sctoviza
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE TO
TENDER OFFER STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 14(d)(1) OR 13(e)(1)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Amendment
No. 1)
AVNET, INC.
(Name of Subject Company (Issuer) and Filing Person (Issuer))
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2% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2034
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053807AL7 |
(Title of Class of Securities)
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(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities) |
DAVID R. BIRK, Esq.
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Avnet, Inc.
2211 South 47th Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
(480) 643-2000
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notice and Communications on Behalf of Filing Person)
COPIES TO:
Joseph P. Richardson, Esq.
Squire, Sanders and Dempsey L.L.P.
40 N. Central Avenue, Suite 2700
Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Telephone: (602) 528-4000
CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
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Transaction Valuation*
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Amount of Filing Fee** |
$300,000,000
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$11,790 |
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Calculated solely for purposes of determining the filing fee. The purchase price of the 2%
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2034 (the Debentures), as described herein, is $1,000 per
$1,000 principal amount outstanding. As of February 13, 2009, there was $300,000,000 in
aggregate principal amount of Debentures outstanding, resulting in an aggregate maximum
purchase price of $300,000,000. |
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The amount of the filing fee was calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11(b) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and equals $39.30 for each $1,000,000 of the value of the
transaction. |
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Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting
fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
its filing. |
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Amount
Previously Paid: $11,790
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Filing Party: Avnet, Inc. |
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Form or Registration No.: Schedule
TO: 005 20161
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Date Filed: February 13, 2009 |
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Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer. |
Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:
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third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1. |
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issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4. |
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going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3. |
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amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2. |
Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender
offer: o
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
Amendment No. 1 (this Amendment) amends and supplements the Tender Offer Statement on
Schedule TO originally filed by Avnet, Inc. (Avnet), a corporation existing under the laws of New
York, with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2009 (the Schedule TO),
relating to the right of each holder of Avnets 2% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2034 (the
Debentures) to sell and the obligation of Avnet to purchase the Debentures, as set forth in
Avnets Notice to Holders of 2% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2034, dated February 13, 2009
(the Company Notice). Except as specifically provided herein, this Amendment does not modify any
of the information previously reported in the Schedule TO.
The information in the Company Notice is incorporated in this Amendment by reference to all of
the applicable items in the Schedule TO, except that such information is amended and supplemented
to the extent specifically provided in this Amendment. You should read this Amendment together
with the Schedule TO, the Company Notice and the related offer materials field with the Schedule
TO. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms
in the Company Notice.
Items 1 through 9.
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(A) |
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The Company Notice is hereby amended as follows: |
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(1) |
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On page 2 of the Company Notice under the Summary Term Sheet, the
paragraph under the caption When does the Put Option Expire? is
amended in its entirety as set forth in the attached revised Company
Notice attached hereto as Exhibit (a)(1). The identical change is
made on page 5 of the Company Notice, at the second paragraph under
section 2.1 The Companys Obligation to Purchase the Debentures. |
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(2) |
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On page 6 of the Company Notice, the third paragraph under section 2.1
is amended to read in its entirety as follows: The purchase by the
Company of validly surrendered Debentures is not subject to any
conditions other than the Indenture provides that no Debentures may be
purchased by us if an event of default under the Indenture or the
Officers Certificate has occurred and is continuing (other than an
event of default that is cured by the payment of the Purchase Price). |
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(3) |
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On page 13 of the Company Notice, the second paragraph under section 5
Payment for Surrendered Debentures is amended in its entirety as set
froth in the attached revised Company Notice attached hereto as
Exhibit (a)(1). The change expands disclosure regarding the source of
funds that will be used by the Company to pay the Purchase Price of
Debentures surrendered pursuant to the Put Option. |
Item 12. Exhibits.
Item
12 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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Exhibit |
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Description |
(a)(1)
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Company Notice to Holders of 2% Convertible Senior Debentures due
2034 issued by Avnet, Inc., dated February 13, 2009.
[revised February 25, 2009] |
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(a)(2) |
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Form of Letter of Transmittal. |
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(a)(5)*
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Press release issued on February 13, 2009, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form
8-K filed on February 13, 2009. |
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(b)(1)
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Credit Agreement dated
September 27, 2007 among AVNET, INC., a New York corporation
(the Company), Avnet Japan Co., Ltd., a private company
governed under the laws of Japan (Avnet Japan), each
other Subsidiary of the Company party hereto pursuant to
Section 2.14 (Avnet Japan and each such other Subsidiary, a
Designated Borrower and, together with the Company, the
Borrowers and, each a Borrower), each lender
from time to time party hereto (collectively, the
Lenders and individually, a Lender), and BANK
OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C
Issuer. (incorporated herein by reference to the Companys
Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 28, 2007,
Exhibit 10.1). |
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Exhibit |
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Description |
(d)(1)*
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Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2004, by and between the Company
and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2004. |
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(d)(2)*
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Officers Certificate, dated as of March 5, 2004, establishing the
terms of the Debentures, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8,
2004. |
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(g)
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Not applicable. |
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(h)
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Not applicable. |
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Previously filed with the Schedule TO of Avnet, Inc. on
February 13, 2009. |
Item 13. Information Required by Schedule 13E-3.
Not applicable.
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set
forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
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AVNET, Inc. |
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Date:
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February 25, 2009 |
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By:
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/s/ Raymond Sadowski |
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Name:
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Raymond Sadowski
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Title:
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
(a)(1)
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Company Notice to Holders of 2% Convertible Senior Debentures due
2034 issued by Avnet, Inc., dated February 13, 2009.
[Revised February 25, 2009] |
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(a)(2)
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Form of Letter of Transmittal. |
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(a)(5)
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Press release issued on February 13, 2009, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Companys Current Report on Form
8-K filed on February 13, 2009. |
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(b)(1)
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Credit Agreement dated
September 27, 2007 among AVNET, INC., a New York corporation
(the Company), Avnet Japan Co., Ltd., a private company
governed under the laws of Japan (Avnet Japan), each
other Subsidiary of the Company party hereto pursuant to
Section 2.14 (Avnet Japan and each such other Subsidiary, a
Designated Borrower and, together with the Company, the
Borrowers and, each a Borrower), each lender
from time to time party hereto (collectively, the
Lenders and individually, a Lender), and BANK
OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C
Issuer. (incorporated herein by reference to the Companys
Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 28, 2007,
Exhibit 10.1). |
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(d)(1)*
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Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2004, by and between the Company
and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Companys Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2004. |
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(d)(2)*
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Officers Certificate, dated as of March 5, 2004, establishing the
terms of the Debentures, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2
to the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8,
2004. |
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(g)
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Not applicable. |
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(h)
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Not applicable. |
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*
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Previously filed with the
Schedule TO of Avnet, Inc. on February 13, 2009. |
exv99wxayx1y
Exhibit (a)(1)
COMPANY
NOTICE*
TO HOLDERS OF
2% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR DEBENTURES DUE 2034
ISSUED BY AVNET, INC.
CUSIP Number 053807AL7
Reference is made to the Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2004 (the Indenture) between Avnet,
Inc., a New York corporation (Avnet, or the Company), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee (the Trustee), relating to the Companys 2% Convertible Senior
Debentures due 2034 (the Debentures) and the Officers Certificate, dated as of March 5, 2004,
establishing the terms of the Debentures (the Officers Certificate). Pursuant to the Indenture
section entitled Repayment at the Option of Holders, and paragraph 7 of the Officers
Certificate, each holder (each, a Holder) of the Debentures has an option to require the Company
to purchase all or a portion of its Debentures, in accordance with the terms, procedures and
conditions outlined in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the Debentures, on March 16,
2009 (the Purchase Date).
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the Officers
Certificate that, at the option of each Holder (the Put Option) the Debentures will be purchased
by the Company for a purchase price (the Purchase Price) in cash equal to $1,000 per $1,000
principal amount of the Debentures, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the Purchase Date, upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate, the
Debentures, this Company Notice and the related notice materials, as amended and supplemented from
time to time (collectively, the Option Documents). Holders may surrender their Debentures from
February 13, 2009 through 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on March 13, 2009 (the Expiration Date).
This Company Notice is being sent pursuant to the Section entitled Repayment at the Option of
Holders in the Indenture, paragraph 7 of the Officers Certificate and the provisions of the
Debentures. All capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings
given to such terms in the Indenture or the Officers Certificate, as applicable.
The Purchase Date is an Interest Payment Date under the terms of the Indenture. Accordingly,
interest accrued up to the Purchase Date will be paid to record holders as of the Regular Record
Date therefor, and we expect that there will be no accrued and unpaid interest due as part of the
Purchase Price. The Regular Record Date for the Purchase Date is March 1, 2009.
The Trustee has informed the Company that, as of the date of this Company Notice, all
custodians and beneficial holders of the Debentures hold the Debentures through The Depositary
Trust Company (DTC) accounts and there are no certificated Debentures in non-global form.
Accordingly, all Debentures surrendered for purchase hereunder must be delivered through the
transmittal procedures of DTCs Automated Tender Offer Program, subject to the terms and conditions
of that system.
* Revised:
February 25, 2009
To exercise your option to have the Company purchase the Debentures and receive payment of the
Purchase Price, you must validly deliver your Debentures through DTCs transmittal procedures prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Debentures surrendered for purchase may
be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The right
of the Holders to surrender Debentures for purchase pursuant to the Put Option expires at 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
The Paying Agent is The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. The address of the Paying Agent
is:
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street 7 East
New York, N.Y. 10286
Attn: Mr. Joseph Lynch
Telephone: 212-815-5076
Fax: 212-298-1915
Additional copies of this Company Notice may be obtained from the Paying Agent at its address set forth above.
The date of this Company Notice is February 13, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1. Information Concerning the Company |
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2. Information Concerning the Debentures |
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2.1 The Companys Obligation to Purchase the Debentures |
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2.2 Purchase Price |
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2.3 Conversion Rights of the Debentures |
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2.4 Market for the Debentures and our Common Stock |
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2.5 Optional Redemption |
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2.6 Holders Right to Require Purchase Upon a Fundamental Change |
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2.7 Ranking |
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2.8 Contingent Interest |
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3. Procedures to Be Followed by Holders Electing to Surrender Debentures for Purchase |
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3.1 Method of Delivery |
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3.2 Agreement to be Bound by the Terms of the Put Option |
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3.3 Delivery of Debentures |
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4. Right of Withdrawal |
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5. Payment for Surrendered Debentures |
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6. Debentures Acquired |
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7. Plans or Proposals of the Company |
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8. Interests of Directors, Executive Officers and Affiliates of the Company in the Debentures |
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9. Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals |
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10. Purchases of Debentures by the Company and Its Affiliates |
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11. Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences |
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11.1 U.S. Holders |
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11.2 Non-U.S. Holders |
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12. Additional Information |
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13. No Solicitations |
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14. Definitions |
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15. Conflicts |
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SCHEDULE A: INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY |
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A-1 |
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No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other
than those contained in this Company Notice and, if given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized. This Company Notice does not
constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell securities in any circumstances
or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The delivery of this Company
Notice shall not, under any circumstances, create any implication that the information contained
herein is current as of any time subsequent to the date of such information. None of the Company,
its Board of Directors or its employees is making any representation or recommendation to any
Holder as to whether to exercise or refrain from exercising the Put Option. You should consult
your own financial and tax advisors and must make your own decision as to whether to exercise the
Put Option and, if so, the amount of Debentures for which to exercise the Put Option.
We and our affiliates, including our executive officers and directors, will be prohibited by
Rule 14e-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), from
purchasing any of the Debentures outside of the Put Option for ten business days after the
expiration of the Put Option. Following that time, we expressly reserve the absolute right, in our
sole discretion from time to time in the future to redeem the Debentures, in whole or in part, and
to purchase any of the Debentures, whether or not any Debentures are purchased by the Company
pursuant to the Put Option, through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions,
tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise, upon such terms and at such prices as we may
determine, which may be more or less than the price to be paid pursuant to the Put Option and could
be for cash or other consideration. We cannot assure you as to which, if any, of these
alternatives, or a combination thereof, we will pursue.
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SUMMARY TERM SHEET
The following are answers to some of the questions that you may have about the Put Option. To
understand the Put Option fully and for a more detailed description of the terms of the Put Option,
we urge you to read carefully the remainder of this Company Notice because the information in this
summary is not complete and the remainder of this Company Notice contains additional important
information. We have included page references to direct you to a more detailed description of the
topics in this summary.
Who is obligated to purchase my Debentures?
Avnet, Inc., a New York corporation (Avnet or the Company), is obligated, at your option
(the Put Option), to purchase its 2% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2034 (the Debentures).
(See Page 5)
Why are you obligated to purchase my Debentures?
The right of each holder (each, a Holder) of the Debentures to sell and our obligation to
purchase the Debentures pursuant to the Put Option is a term of the Debentures under the Indenture,
dated as of March 5, 2004 (the Indenture) between Avnet and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee (the Trustee), and the Officers Certificate establishing the terms of
the Debentures, dated as of March 5, 2004 (the Officers Certificate), and has been a right of
Holders from the time the Debentures were issued. We are required to repurchase the Debentures of
any Holder exercising the Put Option pursuant to the terms of the Debentures, the Indenture and the
Officers Certificate. (See Page 5)
What securities are you obligated to purchase?
We are obligated to purchase all of the Debentures validly surrendered and not withdrawn at
the option of the Holder thereof. As of February 13, 2009, there was $300,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures outstanding. (See Page 5)
How much will you pay and what is the form of payment?
Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the Debentures, we will
pay, in cash, a purchase price (the Purchase Price) equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount
of the Debentures, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to March 16, 2009 (the Purchase Date),
with respect to any and all Debentures validly surrendered for purchase and not withdrawn. The
Purchase Price is based solely on the requirements of the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and
the Debentures and bears no relationship to the market price of the Debentures or our Common Stock
(as defined below). The Purchase Date is an Interest Payment Date under the terms of the Officers
Certificate. Accordingly, interest accrued to the Purchase Date will be paid to holders of record
as of the Regular Record Date, as defined in the Officers Certificate, and we expect that there
will be no accrued and unpaid interest due as part of the Purchase Price. (See Page 6)
How can I determine the market value of the Debentures?
There currently is a limited trading market for the Debentures. To the extent that the
Debentures are traded, prices of the Debentures may fluctuate widely depending on such factors as
trading volume, the balance between buy and sell orders, prevailing interest rates, the market
price of our Common Stock, our operating results and the market for similar securities. Holders
are urged to obtain current market information for the Debentures, to the extent available, and our
Common Stock (as defined below) before making any decision with respect to the Put Option. Our
common stock, $1.00 par value per share (Common Stock), into which the Debentures are
convertible, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE) under the symbol AVT. On
February 12, 2009, the closing sale price of our Common Stock on the NYSE was $19.80 per share.
(See Pages 8-9)
What does the Companys Board of Directors think of the Put Option?
Although the Companys Board of Directors approved the terms of Debentures, including the Put
Option, before the Debentures were issued, it has not made any recommendation as to whether you
should exercise or refrain from exercising the Put Option. You must make your own decision whether
to exercise the Put Option and, if so, the amount of Debentures for which to exercise the Put
Option. (See Page 6)
When does the Put Option expire?
The Put Option expires
at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 13, 2009 (the Expiration
Date). We have no plans to extend the period that Holders
have to exercise the Put Option. If we decide to materially change any term of the Put Option, we will notify you of the change. If
the Put Option is scheduled to expire within five business days after the date on which we notify
you of such change, we will also extend the Expiration Date for a period of at least five business
days. Under the terms of the Indenture, we may not increase or decrease the Purchase Price under
the Put Option. (See Page
5)
What are the conditions to the Companys purchase of the Debentures?
Provided that the Companys purchase of validly surrendered Debentures is not unlawful and
that no event of default under the Indenture or the Officers Certificate has occurred and is
continuing (other than an event of default that is cured by the payment of the Purchase Price), the
purchase will not be subject to any conditions other than satisfaction of the procedural
requirements described in this Company Notice. Delivery of Debentures by book-entry transfer
electronically through the Automated Tender Offer Program (ATOP) of The Depository Trust Company
(DTC) is a condition to the payment of the Purchase Price to the Holder of such Debentures. (See
Page 6)
How do I surrender my Debentures?
To surrender your Debentures for purchase pursuant to the Put Option, you must surrender the
Debentures through the transmittal procedures of DTC on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Expiration Date.
Holders whose Debentures are held by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee must contact such nominee if such Holder desires to surrender such Holders Debentures and
instruct such nominee to surrender the Debentures on the Holders behalf
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through the transmittal procedures of DTC on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
Holders who are DTC participants should surrender their Debentures electronically through
ATOP, subject to the terms and procedures of that system, on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date.
You bear the risk of untimely surrender of your Debentures. You must allow sufficient time
for completion of the necessary DTC procedures before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. By surrendering your Debentures through the transmittal procedures of DTC, you
agree to be bound by the terms of the Put Option set forth in this Company Notice. (See Pages
9-13)
If I exercise the Put Option, when will I receive payment for my Debentures?
We will accept for payment all validly surrendered Debentures promptly upon expiration of the
Put Option. We will promptly, and in no case later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
Purchase Date, deposit with the Paying Agent the appropriate amount of cash required to pay the
Purchase Price for the surrendered Debentures, and the Paying Agent will promptly distribute the
cash to DTC, the sole record Holder. DTC will thereafter distribute the cash to its participants
in accordance with its procedures. (See Page 13)
Your delivery of the Debentures by book-entry transfer to the account of the Paying Agent
maintained by the Paying Agent with DTC is a condition to your receipt of the Purchase Price for
such Debentures.
Can I withdraw previously surrendered Debentures?
Yes. To withdraw previously surrendered Debentures, you (or your broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company or other nominee) must comply with the withdrawal procedures of DTC in
sufficient time to allow DTC to withdraw your Debentures prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Expiration Date.
You bear the risk of untimely withdrawal of previously surrendered Debentures. You must allow
sufficient time for completion of the DTC procedures before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. (See Page 13)
Do I need to do anything if I do not wish to exercise the Put Option?
No. If you do not surrender your Debentures before the expiration of the Put Option, we will
not purchase your Debentures and such Debentures will remain outstanding subject to their existing
terms. (See Page 6)
If I choose to surrender my Debentures for purchase, do I have to surrender all of my Debentures?
No. You may surrender all of your Debentures, a portion of your Debentures or none of your
Debentures. If you wish to surrender a portion of your Debentures for purchase, however,
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you must surrender your Debentures in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple
thereof. (See Page 6)
If I do not surrender my Debentures for purchase, will I continue to be able to exercise my
conversion rights?
Yes. If you do not surrender your Debentures for purchase, your conversion rights will not be
affected. You will continue to have the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of the
Debentures into shares of our Common Stock, subject to the terms, conditions and adjustments
specified in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the Debentures. (See Page 7)
If I am a U.S. resident for U.S. federal income tax purposes, will I have to pay taxes if I
surrender my Debentures for purchase pursuant to the Put Option?
The receipt of cash in exchange for Debentures pursuant to the Put Option will be a taxable
transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and you may recognize income, gain or loss. You
should consult with your own tax advisor regarding the actual tax consequences to you. (See Pages
15-19)
Who is the Paying Agent?
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation is serving as Paying Agent in connection with the Put
Option. Its address and telephone and fax numbers are set forth on the front cover of this Company
Notice.
Whom can I contact if I have questions about the Put Option?
Questions and requests for assistance in connection with the Put Option may be directed to the
Paying Agent at the address and telephone and fax numbers set forth on the front cover of this
Company Notice.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE PUT OPTION
1. Information Concerning the Company. Avnet, Inc., a New York corporation (Avnet or the
Company), is obligated to purchase its 2% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2034 (the
Debentures) which have been validly surrendered for purchase pursuant to the Put Option and not
withdrawn. The Debentures are convertible into shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share
(the Common Stock), of the Company, subject to the terms, conditions and adjustments specified in
the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the Debentures. The Company is both the filing
person and the subject company.
Avnet, incorporated in New York in 1955, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is one
of the worlds largest industrial distributors, based on sales, of electronic components,
enterprise computer and storage products and embedded subsystems. Avnet distributes electronic
components, computer products and software as received from its suppliers or with assembly or other
value added by Avnet. Additionally, Avnet provides engineering design, materials management and
logistics services, system integration and configuration, and supply chain services.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2211 South 47th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034
and our main telephone number at that address is (480) 643-2000. Our website address is
www.avnet.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this Company Notice the information
included on or linked from our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this Company
Notice.
2. Information Concerning the Debentures. In March 2004, we issued $300,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures. Cash interest accrues on the Debentures at the rate of 2% per
annum and is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year (each, an Interest
Payment Date) to the person in whose name a Debenture is registered at the close of business on
the preceding March 1 or September 1 (each, a Regular Record Date), as the case may be. The
Debentures mature on March 15, 2034. As of February 13, 2009, there was $300,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures outstanding.
2.1 The Companys Obligation to Purchase the Debentures. Pursuant to the terms of the
Debentures, the Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2004 (the Indenture) between Avnet and The Bank
of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the Trustee), and the Officers Certificate
establishing the terms of the Debentures, dated as of March 5, 2004 (the Officers Certificate),
we are obligated to purchase all of the Debentures validly surrendered and not withdrawn, at the
Holders option (the Put Option), on March 16, 2009 (the Purchase Date).
The Put Option will
expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 13, 2009 (the
Expiration Date). We have no plans to extend the
period that Holders have to exercise the Put Option.
If we decide to materially change any term of the Put Option, we will notify you of the change. If
the Put Option is scheduled to expire within five business days after the date on which we notify
you of such change, we will also extend the Expiration Date for a period of at least five business
days. Under the terms of the Indenture, we may not increase or decrease the Purchase Price under
the Put Option.
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The purchase by the Company of validly surrendered Debentures is not subject to any conditions
other than the Indenture provides that no Debentures may be purchased
by us if an event of default under the Indenture or the Officers Certificate has
occurred and is continuing (other than an event of default that is cured by the payment of the
Purchase Price).
If any Debentures remain outstanding following the expiration of the Put Option, the Company
will become obligated to purchase the Debentures for cash, at the option of the Holders, in whole
or in part, on March 15, 2014, 2019, 2024 and 2029, in each case at a purchase price equal to the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the purchase date thereof.
Beginning on March 20, 2009, any Debentures that remain outstanding following expiration of the Put
Option are redeemable for cash at any time at the Companys option, as more fully described at
Section 2.5 of this Company Notice.
2.2 Purchase Price. Pursuant to terms of the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the
Debentures, the purchase price to be paid by the Company for the Debentures on the Purchase Date is
equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the Debentures, plus any accrued and unpaid interest
to the Purchase Date (the Purchase Price). The Purchase Date is an Interest Payment Date under
the terms of the Officers Certificate. Accordingly, interest accrued to the Purchase Date will be
paid to record holders as of the Regular Record Date, and we expect that there will be no accrued
and unpaid interest due as part of the Purchase Price. We will pay the Purchase Price in cash with
respect to any and all Debentures validly surrendered for purchase (and not thereafter withdrawn)
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Debentures surrendered for
purchase will be accepted only in principal amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
Delivery of the Debentures by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Paying Agent
with The Depository Trust Company (DTC) is a condition to the payment of the Purchase Price to
the Holder of such Debentures.
The Purchase Price is based solely on the requirements of the Indenture, the Officers
Certificate and the Debentures and does not necessarily bear any relationship to the market price
of the Debentures or our Common Stock. Thus, the Purchase Price may be significantly higher or
lower than the current market price of the Debentures. Holders of Debentures are urged to obtain
the best available information as to potential current market prices of the Debentures, to the
extent available, and our Common Stock before making a decision whether to surrender their
Debentures for purchase.
None of the Company, our Board of Directors, or our employees is making any recommendation to
Holders as to whether to exercise or refrain from exercising the Put Option. Each Holder must make
his or her own decision whether to exercise the Put Option and, if so, the principal amount of
Debentures for which to exercise the Put Option based on such Holders assessment of the current
market value of the Debentures and our Common Stock and other relevant factors.
You should also consult with your tax and financial advisors with respect to the tax
consequences of exercising the Put Option, including the applicability and effect of any U.S.
federal, state, and local law and any non-U.S. tax consequences in light of your own particular
circumstances.
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2.3 Conversion Rights of the Debentures. The Debentures are convertible into shares of our
Common Stock in accordance with and subject to the terms of the Indenture, the Officers
Certificate and the Debentures. The conversion rate of the Debentures is 29.5516 shares of Common
Stock per $1,000 principal amount of the Debentures, equal to an initial conversion price of
approximately $33.84 per share, subject to adjustment as described below.
The Debentures are only convertible under certain circumstances, including if:
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during any fiscal quarter, if the closing price of the Common Stock for at least 20
trading days during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last
trading day of the previous fiscal quarter is greater than 135% of the current
conversion price of the Debentures on that 30th trading day; |
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during the five business days immediately following any five consecutive trading-day
period in which the average trading price per Debenture over such period is less than
98% of the average conversion value per Debenture during the period, where the
conversion value per Debenture on any day is equal to the product of the closing stock
price on that day multiplied by the applicable conversion rate on that day; provided
that you may not convert your Debentures pursuant to the trading price condition on or
after March 15, 2029 if on any trading day during such period the closing price of our
Common Stock is greater than or equal to the then current conversion price and less
than or equal to 135% of the then current conversion price; |
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the Company calls the Debentures for redemption; or |
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certain corporate transactions occur as specified in the Officers Certificate. |
Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Officers Certificate, Avnet irrevocably
elected on December 13, 2004 to satisfy its conversion obligation with respect to all Debentures
converted after December 13, 2004 by paying in cash 100% of the principal amount of the Debentures
converted, with any remaining amount to be satisfied in shares of Common Stock.
The conversion rate may be adjusted for certain reasons, including, generally, for cash
dividends. The conversion rate will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid cash interest. Any
accrued and unpaid cash interest will be deemed paid with shares of the Common Stock or cash
received by holders on conversion. Debentures called for redemption may be surrendered for
conversion until the close of business on the business day prior to the redemption date.
The Paying Agent is currently acting as Conversion Agent for the Debentures. The Conversion
Agent can be contacted at the address and telephone and fax numbers set forth at the beginning of
this Company Notice.
Holders who do not surrender their Debentures for purchase pursuant to the Put Option will
maintain the right to convert their Debentures into Common Stock subject to the terms, conditions
and adjustments specified in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the Debentures. Any
Debentures surrendered for purchase pursuant to the Put Option may be converted in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture and the Officers Certificate only if they
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have been validly withdrawn before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, as
described in Section 4 of this Company Notice.
2.4 Market for the Debentures and our Common Stock. There currently is a limited trading
market for the Debentures. To the extent that the Debentures are traded, prices of the Debentures
may fluctuate widely depending on such factors as trading volume, the balance between buy and sell
orders, prevailing interest rates, the market price of our Common Stock, our operating results and
the market for similar securities. A debt security with a smaller outstanding principal amount
available for trading (a smaller float) may command a lower price and trade with greater
volatility than would a comparable debt security with a larger float. Consequently, our purchase
of the Debentures, if any, pursuant to the Put Option may reduce the float and may negatively
affect the liquidity, market value and price volatility of the Debentures that remain outstanding
following the Put Option.
Our Common Stock, into which the Debentures are convertible, is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange (the NYSE) under the symbol AVT. The following table shows the high and low closing
sales prices per share of our Common Stock as reported by the NYSE, for each of the fiscal quarters
indicated.
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High |
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Low |
Fiscal 2009: |
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Third Quarter (through February 10, 2009) |
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20.93 |
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$ |
16.47 |
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Second Quarter |
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$ |
24.63 |
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$ |
12.10 |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
31.00 |
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$ |
24.20 |
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Fiscal 2008: |
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Fourth Quarter |
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$ |
34.12 |
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$ |
26.19 |
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Third Quarter |
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$ |
36.74 |
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$ |
29.43 |
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Second Quarter |
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$ |
43.75 |
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$ |
32.99 |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
44.33 |
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$ |
34.34 |
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Fiscal 2007: |
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Fourth Quarter |
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$ |
43.62 |
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$ |
36.39 |
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Third Quarter |
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$ |
38.01 |
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$ |
25.70 |
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Second Quarter |
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$ |
26.07 |
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$ |
19.45 |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
20.29 |
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$ |
16.77 |
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On February 12, 2009, the closing sale price of our Common Stock, as reported by the NYSE, was
$19.80 per share. As of January 23, 2009, there were 151,044,043 shares of Common Stock
outstanding.
The Holders of Debentures are not entitled to dividends. Upon conversion into Common Stock,
the Holders will be entitled to dividends, if any, paid to holders of Common Stock. The Company
has not paid dividends on its Common Stock since fiscal 2002 and does not currently contemplate any
future dividend payments.
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We urge you to obtain current market information for the Debentures, to the extent available,
and our Common Stock before making any decision whether to exercise or refrain from exercising the
Put Option.
2.5 Optional Redemption. Beginning on March 20, 2009, the Debentures are redeemable for cash
at any time at our option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount
of Debentures to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption,
as provided for in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the Debentures.
2.6 Holders Right to Require Purchase Upon a Fundamental Change. Upon a fundamental change
(as defined in the Officers Certificate), Holders may require the Company to repurchase all or a
portion of their Debentures for cash. The Company will pay a fundamental change repurchase price
equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Debentures plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
to but excluding the repurchase date.
2.7 Ranking. The Debentures are our unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of
payment with all our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The
Debentures are effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured debt of Avnet to the
extent of the security for such secured debt.
2.8 Contingent Interest. Beginning with the period commencing on March 20, 2009 and ending on
September 14, 2009, and for each of the six-month periods thereafter commencing on September 15,
2009, Avnet will pay contingent interest during the applicable interest period if the average
trading price of the Debentures on the five trading days ending on the third day immediately
preceding the first day of the applicable interest period equals or exceeds 120% of the principal
amount of the Debentures. The amount of contingent interest payable per $1,000 principal amount of
Debentures during the applicable interest period will equal an annual rate of 0.25% of the average
trading price of such $1,000 principal amount of debentures during the applicable five trading-day
reference period, payable in arrears.
3. Procedures to Be Followed by Holders Electing to Surrender Debentures for Purchase.
Holders will not be entitled to receive the Purchase Price for their Debentures unless they validly
surrender (and do not thereafter withdraw) the Debentures on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. Only registered Holders are authorized to surrender their Debentures
for purchase. Holders may surrender some or all of their Debentures; however, any Debentures
surrendered must be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.
If Holders do not validly surrender their Debentures on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date or if they withdraw validly surrendered Debentures before 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date, their Debentures will not be purchased and will remain
outstanding subject to the existing terms of the Debentures, the Indenture and the Officers
Certificate.
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You will not be required to pay any commission to us, DTC or the Paying Agent in connection
with your Put Option. However, there may be commissions you need to pay your broker in connection
with the surrender of the Debentures.
3.1 Method of Delivery. The Trustee has informed the Company that, as of the date of this
Company Notice, all custodians and beneficial holders of the Debentures hold the Debentures through
DTC accounts and that there are no certificated Debentures in non-global form. Accordingly, all
Debentures surrendered for purchase hereunder must be delivered through DTCs Automated Tender
Offer Program (ATOP), subject to the terms and conditions of that system.
This Company Notice constitutes the Company Notice (as defined and) described in the Officers
Certificate and delivery of the Debentures via ATOP will satisfy the Holders requirement for
physical delivery of a Purchase Notice (as defined and) described in the Indenture and Officers
Certificate. Delivery of Debentures, including delivery and acceptance through ATOP, is at the
election and risk of the person surrendering such Debentures.
3.2 Agreement to be Bound by the Terms of the Put Option. By surrendering Debentures through
the transmittal procedures of DTC, a Holder acknowledges and agrees as follows:
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such Debentures shall be purchased as of the Purchase Date pursuant to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Company Notice; |
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such Holder agrees to all of the terms of this Company Notice; |
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such Holder has received this Company Notice and acknowledges that this Company
Notice provides the notices required pursuant to the Indenture and the Officers
Certificate; |
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upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Company Notice, the
Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the Debentures, and effective upon the
acceptance for payment thereof, such Holder (i) irrevocably sells, assigns and
transfers to the Company all right, title and interest in and to all the Debentures
surrendered, (ii) waives any and all rights with respect to the Debentures (including,
without limitation, any existing or past defaults and their consequences), (iii)
releases and discharges the Company and its directors, officers, employees and
affiliates from any and all claims such Holder may have now, or may have in the future
arising out of, or related to, the Debentures, including, without limitation, any
claims that such Holder is entitled to receive additional principal or interest
payments with respect to the Debentures or to participate in any conversion, redemption
or defeasance of the Debentures, and (iv) irrevocably constitutes and appoints the
Paying Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of such Holder with
respect to any such surrendered Debentures, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled
with an interest) to (a) transfer ownership of such Debentures on the account books
maintained by DTC, together with all necessary evidences of transfer and authenticity,
to the |
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Company, (b) present such Debentures for transfer on the relevant security register and
(c) receive all benefits or otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of
such Debentures (except that the Paying Agent will have no rights to, or control over,
funds from the Company, except as agent for the Company, for the Purchase Price of any
surrendered Debentures that are purchased by the Company), all in accordance with the
terms set forth in this Company Notice; |
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such Holder represents and warrants that such Holder (i) owns the Debentures
surrendered and is entitled to surrender such Debentures and (ii) has full power and
authority to surrender, sell, assign and transfer the Debentures surrendered hereby and
that when such Debentures are accepted for purchase and payment by the Company, the
Company will acquire good title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions,
charges and encumbrances of any kind and not subject to any adverse claim or right; |
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such Holder agrees, upon request from the Company, to execute and deliver any
additional documents deemed by the Paying Agent or the Company to be necessary or
desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Debentures surrendered; |
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such Holder understands that all Debentures properly surrendered for purchase (and
not thereafter withdrawn) prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date will be purchased at the Purchase Price, in cash, pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Indenture, the Officers Certificate, the Debentures and the other
Option Documents; |
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payment for Debentures purchased pursuant to the Company Notice will be made by
deposit of the Purchase Price for such Debentures with the Paying Agent, which will act
as agent for surrendering Holders for the purpose of receiving payments from the
Company and transmitting such payments to such Holders; |
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surrenders of Debentures may be withdrawn by written notice of withdrawal delivered
pursuant to the procedures set forth in this Company Notice at any time prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date; |
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all authority conferred or agreed to be conferred pursuant to the terms of the Put
Option hereby shall survive the death or incapacity of the Holder and every obligation
of the Holder and shall be binding upon the Holders heirs, personal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and other legal
representatives; |
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the delivery and surrender of the Debentures is not effective, and the risk of loss
of the Debentures does not pass to the Paying Agent, until receipt by the Paying Agent
of any and all evidences of authority and any other required documents in form
satisfactory to the Company; and |
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all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and
acceptance for payment of any surrender of Debentures pursuant to the procedures |
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described in this Company Notice and the form and validity (including time of receipt of
notices of withdrawal) of all documents will be determined by the Company, in its sole
discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. |
3.3 Delivery of Debentures.
Debentures Held Through a Custodian. A Holder whose Debentures are held by a broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must contact such nominee if such Holder desires to
surrender his or her Debentures and instruct such nominee to surrender the Debentures for purchase
on the Holders behalf through the transmittal procedures of DTC as set forth below in Debentures
in Global Form on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
Debentures in Global Form. A Holder who is a DTC participant may elect to surrender to the
Company his or her beneficial interest in the Debentures by:
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delivering to the Paying Agents account at DTC through DTCs book-entry system his
or her beneficial interest in the Debentures on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date; and |
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electronically transmitting his or her acceptance through DTCs ATOP system, subject
to the terms and procedures of that system, on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Expiration Date. Upon receipt of such Holders acceptance through ATOP,
DTC will edit and verify the acceptance and send an agents message to the Paying Agent
for its acceptance. The term agents message means a message transmitted by DTC to,
and received by, the Paying Agent, which states that DTC has received an express
acknowledgment from the participant in DTC described in that agents message, stating
the principal amount of Debentures that have been surrendered by such participant under
the Put Option and that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the
terms of the Put Option, including those set forth in Section 3.2 of this Company
Notice. |
In surrendering through ATOP, the electronic instructions sent to DTC by the Holder (or by a
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee on the Holders behalf), and
transmitted by DTC to the Paying Agent, will acknowledge, on behalf of DTC and the Holder, receipt
by the Holder of and agreement to be bound by the terms of the Put Option, including those set
forth in Section 3.2 of this Company Notice.
You bear the risk of untimely surrender of your Debentures. You must allow sufficient time
for completion of the necessary DTC procedures before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
If the Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms of the Officers Certificate,
sufficient cash to pay the Purchase Price for the Debentures by 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the Purchase Date, then at the close of business on the Purchase Date, such Debentures will cease
to be outstanding and interest on such Debentures will cease to accrue, and all rights (other
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than the right to receive the Purchase Price upon delivery of the Debentures) of the Holder of
such Debentures will terminate.
4. Right of Withdrawal. Debentures surrendered for purchase may be withdrawn at any time
prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. In order to withdraw Debentures,
Holders (or such Holders broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee) must
comply with the withdrawal procedures of DTC in sufficient time to allow DTC to withdraw those
Debentures prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date, by following the
surrender procedures described in Section 3 above.
This means a Holder must deliver, or cause to be delivered, a valid withdrawal request through
the ATOP system from the tendering DTC participant in sufficient time to allow DTC to withdraw
those Debentures before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. The withdrawal
notice must:
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specify the DTC Voluntary Offer Instruction Number, the name of the participant for
whose account such Debentures were tendered and such participants account number at
DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Debentures; |
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contain a description of the Debentures to be withdrawn (including the principal
amount to be withdrawn); and |
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be submitted through the DTC ATOP system by such participant under the same name as
the participants name is listed in the original tender, or be accompanied by evidence
satisfactory to the Company that the person withdrawing the tender has succeeded to the
beneficial ownership of the Debentures. |
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of
receipt, of notices of withdrawal.
You bear the risk of untimely withdrawal of your Debentures. You must allow sufficient time
for completion of the necessary DTC procedures before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date.
5. Payment for Surrendered Debentures. We will promptly, and in no case later than 10:00
a.m., New York City time, on the Purchase Date, deposit with the Paying Agent the appropriate
amount of cash required to pay the Purchase Price for the surrendered Debentures, and the Paying
Agent will promptly thereafter cause the cash to be distributed to each record Holder that has
validly delivered its Debentures (and not validly withdrawn such delivery) prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the Expiration Date. Your delivery of the Debentures by book-entry transfer to
the account of the Paying Agent maintained by the Paying Agent with DTC is a condition to your
receipt of the Purchase Price for such Debentures.
The total amount of funds required of us to purchase all of the Debentures is $300,000,000
(assuming that all of the Debentures are validly surrendered for
purchase). We intend to use funds borrowed under our existing revolving credit
agreement to purchase the Debentures. We have a five-year, $500.0 million unsecured revolving
credit facility with a syndicate of banks, with Bank of America,
N.A., as administrative agent. The credit facility expires on
September 26, 2012, and may be renewed at our election for
two additional one-year terms, subject to our satisfaction of
certain conditions. Monies borrowed under the facility may be
used for general corporate purposes. The interest rate
applicable to any loan under the credit facility is, at our
option, either LIBOR plus an applicable margin (as
defined), or an alternate base rate (defined as the
higher of (i) the Bank of America prime rate and
(ii) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% per annum). The
applicable margin is determined based on our long
term unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced debt ratings by
Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and Standard &
Poors Ratings Services. Currently, the applicable margin
is 0.425% per annum. Our ability to borrow under the credit
facility is subject to certain conditions, including compliance
with certain covenants and making certain representations and
warranties. These covenants require us to comply with various
financial ratios and tests and restrict, among other things, our
ability to incur debt; incur liens; merge or consolidate with
other companies; enter into agreements that limit Avnets
or its subsidiaries ability to incur liens or its
subsidiaries ability to pay dividends; and make certain
acquisitions, and a covenant that limits the amount of dividends
or distributions that may be paid to stockholders. We were in
compliance with these covenants at the last measurement date. We
presently have borrowing capacity under the credit
facility in an amount in excess of the total Purchase Price of
the Debentures (assuming all outstanding Debentures are validly
presented pursuant to the Put Option). We do not have in place
any alternative financing arrangements for the payment of the
Purchase Price under the Put Option.
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6. Debentures Acquired. Any Debentures purchased by us pursuant to the Put Option will be
canceled by the Trustee, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Officers Certificate.
7. Plans or Proposals of the Company. Except as described in these materials or in our
filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), or as previously publicly
announced, we currently have no agreements, nor have we authorized any actions, which would be
material to a Holders decision to exercise the Put Option, which relate to or which would result
in:
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any extraordinary transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation,
involving us or any of our subsidiaries; |
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any purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of our assets or those of any of
our significant subsidiaries; |
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any material change in our present dividend rate or policy, indebtedness or
capitalization; |
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any change in our present Board of Directors or management, including, but not
limited to, any plans or proposals to change the number or the term of directors or to
fill any existing vacancies on our Board of Directors or to change any material term of
the employment contract of any of our executive officers; |
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any other material change in our corporate structure or business; |
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any class of our equity securities to be delisted from a national securities
exchange or cease to be authorized to be quoted in an automated quotation system
operated by a national securities association; |
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any class of our equity securities becoming eligible for termination of registration
under Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act); |
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the suspension of our obligation to file reports under Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act; |
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the acquisition by any person of additional securities of ours, or the disposition
of our securities; or |
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any changes in our charter, bylaws or other governing instruments, or other actions
that could impede the acquisition of control of us. |
8. Interests of Directors, Executive Officers and Affiliates of the Company in the Debentures.
Neither we nor, to our knowledge after making reasonable inquiry, any of our executive officers or
directors or any associate or subsidiary of any such person, has any beneficial interest in the
Debentures, or has engaged in any transaction in the Debentures during
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the 60 days preceding the date of this Company Notice. A list of our executive officers and
directors is attached to this Company Notice as Schedule A. The term associate is used as
defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
Certain of our directors and executive officers are participants in ordinary course equity
compensation plans and arrangements involving our Common Stock, as disclosed by us prior to the
date hereof. Except as described in the previous sentence, neither we nor, to our knowledge after
making reasonable inquiry, any of our executive officers or directors, is a party to any contract,
arrangement, understanding or agreement with any other person relating, directly or indirectly, to
the Put Option or with respect to any of our securities, including, but not limited to, any
contract, arrangement, understanding or agreement concerning the transfer or the voting of our
securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of loans,
guarantees against loss or the giving or withholding of proxies, consents or authorizations.
9. Legal Matters; Regulatory Approvals. We are not aware of any license or regulatory permit
that is material to our business that might be adversely affected by the Put Option, or of any
approval or other action by any government or regulatory authority or agency that is required for
the acquisition of the Debentures as described in this Company Notice. Should any approval or
other action be required, we presently intend to seek the approval or take the action. However, we
cannot assure you that we would be able to obtain any required approval or take any other required
action.
10. Purchases of Debentures by the Company and Its Affiliates. During the 60 days preceding
the date of this Company Notice, neither we nor, to our knowledge after making reasonable inquiry,
any of our executive officers or directors or any associate or subsidiary of any such person, has
engaged in any purchases of the Debentures.
Effective on the date of this Company Notice, we and our affiliates, including their executive
officers and directors, are prohibited under applicable United States federal securities laws from
purchasing Debentures (or the right to purchase Debentures) other than through the Put Option until
at least the tenth business day after the Purchase Date. Following such time, if any Debentures
remain outstanding, we may exercise our right to redeem such Debentures, in whole or in part, and
we and our affiliates may purchase Debentures in the open market, in private transactions, through
a subsequent tender offer, or otherwise, any of which may be consummated at purchase prices higher
or lower than the Purchase Price, or which may be paid in cash or other consideration. Any
decision to purchase Debentures after the Purchase Date, if any, will depend upon many factors,
including the market price of the Debentures, the amount of Debentures delivered for purchase
pursuant to the Put Option, the market price of our Common Stock, our business and financial
position, and general economic and market conditions. Any such purchase may be on the same terms
or on terms more or less favorable to the Holders of the Debentures than the terms of the Put
Option as described in this Company Notice.
11. Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following is a discussion of certain
U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to U.S. Holders or Non-U.S. Holders who
surrender Debentures for purchase pursuant to the Put Option. For this purpose, a holder means a
beneficial owner of a Debenture; a U.S. Holder means a holder that, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes, is (i) a citizen or resident alien individual of the
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United States, (ii) a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is
subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (iv) a trust if it either (x)
is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S.
persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) has a valid
election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; and a
Non-U.S. Holder means a holder that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is an individual,
corporation, estate or trust and, in each case, is not a U.S. Holder.
If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds a Debenture,
the tax treatment of such partnership and each partner thereof will generally depend upon the
status and activities of the partnership and the partner. Any such entity should consult its own
tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to it and its partners of
surrendering a Debenture for purchase pursuant to the Put Option.
This discussion deals only with Debentures held as capital assets (generally, property held
for investment). This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences
that may be relevant to a holder in light of its own particular circumstances, nor does it deal
with special situations, such as:
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holders who are subject to special tax treatment, such as dealers in securities or
currencies, banks, insurance companies, retirement plans, tax-exempt entities,
regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, U.S. Holders whose
functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, traders in securities that elect to use a
mark-to-market method of accounting, certain former citizens or residents of the United
States, foreign government entities, international organizations, controlled foreign
corporations and passive foreign investment companies; |
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Debentures held as part of a hedging, integrated, constructive sale or conversion
transaction or a straddle; |
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any alternative minimum tax consequences; or |
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any state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences. |
This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the Code), Treasury regulations, rulings, other administrative guidance and judicial decisions,
all as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to
result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.
EACH HOLDER THAT INTENDS TO SURRENDER ANY DEBENTURE FOR PURCHASE PURSUANT TO THE PUT OPTION
SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISER AS TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL, AND ANY NON-U.S., TAX
CONSEQUENCES TO IT IN LIGHT OF ITS OWN PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
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11.1 U.S. Holders.
Surrender of Debentures for Purchase. The surrender of any Debenture by a U.S. Holder for
purchase pursuant to the Put Option generally will be treated as a taxable sale of the Debenture
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or loss upon
such sale equal to the difference between (i) the cash received by such U.S. Holder in
consideration for the surrender of the Debenture and (ii) such U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in
the Debenture at the time of sale. A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in a Debenture generally
will be equal to the cost of the Debenture to such U.S. Holder, increased by the amount of
(x) original issue discount (OID) included in income by such U.S. Holder with respect to the
Debenture and (y) any market discount such U.S. Holder elected to include in income with respect to
the Debenture (as described below). A U.S. Holder that acquired a Debenture at premium should
consult its own tax advisor regarding U.S. federal income tax consequences of surrendering the
Debenture for purchase pursuant to the Put Option.
Any such gain or loss recognized generally will be capital gain or loss, subject to the market
discount rules described below. Capital gains of individuals and certain other non-corporate
taxpayers from the sale of capital assets held for more than one year at the time of sale generally
are eligible for a reduced tax rate. Limitations apply to the deduction of capital losses.
If a U.S. Holder acquired a Debenture at a market discount, any gain recognized by such U.S.
Holder from the surrender of such Debenture for purchase pursuant to the Put Option generally will
be treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, to the extent of the market discount which
has not previously been included in income by such U.S. Holder and is treated as having accrued on
such Debenture at the time of such purchase. Subject to a de minimis exception, the market
discount on a Debenture is the excess, if any, of the (i) revised issue price of the Debenture
(generally the sum of the issue price of the Debenture and the aggregate amount of OID which
accrued on the Debenture prior to the time acquired by the U.S. Holder) over (ii) such U.S.
Holders initial tax basis in the Debenture. Generally, market discount would be considered to
accrue ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the
Debenture, unless the U.S. Holder elected to accrue such discount on a constant interest rate
method. If a U.S. Holder elected to include any market discount on a Debenture in income currently
as it accrues, on either a ratable or constant interest rate method, such U.S. Holders basis in
the Debenture would be increased to reflect the amount of income so included.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. In general, information reporting requirements
will apply to the amount paid to a U.S. Holder in consideration for the surrender of a Debenture
for purchase pursuant to the Put Option, unless such U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient (such as a
corporation). A U.S. Holder may also be subject to backup withholding tax on such payment unless
the U.S. Holder (i) provides a correct U.S. taxpayer identification number, certifies as to no loss
of exemption from backup withholding and otherwise complies with the applicable requirements or
(ii) is a corporation or other exempt recipient and, if required, provides a certification to such
effect. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a
credit against a U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information
is furnished on a timely basis to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
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11.2 Non-U.S. Holders.
Surrender of Debentures for Purchase. Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below,
the payment to, or for the account of, a Non-U.S. Holder in consideration for the surrender of a
Debenture for purchase pursuant to the Put Option generally will not be subject to the 30% U.S.
federal withholding tax, provided that, in the case of any amount attributable to accrued OID, the
Non-U.S. Holder:
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does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting
power of all classes of our stock that are entitled to vote; |
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is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us directly or
constructively through stock ownership for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and |
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certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. person and provides its
name and address and certain other information (generally on IRS Form W-8BEN). |
The Treasury regulations provide alternative methods for satisfying the certification
requirement referred to in the third bullet above, as well as special rules for certain types of
entities, including intermediaries and non-U.S. partnerships.
If the amount of the payment to a Non-U.S Holder attributable to accrued OID is effectively
connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States by such Non-U.S. Holder (or,
if an applicable tax treaty so provides, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base
maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States), such amount generally will not be subject
to the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder has provided the
appropriate documentation (generally, IRS Form W-8ECI) to the applicable withholding agent.
Instead, the amount attributable to the OID generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on
a net income basis in the same manner as a U.S. Holder and, in the case of a corporate Non-U.S.
Holder, may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower rate if provided
by an applicable tax treaty).
Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be
subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain (excluding any amount attributable to
accrued OID) recognized on the surrender of a Debenture for purchase pursuant to the Put Option
unless:
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such Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183
days or more in the taxable year of the tender and certain other conditions are met; |
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such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a
trade or business in the United States (or, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, is
attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S.
Holder in the United States), in which event such Non-U.S. Holder generally will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in substantially the same
manner as a U.S. Holder (except as provided by an applicable tax treaty) and, if it is
a |
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corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax at the rate of 30% (or a lower
rate if provided by an applicable tax treaty); or |
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The Company is or has been a United States real property holding corporation
(USRPHC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes during the Non-U.S. Holders holding
period for the Debentures and certain other conditions are met. |
Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real
property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real
property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business (all as
determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). The Company does not believe that it has been a
USRPHC for any year during which the Debentures have been outstanding, nor does it presently
anticipate that it will be a USRPHC for the current year.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding. The amount paid to a Non-U.S. Holder on account
of accrued OID on any Debentures surrendered for purchase pursuant to the Put Option, and the
amount of any tax withheld from such amount, generally must be reported to the IRS and to the
Non-U.S. Holder. Backup withholding may also apply to such payments if such Non-U.S. Holder fails
to certify under penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person or otherwise establish an
exemption.
In addition, payments to a Non-U.S. Holder in consideration for the surrender of the
Debentures for purchase pursuant to the Put Option made through a U.S. office of a broker generally
will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding unless the payee certifies under
penalties of perjury that it is not a U.S. person or otherwise establishes an exemption. Any such
payments made through a non-U.S. office of a U.S. broker or of a non-U.S. broker with certain
specified U.S. connections generally will be subject to information reporting, but not backup
withholding, unless the broker has evidence in its records that the payee is not a U.S. person and
has no knowledge or reason to know to the contrary.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a
credit against the Non-U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required
information is furnished on a timely basis to the IRS.
12. Additional Information. This Company Notice is part of a Tender Offer Statement on
Schedule TO that we have filed with the SEC. This Company Notice does not contain all of the
information contained in the Schedule TO and the exhibits to the Schedule TO. We recommend that
you review the Schedule TO, including its exhibits, and the following materials that we have filed
with the SEC before making a decision as to whether to exercise or refrain from exercising the Put
Option:
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Our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008; |
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All other reports we have filed pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Form 10-K mentioned above; and |
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The Prospectus Supplement filed with the SEC on March 1, 2004. |
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We also recommend that you review all documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Company Notice and
before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
information furnished but not filed in any current report on Form 8-K, including the related
exhibits, is not deemed referenced herein.
The SEC file number for these Avnet filings is 001-04224. These filings, our other annual,
quarterly and current reports, our proxy statements and our other SEC filings may be examined, and
copies may be obtained, at the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C.
20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC
at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SECs Internet site at
www.sec.gov.
Each person to whom a copy of this Company Notice is delivered may obtain a copy of any or all
of the documents to which we have referred you, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such
exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents, at no cost, by writing or
calling us at 2211 South 47th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034, Attention: Corporate
Secretary, (480) 643-2000.
As you read the documents listed above, you may find some inconsistencies in information from
one document to another. If you find inconsistencies between the documents, or between a document
and this Company Notice, you should rely on the statements made in the most recent document.
In making your decision as to whether to exercise the Put Option, you should read the
information about us contained in this Company Notice together with the information contained in
the documents to which we have referred you.
13. No Solicitations. We have not employed or retained any persons to make solicitations or
recommendations in connection with the Put Option.
14. Definitions. All capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have
the meanings given to such terms in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate or the Debentures, as
applicable.
15. Conflicts. In the event of any conflict between this Company Notice on the one hand and
the terms of the Indenture, the Officers Certificate or any applicable laws on the other hand, the
terms of the Indenture, the Officers Certificate or applicable laws, as the case may be, will
control.
None of the Company, our Board of Directors or our employees is making any recommendation to
any Holder as to whether to exercise or refrain from exercising the Put Option. Each Holder must
make his or her own decision whether to exercise the Put Option and, if so, the principal amount of
Debentures for which to exercise the Put Option based on his or her own assessment of current
market value and other relevant factors.
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SCHEDULE A
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
AND DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY
The table below lists our executive officers and directors as of February 12, 2009, except with
respect to John Paget, who stepped down from his position as of January 19, 2009. To the best of
our knowledge after making reasonable inquiry, none of our executive officers or directors as
listed below has beneficial ownership in the Debentures.
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Position |
Roy Vallee
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Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
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David R. Birk
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Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary |
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Steven C. Church
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Senior Vice President and Chief HROD Officer |
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Harley Feldberg
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Senior Vice President and President of Avnet Electronic Marketing |
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Richard P. Hamada
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Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer |
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John Paget
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Vice President and President of Avnet Technology Solutions |
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Steven R. Phillips
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Vice President and Chief Information Officer |
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Raymond Sadowski
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Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary |
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James N. Smith
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Vice President and President of Avnet Logistics Services |
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Eleanor Baum
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Director |
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J. Veronica Biggins
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Director |
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Lawrence W. Clarkson
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Director |
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Ehud Houminer
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Director |
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Frank R. Noonan
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Director |
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Ray M. Robinson
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Director |
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William P. Sullivan
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Director |
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Gary L. Tooker
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Director |
The business address and telephone number of each executive officer and director is c/o Avnet,
Inc., 2211 South 47th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85034, (480) 643-2000.
A-1
exv99wxayx2y
Exhibit (a)(2)
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FOR PUT OPTION
AVNET, INC.
to Purchase 2% Convertible Senior Debentures Due 2034
(CUSIP No. 053807AL7)
Pursuant to the Company Notice to Holders
Dated February 13, 2009
Reference is made to the Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2004 (the Indenture)
between Avnet, Inc., a New York corporation (Avnet, or the Company), and
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the Trustee),
relating to the Companys 2% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2034 (the
Debentures) and the Officers Certificate, dated as of March 5, 2004,
establishing the terms of the Debentures (the Officers Certificate).
Pursuant to the Indenture section entitled Repayment at the Option of
Holders, and paragraph 7 of the Officers Certificate, each holder (each, a
Holder) of the Debentures has an option to require the Company to purchase
all or a portion of its Debentures, in accordance with the terms, procedures
and conditions outlined in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the
Debentures, on March 16, 2009 (the Purchase Date). As described in the
Company Notice to Holders of the Debentures dated February 13, 2009 (the
Notice), pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and the Officers
Certificate, at the option of each Holder (the Put Option), Company will
repurchase the Debentures for a purchase price (the (Purchase Price) in cash
equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the Debentures, plus any accrued
and unpaid interest to the Purchase Date, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions described in the Notice. Holders may surrender their Debentures
through 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, March 13, 2009 (the
Expiration Date). We do not presently intend to extend the Expiration Date.
The Trustee has informed the Company that as of February 13, 2009, all
custodians and beneficial holders of the Debentures hold the Debentures through
The Depository Trust Company (DTC) accounts and there are no certificated
Debentures in non-global form. Accordingly, all Debentures surrendered for
purchase must be delivered through the transmittal procedures of DTCs
Automated Tender Offer Program, subject to the terms and conditions of that
system. To exercise your option to have the Company purchase the Debentures
and receive payment of the Purchase Price, you must validly deliver your
Debentures through DTCs transmittal procedures prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date. Debentures surrendered for purchase may be
withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. The right of the Holders to surrender Debentures for purchase pursuant
to the Put Option expires at 5:00 p.m, New York City time, on the Expiration
Date.
The Paying Agent is
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
The address of the Paying Agent is:
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street 7 East
New York, N.Y. 10286
Attn: Mr. Joseph Lynch
Telephone: (212) 815-5076
Fax: (212) 298-1915
All capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to
them in the Notice. To the extent there are any conflicts between the terms and conditions of this
Letter of Transmittal (this Letter of Transmittal) and the terms and conditions of the Notice,
the terms and conditions of the Notice shall control. Additional copies of the Notice may be
obtained by the Paying Agent at its address set forth above.
Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address, or transmission via facsimile to a
number, other than as set forth above, will not constitute a valid tender of the Debentures. The
instructions contained herein should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is
completed and signed.
Put Option
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the Officers Certificate, at the
option of each Holder (the Put Option) the Debentures will be purchased by the Company for the
Purchase Price, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the Purchase Date, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate, the Debentures,
this Company Notice and the related notice materials, as amended and supplemented from time to time
(collectively, the Option Documents).
General
This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by registered holders of Debentures (Holders) if:
(i) certificates representing Debentures are to be physically delivered to the Trustee by such
Holders; or (ii) tender of Debentures is to be made by book-entry transfer to a custodians or
beneficial owners account at The Depository Trust Company (DTC or the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility) pursuant to DTCs Automated Tender Offer Program, subject to the terms and conditions of
that system.
To properly complete this Letter of Transmittal, a Holder must:
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complete the box entitled Description of Debentures Tendered, |
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complete the box entitled Method of Delivery; |
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sign this Letter of Transmittal by completing the box entitled Please Sign Here; |
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if appropriate, check and complete the boxes relating to the Special Payment
Instructions and Special Delivery Instructions; and |
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complete the Substitute Form W-9 if such Holder is a U.S. Holder (as defined in the
Statement). |
Holders of Debentures that are tendering by book-entry transfer to the Paying Agents account
at DTC can execute the tender through ATOP for which the transaction will be eligible. DTC
participants that are exercising their Put Option should transmit their exercise to DTC, which will
verify the exercise and execute a book-entry delivery to the custodians or beneficial owners
account at DTC. DTC will then send an Agents Message to the custodian or beneficial owner for its
acceptance. Delivery of the Agents Message by DTC will satisfy the conditions of the Put Option as
to execution and delivery of a Letter of Transmittal by the participant identified in the Agents
Message.
Holders having Debentures registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust
company or other nominee must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee if they desire to exercise the Put Option with respect to the Debentures so registered and
inform such person to exercise the Put Option pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Notice
and this Letter of Transmittal.
Neither the Notice nor this Letter of Transmittal shall constitute an offer to buy or the
solicitation of an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation
would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.
Your bank or broker can assist you in completing this form. For additional copies of the
Notice, this Letter of Transmittal and other required documents, contact the Paying Agent whose
address and telephone number appear on the first page of this Letter of Transmittal.
2
METHOD OF DELIVERY
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CHECK HERE IF PHYSICAL CERTIFICATES FOR TENDERED DEBENTURES ARE BEING DELIVERED HEREWITH. |
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CHECK HERE IF TENDERED DEBENTURES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY
TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY CUSTODIAN OR THE BENEFICIAL
OWNER DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
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Name of Tendering Institution: |
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Name of Registered Holder(s): |
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Window Ticket No. (if any): |
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If Delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, complete the following:
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DTC Account Number:
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Transaction Code Number: |
Date Sent: , 2009
Please list or other identify below the Debentures to which this Letter of Transmittal
relates.
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Name(s) and Address(es) of Holder(s) |
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Aggregate Amount |
(Please fill in, if blank) |
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Certificate Number(s)* |
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Represented** |
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Total Amount of |
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Debentures |
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NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2004 (the Indenture) between Avnet,
Inc., a New York corporation (the Company, we, us and our), and The Bank of New York Mellon
Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the Trustee), relating to the Companys 2% Convertible Senior
Debentures due 2034 (the Debentures) and the Officers Certificate, dated as of March 5, 2004,
establishing the terms of the Debentures (the Officers Certificate). Pursuant to the Indenture
section entitled Repayment at the Option of Holders, and paragraph 7 of the Officers
Certificate, each holder (each, a Holder) of the Debentures has an option to require the Company
to purchase all or a portion of its Debentures, in accordance with the terms, procedures and
conditions outlined in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate and the Debentures, on March 16,
2009 (the Purchase Date).
By execution hereof, the undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice that, at the option of
each Holder (the Put Option), the Debentures will be purchased by the Company for a purchase
price (the Purchase Price) in cash equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of the Debentures,
plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the Purchase Date, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Officers Certificate, the Debentures, the and the
related notice materials, as amended and supplemented from time to time (collectively, the Option
Documents). All capitalized terms used but not specifically defined herein shall have the
meanings given to such terms in the Indenture or the Officers Certificate, as applicable.
By execution hereof, the undersigned acknowledges receipt of the Notice.
Representations, Warranties and Agreements of Holders
Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for purchase of, and payment for, the amount of
Debentures tendered with this Letter of Transmittal, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and
transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company, all right, title and interest in and to the
Debentures, that are being tendered hereby. The undersigned hereby irrevocably constitutes and
appoints the Paying Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned
(with full knowledge that the Paying Agent also acts as the agent of the Company) with respect to
such Debentures with full power of substitution (such power-of-attorney being deemed to be an
irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to (i) present such Debentures and all evidences of
transfer and authenticity to, or transfer ownership of, such Debentures on the book-entry account
maintained by the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to, or upon the order of, the Company, (ii) present
such Debentures for transfer of ownership on the books of the Company or the Trustee, and (iii)
receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Debentures,
all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Put Option, as described in the Notice.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Debentures pursuant to any of the procedures
described in the Option Documents and acceptance of tendered Debentures by the Company for purchase
will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Put Option in effect on the Expiration Date.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and
authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Debentures tendered hereby, and that when such
Debentures are accepted for purchase and payment by the Company, the Company will acquire good
title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not be
subject to any adverse claim or right with respect thereto. The undersigned will, upon request,
execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Paying Agent or by the Company to be
necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Debentures tendered
hereby.
The undersigned understands that the Company will be deemed to have accepted for purchase
Debentures validly tendered (or defectively tendered Debentures with respect to which the Company
has waived such defect) and not validly withdrawn as and when the Company gives oral or written
notice thereof to the Paying Agent.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter of Transmittal shall survive
the death or incapacity of the undersigned and every obligation of the undersigned under this
Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the undersigneds heirs, personal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and other legal
representatives.
The undersigned understands that the delivery and surrender of the Debentures is not
effective, and the risk of loss of the Debentures does not pass to the Paying Agent, until receipt
by the Paying Agent of this Letter of Transmittal, or a manually signed facsimile hereof, properly
completed and duly executed, with any required
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signature guarantees, together with all accompanying evidences of authority and any other
required documents in a form satisfactory to the Company. All questions as to form of all
documents, the validity (including time of receipt), acceptance of and withdrawals of Debentures
will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, which determination shall be final and
binding.
Unless otherwise indicated herein under Special Payment Instructions, the undersigned hereby
requests that any Debentures representing amounts not tendered or not accepted for purchase be
issued in the name(s) of the undersigned (and in the case of Debentures delivered by book-entry
transfer, by credit to the account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility designated above) and checks
for payment of the Purchase Price be issued to the order of the undersigned. Similarly, unless
otherwise indicated herein under Special Delivery Instructions, the undersigned hereby requests
that any Debentures representing amounts not tendered and checks for payment of the Purchase Price
be delivered to the undersigned at the address(es) shown above. In the event that the Special
Payment Instructions box or the Special Delivery Instructions box is, or both are, completed,
the undersigned hereby requests that any Debentures representing amounts not tendered or not
accepted for purchase be issued in the name(s) of, and be delivered to, the person(s) at the
address(es) so indicated, as applicable.
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PLEASE SIGN HERE
(To Be Completed By All Holders Tendering Debentures
Regardless of Whether Debentures Are Being Physically Delivered Herewith)
This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the Holder(s) of Debentures exactly as their
name(s) appear(s) on certificate(s) for Debentures or, if delivered by a participant in the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, exactly as such participants name appears on a security position
listing as the owner of Debentures, or by person(s) authorized to become Holder(s) by endorsements
and documents transmitted with this Letter of Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee, executor,
administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a
fiduciary or representative capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title on the line
entitled Capacity and submit evidence satisfactory to the Company of such persons authority to
so act. See Instruction 4 below.
If the signature appearing below is not of the record holder(s) of the Debentures, then the
record holder(s) must sign a valid bond power.
Signature(s) of Registered Holder(s) or Authorized Signatory
Dated: , 2009
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Address:
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(Including Zip Code) |
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Area Code and Telephone No.:
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IF APPLICABLE, PLEASE COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 HEREIN |
MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (See Instruction 4 below)
Certain Signatures Must Be Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution
(Name of Eligible Institution Guaranteeing Signatures)
(Address (including zip code) and Telephone Numbers (including area code) of Firm)
(Authorized Signature)
(Printed Name)
(Title)
Dated: , 2007
SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 3, 4, 5, and 7)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for
Debentures in an amount not tendered for
purchase are to be issued in the name of, or
checks for the Purchase Price are to be
issued to the order of, someone other than
the person or persons whose signature(s)
appear(s) within this Letter of Transmittal
or to be an address different from that shown
in the box entitled Description of
Debentures Tendered above or if Debentures
tendered by book-entry transfer that are not
accepted for purchase are to be credited to
an account maintained at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility other than the one
designated above.
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Issue:
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Purchase Price Checks |
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Certificate(s) |
to:
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
(See Substitute Form W-9 herein)
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Credit Debentures not purchased by
book-entry transfer to the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility account set forth below: |
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 3, 4, 5, and 7)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for
Debentures in an amount not tendered or not
accepted for purchase, or checks for the
Purchase Price are to be delivered to someone
other than the person(s) whose signature(s)
appear within the Letter of Transmittal or to
an address different from that shown in the
box entitled Description of Debentures
Tendered above.
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Issue:
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Purchase Price Checks |
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Certificate(s) |
to:
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)
(See Substitute Form W-9 herein)
INSTRUCTIONS
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions
of the Put Option
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Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and Certificates for Debentures or Book-Entry
Confirmations; Withdrawal of Tenders. |
To tender Debentures pursuant to the Put Option, physical delivery of certificates for
Debentures or a confirmation of any book-entry transfer into the Paying Agents account with a
Book-Entry Transfer Facility of Debentures tendered electronically, as well as a properly completed
and duly executed copy or manually signed facsimile of this Letter of Transmittal, or in the case
of a book-entry transfer, an Agents Message, and any other document required by this Letter of
Transmittal, must be received by the Paying Agent at the address set forth herein on or prior to
the Expiration Date. Tenders of Debentures may be made on or prior to the Expiration Date in the
manner described in the preceding sentence and otherwise in compliance with this Letter of
Transmittal. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, CERTIFICATES FOR DEBENTURES AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE PAYING AGENT, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC AND ANY ACCEPTANCE
OF AN AGENTS MESSAGE TRANSMITTED THROUGH ATOP, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDER TENDERING
DEBENTURES. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS MADE BY MAIL, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE HOLDER USE PROPERLY INSURED,
REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED AND THAT SUFFICIENT TIME BE ALLOWED TO ASSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY. Except as otherwise provided below, the delivery will be made when actually received by
the Paying Agent. This Letter of Transmittal, certificates for the Debentures and any other
required documents should be sent only to the Paying Agent, not to the Company, the Trustee, or
DTC.
If less than the entire amount of any Debentures evidenced by a submitted certificate is
tendered, the tendering Holder must fill in the amount tendered in the last column of the box
entitled Description of Debentures Tendered herein. The entire amount represented by the
certificates for all Debentures delivered to the Paying Agent will be deemed to have been tendered,
unless otherwise indicated. The entire amount of all Debentures not tendered for purchase will be
sent (or, if tendered by book-entry transfer, returned by credit to the account at the Book-Entry
Transfer Facility designated herein) to the Holder unless otherwise provided in the Special
Payment Instructions or Special Delivery Instructions boxes of this Letter of Transmittal.
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Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal; Bond Powers and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signatures. |
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the Holder(s) of the Debentures tendered, the
signature(s) must correspond to the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without
alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a
participant in one of the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities whose name is shown as the owner of the
Debentures tendered hereby, the signature must correspond with the name shown on the security
position listing as the owner of the Debentures.
IF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS EXECUTED BY A PERSON OR ENTITY WHO IS NOT THE REGISTERED
HOLDER, THEN THE REGISTERED HOLDER MUST SIGN A VALID BOND POWER, WITH THE SIGNATURE OF SUCH
REGISTERED HOLDER GUARANTEED BY A PARTICIPANT INA RECOGNIZED MEDALLION SIGNATURE PROGRAM (A
MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTOR).
If any of the Debentures tendered hereby are registered in the name of two or more Holders,
all such Holders must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If any tendered Debentures are registered in
different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many
separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal and any necessary accompanying documents as there are
different names in which certificates are held. For additional copies of this Letter of
Transmittal, please contact the Paying Agent at the address and telephone number set forth on the
first page of this Letter of Transmittal.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates for Debentures or bond powers are signed by
trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or
other persons acting in a fiduciary
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or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted with this Letter of
Transmittal.
No signature guarantee is required if (i) this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the
registered Holder(s) of the Debentures tendered herewith (or by a participant in one of the
Book-Entry Transfer Facilities whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of
Note(s)) and payment of the Purchase Price, is to be paid, or if any Debentures for amounts not
tendered are to be issued, directly to such Holder(s), or if tendered by a participant in one of
the Book-Entry Transfer Facilities, any Debentures for amounts not tendered are to be credited to
such participants account at such Book-Entry Transfer Facility and neither the Special Payment
Instructions box nor the Special Delivery Instructions box of this Letter of Transmittal has
been completed or (ii) such Debentures are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. IN
ALL OTHER CASES, ALL SIGNATURES ON LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL ACCOMPANYING THE DEBENTURES MUST BE
GUARANTEED BY A MEDALLION SIGNATURE GUARANTOR. In all such other cases (including if this Letter of
Transmittal is not signed by the Holder), the Holder must either properly endorse the certificates
for Debentures tendered or transmit a separate properly completed bond power with this Letter of
Transmittal (in either case, executed exactly as the name(s) of the registered Holder(s) appear(s)
on such Debentures, and, with respect to a participant in a Book-Entry Transfer Facility whose name
appears on a security position listing as the owner of Debentures, exactly as the name(s) of the
participant(s) appear(s) on such security position listing), with the signature on the endorsement
or bond power guaranteed by a Medallion Signature Guarantor, unless such certificates or bond
powers are executed by an Eligible Institution.
Endorsements on certificates for Debentures and signatures on bond powers provided in
accordance with this Instruction 3 by registered Holders not executing this Letter of Transmittal
must be guaranteed by a Medallion Signature Guarantor.
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Special Payment and Special Delivery Instructions. |
Tendering Holders should indicate in the applicable box or boxes the name and address to which
Debentures for amounts not tendered or checks for payment of the Purchase Price are to be sent or
issued, if different from the name and address of the Holder signing this Letter of Transmittal. In
the case of payment to a different name, the taxpayer identification or social security number of
the person named must also be indicated. If no instructions are given, Debentures not tendered will
be returned, and checks for payment of the Purchase Price will be sent, to the Holder of the
Debentures tendered.
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Taxpayer Identification Number. |
Each tendering Holder is required to provide the Paying Agent with the Holders social
security or federal employer identification number, on Substitute Form W-9, which is provided under
Important Tax Information below, or alternatively, to establish another basis for exemption from
backup withholding. A Holder must cross out item (2) in the Certification box in Part III on
Substitute Form W-9 if such Holder is subject to backup withholding. Failure to provide the
information on the form may subject such Holder to federal backup withholding (currently at a rate
of 28%) on any payment made to the Holder with respect to the Put Option. The box in Part I of the
form should be checked if the tendering Holder has not been issued a Taxpayer Identification Number
(TIN) and has either applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the
box in Part I is checked the Holder should also sign the attached Certification of Awaiting
Taxpayer Identification Number. If the Paying Agent is not provided with a TIN by the time the
payments are made pursuant to the Put Option and the Holder does not establish another basis for
exemption from backup withholding, the Paying Agent will withhold 28% on all payments made with
respect to the Put Option. See Important Tax Information below.
The Company will pay all transfer taxes applicable to the purchase and transfer of Debentures
pursuant to the Put Option, except if (i) deliveries of certificates for Debentures for amounts not
tendered or not accepted for payment are registered or issued in the name of any person other than
the Holder of Debentures tendered thereby, (ii) tendered certificates are registered in the name of
any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal or (iii) a transfer tax is
imposed for any reason other than the transfer and sale of Debentures to the Company. If
satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted herewith,
the amount of such transfer taxes will be deducted from any payment made to such tendering Holder.
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All questions as to the form of all documents and the validity (including time of receipt) and
acceptance of all tenders and withdrawals of Debentures will be determined by the Company, in its
sole discretion, which determination shall be final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute
right to reject any and all tenders of Debentures that are not in proper form or the acceptance of
which would, in the opinion of the Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves
the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Debentures.
The Companys interpretations of the terms and conditions of the Put Option (including the
instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding. Any defect or irregularity
in connection with tenders of Debentures must be cured within such time as the Company determines,
unless waived by the Company. Tenders of Debentures shall not be deemed to have been made until all
defects or irregularities have been waived by the Company or cured. A defective tender (except to
the extent such defect is waived by the Company or cured by the Holder) will not constitute a valid
tender of Debentures and will not entitle the Holder to receipt of the Purchase Price. None of the
Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, or any other person will be under any duty to give notice
of any defect or irregularity in any tender or withdrawal of any Debentures or incur any liability
to Holders for failure to give any such notice.
The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or waive any of the
conditions to the Put Option.
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Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. |
Requests for additional copies of this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice or the other Option
Documents and requests for assistance relating to the procedure for tendering Debentures may be
directed to the Paying Agent at the address and telephone number on the first page of this Letter
of Transmittal.
TO COMPLY WITH IRS CIRCULAR 230, YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT: (A) ANY DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL TAX
ISSUES CONTAINED OR REFERRED TO HEREIN IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE USED, AND CANNOT BE USED BY
YOU, FOR THE PURPOSES OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON YOU UNDER THE CODE AND (B) YOU
SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISOR.
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Under federal income tax laws, a Holder whose tendered Debentures are accepted for payment is
required to provide the Paying Agent with such Holders correct TIN on the attached Substitute Form
W-9 or otherwise establish a basis for exemption from backup withholding. If such Holder is an
individual, the TIN is his or her social security number. If the Paying Agent is not provided with
the correct TIN, a $50 penalty may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and payments,
including payment of the Purchase Price made to such Holder with respect to Debentures validly
tendered pursuant to the Put Option, may be subject to backup withholding.
Certain Holders (including, among others, corporations and certain foreign persons) are not
subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Exempt Holders should write
Exempt in Part II to indicate their exempt status on the Substitute Form W-9. A foreign person
may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to the Paying Agent a properly completed IRS Form
W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8IMY or IRS Form W-8EXP or other applicable form, signed under
penalties of perjury, attesting to that Holders exempt status. These forms can be obtained from
the Paying Agent. See the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number
on Substitute Form W-9 for additional instructions. Holders are urged to consult their own tax
advisors to determine whether they are exempt.
If backup withholding applies, the Paying Agent is required to withhold on any payments made
to the Holder or other payee at a rate of 28%. Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. federal
income tax. Rather, any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a
refund or a credit against such Holders or payees U.S. federal income tax liability, provided
that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Purpose of Substitute Form W-9
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To prevent backup withholding on payments made with respect to Debentures tendered pursuant to
the Put Option, the Holder is required to provide the Paying Agent with (i) the Holders correct
TIN by completing the attached form, certifying that the TIN provided on the Substitute Form W-9 is
correct and that (A) such Holder is exempt from backup withholding, (B) the Holder has not been
notified by the IRS that the Holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to
report all interest or dividends or (C) the IRS has notified the Holder that the
Holder is no longer subject to backup withholding and (ii) if applicable, an adequate basis
for exemption from backup withholding.
What Number to Give the Paying Agent
The Holder is required to give the Paying Agent the TIN (e.g., social security number or
employer identification number) of the registered Holder. If the Debentures are held in more than
one name or are held not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional guidance on
which number to report. Holders who do not have a TIN and have applied for a TIN, or intend to
apply for one in the near future should check the applicable box in Part I of Substitute Form W-9
and complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number. If the box is checked,
the Paying Agent may withhold 28% of all payments unless the Holder has provided the Paying Agent
with his or her TIN by the date the payment is made. A Holder who is awaiting a TIN should furnish
the Paying Agent with his or her TIN as soon as it is received.
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Request for Taxpayer Give this form to the Identification Number and Certification requestor.
Substitute MOBILE MINI, INC., Do NOT send to the Form W-9 as Payor IRS. Please Print Individual or
business name (if joint account, list first and circle the name of person or entity whose number or
Type you furnish in Part I below): Check appropriate box: Individual/Sole Proprietor
Corporation Partnership Other Address (number, street and apt. or suite no): City, state and ZIP code:
Part I Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Part II Payees Exempt From Backup Withholding
Applied For Social Security Number
Enter your TIN on the appropriate line. For individuals, it is your Social Security Number. For OR
other entities, it is your Employer Identification
Number. (See page 2 of the Guidelines for further clarification. Even if you are exempt from backup
Employer Identification Number withholding, you should still complete and sign the certificate below.)
Part III Certification
Certification Instructions: You must cross out item 2 below if you have been notified by the
Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) that you are currently subject to backup withholding because
of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return (See page 2 of the Guidelines for
further clarification). Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
1. The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for
a number to be issued to me),
2. I am not subject to back-up withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, (b) I
have not been notified by the IRS that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure
to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to
back up withholding, and
3. I am a United States person (including a U.S. resident alien).
Please Sign Here Signature Date
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN
BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE PUT OPTION. PLEASE REVIEW THE
ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX
APPLIED FOR IN PART I OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify, under penalties of perjury, that a TIN has not been issued to me, and either (a) I
have mailed or delivered an application to receive a TIN to the appropriate IRS Service Center or
Social Security Administration Office or (b) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near
future. I understand that if I do not provide a TIN to the payor by the time that payments are made
to me pursuant to the Put Option, the payor may be required to withhold up to 28% of such payments.
Signature:
Date: |
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The Paying Agent for the Put Option is:
Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
The address of the Paying Agent is:
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street 7 East
New York, N.Y. 10286
Attn: Mr. Joseph Lynch
Telephone: (212) 815-5076
Fax: (212) 298-1915
Any questions regarding the terms of the Put Option may be directed to your broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance.
cover
February 25, 2008
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Mail Stop 3628
100 F Street N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
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Re:
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Avnet, Inc. |
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Schedule TO-I |
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Filed February 13, 2009 |
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File No. 005-20161 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
On behalf of Avnet, Inc., a New York corporation (Avnet or the Company), there is hereby
transmitted for filing, pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system,
Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule TO of Avnet filed on February 13, 2009 (Amendment No. 1).
Amendment No. 1 has been prepared in response to the staffs comments to such filing. The
staffs comments are set forth in a letter dated February 23, 2009, from Peggy Kim, Special Counsel,
Office of Mergers & Acquisitions, addressed to David R. Birk, Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of the Company. Responses to such comments are set forth below and are keyed to the
above-referenced comment letter. Unless otherwise noted, all references to page numbers refer to
the Company Notice filed herewith as Exhibit (a)(1) to the Schedule TO.
Notice to Holders
When does the Put Option expire, page 2
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We note that you will not extend the offer period unless required to do so by
applicable law (including, but not limited to, the federal securities laws). Please
revise to describe how the offer may be extended. Refer to Item 1004(a)(1)(v) of
Regulation M-A and Rule 13e-4(e)(3). |
Amendment No. 1 sets forth a revision that describes how the offer may be extended. The same
revision was made at page 5 of the Company Notice, which pertains to the same term of the offer.
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
February 25, 2008
Page 2
The Companys Obligations to Purchase the Debentures, page 5
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Please note that a tender offer may be subject only to conditions that are not
within the direct or indirect control of the offeror and that are drafted with
sufficient specificity to permit objective verification that the conditions have been
satisfied. We note that you describe the conditions as follows: (1) an event of
default under the Indenture or Officers Certificate; (2) if the purchase is not
unlawful; and (3) satisfaction of procedural requirements. Please revise to further
describe the conditions, so that investors may understand whether the conditions have
been satisfied. |
The Company Notice has been revised to inform investors that the only limitation on the
Companys obligation in respect of payment of the Purchase Price for surrendered Debentures is the
term of the Indenture that provides that the Company may not purchase any Debentures at any time
when an event of default or a default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing. This
change appears at the top of page 6.
Payment for Surrendered Debentures, page 13
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We note that you intend to use existing liquidity to purchase the Debentures.
Please revise to describe the specific sources of the funds used in the transaction.
Refer to Item 1007(a) of Regulation M-A. |
We have revised this disclosure to clarify that existing liquidity is from borrowings
available under Avnets existing unsecured revolving credit agreement. If all Debentures are
surrendered pursuant to the Put Option, the total Purchase Price will be $300.0 million. Current
borrowing availability under the credit agreement is in excess of $400.0 million.
Exhibits
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Please file the form of documents required from holders of Debentures as an
exhibit, or advise us. Refer to Item 12 of Schedule TO and corresponding Item 1016(g)
of Regulation M-A. |
The Company has filed a form of Letter of Transmittal that holders of Debentures may use to
surrender Debentures pursuant to the Put Option. The Company notes supplementally that the Company
understands that all custodians and beneficial owners of Debentures hold the Debentures through The
Depository Trust Company (DTC) accounts and that there are no certificated Debentures in
non-global form. Accordingly, all Debentures surrendered for purchase must be delivered through
the transmittal procedures of DTCs Automated Tender Offer Program, subject to the terms and
conditions of that system. The form of Letter of Transmittal is intended for use only if a
Debenture is certificated and held outside of the DTC accounts.
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
February 25, 2008
Page 3
As requested in the comment letter, the Company hereby acknowledges that (i) it is responsible
for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filings, (ii) staff comments or changes to
disclosure in response to staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action
with respect to the filings, and (iii) the Company may not assert staff comments as a defense in
any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the
United States.
The Company believes the foregoing is responsive to the staffs comment and hopes that the
Company has resolved this comment to the Staffs satisfaction. Your prompt attention to this
response will be appreciated.
If you have any questions regarding Amendment No. 1 or the foregoing response or if any
additional information is needed, please call Joseph Richardson of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.
at (602) 528-4801, and fax number (602) 253-8129.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Squire, Sanders and Dempsey L.L.P. |
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Squire, Sanders and Dempsey L.L.P. |
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JPR/mlb |
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