase and HNI to their respective stockholders;
|
•
|
certain publicly available research analyst reports for Steelcase and HNI;
|
•
|
certain internal financial analyses and forecasts for HNI standalone prepared by its management;
|
•
|
certain internal financial analyses and forecasts for Steelcase prepared by the management of Steelcase (the "Steelcase Forecasts") and certain financial analyses and forecasts for the combined company prepared by the management of Steelcase (the "Combined Company Forecasts"), in each case, as approved for Goldman Sachs' use by Steelcase (collectively, the "Forecasts"); and
|
•
|
certain operating synergies projected by the management of HNI to result from the transaction, as approved for Goldman Sachs' use by Steelcase (the "Synergies").
|
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•
|
a premium of 80% based on the August 1, 2025 closing price of $10.18 per share;
|
•
|
a premium of 29% based on the 52-week high market price of $14.14 per share;
|
•
|
a premium of 94% based on the 52-week low market price of $9.42 per share;
|
•
|
a premium of 73% based on the 30-day volume weighted average price of $10.60 per share; and
|
•
|
a premium of 75% based on the 90-day volume weighted average price of $10.45 per share.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
2026E
|
|
|
2027E
|
|
|
2028E
|
|
|
2029E
|
Total Revenue
|
|
|
$2,753
|
|
|
$2,833
|
|
|
$2,913
|
|
|
$2,990
|
Adj. EBITDA (post-SBC)(1)
|
|
|
$348
|
|
|
$352
|
|
|
$359
|
|
|
$367
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
|
|
|
$188
|
|
|
$193
|
|
|
$197
|
|
|
$204
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and certain other items not related to HNI's normal operations. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure as it excludes amounts included in net income (loss), the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is burdened by stock-based compensation.
|
(2)
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures and capitalized software, plus after-tax interest expense. Unlevered Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure as it adjusts amounts included in net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
|
2026E
|
|
|
2027E
|
|
|
2028E
|
|
|
2029E
|
Total Revenue
|
|
|
$3,361
|
|
|
$3,477
|
|
|
$3,578
|
|
|
$3,682
|
Adj. EBITDA (post-SBC)(1)
|
|
|
$268
|
|
|
$292
|
|
|
$314
|
|
|
$327
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow(2)
|
|
|
$142
|
|
|
$156
|
|
|
$172
|
|
|
$179
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and certain other items not related to Steelcase's normal operations. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure as it excludes amounts included in net income (loss), the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is burdened by stock-based compensation.
|
(2)
|
Unlevered Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures and capitalized software, plus after-tax interest expense. Unlevered Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure as it adjusts amounts included in net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
|
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
(in millions)
|
|
|
Fiscal Year(1)
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2026E
|
|
|
2027E
|
|
|
2028E
|
|
|
2029E
|
|
|
2030E
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
$3,260
|
|
|
$3,515
|
|
|
$3,765
|
|
|
$3,955
|
|
|
$4,125
|
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
|
|
|
$280
|
|
|
$335
|
|
|
$404
|
|
|
$459
|
|
|
$504
|
Adjusted EBITDA (excluding interest income and joint venture income)
|
|
|
$263
|
|
|
$317
|
|
|
$385
|
|
|
$439
|
|
|
$482
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Steelcase's fiscal year end is the last Friday in February of the year indicated.
|
(2)
|
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted to include non-operating income and adjusted to exclude (i) the impact of share based compensation, (ii) restructuring costs (benefits), (iii) gains (losses) on the sale of land, net of variable compensation impacts, and (iv) gains (losses) on pension plan settlements. Adjusted EBITDA is a non GAAP financial measure as it excludes amounts included in net income, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
(in millions)
|
|
|
Fiscal Year(1)
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2026E
|
|
|
2027E
|
|
|
2028E
|
|
|
2029E
|
|
|
2030E
|
|
Unlevered free cash flow(2)
|
|
|
$82(3)
|
|
|
$97
|
|
|
$193
|
|
|
$260
|
|
|
$280
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Steelcase's fiscal year end is the last Friday in February of the year indicated.
|
(2)
|
Unlevered free cash flow is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less taxes, share-based compensation, change in net working capital, capital expenditures, non-operating income, interest income and other cash flows including restructuring costs, cloud computing expenditures, proceeds from asset sales and other investing cash flows. Unlevered free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure as it adjusts amounts included in net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
|
(3)
|
June 2025 to February 2026.
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
(in millions)
|
|
|
Fiscal Year(1)
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2026E
|
|
|
2027E
|
|
|
2028E
|
|
|
2029E
|
|
|
2030E
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
$2,701
|
|
|
$2,818
|
|
|
$3,016
|
|
|
$3,156
|
|
|
$3,302
|
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
|
|
|
$355
|
|
|
$388
|
|
|
$410
|
|
|
$433
|
|
|
$454
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
HNI's fiscal year end is the Saturday nearest December 31. The summarized unaudited prospective information was prepared based on HNI management projections and calendarized to Steelcase's fiscal year ending on the last Friday in February of the year indicated.
|
(2)
|
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income before restructuring charges, depreciation and amortization adjusted to exclude the impact of share-based compensation. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure as it excludes amounts included in net income, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
(in millions)
|
|
|
Fiscal Year(1)
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2026E
|
|
|
2027E
|
|
|
2028E
|
|
|
2029E
|
|
|
2030E
|
|
Unlevered free cash flow(2)
|
|
|
$151(3)
|
|
|
$222
|
|
|
$238
|
|
|
$251
|
|
|
$264
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
HNI's fiscal year end is the Saturday nearest December 31. The summarized unaudited prospective information was prepared based on HNI management projections and calendarized to Steelcase's fiscal year ending on the last Friday in February of the year indicated.
|
(2)
|
Unlevered free cash flow is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less taxes, share-based compensation, change in net working capital and capital expenditures. Unlevered free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure as it adjusts amounts included in net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
|
(3)
|
June 2025 to February 2026.
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
(in millions)
|
|
|
Fiscal Year(1)
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2026E
|
|
|
2027E
|
|
|
2028E
|
|
|
2029E
|
|
|
2030E
|
|
Revenue
|
|
|
$5,961
|
|
|
$6,333
|
|
|
$6,781
|
|
|
$7,111
|
|
|
$7,428
|
Adjusted EBITDA(2) excl. synergies
|
|
|
$635
|
|
|
$722
|
|
|
$814
|
|
|
$892
|
|
|
$958
|
Synergies
|
|
|
$30
|
|
|
$60
|
|
|
$78
|
|
|
$96
|
|
|
$120
|
Adjusted EBITDA incl. synergies
|
|
|
$665
|
|
|
$782
|
|
|
$892
|
|
|
$988
|
|
|
$1,078
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Fiscal year ending the last Friday in February of the year indicated (i.e., Steelcase's fiscal year).
|
(2)
|
See footnote (2) to the first table in "-Steelcase Projections for Standalone Steelcase" and footnote (2) to the first table in "-Steelcase Projections for Standalone HNI," above. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure as it excludes amounts included in net income, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net income or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
(in millions)
|
|
|
Fiscal Year(1)
|
||||||||||||
|
|
2026E
|
|
|
2027E
|
|
|
2028E
|
|
|
2029E
|
|
|
2030E
|
|
Unlevered free cash flow(2)
|
|
|
$240(3)
|
|
|
$356
|
|
|
$484
|
|
|
$585
|
|
|
$650
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Fiscal year ending the last Friday in February of the year indicated (i.e., Steelcase's fiscal year).
|
(2)
|
See footnote (2) to the second table in "-Steelcase Projections for Standalone Steelcase" and footnote (2) to the second table in "-Steelcase Projections for Standalone HNI," above. Unlevered free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure as it adjusts amounts included in net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. This measure should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or other measures derived in accordance with GAAP.
|
(3)
|
June 2025 to February 2026.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Position
|
Sara E. Armbruster
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
David C. Sylvester
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
|
Allan W. Smith, Jr.
|
|
|
Senior Vice President, President, Americas and Chief Product Officer
|
Steven D. Miller
|
|
|
Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
|
Donna K. Flynn
|
|
|
Vice President, Chief People Officer
|
Lizbeth S. O'Shaughnessy
|
|
|
Former Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel, and Secretary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Position
|
Megan A. Blazina
|
|
|
Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary
|
Robert Krestakos
|
|
|
Vice President, Chief Operations Officer
|
Nicole C. McGrath
|
|
|
Vice President, Corporate Controller & Chief Accounting Officer
|
|
|
|
|
•
|
the closing date is December 1, 2025, which is the assumed date of the closing of the mergers solely for purposes of the disclosure in this section;
|
•
|
the price per share of Steelcase common stock at the first effective time is $15.96 (the average closing market price of Steelcase common stock over the first five (5) business days following the first public announcement of the mergers on August 4, 2025, as required by Item 402(t) of Regulation S-K);
|
•
|
equity awards scheduled to vest in the ordinary course between the date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and immediately prior to the assumed date of the Closing are treated as vested;
|
•
|
the mergers contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be a "change in control" for purposes of the Steelcase compensation and benefit plans described below;
|
•
|
each executive officer of Steelcase experiences a termination of employment by Steelcase without "cause" or by the executive officer for "good reason" (as such terms are defined in the relevant plans and agreements), in either case, immediately following the Closing;
|
•
|
no director or executive officer receives any additional equity grants or other awards on or prior to the Closing; and
|
•
|
the service of each non-employee member of Steelcase's board of directors is involuntarily terminated immediately following the Closing.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
an amount equal to the participant's applicable severance multiple multiplied by the sum of the participant's annual base salary and target annual bonus for the year in which the termination date occurs, payable in a lump sum;
|
•
|
a prorated target annual bonus for the year in which the termination date occurs, reduced by any amount relating to such bonus that has already been paid for the fiscal year in which the termination date occurs under the Steelcase Management Incentive Plan (the "MIP");
|
•
|
a cash payment equal to the benefits the participant would receive under Steelcase's Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (the "SERP") following retirement, prorated to the extent the participant does not qualify for normal or early retirement as of the termination date, but with an additional credit to years of service and age, based on employee level;
|
•
|
an amount equal to eighteen (18) multiplied by the monthly premium the participant would be charged to continue his or her (and his or her beneficiaries) health plan coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act ("COBRA"); and
|
•
|
outplacement services for up to eighteen (18) months.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Cash
($)(2)
|
|
|
Equity
($)(3)
|
|
|
NQ Deferred
Compensation
($)(4)
|
|
|
Benefits
($)(5)
|
|
|
280G Gross-Up
($)(6)
|
|
|
Total
($)(6)
|
Sara E. Armbruster
|
|
|
$8,642,059
|
|
|
$26,486,418
|
|
|
$3,098,387
|
|
|
$337,717
|
|
|
$12,101,771
|
|
|
$50,666,352
|
David C. Sylvester
|
|
|
$3,127,189
|
|
|
$8,309,574
|
|
|
$3,414,860
|
|
|
$179,871
|
|
|
$3,092,223
|
|
|
$18,123,718
|
Allan W. Smith, Jr.
|
|
|
$2,977,842
|
|
|
$7,916,958
|
|
|
$2,723,351
|
|
|
$179,513
|
|
|
$3,270,888
|
|
|
$17,068,551
|
Steven D. Miller
|
|
|
$1,867,286
|
|
|
$3,423,420
|
|
|
$115,015
|
|
|
$131,154
|
|
|
$1,653,998
|
|
|
$7,190,874
|
Donna K. Flynn
|
|
|
$1,771,452
|
|
|
$3,417,036
|
|
|
$163,197
|
|
|
$132,861
|
|
|
$1,601,814
|
|
|
$7,086,360
|
Lizbeth S. O'Shaughnessy(1)
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
$3,481,674
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
$3,481,674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
Lizbeth O'Shaughnessy served as an executive officer until January 15, 2025 and retired on February 1, 2025. She holds outstanding Steelcase equity awards and is no longer eligible for severance payments or benefits.
|
(2)
|
The amounts in this column represent the estimated cash payments set forth in the table below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
Cash
Severance
($)(a)
|
|
|
Pro-rated
Annual Bonus
($)(b)
|
Sara E. Armbruster
|
|
|
$7,286,400
|
|
|
$1,355,659
|
David C. Sylvester
|
|
|
$2,577,600
|
|
|
$549,589
|
Allan W. Smith, Jr.
|
|
|
$2,455,200
|
|
|
$522,642
|
Steven D. Miller
|
|
|
$1,577,400
|
|
|
$289,886
|
Donna K. Flynn
|
|
|
$1,494,900
|
|
|
$276,552
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a.
|
The amounts in this column represent a lump sum cash severance amount equal to two (2) times the sum of base salary and target annual bonus (except for Ms. Armbruster's cash severance, which equals three (3) times the sum of her annual base salary and target annual bonus). These amounts are "double-trigger" and will not be paid unless the named executive officer's employment is terminated by the surviving entity without "cause" or by the named executive officer for "good reason" (as each term is defined in the executive severance plan) in either case, within twenty-four (24) months following the Closing. In addition, the receipt of such cash payments is conditioned on the applicable named executive officer's compliance with the terms of the executive severance plan (including the continued compliance with restrictive covenants and the timely execution and non-revocation of a release of claims).
|
b.
|
The amounts in this column represent a pro-rated annual bonus for fiscal year 2026 using the actual amount for each named executive officer, which are "single trigger" and will be paid in connection with the Closing. Any additional pro-rated annual MIP bonus (as described under the executive severance plan) will be reduced by any amount relating to the MIP bonus that has already been paid for the fiscal year in which the termination date occurs, and will be "double trigger" and will not be paid
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(3)
|
The amounts in this column represent the value of the accelerated vesting of Steelcase restricted stock unit and performance unit awards. These estimated values are calculated using a per share price of Steelcase common stock equal to $15.96. The amounts shown above in this column are "double-trigger" and will not be payable unless the named executive officer's employment is terminated by the employer without "cause" or by the named executive officer resigns for "good reason" (as each term is defined in the ICP) within the twenty-four (24) months following the Closing. For further details regarding the treatment of Steelcase's equity-based awards in connection with the merger, see the section entitled "The Mergers-Interests of Steelcase's Directors and Executive Officers in the Mergers-Treatment of Steelcase Equity-Based Awards."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
Restricted Stock Units
|
|
|
Performance-Based
Restricted Stock Units
|
|||||||
Name
|
|
|
Number
(#)
|
|
|
Value
($)
|
|
|
Number
(#)
|
|
|
Value
($)
|
Sara E. Armbruster
|
|
|
510,700
|
|
|
$8,150,772
|
|
|
1,148,850
|
|
|
$18,335,646
|
David C. Sylvester
|
|
|
160,200
|
|
|
$2,556,792
|
|
|
360,450
|
|
|
$5,752,782
|
Allan W. Smith, Jr.
|
|
|
152,700
|
|
|
$2,437,092
|
|
|
343,350
|
|
|
$5,479,866
|
Steven D. Miller
|
|
|
66,000
|
|
|
$1,053,360
|
|
|
148,500
|
|
|
$2,370,060
|
Donna K. Flynn
|
|
|
65,900
|
|
|
$1,051,764
|
|
|
148,200
|
|
|
$2,365,272
|
Lizbeth S. O'Shaughnessy
|
|
|
67,100
|
|
|
$1,070,916
|
|
|
151,050
|
|
|
$2,410,758
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
The amounts in this column represent (i) a cash payment equal to the benefits the participant would receive under the SERP following retirement, prorated to the extent the participant does not qualify for normal or early retirement as of the termination date, but with additional credit to years of service and age, based on employee level and (ii) a cash payment equal to the unvested amount credited to the participant's RRP account, which does not include the employer RRP contribution for fiscal year 2026, to avoid double counting. The amounts shown above in this column related to the SERP are "double-trigger" and will not be payable unless the named executive officer's employment is terminated by the employer without "cause" or by the named executive officer resigns for "good reason" (as each term is defined in the executive severance plan) within the twenty-four (24) months following the Closing and the amounts related to the RRP are "single trigger" and will be paid in connection with the Closing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
SERP
($)
|
|
|
RRP
($)
|
Sara E. Armbruster
|
|
|
$1,923,635
|
|
|
$1,174,752
|
David C. Sylvester
|
|
|
$2,101,830
|
|
|
$1,313,030
|
Allan W. Smith, Jr.
|
|
|
$1,787,804
|
|
|
$935,547
|
Steven D. Miller
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
$115,015
|
Donna K. Flynn
|
|
|
$0
|
|
|
$163,197
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
The amounts in this column represent an estimated amount equal to the sum of (i) an amount equal to the monthly premium the participant would be charged to continue his or her (and his or her beneficiaries) health plan coverage for eighteen (18) months following the date of termination, (ii) the estimated value of outplacement services for up to eighteen (18) months, and (iii) fiscal year 2026 employer matching and non-elective contributions under Steelcase's 401(k) plan, profit-sharing plan, and RRP. The RRP contribution will become vested and paid upon the Closing, despite not being included in the RRP column above. The amounts shown under the foregoing (i) and (ii) are "double-trigger" and will not be paid unless the named executive officer's employment is terminated by the employer without "cause" or the named executive officer resigns for "good reason" (as each term is defined in the executive severance plan) within the twenty-four (24) months following the Closing. The amounts shown under the foregoing (iii) are "single trigger" and will be paid in connection with the Closing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
|
COBRA
($)
|
|
|
Outplacement
Services
($)
|
|
|
401(k) Plan
($)
|
|
|
Profit-
Sharing Plan
($)
|
|
|
RRP
($)
|
Sara E. Armbruster
|
|
|
$21,132
|
|
|
$9,000
|
|
|
$14,000
|
|
|
$19,250
|
|
|
$274,335
|
David C. Sylvester
|
|
|
$24,840
|
|
|
$9,000
|
|
|
$12,090
|
|
|
$19,250
|
|
|
$114,691
|
Allan W. Smith, Jr.
|
|
|
$32,778
|
|
|
$9,000
|
|
|
$11,358
|
|
|
$19,250
|
|
|
$107,127
|
Steven D. Miller
|
|
|
$44,514
|
|
|
$9,000
|
|
|
$8,667
|
|
|
$19,250
|
|
|
$49,724
|
Donna K. Flynn
|
|
|
$49,032
|
|
|
$9,000
|
|
|
$8,897
|
|
|
$19,250
|
|
|
$46,681
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6)
|
The amounts in this column represent the estimated 280G gross-up payments in respect of any excise tax for each named executive officer with respect to the amounts shown in the table above. The amounts shown in this column are "double-trigger" and will not need to be paid unless the named executive officer's employment is terminated by the employer without "cause" or the named executive officer resigns for "good reason" (as each term is defined in the relevant plans and agreements) within the twenty-four (24) months following the Closing.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-
|
Timothy C. E. Brown: Mr. Brown, age 63, has been Chair Emeritus of IDEO LP, a global innovation and design firm, since March 2024 and Vice Chair of kyu, a collective of creative organizations, since 2020. He was Chief Executive Officer and President of IDEO from 2000 to 2019, and his other roles at IDEO include Chair (2023 to 2024), Co-Chair (during 2023), Chair and Co-Chief Executive Officer (2022 to 2023) and Executive Chair (2019 to 2022).
|
-
|
Linda K. Williams: Ms. Williams, age 55, has been Vice President, Global Head of FP&A Finance, Google Cloud of Google LLC since January 2024. She served as Vice President, Global Head of Go-to-Market Finance, Google Cloud of Google from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining Google, she was with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (and its predecessor companies) from 1997 to 2021, serving as Senior Vice President, HPE Products and Services Chief Financial Officer in 2021, Chief Audit Executive and Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management from 2019 to 2021, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, HPE Pointnext Services Division from 2015 to 2019.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
the product of (i) the number of cash election shares and (ii) the cash consideration (the "cash election amount") exceeds
|
•
|
the difference between (i) the product of (a) $7.20 and (b) the total number of shares of Steelcase common stock (other than shares held by HNI, Merger Sub Inc. or Merger Sub LLC) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the first effective time minus (ii) the product of (a) the number equal to the sum of the number of shares for which a mixed election has been made (the "mixed election shares") and the number of shares for which no election has been made ("no election shares") and (b) $7.20 (such difference, the "available cash election amount"),
|
•
|
an amount of cash, equal to the product (rounded to two decimal places) of (i) the
|
•
|
cash consideration and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the available cash election amount and the denominator of which will be the cash election amount (the "cash fraction") and
|
•
|
a number of shares of HNI common stock equal to the product of:
|
○
|
the sum of (i) 0.2192 of a share of HNI common stock, plus (ii) the quotient (rounded to four decimal places) of $7.20 divided by the HNI common stock reference price, multiplied by
|
○
|
one minus the cash fraction.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
an amount of cash, without interest, equal to the amount (rounded to two decimal places) of such excess divided by the number of stock election shares (such fraction, the "excess cash amount") and
|
•
|
a number of shares of HNI common stock equal to the product (rounded to four decimal places) of (x) the exchange ratio and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the cash consideration minus the excess cash amount and the denominator of which will be the cash consideration (such fraction, the "stock fraction").
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
organization and qualification;
|
•
|
capitalization and subsidiaries;
|
•
|
authority relative to execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the mergers;
|
•
|
vote required;
|
•
|
no conflicts, required filings and consents;
|
•
|
SEC documents and financial statements;
|
•
|
the absence of certain changes or events;
|
•
|
no undisclosed liabilities;
|
•
|
litigation;
|
•
|
permits and compliance with laws;
|
•
|
information supplied;
|
•
|
employee benefit plans and labor;
|
•
|
taxes;
|
•
|
certain material contracts;
|
•
|
intellectual property;
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
information technology and data protection;
|
•
|
real and personal property;
|
•
|
environmental matters;
|
•
|
the foreign corrupt practices act and anti-corruption laws;
|
•
|
sanctions;
|
•
|
insurance matters;
|
•
|
takeover laws;
|
•
|
brokers;
|
•
|
the opinions of financial advisors; and
|
•
|
related party transactions.
|
•
|
organization and qualification;
|
•
|
capitalization and subsidiaries;
|
•
|
authority relative to execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the mergers;
|
•
|
vote required;
|
•
|
no conflicts, required filings and consents;
|
•
|
SEC documents and financial statements;
|
•
|
the absence of certain changes or events;
|
•
|
no undisclosed liabilities;
|
•
|
litigation;
|
•
|
compliance with laws;
|
•
|
information supplied;
|
•
|
employee benefit plans;
|
•
|
taxes;
|
•
|
certain material contracts;
|
•
|
brokers;
|
•
|
share ownership;
|
•
|
financing; and
|
•
|
the opinion of a financial advisor.
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
changes in general economic, financial market, regulatory, business, financial, political, geopolitical, credit or capital market conditions, including interest or exchange rates, tariffs and trade wars; (other than to the extent of a disproportionate impact on such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to the other participants in the industries in which such person and its subsidiaries operate);
|
•
|
general changes or developments in any of the industries or markets in which such person or any of its subsidiaries operate;
|
•
|
(a) adoption, implementation, repeal, modification or amendment of any applicable laws or (b) changes in GAAP, or in the case of each of the foregoing (a) and (b), any change in interpretations or enforcement thereof (other than to the extent of a disproportionate impact on such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to the other participants in the industries in which such person and its subsidiaries operate);
|
•
|
any change in the price or trading volume of such person's securities or other financial instruments or change in such person's credit rating, in and of itself (provided that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such change that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of "material adverse effect" may constitute or be taken into account in determining whether a "material adverse effect" has occurred);
|
•
|
any failure by such person to meet its internal or published projections, budgets, plans or forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other financial performance or results of operation or any published analyst or other third-party estimates or expectations of such person's revenue, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations for any period, in and of itself (provided that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of "material adverse effect" may constitute or be taken into account in determining whether a "material adverse effect" has occurred);
|
•
|
acts of war (whether or not declared), hostilities, military actions or acts of terrorism, cyberterrorism (to the extent not specifically targeting such person), or any escalation or worsening of the foregoing, weather related events, fires, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, plagues or other outbreaks of illness or disease or public health events or any other acts of God (other than to the extent of a disproportionate impact on such person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to the other participants in the industries in which such person and its subsidiaries operate);
|
•
|
any action taken or (to the extent the relevant action is expressly permitted by the terms of the Merger Agreement) not taken at the express written request of Steelcase (in the case of HNI) or HNI (in the case of Steelcase) after the date of the Merger Agreement; or
|
•
|
the identity of Steelcase (in the case of HNI) or HNI (in the case of Steelcase) and, other than with respect to a representation or warranty contained in the Merger Agreement to the extent that the purpose of such representation or warranty is to address the consequences resulting from the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the mergers or the performance of obligations under the Merger Agreement, the execution of the Merger Agreement, the public announcement, pendency or consummation of the mergers or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including, to the extent resulting from the foregoing, any effect on any of such person's or any of its subsidiaries' relationships with their respective customers, suppliers or employees).
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
•
|
use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct the business of Steelcase and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; and
|
•
|
to the extent consistent with the prior bullet, use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve their assets and business organization, keep available the services of their present key employees and maintain their existing relationships with material customers, suppliers, distributors, governmental authorities and business partners.
|
•
|
amend its articles of incorporation, by-laws or such equivalent organizational or governing documents of any of its subsidiaries (except for amendments to such documents of subsidiaries that are not "significant subsidiaries" that would not be adverse to HNI, Merger Sub Inc. or Merger Sub LLC or that would not, and would not be reasonably expected to have the effect of delaying or preventing the consummation of the mergers or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement);
|
•
|
(1) split, reverse split, combine, subdivide, reclassify, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or amend the terms of, or (2) issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, encumber, grant or authorize, in each case, any of their capital stock or other equity or voting securities or other equity interests or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights to acquire any shares of their capital stock or other equity or voting securities or other equity interests (including, in the case of the foregoing (2), equity-based compensation), with certain exceptions;
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declare, set aside, authorize, make or pay any dividend or other distribution with respect to their capital stock or other equity interests, other than (i) regular quarterly cash dividends paid by Steelcase to its shareholders in a manner consistent with past practice (subject to certain requirements) and (ii) certain intercompany dividends paid by Steelcase's subsidiaries to Steelcase or its wholly owned subsidiaries;
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except to the extent required under any Steelcase benefit plan:
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(i) establish, adopt, enter into, amend, terminate, change any prior interpretation of, or take any action to accelerate rights under, any Steelcase benefit plan or plan, program, policy, practice, agreement or arrangement that would be a Steelcase benefit plan if it had been in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement;
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(ii) grant or pay, or commit to grant or pay, any material bonus, incentive, retention, transaction or profit-sharing award or payment to any current or former employee, officer, individual independent contractor or member of the Steelcase board of directors;
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(iii) materially increase, or commit to materially increase, the amount of the wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, fringe benefits, severance or other compensation (including equity or equity-based compensation, whether payable in stock, cash or other property), benefits or remuneration payable to any current or former employee, officer, individual independent contractor or member of the Steelcase board of directors;
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(iv) take any action (other than actions contemplated by the Merger Agreement) to accelerate any material payment or benefit, the vesting of any equity or equity-based award or the funding of any payment or benefit, payable or to become payable to any current or former employee, officer, individual independent contractor or member of the Steelcase board of directors;
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(v) enter into any employment, severance, change in control, retention, individual consulting or similar agreement with any current or former employee, officer, individual independent contractor or member of the Steelcase board of directors (including, for the avoidance of doubt, adding any new eligible employees to Steelcase's Executive Severance Plan); or
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(vi) except as may be required by GAAP, materially change any actuarial or other assumptions used to calculate funding obligations with respect to any Steelcase benefit plan, make any voluntary contributions to a Steelcase benefit plan that are outside the ordinary course of business or materially change the manner in which contributions to such Steelcase benefit plans are made or the basis on which such contributions are determined;
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hire, engage, promote or terminate (other than for cause) any employee of Steelcase with annual base compensation in excess of $300,000 or any person who is or would be an employee of Steelcase with annual base compensation in excess of $300,000;
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(i) modify, extend, or enter into any labor agreement, or (ii) recognize or certify any labor union, labor organization, works council, or group of employees of Steelcase or its subsidiaries as the bargaining representative for any employees of Steelcase or its subsidiaries;
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acquire (by any method) any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, other business organization, or the business or assets of any third party constituting a business or any portion thereof for consideration over $5 million individually or $20 million in the aggregate;
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sell, pledge, dispose of, transfer, abandon, lease, license, mortgage, incur a lien on or otherwise transfer or encumber any of their assets, business, properties or rights (in each case, other than intellectual property), having a fair market value in excess of $500,000 individually or $5 million in the aggregate, except for sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business, transfers solely among Steelcase and its direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, dispositions of obsolete tangible assets or expired inventory, with respect to immaterial leases, licenses, or other similar grants of real property, any immaterial grant, amendment, extension, modification or renewal in the ordinary course of business or certain permitted liens;
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(i) except as between or among Steelcase or one or more direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Steelcase, incur, create, assume or otherwise become liable for any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or sell any debt securities or options, warrants, calls or other rights to acquire any debt securities of Steelcase or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) incur or assume any other form of indebtedness, or (iii) make or forgive any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person other than a wholly owned subsidiary of Steelcase (except making loans and advances to any employee of Steelcase or any of its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for an amount that is less than $100,000 in the aggregate (excluding, for purposes of such amount, any travel and similar advances to employees in the ordinary course of business) or trade credit and similar loans and advances made to customers, dealers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business);
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except in the ordinary course of business, subject to certain exceptions, (i) terminate, assign materially amend, supplement or modify, or waive any material rights under any material contact or material lease, subject to certain exceptions or (ii) enter into any lease or any contract that would be a material contract or material lease;
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make any change to its methods of financial accounting, except as required by GAAP or Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act;
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with certain exceptions, release, compromise, assign, settle or agree to settle any legal, administrative or similar proceedings, other than settlements solely involving monetary obligations of Steelcase or its subsidiaries for an amount not greater than $1 million individually or $5 million in the aggregate;
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sell, lease, transfer, assign, license, incur any lien other than certain permitted liens, abandon or permit to lapse, any material Steelcase owned intellectual property, other than non-exclusive licenses of Steelcase owned intellectual property entered into in the ordinary course of business;
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(i) make, change or revoke any material tax election; (ii) change any accounting period or change any material aspect of a method of tax accounting; (iii) file or make any amendment to a material tax
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except in accordance with Steelcase's anticipated capital expenditures, make any new capital expenditures, or commit to do so, other than capital expenditures not exceeding a certain agreed amount;
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merge or consolidate with any person or entity or adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, recapitalization or other reorganization;
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effectuate or announce any plant closing, employee layoff, employee furlough, reduction in force, reduction in compensation or other employment action that would implicate the WARN Act;
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waive or release any noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure, noninterference, nondisparagement or other restrictive covenant obligation of any current or former executive officers or employees with the title of vice president or above;
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enter into any new contract required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the SEC, substituting "$10,000" for "$120,000" in such Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the SEC; or
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enter into any contract to do, authorize or adopt any resolutions approving, or announce an intention to do, any of the foregoing.
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amend its articles of incorporation and bylaws, and the certificate of incorporation or formation, bylaws and/or operating agreement and similar governing documents of Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC in a manner that would be materially or disproportionately (relative to other holders of HNI common stock) adverse to Steelcase's shareholders or would, or would reasonably be expected to, have the effect of delaying or preventing the consummation of the mergers or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement;
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(1) adjust, split, reverse split, combine, subdivide, reclassify, redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or amend the terms of, or (2) issue, sell, grant or authorize the issuance, sale or grant of HNI common stock or other equity or voting securities of HNI (including, in the case of the foregoing (2), equity-based compensation), with certain exceptions;
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declare, set aside, authorize, make or pay any dividend or other distribution, payable in cash, stock, property or otherwise, with respect to HNI's or other equity interests, other than regular quarterly cash dividends paid by HNI to its shareholders in a manner consistent with past practice (subject to certain requirements);
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merge or consolidate HNI, Merger Sub Inc. or Merger Sub LLC with any person or adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, recapitalization or other reorganization with respect to HNI;
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make any change to its methods of financial accounting, except as required by GAAP or Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act; or
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enter into any contract to do, authorize or adopt any resolutions approving, or announce an intention to do, any of the foregoing.
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(i) HNI having obtained the HNI shareholder approval and (ii) Steelcase having obtained the Steelcase shareholder approval;
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the shares of HNI common stock to be issued in connection with the mergers having been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
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the registration statement on Form S-4, of which this joint proxy statement/prospectus forms a part, having become effective under the Securities Act, and not being the subject of any stop order or any legal, administrative or other similar proceedings or actions by or before the SEC seeking a stop order;
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any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the HSR Act relating to the completion of the mergers having expired or early termination thereof having been granted; and
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no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction having issued or entered any order or promulgated or enacted any law after the date of the Merger Agreement having the effect of enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the completion of the mergers.
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accuracy as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the closing date of the representations and warranties made by Steelcase to the extent specified in the Merger Agreement;
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Steelcase having performed or complied in all material respects with its obligations under the Merger Agreement required to be performed or complied with on or prior to the closing of the mergers;
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since the date of the Merger Agreement, no event, circumstance, occurrence, effect, fact, development or change having occurred that had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a "material adverse effect" on Steelcase; and
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HNI having received a certificate from an executive officer of Steelcase certifying that the above conditions have been satisfied.
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accuracy as of the date of the Merger Agreement and as of the closing date of the representations and warranties made by HNI, Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC to the extent specified in the Merger Agreement;
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HNI, Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC having performed or complied in all material respects with each of their respective obligations required under the Merger Agreement to be performed or complied with on or prior to the closing of the mergers;
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since the date of the Merger Agreement, no event, circumstance, occurrence, effect, fact, development or change having occurred that had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a "material adverse effect" on HNI; and
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Steelcase having received a certificate from an executive officer of HNI certifying that the above conditions have been satisfied.
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by the mutual written consent of each of HNI and Steelcase;
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by either HNI or Steelcase if the Closing does not occur on or before May 4, 2026, subject to an automatic extension for up to three periods of three months in the event that (i) any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act relating to the consummation of the mergers has not expired or early termination has not been granted or (ii) a governmental authority has issued an order or enacted a law that has the effect of enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the mergers, if such restraint is in respect of an antitrust law, but all other conditions described in "-Conditions to Completion of the Mergers" above have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing (if such conditions are capable of being satisfied were the Closing to occur at such time)) (such date, as may be so extended, the "Termination Date");
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by either HNI or Steelcase if there exists a law or final and nonappealable order permanently restraining or prohibiting the mergers;
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by either HNI or Steelcase upon a failure to obtain the Steelcase shareholder approval or the HNI shareholder approval (in either case after a shareholder meeting is held for such purpose);
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by either HNI or Steelcase, respectively in the event of an uncured or uncurable breach by the other party (in the case of HNI, including Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC) of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements under the Merger Agreement, which would result in failure of the conditions related to representations and warranties or performance of obligations under the Merger Agreement described in "-Conditions to Completion of the Mergers" above;
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by Steelcase, prior to receipt of the Steelcase shareholder approval, to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Steelcase superior proposal, to the extent permitted by the Merger Agreement and provided that Steelcase pays the Steelcase termination fee (as described in "-Termination Fees" below) or by HNI, at any time prior to receipt of the HNI shareholder approval, to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to an HNI superior proposal to the extent permitted by the Merger Agreement and provided that HNI pays the HNI termination fee (as described in "-Termination Fees" below);
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by Steelcase in the event that prior to receipt of the HNI shareholder approval (i) the HNI board of directors makes an HNI adverse recommendation change, (ii) HNI or the HNI board of directors fails to include the HNI board recommendation in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (iii) HNI materially breaches any of its non-solicitation obligations described in "-Agreement Not to Solicit Other Offers" above or (iv) the HNI board of directors fails to (A) publicly reaffirm the HNI board recommendation within 10 Business Days of receipt of a written request by Steelcase to provide such reaffirmation following receipt by HNI of an HNI acquisition proposal that is publicly announced and not publicly withdrawn or (B) recommend against any HNI acquisition proposal that is a tender or exchange offer subject to Regulation 14D under the Exchange Act (in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, if such statement is required to be filed or is otherwise filed), within 10 Business Days after the commencement (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) of such tender or exchange offer; and
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by HNI in the event that prior to receipt of the Steelcase shareholder approval (i) the Steelcase board of directors makes a Steelcase adverse recommendation change, (ii) Steelcase or the Steelcase board of directors fails to include the Steelcase board recommendation in this joint proxy statement/prospectus, (iii) Steelcase materially breaches any of its non-solicitation obligations described in "-Agreement Not to Solicit Other Offers" above or (iv) the Steelcase board of directors fails to (A) publicly reaffirm the Steelcase board recommendation within 10 Business Days of receipt of a written request by HNI to provide such reaffirmation following receipt by Steelcase of a Steelcase acquisition proposal that is publicly announced and not publicly withdrawn or (B) recommend against any Steelcase acquisition proposal that is a tender or exchange offer subject to Regulation 14D under the Exchange Act (in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, if such statement is required to be filed or is otherwise filed), within 10 Business Days after the commencement (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) of such tender or exchange offer.
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by (i) HNI on the basis of a breach of a covenant or agreement contained in the Merger Agreement or by either HNI or Steelcase on the basis that the Termination Date has passed or the Steelcase shareholder approval has not been obtained upon a vote at the Steelcase special meeting and (ii) in any such case (A) after the execution of the Merger Agreement and prior to termination (or prior to the Steelcase special meeting in the event of a termination for failure to obtain the Steelcase shareholder approval), a Steelcase acquisition proposal was publicly disclosed (or, in the case of termination pursuant to a breach of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in the Merger Agreement or the passing of the Termination Date, otherwise made known to the Steelcase board of directors) and not withdrawn (publicly, if publicly disclosed) prior to the termination (or at least two Business Days prior to the Steelcase special meeting, in the case of a termination for failure to obtain the Steelcase shareholder approval) and (B) within twelve months after the termination, any Steelcase acquisition proposal is consummated or Steelcase enters into a definitive agreement with respect to any Steelcase acquisition proposal (regardless of when or whether such transaction is consummated) (provided, however, that for purposes of this paragraph, the references to "20%" in the definition of "Company Acquisition Proposal" in the Merger Agreement are deemed to be references to "50%");
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by Steelcase at any time prior to the receipt of the Steelcase shareholder approval, in order to enter a definitive agreement with respect to a Steelcase superior proposal; and
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by HNI pursuant to the last bullet in the section "-Termination of the Merger Agreement" above.
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by (i) Steelcase on the basis of a breach of a covenant or agreement contained in the Merger Agreement or by either HNI or Steelcase on the basis that the Termination Date has passed or the HNI shareholder approval has not been obtained upon a vote at the HNI special meeting and (ii) in any such case (A) after the execution of the Merger Agreement and prior to termination (or prior to the HNI special meeting in the event of a termination for failure to obtain the HNI shareholder approval), an HNI acquisition proposal was publicly disclosed (or, in the case of a termination pursuant to a breach of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in the Merger Agreement or the passing of the Termination Date, otherwise made known to the HNI board of directors) and not withdrawn (publicly, if publicly disclosed) prior to the termination (or at least two Business Days prior to the HNI special meeting, in the case of a termination for failure to obtain the HNI shareholder approval) and (B) within twelve months after the termination any HNI acquisition proposal is consummated or HNI enters into a definitive agreement with respect to any HNI acquisition proposal (regardless of when or whether such transaction is consummated) (provided, however, that for purposes of this paragraph, the references to "20%" in the definition of "Parent Acquisition Proposal" in the Merger Agreement are deemed to be references to "50%");
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by HNI at any time prior to the receipt of the HNI shareholder approval, in order to enter a definitive agreement with respect to an HNI superior proposal; and
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by Steelcase pursuant to the second to last bullet in the section "-Termination of the Merger Agreement" above.
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(i) by HNI or Steelcase on the basis that the Termination Date has passed or prior to the first effective time a restraint has been enacted that has the effect of permanently restraining or prohibiting the mergers, solely to the extent the restraint is in respect of an antitrust law, and, at the time of such termination, the conditions to Closing relating to the expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act and restraints by governmental authorities have not been satisfied or waived (solely to the extent the restraint is in respect of an antitrust law), but all other conditions have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing (if such conditions are capable of being satisfied were the Closing to occur at such time)), or (ii) by Steelcase on the basis of a breach by HNI of its covenants and agreements relating to appropriate actions, filings and consents described in the section "-Regulatory Matters" above; provided, however, that in the case of a termination pursuant to this bullet, Steelcase will, within seven Business Days following the termination, irrevocably elect in writing to accept or decline the HNI termination fee payable pursuant to this bullet, and failure to elect to accept such HNI termination fee within such period will be deemed an election to decline such HNI termination fee and constitute an irrevocable waiver of such HNI termination fee.
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extend the time for the performance of any obligation or other act of any other party to the Merger Agreement;
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waive any inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of the other party to the Merger Agreement contained in the Merger Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant to the Merger Agreement; or
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waive compliance with any agreement or condition contained in the Merger Agreement.
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the gain is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business of such Non-U.S. Holder (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is also attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed base in the United States maintained by such Non-U.S. Holder), in which case the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to tax on such gain in the same manner as a U.S. Holder and, if the Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, may be subject to branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty); or
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the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the mergers and certain other conditions are met, in which case the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to a 30% tax on the Non-U.S. Holder's net gain realized in the mergers, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder, if any.
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an acquisition of HNI by means of a tender or exchange offer;
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an acquisition of HNI by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or
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the removal of a majority or all of HNI's incumbent officers and directors.
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Steelcase
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Authorized Capital Stock
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The Steelcase articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of:
(i)
475,000,000 shares of class A common stock, no par value;
(ii)
475,000,000 shares of class B common stock, no par value; and
(iii)
50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, including (a) 20,000 shares of class A preferred stock, par value $100 per share, and (b) 200,000 shares of class B preferred stock, par value $50 per share.
Pursuant to the Steelcase articles of incorporation, the Steelcase board of directors is authorized to issue one or more series and may determine, with respect to the series, the designations, voting powers (if any), preferences, relative rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of any such shares.
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The HNI articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of:
(i)
200,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $1.00 per share; and
(ii)
2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with par value of $1.00 per share.
Pursuant to the HNI articles of incorporation, the HNI board of directors is authorized to cause shares of preferred stock to be issued in one or more series and, subject to the limitations set forth in the IBCA, may fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series. All preferred shares shall be identical, except as to the relative rights and preferences as to which the IBCA permits variations between different series.
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Outstanding Shares
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As of the close of business on the record date, [ ] shares of Steelcase class A common stock were outstanding and no shares of Steelcase class B common stock were outstanding. Steelcase class A common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol "SCS".
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As of the close of business on the record date, [ ] common shares of HNI were issued and outstanding and no preferred shares of HNI were outstanding. HNI common shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "HNI".
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Number of Directors
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The Steelcase articles of incorporation provide that, except as otherwise fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of the Steelcase articles of incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, the Steelcase board of directors shall
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The IBCA requires that the HNI board of directors consist of one or more individuals with the number specified in or fixed in accordance with the articles of incorporation or by-laws. The HNI by-laws provide that the number of directors constituting the HNI
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be determined by resolution adopted by a majority of the entire board of directors, but the number shall not be less than three.
The Steelcase board of directors currently consists of 10 members.
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board of directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the HNI board of directors adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the number of directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The HNI board of directors may increase or decrease the number of directors from time to time by amendment of the HNI by-laws, but no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director. Any new directorships shall be assigned to classes, and any decrease in the number of directors shall be scheduled, so the three classes of directors shall be as nearly equal in number as possible. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office even if less than a quorum. The HNI board of directors currently consists of 10 members, which will increase to 12 members upon the first effective time.
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Election and Classes of Directors
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The Steelcase articles of incorporation provide that directors shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast by the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present; provided that, if the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at any such meeting, where a majority of the votes cast means that the number of votes cast "for" a nominee exceeds the votes cast "against" or "withheld" with respect to the nominee.
The Steelcase articles of incorporation provide that other than those who may be elected by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of the Steelcase articles of incorporation, directors will be elected annually for terms of one year. All directors shall be elected for terms expiring at the next annual meeting of shareholders and until such directors' successors shall have been elected and qualified. The election of directors need not be by written ballot.
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The HNI by-laws provide that the HNI board of directors is divided into three classes of directors, each of which shall be as nearly equal in number as possible. At each annual meeting of the shareholders, a number of directors equal to the number of directors in the class whose term expires at the annual meeting shall be elected for a term ending when directors are elected at the third succeeding annual meeting. Directors may also be elected at a special meeting of shareholders called by HNI for the purpose of electing one or more directors. In an uncontested election, a nominee for director is elected if the votes cast "FOR" such nominee's election exceed the votes cast "AGAINST" such nominee's election. In a contested election, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote in the election at a meeting at which a quorum is present.
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Removal of Directors
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The MBCA provides that one or more directors may be removed with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors to the board, although the articles of incorporation may provide that directors may be removed only for cause or may require a higher vote for removal without cause. The Steelcase articles of incorporation provide that, except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of the Steelcase articles of incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, any director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of stock of Steelcase entitled to vote for the election of directors, voting together as a single class, where "cause" means the willful and continuous failure of a director to substantially perform such director's duties to Steelcase (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness) or the willful engaging by a director in gross misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to Steelcase.
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Iowa law provides that directors may be removed with or without cause by shareholders if, at a meeting called for the purpose of removing a director with notice stating that removal of the director is a purpose of the meeting, the number of votes cast to remove the director exceeds the number of votes cast not to remove the director. Iowa law also provides that a corporation's articles of incorporation may require that a director be removed only for cause and may require a greater number of votes required to remove a director. The HNI articles of incorporation contain no such provision.
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Filling Vacancies on the Board of Directors
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The Steelcase articles of incorporation provide that, except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of the Steelcase articles of incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, any vacancy on the Steelcase board of directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or other cause and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors between meetings of shareholders shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director to whom the vacancy relates or in the case a new directorship was created, until the next annual meeting of shareholders following such director's election and, in each case, until such director's successor shall have
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The HNI by-laws provide that, any vacancy occurring in the HNI board of directors for any reason, and any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office even if less than a quorum. A director elected to fill a vacancy or by reason of an increase in the number of directors shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office or the unexpired term of the class of directors to which his or her new directorship is assigned. If a director is elected to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of a predecessor whose resignation has not yet become effective, the new director's term shall begin when his or her predecessor's resignation becomes effective. No decrease in the number of directors shall have the effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.
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been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal from office in accordance with the Steelcase articles of incorporation or any applicable law or pursuant to an order of a court. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by applicable law.
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Nomination of Director Candidates by Shareholders
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The Steelcase by-laws provide that any shareholder of record entitled to vote for the election of directors at a meeting may nominate persons for election as directors only if timely written notice of such shareholder's intent to make such nomination is properly given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation (i) with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or more than 60 days later than such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so given not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made and (ii) with respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, not earlier than the 90th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such special meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of shareholders or a special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, or the public announcement of such an adjournment or
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Iowa law does not provide shareholders with any specific rights regarding shareholder nominations for election to the board of directors. The HNI by-laws provide that for an HNI shareholder properly to nominate a candidate for election as a director at a meeting of shareholders, the shareholder must (i) be a shareholder of record at the time of giving notice, (ii) be entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of directors and (iii) have given timely notice in writing and in proper form to HNI's secretary, including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required under The HNI by-laws and described further below. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to HNI's secretary at HNI's principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary date, notice by the shareholder, to be timely, must be delivered not earlier than 120 days prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the annual meeting or the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made. In no event will any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of shareholders, or the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement, commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder's notice as described above.
To be in proper written form, a shareholder's nomination notice to HNI must set forth certain information and
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postponement, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholder's notice as described above
To be in proper written form, a shareholder's nomination notice to Steelcase must set forth certain information and representations about the nominating shareholder and its nominee, as more particularly set forth in the Steelcase by-laws.
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representations about the nominating shareholder and its nominee, as more particularly set forth in the HNI by-laws. Except as otherwise provided by law or the HNI by-laws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set out in the HNI by-laws and, if any proposed nomination is not in compliance with HNI's by-laws, to declare the defective proposal or nomination be disregarded. Neither the HNI by-laws nor the HNI articles of incorporation expressly provide HNI shareholders proxy access for the nomination of directors.
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Shareholder Proposals
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The Steelcase by-laws provide that, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, the shareholder must have given written notice thereof, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to Steelcase's secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days earlier or more than 60 days later than such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be so given not earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of shareholders, or the public announcement of such an adjournment or postponement, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a shareholder's notice as described above.
To be in proper written form, a shareholder's nomination notice to Steelcase must set forth certain information and representations about the nominating shareholder and its nominee, as more particularly set forth in the Steelcase by-laws.
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Iowa law does not provide shareholders with any specific rights to make shareholder proposals.
The HNI by-laws provide that for business to be properly requested by a shareholder to be brought before a meeting of the shareholders, the shareholder must (i) be a shareholder of record at the time of giving notice, (ii) be entitled to vote at the meeting and (iii) have given timely notice in writing and in proper form to HNI's secretary. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to HNI's secretary at HNI's principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year's annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary date, notice by the shareholder, to be timely, must be delivered not earlier than 120 days prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the annual meeting or the 10th day following the date on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made. In no event will any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting of shareholders, or the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement, commence a new time period for the giving of a shareholder's notice as described above.
To be in proper written form, a shareholder's notice to HNI's secretary must
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set forth certain information and representations about such shareholder and each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, as more particularly set forth in the HNI by-laws. Notwithstanding the other provisions of the HNI by-laws, an HNI shareholder seeking to propose business to be considered by the shareholders at an annual meeting of shareholders shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Nothing in the HNI by-laws shall be deemed to affect any rights of shareholders to request inclusion of proposals in HNI's proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. Except as otherwise provided by law or the HNI by-laws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made in accordance with the procedures set out in the HNI by-laws and, if any proposed business is not in compliance with the HNI by-laws, to declare the defective proposal or nomination be disregarded.
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Action by Written Consent
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The Steelcase articles of incorporation provide that, subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of preferred stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Steelcase shareholders may be effected by unanimous written consent of all shareholders entitled to vote on such action.
Under the MBCA, any action that is required or permitted to taken at any annual or special meeting of shareholders of a corporation may also be taken by shareholders without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if before or after the action all shareholders entitled to vote consent thereto in writing. In addition, if a corporation's articles of incorporation so provide, any such action may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by the holders of outstanding shares that have at least the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares
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Under Iowa law, HNI shareholders may take any action required or permitted to be taken at a shareholders' meeting, without a meeting or vote, if one or more written consents bearing the date of signature and describing the action taken are signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than ninety percent (90%) of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted, and are delivered to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. Otherwise, shareholders are able to take action only at an annual or special meeting called in accordance with the HNI by-laws.
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entitled to vote on the action were present and voted. Steelcase's articles of incorporation contain no such provision.
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Notice of Shareholder Meetings
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The Steelcase by-laws require that written notice of all meetings of shareholders, stating the time, place and purposes thereof (and the means of remote communication, if any, by which shareholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and to vote at the meeting), shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat, at least 10 but not more than 60 days before the date fixed for the meeting, either personally or by mail (notice by mail shall be deemed given when mailed).
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The HNI by-laws provide that written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than ten days (unless a longer period shall be required by law) nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, either in person; by mail or other method of delivery; or by electronic means (if the recipient consents in writing to electronic delivery), by or at the direction of HNI's president, secretary or the officer or persons calling the meeting, to shareholders of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed postpaid, the notice shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the shareholder at the address as it appears on HNI's stock transfer books. If given by other method of delivery, the notice shall be deemed delivered when transmitted to the shareholder in a manner authorized by the HNI by-laws.
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Quorum at Shareholder Meetings
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The Steelcase by-laws provide that the holders of a majority of the voting power of shares entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the shareholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by express provision of statute or by the articles of incorporation; provided, however, that when any specified action is required to be voted upon by a class or series of shares voting as a class or series, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of such specified action. Without limitation to Steelcase's adjournment process in the Steelcase by-laws, if there shall be no quorum, the shares present by majority vote may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present, when any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as first convened had there been a quorum; however, if after the adjournment the board fixes a new record date for the adjourned
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The HNI by-laws provide that a majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote, represented in person, by proxy or by remote participation, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders. Any meeting of shareholders may be adjourned from time to time and to any place, without further notice, by the Chairman or the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote and represented at the meeting, even if less than a quorum. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
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meeting, notice of the time, place and purposes of such meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record on the new record date. Once a quorum shall have been determined to be present, the shareholders present in person or by proxy at any meeting may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum.
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Shareholder Rights Plan
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Steelcase does not have a shareholder rights plan in effect.
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HNI does not have a shareholder rights plan in effect.
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Applicability of Business Combination Chapter
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Pursuant to Section 783 of the MBCA, Steelcase has expressly elected to be subject to the provisions of Section 780 of the MBCA.
Section 783 of the MBCA provides that: (1) Unless the articles or bylaws of a corporation specifically provide otherwise, the requirements of Section 780 of the MBCA shall not apply to business combinations of a corporation that on the effective date of this chapter had an existing interested shareholder, whether the business combination is with the existing shareholder, with any other person that becomes an interested shareholder after the effective date of this chapter, or a present or future affiliate of an existing interested shareholder. However, the board of directors of a corporation may elect by resolution to be subject, in whole or in part, as to specifically identified or unidentified interested shareholders, to the requirements of Section 780; (2) The articles or bylaws of a corporation may provide that if the board of directors adopts a resolution as described above, the resolution shall be subject to approval of the shareholders in the manner and by the vote specified in the articles or bylaws; and (3) An election under Section 783 of the MBCA may be added to but may not be altered or repealed except by an amendment to the articles of incorporation which was adopted by a vote of shareholders pursuant to the requirements of Section 784(1)(b) of the MBCA. That section provides that the requirements of Section 780 don't apply to a corporation whose original articles of incorporation
contain a provision that expressly elects not
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Section 490.1110 of the IBCA generally prohibits an Iowa corporation from engaging in any business combination with an interested shareholder for a period of three years following the time that the shareholder became an interested shareholder, unless: (a) prior to the time the shareholder became an interested shareholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder; (b) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, those shares owned by persons who are directors and officers, and by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or (c) at or subsequent to the time the shareholder became an interested shareholder, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested shareholder, provided that such approval shall not be by written consent.
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to be governed by Chapter 7 of the MBCA, or whose shareholders adopt an amendment to the articles of the corporation to such effect after May 29, 1984 by a vote of at least 90% of the votes of each class of stock entitled to be cast by the shareholders of the corporation and at least 2/3 of the votes of each class of stock entitled to be cast by the shareholders of the corporation other than voting shares beneficially owned by interested shareholders of the corporation.
Section 780 of the MBCA provides that, in addition to any vote otherwise required by law or the articles of the corporation, a business combination shall require an advisory statement from the board of directors and approval by an affirmative vote of both of the following:
(a)
Not less than 90% of the votes of each class of stock entitled to be cast by the shareholders of the corporation.
(b)
Not less than 2/3 of the votes of each class of stock entitled to be cast by the shareholders of the corporation other than voting shares beneficially owned by the interested shareholder who is, or whose affiliate is, a party to the business combination or an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder.
The MBCA defines a "business
combination" as any 1 or more of the following:
(a)
any merger, conversion, consolidation, or share exchange of the corporation or any subsidiary that alters the contract rights of the shares as expressly set forth in the articles of incorporation or that changes or converts, in whole or in part, the outstanding shares of the corporation with either: (i) any interested shareholder or (ii) any other corporation, whether or not itself an interested shareholder, that is, or after the merger, conversion, consolidation, or share exchange would be, an affiliate of an interested shareholder that was an interested shareholder
before the transaction;
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Section 490.1110 of the IBCA defines "business combination," with respect to a corporation and an interested shareholder of such corporation, as meaning any of the following: (1) a merger or consolidation of the corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation with the interested shareholder, or with any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or other entity if the mergers or consolidation is caused by the interested shareholder and as a result of such merger the surviving entity is not subject to subsection 1, (2) a sales, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition, in one transaction or a series of transactions, except proportionately as a shareholder of such corporation, to or with the interested shareholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the corporation or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation which assets have an aggregate market value equal to ten percent (10%) or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the corporation determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding stock of the corporation, (3) a transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation of any stock of the corporation or of such subsidiary to the interested shareholder, except for the following: (a) pursuant to the exercise, exchange, or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for, or convertible into stock of the corporation or such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder; (b) pursuant to a merger under Section 490.1105 of the IBCA; (c) pursuant to a distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange, or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for, or convertible into stock of such corporation or any such subsidiary, which stock is distributed pro rata to all holders of a class or series of stock of the corporation subsequent to the time the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder; (d) pursuant to an exchange
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(b)
Any sale, lease, transfer, or other disposition, except in the usual and regular course of business, in 1 transaction or a series of transactions in any 12-month period, to any interested shareholder or any affiliate of any interested shareholder, other than the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, of any assets of the corporation or any subsidiary having, measured at the time the transaction or transactions are approved by the board of directors of the corporation, an aggregate book value as of the end of the corporation's most recently ended fiscal quarter of 10% or more of its net worth;
(c)
The issuance or transfer by the corporation, or any subsidiary, in 1 transaction or a series of transactions, of any equity securities of the corporation or any subsidiary that have an aggregate market value of 5% or more of the total market value of the outstanding shares of the corporation to any interested shareholder or any affiliate of any interested shareholder, other than the corporation or any of its subsidiaries, except pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights to purchase securities offered pro rata to all holders of the corporation's voting shares or any other method affording substantially proportionate treatment to the holders of voting shares;
(d)
The adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the corporation in which anything other than cash will be received by an interested shareholder or any affiliate of any interested shareholder; and
(e)
Any reclassification of securities, including any reverse stock split, or recapitalization of the corporation, or any merger, conversion, consolidation, or share exchange of the corporation with any of its subsidiaries that has the effect, directly or indirectly, in 1 transaction or a series of transactions,
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offer by the corporation to purchase stock made on the same terms to all holders of the stock; (e) any issuance or transfer of stock by the corporation, provided, however, that in no case under subparagraph divisions (c) and (d) and this subparagraph division shall there be an increase in the interested shareholder's proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation or of the voting stock of the corporation, (4) a transaction involving the corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the stock of any class or series, of the corporation or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the interested shareholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the interested shareholder, and (5) the receipt by the interested shareholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly, except proportionately as a shareholder of such corporation, of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges, or other financial benefits, other than those expressly permitted in subparagraphs (1) through (4), provided by or through the corporation or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary.
Section 490.1110 of the IBCA defines "interested shareholder" as meaning any person, other than the corporation and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation, that is the owner of ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such person is an interested shareholder, and the affiliates and associates of such person. "Interested shareholder" does not include a person whose ownership of shares in excess of the ten percent (10%) limitation is the
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of increasing by 5% or more of the total number of outstanding shares, the proportionate amount of the outstanding shares of any class of equity securities of the corporation or any subsidiary that is directly or indirectly owned by any interested shareholder or any affiliate of any interested shareholder.
Under Section 782 of the MBCA, a board
directors has the power to exempt transactions with particular interested shareholders prior to the time the person first becomes an interested shareholder. In accordance with this provision, the Steelcase board of directors has exempted the Merger Agreement and the mergers from the voting requirements of Chapter 7A.
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result of action taken solely by the corporation, provided that such person is an interested shareholder if, after such action by the corporation, the person acquires additional shares of voting stock of the corporation, other than as a result of further corporate action not caused, directly or indirectly, by such person. For purposes of determining whether a person is an interested shareholder, the outstanding voting stock of the corporation does not include any other unissued stock of the corporation which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants, or options, or otherwise.
HNI has not included a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws electing not to be governed by Section 490.1110 of the IBCA and is therefore subject to such provision.
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers
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The Steelcase by-laws provide that the corporation shall, to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by the MBCA, (a) indemnify any person, and their heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators and legal representatives, who was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation (including a subsidiary corporation), limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, whether or not for profit, or by reason of anything done by such person in such capacity (collectively, "Covered Matters") and (b) pay or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by such person and their heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives in connection with any Covered Matter in advance of final disposition of such Covered Matter. The corporation may provide such other indemnification to directors, officers,
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Section 490.851 of the IBCA permits a corporation to indemnify any person who is a party to a proceeding because the individual is a director against liability incurred in the proceeding if (1) the director's conduct was in good faith, (2) the director reasonably believed (a) in the case of conduct in an official capacity, that the director's conduct was in the best interests of the company, (b) in all other cases, that the director's conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director had no reason to believe the director's conduct was unlawful. A corporation shall not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, except for expenses incurred, or in connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for which the director was adjudged liable on the basis of receiving a financial benefit to which the director was not entitled, regardless of whether it involved action in the director's official capacity.
Under Section 490.582 of the IBCA, a corporation shall indemnify a director who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding
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employees and agents by insurance, contract or otherwise as is permitted by law and authorized by the board of directors.
Under Sections 561 and 562 of the MBCA, a corporation has the power to indemnify a person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to a threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative and whether formal or informal, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another entity. Indemnification may be made against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding. However, no indemnification may be made, in any action by or in the right of the corporation, for a claim, issue or matter in which the person has been found liable to the corporation, and indemnification for reasonable expenses incurred with respect to any such claim, issue or action is permitted only to the extent separately ordered by a court.
Indemnification is permitted only if the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or its shareholders, and with respect to a criminal action, if the person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. However, to the extent that a director or officer has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of such an action, suit, or proceeding, or in defense of a claim, issue, or matter in such an action, suit, or proceeding, he or she is entitled to indemnification against actual and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit, or proceeding and an action, suit, or proceeding brought to
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to which the director was a party because the director is or was a director of the corporation against expenses incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding. Section 490.853 of the IBCA permits a corporation, before final disposition of a proceeding, to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding by an individual who is a party to the proceeding because that individual is a director, if authorized by the board and the director delivers to the corporation a signed written undertaking of the director to repay any funds advanced if it is ultimately determined that the director is not entitled to indemnification. Section 490.856 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer who is a party to a proceeding because the person is an officer to the same extent as a director and, if the person is an officer but not a director, to such further extent as may be provided by the articles of incorporation or by-laws, or by resolution adopted or a contract approved by the board of directors. In addition, Section 490.857 of the IBCA grants express power to a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an individual who is a director or officer of the corporation, or who, while a director or officer of the corporation, serves at the corporation's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another domestic or foreign corporation, or a joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity, against liability asserted against or incurred by the individual in that capacity or arising from the individual's status as a director or officer, regardless of whether the corporation would have power to indemnify or advance expenses to the individual against the same liability.
The HNI by-laws provide that HNI may indemnify a director or officer who is a party to a proceeding against liability incurred by the director or officer in the proceeding to the maximum extent permitted by and in the manner prescribed by the IBCA, including advancement of expenses. HNI may also enter into indemnification agreements consistent with
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enforce the mandatory indemnification. Except when ordered by a court or when the indemnified person has been successful in defense of a claim as described above, indemnification may be provided by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case and only upon a determination, in the manner specified by the MBCA, that the person has met the applicable standard of conduct for indemnification and that the expenses and any amounts paid in settlement were reasonable. A corporation may pay or reimburse a person's reasonable expenses in advance of the final disposition of an action if the person undertakes in writing to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he or she did not meet the applicable standard of conduct, if any, required for indemnification under the circumstances.
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the IBCA with each director and the officers the HNI board of directors deems appropriate from time to time.
The HNI articles of incorporation provide that no director shall be liable to HNI or its shareholders for money damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except that HNI shall not indemnify against liability for (a) the amount of financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled, (b) an intentional infliction of harm on HNI or the shareholders, (c) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA relating to directors' liability for unlawful distributions, or (d) an intentional violation of criminal law.
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|
|||
Amendments to Articles/Articles of Incorporation and By-laws/Regulations
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|
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Under the MBCA, an amendment to the articles of incorporation generally requires (1) the approval of the board of directors, (2) the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote upon the proposed amendment and (3) the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of any class or series entitled to vote thereon as a class, if any.
Under Section 615 of the MBCA, holders of outstanding shares of a class may vote as a class upon a proposed amendment, whether or not entitled to vote thereon by the articles of incorporation, if the amendment would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of the class, or alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of the class or other classes so as to affect the class adversely. If a proposed amendment would alter or change the powers, preferences or special rights of a class so as to affect adversely 1 or more series of a class, but not the entire class, then only the shares of the 1 or more series affected by the amendment shall as a group be considered a single class and entitled to vote separately as a class.
The Steelcase articles of incorporation provide that, in addition to any requirements of law and any other provisions of the Steelcase articles of incorporation (and
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Section 490.1003 of the IBCA provides that, following an amendment's adoption by the HNI board of directors, subject to certain exceptions, the shareholders of an Iowa corporation, at a meeting held for that purpose, may adopt an amendment to the corporation's articles of incorporation by approval of the shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum consisting of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment exists, and, if any class or series of shares is entitled to vote as a separate group on the amendment, subject to certain exceptions, the approval of each such separate voting group at a meeting at which a quorum of the voting group exists consisting of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment by that voting group. The holders of outstanding shares of a class are entitled to vote as a separate voting group on a proposed amendment that would affect the rights of the shares of the class, even if the articles of incorporation provide that the shares are nonvoting shares.
According to Section 6.03 of the HNI articles of incorporation, these IBCA default rules apply to amendments of HNI's articles of incorporation.
Section 490.1020 of the IBCA provides that by-laws of an Iowa corporation may be amended or repealed by the corporation's
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Steelcase
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HNI
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notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law or the Steelcase articles of incorporation), the affirmative vote of the holders of 66-2/3% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of all classes and series of Steelcase entitled to vote generally on matters requiring the approval of shareholders, voting together as a single class (a "Supermajority Vote"), shall be required to (i) alter, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision of the Steelcase articles of incorporation which is inconsistent with, any provision of Sections 2 (Preferred Stock) and 3 (Common Stock) of Article V (Capital Stock) and Articles VIII (Shareholder Action; No Cumulative Voting), IX (Michigan Business Combination Act) or X (By-laws) or XI (Amendments) of the Steelcase articles of incorporation and (ii) approve any merger of Steelcase which would, directly or indirectly, have the effect of making changes to the Steelcase articles of incorporation that would require a Supermajority Vote if effected directly as an amendment to the Steelcase articles of incorporation.
The Steelcase by-laws provide that any by-law (other than the article regarding amendments) may be adopted, repealed, altered or amended by a majority of the entire board at any meeting thereof. The shareholders of the corporation shall have the power to amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Steelcase by-laws only to the extent and in the manner provided in the Steelcase articles of incorporation.
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shareholders. Section 490.1020 provides that, subject to certain exceptions, a corporation's board of directors may amend or repeal the corporation's bylaws unless the articles of incorporation reserve that power exclusively to the shareholders in whole or part. The HNI articles of incorporation do not reserve such power exclusively to the shareholders. HNI's articles of incorporation provide that shareholders may adopt, approve, amend or ratify provisions of the by-laws by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares entitled to vote. By-laws adopted by the shareholders shall have the same force and effect as if such provisions were included in the HNI articles of incorporation and shall not be construed as having any less force or effect by reason of being included in the HNI by-laws rather than the HNI articles of incorporation.
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|
|||
Appraisal Rights
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Under the MBCA, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or a resolution of the board, a shareholder may not dissent from the consummation of a plan of merger to which the corporation is a party as to shares that are listed on a national securities exchange on the record date fixed to vote on the corporate action. Steelcase's articles of incorporation and by-laws contain no such provision and the board has adopted no such resolution. Therefore, Steelcase shareholders will not be entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the Merger.
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Under the IBCA, unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, dissenting shareholders of an Iowa corporation being merged into or consolidated with another corporation are entitled to appraisal rights, which is the right to dissent from certain corporate actions and demand payment of the fair cash value of their shares. Appraisal rights shall not be available for holders of shares of any class or series of shares which is: (i) a covered security under section 18(b)(1)(A) or (B) of the federal Securities Act of 1933, as amended or (ii) traded in an organized market and has at least two thousand shareholders and a
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Steelcase
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HNI
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market value of at least $20,000,000, exclusive of the value of such shares held by the corporation's subsidiaries, senior executives and directors, and by any beneficial shareholder and any voting trust beneficial owner owning more than ten percent (10%) of such shares. The IBCA provides that, subject to certain limitations, shareholders of an acquiring corporation are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with a plan of merger or plan of share exchange.
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||
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|
|||
Forum for Adjudication of Disputes
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|
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Neither the Steelcase articles of incorporation nor the Steelcase by-laws provide for an exclusive forum for shareholders.
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|
|
The HNI by-laws provide that, unless HNI consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa and the Iowa District Court for Muscatine County (the "Iowa Court") shall be the exclusive forums for any shareholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of HNI, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director, officer or other employee of HNI to HNI or HNI's shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against HNI, its current or former directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the IBCA or HNI's articles of incorporation or by-laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against HNI, its current or former directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except as to each of (i) through (iv) above, for any claim as to which the Iowa Court determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Iowa Court (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Iowa Court within ten days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Iowa Court, or for which the Iowa Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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HNI Filings (SEC File No. 001-14225)
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Periods Covered and/or Date of Filing with the SEC
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K
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Fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, filed February 25, 2025
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|
||
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
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|
|
Quarter ended March 29, 2025, filed May 7, 2025; and quarter ended June 28, 2025, filed July 29, 2025
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|
||
Current Reports on Form 8-K
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|
|
Filed February 20, 2025; May 7, 2025; May 20, 2025; June 20, 2025; July 24, 2025; August 4, 2025; and September 5, 2025
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Steelcase Filings (SEC File No. 001-13873)
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Periods Covered and/or Date of Filing with the SEC
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K
|
|
|
Fiscal year ended February 28, 2025, filed April 18, 2025
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|
||
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
|
|
|
Quarter ended May 30, 2025, filed June 27, 2025
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|
||
Current Reports on Form 8-K
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|
|
Filed July 11, 2025 (Accession Numbers 0001050825-25-000111 and 0001050825-25-000114); August 4, 2025; and August 8, 2025
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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•
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if you are an HNI shareholder:
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•
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if you are a Steelcase shareholder:
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|
|
HNI Corporation
600 East Second Street, P.O. Box 1109
Muscatine, Iowa 52761
(563) 272-7400
Attention: Corporate Secretary
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Steelcase Inc.
901 44th Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
(616) 292-9274
Attention: Investor Relations
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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||
ARTICLE I
THE MERGERS
|
||||||
Section 1.1
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The Mergers
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A-2
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Section 1.2
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The Closing
|
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A-2
|
Section 1.3
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Effective Time
|
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A-2
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Section 1.4
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Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws
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A-2
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Section 1.5
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Board of Directors; Officers
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A-3
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Section 1.6
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Tax Treatment of the Mergers
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A-3
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|
|||
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE MERGERS ON CAPITAL STOCK; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
|
||||||
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|
|||
Section 2.1
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Effect on Securities
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A-3
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Section 2.2
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Election Procedures
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A-5
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Section 2.3
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Exchange of Certificates
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A-6
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Section 2.4
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Company Equity Awards
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A-8
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Section 2.5
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Lost Certificates
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A-10
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Section 2.6
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No Appraisal Rights
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A-10
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Section 2.7
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Transfers; No Further Ownership Rights
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A-10
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Section 2.8
|
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Further Action
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A-10
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Section 2.9
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Withholding
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A-10
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|
|||
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
|
||||||
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|
|||
Section 3.1
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Organization; Qualification
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A-10
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Section 3.2
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Capitalization; Subsidiaries
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A-11
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Section 3.3
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Authority Relative to Agreement
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A-13
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Section 3.4
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Vote Required
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A-13
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Section 3.5
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No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents
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A-13
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Section 3.6
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Company SEC Documents; Financial Statements
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A-14
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Section 3.7
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Absence of Certain Changes or Events
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A-16
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Section 3.8
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No Undisclosed Liabilities
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A-16
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Section 3.9
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Litigation
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A-16
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Section 3.10
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Permits; Compliance with Laws
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A-17
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Section 3.11
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Information Supplied
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A-17
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Section 3.12
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Employee Benefit Plans; Labor
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A-18
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Section 3.13
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Taxes
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A-21
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Section 3.14
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Material Contracts
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A-22
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Section 3.15
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Intellectual Property
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A-24
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Section 3.16
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Information Technology; Data Protection
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A-24
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Section 3.17
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Real and Personal Property
|
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A-25
|
Section 3.18
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Environmental
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A-26
|
Section 3.19
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Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; Anti-Corruption
|
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A-26
|
Section 3.20
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Sanctions
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A-27
|
Section 3.21
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Insurance
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A-27
|
Section 3.22
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Takeover Laws
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A-27
|
Section 3.23
|
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Brokers
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A-27
|
Section 3.24
|
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Opinion of Financial Advisors
|
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A-27
|
Section 3.25
|
|
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Related Party Transactions
|
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A-27
|
Section 3.26
|
|
|
No Other Representations or Warranties
|
|
|
A-27
|
|
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|
|||
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
|
||
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT, MERGER SUB INC. AND MERGER SUB LLC
|
||||||
|
|
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|
|||
Section 4.1
|
|
|
Organization; Qualification
|
|
|
A-28
|
Section 4.2
|
|
|
Capitalization; Subsidiaries
|
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|
A-28
|
Section 4.3
|
|
|
Authority Relative to Agreement
|
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A-29
|
Section 4.4
|
|
|
Vote Required
|
|
|
A-30
|
Section 4.5
|
|
|
No Conflict; Required Filings and Consents
|
|
|
A-30
|
Section 4.6
|
|
|
Parent SEC Documents; Financial Statements
|
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A-31
|
Section 4.7
|
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events
|
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A-33
|
Section 4.8
|
|
|
No Undisclosed Liabilities
|
|
|
A-33
|
Section 4.9
|
|
|
Litigation
|
|
|
A-33
|
Section 4.10
|
|
|
Compliance with Laws
|
|
|
A-33
|
Section 4.11
|
|
|
Information Supplied
|
|
|
A-34
|
Section 4.12
|
|
|
Employee Benefit Plans
|
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A-34
|
Section 4.13
|
|
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Taxes
|
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A-35
|
Section 4.14
|
|
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Material Contracts
|
|
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A-35
|
Section 4.15
|
|
|
Brokers
|
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A-35
|
Section 4.16
|
|
|
Share Ownership
|
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|
A-36
|
Section 4.17
|
|
|
Financing
|
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A-36
|
Section 4.18
|
|
|
Opinion of Financial Advisor
|
|
|
A-37
|
Section 4.19
|
|
|
No Other Representations or Warranties
|
|
|
A-37
|
|
|
|
|
|||
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|||
Section 5.1
|
|
|
Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Mergers
|
|
|
A-37
|
Section 5.2
|
|
|
Conduct of Business by Parent Pending the Mergers
|
|
|
A-40
|
Section 5.3
|
|
|
Preparation of the Form S-4 and the Joint Proxy Statement; Shareholders' Meetings
|
|
|
A-40
|
Section 5.4
|
|
|
Appropriate Action; Consents; Filings
|
|
|
A-43
|
Section 5.5
|
|
|
Access to Information; Confidentiality
|
|
|
A-45
|
Section 5.6
|
|
|
No Solicitation by the Company
|
|
|
A-46
|
Section 5.7
|
|
|
No Solicitation by Parent
|
|
|
A-48
|
Section 5.8
|
|
|
Directors', Officers' and Employees' Indemnification and Insurance
|
|
|
A-51
|
Section 5.9
|
|
|
Notification of Certain Matters
|
|
|
A-52
|
Section 5.10
|
|
|
Public Disclosure
|
|
|
A-53
|
Section 5.11
|
|
|
Employee Matters
|
|
|
A-53
|
Section 5.12
|
|
|
Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC
|
|
|
A-55
|
Section 5.13
|
|
|
Rule 16b-3 Matters
|
|
|
A-55
|
Section 5.14
|
|
|
Stock Exchange Listing
|
|
|
A-55
|
Section 5.15
|
|
|
Financing and Financing Cooperation.
|
|
|
A-55
|
Section 5.16
|
|
|
Stock Exchange Delisting; Deregistration
|
|
|
A-60
|
Section 5.17
|
|
|
Takeover Laws
|
|
|
A-60
|
Section 5.18
|
|
|
Transaction Litigation
|
|
|
A-60
|
Section 5.19
|
|
|
Existing Company Credit Agreement
|
|
|
A-60
|
Section 5.20
|
|
|
Certain Tax Matters.
|
|
|
A-61
|
Section 5.21
|
|
|
Coordination of Quarterly Dividends
|
|
|
A-61
|
Section 5.22
|
|
|
Board Membership
|
|
|
A-61
|
Section 5.23
|
|
|
Senior Notes
|
|
|
A-62
|
Section 5.24
|
|
|
Event of Automatic Conversion
|
|
|
A-62
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
||
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|||
Section 6.1
|
|
|
Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party
|
|
|
A-63
|
Section 6.2
|
|
|
Conditions to Obligations of Parent, Merger Sub Inc. and Merger Sub LLC to Effect the Mergers
|
|
|
A-63
|
Section 6.3
|
|
|
Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the Mergers
|
|
|
A-64
|
|
|
|
|
|||
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|||
Section 7.1
|
|
|
Termination
|
|
|
A-64
|
Section 7.2
|
|
|
Effect of Termination
|
|
|
A-66
|
Section 7.3
|
|
|
Termination Fees
|
|
|
A-67
|
Section 7.4
|
|
|
Amendment
|
|
|
A-69
|
Section 7.5
|
|
|
Extension; Waiver
|
|
|
A-69
|
|
|
|
|
|||
ARTICLE VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
||||||
|
|
|
|
|||
Section 8.1
|
|
|
Survival
|
|
|
A-69
|
Section 8.2
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
|
A-69
|
Section 8.3
|
|
|
Notices
|
|
|
A-69
|
Section 8.4
|
|
|
Interpretation; Certain Definitions
|
|
|
A-70
|
Section 8.5
|
|
|
Severability
|
|
|
A-71
|
Section 8.6
|
|
|
Assignment
|
|
|
A-71
|
Section 8.7
|
|
|
Entire Agreement
|
|
|
A-71
|
Section 8.8
|
|
|
No Third-Party Beneficiaries
|
|
|
A-71
|
Section 8.9
|
|
|
Governing Law
|
|
|
A-72
|
Section 8.10
|
|
|
Specific Performance
|
|
|
A-72
|
Section 8.11
|
|
|
Consent to Jurisdiction
|
|
|
A-72
|
Section 8.12
|
|
|
Counterparts
|
|
|
A-73
|
Section 8.13
|
|
|
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
|
|
|
A-73
|
Section 8.14
|
|
|
Certificates
|
|
|
A-73
|
Section 8.15
|
|
|
Waiver of Claims Against Financing Sources
|
|
|
A-73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
A-79
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Exhibit A
|
|
|
Form of Voting and Support Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Term
|
|
|
Section
|
2029 Senior Notes
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
2029 Senior Notes Indenture
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
2029 Senior Notes Officers' Certificate
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Affiliate
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Agreement
|
|
|
Preamble
|
Anti-Corruption Laws
|
|
|
Section 3.19(a)
|
Antitrust Laws
|
|
|
Section 3.5(b)
|
Applicable Interest Rate
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Articles of Incorporation
|
|
|
Section 3.1
|
Available Cash Election Amount
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(B)
|
Book-Entry Shares
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(C)
|
Business Day
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Bylaws
|
|
|
Section 3.1
|
Canceled Shares
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(i)
|
Cash Election
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(B)
|
Cash Election Amount
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(B)
|
Cash Election Share
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(B)
|
Cash Fraction
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(B)
|
Certificates
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(C)
|
Closing
|
|
|
Section 1.2
|
Closing Date
|
|
|
Section 1.2
|
Code
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company
|
|
|
Preamble
|
Company 401(k) Plan
|
|
|
Section 5.11(f)
|
Company Acquisition Proposal
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Adverse Recommendation Change
|
|
|
Section 5.6(c)(iii)
|
Company Benefit Plan
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Board
|
|
|
Recitals
|
Company Board Designees
|
|
|
Section 5.22
|
Company Capitalization Date
|
|
|
Section 3.2(a)
|
Company Cash-Based Award
|
|
|
Section 2.4(d)
|
Company CBOA
|
|
|
Section 2.4(e)
|
Company Class A Common Stock
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Class B Common Stock
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Common Stock
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Disclosure Letter
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company DSU Award
|
|
|
Section 2.4(b)
|
Company Equity Awards
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Equity Plan
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company ERISA Affiliate
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Foreign Plan
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Fundamental Representations
|
|
|
Section 6.2(a)
|
Company Intervening Event
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Lease
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Leased Real Property
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Material Contract
|
|
|
Section 3.14(a)
|
Company Owned IP
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Owned Real Property
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Permits
|
|
|
Section 3.10(a)
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Term
|
|
|
Section
|
Company PSU Award
|
|
|
Section 2.4(c)
|
Company Recommendation
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Registered IP
|
|
|
Section 3.15(a)
|
Company Related Parties
|
|
|
Section 7.3(d)
|
Company Related Party Transaction
|
|
|
Section 3.25
|
Company RSU Award
|
|
|
Section 2.4(a)
|
Company SEC Documents
|
|
|
Section 3.6(a)
|
Company Shareholder Approval
|
|
|
Section 3.4
|
Company Shareholders' Meeting
|
|
|
Section 5.3(b)
|
Company Superior Proposal
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Tax Counsel
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Company Termination Fee
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Confidentiality Agreement
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Consent
|
|
|
Section 3.5(b)
|
Continuation Period
|
|
|
Section 5.11(a)
|
Contract
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Control
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Converted RSU Award
|
|
|
Section 2.4(a)(ii)
|
Covered Employees
|
|
|
Section 5.11(a)
|
Current Insurance
|
|
|
Section 5.8(c)
|
D&O Indemnified Parties
|
|
|
Section 5.8(a)
|
Debt Letters
|
|
|
Section 4.17
|
EDGAR
|
|
|
Article III
|
Election Deadline
|
|
|
Section 2.2(d)
|
Election Form
|
|
|
Section 2.2(a)
|
Election Form Record Date
|
|
|
Section 2.2(a)
|
Environmental Laws
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
ERISA
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Excess Shares
|
|
|
Section 2.1(d)
|
Exchange
|
|
|
Section 5.23(b)
|
Exchange Act
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Exchange Agent
|
|
|
Section 2.3(a)
|
Exchange Documents
|
|
|
Section 5.23(b)
|
Exchange Fund
|
|
|
Section 2.3(a)
|
Exchange Ratio
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(C)
|
Excluded Benefits
|
|
|
Section 5.11(b)
|
Executive Plan Participant
|
|
|
Section 3.12(h)
|
Existing Company Credit Agreement
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
FCPA
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Financing
|
|
|
Section 4.17
|
Financing Materials
|
|
|
Section 5.15(c)(v)
|
Financing Parties
|
|
|
Section 5.15(a)
|
Financing Source Parties
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Financing Source Party Provisions
|
|
|
Section 7.4
|
First Certificate of Merger
|
|
|
Section 1.3(a)
|
First Effective Time
|
|
|
Section 1.3(a)
|
First Merger
|
|
|
Recitals
|
Form S-4
|
|
|
Section 3.11
|
GAAP
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Governmental Authority
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Term
|
|
|
Section
|
Hazardous Materials
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
HSR Act
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Indebtedness
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Initial Lenders
|
|
|
Section 4.17
|
Intellectual Property
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Intended Purpose
|
|
|
Section 5.5
|
IRS
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
IT Assets
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Joint Proxy Statement
|
|
|
Section 3.11
|
Knowledge
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Labor Agreement
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Law
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Lien
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Mailing Date
|
|
|
Section 2.2(a)
|
Material Adverse Effect
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Material Company Lease
|
|
|
Section 3.14(a)(vi)
|
Maximum Amount
|
|
|
Section 5.8(c)
|
MBCA
|
|
|
Recitals
|
Merger Consideration
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)
|
Merger Sub Inc.
|
|
|
Preamble
|
Merger Sub LLC
|
|
|
Preamble
|
Merger Sub LLC Common Interests
|
|
|
Section 4.2(e)
|
Mergers
|
|
|
Recitals
|
Michigan LARA
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Mixed Election
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(A)
|
Mixed Election Share
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(A)
|
Mixed Election Stock Exchange Ratio
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(A)
|
MLLCA
|
|
|
Recitals
|
No Election Shares
|
|
|
Section 2.2(d)
|
NYSE
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
OFAC
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Order
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Outside Counsel Only Material
|
|
|
Section 5.4(b)
|
Parent
|
|
|
Preamble
|
Parent 401(k) Plan
|
|
|
Section 5.11(f)
|
Parent Acquisition Proposal
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Adverse Recommendation Change
|
|
|
Section 5.7(c)(iii)
|
Parent Benefit Plan
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Board
|
|
|
Recitals
|
Parent Capitalization Date
|
|
|
Section 4.2(a)
|
Parent Common Stock
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Common Stock Reference Price
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Credit Facilities
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Deferred Compensation Plans
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Disclosure Letter
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Equity Plans
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent ERISA Affiliate
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent ESPP
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Fundamental Representations
|
|
|
Section 6.3(a)
|
Parent Intervening Event
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Term
|
|
|
Section
|
Parent Material Contract
|
|
|
Section 4.14
|
Parent Organizational Documents
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Recommendation
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Related Parties
|
|
|
Section 7.3(d)
|
Parent Revolving Credit Agreement
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent SEC Documents
|
|
|
Section 4.6(a)
|
Parent Shareholder Approval
|
|
|
Section 4.4
|
Parent Shareholders' Meeting
|
|
|
Section 5.3(c)
|
Parent Stock Issuance
|
|
|
Section 5.3(a)
|
Parent Superior Proposal
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Tax Counsel
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Term Credit Agreement
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Parent Termination Fee
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Payoff Amount
|
|
|
Section 5.19
|
Per Share Cash Amount
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(A)
|
Per Share Cash Election Consideration
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(B)
|
Permitted Lien
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Person
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Personal Data
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Pre-Closing Bonus
|
|
|
Section 5.11(e)
|
Pre-Closing Period
|
|
|
Section 5.11(e)
|
Proceedings
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Prohibited Modifications
|
|
|
Section 5.15(b)(v)
|
Release
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Remedy Action
|
|
|
Section 5.4(d)(ii)
|
Representative
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Required Financial Statements
|
|
|
Section 5.15(c)(i)
|
Restraint
|
|
|
Section 6.1(e)
|
Sanctioned Country
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Sanctioned Person
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Sanctions
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
SEC
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Second Certificate of Merger
|
|
|
Section 1.3(b)
|
Second Effective Time
|
|
|
Section 1.3(b)
|
Second Merger
|
|
|
Recitals
|
Section 409A
|
|
|
Section 2.4(g)
|
Securities Act
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Security
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Significant Subsidiary
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Software
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Specified Material Contract Provisions
|
|
|
Section 3.14(a)(v)
|
Stock Election
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(C)
|
Stock Election Share
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(ii)(C)
|
Subsidiary
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Substitute Financing
|
|
|
Section 5.15(b)(v)
|
Surviving Corporation
|
|
|
Recitals
|
Surviving Corporation Share
|
|
|
Section 2.1(a)(iii)
|
Surviving Entity
|
|
|
Recitals
|
Tax
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
Term
|
|
|
Section
|
Tax Counsels
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Tax Returns
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Taxes
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Termination Date
|
|
|
Section 7.1(b)(i)
|
Trade Secrets
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Trademarks
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Treasury Regulations
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
Unvested Company RSU Award
|
|
|
Section 2.4(a)(ii)
|
Vested Company RSU Award
|
|
|
Section 2.4(a)(i)
|
Voting and Support Agreement
|
|
|
Recitals
|
WARN Act
|
|
|
Appendix A
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
if to the Company:
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
Steelcase Inc.
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
901 44th Street SE
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Attention:
|
|
|
Megan Blazina
|
||
|
|
|
|
Email:
|
|
|
|||
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
320 South Canal Street
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Chicago, Illinois 60606
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Phone: (312) 407-0700
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Fax: (312) 407-0411
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Attention:
|
|
|
Richard C. Witzel, Jr.
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
David R. Clark
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Email:
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
if to Parent, Merger Sub Inc. or Merger Sub LLC:
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
HNI Corporation
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
600 E Second Street
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Muscatine, Iowa 52761
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Attention:
|
|
|
Steven Bradford
|
||
|
|
|
|
Email:
|
|
|
|||
|
|
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
450 Lexington Avenue
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
New York, NY 10017
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
Attention:
|
|
|
James P. Dougherty
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanu Bajaj
|
|||
|
|
|
|
Email:
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
HNI CORPORATION
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
By:
|
|
|
/s/ Jeffrey Lorenger
|
||||
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
Jeffrey Lorenger
|
||
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
GERANIUM MERGER SUB I, INC.
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
By:
|
|
|
/s/ Vincent Paul Berger II
|
||||
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
Vincent Paul Berger II
|
||
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
President
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
GERANIUM MERGER SUB II, LLC
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
By:
|
|
|
HNI Corporation, its sole member
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
By:
|
|
|
/s/ Vincent Paul Berger II
|
||||
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
Vincent Paul Berger II
|
||
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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|
|
||||||
|
|
STEELCASE INC.
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
By:
|
|
|
/s/ Sara E. Ambruster
|
||||
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
|
|
Sara E. Ambruster
|
||
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
President and CEO
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
if to Parent, to:
|
||||
|
|
HNI Corporation
600 E Second Street
Muscatine, Iowa 52761
|
||||
|
|
Attention:
|
|
|
Steven Bradford
|
|
|
|
Email:
|
|
|
||
|
|
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
||||
|
|
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
|
||||
|
|
Attention:
|
|
|
James P. Dougherty
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanu Bajaj
|
||
|
|
Email:
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
if to any Shareholder, to the address set forth on Schedule A opposite the name(s) of such Shareholder(s), with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
|
||||||
|
|||||||||
|
|
Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
1500 Warner Building
150 Ottawa Ave N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
|
|
||||||
|
|
Attention:
|
|
|
Charlie Goode
|
|
|||
|
|
Email:
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|||||||||
|
|
and
|
|
||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Steelcase Inc.
901 44th Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
|
|
||||||
|
|
Attention:
|
|
|
Chief Legal Officer
|
|
|||
|
|
Email:
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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HNI CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Steven Bradford
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Name:
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Steven Bradford
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Title:
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Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
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By:
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/s/ Robert C. Pew III
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Name:
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Robert C. Pew III
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By:
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/s/ Susan H. Taylor
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Name:
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Susan H. Taylor
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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if to Parent, to:
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HNI Corporation
600 E Second Street
Muscatine, Iowa 52761
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Attention:
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Steven Bradford
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Email:
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
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Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
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Attention:
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James P. Dougherty
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Shanu Bajaj
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Email:
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if to any Shareholder, to the address set forth on Schedule A opposite the name(s) of such Shareholder(s), with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
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Warner Norcross + Judd LLP
1500 Warner Building
150 Ottawa Ave N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
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Attention:
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James Steffel
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Email:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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and
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Steelcase Inc.
901 44th Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508
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Attention:
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Chief Legal Officer
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Email:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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HNI CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Steven Bradford
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Name:
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Steven Bradford
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Title:
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Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
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By:
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/s/ Jennifer C. Niemann
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Name:
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Jennifer C. Niemann
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Very truly yours,
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J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Very truly yours,
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(GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(1)
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reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Steelcase and HNI;
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(2)
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reviewed certain internal financial and operating information with respect to the business, operations and prospects of Steelcase furnished to or discussed with us by the management of Steelcase, including certain financial forecasts relating to Steelcase prepared by the management of Steelcase (such forecasts, "Steelcase Forecasts");
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(3)
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reviewed certain internal financial and operating information with respect to the business, operations and prospects of HNI furnished to or discussed with us by the management of HNI, including certain financial forecasts relating to HNI prepared by the management of HNI (such forecasts, "HNI Forecasts");
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(4)
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reviewed certain estimates as to the amount and timing of cost savings (collectively, the "Cost Savings") anticipated by the managements of Steelcase and HNI to result from the Mergers;
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(5)
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discussed the past and current business, operations, financial condition and prospects of Steelcase with members of senior managements of Steelcase and HNI, and discussed the past and current business, operations, financial condition and prospects of HNI with members of senior managements of Steelcase and HNI;
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(6)
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reviewed the trading histories for Steelcase Common Stock and HNI Common Stock and a comparison of such trading histories with each other and with the trading histories of other companies we deemed relevant;
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(7)
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compared certain financial and stock market information of Steelcase and HNI with similar information of other companies we deemed relevant;
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(8)
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compared certain financial terms of the Mergers to financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of other transactions we deemed relevant;
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(9)
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reviewed the Agreement; and
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(10)
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performed such other analyses and studies and considered such other information and factors as we deemed appropriate.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Very truly yours,
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BOFA SECURITIES, INC.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 20.
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Indemnification of Directors and Officers
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Item 21.
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Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
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(a)
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The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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2.1
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Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and among HNI Corporation, Steelcase Inc., Geranium Merger Sub I, Inc. and Geranium Merger Sub II, LLC (Annex A to the joint proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of this registration statement)
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3.1
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Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of HNI Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of HNI Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010)
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3.2
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Amended and Restated By-laws of HNI Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of HNI Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 11, 2021)
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5.1
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Opinion of Steven M. Bradford, Esq., regarding the legality of the securities being registered
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8.1*
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Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding certain U.S. federal income tax aspects of the mergers
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8.2*
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Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP regarding certain U.S. federal income tax aspects of the mergers
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10.1
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Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and among HNI Corporation, Robert C. Pew III and Susan H. Taylor (Annex B to the joint proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of this registration statement)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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10.2
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Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2025, by and between HNI Corporation and Jennifer C. Niemann (Annex C to the joint proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of this registration statement)
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23.1
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Consent of KPMG LLP (independent registered public accounting firm for HNI Corporation)
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23.2
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Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP (independent registered public accounting firm for Steelcase Inc.)
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23.3
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Consent of Steven M. Bradford, Esq. (included as part of the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1)
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23.4*
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Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (included as part of the opinion filed as Exhibit 8.1)
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23.5*
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Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included as part of the opinion filed as Exhibit 8.2)
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24.1
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Powers of attorney of directors and officers of HNI Corporation (included on the signature page of this registration statement and incorporated herein by reference)
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99.1
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Form of proxy of HNI Corporation
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99.2
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Form of proxy of Steelcase Inc.
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99.3*
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Election Form
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99.4
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Consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
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99.5
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Consent of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
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99.6
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Consent of BofA Securities, Inc.
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99.7
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Consent of Timothy C. E. Brown pursuant to Rule 438 under the Securities Act
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99.8
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Consent of Linda K. Williams pursuant to Rule 438 under the Securities Act
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107
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Filing fee table
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*
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To be filed by amendment.
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Item 22.
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Undertakings
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(1)
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To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
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(i)
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To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
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(ii)
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To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in
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(iii)
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To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
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(2)
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That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(3)
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To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
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(4)
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That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
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(5)
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That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; (iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and (iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
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(6)
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That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
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(7)
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That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other Items of the applicable form.
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(8)
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That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (7) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of section 10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in connection with an
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(9)
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To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
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(10)
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To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in this registration statement when it became effective.
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(11)
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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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HNI CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Jeffrey D. Lorenger
|
||||
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Name:
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Jeffrey D. Lorenger
|
||
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Title:
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Chairman of the Board of Directors,
|
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President and Chief Executive Officer
|
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Signature
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Title
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/s/ Jeffrey D. Lorenger
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Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and director
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Jeffrey D. Lorenger
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/s/ Vincent P. Berger
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)
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Vincent P. Berger
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/s/ Mary A. Bell
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Director
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Mary A. Bell
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/s/ Miguel M. Calado
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Director
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Miguel M. Calado
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/s/ Cheryl A. Francis
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Director
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Cheryl A. Francis
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/s/ Patrick D. Hallinan
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Director
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Patrick D. Hallinan
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/s/ John R. Hartnett
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Director
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John R. Hartnett
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/s/ Mary K. W. Jones
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Director
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Mary K. W. Jones
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/s/ Larry B. Porcellato
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Director
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Larry B. Porcellato
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/s/ David M. Roberts
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Director
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David M. Roberts
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/s/ Dhanusha Sivajee
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Director
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Dhanusha Sivajee
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