SEC Form S-3 filed by Aviat Networks Inc.
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AVIAT NETWORKS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 20-5961564 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
200 Parker Drive, Suite C100A
Austin, Texas 78728
(408) 941-7100
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Peter A. Smith
President and Chief Executive Officer
200 Parker Drive, Suite C100A
Austin, Texas 78728
(408) 941-7100
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Katherine Terrell Frank
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 3900
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 220-7700
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post- effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period to comply with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to such Section 8(a), may determine.
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement consists of two prospectuses, covering the registration of:
• | Shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock and debt securities of Aviat Networks, Inc.; and |
• | Shares of common stock of Aviat Networks, Inc. that may be sold in one or more secondary offerings by the selling stockholder. |
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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 30, 2024
PROSPECTUS
$400,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
From time to time, in one or more offerings, together or separately, we may offer and sell shares of our common stock, shares of preferred stock, or debt securities, or any combination of the foregoing. The aggregate public offering price of all securities issued by us under this prospectus may not exceed $400,000,000.
We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “AVNW.” On April 26, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $33.96 per share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should review carefully the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference from our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission into this prospectus.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
The securities may be sold directly by us to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
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 .
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we may, from time to time, offer and sell, either individually or in combination, in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus. We are offering to sell the securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before buying any of the securities being offered.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you.
The information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe that these sources are reliable, market and industry data is subject to variations and cannot be verified due to limits on the availability and reliability of data inputs, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey. We have not independently verified any of the data from third party sources or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will
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be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
In this prospectus, “we,” “our,” “us,” “Aviat Networks,” and the “Company” refer to Aviat Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
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This summary highlights selected information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Aviat Networks, Inc.
Overview
We design, manufacture and sell wireless networking and access networking solutions and services to mobile and fixed telephone service providers, private network operators, government agencies, transportation and utility companies, public safety agencies and broadcast system operators across the globe. Our products include broadband wireless access base stations and customer premises equipment for fixed and mobile, point-to-point digital microwave radio systems for access, backhaul, trunking and license-exempt applications, supporting new network deployments, network expansion, and capacity upgrades.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in Delaware in 2006 to combine the businesses of Harris Corporation’s Microwave Communications Division and Stratex Networks, Inc. On January 28, 2010, we changed our corporate name from Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. to Aviat Networks, Inc.
Our principal executive offices are located at 200 Parker Dr., Suite C100A, Austin, Texas 78728, and our telephone number is (408) 941-7100. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AVNW.” Our corporate website is at www.Aviatnetworks.com. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus or in deciding to purchase our securities.
The Securities We May Offer
We may offer shares of our common stock, preferred stock and/or various series of debt securities, either individually or in combination, up to a total dollar amount of $400,000,000, from time to time under this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of any offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
• | designation or classification; |
• | aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price; |
• | maturity date, if applicable; |
• | original issue discount, if any; |
• | rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any; |
• | redemption, conversion, exercise, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any; |
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• | conversion or exchange prices or rates, if any, and, if applicable, any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the conversion or exchange prices or rates and in the securities or other property receivable upon conversion or exchange; |
• | ranking; |
• | restrictive covenants, if any; |
• | voting or other rights, if any; and |
• | material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations, if any. |
The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities to or through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
• | the names of those agents or underwriters; |
• | applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them; |
• | details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and |
• | the net proceeds to us. |
Use of Proceeds
Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us hereunder, if any, for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus.
The Nasdaq Global Select Market Listing
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AVNW.” The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face; there may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section below entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements of, about, concerning or regarding: our plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, including with respect to growing our business and sustaining profitability; our restructuring efforts; our research and development efforts and new product releases and services; trends in revenue; drivers of our business and the markets in which we operate; future economic conditions, performance or outlook, and changes in our industry and the markets we serve; the outcome of contingencies; the value of our contract awards; beliefs or expectations; the sufficiency of our cash and our capital needs and expenditures; our intellectual property protection; our compliance with regulatory requirements and the associated expenses; expectations regarding litigation; our intention not to pay cash dividends; seasonality of our business; the impact of foreign exchange and inflation; taxes; and assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “strategy,” “projects,” “targets,” “goals,” “seeing,” “delivering,” “continues,” “forecasts,” “future,” “predict,” “might,” “could,” “potential,” or the negative of these terms, and similar words or expressions.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, these forward-looking statements are based on estimates reflecting the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the senior management of the Company regarding the future of its business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should therefore be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
• | disruption that the Company’s acquisition of NEC Corporation’s wireless transport business (the “NEC Transaction”) may cause to customers, vendors, business partners and our ongoing business; |
• | our ability to integrate the operations of the acquired NEC Corporation businesses with our existing operations and fully realize the expected synergies of the NEC Transaction on the expected timeline; |
• | the impact of COVID-19 on our business, operations and cash flows; |
• | disruptions relating to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas; |
• | continued price and margin erosion as a result of increased competition in the microwave transmission industry; |
• | the impact of the volume, timing, and customer, product, and geographic mix of our product orders; |
• | our ability to meet financial covenant requirements which could impact, among other things, our liquidity; |
• | the timing of our receipt of payment for products or services from our customers; |
• | our ability to meet product development dates or anticipated cost reductions of new products; |
• | our suppliers’ inability to perform and deliver on time as a result of their financial condition, component shortages, or other supply chain constraints; |
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• | the effects of inflation; |
• | customer acceptance of new products; |
• | the ability of our subcontractors to timely perform; |
• | weakness in the global economy affecting customer spending; |
• | retention of our key personnel; |
• | our ability to manage and maintain key customer relationships; |
• | uncertain economic conditions in the telecommunications sector combined with operator and supplier consolidation; |
• | our failure to protect our intellectual property rights or defend against intellectual property infringement claims by others; |
• | the results of our restructuring efforts; |
• | the effects of currency and interest rate risks; |
• | the effects of current and future government regulations; |
• | general economic conditions, including uncertainty regarding the timing, pace and extent of an economic recovery in the United States and other countries where we conduct business; |
• | the conduct of unethical business practices in developing countries; |
• | the impact of political turmoil in countries where we have significant business; |
• | our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of any proposed or recent acquisitions; |
• | the impact of tariffs, the adoption of trade restrictions affecting our products or suppliers, a United States withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, the occurrence of trade wars, the closing of border crossings, and other changes in trade regulations or relationships; |
• | our ability to implement our stock repurchase program or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value; |
• | the impact of adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, including events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial institutions; and |
• | other risks and uncertainties, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. |
As a result of these factors, we cannot assure that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or the documents that are incorporated by reference herein or therein will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, these statements should not be regarded as representations or warranties by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, for any reason, except as required by law, even as new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.
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Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by us hereunder, if any, for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes, which may include costs of funding future acquisitions or for any other purpose we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. The timing and amount of our actual expenditures will be based on many factors; therefore, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of the offerings. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities.
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General
Aviat Networks, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” or “our”) is incorporated in the State of Delaware. We have two classes of registered securities, common stock and preferred share purchase rights (“Rights”). As of April 26, 2024, we have 12,565,284 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.
The rights of our security holders are generally covered by Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation (“Certificate”) and by-laws (“Bylaws”) (each as amended or restated and in effect as of the date hereof). The terms of our securities are therefore subject to Delaware law, including the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), and the common and constitutional law of Delaware. Additionally, the terms of the Rights are described in that certain Tax Benefit Preservation Plan, dated as of March 3, 2020 (as amended and restated on August 27, 2020, as amended, the “Plan”), between the Company and Computershare Inc., as rights agent. We submitted the Plan to a stockholder vote and our stockholders approved the Plan at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted Amendment No. 1 to the Plan (the “Amendment to the Plan”) on February 28, 2023, which was submitted to a stockholder vote and approved by our stockholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This description is a summary and does not purport to be complete. Our Certificate, Bylaws and the Plan are incorporated by reference or filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and amendments or restatements of each will be filed with the SEC in future periodic or current reports in accordance with the rules of the SEC. We encourage you to read our Certificate and Bylaws, the Plan, and the applicable provisions of the DGCL for additional information.
For information on how to obtain copies of our Certificate, Bylaws, and the Plan, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
Authorized Capital Stock
We are authorized to issue 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Common Stock
Voting Rights
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share in the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights, meaning that holders of a majority of the shares of common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all the directors if they choose to do so. The voting rights of holders of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), which are discussed in further detail below, or of any future series of preferred stock issued by the Board, may affect the voting power associated with our common stock.
Dividend Rights
Subject to prior rights and preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares or series of preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends when, as and if declared by our Board out of funds legally available therefor.
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Liquidation Rights
If we liquidate or dissolve our business, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of common stock will share ratably in the distribution of assets available for distribution to stockholders after creditors are paid and preferred stockholders, including holders of Series A Preferred Stock, if any, receive their distributions.
Other
Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights and is not entitled to the benefits of any redemption or sinking fund provision. The outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable with no restrictions on alienability.
Stock Exchange Listing
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AVNW.”
Preferred Stock
The Board generally will be authorized, without further stockholder approval, to issue from time to time up to an aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series. The Board is expressly authorized to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of each series of Preferred Stock, including without limitation the following:
• | the distinctive serial designation of such series which shall distinguish it from other series; |
• | the number of shares included in such series; |
• | the dividend rate (or method of determining such rate) payable to the holders of the shares of such series, any conditions upon which such dividends shall be paid and the date or dates upon which such dividends shall be payable; |
• | whether dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative and, in the case of shares of any series having cumulative dividend rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative; |
• | the amount or amounts which shall be payable out of the assets of the Company to the holders of the shares of such series upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up the Company, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of the shares of such series; |
• | the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or at the option of the holder or holders thereof or upon the happening of a specified event or events; |
• | the obligation, if any, of the Company to purchase or redeem shares of such series pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; |
• | whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible or exchangeable, at any time or times at the option of the holder or holders thereof or at the option of the Company or upon happening of a specified event or events, into shares of any other class or classes of stock of the Company, and the price or prices or rate or rates of exchange or conversion and any adjustments applicable thereto; and |
• | whether or not the holders of the shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and if so the terms of such voting rights. |
The rights of the holders of common stock will generally be subordinate to the rights of holders of any preferred stock issued in the future. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection
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with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock, and could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from attempting to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. As of the date hereof, the Board has designated one series of preferred stock, the Series A Preferred Stock. No shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are currently issued or outstanding.
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
Rights Plan
On March 3, 2020, the Board authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding share of common stock of the Company to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 13, 2020 (the “Record Date”). Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at an exercise price of $35.00 (the “Exercise Price”) per one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment. The complete terms of the Rights are set forth in the Plan.
The Plan is intended to protect the Company’s ability to use its net operating losses, any loss or deduction attributable to a “net unrealized built-in loss” and other tax attributes (collectively, “Tax Benefits”). If the Company experiences an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), its ability to use the Tax Benefits could be substantially limited, and the timing of the usage of the Tax Benefits could be substantially delayed, which could significantly impair the value of the Tax Benefits. Generally, an “ownership change” occurs if the percentage of the Company’s stock owned by one or more “five percent stockholders” increases by more than 50 percentage points over the lowest percentage of stock owned by such stockholders at any time during the prior three-year period or, if sooner, since the last “ownership change” experienced by the Company.
The Plan is intended to act as a deterrent to any person acquiring 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock without the approval of the Board. This would protect the Tax Benefits because changes in ownership by a person owning less than 4.9% of the shares of common stock are not included in the calculation of “ownership change” for purposes of Section 382 of the Code. We submitted the Plan to a stockholder vote and our stockholders approved the Plan at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. On February 28, 2023, the Board approved, and the Company and Computershare Inc., as Rights Agent, entered into the Amendment to the Plan, which extends the final expiration date of the Plan from March 3, 2023 to March 3, 2026. The Amendment to the Plan was submitted to a stockholder vote and approved by stockholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Distribution and Transfer of Rights; Rights Certificates
The Board declared a dividend of one Right for each outstanding share of common stock as of the Record Date. Prior to the Distribution Date referred to below:
• | The Rights are evidenced by and trade with the certificates for the shares of common stock (or, with respect to any uncertificated shares of common stock registered in book entry form, by notation in book entry), and no separate rights certificates will be distributed. |
• | New certificates issued after the Record Date for shares of common stock will contain a legend incorporating the Plan by reference (for uncertificated shares of common stock registered in book entry form, this legend will be contained in a notation in book entry). |
• | The surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of common stock (or the surrender for transfer of any uncertificated shares of common stock registered in book entry form) will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such shares of common stock. |
• | Rights will accompany any new shares of common stock that are issued after the Record Date. |
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Distribution Date
Subject to certain exceptions specified in the Plan, the Rights will separate from the shares of common stock and become exercisable following (1) the 10th business day (or such later date as may be determined by the Board) after the public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an “Acquiring Person”) has acquired beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock or (2) the 10th business day (or such later date as may be determined by the Board) after a person or group announces a tender or exchange offer that would result in ownership by a person or group of 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock. For purposes of the Plan, beneficial ownership is defined to include the ownership of derivative securities. Any person or group of affiliated or associated persons who beneficially owns 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock as of the announcement of the Plan will not be an Acquiring Person, but only for so long as such person or group does not become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of common stock.
The date on which the Rights separate from the shares of common stock and become exercisable is referred to as the “Distribution Date.” After the Distribution Date, the Company will mail Rights certificates to the Company’s stockholders as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and the Rights will become transferable apart from the shares of common stock. Thereafter, such Rights certificates alone will represent the Rights.
Preferred Shares Purchasable Upon Exercise of Rights
After the Distribution Date, each Right will entitle the holder to purchase, for the Exercise Price, one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock having economic and other terms similar to that of one share of common stock. This portion of a share of Series A Preferred Stock is intended to give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one share of common stock, and should approximate the value of one share of common stock.
More specifically, each one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, if issued, will:
• | not be redeemable; |
• | entitle holders to quarterly dividend payments of $0.01 per share, or an amount equal to the dividend paid on one share of common stock, whichever is greater; |
• | entitle holders upon liquidation either to receive $1.00 per share or an amount equal to the payment made on one share of common stock, whichever is greater; |
• | have the same voting power as one share of common stock (see “Voting Rights of Series A Preferred Stock” below for additional information); and |
• | entitle holders to a per share payment equal to the payment made on one share of common stock if the shares of common stock are exchanged via merger, consolidation or a similar transaction. |
Voting Rights of Series A Preferred Stock
If issued, holders of our Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to one thousand votes per share of preferred stock (subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, including a stock split, reverse stock split or payment of dividends in common stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. Except as provided in the Certificate, the Bylaws, any certificate of designation of preferred stock or by law, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and common stock will vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. Upon the occurrence and continuance of a default with respect to the payment of dividends to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a class, have the right to elect two directors to the Board, who shall serve for so long as such default continues. After such election and during the continued period of default, the number of directors shall not be increased or decreased except by vote of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
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Flip-In Trigger
If an Acquiring Person obtains beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock, except pursuant to an offer for all outstanding shares of common stock that the independent members of the Board determine to be fair and not inadequate and to otherwise be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders after receiving advice from one or more investment banking firms, then each Right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of shares of common stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price. However, the Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of the foregoing event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company, as further described below. Following the occurrence of an event set forth in preceding sentence, all Rights that are or, under certain circumstances specified in the Plan, were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or certain of its transferees will be null and void.
Flip-Over Trigger
If, after an Acquiring Person obtains 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock, (1) the Company merges into another entity, (2) an acquiring entity merges into the Company or (3) the Company sells or transfers more than 50% of its assets, cash flow or earning power, then each Right (except for Rights that have previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of shares of common stock of the person engaging in the transaction having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price.
Redemption of the Rights
The Rights will be redeemable at the Company’s option for $0.01 per Right (payable in cash, shares of common stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board) at any time on or prior to the 10th business day (or such later date as may be determined by the Board) after the public announcement that an Acquiring Person has acquired beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock. Immediately upon the action of the Board ordering redemption, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the $0.01 redemption price. The redemption price will be adjusted if the Company undertakes a stock dividend or a stock split.
Exchange Provision
At any time after the date on which an Acquiring Person beneficially owns 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock and prior to the acquisition by the Acquiring Person of 50% of the shares of common stock, the Board may exchange the Rights (except for Rights that have previously been voided as set forth above), in whole or in part, for shares of common stock at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per Right (subject to adjustment). In certain circumstances, the Company may elect to exchange the Rights for cash or other securities of the Company having a value approximately equal to one share of common stock.
Expiration of the Rights
The Rights expire on the earliest of (1) 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 3, 2026 (unless such date is extended); (2) the redemption or exchange of the Rights as described above; (3) the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any other change if the Board determines that the Plan is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of the Tax Benefits; (4) the time at which the Board determines that the Tax Benefits are fully utilized or no longer available pursuant to Section 382 of the Code or that an ownership change pursuant to Section 382 of the Code would not adversely impact in any material respect the time period in which the Company could use the Tax Benefits, or materially impair the amount of the Tax Benefits that could be used by the Company in any particular time period, for applicable tax purposes; or (5) a determination by the Board that the Plan is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
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Amendment of Terms of the Plan and the Rights
The terms of the Rights and the Plan may be amended in any respect without the consent of the holders of the Rights on or prior to the Distribution Date. Thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Plan may be amended without the consent of the holders of Rights in order to (1) cure any ambiguities, (2) shorten or lengthen any time period pursuant to the Plan or (3) make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights.
Voting Rights; Other Stockholder Rights
The Rights will not have any voting rights. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no separate rights as stockholder of the Company.
Anti-Dilution Provisions
The Board may adjust the Exercise Price, the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock issuable and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split or a reclassification of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock or common stock.
With certain exceptions, no adjustments to the Exercise Price will be made until the cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Exercise Price. No fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the current market price of such shares.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Investor Services is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock and the Rights.
Potential Anti-Takeover Effects
Some provisions of our Certificate and Bylaws and of the DGCL could make the acquisition of control of our company and/or the removal of our existing management more difficult, including the following:
• | Subject to certain rights provided to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, our Board fixes the size of the Board, may create new directorships and may appoint new directors to serve in such newly-created positions until the next election of one or more directors by our stockholders. |
• | Our Board is expressly authorized to amend or repeal our Bylaws, or adopt new bylaws, except that certain sections of the Bylaws (as specified therein) may only be amended with the approval of 2/3 of certain specified directors and/or the approval of the stockholders otherwise required by applicable law or the Bylaws for such amendment. |
• | We have advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors. |
• | Stockholders have no preemptive right to acquire our securities. |
• | Our Board has ability to authorize and issue undesignated preferred stock. This ability makes it possible for our Board to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us as further described under “Preferred Stock” above. |
• | As further discussed above, our Board has issued the Rights and adopted the Plan. The Plan is intended to act as a deterrent to any person acquiring 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock without the approval of the Board in order to preserve certain Tax Benefits. |
Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company in state court, (ii) any action asserting a claim
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of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Certificate the Bylaws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Delaware Court of Chancery (or if the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, a state court located within the State of Delaware or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware).
Additionally, we are a Delaware corporation and are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prevents us from engaging in a business combination with an “interested stockholder” (generally, a person owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock) for three years following the time that person becomes a 15% stockholder unless one of the following is satisfied:
• | before that person became a 15% stockholder, our Board approved the transaction in which the stockholder became a 15% stockholder or approved the business combination; |
• | upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder’s becoming a 15% stockholder, the stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction began (excluding stock held by directors who are also officers and by employee stock plans that do not provide employees with the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the Plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); and |
• | after the transaction in which that person became a 15% stockholder, the business combination is approved by our Board and authorized at a stockholders’ meeting by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the 15% stockholder. |
Under Section 203, these restrictions also do not apply to certain business combinations proposed by a 15% stockholder following the disclosure of an extraordinary transaction with a person who was not a 15% stockholder during the previous three years or who became a 15% stockholder with the approval of a majority of our directors. This exception applies only if the extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a majority of our directors who were directors before any person became a 15% stockholder in the previous three years, or the successors of these directors.
These provisions are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. They are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with our Board. We believe that the benefits of increased protection give us the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us and that these benefits outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging the proposals. Negotiating with the proponent could result in an improvement of the terms of the proposal.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities under the indenture that we will enter into with the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and any supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established in or pursuant to a board resolution, and set forth in an officer’s certificate, or established in one or more supplemental indentures. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
• | the title of the series of debt securities; |
• | any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued; |
• | the maturity date or dates; |
• | the form of the debt securities of the series; |
• | the applicability of any guarantees; |
• | whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
• | whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination; |
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• | if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined; |
• | the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates; |
• | our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
• | if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions; |
• | the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable; |
• | the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
• | any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series; |
• | whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; |
• | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities, and the depositary for such global security or securities; |
• | if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable for our common stock or our other securities, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange; |
• | if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof; |
• | additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant; |
• | additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable; |
• | additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance; |
• | additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture; |
• | additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture; |
• | the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars; |
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• | whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made; |
• | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes; |
• | any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and |
• | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations. |
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Events of Default under the Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indenture with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
• | if we fail to pay any installment of interest on any series of debt securities, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension of an interest payment period by us in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose; |
• | if we fail to pay the principal of, or premium, if any, on any series of debt securities as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to such series; provided, however, that a valid extension of the maturity of such debt securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental thereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any; |
• | if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the debt securities or the indenture, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such is a notice of default thereunder, from the trustee or holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and |
• | if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur. |
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above occurs with respect to us, the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default
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regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity. 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, provided that:
• | the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and |
• | subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding. |
A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indenture or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:
• | the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series; |
• | the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, |
• | such holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred by the trustee in compliance with the request; and |
• | the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 90 days after the notice, request and offer. |
These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.
We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indenture.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
We and the trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters:
• | to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture or in the debt securities of any series; |
• | to comply with the provisions described above under “— Consolidation, Merger or Sale;” |
• | to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; |
• | to add to our covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities, to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us in the indenture; |
• | to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in the indenture; |
• | to make any change that does not adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect; |
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• | to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the debt securities of any series as provided above under “— General” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities; |
• | to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under any indenture by a successor trustee; or |
• | to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act. |
In addition, under the indenture, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
• | extending the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series; |
• | reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any series of any debt securities; or |
• | reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver. |
Discharge
Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:
• | provide for payment; |
• | register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series; |
• | replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series; |
• | pay principal of and premium and interest on any debt securities of the series; |
• | maintain paying agencies; |
• | hold monies for payment in trust; |
• | recover excess money held by the trustee; |
• | compensate and indemnify the trustee; and |
• | appoint any successor trustee. |
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, any premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or another depositary named by us and identified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect
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to that series. To the extent the debt securities of a series are issued in global form and as book-entry, a description of terms relating to any book entry securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so, required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
• | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or |
• | register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part. |
Information Concerning the Trustee
The trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each
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series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
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We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee, depositary or warrant agent maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.
Book-Entry Holders
We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as we will specify in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book- entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Securities issued in global form will be registered in the name of the depositary or its participants. Consequently, for securities issued in global form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities.
As a result, investors in a book-entry security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the securities.
Street Name Holders
We may terminate a global security or issue securities in non-global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.
For securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not holders, of those securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee and of any third parties employed by us or a trustee, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.
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For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of the indenture or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.
Special Considerations For Indirect Holders
If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:
• | how it handles securities payments and notices; |
• | whether it imposes fees or charges; |
• | how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required; |
• | whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future; |
• | how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and |
• | if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters. |
Global Securities
A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.
Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, DTC will be the depositary for all securities issued in book-entry form.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under the section entitled “Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated” in this prospectus. As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.
If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued in global form only, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.
Special Considerations For Global Securities
The rights of an indirect holder relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We
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do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.
If securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:
• | an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below; |
• | an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above; |
• | an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form; |
• | an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective; |
• | the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security; |
• | we and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security, nor do we or any applicable trustee supervise the depositary in any way; |
• | the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security within its book- entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and |
• | financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities. |
There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.
Special Situations When a Global Security Will Be Terminated
In a few special situations described below, the global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own name, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:
• | if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days; |
• | if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or |
• | if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived. |
The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement. When a global security terminates, the depositary, and not we or any applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions that will be the initial direct holders.
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We may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, direct sales to the public, negotiated transactions, block trades, in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), or a combination of these methods. We may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. We may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:
• | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
• | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
• | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
• | at negotiated prices. |
A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
• | the terms of the offering; |
• | the name or names of the underwriters, dealers, or agents, if any; |
• | the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale; |
• | any options (whether or not to cover over-allotments) under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
• | any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; |
• | any public offering price; |
• | any delayed delivery arrangements; |
• | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
• | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.
If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time.
If dealers are used for the sale of securities, we, or an underwriter, will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the applicable prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
We may sell securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
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We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
We may sell the securities directly in transactions not involving underwriters, dealers, or agents.
We may sell the 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 such sales in the prospectus supplement.
We may provide agents and underwriters with indemnification against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.
All securities we may offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.
We may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with us, including, without limitation, in connection with distributions of the securities by those broker-dealers. We may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the securities offered hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer those securities. We may also loan or pledge the securities offered hereby to a broker-dealer and the broker-dealer may sell the securities offered hereby so loaned or upon a default may sell or otherwise transfer the pledged securities offered hereby.
If we use an underwriter for a sale of securities, such underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Any underwriters or agents that are qualified market makers on The Nasdaq Global Select Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
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In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) the maximum discount or commission to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of such relationship in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
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Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The financial statements of Aviat Networks, Inc. as of June 30, 2023, and for the year then ended, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, and the effectiveness of Aviat Networks, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Aviat Networks, Inc. as of July 1, 2022 and for each of the two fiscal years in the period ended July 1, 2022, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP (n/k/a BDO USA, P.C.), an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The combined carve-out abbreviated financial statements of the Wireless Transport Business of NEC Corporation as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 have been included and incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG AZSA LLC, independent auditors, appearing elsewhere and incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.Aviatnetworks.com. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus or in deciding to purchase our securities.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information from other documents that 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 part of this prospectus. The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 001-377789):
• | our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 30, 2023; |
• | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, for the quarters ended September 29, 2023 and December 29, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023 and February 6, 2024, respectively; |
• | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 24, 2023, October 4, 2023, November 13, 2023, November 29, 2023, December 1, 2023, (as amended February 9, 2024, including Exhibits 99.2 and 99.3 attached thereto), April 18, 2024 and April 30, 2024. |
• | the information specifically incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended June 30, 2023, from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on September 25, 2023; |
• | the description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A12B, filed with the SEC on January 26, 2007, and in Exhibit 4.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 30, 2023, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and |
• | the description of our preferred share purchase rights set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A12B, filed with the SEC on March 4, 2020, and in Exhibit 4.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 30, 2023, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of all offerings covered by this prospectus, including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, which will become a part of this prospectus from the date that such documents are filed with the SEC. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later-filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.
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We will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents to:
Aviat Networks, Inc.
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
200 Parker Drive, Suite C100A
Austin, Texas 78728
(408) 941-7100
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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 30, 2024
PROSPECTUS
736,750 Shares of Common Stock
The securities to be offered and sold using this prospectus include 736,750 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“common stock”). These shares of common stock may be offered and sold by the selling stockholder named in this prospectus or in any supplement to this prospectus from time to time in accordance with the provisions set forth under “Plan of Distribution.”
The selling stockholder will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. One or more free writing prospectuses may also be authorized to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered.
We are registering 736,750 shares of common stock for sale by the selling stockholder pursuant to the Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement, dated November 30, 2023, by and between the Company and the selling stockholder (the “RRA”). The shares registered hereby are subject to certain lock-up restrictions as set forth in the RRA. See “Selling Stockholder – Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement.”
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “AVNW.” On April 26, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock was $33.96 per share.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should review carefully the risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference from our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission into this prospectus.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
The securities may be sold directly by the selling stockholder to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution. If any agents or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable fees, commissions, discounts and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The selling stockholder will be responsible for any commissions due to brokers, dealers or agents. We will be responsible for all other offering expenses. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholder of the shares of common stock offered by 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 .
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, the selling stockholder may, from time to time, offer and sell, either individually or in combination, in one or more offerings, up to 736,750 shares of common stock. The selling stockholder is offering to sell the securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities the selling stockholder may offer. Each time the selling stockholder offers securities under this prospectus, the selling stockholder will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering. One or more free writing prospectuses may also be authorized to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus authorized to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectuses authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” before buying any of the securities being offered.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, along with the information contained in any free writing prospectuses authorized for use in connection with a specific offering. Neither we nor the selling stockholder have authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus authorized to be provided to you.
The information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and any information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
This prospectus contains and incorporates by reference market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe that these sources are reliable, market and industry data is subject to variations and cannot be verified due to limits on the availability and reliability of data inputs, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey. We have not independently verified any of the data from third party sources or ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources. Although we are not aware of any misstatements regarding the market and industry data presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference, these estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.
This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will
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be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section entitled “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
In this prospectus, “we,” “our,” “us,” “Aviat Networks,” and the “Company” refer to Aviat Networks, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
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This summary highlights selected information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Aviat Networks, Inc.
Overview
We design, manufacture and sell wireless networking and access networking solutions and services to mobile and fixed telephone service providers, private network operators, government agencies, transportation and utility companies, public safety agencies and broadcast system operators across the globe. Our products include broadband wireless access base stations and customer premises equipment for fixed and mobile, point-to-point digital microwave radio systems for access, backhaul, trunking and license-exempt applications, supporting new network deployments, network expansion, and capacity upgrades.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in Delaware in 2006 to combine the businesses of Harris Corporation’s Microwave Communications Division and Stratex Networks, Inc. On January 28, 2010, we changed our corporate name from Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. to Aviat Networks, Inc.
Our principal executive offices are located at 200 Parker Dr., Suite C100A, Austin, Texas 78728, and our telephone number is (408) 941-7100. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AVNW.” Our corporate website is at www.Aviatnetworks.com. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus or in deciding to purchase our securities.
The Securities the Selling Stockholder May Offer
The selling stockholder may offer up to 736,750 shares of common stock from time to time under this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of any offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities the selling stockholder may offer. Each time the selling stockholder offers securities under this prospectus, the selling stockholder will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts and prices of the securities. The applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus authorized to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
The selling stockholder may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. The selling stockholder and its agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of
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any proposed purchase of securities. If the selling stockholder does offer securities to or through agents or underwriters, the selling stockholder will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
• | the names of those agents or underwriters; |
• | applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them; |
• | details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and |
• | the net proceeds to the selling stockholder. |
Use of Proceeds
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock offered under this prospectus. Any proceeds from the sale of common stock under this prospectus will be received by the selling stockholder. See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus.
The Nasdaq Global Select Market Listing
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AVNW.” The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or other securities exchange of the securities covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus in their entirety, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference and any free writing prospectus authorized for use in connection with this offering. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face; there may be other unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be seriously harmed. This could cause the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also carefully read the section below entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus and each prospectus supplement contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not materialize or prove correct, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including without limitation, statements of, about, concerning or regarding: our plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, including with respect to growing our business and sustaining profitability; our restructuring efforts; our research and development efforts and new product releases and services; trends in revenue; drivers of our business and the markets in which we operate; future economic conditions, performance or outlook, and changes in our industry and the markets we serve; the outcome of contingencies; the value of our contract awards; beliefs or expectations; the sufficiency of our cash and our capital needs and expenditures; our intellectual property protection; our compliance with regulatory requirements and the associated expenses; expectations regarding litigation; our intention not to pay cash dividends; seasonality of our business; the impact of foreign exchange and inflation; taxes; and assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “strategy,” “projects,” “targets,” “goals,” “seeing,” “delivering,” “continues,” “forecasts,” “future,” “predict,” “might,” “could,” “potential,” or the negative of these terms, and similar words or expressions.
Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, these forward-looking statements are based on estimates reflecting the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the senior management of the Company regarding the future of its business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should therefore be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
• | disruption that the Company’s acquisition of NEC Corporation’s wireless transport business (the “NEC Transaction”) may cause to customers, vendors, business partners and our ongoing business; |
• | our ability to integrate the operations of the acquired NEC Corporation businesses with our existing operations and fully realize the expected synergies of the NEC Transaction on the expected timeline; |
• | the impact of COVID-19 on our business, operations and cash flows; |
• | disruptions relating to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas; |
• | continued price and margin erosion as a result of increased competition in the microwave transmission industry; |
• | the impact of the volume, timing, and customer, product, and geographic mix of our product orders; |
• | our ability to meet financial covenant requirements which could impact, among other things, our liquidity; |
• | the timing of our receipt of payment for products or services from our customers; |
• | our ability to meet product development dates or anticipated cost reductions of new products; |
• | our suppliers’ inability to perform and deliver on time as a result of their financial condition, component shortages, or other supply chain constraints; |
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• | the effects of inflation; |
• | customer acceptance of new products; |
• | the ability of our subcontractors to timely perform; |
• | weakness in the global economy affecting customer spending; |
• | retention of our key personnel; |
• | our ability to manage and maintain key customer relationships; |
• | uncertain economic conditions in the telecommunications sector combined with operator and supplier consolidation; |
• | our failure to protect our intellectual property rights or defend against intellectual property infringement claims by others; |
• | the results of our restructuring efforts; |
• | the effects of currency and interest rate risks; |
• | the effects of current and future government regulations; |
• | general economic conditions, including uncertainty regarding the timing, pace and extent of an economic recovery in the United States and other countries where we conduct business; |
• | the conduct of unethical business practices in developing countries; |
• | the impact of political turmoil in countries where we have significant business; |
• | our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of any proposed or recent acquisitions; |
• | the impact of tariffs, the adoption of trade restrictions affecting our products or suppliers, a United States withdrawal from or significant renegotiation of trade agreements, the occurrence of trade wars, the closing of border crossings, and other changes in trade regulations or relationships; |
• | our ability to implement our stock repurchase program or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value; |
• | the impact of adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, including events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial institutions; and |
• | other risks and uncertainties, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, as supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. |
As a result of these factors, we cannot assure that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, or the documents that are incorporated by reference herein or therein will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, these statements should not be regarded as representations or warranties by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame, or at all. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, for any reason, except as required by law, even as new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
You should read this prospectus, any prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and each prospectus supplement completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.
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General
Aviat Networks, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” or “our”) is incorporated in the State of Delaware. We have two classes of registered securities, common stock and preferred share purchase rights (“Rights”). As of April 26, 2024, we have 12,565,284 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.
The rights of our security holders are generally covered by Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation (“Certificate”) and by-laws (“Bylaws”) (each as amended or restated and in effect as of the date hereof). The terms of our securities are therefore subject to Delaware law, including the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), and the common and constitutional law of Delaware. Additionally, the terms of the Rights are described in that certain Tax Benefit Preservation Plan, dated as of March 3, 2020 (as amended and restated on August 27, 2020, as amended, the “Plan”), between the Company and Computershare Inc., as rights agent. We submitted the Plan to a stockholder vote and our stockholders approved the Plan at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted Amendment No. 1 to the Plan (the “Amendment to the Plan”) on February 28, 2023, which was submitted to a stockholder vote and approved by our stockholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This description is a summary and does not purport to be complete. Our Certificate, Bylaws and the Plan are incorporated by reference or filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and amendments or restatements of each will be filed with the SEC in future periodic or current reports in accordance with the rules of the SEC. We encourage you to read our Certificate and Bylaws, the Plan, and the applicable provisions of the DGCL for additional information.
For information on how to obtain copies of our Certificate, Bylaws, and the Plan, which are exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, see “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
Authorized Capital Stock
We are authorized to issue 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.
Common Stock
Voting Rights
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share in the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights, meaning that holders of a majority of the shares of common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all the directors if they choose to do so. The voting rights of holders of our Series A Participating Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), which are discussed in further detail below, or of any future series of preferred stock issued by the Board, may affect the voting power associated with our common stock.
Dividend Rights
Subject to prior rights and preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares or series of preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends when, as and if declared by our Board out of funds legally available therefor.
Liquidation Rights
If we liquidate or dissolve our business, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the holders of common stock will share ratably in the distribution of assets available for distribution to stockholders after creditors are paid and preferred stockholders, including holders of Series A Preferred Stock, if any, receive their distributions.
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Other
Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights and is not entitled to the benefits of any redemption or sinking fund provision. The outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable with no restrictions on alienability.
Stock Exchange Listing
Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “AVNW.”
Preferred Stock
The Board generally will be authorized, without further stockholder approval, to issue from time to time up to an aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, in one or more series. The Board is expressly authorized to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of each series of Preferred Stock, including without limitation the following:
• | the distinctive serial designation of such series which shall distinguish it from other series; |
• | the number of shares included in such series; |
• | the dividend rate (or method of determining such rate) payable to the holders of the shares of such series, any conditions upon which such dividends shall be paid and the date or dates upon which such dividends shall be payable; |
• | whether dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative and, in the case of shares of any series having cumulative dividend rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which dividends on the shares of such series shall be cumulative; |
• | the amount or amounts which shall be payable out of the assets of the Company to the holders of the shares of such series upon voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up the Company, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of the shares of such series; |
• | the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company or at the option of the holder or holders thereof or upon the happening of a specified event or events; |
• | the obligation, if any, of the Company to purchase or redeem shares of such series pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise and the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which the shares of such series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; |
• | whether or not the shares of such series shall be convertible or exchangeable, at any time or times at the option of the holder or holders thereof or at the option of the Company or upon happening of a specified event or events, into shares of any other class or classes of stock of the Company, and the price or prices or rate or rates of exchange or conversion and any adjustments applicable thereto; and |
• | whether or not the holders of the shares of such series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and if so the terms of such voting rights. |
The rights of the holders of common stock will generally be subordinate to the rights of holders of any preferred stock issued in the future. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock, and could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from attempting to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. As of the date hereof, the Board has designated one series of preferred stock, the Series A Preferred Stock. No shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are currently issued or outstanding.
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Preferred Share Purchase Rights
Rights Plan
On March 3, 2020, the Board authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding share of common stock of the Company to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 13, 2020 (the “Record Date”). Each Right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company at an exercise price of $35.00 (the “Exercise Price”) per one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, subject to adjustment. The complete terms of the Rights are set forth in the Plan.
The Plan is intended to protect the Company’s ability to use its net operating losses, any loss or deduction attributable to a “net unrealized built-in loss” and other tax attributes (collectively, “Tax Benefits”). If the Company experiences an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), its ability to use the Tax Benefits could be substantially limited, and the timing of the usage of the Tax Benefits could be substantially delayed, which could significantly impair the value of the Tax Benefits. Generally, an “ownership change” occurs if the percentage of the Company’s stock owned by one or more “five percent stockholders” increases by more than 50 percentage points over the lowest percentage of stock owned by such stockholders at any time during the prior three-year period or, if sooner, since the last “ownership change” experienced by the Company.
The Plan is intended to act as a deterrent to any person acquiring 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock without the approval of the Board. This would protect the Tax Benefits because changes in ownership by a person owning less than 4.9% of the shares of common stock are not included in the calculation of “ownership change” for purposes of Section 382 of the Code. We submitted the Plan to a stockholder vote and our stockholders approved the Plan at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. On February 28, 2023, the Board approved, and the Company and Computershare Inc., as Rights Agent, entered into the Amendment to the Plan, which extends the final expiration date of the Plan from March 3, 2023 to March 3, 2026. The Amendment to the Plan was submitted to a stockholder vote and approved by stockholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Distribution and Transfer of Rights; Rights Certificates
The Board declared a dividend of one Right for each outstanding share of common stock as of the Record Date. Prior to the Distribution Date referred to below:
• | The Rights are evidenced by and trade with the certificates for the shares of common stock (or, with respect to any uncertificated shares of common stock registered in book entry form, by notation in book entry), and no separate rights certificates will be distributed. |
• | New certificates issued after the Record Date for shares of common stock will contain a legend incorporating the Plan by reference (for uncertificated shares of common stock registered in book entry form, this legend will be contained in a notation in book entry). |
• | The surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of common stock (or the surrender for transfer of any uncertificated shares of common stock registered in book entry form) will also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with such shares of common stock. |
• | Rights will accompany any new shares of common stock that are issued after the Record Date. |
Distribution Date
Subject to certain exceptions specified in the Plan, the Rights will separate from the shares of common stock and become exercisable following (1) the 10th business day (or such later date as may be determined by the Board) after the public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons (an “Acquiring Person”) has acquired beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock or (2) the 10th business day
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(or such later date as may be determined by the Board) after a person or group announces a tender or exchange offer that would result in ownership by a person or group of 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock. For purposes of the Plan, beneficial ownership is defined to include the ownership of derivative securities. Any person or group of affiliated or associated persons who beneficially owns 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock as of the announcement of the Plan will not be an Acquiring Person, but only for so long as such person or group does not become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of common stock.
The date on which the Rights separate from the shares of common stock and become exercisable is referred to as the “Distribution Date.” After the Distribution Date, the Company will mail Rights certificates to the Company’s stockholders as of the close of business on the Distribution Date and the Rights will become transferable apart from the shares of common stock. Thereafter, such Rights certificates alone will represent the Rights.
Preferred Shares Purchasable Upon Exercise of Rights
After the Distribution Date, each Right will entitle the holder to purchase, for the Exercise Price, one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock having economic and other terms similar to that of one share of common stock. This portion of a share of Series A Preferred Stock is intended to give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting and liquidation rights as would one share of common stock, and should approximate the value of one share of common stock.
More specifically, each one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, if issued, will:
• | not be redeemable; |
• | entitle holders to quarterly dividend payments of $0.01 per share, or an amount equal to the dividend paid on one share of common stock, whichever is greater; |
• | entitle holders upon liquidation either to receive $1.00 per share or an amount equal to the payment made on one share of common stock, whichever is greater; |
• | have the same voting power as one share of common stock (see “Voting Rights of Series A Preferred Stock” below for additional information); and |
• | entitle holders to a per share payment equal to the payment made on one share of common stock if the shares of common stock are exchanged via merger, consolidation or a similar transaction. |
Voting Rights of Series A Preferred Stock
If issued, holders of our Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to one thousand votes per share of preferred stock (subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, including a stock split, reverse stock split or payment of dividends in common stock) on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. Except as provided in the Certificate, the Bylaws, any certificate of designation of preferred stock or by law, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and common stock will vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. Upon the occurrence and continuance of a default with respect to the payment of dividends to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a class, have the right to elect two directors to the Board, who shall serve for so long as such default continues. After such election and during the continued period of default, the number of directors shall not be increased or decreased except by vote of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
Flip-In Trigger
If an Acquiring Person obtains beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock, except pursuant to an offer for all outstanding shares of common stock that the independent members of the Board determine to be fair and not inadequate and to otherwise be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders after receiving advice from one or more investment banking firms, then each Right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of shares of common stock (or, in certain
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circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Company) having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price. However, the Rights are not exercisable following the occurrence of the foregoing event until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company, as further described below. Following the occurrence of an event set forth in preceding sentence, all Rights that are or, under certain circumstances specified in the Plan, were beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or certain of its transferees will be null and void.
Flip-Over Trigger
If, after an Acquiring Person obtains 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock, (1) the Company merges into another entity, (2) an acquiring entity merges into the Company or (3) the Company sells or transfers more than 50% of its assets, cash flow or earning power, then each Right (except for Rights that have previously been voided as set forth above) will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, for the Exercise Price, a number of shares of common stock of the person engaging in the transaction having a then-current market value of twice the Exercise Price.
Redemption of the Rights
The Rights will be redeemable at the Company’s option for $0.01 per Right (payable in cash, shares of common stock or other consideration deemed appropriate by the Board) at any time on or prior to the 10th business day (or such later date as may be determined by the Board) after the public announcement that an Acquiring Person has acquired beneficial ownership of 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock. Immediately upon the action of the Board ordering redemption, the Rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the $0.01 redemption price. The redemption price will be adjusted if the Company undertakes a stock dividend or a stock split.
Exchange Provision
At any time after the date on which an Acquiring Person beneficially owns 4.9% or more of the shares of common stock and prior to the acquisition by the Acquiring Person of 50% of the shares of common stock, the Board may exchange the Rights (except for Rights that have previously been voided as set forth above), in whole or in part, for shares of common stock at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per Right (subject to adjustment). In certain circumstances, the Company may elect to exchange the Rights for cash or other securities of the Company having a value approximately equal to one share of common stock.
Expiration of the Rights
The Rights expire on the earliest of (1) 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 3, 2026 (unless such date is extended); (2) the redemption or exchange of the Rights as described above; (3) the repeal of Section 382 of the Code or any other change if the Board determines that the Plan is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of the Tax Benefits; (4) the time at which the Board determines that the Tax Benefits are fully utilized or no longer available pursuant to Section 382 of the Code or that an ownership change pursuant to Section 382 of the Code would not adversely impact in any material respect the time period in which the Company could use the Tax Benefits, or materially impair the amount of the Tax Benefits that could be used by the Company in any particular time period, for applicable tax purposes; or (5) a determination by the Board that the Plan is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Amendment of Terms of the Plan and the Rights
The terms of the Rights and the Plan may be amended in any respect without the consent of the holders of the Rights on or prior to the Distribution Date. Thereafter, the terms of the Rights and the Plan may be amended without the consent of the holders of Rights in order to (1) cure any ambiguities, (2) shorten or lengthen any time period pursuant to the Plan or (3) make changes that do not adversely affect the interests of holders of the Rights.
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Voting Rights; Other Stockholder Rights
The Rights will not have any voting rights. Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no separate rights as stockholder of the Company.
Anti-Dilution Provisions
The Board may adjust the Exercise Price, the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock issuable and the number of outstanding Rights to prevent dilution that may occur from a stock dividend, a stock split or a reclassification of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock or common stock.
With certain exceptions, no adjustments to the Exercise Price will be made until the cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Exercise Price. No fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be issued and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment in cash will be made based on the current market price of such shares.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Investor Services is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock and the Rights.
Potential Anti-Takeover Effects
Some provisions of our Certificate and Bylaws and of the DGCL could make the acquisition of control of our company and/or the removal of our existing management more difficult, including the following:
• | Subject to certain rights provided to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, our Board fixes the size of the Board, may create new directorships and may appoint new directors to serve in such newly-created positions until the next election of one or more directors by our stockholders. |
• | Our Board is expressly authorized to amend or repeal our Bylaws, or adopt new bylaws, except that certain sections of the Bylaws (as specified therein) may only be amended with the approval of 2/3 of certain specified directors and/or the approval of the stockholders otherwise required by applicable law or the Bylaws for such amendment. |
• | We have advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors. |
• | Stockholders have no preemptive right to acquire our securities. |
• | Our Board has ability to authorize and issue undesignated preferred stock. This ability makes it possible for our Board to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us as further described under “Preferred Stock” above. |
• | As further discussed above, our Board has issued the Rights and adopted the Plan. The Plan is intended to act as a deterrent to any person acquiring 4.9% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock without the approval of the Board in order to preserve certain Tax Benefits. |
Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company in state court, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or our stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Certificate the Bylaws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Delaware Court of Chancery (or if the Delaware Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, a state court located within the State of Delaware or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware).
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Additionally, we are a Delaware corporation and are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 prevents us from engaging in a business combination with an “interested stockholder” (generally, a person owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock) for three years following the time that person becomes a 15% stockholder unless one of the following is satisfied:
• | before that person became a 15% stockholder, our Board approved the transaction in which the stockholder became a 15% stockholder or approved the business combination; |
• | upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder’s becoming a 15% stockholder, the stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction began (excluding stock held by directors who are also officers and by employee stock plans that do not provide employees with the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the Plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); and |
• | after the transaction in which that person became a 15% stockholder, the business combination is approved by our Board and authorized at a stockholders’ meeting by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the 15% stockholder. |
Under Section 203, these restrictions also do not apply to certain business combinations proposed by a 15% stockholder following the disclosure of an extraordinary transaction with a person who was not a 15% stockholder during the previous three years or who became a 15% stockholder with the approval of a majority of our directors. This exception applies only if the extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a majority of our directors who were directors before any person became a 15% stockholder in the previous three years, or the successors of these directors.
These provisions are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. They are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to first negotiate with our Board. We believe that the benefits of increased protection give us the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us and that these benefits outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging the proposals. Negotiating with the proponent could result in an improvement of the terms of the proposal.
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This prospectus covers the public resale of the shares of common stock issued by us to the selling stockholder in connection with the closing of the NEC Transaction, which we refer to collectively herein as the “Shares.” The selling stockholder may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to this prospectus any or all of the Shares owned by it, but makes no representation that any of the Shares will be offered for sale. The table below presents information regarding the selling stockholder and the Shares that the selling stockholder may offer and sell from time to time under this prospectus. The term “selling stockholder” includes the stockholder listed in the table below and its transferees, pledgees, donees, assignees or other successors.
The following table sets forth:
• | the name of the selling stockholder; |
• | the number of Shares beneficially owned by the selling stockholder prior to the sale of the Shares covered by this prospectus; |
• | the number of Shares that may be offered by the selling stockholder pursuant to this prospectus; |
• | the number of Shares to be beneficially owned by the selling stockholder following the sale of any Shares covered by this prospectus; and |
• | the percentage of common stock owned by the selling stockholder following the sale of any Shares covered by this prospectus. |
All information with respect to common stock ownership of the selling stockholder has been furnished by or on behalf of the selling stockholder and is as of April 26, 2024. Based on information supplied by the selling stockholder, except as may otherwise be indicated in the footnotes to the table below, the selling stockholder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the common stock reported as owned by it.
Because the selling stockholder identified in the table may sell some or all of the Shares owned by it which are included in this prospectus, and because there are currently no agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the sale of any of the Shares (except as described herein or in the RRA), no estimate can be given as to the number of Shares available for resale hereby that will be held by the selling stockholder upon termination of this offering. In addition, the selling stockholder may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of, at any time and from time to time, the common stock they hold in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act after the date on which they provided the information set forth on the table below. We have, therefore, assumed for the purposes of the following table, that the selling stockholder will sell all of the Shares beneficially owned by them that are covered by this prospectus, but will not sell any other shares of our common stock that they may presently own. The percent of beneficial ownership for the selling stockholder is based on 12,565,284 shares of our common stock outstanding as of April 26, 2024.
Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to this Offering |
Maximum Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Sold Pursuant to this Prospectus |
Shares of Common Stock Owned After Sale of Shares |
||||||||||||||||||
Number | Percent | Number | Percent | |||||||||||||||||
Selling Stockholder |
||||||||||||||||||||
NEC Corporation(1) |
736,750 | 5.86 | % | 736,750 | 0 | 0 | % | |||||||||||||
Total |
736,750 | 5.86 | % | 736,750 | 0 | 0 | % |
(1) | These shares are held directly by NEC Corporation. The address of NEC Corporation is 7-1, Shiba 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8001, Japan. |
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Director Appointment Rights
We and the selling stockholder entered into the Master Sale of Business Agreement between NEC and the Company dated May 9, 2023 (as amended by the Amendment to the Master Sale of Business Agreement dated November 30, 2023) (the “MSBA”), pursuant to which the Company purchased certain assets and liabilities from NEC in the NEC Transaction, which closed on November 30, 2023. Initial consideration due at the closing of the NEC Transaction was comprised of (i) an amount in cash equal to approximately $42 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments, and (ii) the issuance of the Shares.
As a result of the closing of the NEC Transaction contemplated under the MSBA, NEC became a beneficial owner of Shares. Pursuant to the MSBA, NEC has a right to require the Company to nominate and take such steps within its control to have elected to the Board of the Company at the annual general meeting (or, if one is convened earlier, any extraordinary general meeting) of the Company’s stockholders, an individual designated by NEC.
Registration Rights and Lock-Up Agreement
In connection with the NEC Transaction, we entered into the RRA, dated as of November 30, 2023, with the selling stockholder. Pursuant to the RRA, the selling stockholder has certain rights briefly outlined below, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.
Shelf Registration. Subject to certain limitations, within 30 days prior to the Initial Lock-Up Expiration Date (as defined in the RRA), we shall prepare and file a registration statement to permit the public resale of all the Registrable Securities by the selling stockholder from time to time and shall use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable thereafter.
Shelf Takedowns. Subject to certain limitations, the selling stockholder is entitled to request shelf takedowns, including underwritten shelf takedowns so long as such underwritten shelf takedown covers the disposition of at least 50% of the Shares or the selling stockholder reasonably expects gross proceeds of at least $15 million from such underwritten shelf takedown, subject to certain other limitations, including the Company’s ability to delay such shelf takedowns in certain circumstances.
Piggyback Rights. Subject to certain limitations, the selling stockholder is entitled to request to participate in, or “piggyback” on, registrations of any of our common stock for sale by us in an underwritten offering.
Conditions and Limitations. The registration rights outlined above are subject to conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters, as applicable, to limit the number of shares to be included in a registration statement and our right to delay or withdraw a registration statement under specified circumstances.
Expenses and Indemnification. In connection with any registration effected pursuant to the terms of the RRA, we are required to pay for all of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with such registration, including, without limitation, registration and filing fees, printing expenses, road show expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Company, fees and expenses (including counsel fees) incurred in connection with complying with state securities or blue sky laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and fees of transfer agents and registrars. However, the underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions, transfer taxes, roadshow costs and expenses, and fees and expenses of counsel are to be paid by the persons including such registrable securities in any such registration on a pro rata basis. We have also agreed to indemnify the holders of registrable securities and each of their respective officers, directors, and each person who controls such holders, against certain losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) to which they may become subject in connection with the sale of the common stock owned by the selling stockholder and registered under this prospectus.
Pursuant to the terms of the RRA, the selling stockholder agreed, subject to certain customary exceptions, not to, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, pledge, encumber, hypothecate, enter into any contract or sell, grant an option to
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purchase, short sell, assign, transfer, exchange, gift, bequest or otherwise dispose of any Shares prior to the Initial Lock-Up Expiration Date, as described in the RRA. One day after the Initial Lock-Up Expiration Date, one-twelfth of the Shares shall be released from the Lock-Up (as defined in the RRA), and an additional one-twelfth of the Shares shall be released from the Lock-Up in each subsequent month, such that all of the Shares shall be released from Lock-Up by the two-year anniversary of the day immediately following the closing date of the NEC Transaction.
Please see our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including any proxy statement incorporated into such Annual Report, for additional descriptions of the nature of any position, office, or other material relationship which the selling stockholder has had within the past three years with us and our affiliates.
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The selling stockholder may sell the securities from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, direct sales to the public, negotiated transactions, block trades, in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933 (“Securities Act”), or a combination of these methods or any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. The selling stockholder may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. The selling stockholder may distribute securities from time to time in one or more transactions:
• | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
• | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
• | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
• | at negotiated prices. |
A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus authorized to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
• | the terms of the offering; |
• | the name or names of the underwriters, dealers, or agents, if any; |
• | the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds, if any, the selling stockholder will receive from the sale; |
• | any options (whether or not to cover over-allotments) under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from the selling stockholder; |
• | any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; |
• | any public offering price; |
• | any delayed delivery arrangements; |
• | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
• | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.
If underwriters are used in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account and may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. The selling stockholder may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment option. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may change from time to time.
If dealers are used for the sale of securities, the selling stockholder, or an underwriter, will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The selling stockholder will include in the applicable prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
The selling stockholder may sell securities directly or through agents it designates from time to time. The selling stockholder will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and the selling stockholder will
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describe any commissions the selling stockholder will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, its agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
The selling stockholder may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain types of institutional investors to purchase securities from the selling stockholder at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The selling stockholder will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions the selling stockholder must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.
The selling stockholder may sell the securities directly in transactions not involving underwriters, dealers, or agents.
The selling stockholder may sell the 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. The selling stockholder will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.
The selling stockholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with the selling stockholder, including, without limitation, in connection with distributions of the securities by those broker-dealers. The selling stockholder may enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the securities offered hereby to the broker-dealers, who may then resell or otherwise transfer those securities. The selling stockholder may also loan or pledge the securities offered hereby to a broker-dealer and the broker-dealer may sell the securities offered hereby so loaned or upon a default may sell or otherwise transfer the pledged securities offered hereby.
If the selling stockholder uses an underwriter for a sale of securities, such underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.
Any underwriters or agents that are qualified market makers on The Nasdaq Global Select Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.
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We cannot assure you that the selling stockholder will sell all or any portion of our common stock offered hereby. In addition, any shares that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 under the Securities Act rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
Under the RRA entered into with the selling stockholder, we agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to ensure the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part remains continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date that all Registrable Securities (as defined in the RRA) covered by this registration statement have ceased to be Registrable Securities.
The selling stockholder may agree to indemnify any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent that participates in transactions involving sales of the common stock against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the RRA, we have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholder against certain liabilities to which they may become subject in connection with the sale of the common stock owned by the selling stockholder and registered under this prospectus. We may indemnify underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents against specific liabilities to which they may become subject in connection with the sale of the common stock owned by the selling stockholder and registered under this prospectus.
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Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Dallas, Texas, will pass upon the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus, and any supplement thereto, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The financial statements of Aviat Networks, Inc. as of June 30, 2023, and for the year then ended, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, and the effectiveness of Aviat Networks, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements and schedule of Aviat Networks, Inc. as of July 1, 2022 and for each of the two fiscal years in the period ended July 1, 2022, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP (n/k/a BDO USA, P.C.), an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The combined carve-out abbreviated financial statements of the Wireless Transport Business of NEC Corporation as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 have been included and incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG AZSA LLC, independent auditors, appearing elsewhere and incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to any of our contracts, agreements or other documents, the reference may not be complete and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement or the exhibits to the reports or other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus for a copy of such contract, agreement or other document. Because we are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, we file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Copies of certain information filed by us with the SEC are also available on our website at www.Aviatnetworks.com. The information contained on or that can be accessed through our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information on our website to be part of this prospectus or in deciding to purchase our securities.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information from other documents that 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 part of this prospectus. The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (Commission File No. 001-377789):
• | our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 30, 2023; |
• | our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, for the quarters ended September 29, 2023 and December 29, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 1, 2023 and February 6, 2024, respectively; |
• | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on August 24, 2023, October 4, 2023, November 13, 2023, November 29, 2023, December 1, 2023 (as amended February 9, 2024, including Exhibits 99.2 and 99.3 attached thereto), April 18, 2024 and April 30, 2024. |
• | the information specifically incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended June 30, 2023, from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on September 25, 2023; |
• | the description of our common stock set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A12B, filed with the SEC on January 26, 2007, and in Exhibit 4.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 30, 2023, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and |
• | the description of our preferred share purchase rights set forth in our registration statement on Form 8-A12B, filed with the SEC on March 4, 2020, and in Exhibit 4.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 30, 2023, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless such Form 8-K expressly provides to the contrary) made by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of all offerings covered by this prospectus, including those made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to effectiveness of such registration statement, which will become a part of this prospectus from the date that such documents are filed with the SEC. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later-filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.
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We will furnish without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits that are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. You should direct any requests for documents to:
Aviat Networks, Inc.
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
200 Parker Drive, Suite C100A
Austin, Texas 78728
(408) 941-7100
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. | Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution |
The following table sets forth an estimate of the fees and expenses, other than the underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All the amounts shown are estimates, except for the SEC registration fee.
Expenses |
Amount | |||
SEC registration fee |
$ | 33,187.95 | ||
FINRA filing fee (if applicable) |
* | |||
Accounting Fees and expenses |
* | |||
Legal fees and expenses |
* | |||
Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses |
* | |||
Trustee fees and expenses |
* | |||
Printing and miscellaneous fees and expenses |
* | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | * | ||
|
|
* | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
Item 15. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the DGCL allows a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or who is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.
Subsection (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL allows a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or who is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person acted in any of the capacities set forth in the preceding paragraph, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL also allows a corporation to provide in its certificate of incorporation for the elimination or limit of the personal liability of a director or officer to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability: (i) for any breach of the director’s or officer’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or
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its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; (iv) for any transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit; or (v) of officers in any action by or in the right of the corporation.
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our directors or officers shall not be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer, except to the extent that such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as currently in effect or as the same may thereafter be amended. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further limiting or eliminating the liability of directors or officers to the Company or its stockholders, then without any further action by any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, government entity or other entity of any kind or nature such liability shall be so limited or eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended. No adoption, amendment, modification or repeal of the Certificate of Incorporation shall adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer existing at the time of such adoption, amendment, modification or repeal with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such time.
Our Bylaws require us to indemnify each of our directors and officers with respect to their activities as a director, officer, or employee of ours, or when serving at our request as a director, officer, or trustee of another corporation, trust, or other enterprise, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL, against losses and expenses (including attorney fees, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by them in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, to which they are, or are threatened to be made, a party(ies) as a result of their service to us. Under our Bylaws, each director or officer will continue to be indemnified even after ceasing to occupy a position as an officer, director, employee or agent of ours with respect to suits or proceedings arising from his or her service with us.
In addition, we carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, which includes similar coverage for our directors and executive officers.
In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreement with each director and officer.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. Please read “Item 17. Undertakings” for more information on the SEC’s position regarding such indemnification provisions.
In any underwriting agreement the registrant enters into in connection with the sale of its securities being registered hereby, the underwriters may agree to indemnify, under certain circumstances, the registrant, its officers, its directors, and its controlling persons within the meaning of the Securities Act, against certain liabilities.
Item 16. | Exhibits |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||
EXHIBIT NUMBER |
DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT |
Form | File No. | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed Herewith |
||||||||||||||||
1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | |||||||||||||||||||||
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Aviat Networks, Inc., as amended. | 8-K | 001-33278 | 3.1 | 11/13/2023 |
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* | To be filed either by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference in this registration statement. |
** | To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Rule 5b-3 thereunder. |
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Item 17. | Undertakings |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) | to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Filing Fee Tables” or “Calculation of Registration Fee” table, as applicable, in the effective registration statement; and |
(iii) | to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) | each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
(ii) | each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) | any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(ii) | any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
(iii) | the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
(iv) | any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(8) | (a)For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
(b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(9) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Austin, State of Texas, on April 30, 2024.
AVIAT NETWORKS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Peter A. Smith | |
Name: | Peter A. Smith | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Peter A. Smith and David M. Gray, and each or any one of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Peter A. Smith Peter A. Smith |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
April 30, 2024 | ||
/s/ David M. Gray David M. Gray |
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | April 30, 2024 | ||
/s/ John Mutch John Mutch |
Chairman of the Board | April 30, 2024 | ||
/s/ Bryan Ingram Bryan Ingram |
Director | April 30, 2024 | ||
/s/ Michele Klein Michele Klein |
Director | April 30, 2024 | ||
/s/ Laxmi Akkaraju Laxmi Akkaraju |
Director | April 30, 2024 | ||
/s/ Bruce Taten Bruce Taten |
Director | April 30, 2024 |
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