Page 161 - מיזוגים ורכישות - פרופ' אהוד קמר 2022
P. 161
Purpose of the Merger
1) Provides an outstanding investment opportunity for Signal — (Better than any
recent acquisition we have seen.)
2) Increases Signal’s earnings.
3) Facilitates the flow of resources between Signal and its subsidiaries — (Big
factor — works both ways.)
4) Provides cost savings potential for Signal and UOP.
5) Improves the percentage of Signal’s ‘operating earnings’ as opposed to ‘holding
company earnings’.
6) Simplifies the understanding of Signal.
7) Facilitates technological exchange among Signal’s subsidiaries.
8) Eliminates potential conflicts of interest.
Having written those words, solely for the use of Signal, it is clear from the record
that neither Arledge nor Chitiea shared this report with their fellow directors of UOP. We
are satisfied that no one else did either. This conduct hardly meets the fiduciary standards
applicable to such a transaction. While Mr. Walkup, Signal’s chairman of the board and
a UOP director, attended the March 6, 1978 UOP board meeting and testified at trial that
he had discussed the Arledge-Chitiea report with the UOP directors at this meeting, the
record does not support this assertion. Perhaps it is the result of some confusion on Mr.
Walkup’s part. In any event Mr. Shumway, Signal’s president, testified that he made sure
the Signal outside directors had this report prior to the March 6, 1978 Signal board
meeting, but he did not testify that the Arledge-Chitiea report was also sent to UOP’s
outside directors.
***
Actually, it appears that a three-page summary of figures was given to all UOP
directors. Its first page is identical to one page of the Arledge-Chitiea report, but this dealt
with nothing more than a justification of the $21 price. Significantly, the contents of this
three-page summary are what the minutes reflect Mr. Walkup told the UOP board.
However, nothing contained in either the minutes or this three-page summary reflects
Signal’s study regarding the $24 price.
157
1) Provides an outstanding investment opportunity for Signal — (Better than any
recent acquisition we have seen.)
2) Increases Signal’s earnings.
3) Facilitates the flow of resources between Signal and its subsidiaries — (Big
factor — works both ways.)
4) Provides cost savings potential for Signal and UOP.
5) Improves the percentage of Signal’s ‘operating earnings’ as opposed to ‘holding
company earnings’.
6) Simplifies the understanding of Signal.
7) Facilitates technological exchange among Signal’s subsidiaries.
8) Eliminates potential conflicts of interest.
Having written those words, solely for the use of Signal, it is clear from the record
that neither Arledge nor Chitiea shared this report with their fellow directors of UOP. We
are satisfied that no one else did either. This conduct hardly meets the fiduciary standards
applicable to such a transaction. While Mr. Walkup, Signal’s chairman of the board and
a UOP director, attended the March 6, 1978 UOP board meeting and testified at trial that
he had discussed the Arledge-Chitiea report with the UOP directors at this meeting, the
record does not support this assertion. Perhaps it is the result of some confusion on Mr.
Walkup’s part. In any event Mr. Shumway, Signal’s president, testified that he made sure
the Signal outside directors had this report prior to the March 6, 1978 Signal board
meeting, but he did not testify that the Arledge-Chitiea report was also sent to UOP’s
outside directors.
***
Actually, it appears that a three-page summary of figures was given to all UOP
directors. Its first page is identical to one page of the Arledge-Chitiea report, but this dealt
with nothing more than a justification of the $21 price. Significantly, the contents of this
three-page summary are what the minutes reflect Mr. Walkup told the UOP board.
However, nothing contained in either the minutes or this three-page summary reflects
Signal’s study regarding the $24 price.
157
