UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14A-101)
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant x | |||
| |||
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o | |||
| |||
Check the appropriate box: | |||
o |
Preliminary Proxy Statement | ||
o |
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | ||
o |
Definitive Proxy Statement | ||
o |
Definitive Additional Materials | ||
x |
Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12 | ||
| |||
BEMIS COMPANY, INC. | |||
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) | |||
| |||
| |||
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) | |||
| |||
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): | |||
x |
No fee required. | ||
o |
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | ||
|
(1) |
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: | |
|
|
| |
|
(2) |
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: | |
|
|
| |
|
(3) |
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
|
|
| |
|
(4) |
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: | |
|
|
| |
|
(5) |
Total fee paid: | |
|
|
| |
o |
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. | ||
o |
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. | ||
|
(1) |
Amount Previously Paid: | |
|
|
| |
|
(2) |
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: | |
|
|
| |
|
(3) |
Filing Party: | |
|
|
| |
|
(4) |
Date Filed: | |
|
|
| |
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Bemis Company, Inc. (Bemis) has entered into a Transaction Agreement, dated as of August 6, 2018, with Amcor Limited, Arctic Jersey Limited, and Arctic Corp., relating to a proposed business combination that is expected to be submitted to a vote of Bemiss shareholders.
Bemis is filing this Schedule 14A to file the following communications materials which may be deemed soliciting materials under Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act with respect to such vote.
EXHIBIT INDEX
No. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
99.1 |
|
Press Release, dated April 10, 2019 |
US 10 April 2019; Australia 11 April 2019
AMCOR AND BEMIS TRANSACTION RECEIVES UNCONDITIONAL ANTITRUST CLEARANCE FROM BRAZIL
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA and NEENAH, WISCONSIN Amcor Limited (ASX: AMC) and Bemis Company, Inc. (NYSE: BMS) announce another important step toward closing their all-stock transaction. Unconditional antitrust clearance with no remedial action has been received from the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approval in the United States. The companies are in advanced discussions with US Department of Justice (DOJ) which includes the potential for required remedies. Inclusive of remedies required by the European Commission, collective potential remedies would represent an immaterial proportion of the total sales for the combined company and would not impact the USD 180 million of net cost synergies expected to be delivered by the end of the third year following completion.
As previously announced, completion of the transaction is expected on 15th May 2019.
CONTACTS FOR AMCOR: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investors |
Media Australia |
Media Europe |
Media North America |
Tracey Whitehead |
James Strong |
TR Reid |
Daniel Yunger |
Head of Investor Relations |
Citadel-MAGNUS |
Head of Global Communications |
KekstCNC |
Amcor Limited |
|
Amcor Limited |
|
+61 3 9226 9028 |
+61 448 881 174 |
+41 44 316 7674 |
+1 212 521 4879 |
tracey.whitehead@amcor.com |
jstrong@citadelmagnus.com |
TR.Reid@amcor.com |
daniel.yunger@kekstcnc.com |
|
|
|
|
CONTACTS FOR BEMIS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investors |
Media |
|
|
Erin M. Winters |
Matthew Sherman / Sharon Stern |
| |
Director of Investor Relations |
|
|
|
Bemis Company Inc. |
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher |
| |
+1 920 527 5288 |
+1 212 355 4449 |
|
|
Amcor Limited 60 City Road Southbank VIC 3006 Australia T +61 3 9226 9000 F +61 3 9226 9050 www.amcor.com ABN 62 000 017 372 |
|
| |
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains certain statements that are 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. Amcor Limited (Amcor), its subsidiary Amcor plc (f/k/a Arctic Jersey Limited) (New Amcor) and Bemis Company, Inc. (Bemis) have identified some of these forward-looking statements with words like believe, may, could, would, might, possible, will, should, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, estimate, potential, outlook or continue, the negative of these words, other terms of similar meaning or the use of future dates. Forward-looking statements in this communication include, without limitation, statements about the anticipated benefits of the contemplated transactions, including future financial and operating results and expected synergies and cost savings related to the contemplated transactions, the plans, objectives, expectations and intentions of Amcor, New Amcor or Bemis and the expected timing of the completion of the contemplated transactions. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Amcor or Bemis, as applicable, are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, and actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties. None of Amcor, New Amcor or Bemis, or any of their respective directors, executive officers or advisors, provide any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of the events expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements will actually occur. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ from expectations include, but are not limited to: uncertainties as to the timing of the contemplated transactions; uncertainties as to the approval of the transactions by Bemis and Amcors shareholders, as required in connection with the contemplated transactions; the possibility that a competing proposal will be made; the possibility that the closing conditions to the contemplated transactions may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant a necessary approval; the effects of disruption caused by the announcement of the contemplated transactions or the performance of the parties obligations under the transaction agreement making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, vendors and other business partners; the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the contemplated transactions may affect the timing or occurrence of the contemplated transactions or result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; uncertainties as to the availability and terms of refinancing for the existing indebtedness of Amcor or Bemis in connection with the contemplated transactions; uncertainties as to whether and when New Amcor may be listed in the US S&P 500 index and the S&P / ASX 200 index; uncertainties as to whether, when and in what amounts future dividend payments may be made by Amcor, Bemis or New Amcor; other business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of the control of the parties to the contemplated transactions; transaction costs; actual or contingent liabilities; disruptions to the financial or capital markets; other risks and uncertainties discussed in Amcors disclosures to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), including the 2018 Principal Risks section of Amcors Annual Report 2018; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in Bemis filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including the Risk Factors section of Bemis annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. You can obtain copies of Amcors disclosures to the ASX for free at ASXs website (www.asx.com.au). You can obtain copies of Bemis filings with the SEC for free at the SECs website (www.sec.gov). Forward-looking statements included herein are made only as of the date hereof and none of Amcor, New Amcor or Bemis undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, or any other information in this communication, as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, or to correct any inaccuracies or omissions in them which become apparent, except as expressly required by law. All forward-looking statements in this communication are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Legal Disclosures
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.
Important Information Filed with the SEC and Registered with ASIC
In connection with the contemplated transactions, New Amcor has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC that includes a joint proxy statement of Bemis and prospectus of New Amcor. The joint proxy statement/prospectus has been sent or given to Bemis shareholders and contains important information about the contemplated transactions. The S-4 has been declared effective by the SEC. Shareholders are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC carefully because they contain important information about Bemis, Amcor, New Amcor, the contemplated transactions and related matters. Investors and shareholders may obtain free copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Bemis, Amcor and New Amcor through the SECs website (www.sec.gov).
In connection with the scheme of arrangement, which is part of the contemplated transaction, Amcor has registered a Scheme Booklet with ASIC that includes an independent experts report and a notice of scheme meeting. The Scheme Booklet is an important document and should be read carefully and in its entirety before Amcor shareholders decide how to vote at the scheme meeting. A copy of the Scheme Booklet has been sent to Amcor shareholders and will otherwise be available on the ASXs website (www.asx.com.au).
Amcor shareholders should carefully read the Scheme Booklet prepared in relation to the transaction in its entirety before deciding how to vote on the Scheme of Arrangement that is part of the transaction. Bemis shareholders should carefully read the joint proxy statement/prospectus, and any other relevant documents filed by New Amcor or Bemis before making any voting or investment decision.
This announcement does not contain all of the information contained in the Scheme Booklet and S-4. For example section 1.2 of the Scheme Booklet outlines the disadvantages of the transaction and section 7 of the Scheme Booklet contains certain risk considerations relating to the transaction that should also be considered by Amcor shareholders, and the Risk Factors section of the S-4 outlines the risks relating to the transaction that should also be considered by Bemis shareholders.
Participants in the Solicitation
Bemis, Amcor, New Amcor and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Bemis shareholders in connection with the contemplated transactions. Information about Bemis directors and executive officers is set forth in its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, including Amendment No. 1 thereto, which may be obtained for free at the SECs website (www.sec.gov). Information about Amcors directors and executive officers is set forth in its Annual Report 2018, which may be obtained for free at ASXs website (www.asx.com.au). Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the contemplated transactions is included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus that New Amcor has filed with the SEC.