Table of Contents

 

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 2, 2010

 

Registration Statement No. 333-164241

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


 

PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

SUMMER INFANT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

20-1994619

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1275 Park East Drive
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895

(401) 671-6550

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


 

Joseph Driscoll

Chief Financial Officer

Summer Infant, Inc.

1275 Park East Drive

Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895

(401) 671-6550

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 


 

Copies to:

 

John M. Bello, Esq.

Greenberg Traurig LLP

One International Place

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Telephone: (617) 310-6000

Telecopy: (617) 310-6001

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

 

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. x

 

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. o

 

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. o

 

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. o

 

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. o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company x

 


 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered

 

Amount
to be
Registered (1)

 

Proposed
Maximum

Offering Price
Per Unit

 

Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price

 

Amount of
Registration
Fee (3)

 

Common Stock, $.0001 par value per share

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

 

Preferred Stock, $.0001 par value per share

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

 

Purchase Contracts

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

 

Depositary Shares (4)

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

 

Rights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units (5)

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

 

Total

 

$

100,000,000

 

 

 

$

100,000,000

 

$

5,580.00

 

(1)                                  There are being registered under this registration statement such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock; such indeterminate number of depositary shares; such indeterminate number of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and/or units; such indeterminate number of purchase contracts to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants; such indeterminate number of rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants; and such indeterminate number of units as may be sold by the registrant from time to time, which together shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $100,000,000. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock, depositary shares, and warrants as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for preferred stock or depositary shares that provide for conversion or exchange; upon exercise of warrants, purchase contracts or rights; or pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of any such securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, or similar transactions.

 

(2)                                  Not required to be included in accordance with General Instruction II.D. of Form S-3.

 

(3)                                  Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.  The registration fee was previously paid in connection with filing the initial registration statement on Form S-3.

 

(4)                                  Each depositary share will represent an interest in a fractional share of preferred stock and will be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

 

(5)                                  Each unit will represent an interest in two or more other securities, which may or may not be separable from one another.

 


 

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 the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), shall determine.

 

 

 


 


Table of Contents

 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell 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 it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated February 2, 2010

 

PROSPECTUS

 

Summer Infant, Inc.

 

$100,000,000

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Purchase Contracts

Depositary Shares

Rights

Units

 


 

This prospectus relates to common stock, preferred stock, warrants, purchase contracts, depositary shares, rights and units that we may sell from time to time in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $100,000,000 on terms to be determined at the time of sale.  We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement for those securities.

 

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SUMR.”

 

These securities may be sold directly by us, through dealers or agents designated from time to time, to or through underwriters or through a combination of these methods. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. We may also describe the plan of distribution for any particular offering of these securities in any applicable prospectus supplement. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, we will disclose their names and the nature of our arrangements with them in a prospectus supplement. The net proceeds we expect to receive from any such sale will also be included in a prospectus supplement.

 


 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1.

 


 



Table of Contents

 

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                       , 2010

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

About this Prospectus

1

About Summer Infant, Inc.

1

Risk Factors

1

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

2

Use of Proceeds

3

The Securities We May Offer

3

Description of Common Stock

4

Description of Preferred Stock

5

Description of Depositary Shares

7

Description of Warrants

11

Description of Purchase Contracts

12

Description of Rights

13

Description of Units

14

Certain Anti-Takeover and Indemnification Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware Law

15

Plan of Distribution

19

Experts

21

Legal Matters

21

Where You Can Find More Information

22

Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference

22

 

Important Notice about the Information Presented in this Prospectus

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. For further information, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Where You Can Find More Information.” We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any sale of a security. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

 

i


 


Table of Contents

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process.  Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $100,000,000.  This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.  Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the securities being offered and the terms of that offering.  The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” carefully before making an investment decision.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Registrant,” “the Company,” “Summer,” “our company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar names refer collectively to Summer Infant, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

 

ABOUT SUMMER INFANT, INC.

 

We are a designer, marketer, and distributor of branded juvenile health, safety and wellness products which are sold principally to large North American and UK retailers. We currently have more than 80 proprietary products in various product categories including nursery audio/video monitors, safety gates, durable bath products, bed rails, related health and safety products, booster and potty seats, bouncers, sleep positioners, head supports, portable changing pads, nursery and feeding accessories, and a product line of soft goods/bedding. Our products are sold primarily to U.S. retailers including Babies R Us, Target, KMart, Buy Buy Baby, Meijer, Baby Depot (Burlington Coat Factory) and Wal-Mart.

 

We maintain through Summer Infant Europe, Limited (“SIE”) a sales, marketing and distribution office in the United Kingdom, which services the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe. SIE’s largest customers are Mothercare, Toys R Us, Argos, and Tesco.

 

We maintain through Summer Infant Asia, Ltd. a product development, engineering and quality assurance office, which oversees the production of all product lines made in China.

 

In 2008, Summer Infant (USA), including international sales managed out of the U.S., accounted for approximately 90% of revenue, Summer Infant Canada, Ltd. accounted for approximately 4%, and SIE accounted for approximately 6%.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves significant risks.  Please see the risk factors under the heading “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, as revised or supplemented by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as amended, filed with the SEC since the filing of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, each of which are on file with the SEC and are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.  Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement.

 

1



Table of Contents

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This prospectus includes and incorporates forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated in this prospectus regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “projects,” “would” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. We cannot guarantee that we actually will achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements. These important factors include the factors that we identify in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. See “Risk Factors.”  You should read these factors and other cautionary statements made in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in the documents we incorporate by reference as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in the prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in the documents incorporated by reference. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements made by us.

 

2



Table of Contents

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We currently intend to use the estimated net proceeds from the sale of these securities for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, repaying debt, and, possibly, acquisitions of other businesses.  Working capital and other general corporate purposes may include making capital expenditures, funding general and administrative expenses and any other purpose that we may specify in any prospectus supplement.  We have not yet determined the amount of net proceeds to be used specifically for any of the foregoing purposes.  Accordingly, our management will have significant discretion and flexibility in applying the net proceeds from the sale of these securities.  Pending any use, as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in high-quality, short-term, interest-bearing securities.  Our plans to use the estimated net proceeds from the sale of these securities may change, and if they do, we will update this information in a prospectus supplement.

 

THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplements, summarize the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer.  We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any securities the particular terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement.  If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of the securities may differ from the terms we have summarized below.  We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, about material United States federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.

 

We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

 

·                  common stock;

 

·                  preferred stock;

 

·                  depositary shares;

 

·                  warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or units;

 

·                  purchase contracts;

 

·                  rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants; or

 

·                  units comprised of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants and purchase contracts in any combination.

 

In this prospectus, we refer to the common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, purchase contracts, rights and units collectively as “securities.”  The total dollar amount of all securities that we may issue will not exceed $100,000,000.

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our common stock. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. You can access complete information by referring to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended to date, which we refer to as our “certificate of incorporation” and “bylaws.”

 

General

 

We are a Delaware corporation.  Under our certificate of incorporation, we have authority to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per share.  As of December 10, 2009, there were 15,356,707 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.  All shares of common stock will, when issued, be duly authorized, fully paid and nonassessable.  Accordingly, the full price for the outstanding shares of common stock will have been paid at issuance and any holder of our common stock will not be later required to pay us any additional money for such common stock.

 

In addition, as of December 10, 2009:

 

·                  there were an aggregate of 2,009,600 shares of our common stock subject to outstanding stock options at a weighted average exercise price of $3.70 per share;

 

·                  660,900 shares of our common stock were reserved for future issuances under the Summer Infant, Inc. 2006 Performance Equity Plan; and

 

·                  242,250 shares of unvested restricted stock are subject to outstanding awards.

 

Dividends

 

Subject to the prior rights of any series of preferred stock which may from time to time be outstanding, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds.  In the event we are liquidated, dissolved or our affairs are wound up, after we pay or make adequate provision for all of our known debts and liabilities, each holder of common stock will receive dividends pro rata out of assets that we can legally use to pay distributions, subject to any rights that are granted to the holders of any class or series of preferred stock.

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of common stock will have the exclusive power to vote on all matters presented to our stockholders, including the election of directors, except as otherwise provided by Delaware law or as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock.  Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share.  There is no cumulative voting in the election of our directors, which means that, subject to any rights to elect directors that are granted to the holders of any class or series of preferred stock, a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a director.

 

Other Rights

 

Subject to the preferential rights of any other class or series of stock, all shares of common stock have equal dividend, distribution, liquidation and other rights, and have no preference, appraisal or exchange rights, except for any appraisal rights provided by Delaware law.  Furthermore, holders of

 

4



Table of Contents

 

common stock have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights, or preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.

 

Transfer Agent

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.  Its address is 7 Battery Place, New York, New York 10004-1123.

 

Listing

 

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “SUMR.”

 

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

The following is a description of the material terms and provisions of our preferred stock. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. You can access complete information by referring to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and to any applicable amendment to the certificate of incorporation designating terms of a series of preferred stock, including, without limitation, certificates of designation.

 

General

 

Under our certificate of incorporation, we have authority to issue 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.0001 per share.

 

We do not have any shares of preferred stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus.  Shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time, in one or more series, as authorized by our board of directors.  Prior to the issuance of shares of each series, the board of directors is required by the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation to fix, for each series, the designations, powers and preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as are permitted by Delaware law.  Our board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of discouraging a takeover or other transactions that holders of common stock might believe to be in their best interests or in which holders of some, or a majority, of the shares of common stock might receive a premium for their shares over the then market price of such shares of common stock.  When issued, the preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable.

 

Terms

 

If we decide to issue any preferred stock pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe in a prospectus supplement the terms of the preferred stock, including, if applicable, the following:

 

·                  the title of the series and stated value;

 

·                  the number of shares of the series of preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share, if applicable, and the offering price;

 

·                  the applicable dividend rate(s) or amount(s), period(s) and payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation thereof;

 

5



Table of Contents

 

·                  the date from which dividends on the preferred stock will accumulate, if applicable;

 

·                  any procedures for auction and remarketing;

 

·                  any provisions for a sinking fund;

 

·                  any applicable provision for redemption and the price or prices, terms and conditions on which preferred stock may be redeemed;

 

·                  any securities exchange listing;

 

·                  any voting rights and powers;

 

·                  whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depository shares;

 

·                  the terms and conditions, if applicable, of conversion into shares of our common stock, including the conversion price or rate or manner of calculation thereof;

 

·                  a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

·                  the relative ranking and preference as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs;

 

·                  any limitations on issuance of any series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with such series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or the winding up of our affairs; and

 

·                  any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of such series of preferred stock.

 

6


 


Table of Contents

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

We may issue receipts for depositary shares representing fractional shares of preferred stock.  The fractional share of the applicable series of preferred stock represented by each depositary share will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying any depositary shares that we may sell under this prospectus will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a depositary selected by us.  Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of the preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all of the rights, preferences, and privileges, and will be subject to the qualifications and restrictions, of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share.

 

The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement.  Depositary receipts will be distributed to the holders of the depositary shares that are sold in the applicable offering.  We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of any deposit agreement, including a form of depositary receipt, that describes the terms of any depositary shares we are offering before the issuance of the related depositary shares.  The following summaries of material provisions of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares, and the depositary receipts are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the deposit agreement applicable to a particular offering of depositary shares.  We urge you to read the prospectus supplements relating to any depositary shares that are sold under this prospectus, as well as the complete deposit agreement and depositary receipt.

 

Form

 

Pending the preparation of definitive depositary receipts, the depositary may, upon our written order, issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form.  These temporary depositary receipts will entitle their holders to all of the rights of definitive depositary receipts.  Temporary depositary receipts will then be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.

 

Dividends and Other Distributions

 

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received with respect to the underlying preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.

 

If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to do so.  If this occurs, the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to those holders in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by them.

 

The amount distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by us or the preferred stock depositary on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

 

Liquidation Preference

 

If a series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares has a liquidation preference, in the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, holders of depositary shares

 

7



Table of Contents

 

will be entitled to receive the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of the applicable series of preferred stock, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Withdrawal of Underlying Preferred Stock

 

Except as otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and, upon payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of underlying preferred stock and all money and other property represented by the related depositary shares.  We will not issue any partial shares of preferred stock.  If the holder delivers depositary receipts evidencing a number of depositary shares that represent more than a whole number of shares of preferred stock, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares to the holder.

 

Redemption of Depositary Shares

 

If the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares we may sell under this prospectus is subject to redemption, the depositary shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from any such redemption, in whole or in part, of that underlying preferred stock. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to the underlying preferred stock. Whenever we redeem shares of underlying preferred stock that are held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the shares of underlying preferred stock so redeemed. If fewer than all of the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately, as may be determined by the depositary.

 

After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding, and all rights of the holders of the depositary shares will cease, except the right to receive the monies payable and any other property to which the holders were entitled upon the redemption upon surrender to the preferred stock depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.  Any funds deposited by us with the preferred stock depositary for any depositary shares that the holders fail to redeem will be returned to us after a period of two years from the date the funds are deposited.

 

Voting

 

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which holders of the preferred stock underlying any depositary shares that we may sell under this prospectus are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares.  Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the underlying preferred stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the underlying preferred stock represented by the holder’s depositary shares.  The depositary will then try, as far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable actions which may be deemed necessary by the depositary to enable the depositary to do so.  The depositary will not vote the underlying preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions with respect to the depositary shares representing such preferred stock.

 

Conversion of Preferred Stock

 

If the prospectus supplement relating to any depositary shares that we may sell under this prospectus states that the underlying preferred stock is convertible into our common stock or other

 

8



Table of Contents

 

securities, the following will apply.  The depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into any of our securities.  Rather, any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts to the depositary with written instructions that direct us to cause conversion of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into or for whole shares of our common stock or other securities which will be issued to the holder, as applicable.  Upon receipt of those instructions and any amounts payable by the holder in connection with the conversion, we will cause the conversion using the same procedures as those provided for conversion of the underlying preferred stock.  If only some of a holder’s depositary shares are converted, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued to the holder for any depositary shares not converted.

 

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

 

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective until 90 days after notice of that amendment has been given to the holders. Each holder of depositary shares at the time any amendment becomes effective shall be deemed to consent and agree to that amendment and to be bound by the deposit agreement as so amended. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the depositary only if all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted into any other securities into which the underlying preferred stock is convertible or there has been a final distribution, including to holders of depositary receipts, of the underlying preferred stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution, or winding up.

 

Charges of Depositary

 

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangement.  We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock, the initial issuance of the depositary shares, any redemption of the preferred stock, and all withdrawals of preferred stock by owners of depositary shares.  Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer, income, and other taxes and governmental charges and other specified charges as provided in the deposit arrangement for their accounts.  If these charges have not been paid, the depositary may refuse to transfer depositary shares, withhold dividends and distributions, and sell the depositary shares evidenced by the depositary receipt.

 

Limitation on Liability

 

Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement.  Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance of our respective duties under the deposit agreement without, in our case, negligence or bad faith or, in the case of the depositary, negligence or willful misconduct.  We and the depositary may rely upon advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting the underlying preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts, or other persons believed by us in good faith to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.

 

Corporate Trust Office of Preferred Stock Depositary

 

The preferred stock depositary’s corporate trust office will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of depositary shares.  The preferred stock depositary will act as transfer agent and registrar for depositary receipts, and, if shares of a series of preferred stock are

 

9



Table of Contents

 

redeemable, the preferred stock depositary will act as redemption agent for the corresponding depositary receipts.

 

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

 

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us of its election to resign.  We may remove the depositary at any time.  Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment.  The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

 

Reports to Holders

 

We will deliver all required reports and communications to holders of the preferred stock to the preferred stock depositary, and it will forward those reports and communications to the holders of depositary shares. Upon request, the preferred stock depositary will provide for inspection to the holders of depositary shares the transfer books of the depositary and the list of holders of receipts; provided that any requesting holder certifies to the preferred stock depositary that such inspection is for a proper purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as an owner of depositary shares evidenced by the receipts.

 

10



Table of Contents

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or units.  Warrants may be issued independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or units, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from such securities.  We may issue warrants directly or under a warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. We will name any warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of a particular series and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

The following is a description of the general terms and provisions of any warrants we may issue and may not contain all the information that is important to you. You can access complete information by referring to the applicable prospectus supplement. In the applicable prospectus supplement, we will describe the terms of the warrants and any applicable warrant agreement, including, where applicable, the following:

 

·      the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

·      the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security;

 

·      the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

·      the number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or units, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

·      the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants;

 

·      the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;

 

·      any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

·      the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;

 

·      the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified;

 

·      a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

·      the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and

 

·      any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

 

11



Table of Contents

 

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

 

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and for us to sell to holders, a specific or varying number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, or any combination of the above, at a future date or dates.  Alternatively, the purchase contracts may obligate us to purchase from holders, and obligate holders to sell to us, a specific or varying number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, or any combination of the above.  The price of the securities subject to the purchase contracts may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula described in the purchase contracts.  We may issue purchase contracts separately or as a part of units, each consisting of a purchase contract and one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus or securities of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, securing the holder’s obligations under the purchase contract.  If we issue a purchase contract as part of a unit, the applicable prospectus supplement will state whether the purchase contract will be separable from the other securities in the unit before the purchase contract settlement date.  The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to holders or vice versa and the payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis.  The purchase contracts may require holders to secure the holder’s obligations in a manner specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and in certain circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid purchase contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing such holder’s obligations under the original purchase contract.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, to the extent applicable, the following:

 

·      whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts;

 

·      whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not;

 

·      whether the purchase contracts will be issued as part of a unit and, if so, the other securities comprising the unit;

 

·      whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance, or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract;

 

·      a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

·      any acceleration, cancellation, termination, or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts; and

 

·      whether the purchase contracts will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

12



Table of Contents

 

DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS

 

We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares warrants that we may offer to our securityholders.  The rights may or may not be transferable by the persons purchasing or receiving the rights.  In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering.  Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agent agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as rights agent, that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to any rights that we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering, including, among other matters:

 

·      the date of determining the security holders entitled to the rights distribution;

 

·      the aggregate number of rights issued and the aggregate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants purchasable upon exercise of the rights;

 

·      the exercise price;

 

·      the conditions to completion of the rights offering;

 

·      the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the rights will expire; and

 

·      a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations.

 

Each right would entitle the holder of the rights to purchase for cash the amount of shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.  Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement.  After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will become void.

 

If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than our security holders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

13


 


Table of Contents

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus.  Units may be offered independently or together with common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and/or warrants offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities.

 

While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement.  The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below.

 

We will incorporate by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the form of unit agreement, including a form of unit certificate, if any, that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering before the issuance of the related series of units.  The following summaries of material provisions of the units and the unit agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement applicable to a particular series of units.  We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the units that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit agreements that contain the terms of the units.

 

General

 

We may issue units consisting of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants, or any combination thereof.  Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit.  Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security.  The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including the following:

 

·      the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;

 

·      a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

·      any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described below; and

 

·      any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer, or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.

 

The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Common Stock,” “Description of Preferred Stock,” “Description of Depositary Shares,” “Description of Warrants,” “Description of Purchase Contracts” and “Description of Units” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock, depositary share or warrant included in each unit, respectively.

 

14



Table of Contents

 

Issuance in Series

 

We may issue units in such amounts and in such numerous distinct series as we determine.

 

Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units

 

A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units.  Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit.  A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us.  Any holder of a unit, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, may enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.

 

Title

 

We, the unit agent, and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purposes and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary.

 

CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER AND INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS OF
OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS AND DELAWARE LAW

 

The following is a summary of certain anti-takeover and indemnification provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws which affect us and our stockholders. The description below is intended as only a summary. You can access complete information by referring to Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and the following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such documents and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

 

Our by-laws include advance notice and informational requirements and time limitations on any director nomination or any new proposal which a stockholder wishes to make at an annual meeting of stockholders. Generally, a stockholder’s notice of a director nomination or proposal will be timely if delivered to our corporate secretary at our principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the 60th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the annual meeting.

 

Classified Board of Directors

 

Our board of directors is divided into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. Our classified board, together with certain other provisions of our certificate of incorporation authorizing the board of directors to fill vacant directorships or increase the size of the board, may prevent a stockholder from removing, or delay the removal of, incumbent directors and simultaneously gaining control of the board of directors by filling vacancies created by such removal with its own nominees.

 

15



Table of Contents

 

Blank Check Preferred Stock

 

We have shares of preferred stock available for future issuance without stockholder approval.  The existence of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, our board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in the best interests of us or our stockholders, our board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group. In this regard, our certificate of incorporation grants our board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock. The issuance may also adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of these holders and may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change in control of us.

 

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).  In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.  A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.  An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or did own within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.  Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

 

·      before the stockholder became interested, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

·      upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or

 

·      at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions our board of directors does not approve in advance. Section 203 may also discourage attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

 

These provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our

 

16



Table of Contents

 

management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, each director or officer of our company, whom we refer to as an “Indemnitee.”  Such indemnification includes payment by us, in advance of the final disposition of a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding, of expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending such action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of any undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such payment if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by us.

 

Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person was an officer or director of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation or enterprise.  The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, provided that such officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was illegal.  A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation in the performance of his duty.  Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.

 

Under Delaware law, to the extent that an Indemnitee is successful on the merits in defense of a suit or proceeding brought against him or her by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, or agent of our company, or serves or served any other enterprise or organization at the request of our company, we shall indemnify him or her against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action.

 

If unsuccessful in defense of a third-party civil suit or a criminal suit, or if such a suit is settled, an Indemnitee may be indemnified under Delaware law against both (i) expenses, including attorney’s fees, and (ii) judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of our company, and, with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

If unsuccessful in defense of a suit brought by or in the right of our company, where the suit is settled, an Indemnitee may be indemnified under Delaware law only against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in the defense or settlement of the suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of our company except that if the Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to our company, he or she cannot be made whole even for expenses unless a court determines that he or she is fully and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses.

 

Also under Delaware law, expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by our company in advance of the final disposition of the suit, action, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the officer or director to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by our

 

17



Table of Contents

 

company.  We may also advance expenses incurred by other employees and agents of our company upon such terms and conditions, if any, that our board of directors of the registrant deems appropriate.

 

Disclosure of the SEC’s Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities

 

Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the provisions referenced in Item 14 of this registration statement, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by one of our directors, officers, or controlling persons in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by a director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered hereunder, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

18



Table of Contents

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

·      through agents to the public or to investors;

 

·      to one or more underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to investors;

 

·      in “at the market offerings,” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, or an exchange or otherwise;

 

·      directly to investors in privately negotiated transactions; or

 

·      through a combination of these methods of sale.

 

The securities that we distribute by any of these methods may be sold, in one or more transactions, at:

 

·      a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

·      market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

·      prices related to prevailing market prices; or

 

·      negotiated prices.

 

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of our securities, including:

 

·      the name or names of any agents or underwriters;

 

·      the purchase price of our securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;

 

·      any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;

 

·      any agency fees or underwriting discounts and commissions and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;

 

·      the public offering price;

 

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

 

·      any securities exchanges on which such common stock may be listed.

 

19



Table of Contents

 

Underwriters

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.  We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.  Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account.  The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated 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 underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities offered if they purchase any of the securities offered. We may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to dealers.  We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship.  We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriters the nature of any such relationship.

 

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by particular institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such prospectus supplement. Each delayed delivery contract will be for an amount no less than, and the aggregate principal amounts of securities sold under delayed delivery contracts shall be not less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with which such contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the conditions that (a) the purchase of the securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which the purchaser is subject, and (b) if the securities are being sold to underwriters, we shall have sold to the underwriters the total principal amount of the securities less the principal amount thereof covered by the contracts. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts.

 

Agents

 

We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis.

 

Direct Sales

 

We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

 

Trading Markets and Listing of Securities

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities, other than our common stock, which is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market, will be a new issue with no established trading market.  We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange, but we are not obligated to do so.  It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a

 

20



Table of Contents

 

market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.  We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

 

Stabilization Activities

 

In connection with an offering, an underwriter may purchase and sell securities in the open market.  These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Shorts sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase in the offering.  “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional securities from us, if any, in the offering.  If the underwriters have an over-allotment option to purchase additional securities from us, the underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing securities in the open market.  In determining the source of securities to close out the covered short position, the underwriters may consider, among other things, the price of securities available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase securities through the over-allotment option.  “Naked” short sales are any sales in excess of such option or where the underwriters do not have an over-allotment option.  The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing securities in the open market.  A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the securities in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

Accordingly, to cover these short sales positions or to otherwise stabilize or maintain the price of the securities, the underwriters may bid for or purchase securities in the open market and may impose penalty bids.  If penalty bids are imposed, selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers participating in the offering are reclaimed if securities previously distributed in the offering are repurchased, whether in connection with stabilization transactions or otherwise.  The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market.  The impositions of a penalty bid may also effect the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resale of the securities.  The magnitude or effect of any stabilization or other transactions is uncertain.  These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Capital Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Summer Infant, Inc. included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2008, have been audited by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement.  Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters, including the legality of the securities offered, will be passed upon for us by our counsel, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Boston, Massachusetts.  If the securities are distributed in an underwritten offering, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

21


 


Table of Contents

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549. You should call 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to you on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.  The SEC’s Internet site contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC. The registration statement contains more information than this prospectus regarding us and our common stock, including certain exhibits and schedules. You can obtain a copy of the registration statement from the SEC at the address listed above or from the SEC’s Internet site.

 

Our Internet address is www.summerinfant.com. The information on our Internet website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate” into this prospectus information that we file with the SEC in other documents. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to other documents that contain that information. Any information that we incorporate by reference is considered part of this prospectus. The documents and reports that we list below are incorporated by reference into this prospectus (other than any portions of such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules). In addition, all documents and reports which we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus are incorporated by reference in this prospectus as of the respective filing dates of these documents and reports (other than any portions of such documents that are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules). Statements contained in documents that we file with the SEC and that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus, including information in previously filed documents or reports that have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus, to the extent the new information differs from or is inconsistent with the old information.

 

We have filed the following documents with the SEC. These documents are incorporated herein by reference as of their respective dates of filing:

 

(1)           Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008;

 

(2)           Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as amended, for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009 and September 30, 2009;

 

(3)           Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 27, 2009, May 27, 2009, July 16, 2009, August 5, 2009, November 2, 2009 and November 13, 2009;

 

(4)           Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on May 11, 2009;

 

(5)           Our Form 8-A filed with the SEC on March 6, 2007;

 

22



Table of Contents

 

(6)           All of our filings pursuant to the Exchange Act after the date of filing the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement; and

 

(7)           The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on March 6, 2007, and any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating that description.

 

You may request a copy of these documents, which will be provided to you at no cost, by contacting:

 

Summer Infant, Inc.

Commission File No. 001-33346

1275 Park East Drive

Woonsocket, RI  02895

Attn: Corporate Secretary

(401) 671-6550

 

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, including information incorporated by reference as described above, or any prospectus supplement that we have specifically referred you to. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents or that any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than its filing date. You should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation relating to the securities is not authorized. Furthermore, you should not consider this prospectus to be an offer or solicitation relating to the securities if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or if it is unlawful for you to receive such an offer or solicitation.

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.                 Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered are set forth in the following table (all amounts except the registration fee are estimated):

 

SEC registration fee

 

$

5,580

 

Legal fees and expenses

 

$

20,000

 

Accounting fees and expenses

 

$

10,000

 

Printing fees and expenses

 

$

10,000

 

Transfer agent fees and expenses

 

$

5,000

 

Miscellaneous expenses

 

$

2,210

 

 

 

 

 

Total Expenses

 

$

52,790

 

 

23



Table of Contents

 

Item 15.                 Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we will indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, each director or officer of our company, whom we refer to as an “Indemnitee.”  Such indemnification includes payment by us, in advance of the final disposition of a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding, of expenses incurred by a director or officer in defending such action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of any undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such payment if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by us.

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) empowers a Delaware corporation to indemnify any persons who are, or are threatened to be made, parties to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of such corporation), by reason of the fact that such person was an officer or director of such corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation or enterprise.  The indemnity may include expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding, provided that such officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, and, for criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was illegal.  A Delaware corporation may indemnify officers and directors in an action by or in the right of the corporation under the same conditions, except that no indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the officer or director is adjudged to be liable to the corporation in the performance of his duty.  Where an officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must indemnify him against the expenses which such officer or director actually and reasonably incurred.

 

Under Delaware law, to the extent that an Indemnitee is successful on the merits in defense of a suit or proceeding brought against him or her by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, or agent of our company, or serves or served any other enterprise or organization at the request of our company, we shall indemnify him or her against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action.

 

If unsuccessful in defense of a third-party civil suit or a criminal suit, or if such a suit is settled, an Indemnitee may be indemnified under Delaware law against both (i) expenses, including attorney’s fees, and (ii) judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of our company, and, with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

If unsuccessful in defense of a suit brought by or in the right of our company, where the suit is settled, an Indemnitee may be indemnified under Delaware law only against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in the defense or settlement of the suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of our company except that if the Indemnitee is adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to our company, he or she cannot be made whole even for expenses unless a court determines that he or she is fully and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses.

 

Also under Delaware law, expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding may be paid by our company in advance of the final disposition of the suit, action, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the officer or director to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by our

 

24



Table of Contents

 

company.  We may also advance expenses incurred by other employees and agents of our company upon such terms and conditions, if any, that our board of directors of the registrant deems appropriate.

 

Reference is made to “Undertakings,” below, for the registrant’s undertakings in this registration statement with respect to indemnification of liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Item 16.                 Exhibits.

 

The exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3.

 

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, as amended (the “Securities Act”);

 

(ii)           To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this 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 this Registration Statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the 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 Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement; and

 

(iii)          To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this 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 periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are incorporated by reference in this 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 purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

25



Table of Contents

 

(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 to any purchaser:

 

(i)            If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

 

(A) 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

 

(B) 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; or

 

(ii)           If the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

(5)    That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

 

The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such 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, such undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

26



Table of Contents

 

(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.

 

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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.

 

Additionally, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the indemnification provisions described herein, 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 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

27



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 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 Woonsocket, State of Rhode Island, on this 2nd day of February, 2010.

 

 

SUMMER INFANT, INC.

 

By:

 

 

 

/s/ Jason Macari

 

 

Jason Macari

 

 

Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jason Macari

 

 

 

 

Jason Macari

 

Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

February 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Joseph Driscoll

 

 

 

 

Joseph Driscoll

 

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

February 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Richard Wenz

 

Director

 

February 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Steven Gibree

 

Director

 

February 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Martin Fogelman

 

Director

 

February 2, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Robert Stebenne

 

Director

 

February 2, 2010

 

*By:

/s/ Joseph Driscoll

 

 

Joseph Driscoll

 

 

Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

28



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

**1.1

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement, Placement Agency Agreement, Dealer-Manager Agreement, Distribution Agreement or similar agreement.

 

 

 

3.1

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, (Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-A filed March 6, 2007).

 

 

 

3.2

 

By-Laws of the Company (Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-A filed March 6, 2007).

 

 

 

**4.1

 

Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement.

 

 

 

**4.2

 

Form of Preferred Stock Warrant Agreement.

 

 

 

**4.3

 

Form of Certificate of Designation for Preferred Stock Issued Hereunder.

 

 

 

**4.4

 

Form of Depositary Receipt for Depositary Shares.

 

 

 

**4.5

 

Form of Deposit Agreement for Depositary Shares.

 

 

 

**4.6

 

Form of Purchase Contract.

 

 

 

**4.7

 

Form of Unit Agreement and Unit Certificate.

 

 

 

**4.8

 

Form of Rights Agent Agreement or Subscription Agent Agreement.

 

 

 

**4.9

 

Form of Rights Certificate.

 

 

 

*5.1

 

Opinion of Greenberg Traurig LLP, counsel to the Registrant.

 

 

 

*23.1

 

Consent of Greenberg Traurig LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

 

 

 

*23.2

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

 

***24.1

 

Power of Attorney (contained in signature page).

 


*                      Filed herewith.

 

**               To be subsequently filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference to this registration statement, including a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

***        Previously filed.