SEC Form SC 13D filed by Dole plc

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. )¹

Dole plc

(Name of Issuer)

Ordinary Shares, $0.01 par value per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

G27907107

(CUSIP Number)

JAN BARTA

Na bateriich 104/35

Brevnov, 162 00 Prague 6

Czech Republic

RYAN NEBEL

OLSHAN FROME WOLOSKY LLP

1325 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

(212) 451-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

June 17, 2022

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ¨.

Note:  Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

1              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

The following constitutes the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (the “Schedule 13D”).

This statement relates to the Ordinary Shares, $0.01 par value per share (the “Shares”), of Dole plc, a company incorporated under the laws of Ireland (the “Issuer”). The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 29 North Anne Street, Dublin 7, D07 PH36, Ireland.

(a)       This statement is filed by Jan Barta with respect to the Shares directly and beneficially owned by him. Mr. Barta is also referred to herein as the “Reporting Person.”

(b)       The address of the principal office of the Reporting Person is Na bateriich 104/35, Brevnov, 162 00 Prague 6, Czech Republic.

(c)       The principal occupation of the Reporting Person is serving as Chairman of the supervisory board of Pale Fire Capital SE, a private equity firm based in the Czech Republic.

(d)       The Reporting Person has not, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e)       The Reporting Person has not, during the last five years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(f)       The Reporting Person is a citizen of the Czech Republic.

The Shares purchased by the Reporting Person were purchased with personal funds (which may, at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms in the ordinary course of business). The aggregate purchase price of the 4,961,420 Shares beneficially owned by the Reporting Person is approximately $61,084,728, excluding brokerage commissions.

The Reporting Person purchased the Shares based on the Reporting Person’s belief that the Shares, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Person, and the availability of Shares at prices that would make the purchase or sale of Shares desirable, the Reporting Person may endeavor to increase or decrease his position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of Shares on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Person may deem advisable.

The Reporting Person intends to engage in communications with the Issuer’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), management team and other third parties regarding means to enhance shareholder value.

The Reporting Person does not have any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur upon or in connection with completion of, or following, any of the actions discussed herein. Depending on various factors including, without limitation, the Issuer’s financial position and investment strategy, the price levels of the Shares, conditions in the securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, the Reporting Person may in the future take such actions with respect to his investment in the Issuer as he deems appropriate including, without limitation, engaging in additional communications with management and the Board of the Issuer, engaging in discussions with shareholders of the Issuer or third parties, including potential acquirers and service providers about the Issuer and the Reporting Person’s investment, making proposals to the Issuer concerning changes to the capital allocation strategy, capitalization, ownership structure, including a sale of the Issuer as a whole or in parts, Board structure (including Board composition) or operations of the Issuer, purchasing additional Shares, selling some or all of his Shares, engaging in short selling of or any hedging or similar transaction with respect to the Shares, or changing his intention with respect to any and all matters referred to in Item 4.

(a)       The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by the Reporting Person is based upon 94,877,706 Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as reported in the Issuer’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2022.

As of the date hereof, the Reporting Person beneficially owned 4,961,420 Shares, constituting approximately 5.2% of the Shares outstanding.

(b)       The Reporting Person has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of the Shares owned by him.

(c)       Schedule A annexed hereto lists all transactions in securities of the Issuer by the Reporting Person during the past 60 days. All of such transactions were effected in the open market unless otherwise noted therein.

(d)       No person other than the Reporting Person is known to have the right to receive, or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, the Shares.

Other than as described herein, there are no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships between the Reporting Person and any other person with respect to the securities of the Issuer.

Not applicable. 

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

SCHEDULE A

Transactions in Securities of the Issuer During the Past 60 Days

JAN BARTA