SEC Form 424B5 filed by Sherwin-Williams Company

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-266623

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated August 8, 2022)

$850,000,000

 

The Sherwin-Williams Company

$400,000,000 4.550% Senior Notes due 2028

$450,000,000 4.800% Senior Notes due 2031

 

 

We are offering $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.550% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “2028 notes”) and $450,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.800% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “2031 notes” and, together with the 2028 notes, the “notes”).

We will pay interest on the 2028 notes on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2025. We will pay interest on the 2031 notes on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on March 1, 2025. The 2028 notes will mature on March 1, 2028 and the 2031 notes will mature on September 1, 2031.

We may redeem some or all of the notes of each series at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity at the applicable redemption prices described under “Description of Notes—Optional Redemption.” If a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined under “Description of Notes—Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event”) occurs with respect to a series of notes, unless we have exercised our option to redeem the notes, we will be required to make an offer to each such holder to repurchase all or any part of that holder’s notes of such series in cash at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes of the applicable series repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased up to, but not including, the date of repurchase. See “Description of Notes—Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.”

The notes will be our general unsecured senior obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness, whether currently existing or incurred in the future. The notes will be senior in right of payment to any subordinated indebtedness we may incur, and will be effectively junior in right of payment to our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. For a more detailed description of the notes, see “Description of Notes.”

Each series of notes is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

		Per 2028 Note				Total				Per 2031 Note				Total
Public offering price(1)			99.997	%		$	399,988,000				99.706	%		$	448,677,000
Underwriting discount			0.400	%		$	1,600,000				0.625	%		$	2,812,500
Proceeds (before expenses) to Sherwin-Williams			99.597	%		$	398,388,000				99.081	%		$	445,864,500

 

(1)	Plus accrued interest, if any, from August 9, 2024, if settlement occurs after that date.

 

 

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement, “Risk Factors” on page 4 of the accompanying prospectus and similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in the notes.

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers through the book-entry delivery system of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) for the benefit of its participants, including Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”), on or about August 9, 2024, which is the second business day following the date of this prospectus supplement. Purchasers of the notes should note that trading of the notes may be affected by this settlement date. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest).”

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

Citigroup		US Bancorp		Wells Fargo Securities

BofA Securities				J.P. Morgan

Co-Managers

 

ING		KeyBanc Capital Markets		PNC Capital Markets LLC		RBC Capital Markets		Truist Securities

Deutsche Bank Securities		HSBC		Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC				ANZ Securities

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 7, 2024.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT			S-ii
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			S-ii
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE			S-iii
SUMMARY			S-1
RISK FACTORS			S-9
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-12
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-14
CAPITALIZATION			S-15
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES			S-17
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS			S-33
CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS			S-39
UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)			S-42
LEGAL MATTERS			S-49
EXPERTS			S-49

Prospectus

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE			2
OUR BUSINESS			3
RISK FACTORS			4
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			4
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			7
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			15
LEGAL MATTERS			17
EXPERTS			18

 

S-i

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

We provide information to you about this offering in two separate documents. The accompanying prospectus provides general information about us and the securities we may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to this offering. This prospectus supplement describes the specific details regarding this offering. Generally, when we refer to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both documents combined. Additional information is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any related free writing prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date mentioned on the respective cover page of these documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those respective dates. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making offers to sell the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

References in this prospectus supplement to the terms “we,” “us,” the “Company” or “Sherwin-Williams” or other similar terms mean The Sherwin-Williams Company and its subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

We make available free of charge on or through our website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC. You may access these documents on the “Investor Relations” page of our website at www.sherwin.com. We do not intend for information contained on or accessible through our website to be part of this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are expressly incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

S-ii

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus supplement the information in documents we file with the SEC, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in or omitted from this prospectus supplement, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the completion of the offering of securities described in this prospectus supplement:

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December  31, 2023;

 

•

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March  31, 2024 and June 30, 2024;

 

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on April  22, 2024 and August 2, 2024; and

 

•

portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March   6, 2024, incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December  31, 2023.

We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our current reports on Form 8-K unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.

You may obtain copies of these filings without charge by requesting the filings in writing or by telephone at the following address:

The Sherwin-Williams Company

101 West Prospect Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1075

Telephone Number: (216) 566-2000

Attn: Secretary

 

S-iii

 

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S-2

 

S-3

 

S-4

 

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S-6

 

S-7

 

S-8

RISK FACTORS

An investment in the notes involves risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, and in consultation with your own financial and legal advisors, you should carefully consider all of the information in the prospectus supplement and each of the risks described below, as well as the risk factors incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement from Sherwin-Williams’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading “Risk Factors” and other filings Sherwin-Williams may make from time to time with the SEC. Some of the risks relate to the notes and others relate to Sherwin-Williams’ business. You should also refer to the other information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including Sherwin-Williams’ financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified may also materially harm Sherwin-Williams’ business, operating results and financial condition and could result in a complete loss of your investment.

Risks Relating to the Notes

The notes are effectively subordinated to the liabilities of our subsidiaries and to our secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral securing any such secured debt. We may not have sufficient funds to fulfill our obligations under the notes.

The notes are our general unsecured senior obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness, whether currently existing or incurred in the future, including our other series of outstanding senior notes and debentures, as well as borrowings under our domestic commercial paper program. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes.

In addition, any payment of dividends, loans, or advances by our subsidiaries could be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries upon its bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of the holders of the notes to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors. As of June 30, 2024, our subsidiaries had total debt of approximately $21.7 million. In addition, even if we are a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of our subsidiaries and any debt of our subsidiaries senior to that held by us.

The notes are not secured by any of our assets. If we become insolvent or are liquidated, or if payment under any of the agreements governing any secured debt we may incur in the future is accelerated, the lenders under such secured debt agreements would be entitled to exercise the remedies available to a secured lender under applicable law and pursuant to agreements governing that debt. Accordingly, those lenders would have a prior claim on our assets to the extent of their liens thereon. In that event, because the notes are not secured by any of our assets, it is possible that there would be no assets remaining from which claims of the holders of notes could be satisfied or, if any assets remain, the remaining assets might be insufficient to satisfy those claims in full.

If we incur any additional obligations that rank equally with the notes, including trade payables, the holders of those obligations will be entitled to share ratably with the holders of the notes in any proceeds distributed upon our insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to you. If there are not sufficient assets remaining to pay all these creditors, all or a portion of the notes then outstanding would remain unpaid.

We may not have the funds necessary to finance the change of control repurchase offer required by the indenture.

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event with respect to a series of notes, we will be required to make an offer to repurchase all outstanding notes of such series. Our other outstanding debt securities

 

S-9

have a substantially similar repurchase requirement. We cannot assure you that we will have sufficient funds available to make any required repurchases of the notes. Any failure to repurchase any tendered notes in those circumstances would constitute a default under the indenture. A default could result in the declaration of the principal and interest on all the notes to be due and payable.

The terms of the indenture and the notes provide only limited protection against significant corporate events that could adversely impact your investment in the notes.

While the indenture and the notes contain terms intended to provide protection to holders of notes upon the occurrence of certain events involving significant corporate transactions and our creditworthiness, such terms are limited and may not be sufficient to protect your investment in the notes.

The definition of change of control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our and our subsidiaries’ assets taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of notes to require us to repurchase such holder’s notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole, to another person or group may be uncertain.

The definition of the term “change of control triggering event” does not cover a variety of transactions (such as acquisitions by us or recapitalizations) that could negatively affect the value of your notes. If we were to enter into a significant corporate transaction that would negatively affect the value of the notes but would not constitute a Change of Control Triggering Event, we would not be required to offer to repurchase your notes prior to their maturity.

The indenture does not limit the amount of unsecured debt that we may incur.

The indenture does not limit the amount of unsecured debt that we may incur. The indenture does not contain any financial covenants or other provisions that would afford the holders of the notes any substantial protection in the event we participate in a highly leveraged transaction.

Our existing and future debt may limit cash flow available to invest in the ongoing needs of our business, which could prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.

As of June 30, 2024, on an as adjusted basis after giving effect to (i) this offering and the use of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds,” and (ii) our borrowings outstanding under our domestic commercial paper program as of August 1, 2024, we would have had approximately $10.1 billion of total indebtedness. Additionally, we have the ability under our existing credit facilities to incur substantial additional debt in the future. Our level of indebtedness could have important consequences to you. For example, it could:

 

•

require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of debt service, reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

 

•

increase our vulnerability to adverse economic or industry conditions;

 

•

limit our ability to obtain additional financing in the future to enable us to react to changes in our business; or

 

•

place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to businesses in our industry that have less debt.

Additionally, any failure to comply with covenants in the instruments governing our debt could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, would have a material adverse effect on us.

 

S-10

Active trading markets for the notes may not develop.

Each series of notes is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that trading markets for the notes will ever develop or will be maintained. Further, there can be no assurance as to the liquidity of any markets that may develop for the notes, your ability to sell your notes or the prices at which you will be able to sell your notes. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our financial condition and results of operations, the then-current ratings assigned to the notes and the market for similar securities. Any trading markets that develop would be affected by many factors independent of and in addition to the foregoing, including:

 

•

the time remaining to the maturity of the notes;

 

•

the outstanding amount of the notes;

 

•

the terms related to optional redemption of the notes; and

 

•

the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally.

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of your investment in the notes and our credit ratings may change.

We expect that each series of notes will be rated by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. These credit ratings are limited in scope and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating agency. There can be no assurance that such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that a rating will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the applicable rating agencies, if, in such rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. Agency credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. Each agency’s rating should be evaluated independently of any other agency’s rating. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under further review for a downgrade, could affect the market value of the notes and increase our corporate borrowing costs.

 

S-11

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this prospectus supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations, predictions, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events and conditions and may discuss, among other things, anticipated future performance (including sales and earnings), expected growth, future business plans and the costs and potential liability for environmental-related matters and the lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “goal,” “target,” “potential,” “intend,” “aspire,” “strive,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “seek,” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from our historical results, performance and experience. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include such things as:

 

•

general business conditions, including the strength of retail and manufacturing economies and growth in the coatings industry;

 

•

changes in general domestic and international economic conditions, including due to changes in inflation rates, interest rates, tax rates, unemployment rates, labor costs, healthcare costs, recessionary conditions, geopolitical conditions, government policies, laws and regulations;

 

•

weakening of global credit markets and our ability to generate cash to service our indebtedness;

 

•

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, including as a result of inflation, central bank monetary policies, currency controls and other exchange restrictions;

 

•

any disruption in the availability of, or increases in the price of, raw material and energy supplies;

 

•

disruptions in the supply chain, including those related to industry capacity constraints, raw material availability, transportation and logistics delays and constraints, political instability or civil unrest;

 

•

catastrophic events, adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, including those that may be related to climate change or otherwise;

 

•

losses of or changes in our relationships with customers and suppliers;

 

•

competitive factors, including pricing pressures and product innovation and quality;

 

•

our ability to successfully integrate past and future acquisitions into our existing operations, as well as the performance of the businesses acquired;

 

•

risks and uncertainties associated with our expansion into and our operations in Asia, Europe, South America and other foreign markets, including general economic conditions, policy changes affecting international trade, political instability, inflation rates, recessions, sanctions, foreign currency exchange rates and controls, foreign investment and repatriation restrictions, legal and regulatory constraints, civil unrest, armed conflicts and wars (including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war) and other economic and political factors;

 

•

cybersecurity incidents and other disruptions to our information technology systems, and our reliance on information technology systems;

 

•

our ability to attract, retain, develop and progress a qualified global workforce;

 

•

our ability to execute on our business strategies related to sustainability matters, and achieve related expectations, including as a result of evolving regulatory and other standards, processes, and

 

S-12

assumptions, the pace of scientific and technological developments, increased costs and the availability of requisite financing, and changes in carbon markets;

 

•

damage to our business, reputation, image or brands due to negative publicity;

 

•

our ability to protect or enforce our material trademarks and other intellectual property rights;

 

•

our ability to comply with numerous and evolving U.S. and non-U.S. laws, rules, and regulations and the effectiveness of our compliance efforts;

 

•

adverse changes to our tax positions in U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions, including as a result of new or revised tax laws or interpretations;

 

•

increasingly stringent domestic and foreign governmental regulations, including those affecting health, safety and the environment;

 

•

inherent uncertainties involved in assessing our potential liability for environmental-related activities;

 

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other changes in governmental policies, laws and regulations, including changes in tariff policies, accounting policies and standards; and

 

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the nature, cost, quantity and outcome of pending and future litigation and other claims, including the lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation, and the effect of any legislation and administrative regulations relating thereto.

Readers are cautioned that it is not possible to predict or identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results and that the above list should not be considered a complete list. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

 

S-13

USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to receive net proceeds of approximately $841.9 million from this offering, after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay outstanding borrowings under our domestic commercial paper program. We intend to use any remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

As of August 1, 2024, we had approximately $1.1 billion of short-term borrowings outstanding under our domestic commercial paper program with a weighted average interest rate per year of 5.47% and a weighted average maturity of 15.6 days.

 

S-14

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth:

 

•

our consolidated capitalization as of June 30, 2024, on an actual basis; and

 

•

our unaudited consolidated capitalization as of June 30, 2024, as adjusted to give effect to this offering and the use of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement.

You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, as well as the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

 

		As of June 30, 2024
		Actual				As adjusted(1)
		(dollars in millions)
Cash:		$	200.0			$	200.0
Debt(2):
Short-term debt:
Short-term borrowings(3)			1,358.3				1,116.2
Current portion of long-term debt(4)			849.7				249.9
Total short-term debt			2,208.0				1,366.1
Long-term debt:
3.450% Senior Notes due August 1, 2025			399.6				399.6
4.250% Senior Notes due August 8, 2025			399.0				399.0
3.95% Senior Notes due January 15, 2026			352.4				352.4
3.450% Senior Notes due June 1, 2027			1,494.8				1,494.8
2.950% Senior Notes due August 15, 2029			795.0				795.0
2.300% Senior Notes due May 15, 2030			497.4				497.4
2.200% Senior Notes due March 15, 2032			495.1				495.1
4.00% Senior Notes due December 15, 2042			297.1				297.1
4.40% Senior Notes due February 1, 2045			241.1				241.1
4.550% Senior Notes due August 1, 2045			395.3				395.3
4.500% Senior Notes due June 1, 2047			1,233.4				1,233.4
3.800% Senior Notes due August 15, 2049			543.6				543.6
3.300% Senior Notes due May 15, 2050			494.5				494.5
2.900% Senior Notes due March 15, 2052			492.0				492.0
Other			0.5				0.5
4.550% Senior Notes due 2028 offered hereby			—				397.3
4.800% Senior Notes due 2031 offered hereby			—				444.6
Total long-term debt			8,130.8				8,972.7
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock—$0.33-1/3 par value:
900.0 million shares authorized, 252.3 million shares outstanding			92.1				92.1
Other capital			4,342.0				4,342.0
Retained earnings			6,322.3				6,322.3
Treasury stock, at cost			(6,227.7	)			(6,227.7	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(776.9	)			(776.9	)
Total shareholders’ equity			3,751.8				3,751.8
Total capitalization		$	14,090.6			$	14,090.6

 

S-15

 

(1)

Our unaudited consolidated capitalization as of June 30, 2024, as adjusted, gives effect to the issuance of the notes in this offering and assumes the repayment of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 4.050% Senior Notes due August 8, 2024 (the “4.050% Notes”) with borrowings of approximately $600.0 million under our domestic commercial paper program, but does not reflect the payment of accrued and unpaid interest with respect to the 4.050% Notes.

 

(2)	The amounts shown are book values, which are net of debt issuance costs and unamortized discounts.

 

(3)	Actual short-term borrowings as of June 30, 2024 include $1.3 billion of borrowings under our domestic commercial paper program. As of August 1, 2024, we had approximately $1.1 billion of borrowings outstanding under our domestic commercial paper program.

 

(4)	Actual current portion of long-term debt includes (i) $599.8 million with respect to the 4.050% Notes and (ii) $249.9 million with respect to our 3.30% Senior Notes due February 1, 2025.

 

S-16

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

The following description of certain material terms of the notes offered hereby does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the indenture, including definitions therein of certain terms. This description adds information to the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities in the accompanying prospectus. To the extent this summary differs from the summary in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the description of notes in this prospectus supplement.

The notes will be issued under and governed by the indenture, dated as of August 10, 2022 (the “base indenture”), between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”), as supplemented by a third supplemental indenture and a fourth supplemental indenture for the notes, each to be dated as of August 9, 2024 (the base indenture, as so supplemented, the “indenture”), between us and the trustee. The date of the closing of this offering is referred to herein as the “Issue Date.”

As used in the following description, the terms “Sherwin-Williams,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to The Sherwin-Williams Company, an Ohio corporation, and not any of its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise.

We urge you to read the indenture (including definitions of terms used therein) because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a beneficial owner of the notes. You may request copies of the indenture from us at our address set forth under “Where You Can Find Additional Information” in this prospectus supplement.

General

The notes are our general unsecured senior debt securities issued under the indenture. The trustee will also act as registrar, paying agent and authenticating agent and perform administrative duties for us, such as sending out interest payments and notices under the indenture.

The aggregate principal amount of the notes offered hereby will initially be limited to $850,000,000 comprised as follows:

 

•

$400,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.550% Senior Notes due 2028, maturing on March 1, 2028 with interest payable semiannually on each March 1 and September 1, beginning on March 1, 2025, to holders of record on the preceding February 15 and August 15; and

 

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$450,000,000 initial aggregate principal amount of 4.800% Senior Notes due 2031, maturing on September 1, 2031 with interest payable semiannually on each March 1 and September 1, beginning on March 1, 2025, to holders of record on the preceding February 15 and August 15.

The notes of each series will be issued only in fully registered form without interest coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes are general unsecured senior obligations of Sherwin-Williams and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness, whether currently existing or incurred in the future. The notes will be senior in right of payment to any subordinated indebtedness we may incur, and will be effectively junior in right of payment to our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. As of June 30, 2024, we had no secured indebtedness outstanding. The notes will not be guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries and thus will be effectively subordinated to any existing or future indebtedness or other liabilities, including trade payables, of any of our subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2024, our subsidiaries had total debt of approximately $21.7 million. As discussed below, the indenture does not restrict us or our subsidiaries from incurring any additional unsecured indebtedness and restricts but does not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional secured indebtedness. The notes are not subject to, and do not have the benefit of, any sinking fund.

The 2028 notes will bear interest at a fixed rate per year of 4.550%. The 2031 notes will bear interest at a fixed rate per year of 4.800%. Interest on each series of notes will begin to accrue on the Issue Date and the first interest payment date on the notes will be March 1, 2025.

 

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Interest on the notes will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

Each series of notes will initially be evidenced by one or more global notes deposited with a custodian for, and registered in the name of, Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Except as described herein, beneficial interests in the global notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and its direct and indirect participants. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system.

Payments of principal of and interest on the notes issued in book-entry form will be made as described below under “—Book-Entry Delivery and Form—Depositary Procedures.” Payments of principal of and interest on the notes issued in definitive form, if any, will be made as described below under “—Book-Entry Delivery and Form—Payment and Paying Agents.”

Interest payable on any interest payment date or the maturity date will be the amount of interest accrued from, and including, the next preceding interest payment date in respect of which interest has been paid or duly provided for (or from and including the Issue Date, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for with respect to the notes) to, but not including, such interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may be. If an interest payment date or the maturity date falls on a day that is not a business day, the related payment of principal or interest will be made on the next succeeding business day as if made on the date the payment was due. No interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after such interest payment date or the maturity date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next succeeding business day. The term “business day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or the city where the designated corporate trust office of the trustee is located at such time are required or authorized by law, regulation or executive order to close or be closed.

We may, from time to time, without notice to or consent of the holders or beneficial owners of the notes, issue additional notes of a particular series having the same terms (other than the date of issuance and, under certain circumstances, the initial interest payment date, the date from which interest thereon will begin to accrue and the issue price) and carrying the same right to receive accrued and unpaid interest as a series of notes offered hereby, and such additional notes will form a single series with such series of notes offered hereby, including for purposes of voting, redemptions and offers to purchase, and will rank equally and ratably with such series of notes offered hereby; provided that if such additional notes are not fungible with such notes for United States federal income tax purposes, the additional notes will have a separate CUSIP number.

The indenture does not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur additional unsecured indebtedness or require the maintenance of financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity.

Optional Redemption

General

At any time and from time to time, the notes of each series are redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option.

Prior to the Applicable Par Call Date, we may redeem the applicable series of notes at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the redemption date (assuming the notes of such series matured on the Applicable Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus

 

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(x) in the case of the 2028 notes, 15 basis points, or (y) in the case of the 2031 notes, 20 basis points, in each case less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and

(2) 100% of the principal amount of the notes of such series to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

On or after the Applicable Par Call Date, we may redeem the applicable series of notes at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes of such series to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the redemption date.

For purposes of the foregoing discussion of optional redemption, the following definitions are applicable:

“Applicable Par Call Date” means (i) with respect to the 2028 notes, February 1, 2028 (one month prior to the maturity date of such notes) and (ii) with respect to the 2031 notes, July 1, 2031 (two months prior to the maturity date of such notes).

“Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield determined by us in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by us after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) – H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities – Treasury constant maturities – Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, we shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the applicable redemption date to the Applicable Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Applicable Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the applicable redemption date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date H.15 TCM is no longer published, we shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such redemption date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Applicable Par Call Date. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Applicable Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Applicable Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Applicable Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Applicable Par Call Date, we shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Applicable Par

 

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Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Applicable Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, we shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

Our actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed or electronically delivered (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the depositary’s procedures) at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed.

In the case of a partial redemption, selection of the notes for redemption will be made pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the trustee in its sole discretion deems appropriate and fair. No notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less will be redeemed in part. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to the note will state the portion of the principal amount of the note to be redeemed. A new note in a principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the note will be issued in the name of the holder of the note upon surrender for cancellation of the original note. For so long as the notes are held by DTC (or another depositary), the redemption of the notes shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the depositary.

Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event

If a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined below) occurs with respect to a series of notes, unless we have exercised our option to redeem the notes of such series as described above by giving notice of such redemption to the holders thereof, we will be required to make an offer (the “Change of Control Offer”) to each such holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that holder’s notes of such series on the terms set forth in such notes. In the Change of Control Offer, we will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes of the applicable series repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the notes repurchased up to, but not including, the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event with respect to a series of notes or, at our option, prior to any Change of Control (as defined below), but after public announcement of the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control, a notice will be mailed to holders of the notes of the applicable series with a copy to the trustee describing the transaction that constitutes or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the notes of the applicable series on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (or with respect to global notes, to the extent permitted or required by applicable DTC procedures or regulations, sent electronically) or, if the notice is mailed or sent prior to the Change of Control, no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date on which the Change of Control Triggering Event occurs (the “Change of Control Payment Date”). The notice will, if mailed or sent prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date.

By 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the Change of Control Payment Date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

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accept for payment all notes or portions of notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

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deposit with the paying agent (or, if we are acting as our own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of notes properly tendered; and

 

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deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the notes properly accepted together with an officer’s certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or portions of notes being repurchased.

We will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as possible after the date of purchase. Neither the trustee nor any paying agent shall be responsible for monitoring our rating status, making any request upon any of the Rating Agencies (as defined below) or any Substitute Rating Agency (as defined below), or determining whether any Rating Event (as defined below) has occurred.

Except as described above, the indenture does not contain provisions that permit holders to require us to purchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

Our ability to pay cash to the holders of notes following the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event may be limited by our then-existing financial resources. Therefore, sufficient funds may not be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.

The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of our and our subsidiaries’ assets taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise, established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of the notes to require us to repurchase such holder’s notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets taken as a whole to another person or group may be uncertain.

We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by us and the third party purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer. In addition, we will not repurchase any notes if there has occurred and is continuing on the Change of Control Payment Date an event of default under the indenture, other than a default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment upon a Change of Control Triggering Event.

We will comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event. To the extent that the provisions of any such securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes, we will comply with those securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes by virtue of any such conflict.

For purposes of the Change of Control Offer provisions of the notes, the following terms will be applicable: “Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(a)

the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) (other than us or one of our subsidiaries) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of our Voting Stock (as defined below) or other Voting Stock into which our Voting Stock is reclassified, consolidated, exchanged or changed, measured by voting power rather than number of shares;

 

(b)

the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all

 

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of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to one or more “persons” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than to us or one of our subsidiaries);

 

(c)

we consolidate with, or merge with or into, any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) or any such person consolidates with, or merges with or into, us, in either case, pursuant to a transaction in which any of our outstanding Voting Stock or the Voting Stock of such other person is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than pursuant to a transaction in which shares of our Voting Stock outstanding immediately prior to the transaction constitute, or are converted into or exchanged for, a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving person immediately after giving effect to such transaction;

 

(d)

the adoption of a plan relating to our liquidation or dissolution; or

 

(e)

the first day on which a majority of the members of our board of directors are not Continuing Directors (as defined below).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (i) we become a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company and (ii) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to that transaction.

“Change of Control Triggering Event,” with respect to a series of notes, means the occurrence of both (1) a Change of Control and (2) a Rating Event with respect to such series.

“Continuing Director” means, as of any date of determination, any member of our board of directors who (1) was a member of such board of directors on the Issue Date, (2) was nominated for election to such board of directors with the approval of a committee of the board of directors consisting of a majority of independent continuing directors or (3) was nominated for election, elected or appointed to such board of directors with the approval of a majority of the continuing directors who were members of such board of directors at the time of such nomination, election or appointment (either by a specific vote or by approval of our proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, or, if applicable, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any Substitute Rating Agency selected by us.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or any successor thereto.

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if any of Moody’s and S&P ceases to rate the notes or fails to make a rating of the notes publicly available for reasons outside of our control, a Substitute Rating Agency in lieu thereof.

“Rating Event,” with respect to a series of notes, means the rating on the notes of such series is lowered by each of the Rating Agencies and the notes of such series are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by each of the Rating Agencies on any day during the period commencing on the earlier of (i) the occurrence of the Change of Control and (ii) the first public announcement by us of any Change of Control and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which period will be extended so long as the rating of the notes of such series is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Rating Event will not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus will not be deemed a Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if each Rating Agency making the reduction in rating does not publicly announce or confirm or inform the

 

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trustee in writing at our request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control has occurred at the time of the Rating Event).

“S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., or any successor thereto.

“Substitute Rating Agency” means a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act selected by us (as certified by a resolution of our board of directors).

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any specified “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) as of any date, the capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to vote generally in the election of the board of directors of such person.

Our credit agreements provide, and future credit agreements or other agreements relating to any debt to which we become a party may provide, that certain events relating to a change in the control of the Company would constitute a default thereunder, either directly or as a result of a breach of a covenant. If we experience such a change of control event that triggers a default under our credit agreements or such other agreements, we could seek a waiver of such default or seek to refinance our credit agreements or the indebtedness under such other agreements. In the event we do not obtain such a waiver or refinance our credit agreements or the indebtedness under such other agreements, such default could result in amounts outstanding under our credit agreements or such other agreements being declared due and payable, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Certain Covenants

The indenture will contain the following covenants:

Limitation on Liens

We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, issue, incur, create, assume, guarantee or permit to exist any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on any Principal Property, or shares of capital stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, unless we contemporaneously secure the notes equally and ratably with (or prior to) such Indebtedness; provided that any Lien created for the benefit of the holders of the notes pursuant to this provision shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon release and discharge of the Lien that resulted in such provision becoming applicable.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, we are not required to secure the notes if the Lien consists of either: (a) Permitted Liens; or (b) Liens other than Permitted Liens, provided that the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness secured by Liens other than Permitted Liens does not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets calculated as of the date of the creation or incurrence of such Lien.

Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any Principal Property unless (a) we or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to create a Lien on such Principal Property securing Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction without securing the notes then outstanding pursuant to the provisions described above under “—Limitation on Liens” or (b) we, within six months from the effective date of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction, apply an amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction to the voluntary defeasance or retirement of the notes or other Indebtedness ranking pari passu with the notes (excluding retirements as a result of conversions or pursuant to mandatory sinking fund or mandatory prepayment provisions or by payment at maturity); provided that the

 

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foregoing will not prevent us or any Restricted Subsidiary from (x) entering into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction involving a lease with a term of less than three years or (y) entering into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction between a Restricted Subsidiary and us or between Restricted Subsidiaries.

SEC Reports

We will file with the trustee, within 15 days after we are required to file the same with the SEC, after giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that we may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If we are not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such sections, then we will file with the trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC and within 15 days after such information, documents or reports are due with respect to a non-accelerated filer and after giving effect to any grace period provided by Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act, such information, documents or reports that may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) we will be deemed to have furnished such information, documents or reports referred to above to the trustee if we have filed such information, documents or reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor system) or, if at any time we are no longer subject to reporting under Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and are not permitted to file such information, documents or reports with the SEC, if we post such information, documents or reports on our publicly available website and (b) if at any time we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, we will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of our obligations under this covenant until 30 days after the date any information, document or report hereunder is required to be filed with the trustee. The trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, our compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the SEC or EDGAR filing system (or any successor system) or any website under the indenture.

Limitation on Mergers and Other Transactions

The provisions described in “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” in the accompanying prospectus will be applicable to the notes.

Certain Definitions

“Attributable Indebtedness” in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as of the time of determination, (a) if the obligation in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction is a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP and included in the financial statements of the lessee or (b) if the obligation in respect of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction is not a Capital Lease Obligation, the total Net Amount of Rent required to be paid by the lessee under such lease during the remaining term thereof (including any period for which the lease has been extended), discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such determination date at the rate per annum borne by the weighted average interest rate per annum borne by the notes then outstanding under the indenture compounded semiannually.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, provided that no obligation will be deemed a “capital lease obligation” for any purpose under the indenture if such obligation would not, as of December 31, 2018, have been required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of the amounts that would appear on our consolidated balance sheet for the total assets (less accumulated depletion, depreciation or

 

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amortization, allowances for doubtful receivables, other applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) of us and our subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, after giving effect to purchase accounting and after deducting therefrom, to the extent included in total assets, in each case as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (without duplication): (i) the aggregate amount of liabilities of us and our subsidiaries which may properly be classified as current liabilities (including taxes accrued as estimated); (ii) current Indebtedness and current maturities of long-term Indebtedness; (iii) minority interests in our subsidiaries held by persons other than us or one of our Wholly Owned Subsidiaries; and (iv) unamortized debt discount and expenses and other unamortized deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, organization or developmental expenses and other intangible items.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any specified person, the obligations of such person under: (1) interest rate swap agreements (whether from fixed to floating or from floating to fixed), interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements; (2) other agreements or arrangements designed to manage interest rates or interest rate risk; and (3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such person against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any person, any indebtedness of such person, whether or not contingent (without duplication):

 

(a)

in respect of borrowed money;

 

(b)

evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments;

 

(c)

in respect of letters of credit, banker’s acceptances or other similar instruments or credit transactions (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (a)-(b), (d) or (e)) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent such letters of credit are drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third business day following receipt by such person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit;

 

(d)

representing Capital Lease Obligations;

 

(e)

representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or

 

(f)

representing any Hedging Obligations,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items, other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations, would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified person, whether or not such indebtedness is assumed by the specified person, and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the specified person of any indebtedness of any other person or any liability of any person, whether or not contingent and whether or not it appears on the balance sheet of such person. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, the term “Indebtedness” excludes (x) any indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to the Company or another subsidiary of the Company and (y) any guarantee by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company of indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company.

 

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The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness that does not require the current payment of interest; and

(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in, and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under, the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

“Net Amount of Rent” as to any lease for any period means the aggregate amount of rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. In the case of any lease that is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as payable under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

“Permitted Lien” means, with respect to any person,

 

(a)

pledges or deposits by such person under workers’ compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (including government contracts, but excluding contracts for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such person or deposits of cash or United States government bonds to secure performance, surety or appeal bonds to which such person is a party or which are otherwise required of such person, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent or other obligations of like nature, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)

Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, laborers’, materialmen’s, landlords’, vendors’, workmen’s, operators’, producers’ and mechanics’ Liens, in each case for sums not yet due or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(c)

Liens for property taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

 

(d)

survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements, defects, irregularities or deficiencies in title to easements, or reservations of or with respect to, or rights of others for or with respect to, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric and other utility lines and usages, telegraph and telephone lines, pipelines, surface use, operation of equipment, permits, servitudes and other similar matters, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such person or to the ownership of its properties that, in all such cases, were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such person;

 

(e)

Liens existing on or provided for under the terms of agreements existing on February 1, 1996;

 

(f)

Liens on property at the time we or any of our subsidiaries acquired the property or the entity owning such property, including any acquisition by means of a merger or consolidation with or into us; provided, however, that any such Lien may not extend to any other property owned by us or any of our subsidiaries;

 

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(g)

Liens securing a Hedging Obligation so long as such Hedging Obligation is of the type customarily entered into in connection with, and are entered into for the purpose of, limiting risk;

 

(h)

Liens on accounts receivable or inventory to secure working capital or revolving credit Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i)

Purchase Money Liens;

 

(j)

Liens securing only Indebtedness of one of our Wholly Owned Subsidiaries to us or one or more other Wholly Owned Subsidiaries;

 

(k)

Liens on property or shares of stock of another person at the time such other person becomes a subsidiary of such person; provided, however, that such Liens are not created, incurred or assumed in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other person becoming such a subsidiary;

 

(l)

Liens created, assumed or existing in connection with a tax-free financing;

 

(m)

Liens resulting from the deposit of funds or evidences of Indebtedness in trust for the purpose of defeasing our Indebtedness or that of our subsidiaries;

 

(n)

legal or equitable encumbrances deemed to exist by reason of negative pledges or the existence of any litigation or other legal proceeding and any related lis pendens filing (excluding any attachment prior to judgment, judgment Lien or attachment Lien in aid of execution on a judgment);

 

(o)

rights of a common owner of any interest in property held by such person;

 

(p)

Liens placed upon any real property owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired by us or any of our subsidiaries securing Indebtedness in an amount up to 80% of the fair market value of such real property; and

 

(q)

Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements), as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (e) through (l) and (p); provided, however, that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on such property) and (ii) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the Indebtedness described under clauses (e) through (l) and (p) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under the indenture and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement.

“Principal Property” means any manufacturing plant or manufacturing facility, located within the United States of America (other than its territories and possessions), owned or leased by us or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries, unless, in the opinion of our board of directors, such plant, facility or property is not of material importance to the total business conducted by us and our Restricted Subsidiaries as an entirety.

“Purchase Money Lien” means a Lien on property securing Indebtedness incurred by us or any of our subsidiaries to provide funds for all or any portion of the cost of acquiring, constructing, altering, expanding, improving or repairing such property or assets used in connection with such property.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means at any time any of our subsidiaries (a) substantially all the property of which is located, or substantially all of the business of which is carried on, within the United States of America (other than its territories or possessions) and (b) that owns or leases a Principal Property or that, in the event of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction, will own or lease a Principal Property.

“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to Principal Property owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired whereby we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries transfers such Principal Property to a person and we or any of our Restricted Subsidiaries leases it from such person.

 

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“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary all the capital stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) is owned by the Company or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

Events of Default

The provisions described in “Description of Debt Securities—Events of Defaults” in the accompanying prospectus will be applicable to the notes. In addition, each of the following is an “event of default” with respect to each series of the notes:

 

•

failure to make the required Change of Control Payment when due and payable in accordance with the terms of the indenture; and

 

•

default in the performance or breach by us of any of the covenants described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens,” “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions” and “—Certain Covenants—SEC Reports,” which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after (1) we receive written notice from the trustee or (2) we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes of that series as provided in the indenture.

We will deliver to the trustee promptly after the occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an officer’s certificate of any event which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become an event of default under each of the bullets above and failure by us to comply with the provisions described in “Description of Debt Securities—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” in the accompanying prospectus, its status and what action we are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.

Modification and Waiver

The provisions described in “Description of Debt Securities—Modification and Waiver” in the accompanying prospectus will be applicable to the notes.

Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture; Defeasance

The provisions described in “Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances” in the accompanying prospectus will be applicable to the notes, including the covenants described under “—Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event,” “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens,” “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions” and “—Certain Covenants—SEC Reports.”

Book-Entry Delivery and Form

General

The notes of each series will be issued in registered, global form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Initially, the notes of each series will be represented by one or more permanent global certificates (the “global notes”) in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons. The global notes will be issued on the Issue Date only against payment in immediately available funds.

The global notes will be deposited upon issuance with the trustee as custodian for DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co. (DTC’s partnership nominee) or another DTC nominee for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC, as described below under “—Depositary Procedures.”

Except as set forth below, the global notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the global notes may not be exchanged for notes in certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below under “—Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes.”

 

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Transfers of beneficial interests in the global notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those of Euroclear and Clearstream, which may change from time to time).

Depositary Procedures

The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream is provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC and are subject to changes by it. We and the trustee do not take any responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact DTC or its participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations (“participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities among DTC’s participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC participant, either directly or indirectly (“indirect participants”). Persons who are not DTC participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through participants or indirect participants. DTC has no knowledge of the identity of beneficial owners of securities held by or on behalf of DTC. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of its participants to whose accounts securities are credited. The ownership interests and transfer of ownership interests of each beneficial owner of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of DTC’s participants and indirect participants through the procedures established by DTC:

 

•

upon deposit of the global notes, DTC will credit the accounts of its participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amount of the global notes; and

 

•

ownership of such interests in the global notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the participants) or by the participants and the indirect participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global notes).

Investors in the global notes who are participants in DTC’s system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the global notes who are not participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations which are participants in such system. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the global notes on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels office, as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as operator of Clearstream. All interests in the global notes, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, will be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems. The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery of certificates evidencing securities they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global notes to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of beneficial owners of interests in the global notes to pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

Except as described below, owners of interests in the global notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or “holders” thereof under the indenture for any purpose.

Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on a global note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the indenture.

 

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Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the notes, including the global notes, are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes.

Consequently, neither we nor the trustee nor any of our respective agents has or will have any responsibility or liability whatsoever for:

 

•

any aspect of DTC’s records or any participant’s or indirect participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global notes, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any participant’s or indirect participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the global notes; or

 

•

any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its participants or indirect participants.

DTC has advised us that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. The account of each relevant participant is credited with an amount proportionate to the amount of its interest in the principal amount of the global notes as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the trustee or us. Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds. Transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures. Cross-market transfers between the participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its respective depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global note in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the global notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction.

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the procedures described above to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform those procedures, and those procedures may be discontinued or changed at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

 

S-30

Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes

The global notes are exchangeable for certificated notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons only in the following limited circumstances:

 

•

DTC (1) notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global notes and we fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and we fail to appoint a successor depositary within 90 days;

 

•

we notify the trustee in writing that we have elected to cause the issuance of certificated notes under the indenture; or

 

•

an event of default with respect to the notes represented by such global note shall have occurred and be continuing and the beneficial owner of such note requests through DTC that its notes be issued in certificated form.

In all cases, certificated notes delivered in exchange for any global notes or beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of DTC (in accordance with its customary procedures). In connection with any proposed exchange of global notes for certificated notes, upon request of the trustee, there shall be provided to the trustee all information reasonably necessary to allow the trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The trustee may conclusively rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

Payment and Paying Agents

Payments on the global notes will be made in U.S. dollars by wire transfer. If we issue definitive notes, the holders of definitive notes will be able to receive payments of principal of and interest on their notes at the office of our paying agent. Payment of principal of a definitive note may be made only against surrender of the note to our paying agent. We have the option, however, of making payments of interest by wire transfer or by mailing checks to the address of the holder appearing in the register of note holders maintained by the registrar.

We will make any required interest payments to the person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

The trustee will be designated as our paying agent for payments on the notes. We may at any time designate additional paying agents, rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

Upon request of the trustee, any registered holder who transfers any note shall provide or cause to be provided to the trustee all information reasonably necessary to allow the trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code Section 6045. The trustee may conclusively rely on the information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.

Notices

Any notices required to be given to the holders of the notes will be given to DTC, as the registered holder of the global notes. In the event that the global notes are exchanged for notes in definitive form, notices to holders of the notes will be sent electronically or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the addresses that appear on the register of noteholders maintained by the registrar.

The Trustee

The trustee assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning us or our affiliates or any other party contained in this document or the related documents or for any failure by us or

 

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any other party to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of such information. An affiliate of the trustee is acting as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner under one of our credit facilities. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest).”

The indenture provides that, except during the continuance of an event of default, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the existence of an event of default, the trustee must exercise such rights and powers vested in it by the indenture as a prudent person would exercise under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”) incorporated by reference in the indenture contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to liquidate certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates. If the trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the indenture or in the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate that conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee, or resign.

Governing Law

The indenture and the notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

 

S-32

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. It is not a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating to the notes. This summary is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code, administrative rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions, all as in effect on the date of this prospectus supplement. These authorities may be changed, perhaps with retroactive effect, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those set forth below. No ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or opinion of counsel has or will be sought with respect to the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a different position concerning the tax considerations of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the notes.

This summary is limited to beneficial owners of the notes that purchase the notes for cash pursuant to this offering at their “issue price” (generally, the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for cash to investors (excluding sales to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity as underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers)) and that will hold the notes as “capital assets” within the meaning of section 1221 of the Code. This summary does not address the tax considerations arising under United States federal tax laws other than income tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, or the laws of any non-U.S., state or local jurisdiction. In addition, this discussion does not address all tax considerations that may be applicable to holders’ particular circumstances (such as the effects of section 451(b) of the Code conforming the timing of certain income accruals to financial statements) or to holders that may be subject to special tax rules, such as, for example:

 

•

holders subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

•

banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions;

 

•

regulated investment companies;

 

•

real estate investment trusts;

 

•

tax-exempt organizations;

 

•

brokers and dealers in securities or commodities;

 

•

certain former citizens and former long-term residents of the United States;

 

•

traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;

 

•

U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the United States dollar;

 

•

persons that will hold the notes as a position in a hedging transaction, straddle, conversion transaction, integrated security transaction or other risk reduction transaction;

 

•

persons deemed to sell the notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

•

Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) subject to special rules under the Code, including “controlled foreign corporations” and “passive foreign investment companies”;

 

•

entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes or other pass-through entities, or investors therein;

 

•

U.S. Holders (as defined below) who hold the notes through a non-U.S. broker or other non-U.S. intermediary;

 

•

pension funds; or

 

•

holders who hold the notes in tax-deferred accounts.

 

S-33

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes holds the notes, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership that will hold the notes, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of holding the notes to you.

This summary of United States federal income tax considerations is for general information only and is not tax advice. You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of United States federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax considerations arising under other United States federal tax laws (such as the estate or gift tax laws) or under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable income tax treaty.

Certain Additional Payments

Under certain circumstances (see “Description of Notes–Purchase of Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event”), we may become obligated to make payments on the notes in excess of stated principal and interest. Treasury regulations provide special rules for contingent payment debt instruments which, if applicable, could cause the timing, amount and character of a holder’s income, gain or loss with respect to the notes to be different from the consequences discussed below. Under the applicable Treasury regulations, however, for purposes of determining whether a debt instrument is a contingent payment debt instrument, remote or incidental contingencies (determined as of the date the notes are issued) are ignored. We believe the possibility of making additional payments on the notes is remote and/or incidental. Therefore, we do not intend to treat the notes as contingent payment debt instruments under the applicable Treasury regulations. Our treatment will be binding on all holders, except a holder that discloses its differing treatment in a statement attached to its timely filed United States federal income tax return for the taxable year during which the note was acquired. Our treatment is not binding on the IRS, however, which may take a contrary position and treat the notes as contingent payment debt instruments. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes are not treated as contingent payment debt instruments.

Consequences to U.S. Holders

The following discussion is a summary of the general United States federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a “U.S. Holder” of the notes. A “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is or is treated as, for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

•

a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

•

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust that (1) is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States, if one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

Payments of Interest

Stated interest on the notes will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with such U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for United States federal income tax purposes. If the notes are issued at a discount that equals or exceeds a statutorily defined de minimis amount (i.e., a discount that equals or exceeds 0.25% of the principal amount of the notes multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity), the notes will be considered to be issued with original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes. It is anticipated, and this discussion assumes, that the notes will be issued at par or at a discount that is less than a de minimis amount for United States federal income tax purposes.

 

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Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes

Upon the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note, a U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on such disposition (except to the extent any amount realized is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which, if not previously included in income, will be treated as interest as described above) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will be such U.S. Holder’s cost for the note. The amount realized by a U.S. Holder is the sum of cash plus the fair market value of all other property received on such sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition. Gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a note generally will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the note is more than 12 months. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are generally eligible for preferential rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Surtax on Net Investment Income

Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals, estates or trusts will be subject to a 3.8% surtax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. Holder’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year (or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or trust) and (ii) the excess of the U.S. Holder’s modified adjusted gross income (or adjusted gross income, in the case of an estate or trust) for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A U.S. Holder’s net investment income generally will include its gross interest income and its net gains from the disposition of the notes, unless such interest income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). A U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the applicability of this surtax to its income and gains in respect of its investment in the notes.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of interest and the proceeds of certain sales and other taxable dispositions (including retirements or redemptions) of notes unless you are an exempt recipient. Backup withholding (currently at a rate of 24%) will apply to such payments if you fail to provide your taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or have been notified by the IRS that payments to you are subject to backup withholding or if you otherwise fail to comply with the applicable backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules generally will be allowed as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability and may entitle you to a refund, provided that you furnish the required information to the IRS on a timely basis.

Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

The following discussion is a summary of the general United States federal income tax consequences that will apply to you if you are a “Non-U.S. Holder” of the notes. You are a “Non-U.S. Holder” if you are a beneficial owner of a note and you are not a U.S. Holder or an entity or arrangement that is treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes.

Payments of Interest

Subject to the below discussions of backup withholding and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), payments of interest on the notes to Non-U.S. Holders generally will be exempt from United States federal income tax and withholding tax under the “portfolio interest” exemption if the holder properly certifies as to its foreign status (as described below) and:

 

•

such Non-U.S. Holder does not conduct a trade or business within the United States to which the interest income is effectively connected (and, in the case of an applicable income tax treaty, attributable to such Non-U.S. Holder’s permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States);

 

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•

such Non-U.S. Holder is not a “10-percent shareholder” of us within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and the Treasury regulations thereunder;

 

•

such Non-U.S. Holder is not a “controlled foreign corporation” that is related to us through stock ownership; and

 

•

such Non-U.S. Holder is not a bank that receives such interest in a transaction described in section 881(c)(3) of the Code.

The portfolio interest exemption generally applies only if a Non-U.S. Holder appropriately certifies as to its foreign status. A Non-U.S. Holder generally can meet this certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or appropriate successor form to the applicable withholding agent certifying under penalty of perjury that it is not a United States person. If a Non-U.S. Holder holds the notes through a securities clearing organization, financial institution or other agent acting on its behalf, the Non-U.S. Holder may be required to provide appropriate certifications to such agent. The Non-U.S. Holder’s agent will then generally be required to provide appropriate certifications to the applicable withholding agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. Special rules apply to foreign partnerships, estates and trusts and other intermediaries, and in certain circumstances certifications as to foreign status of partners, trust owners or beneficiaries may have to be provided. In addition, special rules apply to qualified intermediaries that enter into withholding agreements with the IRS.

If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements described above for the portfolio interest exemption, payments of interest made to such Non-U.S. Holder on the notes will be subject to the 30% United States federal withholding tax, unless such holder provides the applicable withholding agent, either with (1) a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, as applicable (or appropriate successor form) establishing an exemption from (or a reduction of) withholding under the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty or (2) a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or appropriate successor form) certifying that interest paid on the note is not subject to withholding tax because the interest is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (as discussed below under “—Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a United States Trade or Business”).

Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Notes

Subject to the discussions of backup withholding and FATCA below, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on any gain realized on the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note unless:

 

•

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to such Non-U.S. Holder’s permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States); or

 

•

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who has been present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and certain other requirements are met.

If a Non-U.S. Holder realizes gain described in the first bullet point, see “—Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a United States Trade or Business” below. If a Non-U.S. Holder is described in the second bullet point, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at a rate of 30% on the amount by which the Non-U.S. Holder’s capital gains allocable to United States sources, including gain from such disposition, exceed any capital losses allocable to United States sources, except as otherwise required by an applicable income tax treaty.

To the extent that the amount realized on a sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of the notes is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest on the notes, this amount generally will be treated in the same manner as described in “—Payments of Interest” above.

 

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Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a United States Trade or Business

If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and interest on a note or gain recognized from the sale, exchange, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a note is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to such Non-U.S. Holder’s permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States), the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to United States federal income tax (but not the surtax on net investment income described above) on that interest and on gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if the Non-U.S. Holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. A Non-U.S. Holder generally can meet these certification requirements by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or appropriate successor form) to the applicable withholding agent. If a Non-U.S. Holder is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty between the United States and such Non-U.S. Holder’s country of residence, any effectively connected income or gain generally will be subject to United States federal income tax only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by such Non-U.S. Holder in the United States. In addition, if a Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to an additional branch profits tax equal to 30% (or a lower applicable income tax treaty rate) of its earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments, that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Generally, information returns will be filed with the IRS in connection with payments of interest on the notes and proceeds from the sale or other taxable disposition (including a retirement or redemption) of the notes. Copies of the information returns reporting such payments and any withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which a Non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

A Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding of tax on payments on the notes unless the Non-U.S. Holder complies with certain certification procedures to establish that it is not a United States person or it is otherwise exempt from backup withholding. The certification procedures required to claim an exemption from withholding of tax on interest described above generally will satisfy the certification requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding as well.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability and may entitle such Non-U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that such Non-U.S. Holder furnishes the required information to the IRS on a timely basis. Each Non-U.S. Holder is urged to consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of backup withholding rules in its particular situation, the availability of an exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable.

FATCA

Pursuant to FATCA, foreign financial institutions (which term includes most foreign hedge funds, private equity funds, mutual funds, securitization vehicles and other investment vehicles) and certain other foreign entities generally must comply with certain information reporting rules with respect to their U.S. account holders and investors or confront a withholding tax on U.S.-source payments made to them (whether received as a beneficial owner or as an intermediary for another party). A foreign financial institution or such other foreign entity that does not comply with the FATCA reporting requirements generally will be subject to a 30% withholding tax with respect to any “withholdable payments.” For this purpose, withholdable payments generally include U.S.-source interest and gross proceeds from dispositions of the notes. The IRS issued proposed Treasury regulations that would eliminate the application of this regime with respect to payments of gross proceeds (but not interest). Pursuant to these proposed Treasury regulations, the issuer and any withholding agent may (but are not required to) rely on this proposed change to FATCA withholding until final Treasury regulations are issued. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

 

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We will not pay any additional amounts to Non-U.S. Holders in respect of any amounts withheld, including pursuant to FATCA. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. Holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of the FATCA provisions to them based on their particular circumstances.

 

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The following summary regarding certain aspects of the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and the Code, is based on ERISA, the Code, judicial decisions and United States Department of Labor and IRS regulations and rulings that are in existence on the date of this prospectus supplement. This summary is general in nature and does not address every issue pertaining to ERISA that may be applicable to us, the notes or a particular investor. Accordingly, and due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed thereunder, each prospective investor, including plan fiduciaries, should consult with his, her or its own advisors or counsel with respect to the advisability of an investment in the notes, and potentially adverse consequences of such investment, including, without limitation, certain ERISA-related issues that affect or may affect the investor with respect to this investment and the possible effects of changes in the applicable laws.

General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA and the Code impose certain requirements on employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of ERISA, plans subject to Section 4975 of the Code and entities whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of such employee benefit plan or plan’s investment in such entities (each such employee benefit plan, plan or entity, a “Plan”) and on those persons who are “fiduciaries” with respect to Plans. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of such a Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of such a Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to such a Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the Plan.

In considering an investment of the assets of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA in the notes, a fiduciary must, among other things, discharge its duties solely in the interest of the participants of such Plan and their beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to such participants and beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the Plan. A fiduciary must act prudently and must diversify the investments of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA so as to minimize the risk of large losses, as well as discharge its duties in accordance with the documents and instruments governing such Plan and all applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code. In addition, ERISA generally requires fiduciaries to hold all assets of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA in trust and to maintain the indicia of ownership of such assets within the jurisdiction of the district courts of the United States. A fiduciary of a Plan subject to Title I of ERISA should consider whether an investment in the notes satisfies these requirements.

Prohibited Transaction Laws

An investor who is considering acquiring the notes with the assets of a Plan must consider whether the acquisition and holding of the notes will constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction. Section 406(a) of ERISA and Sections 4975(c)(1)(A), (B), (C) and (D) of the Code prohibit certain transactions that involve a Plan and a “party in interest” as defined in Section 3(14) of ERISA or a “disqualified person” as defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Code with respect to such Plan unless an exemption is available. Examples of such prohibited transactions include, but are not limited to, sales or exchanges of property (such as the notes) or extensions of credit between a Plan and a party in interest or disqualified person.

Section 406(b) of ERISA and Sections 4975(c)(1)(E) and (F) of the Code generally prohibit a fiduciary with respect to a Plan from dealing with the assets of the Plan for its own benefit (for example when a fiduciary of a Plan uses its position to cause the Plan to make investments in connection with which the fiduciary (or a party related to the fiduciary) receives a fee or other consideration). A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the Plan that engages in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under the Code.

 

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ERISA and the Code contain certain exemptions from the prohibited transactions described above, and the Department of Labor has issued several exemptions, although certain exemptions do not provide relief from the prohibitions on self-dealing contained in Section 406(b) of ERISA and Sections 4975(c)(1)(E) and (F) of the Code. Exemptions include Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code pertaining to certain transactions with non-fiduciary service providers and the following Department of Labor Prohibited Transaction Class Exemptions (“PTCEs”): PTCE 95-60, regarding transactions involving insurance company general accounts; PTCE 90-1, regarding investments by insurance company pooled separate accounts; PTCE 91-38, regarding investments by bank collective investment funds; PTCE 84-14, regarding investments effected by a qualified professional asset manager; and PTCE 96-23, regarding investments effected by an in-house asset manager. There can be no assurance that any of these exemptions will be available with respect to the acquisition and holding of the notes, even if the specified conditions are met. Under Section 4975 of the Code, excise taxes or other penalties and liabilities may be imposed on disqualified persons who participate in non-exempt prohibited transactions (other than a fiduciary acting only as such).

In addition, because the acquisition and holding of the notes may be deemed to involve an extension of credit or other transaction between a Plan and a party in interest or disqualified person, the notes may not be purchased or held by any Plan, or any person investing plan assets of any such Plan, if we or any of our affiliates (a) have investment or administrative discretion with respect to the assets of the Plan used to effect such purchase; (b) have the authority or responsibility to give, or regularly give, investment advice with respect to such assets for a fee and pursuant to an agreement or understanding that such advice (1) will serve as a primary basis for investment decisions with respect to such assets and (2) will be based on the particular investment needs of such Plan; or (c) unless one of the above exemptions applies, are an employer maintaining or contributing to such Plan.

As a general rule, a governmental plan, as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA (a “Governmental Plan”), a church plan, as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA, that has not made an election under Section 410(d) of the Code (a “Church Plan”), and a non-U.S. plan as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA are not subject to the requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. Accordingly, assets of such plans may be invested without regard to the fiduciary and prohibited transaction considerations described above. Although a Governmental Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. plan is not subject to ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, it may be subject to other United States federal, state or local laws or non-United States laws that regulate its investments (“Similar Laws”). A fiduciary of a Government Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. plan should make its own determination as to the requirements, if any, under any Similar Laws applicable to the acquisition and holding of the notes.

Furthermore, each Plan, Governmental Plan, Church Plan and non-U.S. plan should consider the fact that none of the Company, trustee, registrar, paying agent or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Transaction Parties”) is acting, or will act, as a fiduciary to any Plan, Governmental Plan, Church Plan or non-U.S. plan with respect to the decision to purchase or hold the notes. The Transaction Parties are not undertaking to provide impartial investment advice or advice based on any other particular investment need, or to give advice in a fiduciary capacity, with respect to the decision to purchase or hold the notes.

Representation

The notes may be acquired by a Plan or by a Governmental Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. Plan, but only if the acquisition will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a violation of Similar Laws.

Therefore, any investor in the notes will be deemed to represent and warrant to us and the trustee that (1)(a) it is not a Plan, a Governmental Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. plan, (b) it is a Plan and the acquisition and holding of the notes will not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (c) it is a Governmental Plan, a Church Plan or a non-U.S. plan that is not subject to ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any Similar Law that prohibits or taxes (either in terms of an excise or

 

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penalty tax) the acquisition or holding of the notes; (2) none of the Transaction Parties are its fiduciary or have been relied upon by it for any investment advice, in connection with the acquisition and holding of the notes; and (3) it will notify us and the trustee immediately if, at any time, it is no longer able to make the representations contained in clause (1) or (2) above. Any purported transfer of the notes to a transferee that does not comply with the foregoing requirements shall be null and void ab initio.

This offer is not a representation by us or the underwriters that an acquisition of the notes meets all legal requirements applicable to investments by Plans, Governmental Plans, Church Plans or non-U.S. plans or that such an investment is appropriate for any particular Plan, Governmental Plan, Church Plan or non-U.S. plan.

 

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

Subject to the terms and conditions in the underwriting agreement between us and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representatives of the several underwriters named below, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally, and not jointly, agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes that appears opposite its name in the table below:

 

Underwriter		Principal Amount of 2028 Notes				Principal Amount of 2031 Notes
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.		$	52,000,000			$	58,500,000
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.			52,000,000				58,500,000
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC			52,000,000				58,500,000
BofA Securities, Inc.			43,000,000				48,375,000
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC			43,000,000				48,375,000
ING Financial Markets LLC			25,200,000				28,350,000
KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.			25,200,000				28,350,000
PNC Capital Markets LLC			25,200,000				28,350,000
RBC Capital Markets, LLC			25,200,000				28,350,000
Truist Securities, Inc.			25,200,000				28,350,000
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.			10,000,000				11,250,000
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.			10,000,000				11,250,000
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC			9,000,000				10,125,000
ANZ Securities, Inc.			3,000,000				3,375,000
Total		$	400,000,000			$	450,000,000

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the notes included in this offering are subject to approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters have agreed to purchase all of the notes if any of them are purchased. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering of notes may be terminated.

The underwriters initially propose to offer the notes to the public at the public offering prices that appear on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may offer the notes to selected dealers at the applicable public offering price minus a concession of up to 0.250% of the principal amount, in the case of the 2028 notes, and up to 0.375% of the principal amount, in the case of the 2031 notes. In addition, the underwriters may allow, and those selected dealers may reallow a concession of up to 0.150% of the principal amount, in the case of the 2028 notes, and up to 0.250% of the principal amount, in the case of the 2031 notes, to certain other dealers. After the initial offering, the underwriters may change the public offering prices and any other selling terms of each series of notes offered hereby. The underwriters may offer and sell notes through certain of their affiliates.

We are to pay 0.400% per 2028 note and 0.625% per 2031 note, of underwriting discounts to the underwriters in connection with this offering (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the respective securities).

Expenses related to this offering to be paid by us, other than underwriting discounts, are estimated to be approximately $2,400,000.

In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that we will indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

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Each series of notes is a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes of each series, but they are not obligated to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market-making in the notes at any time in their sole discretion. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that liquid trading markets will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the prices of the notes. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the prices of the notes to be higher than they would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriters or their affiliates have engaged, or may in the future engage, in commercial banking or investment banking transactions with us and our affiliates and have received or may in the future receive compensation for their services. In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates has a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates currently hedge and are likely to hedge in the future and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. Affiliates of some of the underwriters are lenders under certain of our existing credit agreements. An affiliate of U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, trustee under the indenture, is a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner under one of our credit agreements. An affiliate of U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., one of the underwriters, is acting as trustee under the indenture. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

The underwriting agreement provides that the closing will occur on August 9, 2024, which is two business days after the date of this prospectus supplement. Rule 15c6-1 under the Exchange Act generally requires that securities trades in the secondary market settle in one business day, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade notes on any date prior to the first business day before delivery will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes will settle in two business days, to specify an alternative settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement. Such purchasers should also consult their own advisors in this regard.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (the “EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of

 

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Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended or superseded, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded, the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of notes in any member state of the EEA will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of notes. This prospectus supplement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (“UK”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended (the “EUWA”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”) and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended or superseded, the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently, no key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the “UK PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement has been prepared on the basis that any offer of the notes in the UK will be made pursuant to an exemption under the UK Prospectus Regulation and the FSMA from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of the notes. This prospectus supplement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the UK Prospectus Regulation or the FSMA.

Further, this prospectus supplement is for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who qualify as investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the “Financial Promotion Order”), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.”) of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the UK, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This prospectus supplement is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The notes may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are “accredited investors,” as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), as applicable, and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

 

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Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

This prospectus supplement does not constitute nor is it intended to be an offer or invitation to the public in Hong Kong to acquire the notes. The notes have not been offered or sold and may not and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the laws of Hong Kong) (the “SFO”) and any rules made thereunder; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “CWUMPO”) and which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CWUMPO. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes has been, may be or will be issued or has been, may be or will be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to the notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

This prospectus supplement has not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any Hong Kong regulatory authorities, including the Securities and Futures Commission and the Companies Registry of Hong Kong and neither has it been nor will it be registered with the Registrar of Companies in Hong Kong. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement may not be issued, circulated or distributed (in whole or in part) in Hong Kong or be used for any purpose in Hong Kong, and the notes may not be offered for subscription to members of the public in Hong Kong. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in doubt about any contents of this prospectus supplement, you should obtain independent professional advice. Each person acquiring the notes will be required, and is deemed by the acquisition of the notes, to confirm that such person is aware of the restriction on offers of the notes described in this prospectus supplement and the relevant offering documents and that such person is not acquiring, and has not been offered any notes in circumstances that contravene any such restrictions and that such person has complied with all relevant laws, rules and regulations applicable to it/him/her and/or the jurisdiction(s) where such person or its/his/her assets are located.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The notes have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of April 13, 1948, as amended (the “FIEA”)). Accordingly, none of the notes nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or for the benefit of, any “resident” of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for account or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEA and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.

 

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Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

Each underwriter has acknowledged that this prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each underwriter has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold any notes or caused the notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any notes or cause the notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than:

(a) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time (the “SFA”)) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA;

(b) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA and where applicable Regulation 3 of the Securities and Futures (Classes of Investors) Regulations 2018 of Singapore; or

(c) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA,

in each case subject to the conditions set forth in the SFA.

Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

(a) to an institutional investor defined in Section 4A of the SFA or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A);

(b) (in the case of a corporation) where the transfer arises from an offer referred to in Section 276(3)(c) of the SFA or (in the case of a trust) where the transfer arises from an offer referred to in Section 276(4)(c) of the SFA;

(c) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

(d) where the transfer is by operation of law;

(e) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

(f) as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018 of Singapore.

Singapore SFA Product Classification — In connection with Section 309B of the SFA and Securities and Futures (Capital Market Products) Regulations 2018 of Singapore (the “CMP Regulations 2018”), unless otherwise specified before an offer of notes, the Company has determined, and hereby notifies all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A(1) of the SFA), that the notes are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

 

S-46

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

This prospectus supplement is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the notes described herein. The notes may not be publicly offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes constitutes a prospectus as such term is understood pursuant to article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, and neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this prospectus supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, nor the Company nor the notes have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. The notes are not subject to the supervision by any Swiss regulatory authority, e.g., the Swiss Financial Markets Supervisory Authority FINMA, and investors in the notes will not benefit from protection or supervision by such authority.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Taiwan

The notes have not been and will not be registered with or approved by the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which constitutes an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan that requires a registration or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been or will be authorized to offer, sell, give advice regarding or otherwise intermediate the offering and sale of the notes in Taiwan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Korea

The notes have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Services Commission of Korea under the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act of Korea. Accordingly, the notes have not been and will not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Korea (as defined in the Foreign Exchange Transactions Law of Korea and its Enforcement Decree) or to others for re-offering or resale, except as otherwise permitted by applicable Korean laws and regulations. In addition, within one year following the issuance of the notes, the notes may not be transferred to any resident of Korea other than a qualified institutional buyer (as such term is defined in the regulation on issuance, public disclosure, etc. of securities of Korea, a “Korean QIB”) registered with the Korea Financial Investment Association (the “KOFIA”) as a Korean QIB and subject to the requirement of monthly reports with the KOFIA of its holding of Korean QIB bonds as defined in the Regulation on Issuance, Public Disclosure, etc. of notes of Korea, provided that (a) the notes are denominated, and the principal and interest payments thereunder are made, in a currency other than Korean won, (b) the amount of the securities acquired by such Korean QIBs in the primary market is limited to less than 20 percent. of the aggregate issue amount of the notes, (c) the notes are listed on one of the major overseas securities markets designated by the Financial Supervisory Service of Korea, or certain procedures, such as registration or report with a foreign financial investment regulator, have been completed for offering of the securities in a major overseas securities market, (d) the one-year restriction on offering, delivering or selling of securities to a Korean resident other than a Korean QIB is expressly stated in the securities, the relevant underwriting agreement, subscription agreement, and the offering circular and (e) the Company and the underwriters shall individually or collectively keep the evidence of fulfillment of conditions (a) through (d) above after having taken necessary actions therefor.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Arab Emirates

The notes have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market) other than

 

S-47

in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus supplement has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, the Dubai Financial Services Authority or any other relevant licensing authority in the United Arab Emirates.

 

S-48

LEGAL MATTERS

Jones Day will pass upon the validity of the notes for us. The underwriters are being represented in connection with this offering by Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Sherwin-Williams Company included in The Sherwin-Williams Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of The Sherwin-Williams Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

S-49

Prospectus

 

 

THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY

 

 

Debt Securities

We may offer from time to time our debt securities. We may sell these debt securities in one or more offerings at prices and on other terms to be determined at the time of offering.

We will provide the specific terms of the debt securities to be offered in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our debt securities. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell our debt securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those offered debt securities.

We may offer our debt securities through agents, underwriters or dealers or directly to investors. Each prospectus supplement will provide the amount, price and terms of the plan of distribution relating to the debt securities to be sold pursuant to such prospectus supplement. We will set forth the names of any underwriters or agents in the accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale.

Investing in any of our debt securities involves risk.

Please read carefully the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus.

 

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SHW.” If we decide to seek a listing of any debt securities offered by this prospectus, we will disclose the exchange or market on which the debt securities will be listed, if any, or where we have made an application for listing, if any, in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is August 8, 2022.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			1
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE			2
OUR BUSINESS			3
RISK FACTORS			4
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			4
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES			7
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			15
LEGAL MATTERS			17
EXPERTS			18

 

-i-

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time sell the debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings at prices and on other terms to be determined at the time of offering.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the debt securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus that we may provide to you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date mentioned on the respective cover page of these documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those respective dates. We are not making offers to sell the debt securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

References in this prospectus to the terms “we,” “us,” the “Company” or “Sherwin-Williams” or other similar terms mean The Sherwin-Williams Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

We make available free of charge on or through our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC. You may access these documents on the “Investor Relations” page of our website at www.sherwin.com. We do not intend for information contained on or accessible through our website to be part of this prospectus, other than the documents that we file with the SEC that are expressly incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

1

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in documents we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in or omitted from this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

Statements that we make in this prospectus about the content of any contract, agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. With respect to each document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each statement that we make is qualified in its entirety by such reference. In particular, the contracts, agreements or other documents included as exhibits to this registration statement or incorporated by reference are intended to provide you with information regarding their terms and not to provide any other factual or disclosure information about Sherwin-Williams or the other parties to the documents. The documents contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable document. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable document and:

 

•

should not in all instances be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;

 

•

have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable document, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the document;

 

•

may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and

 

•

were made only as of the date of the applicable document or such other date or dates as may be specified in the document and are subject to more recent developments.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the completion of the offering of securities described in this prospectus:

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021;

 

•

our Quarterly Reports on Form  10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March  31, 2022 and June 30, 2022; and

 

•

our Current Reports on Form  8-K, as filed with the SEC on February  17, 2022, April  25, 2022 and May 23, 2022.

We will not, however, incorporate by reference in this prospectus any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our current reports on Form 8-K after the date of this prospectus unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.

You may obtain copies of these filings without charge by requesting the filings in writing or by telephone at the following address.

The Sherwin-Williams Company

101 West Prospect Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1075

Telephone Number: (216) 566-2000

Attn: Secretary

 

2

OUR BUSINESS

The Sherwin-Williams Company, founded in 1866, and its consolidated wholly owned subsidiaries are engaged in the development, manufacture, distribution and sale of paint, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers primarily in North and South America with additional operations in the Caribbean region and throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. The Company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams^®, Valspar^®, HGTV HOME^® by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy^®, Krylon^®, Minwax^®, Thompson’s^® WaterSeal^®, Cabot^® and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams^® branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 5,000 company-operated stores and facilities, while the Company’s other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group supplies a broad range of highly-engineered solutions for the construction, industrial, packaging and transportation markets in more than 120 countries around the world. The Company is structured into three reportable segments—The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group and Performance Coatings Group—and an Administrative segment. The Company reports its segment information in the same way that it is internally organized for assessing performance and making decisions regarding allocation of resources.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 101 West Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1075. Our main telephone number is (216) 566-2000.

 

3

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our debt securities involves risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our debt securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future, and any risk factors contained in the applicable prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not yet identified may also materially harm our business, operating results and financial condition and could result in a complete loss of your investment.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations, predictions, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events and conditions and may discuss, among other things, anticipated future performance (including sales and earnings), expected growth, future business plans and the costs and potential liability for environmental-related matters and the lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “project,” “could,” “plan,” “goal,” “target,” “potential,” “seek,” “intend,” “aspire” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from our historical results, performance and experience.

These risks, uncertainties and other factors include such things as:

 

•

general business conditions, strengths of retail and manufacturing economies and growth in the coatings industry;

 

•

changes in general domestic and international economic conditions, including due to higher inflation rates, interest rates, tax rates and unemployment rates, higher labor and healthcare costs, recessions, and changing government policies, laws and regulations;

 

•

changes in raw material and energy supplies and pricing;

 

•

changes in our relationships with customers and suppliers;

 

•

disruptions in the supply chain, including those caused by industry capacity constraints, labor shortages, raw material availability, and logistics delays and constraints;

 

•

cybersecurity incidents and other disruptions to our information technology systems and operations;

 

•

our ability to successfully integrate past and future acquisitions into our existing operations, as well as the performance of the businesses acquired;

 

•

competitive factors, including pricing pressures and product innovation and quality;

 

•

our ability to attain cost savings from productivity initiatives;

 

•

risks and uncertainties associated with our expansion into and our operations in Asia, Europe, South America and other foreign markets, including general economic conditions, political instability,

 

4

inflation rates, recessions, sanctions, foreign currency exchange rates and controls, foreign investment and repatriation restrictions, legal and regulatory constraints, civil unrest, armed conflict (including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine), war and other economic and political factors;

 

•

the achievement of growth in foreign markets, such as Asia, Europe and South America;

 

•

increasingly stringent domestic and foreign governmental regulations, including those affecting health, safety and the environment;

 

•

inherent uncertainties involved in assessing our potential liability for environmental-related activities;

 

•

other changes in governmental policies, laws and regulations, including changes in tariff policies, as well as changes in accounting policies and standards and taxation requirements (such as new or revised tax laws or interpretations);

 

•

the nature, cost, quantity and outcome of pending and future litigation and other claims, including the lead pigment and lead-based paint litigation, and the effect of any legislation and administrative regulations relating thereto;

 

•

adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, including due to the impacts of climate change; and

 

•

public health crises, including the duration, severity and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions implemented by international, federal, state and local public health and governmental authorities to contain and combat COVID-19, which may exacerbate one or more of the aforementioned and/or other risks, uncertainties and factors more fully described in our reports filed with the SEC.

Readers are cautioned that it is not possible to predict or identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results and that the above list should not be considered a complete list. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

 

5

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our debt securities to which this prospectus relates for general corporate purposes. These purposes may include, but are not limited to:

 

•

reduction or refinancing of outstanding indebtedness or other corporate obligations;

 

•

additions to working capital;

 

•

capital expenditures; and

 

•

acquisitions.

Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.

 

6

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes the general terms and provisions of our debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture to be entered into between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, as it may be amended and supplemented from time to time. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture. The indenture is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or the Trust Indenture Act. The indenture has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. You should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meaning specified in the indenture.

General

Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our senior, direct, unsecured obligations and, as such, will rank pari passu in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness. The debt securities will be effectively subordinated to (i) all existing and future indebtedness or other liabilities of our subsidiaries and (ii) all of our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness.

The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that may be issued under it and provides that debt securities may be issued under it from time to time in one or more series. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture does not afford the holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase or redeem the debt securities in the event of a highly-leveraged transaction.

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series, except for the issue date and, in some cases, the public offering price and the first interest payment date, and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities; provided, however, that if such additional debt securities are not fungible with the outstanding debt securities of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the additional debt securities will have a separate CUSIP number.

The prospectus supplement will set forth, among other things:

 

•

the title of the debt securities;

 

•

the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will issue the debt securities;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and if they are subordinated debt securities, the terms of the subordination;

 

•

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

7

•

the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt securities and the right if any, to extend such date or dates;

 

•

the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

•

the right, if any, to extend the interest periods and the duration of that extension;

 

•

the place or places where principal of, and premium and interest on, the debt securities will be payable;

 

•

the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

•

any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities;

 

•

the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

•

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof;

 

•

whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

•

the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

•

the designation of the currency or currencies in which payment of principal of, and premium and interest on, the debt securities will be made if other than U.S. dollars;

 

•

any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

•

any addition to or change in the events of default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

any other terms of the debt securities, which may modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series; and

 

•

any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities.

The foregoing is not intended to be an exclusive list of the terms that may be applicable to any offered debt securities.

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

8

Exchange and Transfer

Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the registrar or co-registrar designated by us.

We will not impose a service charge for any transfer or exchange, but we may require holders to pay any tax or other governmental charges associated with any transfer or exchange.

In the event of any redemption of debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:

 

•

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange, any debt security of that series during a period beginning at the opening of 15 business days before the day of sending of a notice of redemption and ending at the close of business on the day such notice is sent; or

 

•

register the transfer of, or exchange, any debt security of that series selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any series being redeemed in part.

We may initially appoint the trustee as the registrar. Any transfer agent, in addition to the registrar initially designated by us, will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional transfer agents or change transfer agents or change the office of the transfer agent. However, we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

Global Securities

The debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities. Each global security will:

 

•

be registered in the name of a depositary that we will identify in a prospectus supplement;

 

•

be deposited with the trustee as custodian for the depositary or its nominee; and

 

•

bear any required legends.

No global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered in the name of any person other than the depositary or any nominee unless:

 

•

the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or has ceased to be qualified to act as depositary, and in either case we fail to appoint a successor depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act within 90 days of such event;

 

•

we execute and deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate to the effect that such global securities shall be so exchangeable; or

 

•

an event of default with respect to the debt securities represented by such global securities shall have occurred and be continuing.

As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the indenture. Except in the above limited circumstances, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

 

•

will not be entitled to have the debt securities registered in their names;

 

•

will not be entitled to physical delivery of certificated debt securities; and

 

•

will not be considered to be holders of those debt securities under the indenture.

 

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Payments on a global security will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the holder of the global security. Some jurisdictions have laws that require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

Institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee are referred to as “participants.” Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. The depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary (and, if such person is not a participant, on procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest) to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on and effected through records maintained by the depositary, with respect to participants’ interests, or by any participant, with respect to interests of persons held by participants on their behalf. Payments, transfers and exchanges relating to beneficial interests in a global security will be subject to policies and procedures of the depositary. The depositary policies and procedures may change from time to time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for the depositary’s acts or omissions or any participant’s records with respect to beneficial interests in a global security.

Payment and Paying Agent

The provisions of this subsection will apply to the debt securities unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement. Payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date. Payment on debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of a paying agent or paying agents designated by us. However, at our option, we may pay interest by mailing a check to the record holder.

We may also name any other paying agents in the prospectus supplement. We may designate additional paying agents, change paying agents or change the office of any paying agent. However, we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, all moneys paid by us to a paying agent for payment on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such payment was due will be repaid to us. Thereafter, the holder may look only to us for such payment.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may not merge or consolidate with or into any other person, in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any person, unless:

 

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the successor or transferee is a U.S. corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity;

 

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the successor or transferee assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;

 

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immediately after giving effect to the transaction and treating our obligations in connection with or as a result of such transaction as having been incurred as of the time of such transaction, no default or event of default under the indenture shall have occurred and be continuing; and

 

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•

an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel have been delivered to the trustee in connection with the foregoing.

In the event of the above transaction, if there is a successor or transferee, then the successor or transferee will expressly assume all of our obligations under the indenture and automatically be substituted for us in the indenture and as issuer of the debt securities and may exercise every right and power of ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor or transferee had been named in our place in the indenture; provided, however, that the predecessor company will not be relieved of the obligation to pay principal and interest on the debt securities except in the case of a sale of all of the assets of us and our subsidiaries.

Events of Default

Event of default means, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

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default in the payment of any interest on any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days;

 

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default in the payment of principal of, or premium on, any debt security of that series when due and payable;

 

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failure on our part to comply with the covenant described above under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

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default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture or any supplemental indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture or applicable supplemental indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 90 days after (1) we receive written notice from the trustee or (2) we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company or our significant subsidiaries; and

 

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any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We will promptly deliver to the trustee written notice of any event which with the giving of notice and the lapse of time would become a covenant event of default, or any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement, along with a description of the status and what action we are taking or propose to take with respect to such event of default.

No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under our bank credit agreements in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

If an event of default (other than an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company) with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of, and

 

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accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if the rescission and annulment would not conflict with any judgment or decree already rendered and if all events of default with respect to that series, other than the non-payment of principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series that has become due and payable solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived and all sums paid or advanced by the trustee and the reasonable compensation expenses and disbursements of the trustee and its agents and counsel have been paid as provided in the indenture.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of outstanding debt securities, unless the trustee receives security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

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that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

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the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee, to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, and premium and any interest on, that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment.

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any default or event of default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We may amend or modify the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities of the series affected by the modifications or amendments in order to:

 

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cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

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conform the text of the indenture, including any supplemental indenture, or the debt securities to any corresponding provision of this “Description of Debt Securities” or description of the debt securities found in the prospectus supplement as evidenced by an officer’s certificate;

 

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provide for the issuance of additional debt securities;

 

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•

provide for the assumption of our obligations in the case of a merger or consolidation and our discharge upon such assumption provided that the provision under “Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets” of the indenture is complied with;

 

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add covenants or make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of the debt securities;

 

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add guarantees with respect to the debt securities;

 

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provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

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secure the debt securities;

 

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add or appoint a successor or separate trustee;

 

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make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of debt securities in any material respect, as evidenced by an officer’s certificate; or

 

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obtain or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

Other amendments and modifications of the indenture or the debt securities issued may be made with the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series, and our compliance with any provision of the indenture with respect to the debt securities may be waived by written notice to the trustee by the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series. However, no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the affected series:

 

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reduce the principal amount, any premium or change the stated maturity of any debt security or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption or repurchase of the debt securities;

 

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change the place of payment or currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid;

 

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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the debt securities;

 

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waive a payment default with respect to the debt securities;

 

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reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the debt securities;

 

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make any change to the amendment and modification provisions in the indenture; or

 

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reduce the percentage in principal amount outstanding of debt securities, the consent of the holders of which is required for any of the foregoing modifications or otherwise necessary to modify, supplement or amend the indenture or to waive any past default.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of such series, waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. Prior to the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities of any series pursuant to the terms of the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may, on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series, waive any past default under the indenture with respect to such debt securities and its consequences, except (i) a default with respect to such series in the payment of the principal of, or premium or any interest on, the debt securities of such series or (ii) a default or event of default in respect of a covenant or provision that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of all of the holders of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, in certain circumstances, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the

 

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transfer or exchange of debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal firm to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of that series.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, upon compliance with certain conditions, we may be released from our obligation to comply with certain covenants set forth in the indenture and any supplemental indenture, and any failure to comply with those covenants will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series, or covenant defeasance. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option with respect to a series of debt securities, payment of such debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default related to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our significant subsidiaries.

The conditions include:

 

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depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the written opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, a nationally recognized investment bank or a nationally recognized appraisal firm to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest in accordance with the terms of the indenture and the debt securities of the applicable series; and

 

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delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners of the debt securities of the applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered debt securities in and outside the United States:

 

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through underwriters or dealers;

 

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directly to purchasers;

 

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through agents; or

 

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through a combination of any of these methods.

The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

 

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the terms of the offering;

 

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the names of any underwriters or agents;

 

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the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;

 

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the purchase price or initial public offering price of the debt securities;

 

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the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities;

 

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any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

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any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;

 

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any commissions paid to agents; and

 

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any securities exchanges on which the debt securities may be listed.

Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, we will execute an underwriting agreement with them regarding the debt securities. The underwriters will acquire the debt securities for their own account, subject to conditions in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters may resell the debt securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer the debt securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the debt securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered debt securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the debt securities in the open market. To the extent expressly set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, these transactions may include over-allotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered debt securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered debt securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered debt securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

Some or all of the debt securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of debt securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our debt securities for public offering may

 

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make a market in those debt securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any debt securities that we offer.

If dealers are used in the sale of the debt securities, we will sell the debt securities to them as principals. They may then resell the debt securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

We may sell the debt securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the debt securities through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered debt securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the debt securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any sales of these debt securities in the prospectus supplement.

Remarketing Arrangements

Offered debt securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase debt securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Jones Day will pass upon the validity of the debt securities being offered hereby.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of The Sherwin-Williams Company incorporated by reference in The Sherwin-Williams Company’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of The Sherwin-Williams Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, incorporated by reference therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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THE SHERWIN-WILLIAMS COMPANY

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT