UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
(Rule
14a-101)
INFORMATION
REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE
14A INFORMATION
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by
the Registrant [X]
Filed by a
Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the
appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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[ ] Confidential,
For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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[ ] Definitive
Proxy Statement
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[ ] Definitive
Additional Materials
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[ ] Soliciting
Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12
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GHL
ACQUISITION CORP.
(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):
[ ] No
fee required.
[
] Fee computed
on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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(1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
Common
stock of GHL Acquisition Corp.
("GHQ")
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(2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction applies:
36,000,000
shares of GHQ common
stock
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(3)
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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):
$8.92 per share of GHQ common
stock based on the average of the high and low prices reported on the NYSE
Alternext U.S. on November
25, 2008
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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[X] Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] 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.
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(1)
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Amount
previously paid:
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(2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement
No.:
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1 Estimated solely for the purposes of
calculating the filing fee based on the number of shares of GHQ common stock and
the cash consideration to be issued in the
acquisition.
2 The amount is $399,220,000 multiplied by
the SEC’s filing fee of $39.30 per million.
GHL
ACQUISITION CORP.
300
Park Avenue, 23rd Floor
New
York, NY 10022
,
2009
Dear
Stockholder:
You are
cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the stockholders of GHL
Acquisition Corp. (“GHQ”) relating to our proposed acquisition of Iridium
Holdings LLC (“Iridium Holdings”). The special meeting will be held
at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on
, 2009, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel,
301 Park Avenue, New York, NY.
At the
special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following
proposals:
1. to
approve our acquisition of Iridium Holdings (the “acquisition”) pursuant to the
Transaction Agreement dated as of September 22, 2008 among GHQ, Iridium Holdings
and the sellers listed on the signature pages thereof (the “transaction
agreement”) and the related transactions contemplated by the transaction
agreement (the “acquisition proposal”);
2. to
approve an amended and restated certificate of incorporation for GHQ (the
“proposed certificate”), to be effective upon completion of the acquisition (the
“certificate proposal”), to, among other things:
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change
our name to “Iridium Communications
Inc.”;
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permit
our continued existence after February 14,
2010;
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increase
the number of our authorized shares of common stock;
and
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eliminate
the different classes of our board of
directors;
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3. to
approve the issuance of shares of our common stock in the acquisition and
related transactions that would result in an increase in our outstanding common
stock by more than 20% (the “share issuance proposal”);
4. to
adopt a proposed stock incentive plan, to be effective upon completion of the
acquisition (the “stock incentive plan proposal”); and
5. to
adopt a proposal to authorize the adjournment of the special meeting to a later
date or dates, including, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor
of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes in favor of any of
these proposals (the “adjournment proposal”).
The
approval of the acquisition proposal is conditioned upon the approval of the
certificate proposal, the share issuance proposal and the stock incentive plan
proposal, but not the adjournment proposal. The approval of the
certificate proposal, the share issuance proposal and the stock incentive plan
proposal, but not the adjournment proposal, is conditioned upon the approval of
the acquisition proposal. The adjournment proposal does not require
the approval of any other proposal to be effective.
Our board
of directors has fixed the close of business on
, 2009 as the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special
meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. Record
holders of GHQ warrants do not have voting rights.
Stockholders
holding a majority of our issued and outstanding common stock (whether or not
held by public stockholders) at the close of business on the record date must be
present, in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum, and a quorum is required
to approve our proposals. In addition, approval of the acquisition
proposal requires that holders of a majority of the common stock voted by all
holders of common stock issued in our initial public offering (such holders, the
“public stockholders”) must vote, in person or by proxy, in favor of the
acquisition proposal, but the acquisition proposal cannot be approved if public
stockholders owning 30% or more of the common stock issued in our initial public
offering (“IPO”) vote against the acquisition proposal and properly exercise
their conversion rights. In connection with the vote on the
acquisition proposal and the certificate proposal, Greenhill & Co., Inc.
(“Greenhill” or our “founding stockholder”) and GHQ’s directors to whom founding
stockholder’s units were transferred (collectively, our “initial stockholders”)
have agreed to vote their shares in accordance with the majority of common stock
voted by the public stockholders.
Assuming
the acquisition proposal is approved by the requisite vote of our stockholders,
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
our common stock is required to approve our certificate proposal, and the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock
that are present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the
special meeting is required to approve the share issuance proposal, the stock
incentive plan proposal and the adjournment proposal.
You have
the right, subject to the limitation described in the next sentence, to convert
any shares that you own that were sold in our IPO into cash if you vote against
the acquisition proposal and the acquisition proposal is approved and the
acquisition is completed. To the extent you, together with any of
your affiliates or any other person with whom you are acting in concert or as a
partnership, syndicate or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding or
disposing of your GHQ securities, own collectively more than 10% of the shares
that were sold in our IPO, you and they will be limited to seeking conversion
rights for only up to 10% of the IPO shares. If you properly exercise
your conversion rights, you will be entitled to receive a conversion price per
share equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in our trust account (before
payment of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and including
interest earned on their pro rata portion of our trust account, net of income
taxes payable on such interest, net of franchise taxes and net of interest
income of up to $5.0 million, subject to certain adjustments, on the trust
account balance previously released to us to fund our working capital
requirements), calculated as of two business days prior to the proposed
completion of the acquisition, divided by the number of shares sold in our
IPO. As of September 30, 2008, the per-share conversion price would
have been approximately $10.02 without taking into account any interest or
expenses accrued after such date.
You may
request conversion of your shares at any time after the mailing of this proxy
statement by following the procedures described in this proxy statement, but the
request will not be granted unless you vote against the acquisition proposal and
the acquisition proposal is approved and the acquisition is
completed. Voting against the acquisition proposal alone will not
result in the conversion of your shares into a pro rata share of the trust
account; to convert your shares, you must also follow the specific procedures
for conversion set forth in this proxy statement. See “The Special
Meeting –– Conversion Rights” on page 123. Prior to exercising your
conversion rights, you should verify the market price of GHQ’s common stock, as
you may receive higher proceeds from the sale of your common stock in the public
market than from exercising your conversion rights if the market price per share
is higher than the conversion price.
GHQ units,
common shares and warrants are listed and traded on the NYSE Alternext US LLC
(“NYSE Alternext U.S.”) under the trading symbol GHQ.U, GHQ and GHQ.WS,
respectively. On January 12, 2009, the closing price of GHQ units,
common stock and warrants were, respectively, $9.30, $9.20 and
$0.25.
AFTER
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ALL OF THE PROPOSALS, OUR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED ALL OF THE PROPOSALS AND UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE PROPOSALS.
YOUR
VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE SPECIAL
MEETING, PLEASE PROMPTLY VOTE YOUR SHARES AND SUBMIT YOUR PROXY BY COMPLETING,
SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING YOUR PROXY FORM IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. IF
YOU RETURN A PROXY WITH YOUR SIGNATURE BUT WITHOUT AN INDICATION OF HOW YOU WISH
TO VOTE ON ANY PROPOSAL, YOUR PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH SUCH
PROPOSAL. EVEN IF YOU RETURN THE PROXY, YOU MAY ATTEND THE SPECIAL
MEETING AND VOTE YOUR SHARES IN PERSON.
The
accompanying proxy statement contains detailed information regarding the
acquisition and related transactions, including each of our
proposals. The proxy statement also provides detailed information
about Iridium Holdings because, upon completion of the acquisition, Iridium
Holdings will become a subsidiary of GHQ.
WE
ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THIS ENTIRE PROXY STATEMENT CAREFULLY, INCLUDING THE
SECTION DISCUSSING “RISK FACTORS,” FOR A DISCUSSION OF VARIOUS FACTORS THAT YOU
SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH OUR PROPOSED ACQUISITION.
Sincerely,
Scott L.
Bok
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
NEITHER
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES REGULATORY
AGENCY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE TRANSACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT OR ANY OF THE SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED IN THE ACQUISITION, PASSED UPON
THE MERITS OR FAIRNESS OF THE ACQUISITION OR RELATED TRANSACTIONS OR PASSED UPON
THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE DISCLOSURE IN THIS PROXY
STATEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY CONSTITUTES A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
This proxy
statement is dated , 2009 and is first
being mailed to GHQ stockholders on or about
, 2009.
GHL
ACQUISITION CORP.
300
Park Avenue, 23rd
Floor
New
York, NY 10022
__________________________________________________________
NOTICE
OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON
, 2009
___________________________________________________________
To the
Stockholders of GHL Acquisition Corp.:
You are
cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the stockholders of GHL
Acquisition Corp. (“GHQ”) relating to our proposed acquisition of Iridium
Holdings LLC (“Iridium Holdings”). The special meeting will be held
at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on
, 2009, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel,
301 Park Avenue, New York, NY.
At the
special meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon the following
proposals:
1. to
approve our acquisition of Iridium Holdings (the “acquisition”) pursuant to the
Transaction Agreement dated as of September 22, 2008 among GHQ, Iridium Holdings
and the sellers listed on the signature pages thereof (the “transaction
agreement”) and the related transactions contemplated by the transaction
agreement (the “acquisition proposal”);
2. to
approve an amended and restated certificate of incorporation for GHQ (the
“proposed certificate”), to be effective upon completion of the acquisition (the
“certificate proposal”), to, among other things:
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change
our name to “Iridium Communications
Inc.”;
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permit
our continued existence after February 14,
2010;
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increase
the number of our authorized shares of common stock;
and
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eliminate
the different classes of our board of
directors;
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3. to
approve the issuance of shares of our common stock in the acquisition and
related transactions that would result in an increase in our outstanding common
stock by more than 20% (the “share issuance proposal”);
4. to
adopt a proposed stock incentive plan, to be effective upon completion of the
acquisition (the “stock incentive plan proposal”); and
5. to
adopt a proposal to authorize the adjournment of the special meeting to a later
date or dates, including, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in favor
of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes in favor of any of
these proposals (the “adjournment proposal”).
The
approval of the acquisition proposal is conditioned upon the approval of the
certificate proposal, the share issuance proposal and the stock incentive plan
proposal, but not the adjournment proposal. The approval of the
certificate proposal, the share issuance proposal and the stock incentive plan
proposal, but not the adjournment proposal, is conditioned upon the approval of
the acquisition proposal. The adjournment proposal does not require
the approval of any other proposal to be effective.
Our board
of directors has fixed the close of business on
, 2009 as the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special
meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. Record
holders of GHQ warrants do not have voting rights.
Your vote
is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting,
please complete, sign, date and return your proxy card as soon as possible to
ensure that your shares are represented at the special meeting or, if you are a
stockholder of record of our common stock on the record date, you may cast your
vote in person at the special meeting. If your shares are held in an
account at a brokerage firm or bank, you must instruct your broker or bank on
how to vote your shares. If you do not vote or do not instruct your
broker or bank how to vote, it will have the same effect as voting against the
acquisition proposal and the certificate proposal.
Any proxy
may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by delivery of a later dated
proxy, by notifying in writing
before the special meeting, or by voting in person at the special
meeting. By authorizing your proxy promptly, you can help us avoid
the expense of further proxy solicitations.
Your
attention is directed to the proxy statement accompanying this notice (including
the annexes thereto) for a more complete description of the proposed acquisition
and related transactions and each of our proposals. We encourage you
to read this proxy statement carefully. If you have any questions or
need assistance voting your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, MacKenzie
Partners, Inc. at (800) 322-2885 or by email at proxy@mackenziepartners.com.
By Order
of the Board of Directors,
Jodi B.
Ganz
Secretary
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LIST
OF ANNEXES
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Annex
A
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Annex
B
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Annex
C
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Annex
D
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Annex
E
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Annex
F
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This
Summary Term Sheet, together with the sections entitled “Questions and Answers
About the Acquisition” and “Summary of Proxy Statement,” summarize certain
information contained in this proxy statement, but do not contain all of the
information that is important to you. You should carefully read this
entire proxy statement, including the attached Annexes and the documents to
which we refer you, for a more complete understanding of the matters to be
considered at the special meeting of stockholders. In this proxy statement, the
terms “we”, “us”, “our” and “GHQ” refer to GHL Acquisition Corp., the term
“Iridium Holdings” refers to Iridium Holdings LLC and the term “transaction
agreement” refers to the Transaction Agreement dated as of September 22, 2008
among GHQ, Iridium Holdings and the sellers named therein (“Sellers” or
“sellers”).
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GHQ
is a special purpose acquisition company formed for the purpose of
acquiring one or more businesses or assets. For more
information about GHQ, see the section entitled “Information About GHQ”
and “GHQ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations” beginning on pages 126 and 128,
respectively.
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Iridium
Holdings, through its subsidiaries, is a provider of mobile voice and data
communications services via satellite. For more information
about Iridium Holdings, see the sections entitled “Information About
Iridium Holdings,” and “Iridium Holdings Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on
pages 132 and 153, respectively.
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Pursuant
to a transaction agreement signed on September 22, 2008 by approximately
99.5% of the equityholders of Iridium Holdings, GHQ proposes to acquire
Iridium Holdings from such equityholders on the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth therein. For more information about the
acquisition, see the sections entitled “Proposal I—Approval of the
Acquisition” beginning on page 63, “The Transaction Agreement” beginning
on page 104 and the Transaction Agreement that is attached as Annex A to
this proxy statement.
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Under
the terms of the transaction agreement, GHQ agreed to pay for the purchase
of 100% of Iridium Holdings’ equity, $77.1 million in cash, subject to
certain adjustments, issue to the sellers 36.0 million shares of GHQ
common stock (valued at $333.28 million based on a price per share of
$9.23 on September 22, 2008, the last trading day before the acquisition
was announced and at $331.2 million based on a price per share of $9.20 on
January 12, 2009 on the NYSE Alternext U.S.) and assume approximately $131
million net debt of Iridium Holdings. In addition, 90 days
following the closing of the acquisition, if Iridium Holdings has in
effect a valid election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”) with respect to the taxable year in which
the closing of the acquisition occurs, GHQ will make a tax benefit payment
of up to $30 million in aggregate to sellers (other than the sellers of
the equity of Baralonco and Syncom) to compensate them for the tax basis
step-up. For more information about the transaction agreement
and the other transaction agreements, see the sections entitled “The
Transaction Agreement” and “Other Transaction Agreements” beginning on
page 104 and 118 respectively.
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Following
the acquisition, the current stockholders of GHQ are expected to own
approximately 55.1% of the outstanding shares of common stock of
GHQ. The current owners of Iridium Holdings are expected to own
approximately 42.2% of the outstanding common stock of GHQ and Greenhill
& Co. Europe Holdings Limited (“Greenhill Europe”) is expected to own
approximately 2.7% as a result of a $22.9 million convertible subordinated
promissory note of Iridium Holdings (the “note”) convertible into 2.29
million shares of common stock of GHQ. The single-largest
stockholder of GHQ, following the acquisition, is expected to be Baralonco
Limited with approximately 13% ownership and the second-largest
stockholder of GHQ is expected to be Greenhill with approximately 10.8%
ownership, including Greenhill Europe’s 2.7% ownership. These
ownership percentages are calculated on an outstanding basis and assume
that (i) no holders of shares of our common stock issued in our IPO (“IPO
shares”) vote against the acquisition proposal and properly exercise their
rights to convert their shares into cash, (ii) without regard to the
results of the tender offer (iii) no holders of warrants exercise their
rights to acquire GHQ shares, and (iv) the conversion of the note by
Greenhill Europe into 2.29 million shares of common stock, in accordance
with its terms. Assuming the maximum number of GHQ stockholders
holding IPO shares (30% minus one
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share)
vote against the acquisition proposal and properly exercise their rights to
convert their shares into cash, the current stockholders of GHQ are expected to
own approximately 47.8% of the outstanding shares of common stock of GHQ, the
current owners of Iridium Holdings are expected to own approximately 49.1% of
the outstanding common stock of GHQ and Greenhill Europe is expected to own
approximately 3.1% of the outstanding common stock of GHQ. For more
information, see section entitled “Proposal I – Approval of the Acquisition”
beginning on page 63.
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GHQ’s
management and board of directors considered various factors in
determining whether to acquire Iridium Holdings and to approve the
transaction agreement, including, without limitation, an opinion prepared
by Duff & Phelps, LLC, an independent financial advisor, regarding
whether (i) the consideration to be paid by GHQ in the acquisition is
fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of GHQ's common stock
(other than Greenhill) and (ii) Iridium Holdings has a fair market value
equal to at least 80% of the balance in GHQ's trust account (excluding
deferred underwriting discounts and commissions). For more
information about our decision-making process, see the section entitled
“Proposal I—Approval of the Acquisition—Factors Considered by the GHQ
Board in Approving the Acquisition” beginning on page
70.
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Each
holder of IPO shares has a right to convert its IPO shares into cash if
such holder votes against the acquisition proposal, the acquisition is
completed and the holder properly exercises its conversion rights as
described below. Such IPO shares would then be converted into cash at a
per-share conversion price on the closing date of the
acquisition. To exercise conversion rights, a holder of IPO
shares, whether being a record holder or holding the IPO shares in “street
name,” must tender its IPO shares to our transfer agent, American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, and deliver written instructions to our
transfer agent: (i) stating that the holder wishes to convert the IPO
shares into a pro rata share of the trust account and (ii) confirming that
the holder has held the IPO shares since the record date and will continue
to hold them through the special meeting and the completion of the
acquisition.
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In
addition to voting on the acquisition proposal at the special meeting, the
stockholders of GHQ will vote on proposals to approve a second amended and
restated certificate of incorporation for GHQ, a share issuance proposal,
a stock incentive plan proposal and a proposal to adjourn the special
meeting, if necessary to permit further solicitation of proxies in the
event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection
with, the approval of the acquisition proposal and the transactions
contemplated thereby. See the sections entitled “Proposal
II—Approval of the Amended and Restarted Certificate of Incorporation,”
“Proposal III—Approval of the Share Issuance Proposal,” “Proposal IV—
Adoption of the Stock Incentive Plan,” “Proposal V—Adoption of the
Adjournment Proposal” and the “The Special Meeting” on pages 90, 92, 93,
99 and 120, respectively.
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Upon
the closing of the acquisition, our board of directors will be expanded to
ten directors and six new individuals will be appointed to our board of
directors. All of our existing board members, with the exception of Kevin
P. Clarke, will remain members of our board of directors. See
the sections entitled “Proposal I—Approval of the Acquisition” and
“Management Following the Acquisition” on pages 63 and 184,
respectively.
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The
closing of the acquisition is subject to a number of conditions set forth
in the transaction agreement. For more information about the
closing conditions to the acquisition, see the section entitled “The
Transaction Agreement—Conditions to the Closing of the Acquisition”
beginning on page 113.
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Our
acquisition of Iridium Holdings involves numerous risks. For
more information about these risks, see the section entitled “Risk
Factors” beginning on page 40.
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In
considering the recommendation of GHQ’s board of directors to vote for our
proposals, you should be aware that our executive officers and members of
our board of directors have interests in the acquisition that are
different from, or in addition to, the interests of GHQ’s stockholders
generally. The members of our board of directors were aware of these
differing interests and considered them, among other matters, in
evaluating and negotiating the transaction agreement and in recommending
to our stockholders that they vote in favor of the acquisition proposal
and other proposals. These interests include, among other
things:
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All
of our directors, Messrs. Bok, Niehaus, Rush, Canfield and Clarke, and our
founding stockholder own 200,000, 200,000, 43,479, 43,479, 43,479 and
8,369,563 units of GHQ, respectively. Each of Messrs. Rush, Canfield and
Clarke purchased his units prior to our IPO for an aggregate price of
$128.00 and had an aggregate market value of approximately $404,355, based
upon the last sale price of $9.30 on the NYSE Alternext U.S. on January
12, 2009. If our proposals are not approved and GHQ is unable
to complete another business combination by February 14, 2010, GHQ will be
required to liquidate. In such event, the 8.5 million units held by
Messrs. Rush, Canfield and Clark and our founding stockholder will be
worthless because Messrs. Rush, Canfield and Clarke and our founding
stockholder have agreed that they will not receive any liquidation
proceeds with respect to such shares. Accordingly, Messrs. Rush, Canfield
and Clarke and our founding stockholder have a financial interest in the
completion of the acquisition. The 400,000 shares purchased by
Messrs. Bok and Niehaus in the IPO would receive liquidation
proceeds. Messrs. Bok and Niehaus each purchased 200,000 units
in the IPO.
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In
addition to the shares of GHQ common stock, our founding stockholder
purchased for $8.0 million warrants to purchase up to 8.0 million shares
of GHQ common stock at $1.00 per share. These warrants have an
exercise price of $7.00 per share. If GHQ is unable to complete
a business combination by February 14, 2010 and liquidates its assets,
there will be no distribution with respect to these warrants, and the
warrants will expire worthless.
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·
|
Two
of our directors, Messrs. Bok and Niehaus purchased units in our
IPO. In addition, Messrs. Bok and Niehaus own shares in our
founding stockholder that give them indirect ownership interests in GHQ.
Because of their indirect ownership interests, each of Messrs. Bok and
Niehaus has financial interests in the completion of the acquisition in
addition to their interests as holders of our
units.
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·
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If
the acquisition is completed, certain of our current directors will
continue as directors of GHQ. These non-executive directors will be
entitled to receive any cash fees, stock options, stock awards or other
compensation arrangements that our board of directors determines to
provide to our non-executive
directors.
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Q: Why
am I receiving this proxy statement?
A: GHQ
has agreed to acquire Iridium Holdings under the terms of the transaction
agreement that is described in this proxy statement. A copy of the
transaction agreement is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A, which GHQ
and Iridium Holdings encourage you to read.
You are
receiving this proxy statement because we are soliciting your vote to approve
the acquisition and related matters at a special meeting of our
stockholders. This proxy statement contains important information
about the acquisition and related matters. You should read it
carefully.
Your vote
is important. We encourage you to vote as soon as possible after
carefully reviewing this proxy statement.
Q: When
and where is the stockholder meeting?
A: GHQ’s
special meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on
, 2009 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel,
301 Park Avenue, New York, NY.
Q: Why
is GHQ proposing the acquisition?
A: GHQ
is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting an acquisition,
through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase,
reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses
or assets.
GHQ
completed its IPO on February 21, 2008, generating net proceeds of approximately
$400 million. As of September 30, 2008, the balance in the trust
account was approximately $402.3 million. GHQ holds these funds in
the trust account pending completion of the acquisition of Iridium Holdings and
the payment of the deferred underwriting commissions and discounts.
GHQ is now
proposing to acquire Iridium Holdings pursuant to the transaction
agreement. If the acquisition proposal and related proposals are
approved by our stockholders and the other conditions to completion of the
acquisition are satisfied, GHQ will acquire substantially all the units of
Iridium Holdings. Upon the closing of the acquisition, Iridium
Holdings will become a subsidiary of GHQ, and GHQ will be renamed “Iridium
Communications Inc.” and will apply for listing on the New York Stock Exchange
(“NYSE”).
Iridium
Holdings is a leading provider of mobile voice and data communications services
via satellite, and the only provider in the world offering 100% global
coverage. Based on information provided by Raymond James, Iridium
Holdings is the second largest provider of mobile satellite services and related
equipment with an estimated 23% market share of the principal industry players
in 2007, based on revenues. Iridium Holdings’ mobile satellite
services address the increasing demand from customers for connectivity and
reliability at all times and in all locations. Iridium Holdings
offers voice and data communications services to U.S. and international
government agencies, businesses and other customers on a global basis using 66
in-orbit constellation satellites, eight in-orbit spares and related ground
infrastructure, including a primary commercial gateway. The U.S.
government, which owns and operates a dedicated gateway, is Iridium Holdings’
largest customer, providing 22% of its 2007 revenue.
As part of
the acquisition, we would acquire two entities, Syncom-Iridium Holdings Corp.
(“Syncom”) and Baralonco N.V. (“Baralonco”), which are holders of a
significant number of Iridium Holdings units. We will execute a
pledge agreement with the sellers of the equity of each entity in connection
with the closing of the acquisition under which the sellers of the equity of
each entity would pledge certain of the shares of GHQ common stock they receive
in the transaction to cover certain of their indemnification obligations under
the transaction agreement. The sellers of the equity of Syncom would
pledge 300,000 GHQ shares and the sellers of the equity of Baralonco would
pledge 1.5 million GHQ shares received in the transaction.
If the
acquisition and related transactions are approved by our stockholders, the
warrants issued in our IPO will become exercisable in accordance with their
terms since such warrants become exercisable at any time commencing on the later
of the completion of our initial business combination or February 14,
2009.
If the
acquisition and related transactions are not approved, and GHQ is unable to
complete another business combination by February 14, 2010, GHQ will be required
to liquidate.
Q: What
will the owners of Iridium Holdings receive in the proposed
transactions?
A: Upon
completion of the acquisition, the owners of Iridium Holdings are expected to
receive, an aggregate of 35.8 million shares of GHQ common stock and $76.7
million of cash, subject to certain adjustments (based on a consideration of
36.0 million shares of common stock of GHQ and $77.1 million of cash, subject to
certain adjustments, for 100% of the equity of Iridium Holdings). In
addition, 90 days following the closing of the acquisition, if Iridium Holdings
has in effect a valid election under Section 754 of the Code with respect to the
taxable year in which the closing of the acquisition occurs, GHQ will make a tax
benefit payment of up to $30 million in aggregate to sellers (other than the
sellers of the equity of Baralonco and Syncom).
Concurrently
with the signing of the transaction agreement, Iridium Holdings and Greenhill
Europe a subsidiary of Greenhill, entered into an agreement with Iridium
Holdings to purchase a $22.9 million convertible subordinated promissory note of
Iridium Holdings. The closing of the purchase of the note occurred on
October 24, 2008, following the receipt by Iridium Holdings of the consent of
its lenders to the issuance of the note. Greenhill Europe has the
option to convert the note into Iridium Holdings units upon the later to occur
of (i) October 24, 2009 (“first anniversary”) and (ii) the closing of the
acquisition or the termination of the transaction agreement. If the
closing of the acquisition occurs after the first anniversary, upon the exercise
of its conversion rights, Greenhill Europe will be entitled to receive 2.29
million shares of GHQ common stock. If the closing occurs prior to
September 22, 2009, GHQ and Greenhill Europe will enter into an agreement which
will entitle Greenhill Europe to exchange, upon the first anniversary of the
issuance of the note, each Iridium Holding unit into which the note is
convertible for 27.2866 shares of GHQ common stock, subject to
adjustments.
Q: Will
GHQ stockholders receive anything in the proposed transactions?
A: If
the acquisition is completed and you do not properly elect to convert your GHQ
common stock into cash, you will continue to hold GHQ common stock and warrants
that you currently own and do not sell. If the acquisition is
completed but you vote your shares against the acquisition proposal and properly
elect to convert your shares into cash, your GHQ common stock will be canceled
and you will receive cash as described below, but you will continue to hold any
warrants that you currently own and do not sell.
Q: Who
will own GHQ after the proposed acquisition?
A: If
the proposed acquisition is completed, the current stockholders of GHQ are
expected to own approximately 55.1% of the outstanding shares of common stock of
GHQ. The current owners of Iridium Holdings are expected to own
approximately 42.2% of the outstanding common stock of GHQ and Greenhill Europe
is expected to own approximately 2.7% as a result of the conversion of the
note. The single-largest stockholder of GHQ, following the
acquisition, is expected to be Baralonco Limited with approximately 13%
ownership and the second-largest stockholder of GHQ is expected to be Greenhill
with approximately 10.8% ownership, including Greenhill Europe’s 2.7%
ownership. These ownership percentages are calculated on an
outstanding basis and assume that (i) no holders of IPO shares vote against the
acquisition proposal and properly exercise their rights to convert their shares
into cash, (ii) without regard to the results of the tender offer (iii) no
holders of warrants exercise their rights to acquire GHQ shares, and (iv) the
conversion of the note by Greenhill Europe into 2.29 million shares of common
stock, in accordance with its terms. Assuming the maximum number of
GHQ stockholders holding IPO shares (30% minus one share) vote against the
acquisition proposal and properly exercise their rights to convert their shares
into cash, the current stockholders of GHQ are expected to own approximately
47.8% of the outstanding shares of common stock of GHQ, the current owners of
Iridium Holdings are expected to own approximately 49.1% of the outstanding
common stock of GHQ and Greenhill Europe is expected to own approximately 3.1%
of the outstanding common stock of GHQ.
Q: What
is being voted on at the meeting?
A: You
are being asked to vote on five proposals:
·
|
a
proposal to approve the acquisition of Iridium Holdings pursuant to the
transaction agreement, the acquisition and the other transactions
contemplated by the transaction
agreement;
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·
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a
proposal to adopt a second amended and restated certificate of
incorporation for GHQ, to be effective upon completion of the acquisition,
to, among other things, change our name
to
|
|
“Iridium
Communications Inc.” and permit our continued existence after February 14,
2010;
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·
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a
proposal to approve the issuance of shares of our common stock in the
acquisition and related transactions that would result in an increase in
our outstanding common stock by more than
20%;
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·
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a
proposal to adopt a stock incentive plan, to be effective upon completion
of the acquisition; and
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·
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a
proposal to authorize the adjournment of the special meeting to a later
date or dates, including if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in
favor of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes in
favor of any of these proposals.
|
This proxy
statement provides you with detailed information about each of these
proposals. We encourage you to carefully read this entire proxy
statement, including the attached annexes. YOU SHOULD ALSO CAREFULLY CONSIDER
THOSE FACTORS DESCRIBED UNDER THE HEADING “RISK FACTORS.”
Q: What
is the record date for the special meeting? Who is entitled to
vote?
A: The
record date for the special meeting is
, 2009. Record holders of
GHQ common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to
vote or have their votes cast at the special meeting. On the record
date, there were outstanding shares
of our common stock, which includes
IPO shares and shares owned by our
founding stockholder, officers and directors.
Each share
of GHQ common stock is entitled to one vote per share at the special
meeting. GHQ’s outstanding warrants do not have voting
rights.
Q: How
do the founding stockholder, our officers and directors intend to vote their
shares?
A: With
respect to the acquisition proposal, our founding stockholder, officers and
directors, to the extent they own GHQ common stock, have agreed to vote their
shares of GHQ common stock, in accordance with the majority of the votes cast by
the public stockholders. Our founding stockholder, officers and
directors, to the extent they own GHQ common stock, have also informed GHQ that
they intend to vote all of their shares “FOR” the other
proposals. The directors and officers of GHQ who purchased units in
our IPO are Messrs. Bok, Niehaus and Harold J. Rodriguez. Mr. Bok has
informed GHQ that he intends to vote the 200,000 shares of common stock
purchased as part of the units in our IPO “FOR” the proposals detailed in this
proxy statement. Mr. Niehaus has informed GHQ that he intends to vote
the 200,000 shares of common stock purchased as part of the units in our IPO
“FOR” the proposals detailed in this proxy statement. Mr. Rodriguez
has informed GHQ that he intends to vote the 15,000 shares of common stock
purchased as part of the units in our IPO “FOR” the proposals detailed in this
proxy statement.
Q: What
vote is required to approve the acquisition proposal?
A: The
affirmative vote of stockholders owning a majority of the IPO shares voted at
the special meeting represented in person or by proxy is required to approve the
acquisition proposal. However, the acquisition proposal will not be
approved if the holders of 30% or more of the IPO shares vote against the
acquisition proposal and properly exercise their rights to convert such IPO
shares into cash. Because the approval of the acquisition proposal is
a condition to the approval of the other proposals (other than the adjournment
proposal), if the acquisition proposal is not approved, the other approvals will
not take effect (other than the adjournment proposal). No vote of the
Iridium Holdings’ unitholders is required.
Q: What
vote is required to approve the certificate proposal?
A: The
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our
common stock is required to approve the certificate proposal, and approval is
conditioned upon approval of the acquisition proposal. No vote of the
Iridium Holdings’ unitholders is required.
Q: What
vote is required to approve the share issuance proposal?
A: The
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting is required to
approve the share issuance proposal, and approval is conditioned upon approval
of the acquisition proposal. No vote of the Iridium Holdings’
unitholders is required.
Q: What
vote is required to adopt the stock incentive plan proposal?
A: The
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting is required to
adopt the proposed stock incentive plan of GHQ, and approval is conditioned upon
approval of the acquisition proposal. No vote of the Iridium
Holdings’ unitholders is required.
Q: What
vote is required to adopt the adjournment proposal?
A: The
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or
by proxy and entitled to vote thereon at the special meeting is required to
adopt the adjournment proposal. The approval of the adjournment
proposal is not conditioned on the approval of the acquisition proposal or any
of the other proposals. No vote of the Iridium Holdings’ unitholders
is required.
Q: Did
GHQ’s board of directors obtain an opinion from a financial advisor in
connection with the approval of the transaction agreement?
A: Yes. The
board of directors of GHQ engaged Duff & Phelps, LLC (“Duff & Phelps”),
an independent financial advisor. On September 22, 2008, Duff &
Phelps provided to GHQ’s board of directors an opinion dated September 22, 2008,
subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth therein,
that as of that date (i) the consideration to be paid by GHQ in the acquisition
is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of GHQ’s common stock
(other than Greenhill) and (ii) Iridium Holdings has a fair market value equal
to at least 80% of the balance in GHQ’s trust account (excluding deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions).
Q: Do
I have appraisal or dissenters’ rights?
A: No
appraisal or dissenters’ rights are available under the Delaware General
Corporation Law (“Delaware law”) for holders of GHQ common stock or warrants in
connection with the proposals described in this proxy statement.
Q: Do
I have conversion or redemption rights?
A: Yes. Each
holder of IPO shares has a right to convert his or her IPO shares into a pro
rata share of the cash on deposit in our trust account (before payment of
deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and including interest earned on
their pro rata portion of the trust account, net of income taxes payable on such
interest, net of franchise taxes and net of interest income of up to $5.0
million, subject to certain adjustments, on the trust account balance previously
released to us to fund our working capital requirements) if such holder votes
against the acquisition proposal, properly exercises the conversion rights and
the acquisition is completed. Such IPO shares would then be converted
into cash at the per-share conversion price on the completion date of the
acquisition. It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to
each holder who properly elects to convert any IPO shares will be distributed
promptly after completion of the acquisition.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a stockholder, together with any affiliate of his, her or it or
any person with whom he, she or it is acting in concert or as a partnership,
syndicate or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding, disposing, or
voting of GHQ’s securities, will be restricted from seeking conversion rights
with respect to more than 10% of the IPO shares.
The actual
per-share conversion price will be equal to the quotient determined by dividing
(i) the amount then on deposit in the trust account (before payment of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions and including accrued interest net of
income taxes on such interest and net of franchise taxes, after distribution of
interest income on the trust account balance to us as described above), that has
not been distributed to GHQ to cover its working capital expenses as set forth
in GHQ’s certificate of incorporation (“certificate”), calculated as of two
business days prior to the closing by (ii) the total number of IPO
shares. As of September 30, 2008, the per-share conversion price
would have been approximately $10.02, without taking into account any interest
or expenses accrued after such date.
Voting
against the acquisition proposal alone will not result in the conversion of your
IPO shares into a pro rata share of the trust account. To convert
your IPO shares, you must also exercise your conversion rights and follow the
specific procedures for conversion summarized below and set forth under “The
Special Meeting—Conversion Rights.”
Holders of
IPO shares who convert their IPO shares into cash would still have the right to
exercise any warrants that they continue to hold and do not sell.
Prior to
exercising your conversion rights, you should verify the market price of GHQ
shares because you may receive higher proceeds from the sale of your IPO shares
in the public market than from exercising
your
conversion rights if the market price per IPO share is higher than the
conversion price.
Q: How
do I exercise my conversion rights?
A: To
exercise conversion rights, a holder of IPO shares, whether being a record
holder or holding the IPO shares in “street name,” must tender the IPO shares to
our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, and deliver
written instructions to our transfer agent: (i) stating that the
holder wishes to convert the IPO shares into a pro rata share of the trust
account and (ii) confirming that the holder has held the IPO shares since the
record date and will continue to hold them through the special meeting and the
completion of the acquisition.
To tender
IPO shares to our transfer agent, the holder must deliver the IPO shares either
(i) at any time before the start of the special meeting (or any adjournment or
postponement thereof), electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC
(Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system or (ii) at any time before the day of
the special meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof), physically by
delivering a share certificate. Any holder who holds IPO shares in
street name will have to coordinate with his or her bank or broker to arrange
for the IPO shares to be delivered electronically or physically. Any
holder who desires to physically tender to our transfer agent IPO shares that
are held in street name must instruct the account executive at his or her bank
or broker to withdraw the IPO shares from the holder’s account and request that
a physical certificate be issued in such holder’s name. Our transfer
agent will be available to assist with this process.
If a
holder does not deliver written instructions and tenders his or her IPO shares
(either electronically or physically) to our transfer agent in accordance with
the above procedures, those IPO shares will not be converted into
cash.
Any
request for conversion, once made, may be withdrawn or revoked at any time
before the start (in case of electronic tendering) or at any time before the day
(in case of physical tendering) of our special meeting (or any adjournment or
postponement thereof), in which case the IPO shares will be returned
(electronically or physically) to such holder. Holders of IPO shares
who have exercised conversion rights may not thereafter withdraw or revoke their
decision to convert their IPO shares into a pro rata portion of the trust
account.
If any
holder tenders IPO shares (electronically or physically) and the acquisition is
not completed, the IPO shares will not be converted into cash and they will be
returned (electronically or physically) to such holder.
Q: What is the tender
offer?
A:
GHQ plans to commence a tender offer to purchase up to 11.4 million shares of
its common stock representing approximately 29% of GHQ’s common stock issued in
our IPO, at $10.50 per share, payable in cash (reduced by a number of shares
equal to the amount of cash distributed to stockholders who vote against the
transaction and elect conversion of their shares of GHQ common stock divided by
the per share conversion price). Consequently, if the maximum number of
holders of our IPO shares (30% minus one share of common stock) vote against the
acquisition and properly exercise the right to convert their shares into cash
but the acquisition is consummated, GHQ will not commence the tender
offer. Additionally, in the event the acquisition is not approved or other
conditions to the consummation of the acquisition are not satisfied and are not
waived, GHQ will not commence the tender offer. The tender offer will
offer liquidity to GHQ’s stockholders at $10.50 per share, regardless of the
then-current market price per share, subject to proration if the tender offer is
oversubscribed. While stockholders holding IPO shares may vote all their
shares against the acquisition and elect to properly exercise their conversion
rights, subject to the maximum number of IPO shares which may be converted by
each stockholder and in the aggregate, for the acquisition to be approved (30%
of our IPO shares minus one share), in the event the tender offer is
oversubscribed, stockholders electing to tender their shares will only be
entitled to tender a pro rata portion of the shares of common stock held by them
at such time. Assuming that no stockholders vote against the transaction and
elect conversion of their shares and the maximum number of shares are tendered
in the offer, the aggregate purchase price for the shares of GHQ common stock
purchased in the tender offer will be approximately $120.0 million. For a
more detailed discussion of the tender offer, see “The Tender
Offer.”
Q: Why is GHQ planning the tender
offer?
A:
GHQ is planning the tender offer to provide a meaningful liquidity opportunity
for at least part of the GHQ common shares held by those stockholders who desire
liquidity for their shares. GHQ’s
management
and board of directors believe that the tender offer will enhance the likelihood
of stockholder approval of the acquisition proposal since if the acquisition is
approved, the price per share proposed in our tender offer of $10.50 will be
higher than the per share conversion price of $10.00 to be distributed to our
stockholders electing to vote against the acquisition and properly exercise
their right to convert their IPO shares into cash.
Q. Who will be able to participate in
the tender offer?
A: Stockholders
of GHQ at the time of the tender offer may participate in the tender
offer. However, GHQ’s founding stockholder, officers and directors
have agreed not to tender any of their shares in the tender offer.
Q. When does GHQ expect to commence and
complete the tender offer?
A. GHQ
expects to commence the tender offer as soon as practicable following the
special meeting and legally permissible, and to complete the tender offer
approximately 20 business days after commencement, and concurrent with the
closing of the acquisition.
Q. What effect will the tender offer
have on the capital structure of GHQ?
A. The
tender offer will have the effect of reducing the number of outstanding common
shares of GHQ by the number of common shares tendered by GHQ stockholders, up to
11.4 million shares (reduced by a number of shares equal to the amount of cash
distributed to stockholders who vote against the transaction and elect
conversion of their shares of GHQ common stock divided by the per share
conversion price). The tender offer will also have the effect of
reducing the cash balances of GHQ by $10.50 multiplied by the number of shares
tendered by GHQ stockholders, up to $120 million (reduced by the amount of cash
distributed to stockholders who vote against the transaction and elect
conversion of their shares of GHQ common stock).
Q. How will GHQ fund the purchase of
shares that are tendered?
A. GHQ
expects to fund the purchase of shares that are tendered from the trust
account.
Q: What
happens after the acquisition to the funds from the IPO deposited in our trust
account?
A: Upon
completion of the acquisition, any funds remaining in the trust account after
payment of amounts, if any, to GHQ stockholders exercising their conversion
rights or tendering their shares, will be used for the prepayment of all or a
portion of Iridium Holdings’ debt, payment of transaction expenses and to fund
Iridium Holdings’ working capital after the closing of the
acquisition.
Q: Who
will manage the acquired business?
A: Following
the acquisition, GHQ, to be renamed “Iridium Communications Inc, ” will be
overseen by its board of directors, which will be comprised of: two directors
selected by Greenhill who currently serve on GHQ’s board of directors, four of
Iridium Holdings’ current directors, the current CEO of Iridium Holdings, one
representative of Syncom and two of the current independent directors of
GHQ. The current officers of GHQ shall have resigned and the current
officers of Iridium Holdings will continue to serve in their current
positions. Robert H. Niehaus, Senior Vice President of GHQ, will
become chairman of the board of directors.
Q: What
happens if the acquisition is not completed?
A: If
the acquisition proposal and related matters are not approved by our
stockholders, we will not acquire Iridium Holdings, our certificate will not be
amended and we will continue to seek other potential business
combinations. If we do not consummate a business combination by
February 14, 2010, our corporate existence will cease except for the purpose of
winding up our affairs and liquidating. In connection with our
dissolution and liquidation, all amounts in the trust account plus any other net
assets of GHQ not used for or reserved to pay obligations and claims or such
other corporate expenses relating to or arising from GHQ’s plan of dissolution,
including costs of dissolving and liquidating GHQ, would be distributed on a pro
rata basis to the holders of IPO shares. GHQ will pay no liquidating
distributions with respect to any shares of capital stock of GHQ other than the
IPO shares.
Q: What
do I need to do now?
A: Indicate
on your proxy card how you want to vote on each of our proposals, sign it and
mail it in the enclosed return envelope, as soon as possible, so that your
shares may be represented at our special meeting. If you sign and
send in your proxy card and do not indicate how you want to vote on any of our
proposals, we will count your proxy card as a vote in favor of all such
proposals. You may also attend our special meeting and vote your
shares in person. You should contact your bank or broker to request
assistance in attending the meeting.
Q: How do I vote via the
Internet?
A: Stockholders
who hold their shares through a bank or broker may be able to vote via the
Internet. If available, internet voting instructions will be provided
on the proxy card provided by your bank or broker, accompanying this proxy
statement.
Q: What
do I do if I want to change my vote?
A: Send
in a later-dated, signed proxy card to your bank or broker. If you’ve
previously voted via telephone or Internet you may change your vote by either of
these methods up to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time the day prior to
our special meeting. You may also attend our meeting in person and
vote at that time. You should contact your bank or broker to request
assistance in attending the meeting. You may also revoke your proxy
by sending a notice of revocation to
at the address under “Who Can Help Answer Your Questions” included elsewhere in
this proxy statement. You can find further details on how to revoke
your proxy under “The Special Meeting—Revoking Your Proxy.”
Q: If
my shares are held in “street name” by my bank or broker, will my broker vote my
shares for me?
A: If
you do not provide your bank or broker with instructions on how to vote your
“street name” shares, your bank or broker will not be able to vote them on the
acquisition proposal or the other proposals described in this proxy statement,
other than the issuance proposal and the adjournment proposal. You
should therefore instruct your bank or broker how to vote your shares, following
the directions provided by your bank or broker on the enclosed proxy
card. Please check the voting form used by your bank or broker to see
if it offers telephone or Internet voting.
If you do
not give voting instructions to your bank or broker, you will not be counted as
voting, unless you appear in person at the special meeting. Please
contact your bank or broker for assistance in attending the special meeting to
vote your shares.
Q: Should
I send in my stock certificates now?
A: No. If
the acquisition is completed, GHQ stockholders will keep their existing stock
certificates.
Q: What
will happen if I abstain from voting or fail to vote?
A: An
abstention, since it is not an affirmative vote in favor of any proposal but
adds to the number of shares present in person or by proxy, will have the same
effect as a vote against the certificate proposal, the share issuance proposal,
the stock incentive plan proposal and the adjournment proposal. An
abstention will have no effect on the acquisition proposal. A failure
to vote will make it more difficult for us to achieve the quorum necessary for
us to conduct business at the special meeting and, because approval of the
certificate proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of our
outstanding shares (not the shares actually voted) will have the same effect as
a vote against the certificate proposal.
Q: When
do you expect to complete the acquisition?
A: We
are working to complete the acquisition as soon as possible. We hope
to complete the acquisition shortly after the special meeting, if we obtain the
required stockholder approvals at the special meeting and if we receive the
necessary regulatory approvals prior to the special meeting. We
cannot predict the exact timing of the closing of the acquisition or whether the
acquisition will be consummated because it is subject to conditions that are not
within our control, such as approvals from domestic and foreign regulatory
authorities including, the Federal Communications Commission
(“FCC”). Both GHQ and Iridium Holdings possess the right to terminate
the transaction agreement in certain situations.
The
closing of the acquisition is subject to the conditions and approvals described
in this proxy statement. We expect to complete the acquisition and the related
transactions during the first half of 2009.
If you
have more questions about the acquisition, you should contact:
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
300 Park
Avenue, 23rd Floor
New York,
NY 10022
Attention:
James Babski
Phone
Number: (212) 372-4180
If you
would like additional copies of this document,
or if you
have questions about the acquisition, you should contact:
105
Madison Avenue
New York,
New York 10016
proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Call
Collect: (212) 929-5500
or
Toll-Free
(800) 322-2885
This
summary contains selected information from this proxy statement and may not
contain all of the information that is important to you. To
understand the acquisition fully and to obtain a more complete description of
the legal terms of the acquisition, you should carefully read this entire
document, including the Annexes, and the documents to which we refer
you. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page
207. In this proxy statement, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” and “GHQ”
refer to GHL Acquisition Corp., the term “Iridium Holdings” refers to Iridium
Holdings LLC.
The
Special Meeting (See page 120)
This proxy
statement is being furnished to holders of GHQ’s common stock for use at the
special meeting, and at any adjournments or postponements of that
meeting. At the special meeting, GHQ’s stockholders will be asked to
consider and vote upon proposals (1) to approve the acquisition of Iridium
Holdings pursuant to the transaction agreement and to approve the other
transactions contemplated by the transaction agreement; (2) to approve a second
amended and restated certificate of incorporation of GHQ, to be effective upon
the closing of the acquisition; (3) to approve the issuance of shares of our
common stock in the acquisition and related transactions; (4); to adopt a
proposed stock incentive plan; and (5); to adopt a proposal to authorize the
adjournment of the special meeting to a later date or dates, including, if
necessary, to permit further solicitation and voting of proxies if there are
insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to adopt any of these
proposals. The special meeting will be held on
, 2009, at 10:00 a.m.,
Eastern Standard Time, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, 301 Park Avenue, New York,
NY.
Our board
of directors has fixed the close of business on
, 2009 as the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special
meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. Record
holders of GHQ warrants do not have voting rights.
Recommendation
of Board of Directors and Reasons for the Acquisition
Our board
of directors has unanimously approved the acquisition and related transactions,
and unanimously recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” each of our
proposals.
The
Parties
GHL Acquisition Corp. We are
a blank check company formed on November 2, 2007 for the purpose of acquiring,
through a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase,
reorganization or other similar business combination, one or more businesses or
assets, which we refer to as our “initial business combination.” Our
efforts in identifying prospective target businesses have not been limited to a
particular industry. Instead, we focused on various industries and
target businesses in the United States and Europe that would provide significant
opportunities for growth.
On
February 21, 2008, we completed our IPO, generating gross proceeds of
approximately $400 million. On February 21, 2008, we also consummated
a private placement of 8.0 million warrants to our founding stockholder at $1.00
per warrant, generating gross proceeds of $8.0 million. A total of
approximately $400 million, including $375.6 million of the IPO proceeds net of
the underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering expenses, $16.4 million
of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and $8.0 million from the
sale of warrants to our founding stockholder, was placed into a trust account at
Wachovia Securities, LLC, with the American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
serving as trustee. Except for a portion of the interest income
permitted to be released to us, the proceeds held in trust will not be released
from the trust account until the earlier of the completion of our initial
business combination and our liquidation. Based on our certificate of
incorporation, up to a total of $5.0 million of interest income, subject to
adjustment, may be released to us to fund our working capital requirements and
additional interest income may be released to fund tax
obligations. For the period from inception to September 30, 2008,
approximately $2.7 million has been released to us in accordance with these
terms. As of September 30, 2008, the balance in the trust account was
approximately $402.3 million.
All of our
activity to date relates to our formation, our IPO and efforts to identify
prospective target businesses. We are not presently engaged in, and we will not
engage in, any substantive commercial business until we consummate our initial
business combination. If the proposals set forth in this proxy statement are not
approved, the acquisition of Iridium Holdings will not be consummated and we
will continue to search for businesses or assets to acquire. If we do not
complete an initial business combination by February 14, 2010, our corporate
existence will cease except for purposes of winding up our affairs and
liquidating.
The GHQ
units, common stock and warrants are traded on the NYSE Alternext U.S. under the
symbols “GHQ.U,” “GHQ” and “GHQ.WS,” respectively.
Our
executive offices are located at 300 Park Avenue, 23rd Floor,
New York, New York 10022. We file reports with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are available free of charge at
www.sec.gov. For more information about GHQ, please see the section
entitled “Information About GHQ.”
Iridium Holdings
LLC. Iridium Holdings is a leading provider of mobile voice
and data communications services via satellite, and the only provider in the
world offering 100% global coverage. Based on information provided by
Raymond James, Iridium Holdings is the second largest provider of mobile
satellite services and related equipment with an estimated 23% market share of
the principal industry players in 2007, based on revenues.
Iridium
Holdings maintains a website at www.iridium.com. For more information
about Iridium Holdings, please see the section entitled “Information About
Iridium Holdings.”
The
Acquisition (see page 63)
GHQ is
proposing to acquire Iridium Holdings pursuant to a transaction agreement that
provides for the acquisition of 99.5% of the outstanding units of Iridium
Holdings, with Iridium Holdings continuing as a subsidiary of
GHQ. Following the acquisition, GHQ will rename itself “Iridium
Communications Inc.”
Organizational
Structure
The
following diagram sets forth our organizational structure immediately following
the acquisition of Iridium Holdings.
* Assuming
that (i) no holders of our IPO shares vote against the acquisition proposal and
properly exercise their rights to convert their shares into cash, (ii) without
regard to the results of the tender offer and (iii) no holders of GHQ warrants
exercise their rights to acquire GHQ shares.
**
Includes Greenhill Europe’s holding of approximately 2.7% of the outstanding GHQ
common stock as a result of the conversion of the note.
Structure
of the Acquisition (see page 104 and Annex A)
The
transaction agreement provides that upon the closing of the acquisition, GHQ
will own, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the units of
Iridium Holdings, and Iridium Holdings will become a subsidiary of
GHQ. Equityholders owning approximately 99.5% of Iridium Holdings’
equity (including the equityholders of Baralonco and Syncom) have signed the
transaction agreement. As part of the acquisition, GHQ will acquire
all of the equity of two of Iridium Holdings largest equityholders, Baralonco
and Syncom. For additional information, please see the section
entitled “The Transaction Agreement.”
Consideration
to be Paid in the Acquisition (see page 104)
The
aggregate consideration to be paid in the acquisition and related transactions
is based upon a total enterprise value for Iridium Holdings of $591 million
(calculated as $100 million of cash to be paid to 100% of the Iridium Holdings’
equityholders, of which $77.1 million will be paid by GHQ and $22.9 million by
Greenhill Europe in the form of the note, plus $360 million of GHQ common stock
to be issued to the Iridium Holdings’ equityholders, plus net indebtedness of
Iridium Holdings of $131 million as of June 30, 2008). Upon
completion of the acquisition, the Sellers who signed the transaction agreement
will receive $76.7 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and GHQ will
issue to such Sellers 35.8 million shares of GHQ common stock. The
shares of common stock issued to the Sellers will not be registered under the
Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemptions from the registration
requirements as provided in Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities Act”) and the representations and warranties of the
Sellers that they are “accredited investors” within the meaning of Regulation
D.
GHQ has
agreed in the transaction agreement that it will cause the funds in our trust
account to be disbursed at the closing of the acquisition: (1) to pay
the cash consideration to the Sellers; (2) pay the conversion price to any
stockholders of GHQ who vote against the acquisition and properly exercise their
conversion rights; (3) to pay deferred underwriting fees and commissions to the
underwriters of our IPO; (4) to pay GHQ’s reasonable out-of-pocket documented
third party fees and expenses that are incurred prior to the closing in
connection with the transaction agreement and related transaction documents, to
the extent not paid prior to the closing; and (5) prepay all or a portion of
Iridium Holdings’ outstanding indebtedness. GHQ will then contribute
the funds remaining in our trust account to Iridium Holdings, and Iridium
Holdings will use such funds for working capital and general corporate
matters.
Additionally,
90 days following the closing of the acquisition, if Iridium Holdings has in
effect a valid election under Section 754 of the Code with respect to the
taxable year in which the closing of the acquisition occurs, GHQ will make a tax
benefit payment of up to $30 million in aggregate to the Sellers (other than the
sellers of the equity of Baralonco and Syncom) to compensate for the tax basis
step-up.
Conditions
to the Closing of the Acquisition (see page 113 and Annex A)
The
obligation of GHQ, Iridium Holdings and the Sellers to complete the acquisition
and related transactions is subject to the requirement that specified conditions
must be satisfied or waived by the parties, including the
following:
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·
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GHQ
stockholder approval of the acquisition, the issuance of GHQ common stock
to the Sellers, the amendment of the GHQ certificate of incorporation and
the adoption of a stock incentive plan have been obtained and less than
30% of GHQ stockholders have voted against the acquisition and elected to
convert their shares of GHQ common stock into
cash;
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·
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no
law or injunction shall prohibit the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the transaction
agreement;
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·
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the
expiration or termination of any applicable waiting periods under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976 (the “HSR Act”) (early
termination of the applicable waiting period was granted on October 10,
2008);
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·
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all
FCC consents with respect to the transactions contemplated by the
transaction agreement have been obtained;
and
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·
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all
actions by or in respect of filings with any other governmental authority
required to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
the transaction agreement have been taken, made or obtained other than
actions or filings the failure of which to take, make or obtain would not
reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Iridium Holdings or
GHQ.
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The
obligation of GHQ to complete the acquisition and related transactions is
subject to the requirement that specified conditions must be satisfied or waived
by GHQ, including the following:
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·
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Iridium
Holdings’ and the Sellers’ representations and warranties must be true and
correct in all respects (without giving effect to any limitations as to
materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect contained therein) at and
as of the closing of the acquisition (or, to the extent any such
representation and warranty specifically states that it refers to an
earlier date, and on as of such earlier date), except where the failures
of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, in the
aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have an Iridium Holdings’
Material Adverse Effect;
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·
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Iridium
Holdings and the Sellers must have performed, in all material respects,
their respective obligations to be performed at or prior to the closing of
the acquisition;
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·
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each
Seller which is receiving shares of GHQ common stock at the closing of the
acquisition has executed and delivered the registration rights
agreement;
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·
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the
Sellers of Baralonco and Syncom which are receiving shares of GHQ common
stock at the closing of the acquisition have executed and delivered pledge
agreements;
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·
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the
Sellers have effected the contribution of 100% of the issued and
outstanding equity interests of Iridium Carrier Holdings LLC and Iridium
Carrier Services LLC to Iridium
Holdings;
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GHQ
has received a certification from Iridium Holdings certifying that 50% or
more of the value of the gross assets of Iridium Holdings does not consist
of U.S. real property interests, or that 90% or more of the value of the
gross assets of Iridium Holdings does not consist of U.S. real property
interests plus cash or cash
equivalents;
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GHQ
has received a certification from Baralonco and Syncom that each of them
is not, and has not been, a United States real property holding
corporation as defined in the Code;
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GHQ
has received an affidavit by the custodians of the shares of Baralonco,
substantially to the effect that in its capacity as custodian, each has
actual knowledge of the ultimate beneficial owner of the shares who has
been the ultimate beneficial owner of the shares of Baralonco from the
date of Baralonco’s formation to the closing of the acquisition;
and
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·
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Baralonco
has delivered evidence to GHQ that it has repaid all of its outstanding
debt and all other liabilities.
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The
obligation of Iridium Holdings and the Sellers to complete the acquisition and
the related transactions is subject to the requirement that specified conditions
must be satisfied or waived by Iridium Holdings and the Sellers, including the
following:
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·
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GHQ’s
representations and warranties must be true and correct in all respects
(without giving effect to any limitations as to materiality or GHQ
Material Adverse Effect contained therein) at and as of the closing of the
acquisition (or, to the extent any such representation and warranty
specifically states that it refers to an earlier date, on and as of such
earlier date), except where the failures of such representations and
warranties
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to be so
true and correct, in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a
GHQ Material Adverse Effect;
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·
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GHQ
must have performed, in all material respects, its obligations to be
performed at or prior to the closing of the
acquisition;
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·
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the
current officers of GHQ have resigned and the current officers of Iridium
Holdings have been duly appointed as officers of GHQ and the directors
described above have been duly appointed as directors of
GHQ;
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GHQ
has made appropriate arrangements to have the trust account disbursed to
GHQ immediately prior to the closing of the
acquisition;
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GHQ
and its affiliates have executed and delivered the registration rights
agreement; and
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GHQ
has executed and delivered the pledge
agreements.
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Termination
of Transaction Agreement (see page 115 and Annex A)
The
transaction agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the closing of the
acquisition in the following circumstances:
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·
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by
mutual written consent of Iridium Holdings and
GHQ;
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·
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by
either Iridium Holdings or GHQ if the acquisition is not consummated by
June 29, 2009 (if all required regulatory approvals have been obtained) or
February 14, 2010 (if the only condition to closing still not fulfilled as
of June 29, 2009 is the obtaining of all regulatory approvals) (the “End
Date”);
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·
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by
either Iridium Holdings or GHQ if any material law or final,
non-appealable order prohibits the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the transaction
agreement;
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·
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by
either Iridium Holdings or GHQ if the stockholders of GHQ fail to approve
at the GHQ special meeting or any adjournment thereof the adoption of the
transaction agreement, the issuance of GHQ common stock to the Sellers,
the amendment of GHQ’s certificate of incorporation and the adoption of
the a stock incentive plan;
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·
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by
GHQ if there has been a breach by Iridium Holdings or a Seller of any
representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or
obligation that would result in the failure of that party to satisfy a
condition to the closing, and such condition is incapable of being
satisfied by the End Date;
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·
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by
Iridium Holdings if there has been a breach by GHQ of any representation
or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or obligation that would
result in the failure of GHQ to satisfy a condition to the closing, and
such condition is incapable of being satisfied by the End Date;
or
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·
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by
Iridium Holdings if the special meeting has not been held within 90 days
of this proxy statement being cleared by the
SEC.
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Summary
of the Duff & Phelps Opinion (See page 77 and Annex F)
In
connection with its consideration of the acquisition, GHQ’s board of directors
engaged Duff & Phelps as an independent financial advisor and pursuant to
its engagement letter dated August 12, 2008, on September 22, 2008, Duff &
Phelps rendered its oral opinion (subsequently confirmed in writing as of
September 22, 2008) to GHQ’s board of directors to the effect that, subject to
the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth therein, as of
September 22, 2008, (i) the consideration to be paid by GHQ in the acquisition
is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of GHQ’s common stock
(other than Greenhill) and (ii) Iridium Holdings has a fair market
value
equal to at least 80% of the balance in our trust account (excluding deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions). The opinion was approved by Duff &
Phelps’s internal opinion committee.
Duff &
Phelps’s opinion was directed to GHQ’s board of directors and only addressed the
fair market value of Iridium Holdings and the fairness, from a financial point
of view, of the consideration to be paid by GHQ in the acquisition to GHQ
stockholders (other than Greenhill), and does not address any other aspect or
implication of the acquisition. The full text of Duff & Phelps’s written
opinion is included as Annex F to this proxy statement and sets forth the
procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the
review undertaken and other matters considered by Duff & Phelps in preparing
its opinion. We encourage you to carefully read the full text of Duff &
Phelps’s written opinion. However, neither Duff & Phelps’s written opinion
nor the summary of its related analysis is intended to be, and does not
constitute advice or a recommendation to any stockholders as to how such
stockholder should act or vote with respect to the acquisition.
The
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of GHQ (See page 90 and
Annex B)
Assuming
the acquisition proposal is approved, GHQ’s stockholders are also being asked to
approve the amendment and restatement of our certificate of incorporation, to be
effective immediately prior to closing of the acquisition. The second amended
and restated charter will, among other things:
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·
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change
our name to “Iridium Communications
Inc.,”
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permit
our continued existence after February 14,
2010,
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·
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increase
the number of our authorized shares of common stock,
and
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·
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eliminate
the different classes of our board of
directors;
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We
encourage you to read the second amended and restated certificate of
incorporation of GHQ in its entirety.
The
Issuance of Shares of Common Stock of GHQ (See page 92)
You are
being asked to approve the issuance of up to 38,290,000 common shares as part of
the consideration for the acquisition and related transactions. As of
the date of this proxy statement, there are 48,500,000 shares of GHQ’s common
stock outstanding, so this issuance would represent more than 20% of our
outstanding shares, which requires a stockholder vote under the NYSE Alternext
U.S. Company Guide.
The
Stock Incentive Plan (See page 93 and Annex E)
The stock
incentive plan proposal proposes to reserve 8.0 million shares of our common
stock for issuance in accordance with awards under the plan. We are proposing
the stock incentive plan, which would be effective upon closing of the
acquisition, as a means of securing and retaining key employees and others of
outstanding ability and to motivate such individuals to exert their best efforts
on behalf of GHQ (or “Iridium Communications Inc.” following the closing of the
acquisition) and its affiliates by providing incentives through the grant of
options to acquire shares of our common stock and, if so determined by the
compensation committee of our board of directors, other stock-based awards and
performance incentive awards. GHQ believes that it will benefit from
the added interest that these individuals will have in the welfare of GHQ as a
result of their proprietary interest in GHQ’s success, see “Proposal IV—Adoption
of the Stock Incentive Plan.” Additionally, the stock incentive plan
is attached as Annex E to this proxy statement. We encourage you to read the
stock incentive plan in its entirety.
GHQ’s
Founding Stockholder Ownership
As of
September 30, 2008, all of our directors, Scott L. Bok, Robert H. Niehaus,
Parker W. Rush, Thomas C. Canfield and Kevin P. Clarke, and our founding
stockholder own 200,000, 200,000, 43,479, 43,479, 43,479 and 8,369,563 units of
GHQ, respectively. Messrs. Rush, Canfield and Clarke purchased their
shares prior to our IPO.
Messrs.
Bok and Niehaus purchased their units in the IPO. In addition to the
units of GHQ owned prior to the IPO, our founding stockholder purchased,
concurrently with the IPO, for $8.0 million warrants to purchase up to 8.0
million shares of GHQ common stock at $1.00 per share. At the closing of the
acquisition, our founding stockholder has agreed to forfeit the following GHQ
securities which it currently owns: (1) 1,441,176 shares of our
common stock purchased as part of the unit purchase on November 31, 2007; (2)
8,369,563 warrants purchased as part of the unit purchase on November 13, 2007;
and (3) 2.0 million warrants purchased in a private placement on February 21,
2008.
Consideration
Offered to GHQ’s Stockholders
Existing
GHQ stockholders will not receive any cash or property as a result of the
acquisition, but instead will continue to hold their shares of GHQ common
stock. Upon completion of the acquisition, our stockholders
collectively are expected to own approximately 55% of the outstanding shares of
common stock of GHQ, assuming that (i) no GHQ stockholders vote against the
acquisition proposal and properly exercise their conversion rights, (ii) without
regard to the results of the tender offer and (iii) no holders of GHQ warrants
exercise their rights to acquire GHQ shares.
Conversion
Rights (See page 123)
Each
holder of IPO shares has a right to convert its IPO shares into cash if such
holder votes against the acquisition proposal, the acquisition is completed and
the holder properly exercises its conversion rights as described below. Such IPO
shares would then be converted into cash at the per-share conversion price
described below on the closing date of the acquisition.
Voting
against the acquisition proposal alone will not result in the conversion of the
IPO shares into a pro rata share of the trust account. To convert IPO
shares, the holder must also properly exercise his or her conversion rights by
following the specific procedures for conversion set forth below and the
acquisition must be completed.
We will
not complete the acquisition and will not convert any IPO shares into cash if
stockholders owning 30% or more of the IPO shares both vote against the
acquisition proposal and properly exercise their conversion
rights. It is anticipated that the funds to be distributed to each
holder who properly elects to convert any IPO shares will be distributed
promptly after completion of the acquisition.
Holders of
IPO shares who convert their IPO shares into cash would still have the right to
exercise any warrants that they continue to hold and do not sell.
The actual
per-share conversion price will be equal to the quotient determined by dividing
(i) the amount then on deposit in the trust account (before payment of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions and including accrued interest net of
income taxes on such interest and net of franchise taxes, after distribution of
interest income on the trust account balance to us as described above), that has
not been distributed to GHQ to cover its working capital expenses as set forth
in GHQ’s certificate of incorporation (“certificate”), calculated as of two
business days prior to the closing by (ii) the total number of IPO
shares. As of September 30, 2008, the per-share conversion price
would have been approximately $10.02, without taking into account any interest
or expenses accrued after such date.
Prior to
exercising conversion rights, holders of IPO shares should verify the market
price of the IPO shares as they may receive higher proceeds from the sale of the
IPO shares in the public market than from exercising conversion rights if the
market price per IPO share is higher than the conversion price.
To
exercise conversion rights, a holder of IPO shares, whether being a record
holder or holding the IPO shares in “street name,” must tender its IPO shares to
our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, and deliver
written instructions to our transfer agent: (i) stating that the holder wishes
to convert the IPO shares into a pro rata share of the trust account and (ii)
confirming that the holder has held the IPO shares since the record date and
will continue to hold them through the special meeting and the completion of the
acquisition.
To tender
IPO shares to our transfer agent, the holder must deliver its IPO shares either
(i) at any time before the start of the special meeting (or any adjournment or
postponement thereof), electronically using the Depository Trust Company’s DWAC
(Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian) system or (ii) at any time before the day of
the special meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof), physically by
delivering a share certificate. Any holder who holds IPO shares in
“street name” will have to coordinate with his or her bank or broker to arrange
for the IPO shares to be delivered electronically or physically. Any
holder who desires to physically tender to our transfer agent IPO shares that
are held in “street name” must instruct the account executive at his or her bank
or broker to withdraw the IPO shares from the holder’s account and request that
a physical certificate be issued in such holder’s name. Our transfer
agent will be available to assist with this process.
If a
holder does not deliver written instructions and tenders his or her IPO shares
(either electronically or physically) to our transfer agent in accordance with
the above procedures, those IPO shares will not be converted into
cash.
Any
request for conversion, once made, may be withdrawn or revoked at any time
before the start (in case of electronic tendering) or at any time before the day
(in case of physical tendering) of our special meeting (or any adjournment or
postponement thereof), in which case the IPO shares will be returned
(electronically or physically) to such holder. Holders of IPO shares
who have exercised conversion rights may not thereafter withdraw or revoke their
decision to convert their IPO shares into a pro rata portion of the trust
account.
If any
holder tenders IPO shares (electronically or physically) and the acquisition is
not completed, the IPO shares will not be converted into cash and they will be
returned (electronically or physically) to such holder.
Tender
Offer (See page 100)
GHQ
intends to launch a cash self tender offer to purchase up to 11.4 million shares
of its common stock at a price of $10.50 per share, reduced by a number of
shares equal to the amount of cash distributed to stockholders who vote against
the acquisition and elect conversion of their shares of GHQ common stock divided
by the per share conversion price (“total number of the tender offer
shares”). GHQ expects to commence the tender offer as soon as
practicable and legally permissible, and to complete the tender offer
approximately 20 business days after commencement and concurrent with the
closing of the acquisition.
If, at the
expiration date of the tender offer, more than the total number of the tender
offer shares have been validly tendered, GHQ will purchase from each tendering
stockholder a prorated number of shares of GHQ common
stock. Proration for each stockholder tendering shares will be based
on the product of (i) the number of shares of GHQ common stock that have been
properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by a particular stockholder and
(ii) (A) the total number of the tender offer shares, divided by (B) the total
number of shares of GHQ common stock properly tendered and not properly
withdrawn by all stockholders. GHQ’s management believes that the
tender offer will enhance the likelihood of stockholder approval of the
acquisition and stock issuance proposals because the tender offer will provide a
meaningful liquidity opportunity for at least part of the GHQ shares held by
those stockholders desiring liquidity for their shares.
Assuming
the maximum number of shares (11.4 million) is tendered in the tender offer, the
aggregate purchase price for the shares of GHQ common stock tendered in the
tender offer will be approximately $120.0 million.
The
purchase of shares tendered in the tender offer will be funded from cash of GHQ
following the closing of the acquisition, which will include proceeds in the
trust account.
The
founding stockholder has agreed not to tender any shares of GHQ common stock to
GHQ pursuant to the tender offer. In addition, each officer and
director of GHQ has agreed not to tender any of their shares of GHQ common stock
to GHQ pursuant to the tender offer.
Interests
of Certain Persons in the Acquisition (See page 103)
In
considering the recommendation of GHQ’s board of directors to vote for our
proposals, you should be aware that our executive officers and members of our
board of directors have interests in the acquisition that are different from, or
in addition to, the interests of GHQ’s stockholders generally. The members of
our board of directors were aware of these differing interests and considered
them, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the transaction
agreement and in recommending to our stockholders that they vote in favor of the
acquisition proposal and other proposals. These interests include, among other
things:
|
·
|
All
of our directors, Messrs. Bok, Niehaus, Rush, Canfield and Clarke, and our
founding stockholder own 200,000, 200,000, 43,479, 43,479, 43,479 and
8,369,563 units of GHQ, respectively. Each of Messrs. Rush, Canfield and
Clarke purchased his units prior to our IPO for an aggregate price of
$128.00 and had an aggregate market value of approximately $404,355, based
upon the last sale price of $9.30 on the NYSE Alternext U.S. on January
12, 2009. If our proposals are not approved and GHQ is unable
to complete another business combination by February 14, 2010, GHQ will be
required to liquidate. In such event, the 8.5 million units held by
Messrs. Rush, Canfield and Clark and our founding stockholder will be
worthless because Messrs. Rush, Canfield and Clarke and our founding
stockholder have agreed that they will not receive any liquidation
proceeds with respect to such shares. Accordingly, Messrs. Rush, Canfield
and Clarke and our founding stockholder have a financial interest in the
completion of the acquisition. The 400,000 shares purchased by
Messrs. Bok and Niehaus in the IPO would receive liquidation
proceeds. Messrs. Bok and Niehaus each purchased 200,000 units
in the IPO.
|
|
·
|
In
addition to the shares of GHQ common stock, our founding stockholder
purchased for $8.0 million warrants to purchase up to 8.0 million shares
of GHQ common stock at $1.00 per share. These warrants have an
exercise price of $7.00 per share. If GHQ is unable to complete
a business combination by February 14, 2010 and liquidates its assets,
there will be no distribution with respect to these warrants, and the
warrants will expire worthless.
|
|
·
|
Two
of our directors, Messrs. Bok and Niehaus purchased units in our
IPO. In addition, Messrs. Bok and Niehaus own shares in our
founding stockholder that give them indirect ownership interests in GHQ.
Because of their indirect ownership interests, each of Messrs. Bok and
Niehaus has financial interests in the completion of the acquisition in
addition to their interests as holders of our
units.
|
|
·
|
If
the acquisition is completed, certain of our current directors will
continue as directors of GHQ. These non-executive directors will be
entitled to receive any cash fees, stock options, stock awards or other
compensation arrangements that our board of directors determines to
provide to our non-executive
directors.
|
No
Appraisal or Dissenters’ Rights
No
appraisal or dissenters’ rights are available under Delaware law for holders of
GHQ common stock in connection with the proposals described in this proxy
statement.
Regulatory
Matters
U.S.
Antitrust. Under the HSR Act and the rules that have been
promulgated thereunder by the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), the
acquisition may not be consummated unless GHQ and Iridium Holdings furnish
certain information to the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of
Justice (the “Antitrust Division”) and the FTC and specified waiting period
requirements have been satisfied. Pursuant to the requirements of the
HSR Act, GHQ and Iridium Holdings each filed a Notification and Report Forms
with respect to the acquisition with the Antitrust Division and the FTC. GHQ
filed its notification on October 3, 2008 and Iridium Holdings filed its
notification on October 6, 2008. Early termination of the waiting
period applicable to the acquisition was granted by the FTC on October 10,
2008.
The
Antitrust Division and the FTC frequently scrutinize the legality under the
antitrust laws of transactions such as the acquisition. At any time
before or after consummation of the acquisition, the Antitrust Division or the
FTC could take such action under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or
desirable in the public interest, including seeking to enjoin the completion of
the acquisition or seeking the divestiture of substantial assets of GHQ or
Iridium Holdings. Private parties (including individual states) may
also bring legal actions under the antitrust laws. We do not believe
that the consummation of the acquisition will result in a violation of any
applicable antitrust laws. However, there can be no assurance that a
challenge to the acquisition on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if this
challenge is made, what the result will be. See “The Transaction
Agreement—Conditions to the Closing” for certain conditions to the acquisition,
including conditions with respect to litigation and certain governmental actions
and “The Transaction Agreement—Termination” for certain termination rights
pursuant to the transaction agreement in connection with legal prohibitions to
completing the acquisition.
Foreign Competition Law
Filings. Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries own property
and conduct business in a number of foreign countries. In connection
with the acquisition, the laws of certain of these foreign countries may require
the filing of information with, or the obtaining of the approval of,
governmental authorities therein. The parties do not believe that any
such filings or approvals are required by these laws, but intend to take such
action as they may require.
FCC
Licenses. Certain subsidiaries and affiliates of Iridium
Holdings hold one or more licenses or authorizations (each an “FCC License” and
collectively the “FCC Licenses”) issued by the FCC. Under the
Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the
FCC, prior to completion of the acquisition, the FCC must approve the transfer
of control of these subsidiaries and affiliates and their FCC Licenses to
GHQ. Therefore, GHQ and each subsidiary or affiliate of Iridium
Holdings that holds one or more FCC License must file an application with the
FCC requesting such approval (each an “Application” and collectively the
“Applications”). The FCC will review each Application to determine
whether GHQ’s control of the pertinent subsidiary or affiliate and its FCC
Licenses would comply with applicable law and whether it would be consistent
with the public interest, convenience and necessity. GHQ and Iridium
Holdings jointly filed the Applications with the FCC on October 21,
2008.
On
November 26, 2008, the FCC issued a public notice (the “Public Notice”)
announcing the filing of the Applications, summarizing the information contained
therein, and inviting petitions to deny, oppositions and other comments by third
parties with respect to the Applications. On December 29, 2008,
Cornell University (“Cornell”) and International Communications Group, Inc.
(“ICG”) filed comments with respect to the Applications. The
commenters did not oppose the proposed transfer of control of Iridium Holdings
but asked the FCC to adopt certain conditions in connection with its grant of
the Applications. Also on December 29, 2008, Globalstar License LLC
(“Globalstar License”) filed a petition to deny the Applications.
On January
12, 2009, GHQ and Iridium Holdings jointly filed a consolidated opposition and
response with respect to the comments of Cornell and ICG and the petition to
deny of Globalstar License. The opposition and response asserted that
the comments and petition to deny provide no basis for the FCC to deny,
condition its approval or delay its consideration of the
Applications. On January 21, 2009, Globalstar License filed a reply
to the opposition and response. Pursuant to the Public Notice, the
pleading cycle ended on January 12, 2009. Parties may, however,
continue to make ex parte submissions to the FCC until the FCC acts on the
Applications.
The FCC
has developed an informal timetable for acting upon transfer of control
applications. Pursuant to this informal timetable, it will endeavor
to take action on any such application (i.e., grant, deny, or designate the
application for hearing) within 180 days from the initial public notice
accepting the application for filing (i.e., by May 25, 2009). The FCC
reserves the right to stop the 180-day “clock” at its discretion. We
cannot assure you that the FCC will act on the Applications in a timely manner
or that the FCC will not deny the Applications or impose conditions on the
parties in connection with granting its approval.
Other U.S. Regulatory
Filings. Iridium Holdings engages in several business areas
that are regulated by the U.S. Government on national security
grounds. In particular, it is registered with the U.S. State
Department as a
manufacturer
or exporter of satellite-related items that are controlled under the
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”). In connection
with the acquisition, appropriate notice and other filings will be required to
be made with the Departments of State and Defense. On December 23,
2008, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the
Department of Homeland Security (the “Executive Agencies”) asked the FCC to
defer action on the Applications until such time that any national security, law
enforcement, or public safety concerns raised by the proposed transaction have
been addressed. Such a request is routine in transactions involving
satellite carriers or other providers of telecommunications
services. In order to address any such concerns, GHQ may be required
to enter into a national security agreement with the Executive Agencies,
compliance with which will be a condition of FCC grant of the FCC
Applications.
Foreign Licenses and
Authorizations. Iridium Holdings, either directly or
indirectly through certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides
communications services to subscribers in foreign countries in all regions of
the world. In many of these countries, Iridium Holdings, its
subsidiaries and/or affiliates have received government licenses or other
authorizations to provide such services. In certain of these
countries, completion of the acquisition may require either government approval
or notification of the change in control over the pertinent licenses or
authorizations. No assurance can be given that, if any such approvals
are required, they will be obtained.
General. It is
possible that governmental authorities having jurisdiction over GHQ and Iridium
Holdings may seek regulatory concessions as conditions for granting approval of
the acquisition. A regulatory body’s approval may contain terms or
impose conditions or restrictions relating or applying to, or requiring changes
in or limitations on, the operation or ownership of any asset or business of
GHQ, Iridium Holdings or any of their subsidiaries, or GHQ’s ownership of
Iridium Holdings, or requiring asset divestitures, which conditional approval
could reasonably be expected to result in a substantial detriment to GHQ,
Iridium Holdings and their subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after the closing of
the acquisition. If this kind of approval occurs, in certain
circumstances, GHQ can decline to close under the transaction
agreement. We can give no assurance that the required regulatory
approvals will be obtained on terms that satisfy the conditions to closing of
the acquisition or are within the time frame contemplated by GHQ and Iridium
Holdings. See “The Transaction Agreement—Conditions to the Closing”
on page 113.
Risk
Factors (See page 40)
In
evaluating each of the proposals set forth in this proxy statement, you should
carefully read this proxy statement and consider the factors discussed in the
section entitled “Risk Factors.”
The
following selected historical financial data as of December 31, 2007 and
September 30, 2008 (unaudited) and for the period from November 2, 2007
(inception) to December 31, 2007, from November 2, 2007 to September 30, 2008
(unaudited), and the nine months ended September 30, 2008 (unaudited) was
derived from the financial statements of GHQ. GHQ is a development
stage enterprise. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for
the full year. The selected financial data below should be read in
conjunction with GHQ’s financial statements and related notes beginning on page
F-2 and “GHQ - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations” included in this proxy statement.
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
|
November
2, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007
|
|
|
November
2, 2007 (inception) to September 30,
2008 (unaudited)
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008 (unaudited)
|
|
Other
income (interest)
|
|
|
--------- |
|
|
$ |
4,936,297 |
|
|
$ |
4,936,297 |
|
Loss
from operations
|
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
|
|
(304,007 |
) |
|
|
(300,195 |
) |
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
|
|
4,632,290 |
|
|
|
4,636,102 |
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
--------- |
|
|
|
(2,087,763 |
) |
|
|
(2,087,763 |
) |
Net
income (loss)
|
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
|
|
2,544,527 |
|
|
|
2,548,339 |
|
Net
income per share (basic and diluted)
|
|
|
0.00 |
|
|
|
--------- |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding (basic and diluted)
|
|
|
--------- |
|
|
|
--------- |
|
|
|
41,511,588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September
30, 2008 (unaudited)
|
|
Working
capital (excludes cash held in trust account)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(294,434 |
) |
|
$ |
(12,752,266 |
) |
Total
assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
404,438,928 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
478,812 |
|
|
|
13,288,776 |
|
Common
stock, subject to possible conversion (11,999,999 shares at conversion
value)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
--------- |
|
|
|
119,999,999 |
|
Stockholders’
equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,188 |
|
|
|
271,150,153 |
|
The
following selected historical financial data for each of the five years in the
period ended December 31, 2007 was derived from Iridium Holdings’ audited
financial statements and the financial information for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2008 was derived from Iridium Holdings’ unaudited interim
financial statements included elsewhere in this proxy
statement. Iridium Holdings’ unaudited interim financial statements
reflect all adjustments necessary to state fairly its financial position at
September 30, 2007 and 2008 and its income and cash flows for the nine months
ended September 30, 2007 and 2008. The information for the years
ended December 31, 2003 and 2004 was derived from Iridium Holdings’ audited
financial statements not included in this proxy statement. Interim
results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year and
historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in
any future period. The selected financial data below should be read
in conjunction with Iridium Holdings’ financial statements and related notes
beginning on page F-25 and “Iridium Holdings—Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this
proxy statement.
|
|
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30
|
|
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
Services
|
|
|
39,112 |
|
|
|
45,069 |
|
|
|
48,347 |
|
|
|
50,807 |
|
|
|
57,850 |
|
|
|
41,853 |
|
|
|
48,826 |
|
Commercial
Services
|
|
|
42,527 |
|
|
|
49,611 |
|
|
|
60,690 |
|
|
|
77,661 |
|
|
|
101,172 |
|
|
|
73,207 |
|
|
|
97,542 |
|
Subscriber
Equipment
|
|
|
17,046 |
|
|
|
26,811 |
|
|
|
78,663 |
|
|
|
83,944 |
|
|
|
101,879 |
|
|
|
78,548 |
|
|
|
97,824 |
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of subscriber equipment sales
|
|
|
18,481 |
|
|
|
26,463 |
|
|
|
62,802 |
|
|
|
60,068 |
|
|
|
62,439 |
|
|
|
48,347 |
|
|
|
55,261 |
|
Network
and satellite operations and maintenance(a)
|
|
|
50,008 |
|
|
|
50,248 |
|
|
|
56,909 |
|
|
|
60,685 |
|
|
|
60,188 |
|
|
|
44,223 |
|
|
|
47,451 |
|
Selling,
general and administrative(a)
|
|
|
30,210 |
|
|
|
32,487 |
|
|
|
30,135 |
|
|
|
33,468 |
|
|
|
46,350 |
|
|
|
32,829 |
|
|
|
42,966 |
|
Research
and development(b)
|
|
|
19,448 |
|
|
|
9,044 |
|
|
|
4,334 |
|
|
|
4,419 |
|
|
|
17,370 |
|
|
|
11,241 |
|
|
|
23,500 |
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
6,695 |
|
|
|
7,132 |
|
|
|
7,722 |
|
|
|
8,541 |
|
|
|
11,380 |
|
|
|
7,598 |
|
|
|
8,959 |
|
Satellite
system development refund(b)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(14,000 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
124,842 |
|
|
|
125,374 |
|
|
|
147,902 |
|
|
|
167,181 |
|
|
|
197,727 |
|
|
|
144,238 |
|
|
|
178,137 |
|
Operating
Profit (Loss)
|
|
|
(26,157 |
) |
|
|
(3,883 |
) |
|
|
39,798 |
|
|
|
45,231 |
|
|
|
63,174 |
|
|
|
49,370 |
|
|
|
66,055 |
|
Other
(expense) income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(8,361 |
) |
|
|
(9,122 |
) |
|
|
(5,106 |
) |
|
|
(15,179 |
) |
|
|
(21,771 |
) |
|
|
(16,520 |
) |
|
|
(14,325 |
) |
Interest
expense recovered
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,526 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Interest
and other income
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
483 |
|
|
|
2,377 |
|
|
|
1,762 |
|
|
|
2,370 |
|
|
|
1,745 |
|
|
|
605 |
|
Total
other (expense) income, net
|
|
|
(8,257 |
) |
|
|
(8,639 |
) |
|
|
(203 |
) |
|
|
(13,417 |
) |
|
|
(19,401 |
) |
|
|
(14,775 |
) |
|
|
(13,720 |
) |
Net
(Loss) income
|
|
|
(34,414 |
) |
|
|
(12,522 |
) |
|
|
39,595 |
|
|
|
31,814 |
|
|
|
43,773 |
|
|
|
34,595 |
|
|
|
52,335 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/30/07
|
|
|
9/30/08
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
54,927 |
|
|
|
59,921 |
|
|
|
65,385 |
|
|
|
84,035 |
|
|
|
80,342 |
|
|
|
86,021 |
|
|
|
132,312 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
153,737 |
|
|
|
150,514 |
|
|
|
129,397 |
|
|
|
161,525 |
|
|
|
167,581 |
|
|
|
164,762 |
|
|
|
219,749 |
|
Total
long term obligations(c)
|
|
|
(110,673 |
) |
|
|
(119,781 |
) |
|
|
(53,848 |
) |
|
|
(208,225 |
) |
|
|
(178,324 |
) |
|
|
(186,782 |
) |
|
|
(152,746 |
) |
Total
members’ deficit
|
|
|
(77,484 |
) |
|
|
(90,008 |
) |
|
|
(57,262 |
) |
|
|
(121,189 |
) |
|
|
(78,447 |
) |
|
|
(86,386 |
) |
|
|
(27,178 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30
|
|
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
provided by (used in):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
|
6,465 |
|
|
|
10,107 |
|
|
|
30,742 |
|
|
|
41,071 |
|
|
|
36,560 |
|
|
|
29,889 |
|
|
|
61,575 |
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
(293 |
) |
|
|
(1,608 |
) |
|
|
(9,661 |
) |
|
|
(11,039 |
) |
|
|
(19,787 |
) |
|
|
(13,066 |
) |
|
|
(9,216 |
) |
Financing
activities
|
|
|
(6,982 |
) |
|
|
(5,542 |
) |
|
|
(18,887 |
) |
|
|
(8,032 |
) |
|
|
(26,526 |
) |
|
|
(22,526 |
) |
|
|
(9,882 |
) |
EBITDA(d)
|
|
|
(19,413 |
) |
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
49,595 |
|
|
|
54,243 |
|
|
|
74,732 |
|
|
|
57,102 |
|
|
|
74,603 |
|
Certain
other items included in EBITDA(e)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,777 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
8,641 |
|
(a)
Iridium Holdings’ selected historical financial data for the years ended
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 do not include a reclassification of
operating expenses between “network and satellite operations and maintenance”
and “selling, general and administrative.” Therefore, Iridium
Holdings’ selected historical financial data for the operating expenses
described above for the years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 is
not directly comparable to the selected historical financial data for subsequent
periods.
(b)
Iridium Holdings’ research and development for the year ended December 31, 2003
includes $14.0 million of expenses that were subsequently included in the
“satellite system development refund” offsetting the operating expenses for the
year ended December 31, 2005.
(c)
Long-term obligations are presented net of an unamortized discount associated
with a commitment fee to Motorola in connection with the transition services,
products and assets agreement. The balance of the unamortized
discount was $3.4 million at December 31, 2003, $3.0 million at December 31,
2004, $2.7 million at December 31, 2005, $2.3 million at December 31, 2006 and
$1.8 million at December 31, 2007. As of September 30, 2007 and
September 30, 2008 the balance of the unamortized discount was $1.9 million and
$1.4 million, respectively.
(d)
“EBITDA” represents net income before interest expense, interest income, income
tax provision and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA does not represent and
should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from
operations, as determined in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”) and Iridium Holdings’ calculations thereof may
not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other
companies. Iridium Holdings presents EBITDA because it believes it is
a useful indicator of its profitability. Iridium Holdings’ management uses
EBITDA principally as a measure of its operating performance and believes that
EBITDA is useful to investors because it is frequently used by securities
analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of
companies in industries similar to its own. Iridium Holdings also believes
EBITDA is useful to its management and investors as a measure of comparative
operating performance between time periods and among companies as it is
reflective of changes in pricing decisions, cost controls and other factors that
affect operating performance. Iridium Holdings’ management also uses EBITDA for
planning purposes, including the preparation of its annual operating budget and
financial projections.
EBITDA
does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to results of
operations under GAAP and has significant limitations as an analytical tool.
Although Iridium Holdings uses EBITDA as a measure to assess the performance of
its business, the use of EBITDA is limited because it excludes certain material
costs. For example, it does not include interest expense, which is a necessary
element of its costs and ability to generate revenue, because Iridium Holdings
has borrowed money in order to finance its operations. Because Iridium Holdings
uses capital assets, depreciation expense is a necessary element of its costs
and ability to generate revenue. In addition, the omission of the amortization
expense associated with its intangible assets further limits the usefulness of
this measure. Because EBITDA does not account for these expenses, its utility as
a measure of Iridium Holdings’ operating performance has material limitations.
As a limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for federal
income tax purposes, Iridium Holdings is generally not subject to federal income
tax directly and therefore no adjustment is required for income
taxes. Because of these limitations Iridium Holdings’ management does
not
view
EBITDA in isolation or as a primary performance measure and also uses other
measures, such as net income, revenue and operating profit, to measure operating
performance. Iridium Holdings’ calculations of EBITDA may also differ
from the calculation of EBITDA by its competitors and other companies and as
such, its utility as a comparative measure is limited.
The
following is a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income:
|
|
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
(Loss) income
|
|
|
(34,414 |
) |
|
|
(12,522 |
) |
|
|
39,595 |
|
|
|
31,814 |
|
|
|
43,773 |
|
|
|
34,595 |
|
|
|
52,335 |
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
8,361 |
|
|
|
9,122 |
|
|
|
5,106 |
|
|
|
15,179 |
|
|
|
21,771 |
|
|
|
16,520 |
|
|
|
14,325 |
|
Interest
expense recovered
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2,526 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
(55 |
) |
|
|
(178 |
) |
|
|
(302 |
) |
|
|
(1,291 |
) |
|
|
(2,192 |
) |
|
|
(1,611 |
) |
|
|
(1,016 |
) |
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
6,695 |
|
|
|
7,132 |
|
|
|
7,722 |
|
|
|
8,541 |
|
|
|
11,380 |
|
|
|
7,598 |
|
|
|
8,959 |
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
(19,413 |
) |
|
|
3,554 |
|
|
|
49,595 |
|
|
|
54,243 |
|
|
|
74,732 |
|
|
|
57,102 |
|
|
|
74,603 |
|
(e) The
following table shows the following items, which are included in EBITDA:
non-recurring expenses relating to Iridium Holdings’ proposed transaction with
GHQ and expenses incurred in the development of Iridium Holdings’ second
generation constellation, Iridium NEXT. This table does not represent and should
not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flow from operations,
as determined in accordance with GAAP and Iridium Holdings’ calculations thereof
may not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other
companies. Iridium Holdings believes this table, when reviewed in connection
with its presentation of EBITDA provides another useful tool to investors and
its management for measuring comparative operating performance between time
periods and among companies as it is further reflective of cost controls and
other factors that affect operating performance. In addition to EBITDA, Iridium
Holdings’ management assesses the adjustments presented in this table when
preparing its annual operating budget and financial projections. Because of the
significant expenses resulting from the abovementioned transaction and Iridium
NEXT, Iridium Holdings believes that the presentation of the adjustments
relating to acquisition and Iridium NEXT expenses enables its management and
investors to assess the impact of such expenses on its operating performance and
provides a consistent measure of its operating performance for periods
subsequent to the transaction and the full deployment of Iridium
NEXT.
This table
is not intended to comply with GAAP and has significant limitations as an
analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute
for analysis of Iridium Holdings’ results of operations under GAAP. Although
Iridium Holdings uses this table as a financial measure to assess the
performance of its business, the use of this table is limited because, in
addition to the costs excluded in its presentation of EBITDA, it excludes
certain material costs that Iridium Holdings has incurred over the periods
presented. Because this table does not account for these expenses, its utility
as a measure of Iridium Holdings’ operating performance has material
limitations.
EBITDA, as
defined above, was decreased by the following non-recurring and certain other
items, each of which is further discussed below:
|
|
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-recurring
transaction expenses (1)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,376 |
|
Iridium
NEXT expenses (2)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,777 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
6,265 |
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,777 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
|
8,641 |
|
(1)
Consists of non-recurring expenses relating to Iridium Holdings’ financing
activities, including the proposed transaction with GHQ.
(2)
Consists of expenses, net of customer revenues, incurred in connection with the
design, manufacture and deployment of Iridium NEXT, including certain milestone
payments paid to the two companies vying to serve as the prime system
contractor. Iridium Holdings expects to incur such expenses through 2016 until
the deployment of the new constellation, with the majority of these expenses
incurred during the capital intensive launch phase between 2014 and
2016.
The
following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September
30, 2008 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007 are based on the historical financial statements of GHQ and
Iridium Holdings after giving effect to the acquisition in which GHQ will
acquire Iridium Holdings. The acquisition is expected to close in 2009.
Consequently, the acquisition will be accounted for using the acquisition method
of accounting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)
Statement No. 141R, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”) as SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2008.
The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined statements of operations for the nine month period ended September 30,
2008 and for the year ended December 31, 2007 gives effect to the acquisition as
if it had occurred on January 1, 2007. The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2008 assumes that the acquisition
took place on September 30, 2008.
The unaudited condensed balance sheet
and statement of operations as of and for the nine months ended September 30,
2008 were derived from GHQ’s unaudited condensed financial statements and
Iridium Holdings’ unaudited financial statements as of and for the nine months
ended September 30, 2008.
The unaudited condensed statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 2007 were derived from GHQ’s audited
statements of income and Iridium Holdings’ audited statements of income for the
year ended December 31, 2007. GHQ’s statement of operations as of December 31,
2007 includes two months of activity as GHQ was incorporated on November 2,
2007.
GHQ will consummate the acquisition only
if (i) holders of a majority of the IPO shares voting in person or by proxy
approve the acquisition and (ii) stockholders holding no more than 30% of the
IPO shares less one share exercise their conversion rights. The unaudited pro
forma condensed combined financial statements have been prepared using the
assumptions below with respect to the number of outstanding shares of GHQ common
stock:
• Assuming Minimum Conversion: This
presentation assumes that no GHQ stockholders seek to convert their IPO shares
into a pro rata portion of the trust account;
• Assuming Maximum Conversion: This
presentation assumes that 30% of the GHQ stockholders less one IPO share
(11,999,999 shares) vote against the acquisition and elect to exercise their
conversion rights.
The pro forma condensed combined
financial statements reflect management’s best estimate of the fair value of the
tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on a
preliminary valuation study performed by an independent third party valuation
firm based on information available to GHQ as of the date of this
report. As final valuations are performed, increases or decreases in
the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed will result in
adjustments, which may be material, to the balance sheet and/or statement of
operations.
As required, the unaudited pro forma
condensed, combined financial data include adjustments which give effect to the
events that are directly attributable to the acquisition, expected to have a
continuing impact and are factually supportable. Hence any planned
adjustments affecting the balance sheet, statement of operations or changes in
common stock outstanding subsequent to the assumed closing of the acquisition
are not included.
The unaudited pro forma condensed
financial statements are provided for informational purposes only and are
subject to a number of uncertainties and assumptions and do not purport to
represent what the companies’ actual performance or financial position would
have been had the acquisition occurred on the dates indicated and does not
purport to indicate the financial position
or results of operations as of any future date or for any future period. Please
refer to the following information in conjunction with the accompanying
notes to these pro forma financial statements and the historical financial
statements and the accompanying notes thereto and the sections entitled “GHQ
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations” and “Iridium Holdings Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this proxy
statement.
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
|
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet
|
As
of September 30, 2008
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GHQ
|
|
|
Iridium
|
|
|
Pro
Forma Adjustments (assuming minimum conversion)
|
|
|
Combined
Pro Forma (assuming minimum conversion)
|
|
|
Additional Pro
Forma Adjustments (assuming maximum conversion)
|
|
|
Combined Pro
Forma (assuming maximum conversion)
|
|
|
|
(In
thousands)
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
|
|
490 |
|
|
|
64,582 |
|
|
|
(106,663 |
) |
A
|
|
233,978 |
|
|
|
(120,000 |
) |
P
|
|
119,041 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
402,270 |
|
B
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,063 |
|
C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,351 |
) |
C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(102,000 |
) |
D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,350 |
) |
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,020 |
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
44,931 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,931 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,931 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
16,144 |
|
|
|
5,856 |
|
F
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,000 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
3,635 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,682 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,682 |
|
Total current
assets
|
|
|
537 |
|
|
|
132,312 |
|
|
|
174,762 |
|
|
|
307,611 |
|
|
|
(114,937 |
) |
|
|
192,674 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment,
net
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
61,827 |
|
|
|
369,025 |
|
G
|
|
430,852 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
430,852 |
|
Restricted cash, net of current
portion
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
15,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,400 |
|
Deferred financing costs and other
assets
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10,210 |
|
|
|
(3,901 |
) |
D
|
|
6,309 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,309 |
|
Investments held in trust at
broker
|
|
|
402,270 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(402,270 |
) |
B
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Deferred tax
asset
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6,100 |
|
H
|
|
6,235 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,235 |
|
Deferred acquisition
costs
|
|
|
1,497 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(1,497 |
) |
E
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Intangible
assets
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
59,881 |
|
I
|
|
59,881 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59,881 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
71,079 |
|
J
|
|
71,079 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,079 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
|
404,439 |
|
|
|
219,749 |
|
|
|
273,179 |
|
|
|
897,367 |
|
|
|
(114,937 |
) |
|
|
782,430 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
6,667 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
6,677 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,677 |
|
Accrued expenses and other current
liabilities
|
|
|
1,535 |
|
|
|
30,026 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
31,561 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,561 |
|
Credit facility, current
portion
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
32,639 |
|
|
|
(3,512 |
) |
D
|
|
8,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,727 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20,400 |
) |
D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenue, current
portion
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
24,849 |
|
|
|
(14,449 |
) |
K
|
|
10,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,400 |
|
Income tax
payable
|
|
|
456 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
456 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
456 |
|
Deferred underwriter
commissions
|
|
|
11,288 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(11,288 |
) |
C
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Total current
liabilities
|
|
|
13,289 |
|
|
|
94,181 |
|
|
|
(49,649 |
) |
|
|
57,821 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
57,821 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
satellite operations and maintenance expense, net of current
portion
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10,516 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10,516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,516 |
|
Motorola
payable
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
10,575 |
|
|
|
(175 |
) |
L
|
|
10,400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,400 |
|
Credit
facility
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
127,521 |
|
|
|
(14,048 |
) |
D
|
|
31,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(81,600 |
) |
D
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
long-term liability
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,134 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
4,134 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,134 |
|
Income
tax reserve
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
678 |
|
|
|
678 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
678 |
|
Deferred
tax liability
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
74,068 |
|
H
|
|
74,069 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
74,068 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
13,289 |
|
|
|
246,927 |
|
|
|
(70,726 |
) |
|
|
189,490 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
189,490 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock subject to possible conversion
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(120,000 |
) |
M
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders'
equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
36 |
|
N
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
P
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
M
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in
capital
|
|
|
268,569 |
|
|
|
4,049 |
|
|
|
329,287 |
|
N
|
|
704,934 |
|
|
|
(119,988 |
) |
P
|
|
588,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4,049 |
) |
O
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,063 |
|
C
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,497 |
) |
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
114,925 |
|
C,M
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,350 |
) |
E
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings/(accumulated
deficit)
|
|
|
2,545 |
|
|
|
(28,982 |
) |
|
|
28,982 |
|
O
|
|
2,545 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,545 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(2,245 |
) |
|
|
2,245 |
|
O
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
Total parent
stockholders' equity
|
|
|
271,150 |
|
|
|
(27,178 |
) |
|
|
461,591 |
|
|
|
705,563 |
|
|
|
(114,937 |
) |
|
|
590,626 |
|
Noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,314 |
|
V
|
|
2,314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,314 |
|
Total
stockholders' equity
|
|
|
271,150 |
|
|
|
(27,178 |
) |
|
|
463,905 |
|
|
|
707,877 |
|
|
|
(114,937 |
) |
|
|
592,940 |
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
|
404,439 |
|
|
|
219,749 |
|
|
|
273,179 |
|
|
|
897,367 |
|
|
|
(114,937 |
) |
|
|
782,430 |
|
See
accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements.
|
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
|
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
|
For
the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2008
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GHQ
|
|
|
Iridium
|
|
|
Pro
Forma Adjustments (assuming minimum conversion)
|
|
|
Combined Pro
Forma (assuming minimum conversion)
|
|
|
Additional Pro
Forma Adjustments (assuming maximum conversion)
|
|
|
Combined Pro
Forma (assuming maximum conversion)
|
|
|
|
|
(In
thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
146,368 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
146,368 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
146,368 |
|
|
Subscriber
equipment
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
97,824 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
97,824 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
97,824 |
|
|
Total
revenue
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
244,192 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
244,192 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
244,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of subscriber equipment
sales
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
55,261 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
55,261 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55,261 |
|
|
Network operations and
maintenance
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
47,451 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
47,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
47,451 |
|
|
Selling, general, and
administrative
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
42,966 |
|
|
|
(2,376 |
) |
E
|
|
40,890 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,890 |
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
8,959 |
|
|
|
55,669 |
|
G
|
|
73,611 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73,611 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,983 |
|
I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and
development
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23,500 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
23,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,500 |
|
|
Total operating
expenses
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
178,137 |
|
|
|
62,276 |
|
|
|
240,713 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
240,713 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
(loss)
|
|
|
(300 |
) |
|
|
66,055 |
|
|
|
(62,276 |
) |
|
|
3,479 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
3,479 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other (expense)
income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(14,325 |
) |
|
|
3,751 |
|
D
|
|
(10,574 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10,574 |
) |
|
Interest and other
income
|
|
|
4,936 |
|
|
|
605 |
|
|
|
(4,936 |
) |
Q
|
|
1,743 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1,138 |
|
R
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(560 |
) |
R
|
|
- |
|
|
Total
other (expense) income, net
|
|
|
4,936 |
|
|
|
(13,720 |
) |
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
(8,831 |
) |
|
|
(560 |
) |
|
|
(9,391 |
) |
|
Income (loss) before provision for
income taxes
|
|
|
4,636 |
|
|
|
52,335 |
|
|
|
(62,323 |
) |
|
|
(5,352 |
) |
|
|
(560 |
) |
|
|
(5,912 |
) |
|
Provision
(benefit) for income taxes
|
|
|
2,088 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(4,618 |
) |
S
|
|
(2,530 |
) |
|
|
(224 |
) |
T
|
|
(2,754 |
) |
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$ |
2,548 |
|
|
$ |
52,335 |
|
|
$ |
(57,705 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,822 |
) |
|
$ |
(336 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,158 |
) |
|
Net
income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
V
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
V
|
Net
income (loss) attributable to controlling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(2,822 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(3,158 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding - basic
|
|
|
41,512 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,059 |
|
U
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,059 |
|
U
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding - diluted
|
|
|
53,074 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,059 |
|
U
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,059 |
|
U
|
Earnings (loss) per share -
basic
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
Earnings (loss) per share -
diluted
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
See
accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
|
Unaudited
Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
|
For
the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2007
|
|
|
Historical
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GHQ
|
|
|
Iridium
|
|
|
Pro
Forma Adjustments (assuming minimum conversion)
|
|
|
Combined Pro
Forma (assuming minimum conversion)
|
|
|
Additional Pro
Forma Adjustments (assuming maximum conversion)
|
|
|
Combined Pro
Forma (assuming maximum conversion)
|
|
|
(In
thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
159,022 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
$ |
159,022 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
159,022 |
|
|
Subscriber
equipment
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
101,879 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
101,879 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
101,879 |
|
|
Total
revenue
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
260,901 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
260,901 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
260,901 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of subscriber equipment
sales
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
62,439 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
62,439 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62,439 |
|
|
Network operations and
maintenance
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
60,188 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
60,188 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,188 |
|
|
Selling, general, and
administrative
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
46,350 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
46,351 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,351 |
|
|
Depreciation and
amortization
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
11,380 |
|
|
|
74,790 |
|
G
|
|
98,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
98,146 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,976 |
|
I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research and
development
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
17,370 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
17,370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,370 |
|
|
Total operating
expenses
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
197,727 |
|
|
|
86,766 |
|
|
|
284,494 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
284,494 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
Operating profit
(loss)
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
63,174 |
|
|
|
(86,766 |
) |
|
|
(23,593 |
) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(23,593 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other (expense)
income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(21,771 |
) |
|
|
8,754 |
|
D
|
|
(13,020 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(13,020 |
) |
|
Interest and other
income
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
2,370 |
|
|
|
1,518 |
|
R
|
|
3,888 |
|
|
|
(747 |
) |
R
|
|
3,141 |
|
|
Total
other (expense) income, net
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(19,401 |
) |
|
|
10,272 |
|
|
|
(9,132 |
) |
|
|
(747 |
) |
|
|
(9,879 |
) |
|
Income (loss) before provision for
income taxes
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
43,773 |
|
|
|
(76,494 |
) |
|
|
(32,725 |
) |
|
|
(747 |
) |
|
|
(33,472 |
) |
|
Provision
(benefit) for income taxes
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(13,344 |
) |
S
|
|
(13,344 |
) |
|
|
(299 |
) |
T
|
|
(13,643 |
) |
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
43,773 |
|
|
$ |
(63,150 |
) |
|
$ |
(19,381 |
) |
|
$ |
(448 |
) |
|
$ |
(19,829 |
) |
|
Net
income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- |
|
V
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
- |
|
V
|
Net
income (loss) attributable to controlling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(19,381 |
) |
|
$ |
448 |
) |
|
$ |
(19,829 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding - basic
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,059 |
|
U
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,059 |
|
U
|
Weighted average shares
outstanding - diluted
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,059 |
|
U
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,059 |
|
U
|
Earnings (loss) per share -
basic
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.28 |
) |
|
Earnings (loss) per share -
diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(0.28 |
) |
|
1) Includes 2 months of activity
as GHQ was incorporated on November 2, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
See
accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial
statements.
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Notes to Unaudited Condensed Combined
Pro Forma Financial Statements
1. Description of the Acquisition and Basis of Presentation
The
Acquisition
On
September 22, 2008, GHQ entered into a Transaction Agreement with Iridium
Holdings and its members whereby GHQ agreed to purchase 99.5% of Iridium
Holdings member units (Class A and Class B) for 35.8 million shares of GHQ
common stock, $76.7 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and, within
90 days of the closing of the acquisition, a tax benefit payment of $30.0
million in cash to sellers (other than the sellers of the equity of Baralonco
and Syncom), if Iridium Holdings has in effect a valid IRC Section 754 election
with respect to the taxable year in which the closing
occurs. Upon the closing of the acquisition, Iridium Holdings
will become a subsidiary of GHQ and GHQ will be renamed “Iridium Communications
Inc.” In connection
with the terms
of the acquisition, all outstanding equity
awards of Iridium Holdings
will immediately vest upon the closing of the acquisition. The estimated
reduction to Iridium Holdings’ equity at the close of acquisition related to the
accelerated vesting is approximately $3.8 million. Following the
closing of the acquisition, GHQ will record a compensation charge in the amount
$1.3 million and a capital contribution related to the transfer at cost of
founding stockholder’s units to certain of GHQ’s directors. The
impact of the acceleration of Iridium Holdings’ equity incentive award and GHQ’s
compensation charge and related capital contribution are not reflected in the
pro forma condensed combined financial statements.
In
addition, Greenhill Europe entered into an agreement with Iridium Holdings to
purchase a convertible note for $22.9 million in cash on September 22,
2008. The purchase of the note occurred on October 24,
2008. Greenhill Europe has the option to convert the note into Class
A units of Iridium Holdings upon the later of (i) October 24, 2009 and (ii) the
earlier of closing of the acquisition pursuant to the transaction agreement or
the termination of the transaction agreement. The note matures in
seven years and bears interest at 5% per annum, compounded quarterly, beginning
on April 24, 2009. The pro forma condensed combined financial
statements do not reflect the impact of the note as the issuance of the note
occurred subsequent to September 30, 2008 and the issuance of this note is not
expected to materially change the capitalization of GHQ following the
acquisition.
In
conjunction with the purchase of the note, Iridium Holdings executed amendments
to the first and second lien credit facilities, (the “Credit Amendments”) which
were completed in October 2008. Following the execution of the Credit
Amendments, a net distribution
of $36.3 million
was made to current Iridium
Holdings unit holders. Iridium Holdings also prepaid $22.0 million of
the outstanding balance on the first lien term loan at the signing of the Credit
Amendments. Pursuant to the Credit Amendments, at the closing of the
acquisition, Iridium Holdings is required to prepay $80.0 million of the
outstanding balance on the first lien term loan.
Basis of
Presentation
The unaudited pro forma condensed
combined financial statements have been prepared based on GHQ’s, Iridium
Holdings’ historical
financial information. Certain disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United
States have been condensed
or omitted as permitted by SEC rules and regulations.
These unaudited pro forma
condensed combined
financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations
that would have been achieved had the acquisition actually taken place at the
dates indicated and do not purport to be indicative of future position or
operating results.
2. Acquisition Method
The pro forma condensed combined
financial statements reflect the accounting for the transaction in accordance
with SFAS 141R. Under the acquisition method, the purchase
price is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their
estimated fair values, with any excess of the purchase price over the estimated
fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired recorded as
goodwill.
The fair value of GHQ’s
shares of common stock
issued was calculated using GHQ’s closing stock price of $9.20
at January 12, 2009. Trading volatility since GHQ has been
publicly traded is approximately + / - 5% from the $9.20
price utilized. The
consequence of a change in stock price in this range would adjust the fair value
of GHQ’s common stock issued as a result of the transaction by + / - $16.5
million with the offsetting amount being recorded to
goodwill.
The following represents the
purchase price of the
Transaction (in millions):
Value of 35.8 million
GHQ shares issued |
|
$ |
329.3 |
|
Cash
consideration |
|
$ |
106.7 |
|
Purchase
price |
|
$ |
436.0 |
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The following represents the allocation of the purchase price (in
millions):
Asset
acquired and liabilities assumed |
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
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Property and
equipment
|
|
|
430.9 |
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Curent
assets
|
|
|
138.1 |
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Goodwill
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|
|
71.0 |
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Identifiable
intangible assets
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|
59.9 |
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Other
assets
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27.8 |
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Total
Assets |
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727.7 |
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
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Senior term loan
facility
|
|
|
(142.6 |
) |
Deferred tax
liability
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|
|
(74.0 |
) |
Other
liabilities
|
|
|
(72.8 |
) |
Total
Liabilities
|
|
|
(289.4 |
) |
Noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
(2.3 |
) |
3. Pro Forma
Adjustments and Assumptions
A)
|
Represents the cash
component of the purchase price of $106.7 million consisting of $76.7
million cash payment and $30.0 million of tax benefit
payments.
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B)
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Reflects
the release of $402.3 million of GHQ investments held in trust that will
be available for the operating activities of the combined company and
distributions related to the acquisition. Possible uses for the remaining cash
may include pay down of amounts due under the credit facility and capital
expenditures for the development and expansion of its
operations.
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C)
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Reflects
the payment of deferred underwriting fees of $16.4 million deposited in a
trust account which becomes due and payable upon the consummation of the
acquisition. The
deferred underwriting commission paid will be less a pro-rata
reduction
resulting from the exercise of any stockholder
conversion rights. Accordingly, GHQ’s liability for deferred
underwriting commissions excludes $5.1
million which is included in the liability for common stock subject to
possible conversion. Consequently, assuming maximum conversion,
GHQ will be obligated to pay $11.3 million in underwriting
commissions.
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D)
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Reflects
the fair value adjustment to the credit facility of $3.5 million and $14.0
million (current and non-current portion, respectively). The
fair value of the credit facilities was derived by multiplying the face
amount by the median of independent market data for debt trading on
September 30, 2008. Also reflects the write-off of $3.9 million
of deferred financing costs, and the $22.0 million prepayment of the
outstanding balance on the first lien term loan at the signing of the
Credit Amendments and the required prepayment of $80.0 million of the
outstanding balance on the first lien term loan in connection
with the closing of the acquisition. The reduction in
interest expense related to the pay down of the credit facility is $3.8
million and $8.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and
the twelve months ended December 31, 2007,
respectively.
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E)
|
Reflects
the payment of $8.4 million related to transaction costs payable upon the
close of the acquisition and the reversal
of GHQ’s capitalized transaction costs of $1.5 million as of September 30,
2008 and Iridium
Holdings’ transaction costs of approximately $2.4 million incurred during
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 in accordance with SFAS
141R. If and when the GHQ
warrants are exercised, Iridium Holdings will be required to pay up to $2.0 million
of additional fees to its financial advisors.
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F)
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Reflects the pro forma impact of
the preliminary fair value adjustment to inventory acquired of $5.9
million.
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G)
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Reflects the pro forma impact of
the acquired property and equipment of Iridium
Holdings.
|
The preliminary fair value adjustment and related
depreciation is as follows (in millions):
|
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|
|
|
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Additional
depreciation expense
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|
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Historical amounts |
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Fair
value |
|
Fair
value adjustment |
|
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 |
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For
the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 |
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Remaining useful
lives |
$61.8 |
|
$430.8 |
|
$369.0 |
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$55.7 |
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$74.8 |
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5 |
H)
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Reflects the pro forma adjustment
to deferred taxes which represents the estimated impact of the pro forma
adjustments at a statutory tax rate of approximately 40%. A
deferred tax liability of $74.0 million has been recorded based on the
preliminary adjustment of $185.1 million (the excess of the preliminary
book step up of $432.0 million and the preliminary tax step up of $246.9
million). The book step up adjustment is
determined based on the excess of the purchase value of the assets
($651.8 million) over the book value of
the assets ($219.7 million). The tax step up of the assets is
based upon IRC Section 743 and the tax gain that non-blocker selling
members will recognize in the transaction. The book and tax
step ups increase the basis of the assets. Under FAS 109 and FAS 141R, the
difference between the book basis of the assets and the tax basis of the
assets is treated as a deferred tax item. A deferred tax
asset of $6.1 million has been recorded based on the Iridium
Holdings book-tax differences existing on the balance sheet
date. An income tax reserve of $0.7 million has been
recorded.
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I)
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Reflects the pro forma impact of
the identified intangible assets of Iridium Holdings which have been
allocated to trade names, customer relationships, spectrum / license
agreements, internally developed, internal use software and developed
technology assuming remaining useful lives of five
years.
|
The preliminary fair value adjustment
and related amortization is as follows (in millions):
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Amortization
expense
|
|
|
|
Historical amounts |
|
Fair
value |
|
Fair
value adjustment |
|
For
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 |
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For
the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 |
|
Estimated useful
lives |
Customer
relationships |
$0.0 |
|
$43.6 |
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$43.6 |
|
$6.6 |
|
$8.8 |
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5 |
Core / developed
technology |
$0.0 |
|
$5.9 |
|
$5.9 |
|
$0.9 |
|
$1.2 |
|
5 |
Spectrum / license
agreements |
$0.0 |
|
$5.6 |
|
$5.6 |
|
$0.8 |
|
$1.1 |
|
5 |
Trade names and trade
marks |
$0.0 |
|
$4.6 |
|
$4.6 |
|
$0.7 |
|
$0.9 |
|
5 |
Internally developed,
Internal Use Software |
$0.0 |
|
$0.2 |
|
$0.2 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5 |
Total |
$0.0 |
|
$59.9 |
|
$59.9 |
|
$9.0 |
|
$12.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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J)
Reflects the pro forma adjustment to goodwill of $71.0
million.
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K)
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Reflects the preliminary fair
value adjustment to deferred revenues of $(14.5)
million. The deferred revenue liability reflects fair
value assumptions based on total costs to satisfy the legal performance
obligation assumed by GHQ. The fair value is calculated as the
present value of direct and indirect costs required to service the
obligation. It also includes an estimated, normal profit margin of
18% based on the perspective of a market participant. A
risk-free rate of 4.5% was used to discount the aforementioned figures to
present value given the fact that the obligation will be serviced over
time (generally a one year period).
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L)
|
Reflects the preliminary fair
value adjustment to the Motorola Inc. (“Motorola”) payable acquired of
$(0.2) million.
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M)
|
Reflects the reclassification of
common stock subject to redemption to permanent equity. This
amount, which immediately prior to this transaction was being held in the
trust account, represents the value of 11,999,999 shares of common stock
which may be converted into cash by GHQ stockholders at an estimated
$10.00 conversion price and assumes that no stockholders seek to convert
their shares into a pro rata portion of the trust
account. The $10.00 conversion price was
determined by forecasting the balance of GHQ's trust account at the time of
the closing of the acquisition taking into account expected
interest income on the trust account balance, applicable taxes, and the
expenses and working capital needs of GHQ. Based on current interest rates
being earned on the balance of the trust account and forecasted
expenses and working capital needs, the estimate is that the conversion price per share
will be no greater than $10.00.
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N)
|
Reflects the fair value of the
35.8 million shares issued as consideration for Iridium
Holdings. The shares were valued using GHQ’s closing market
price of its common stock of $9.20 at January 12,
2009.
|
O)
|
Reflects the elimination of
Iridium Holdings’ historical net equity of approximately $(27.2) million
as a result of the
acquisition.
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P)
|
Represents maximum conversion and
that 30% less one IPO share (11,999,999 shares) vote against the
transaction and elect to exercise their conversion rights and convert
their shares of common stock subject to redemption into cash at an
estimated $10.00 conversion
price.
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Q)
|
Reflects the reduction of interest
income related to the release of restricted cash from the trust account
which would no longer earn
interest.
|
R)
|
Reflects the increase of interest
income earned at an average annualized rate of 0.65% on the remaining cash
after distributions and payments related to the acquisition are made of
$1.1 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
and the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, respectively, assuming
minimum conversion. Also, reflects the reduction of interest
income of $(0.6) million and $(0.8) million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2007,
respectively, assuming maximum
conversion.
|
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S)
|
Reflects the pro forma adjustment
for the income taxes benefit of $4.6 million and $13.3 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 and the twelve months ended December
31, 2007, respectively, of the combined entity based on the tax impact of Iridium Holdings’
net income to the
corporate partners of Iridium Holdings assuming the transaction occurred
on January 1, 2007. The adjustments are calculated
based on the difference between the income tax expense/(benefit)
calculated under FAS 109 for the combined entity and the income tax
expense/(benefit) recorded under FAS 109 in the separate entity financial
statements. In the separate entity financial
statements, because
Iridium
Holdings is a
partnership for tax purposes, the entity is not subject to income
tax. Consequently, no income tax expense has been recorded in
its financial statements. The combined entity will record
income tax expense related to Iridium Holdings’ taxable
income.
|
|
T)
|
Reflects the pro forma adjustment
for the income tax benefit related to the pro forma adjustments to
interest income and expense of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008 and the twelve months ended December 31,
2007, respectively, of the combined entity, assuming maximum
conversion.
|
U)
|
Pro forma earnings per share
(EPS), basic and diluted, are based on the following calculations of the
number of shares of common stock. Loss per share is computed by
dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock
outstanding during the period. The effect of the 11.6 million
shares underlying the outstanding warrants, calculated based on the
treasury stock method and the 48.0 million warrants issued in connection
with GHQ’s IPO, has not been considered in diluted loss per share since
the effect of the warrants would be to understate the loss per
share.
|
|
|
Minimum
Conversion
|
|
|
Maximum
Conversion
|
|
Basic
and diluted shares (in millions): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GHQ shares after IPO
issuance |
|
|
48.5 |
|
|
|
48.5 |
|
GHQ shares subject to
redemption |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(12.0 |
) |
Issuance of GHQ
shares as purchase consideration |
|
|
36.0 |
|
|
|
36.0 |
|
Founder shares
forfeited |
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
Total |
|
|
83.1 |
|
|
|
71.1 |
|
V)
|
Reflects the pro forma adjustment
for the 0.5% noncontrolling interest of
$2.3 million. The fair value of the
noncontrolling interest was derived by considering the fair value of the acquired
business as a whole and adjusting for an estimated
control premium.
|
4. Tender Offer
These unaudited pro forma condensed
financial statements do not reflect the impact of a proposed tender offer
described in the section entitled “The Tender Offer” in this proxy
statement. GHQ intends to launch a cash tender offer to purchase up
to 11.4 million shares of its common stock at a price of $ 10.50 per share,
reduced by the amount of cash to be distributed to stockholders who vote against
the acquisition and elect conversion of their shares of GHQ common stock into
cash divided by the per share conversion price. Under the Minimum
Conversion presentation, up to 11.4 million shares of common stock will be
purchased under the tender offer. Under the Maximum
Conversion presentation, there will be no shares purchased under the tender
offer. The pro
forma impact of the tender offer will generally be the same as the conversion of
shares, other than the per share cash amount to be paid pursuant
thereto.
This proxy
statement may contain statements about future events and expectations known as
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“Exchange Act”). We have based these statements on current
expectations and projections about future results.
The words
“anticipates,” “may,” “can,” “believes,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,”
“likely,” “will,” “to be” and other expressions that are predictions of or
indicate future events, trends or prospects and which do not relate to
historical matters identify forward-looking statements. These
forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of
GHQ and/or Iridium Holdings to differ materially from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact
are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding
the timing of the proposed transaction with Iridium Holdings, whether the
transaction will be approved by GHQ’s stockholders, whether the closing
conditions will be satisfied (including receipt of regulatory approvals), as
well as industry and economic conditions, competitive, legal, governmental and
technological factors. There is no assurance that GHQ’s or Iridium
Holdings’ expectations will be realized. If one or more of these
risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or
projected.
Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date hereof. Except for our ongoing
obligations to disclose material information under the Federal securities laws,
we undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any
forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise.
The
description of the fairness opinion of Duff & Phelps includes a summary of
forward looking financial estimates of Iridium Holdings. None of GHQ,
Iridium Holdings, their respective affiliates, GHQ’s or Iridium Holdings’
independent registered public accounting firm or any of their respective counsel
or other advisors assumes any responsibility if future results differ from these
estimates. The inclusion of the estimates in this proxy statement should
not be regarded as an indication that GHQ or Iridium Holdings, any recipient of
the estimates or their respective affiliates or representatives considered or
consider the estimates to be necessarily predictive of actual future events, and
the estimates should not be relied upon as such. Actual results may be
higher or lower than those estimated. Iridium Holdings does not generally
publish its business plans and strategies or make external disclosures of its
anticipated financial position or results of operations. Accordingly,
Iridium Holdings and/or GHQ do not intend to, and specifically decline any
obligation to, update or otherwise revise the prospective financial estimates to
reflect circumstances existing since their preparation or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.
You
should carefully consider the risk factors described below, together with the
other information contained in this proxy statement, before you decide whether
to vote or instruct your vote to be cast to approve the acquisition proposal and
the other proposals. If any of the following events occur, our
business, financial condition and operating results may be materially adversely
affected. In that event, the trading price of our securities could
decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. This proxy
statement also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of specific factors,
including the risks described below.
Risks
Related to Iridium Holdings’ Business
The
success of Iridium Holdings’ business plan depends on increased demand for
mobile satellite services and its ability to successfully implement
it.
The
business plan of Iridium Holdings is predicated on growth in demand for mobile
satellite services. Demand for mobile satellite services may not
grow, or may even shrink, either generally or in particular geographic markets,
for particular types of services, or during particular time
periods. A lack of demand could impair its ability to sell its
products and services, develop and successfully market new products and
services, and/or could exert downward pressure on prices. Any such
decline would decrease its revenues and profitability and negatively affect its
ability to generate cash for investments and other working capital
needs.
The
success of Iridium Holdings’ business plan will also depend on a number of other
factors, including:
|
·
|
its
ability to maintain the health, capacity and control of its existing
satellite network;
|
|
·
|
its
ability to contract for the design, construction, delivery and launch of
its second-generation satellites and, once launched, its ability to
maintain their health, capacity and
control;
|
|
·
|
the
level of market acceptance and demand for its products and
services;
|
|
·
|
its
ability to introduce innovative new products and services that satisfy
market demand;
|
|
·
|
its
ability to obtain additional business using its existing spectrum
resources both in the United States and
internationally;
|
|
·
|
its
ability to maintain its relationship with U.S. government customers,
particularly the DoD;
|
|
·
|
the
ability of Iridium Holdings’ distributors to market and distribute its
products and services effectively and their continued development of
innovative and improved solutions and applications integrating its product
and service offerings;
|
|
·
|
the
effectiveness of Iridium Holdings’ competitors in developing and offering
similar services and products; and
|
|
·
|
its
ability to maintain competitive prices for Iridium Holdings’ products and
service offerings and control
costs.
|
Iridium
Holdings may be negatively affected by current global economic
conditions.
Iridium
Holdings’ operations and performance depend significantly on worldwide economic
conditions. Uncertainty about current global economic conditions
poses a risk as individual consumers, businesses and governments may postpone
spending in response to tighter credit, negative financial news, declines in
income or asset values and/or budgetary constraints, which could have a material
adverse effect on the demand for mobile satellite services. Other
factors that could influence demand include increases in fuel and other energy
costs, conditions in the residential real estate and mortgage markets, labor and
healthcare costs, access to credit, consumer confidence, and other macroeconomic
factors affecting consumer and business spending behavior. These and
other
economic
factors could have a negative effect on demand for its products and services,
which would materially adversely affect its business, financial condition and
results of operations.
The
current financial turmoil affecting the banking system and financial markets and
the possibility that financial institutions may consolidate or go out of
business has resulted in a tightening in the credit markets, a low level of
liquidity in many financial markets, and extreme volatility in fixed income,
credit, currency and equity markets. There could be a number of
follow-on effects from the credit crisis on Iridium Holdings’ business,
including the insolvency of key vendors resulting in product delays or
operational disruptions, the inability of its distributors to obtain credit to
finance purchases of its offerings or meet their payment obligations to Iridium
Holdings and/or distributor insolvencies, which could lead to a significant
reduction in future orders for its products and services.
Iridium
Holdings’ satellites have a limited life and may fail prematurely, which would
cause its network to be compromised and materially and adversely affect its
business, prospects and profitability.
Since
Iridium Holdings reintroduced commercial services in 2001, six of its satellites
have failed in orbit which have resulted in either the complete loss of the
affected satellites or the loss of the ability of the satellite to carry traffic
on the network, and others may fail in the future. In-orbit failure
may result from various causes, including component failure, loss of power or
fuel, inability to control positioning of the satellite, solar or other
astronomical events, including solar radiation and flares, and space
debris. Other factors that could affect the useful lives of its
satellites include the quality of construction, gradual degradation of solar
panels and the durability of components. Radiation induced failure of
satellite components may result in damage to or loss of a satellite before the
end of its expected life. As a result, fewer than 66 of its in-orbit
satellites may be fully functioning at any time. As Iridium Holdings’
constellation has aged, some of its satellites have experienced individual
component failures affecting their coverage and/or transmission capacity and
other satellites may experience such failures in the future, adversely affecting
the reliability of its service, which could adversely affect its results of
operations, cash flow and financial condition. Although Iridium
Holdings does not incur any direct cash costs related to the failure of a
satellite, if a satellite fails, Iridium Holdings records an impairment charge
reflecting its net book value.
Iridium
Holdings has categorized three types of anomalies among the satellites in its
constellation that, if they materialize throughout the satellite constellation,
have the potential for a significant operational impact. These include: (i) a
non-recoverable anomalous short circuit in a satellite’s Integrated
Bus Electronics (“IBE”), as discussed above; (ii) excessive power subsystem
degradation resulting from satellite battery wear-out or excessive loss of solar
array power output and (iii) failures to critical payload electronic parts
arising from accumulated radiation total dose.
Iridium
Holdings experienced its first satellite failure in July 2003. This
failure has been attributed to a non-recoverable anomalous short circuit in the
satellite’s IBE. Two additional satellites failed as a result of this
anomaly in August 2005 and December 2006. In part, as a response to
this anomaly, Iridium Holdings has implemented several procedures across its
constellation to attempt to mitigate the severity of a similar anomaly in the
future and/or prevent it from resulting in permanent damage to the IBE hardware
of its other satellites. These procedures include reducing the peak
operating temperature of the IBE during portions of the solar season, as well as
modifying the on-board software of its satellites to immediately carry out
certain autonomous actions upon detecting future occurrences of this type of
anomaly.
Iridium
Holdings has experienced three additional satellite failures unrelated to IBE
short circuits. In April 2005, one of its satellites failed as a
result of a radiation-induced single event upset anomaly, which corrupted the
satellite’s on-board time reference. Accurate time reference is
critical to determine a satellite’s ephemeris (its orbital location with respect
to the earth), attitude (its pointing direction) and the sun’s
position. In December 2005, Iridium Holdings was unable to remedy a
failure in the crosslink digital reference oscillator of another of its
satellites, resulting in the satellite’s failure. Failure of the
digital reference oscillator disables the affected satellite’s crosslinks and,
thus, its ability to communicate with the rest of the satellite
constellation. More recently, in July 2008, another of Iridium
Holdings’ satellites experienced an attitude control anomaly as a result of
sudden loss of communications between its IBE and its primary space vehicle and
routing computer. The nature of this anomaly coupled with the
software state of the vehicle at the time (resulting from an on-board software
fault response to a prior anomaly) resulted in the inability of the on-board
software to correct the computer communications anomaly
and
control of the satellite was lost. If Iridium Holdings’ constellation
experiences additional satellite failures, its ability to operate its business
may be impaired, which would have a material adverse effect on Iridium Holdings’
business.
Iridium
Holdings has been occasionally advised by its customers and others of temporary
intermittent losses of signal cutting off calls in progress, preventing
completions of calls when made or disrupting the transmission of
data. If the magnitude or frequency of such problems increase, they
could adversely affect its business and its ability to complete its business
plan.
Iridium
Holdings may be required in the future to make further changes to its
constellation to maintain or improve its performance. Any such changes may
require prior FCC approval. In addition, from time to time Iridium
Holdings may reposition its satellites within the constellation in order to
optimize its service, which could result in degraded service during the
repositioning period. Although there are some remote tools Iridium
Holdings uses to remedy certain types of problems affecting the performance of
its satellites, the physical repair of its satellites in space is not
feasible.
If
Iridium Holdings experiences operational disruptions with respect to its
commercial gateway or operations center, Iridium Holdings may not be able to
provide service to its customers.
Currently,
Iridium Holdings’ commercial satellite network traffic is supported by a primary
ground station gateway in Tempe, Arizona. In addition, Iridium
Holdings operates its satellite constellation from its satellite network
operations center in Leesburg, Virginia. Currently, Iridium Holdings
does not have back-up facilities that could adequately replace its Arizona
gateway and Virginia operations center if either experienced catastrophic
failure. Both facilities are subject to the risk of significant
malfunctions or catastrophic loss due to unanticipated events and would be
difficult to replace or repair and could require substantial lead-time to do so.
Material changes in the operation of these facilities may be subject to prior
FCC approval. Iridium Holdings may also in the future experience
service shutdowns or periods of reduced service as a result of regulatory
issues, equipment failure or delays in deliveries. Any such failure
would impede its ability to provide service to its customers.
If
Iridium Holdings is unable to effectively develop and deploy its
second-generation satellite constellation before its current satellite
constellation ceases to provide commercially viable service, Iridium Holdings’
business will suffer.
Iridium
Holdings is currently developing its next-generation satellite constellation,
Iridium NEXT, which Iridium Holdings expects to commence launching in
2014. While Iridium Holdings expects its current constellation will
be operational through 2014, Iridium Holdings cannot guarantee it will provide
commercially viable service through the transition period to Iridium
NEXT. If Iridium Holdings is unable, for any reason, including
manufacturing or launch delays, launch failures, in-orbit satellite failures,
delays in receiving regulatory approvals or insufficient funds, to deploy
Iridium NEXT before its current constellation ceases to provide commercially
viable service or if Iridium Holdings experiences backward compatibility
problems with its new constellation once deployed, Iridium Holdings likely will
lose customers, and will incur a decline in revenues and profitability as its
ability to provide commercially viable services is impaired.
Iridium
Holdings’ second-generation satellite constellation may not be completed on
time, and the costs associated with it may be greater than
expected.
Iridium
Holdings may not complete Iridium NEXT on time, on budget or at
all. Design, manufacture and launch of satellite systems are highly
complex and historically have been subject to delays and cost
over-runs. Development of Iridium NEXT may suffer from delays,
interruptions or increased costs due to many factors, some of which may be
beyond its control, including:
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lower
than anticipated demand for mobile satellite services resulting in market
prices that significantly impact its
profitability;
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its
inability to access capital to finance Iridium
NEXT;
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engineering
and/or manufacturing performance falling below expected levels of output
or efficiency;
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denial
or delays in receipt of regulatory approvals, or non-compliance with
conditions imposed by regulatory
approvals;
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the
breakdown or failure of equipment or
systems;
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non-performance
by third-party contractors, including the prime system
contractor;
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licensing
costs for necessary technology;
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launch
delays or failures, or in-orbit satellite failures once
launched;
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labor
disputes or disruptions in labor productivity or the unavailability of
skilled labor;
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increases
in the costs of materials;
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changes
in project scope;
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additional
requirements imposed by changes in laws;
or
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severe
weather or catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, storms or
explosions.
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If any of
the above events occur, they could have a material adverse effect on Iridium
Holdings’ ability to continue to develop Iridium NEXT, which would materially
adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Iridium
Holdings may not be able to launch its second-generation satellites
successfully. Loss of any such satellites during launch could delay
or impair its ability to offer its services, and launch insurance, to the extent
available, will not fully cover this risk.
The launch
of Iridium Holdings’ second-generation satellites could be subject to delays and
risks relating to launch, including launch failure or incorrect orbital
placement, impairing its ability to offer commercially viable
services. Iridium Holdings may insure all or a portion of the launch
of its second-generation satellites. Launch insurance currently costs
approximately 10% to
20% of the insured value of the satellites launched (including launch costs),
but may vary depending on market conditions and the safety record of the launch
vehicle. In addition, Iridium Holdings expects any launch insurance
policies that it obtains to include specified exclusions, deductibles and
material change limitations. Typically, these insurance policies
exclude coverage for damage arising from acts of war, lasers, and other similar
potential risks for which exclusions are customary in the
industry. If launch insurance rates were to rise substantially,
Iridium Holdings’ future launch costs could increase. It is also
possible that insurance could become unavailable or prohibitively expensive,
either generally or for a specific launch vehicle, or that new insurance could
be subject to broader exclusions on coverage or limitations on losses, in which
event Iridium Holdings would bear the risk of launch failures. Even
if a lost satellite is fully insured, acquiring a replacement satellite may be
difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, launch insurance typically
does not cover lost revenue.
Iridium
Holdings may need additional capital to maintain its network, develop,
manufacture and launch Iridium NEXT and pursue additional growth
opportunities. If Iridium Holdings fails to obtain sufficient
capital, it will not be able to successfully implement its business
plan.
Iridium
Holdings’ business plan calls for the development of Iridium NEXT, the
development of new product and service offerings, upgrades to its current
services, hardware and software upgrades to maintain its ground infrastructure
and upgrades to its business systems. While Iridium Holdings believes
internally generated cash flows, proceeds from debt and equity offerings as well
as its proposed transaction with GHQ and secondary payload funding will be
sufficient to enable Iridium Holdings to fund its capital requirements, it may
not be able to due to increased costs, lower revenues or inability to access
additional financing. If Iridium Holdings does not have such funds,
its ability to maintain its network, develop, manufacture and launch Iridium
NEXT and pursue additional growth opportunities will be impaired, which would
adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Iridium
Holdings may be unable to obtain and maintain in-orbit liability insurance, and
the insurance Iridium Holdings obtains may not cover all liabilities to which
Iridium Holdings may become subject.
Pursuant
to Iridium Holdings’ and Iridium Satellite’s transition services, products and
asset agreement with Motorola, and the agreement between Iridium Satellite, The
Boeing Company (“Boeing”), Motorola and the U.S. government, Iridium Satellite
is required to maintain an in-orbit liability insurance policy with a
de-orbiting endorsement. The current policy (together with the
de-orbiting endorsement) covers amounts that Iridium Satellite and certain other
named parties may become liable to pay for bodily injury and/or property damages
to third parties related to processing, maintaining and operating its satellite
constellation and, in the case of the de-orbiting endorsement, de-orbiting its
satellite constellation. The current policy has a one-year term,
which expires December 12, 2009. The price, terms and availability of
insurance have fluctuated significantly since Iridium Holdings began offering
commercial satellite services. The cost of obtaining insurance can
vary as a result of either satellite failures or general conditions in the
insurance industry. Higher premiums on insurance policies would
increase its costs. In-orbit liability insurance policies on
satellites may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms or
at all. In addition to higher premiums, insurance policies may
provide for higher deductibles, shorter coverage periods and additional policy
exclusions. Iridium Holdings’ failure to renew its current in-orbit
liability insurance policy or obtain a replacement policy would trigger certain
de-orbit rights held by the U.S. government, Motorola and Boeing, adversely
affecting its ability to provide commercially viable services. See
“—The U.S. government, Motorola and Boeing may unilaterally require Iridium
Holdings to de-orbit its constellation upon the occurrence of certain events”
below for more information. In addition, even if Iridium Satellite
continues to maintain any in-orbit liability insurance policy this insurance
coverage may not protect it against all third-party losses, materially and
adversely affecting its financial condition and results of operations if any
such third-party losses were to occur.
Iridium
Satellites’ current in-orbit liability insurance policies contain, and any
future policies are expected to contain, specified exclusions and material
change limitations customary in the industry. These exclusions may
relate to, among other things, losses resulting from acts of war, insurrection,
terrorism or military action, government confiscation, strikes, riots, civil
commotions, labor disturbances, sabotage, unauthorized use of the satellites and
nuclear or radioactive contamination, as well as claims directly or indirectly
occasioned as a result of noise, pollution, electrical and electromagnetic
interference and interference with the use of property.
In
addition to Iridium Satellites’ in-orbit liability insurance policy, Motorola
maintains product liability insurance to cover its potential liability as
manufacturer of the satellites. Motorola may not in the future be
able to renew its product liability coverage on reasonable terms and conditions,
or at all. Any failure to maintain such insurance could expose
Iridium Holdings to third-party damages that may be caused by any of its
satellites.
Iridium
Holdings does not maintain in-orbit insurance covering losses from satellite
failures or other operational problems affecting its constellation.
Iridium
Holdings does not maintain in-orbit insurance covering losses that might arise
as a result of a satellite failure or other operational problems affecting its
constellation. As a result, a failure of one or more if Iridium
Holdings’ satellites or the occurrence of equipment failures and other related
problems would constitute an uninsured loss and could have a material adverse
effect on its financial condition and results of operations.
Iridium
Holdings could lose market share and revenues as a result of increasing
competition from companies in the wireless communications industry, including
cellular and other satellite operators, and from the extension of land-based
communication services.
Iridium
Holdings faces intense competition in all of its markets, which could result in
a loss of customers and lower revenues and make it more difficult for Iridium
Holdings to enter new markets. Iridium Holdings competes primarily on
the basis of coverage, quality, portability and pricing of services and
products.
There are
currently seven other satellite operators providing services similar to Iridium
Holdings’ on a global or regional basis: Inmarsat plc. (“Inmarsat”), Globalstar,
Inc. (“Globalstar”), ORBCOMM Inc. (“Orbcomm”), Mobile Satellite Ventures, Mobile
Satellite Ventures Canada, Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company
(“Thuraya”) and Asia Cellular Satellites. In addition, several
regional mobile satellite services companies, including ICO Global Communication
(Holdings) Limited (“ICO”), TerreStar Networks, Inc. (“TerreStar”) and Mobile
Satellite
Ventures are attempting to exploit their spectrum positions into a U.S. consumer
mobile satellite services business. The provision of satellite-based
services and products is subject to downward price pressure when capacity
exceeds demand or as a result of irrational pricing behavior by certain
operators under financial pressure to expand their respective market
share. Certain satellite operators, for example, subsidize the prices
of their products, such as satellite handsets. In addition, Iridium
Holdings may face competition from new competitors or new technologies, which
may materially adversely affect its business plan. For example,
Iridium Holdings may face competition for its land-based services in the United
States from incipient Ancillary Terrestrial Component (“ATC”) service providers
who are currently raising capital and designing a satellite operating business
and a terrestrial component around their spectrum holdings. As a
result of competition, Iridium Holdings may not be able to successfully retain
its existing customers and attract new customers.
In
addition to its satellite-based competitors, terrestrial voice and data service
providers, both wireline and wireless, are expanding into rural and remote areas
and providing the same general types of services and products that Iridium
Holdings provides through its satellite-based system. Although
satellite communications services and terrestrial communications services are
not perfect substitutes, the two compete in certain markets and for certain
services. Consumers generally perceive terrestrial wireless voice
communication products and services as cheaper and more convenient than
satellite-based ones. Many of its terrestrial competitors have
greater resources, wider name recognition and newer technologies than Iridium
Holdings does. In addition, industry consolidation could adversely
affect Iridium Holdings by increasing the scale or scope of its competitors and
thereby making it more difficult for Iridium Holdings to compete.
Use
by Iridium Holdings’ competitors of L-band spectrum for terrestrial services
could interfere with its services.
In
February 2003, the Federal Communication Commission, or FCC, adopted rules that
permit satellite service providers to establish ATC networks. ATC
frequencies are designated in previously satellite-only bands at 1.5 GHz, 1.6
GHz, 2 GHz and 2.5 GHz. The implementation of ATC services by
satellite service providers in the United States or other countries may result
in increased competition for the right to use L-band spectrum, which Iridium
Holdings uses to provide its services, and such competition may make it
difficult for Iridium Holdings to obtain or retain the spectrum resources
Iridium Holdings requires for its existing and future services. In
addition, the FCC’s decision to permit ATC services was based on certain
assumptions, particularly relating to the level of interference that the
provision of ATC services would likely cause to other satellite service
providers, which use the L-band spectrum. If the FCC’s assumptions
prove inaccurate, or the level of ATC services provided exceeds those estimated
by the FCC, ATC services could interfere with its satellites and devices, which
may adversely impact its services. Outside the United States, other
countries are actively considering implementing regulations to facilitate ATC
services.
Rapid
and significant technological changes in the satellite communications industry
may impair Iridium Holdings’ competitive position and require Iridium Holdings
to make significant additional capital expenditures.
Much of
the hardware and software utilized in operating Iridium Holdings’ gateway was
designed and manufactured over ten years ago and portions are becoming
obsolete. As they continue to age, they may become less reliable and
will be more difficult and expensive to service, upgrade or
replace. Although Iridium Holdings maintains inventories of certain
spare parts, it nonetheless may be difficult or impossible to obtain all
necessary replacement parts for the hardware. Its business plan
contemplates updating or replacing certain hardware and software in its network,
but Iridium Holdings may not be successful in these efforts, and the cost may
exceed its estimates. Iridium Holdings may face competition in the
future from companies using new technologies and new satellite
systems. The space and communications industries are subject to rapid
advances and innovations in technology. New technology could render
its system obsolete or less competitive by satisfying customer demand in more
attractive ways or through the introduction of incompatible
standards. Particular technological developments that could adversely
affect Iridium Holdings include the deployment by its competitors of new
satellites with greater power, greater flexibility, greater efficiency or
greater capabilities, as well as continuing improvements in terrestrial wireless
technologies. For Iridium Holdings to keep up with technological
changes and remain competitive, it may need to make significant capital
expenditures. Customer acceptance of the services and products that
Iridium Holdings offers will continually be affected by technology-based
differences in its product and service offerings.
New
technologies may be protected by patents or other intellectual property laws and
therefore may not be available to Iridium Holdings.
Sales
to U.S. government customers, particularly the Department of Defense (“DoD”),
represent a significant portion of Iridium Holdings’ revenues.
The U.S.
government, through a dedicated gateway owned and operated by the DoD, has been
and continues to be Iridium Holdings’ largest customer, representing 22% and 20%
of its revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, respectively. Iridium Holdings provides the
majority of its products and services to the U.S. government pursuant to two
one-year agreements, both of which are renewable for four additional one-year
terms. The U.S. government may terminate these agreements, in whole
or in part, at any time. If the U.S. government terminates its
agreements with Iridium Holdings or fails to renew such agreements, Iridium
Holdings’ business, results of operations and financial condition could be
materially and adversely affected.
In
addition, Iridium Holdings’ relationship with the U.S. government is subject to
the overall U.S. government budget and appropriation decisions and
processes. U.S. government budget decisions, including with respect
to defense spending, are based on changing government priorities and objectives,
which are driven by numerous factors, including geopolitical events and
macroeconomic conditions, and are beyond Iridium Holdings’
control. Significant changes to U.S. defense spending, including as a
result of the resolution of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, could
negatively impact Iridium Holdings’ business, results of operations and
financial condition.
Iridium
Holdings is dependent on third parties to market and sell its products and
services.
Iridium
Holdings relies on third-party distributors to market and sell its products and
services to end-users and to determine the prices end-users
pay. Iridium Holdings also depends on its distributors to develop
innovative and improved solutions and applications integrating its product and
service offerings. As a result of these arrangements, Iridium
Holdings is dependent on the performance of its distributors to generate
substantially all of its revenues. Its distributors operate
independently of Iridium Holdings, and Iridium Holdings has limited control over
their operations, which exposes Iridium Holdings to significant
risks. Distributors may not commit the necessary resources to market
and sell Iridium Holdings’ products and services and may also market and sell
competitive products and services. In addition, its distributors may
not comply with the laws and regulatory requirements in their local
jurisdictions, which may limit their ability to market or sell Iridium Holdings’
products and services. If current or future distributors do not
perform adequately, or if Iridium Holdings is unable to locate competent
distributors in particular countries and secure their services on favorable
terms, or at all, Iridium Holdings may be unable to increase or maintain its
revenues in these markets or enter new markets, and Iridium Holdings may not
realize its expected growth, adversely affecting its profitability, liquidity
and brand image.
In
addition, Iridium Holdings may lose distributors due
to competition, consolidation, regulatory developments, business developments
affecting its partners or their customers, or for other reasons. Any
future consolidation of its distributors such as the current acquisition of
Stratos Global Corporation by Inmarsat, also increases its reliance on a few key
distributors of its services and the amount of volume discounts that Iridium
Holdings may have to give such distributors. Iridium Holdings’ top 10
distributors for
the year ended December 31, 2007 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008
accounted for, in the aggregate, approximately 46% and 50% of its total revenues
of $260.9 million and $244.2 million, respectively. The loss of any
of these distributors could
reduce the distribution of Iridium Holdings’ products and services as well the
development of new product solutions and applications.
Iridium
Holdings relies on a limited number of key vendors for timely supply of
equipment and services.
Celestica
Corporation (“Celestica”) is the manufacturer of all Iridium Holdings’ current
and next generation devices, including its mobile handsets, L-Band transceivers
and short burst data modems. Celestica may choose to terminate its business
relationship with Iridium Holdings when its current contractual obligations are
completed in January 1, 2010. If Celestica terminates this
relationship, Iridium Holdings may not be able to find a replacement
supplier. In addition, as its sole supplier, Iridium Holdings is very
dependent on Celestica’s performance. If Celestica has difficulty
manufacturing or obtaining the necessary parts or material to manufacture
Iridium
Holdings’ products, its business would be materially
affected. Although Iridium Holdings may replace Celestica with
another supplier, there could be a substantial period of time in which its
products are not available and any new relationship may involve a significantly
different cost structure, development schedule and delivery times.
In
addition, Iridium Holdings depends on Boeing to provide operations and
maintenance services with respect to its satellite network (including
engineering, systems analysis and operations and maintenance services) from its
technical support center in Chandler, Arizona and its satellite network
operations center in Leesburg, Virginia. Boeing provides these
services pursuant to a long-term agreement that has been extended to be
concurrent with the expected useful life of its
constellation. Technological competence is critical to Iridium
Holdings’ business and depends, to a significant degree, on the work of
technically skilled employees, such as its Boeing contractors. If
Boeing’s performance falls below expected levels or if Boeing has difficulties
retaining the employees or contractors servicing Iridium Holdings’ network,
Iridium Holdings’ business would be materially affected. In addition,
if Boeing terminates its agreement with Iridium Holdings, Iridium Holdings may
not be able to find a replacement provider on favorable terms or at all, which
could materially and adversely affect the operations and performance of its
network. Boeing’s replacement as the operator of its satellite system
could also trigger certain de-orbit rights held by the U.S. government,
adversely affecting Iridium Holdings’ ability to offer commercially viable
services. See “—The U.S. government, Motorola and Boeing may
unilaterally require Iridium Holdings to de-orbit its constellation upon the
occurrence of certain events” below for more information.
Iridium
Holdings is dependent on intellectual property licensed from third
parties.
Iridium
Holdings licenses substantially all system technology, including software and
systems to operate and maintain its network as well as technical information for
the design and manufacture of its devices, from Motorola. Iridium Holdings
maintains its licenses with Motorola pursuant to several long-term agreements.
Iridium Holdings also licenses additional system technology from several other
third parties. If Motorola or any such third party were to cease to
support and service this technology, or if Iridium Holdings is unable to renew
such licenses on commercially reasonable terms or at all, it may be difficult,
more expensive or impossible to obtain such services from alternative
vendors. Any substitute technology may also have lower quality or
performance standards, which would adversely affect the quality of its products
and services.
Iridium
Holdings has been and may in the future become subject to claims that its
products violate the patent or intellectual property rights of others, which
could be costly and disruptive to Iridium Holdings.
Iridium
Holdings operates in an industry that is susceptible to significant patent
litigation. As a result, Iridium Holdings or its products may become
subject to patent infringement claims or litigation. The defense of
intellectual property suits, are both costly and time consuming and may divert
management’s attention from other business concerns. An adverse
determination in litigation to which Iridium Holdings may become a party could,
among other things:
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subject
Iridium Holdings to significant liabilities to third parties, including
treble damages;
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require
disputed rights to be licensed from a third party for royalties that may
be substantial;
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require
Iridium Holdings to cease using such technology;
or
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prohibit
Iridium Holdings from selling certain of its
products.
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Any of
these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on Iridium Holdings’
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Conducting
and expanding its operations outside the United States involves special
challenges that Iridium Holdings may not be able to meet and may adversely
affect its business.
International
revenues account for a significant proportion of Iridium Holdings’ total
revenues, representing 52% of its total revenues for the year ended December 31,
2007 and 45% of its total revenues for the nine months ended September
2008. Its major international markets include Canada and
France. Iridium Holdings is also
focusing
on opportunities in China, Russia, Mexico and India. International
operations and any foreign business expansion Iridium Holdings may undertake
include numerous risks, including:
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difficulties
in penetrating new markets due to established and entrenched
competitors;
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difficulties
in developing products and services that are tailored to the needs of
local customers;
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lack
of local acceptance or knowledge of its products and
services;
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lack
of recognition of its products and
services;
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unavailability
of or difficulties in establishing relationships with
distributors;
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significant
investments, including the development and deployment of dedicated
gateways;
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instability
of international economies and
governments;
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changes
in laws and policies affecting trade and investment in other
jurisdictions;
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exposure
to varying legal standards, including intellectual property protection and
foreign state ownership laws, in other
jurisdictions;
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difficulties
in obtaining required regulatory
authorizations;
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difficulties
in enforcing legal rights in other
jurisdictions;
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changing
and conflicting national and local regulatory requirements;
and
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foreign
currency exchange rates and exchange
controls.
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These
risks could affect Iridium Holdings’ ability to successfully compete and expand
internationally, which may adversely affect its business.
The prices
for all of its products and services are denominated in U.S.
dollars. As a result, Iridium Holdings has benefited from the
depreciation of the U.S. dollar against other currencies, such as the euro, the
Canadian dollar and pounds sterling. Any appreciation of the U.S.
dollar against other currencies will increase the cost of its products and
services to its international customers and, as a result, may reduce the
competitiveness of its international offerings and its international
growth.
Iridium
Holdings currently is unable to offer service in important regions of the world
due to the absence of gateways in those areas, which is limiting its growth and
its ability to compete.
Iridium
Holdings’ ability to provide service in certain regions is limited by local
regulations as certain countries, such as China, Russia and India, require
physical gateways within their jurisdiction to connect traffic coming to and
from their territory. While Iridium Holdings is currently in
discussions with parties in such countries to build or purchase additional
gateways for integration into its network, Iridium Holdings may not be able to
reach an agreement to develop such additional gateways or the cost of developing
and deploying such gateways may be prohibitive, which could impair its ability
to expand its product and service offerings in such areas and undermine its
value for potential users who require service in these areas.
The
U.S. government, Motorola and Boeing may unilaterally require Iridium Holdings
to de-orbit its constellation upon the occurrence of certain
events.
Pursuant
to an agreement between Iridium Satellite, Boeing, Motorola and the U.S.
government, the U.S. government obtained the right to, in its sole discretion,
require Iridium Satellite to de-orbit the Iridium Holdings’ constellation upon
the occurrence of any of the following with respect to Iridium Satellite LLC
(“Iridium Satellite”): (a) its failure to pay certain insurance premiums or
maintain insurance; (b) its bankruptcy; (c) its sale or the sale of any major
asset in Iridium Holdings’ satellite system; (d) Boeing’s replacement as the
operator of its satellite
system;
(e) its failure to provide certain notices as contemplated by the agreement; or
(g) at any time after June 5, 2009, unless extended by the U.S. government. The
U.S. government also has the right to require Iridium Holdings to de-orbit any
of its individual functioning satellites (including in-orbit spares) that have
been in orbit for more than seven years, unless the U.S. government grants a
postponement. As of September 30, 2008, all but seven of Iridium
Holdings’ functioning satellites have been on orbit for more than seven
years. As the constellation life is projected to last until 2014,
with the current system providing critical services to U.S. government
customers, Iridium Holdings is currently negotiating new terms with the U.S.
government that will extend or remove the 2009 deadline.
Motorola
also has the right to de-orbit the Iridium Holdings constellation pursuant to
its transition services, products and asset agreement with Iridium Holdings and
Iridium Satellite and pursuant to the operations and maintenance agreement
between Iridium Constellation LLC (“Iridium Constellation”) and
Boeing. Under these agreements, Motorola may require the de-orbit of
the Iridium Holdings constellation upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) Iridium Holdings bankruptcy or the bankruptcy of Iridium Constellation or
Iridium Satellite; (b) Iridium Satellite’s breach of the transition services,
products and asset agreement; (c) Boeing’s breach of its operations and
maintenance agreement and other related agreements with Iridium Constellation or
its affiliates; (d) an order from the U.S. government requiring the de-orbiting
of Iridium Holdings’ satellites; (e) changes in law or regulation that may
require Motorola to incur certain costs relating to the operation, maintenance,
re-orbiting or de-orbiting of Iridium Holdings’ constellation; or (f) Motorola’s
failure to obtain a product liability policy to cover its position as
manufacturer of the satellites, provided the U.S. government has not agreed to
cover what would have otherwise been paid by such policy.
Pursuant
to Iridium Constellation’s operations and maintenance agreement with Boeing,
Boeing similarly has the unilateral right to de-orbit of its constellation upon
the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) Iridium Constellation’s or
Iridium Satellite’s bankruptcy; (b) the existence of reasonable grounds for
Boeing to question the financial stability of Iridium Constellation; (c) Iridium
Constellation’s failure to maintain certain insurance policies; (d) Iridium
Constellation’s failure to provide Boeing certain quarterly financial
statements; (e) Iridium Constellation’s breach of the operations and maintenance
agreement, including its payment obligation thereunder; or (f) changes in law or
regulation that may increase the risks or costs associated with the operation of
the constellation.
Iridium
Holdings cannot guarantee that the U.S. government, Motorola and/or Boeing will
not unilaterally exercise such de-orbiting rights upon the occurrence of any of
the above events. A decision by any of the U.S. government, Motorola
or Boeing to de-orbit Iridium Holdings’ constellation would affect its ability
to provide commercially viable services, materially and adversely affecting its
business, prospects and profitability.
Wireless
devices may pose health and safety risks and, as a result, Iridium Holdings may
be subject to new regulations, demand for its services may decrease and Iridium
Holdings could face liability based on alleged health risks.
There has
been adverse publicity concerning alleged health risks associated with radio
frequency transmissions from portable hand-held telephones that have
transmitting antennae. Lawsuits have been filed against participants
in the wireless industry alleging various adverse health consequences, including
cancer, as a result of wireless phone usage. The U.S. Supreme Court
recently declined to review a lower federal court’s decision remanding for trial
in state courts several cases alleging such injuries. Although
Iridium Holdings has not been party to any such lawsuits, Iridium Holdings may
be exposed to such litigation in the future. While Iridium Holdings
complies with applicable standards for radio frequency emissions and power and
does not believe that there is valid scientific evidence that use of its phones
poses a health risk, courts or governmental agencies could find
otherwise. Any such finding could reduce its revenues and
profitability and expose Iridium Holdings and other wireless providers to
litigation, which, even if not successful, could be costly to
defend.
If
consumers’ health concerns over radio frequency emissions increase, they may be
discouraged from using wireless handsets. Further, government
authorities might increase regulation of wireless handsets as a result of these
health concerns. The actual or perceived risk of radio frequency
emissions could reduce the number of Iridium Holdings’ subscribers and demand
for its products and services.
Iridium
Holdings’ business is subject to extensive government regulation, which mandates
how Iridium Holdings may operate its business and may increase its cost of
providing services, slow its expansion into new markets and subject its services
to additional competitive pressures.
Iridium
Holdings’ ownership and operation of a satellite communication system is subject
to significant regulation in the United States by the FCC and in foreign
jurisdictions by similar local authorities. The rules and regulations
of the FCC or these foreign authorities may change and not continue to permit
Iridium Holdings’ operations as presently conducted or as Iridium Holdings plans
to conduct such operations. Failure to provide services in accordance
with the terms of its licenses or failure to operate its satellites or ground
stations as required by its licenses and applicable government regulations could
result in the imposition of government sanctions on Iridium Holdings, up to and
including cancellation of its licenses.
Iridium
Holdings’ system must be authorized in each of the markets in which it provides
its services. Iridium Holdings may not be able to obtain or retain
all regulatory approvals needed for its operations. Regulatory
changes, such as those resulting from judicial decisions or adoption of
treaties, legislation or regulation in countries where Iridium Holdings operates
or intends to operate, may also significantly affect its
business. Because regulations in each country are different, Iridium
Holdings may not be aware if some of its distribution partners and/or persons
with which Iridium Holdings or they do business do not hold the requisite
licenses and approvals.
Iridium
Holdings’ current regulatory approvals could now be, or could become,
insufficient in the view of foreign regulatory authorities, any additional
necessary approvals may not be granted on a timely basis, or at all, in all
jurisdictions in which Iridium Holdings wishes to offer services, and applicable
restrictions in those jurisdictions could become unduly burdensome.
Iridium
Holdings’ operations are subject to certain regulations of the United States
State Department’s Office of Defense Trade Controls (i.e., the export of
satellites and related technical data), United States Treasury Department’s
Office of Foreign Assets Control (i.e., financial transactions) and the United
States Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (i.e., its gateway
and phones). Iridium Holdings is also required to provide certain
U.S. and foreign government law enforcement and security agencies with call
interception services. These regulations may limit or delay Iridium
Holdings’ ability to operate in a particular country. As new laws and
regulations are issued, Iridium Holdings may be required to modify its business
plans or operations. If Iridium Holdings fails to comply with these
regulations in any country, Iridium Holdings could be subject to sanctions that
could affect, materially and adversely, its ability to operate in that country.
Failure to obtain the authorizations necessary to use its assigned radio
frequency spectrum and to distribute its products in certain countries could
have a material adverse effect on its ability to generate revenue and on its
overall competitive position.
Pursuing
strategic transactions may cause Iridium Holdings to incur additional
risks.
Iridium
Holdings may pursue acquisitions, joint ventures or other strategic transactions
on an opportunistic basis, although no such transactions that would be
financially significant to Iridium Holdings are probable at this
time. Iridium Holdings may face costs and risks arising from any such
transactions, including integrating a new business into its business or managing
a joint venture. These may include legal, organizational, financial,
loss of key customers and distributors, diversion of management’s time, and
other costs and risks.
In
addition, if Iridium Holdings were to choose to engage in any major business
combination or similar strategic transaction, Iridium Holdings may require
significant external financing in connection with the
transaction. Depending on market conditions, investor perceptions of
Iridium Holdings and other factors, Iridium Holdings may not be able to obtain
capital on acceptable terms, in acceptable amounts or at appropriate times to
implement any such transaction. Any such financing, if obtained, may
further dilute existing stockholders.
Iridium
Holdings indebtedness could impair its ability to react to changes in its
business and may limit its ability to use debt to fund future capital
needs.
As of
September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings had $160.2 million of
indebtedness. Its indebtedness could adversely affect its financial
condition by, among others:
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requiring
Iridium Holdings to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from
operations to principal and interest payments on its debt, thereby
reducing the availability of its cash flow to fund working capital,
capital expenditures and other general corporate
expenditures;
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resulting
in an event of default if Iridium Holdings fails to comply with the
restrictive covenants contained in its credit agreements, which event of
default could result in all of its debt becoming immediately due and
payable;
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increasing
its vulnerability to adverse general economic or industry conditions
because its debt could mature at a time when those conditions make it
difficult to refinance and its cash flow is insufficient to repay the debt
in full, forcing Iridium Holdings to sell assets at disadvantageous prices
or to default on the debt, and because a decline in its profitability
could cause Iridium Holdings to be unable to comply with the forward fixed
charge coverage ratio in its credit agreement, resulting in a default on,
and acceleration of, its debt;
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limiting
its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, competition and/or
changes in its business or its industry by limiting its ability to incur
additional debt, to make acquisitions and divestitures or to engage in
transactions that could be beneficial to Iridium
Holdings;
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restricting
Iridium Holdings from making strategic acquisitions, introducing new
products or services or exploiting business opportunities;
and
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placing
Iridium Holdings at a competitive disadvantage relative to competitors
that have less debt or greater financial
resources.
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Furthermore,
if an event of default were to occur with respect to its credit agreements or
other indebtedness, its creditors could accelerate the maturity of its
indebtedness. Iridium Holdings’ indebtedness under these credit
agreements is secured by a lien on substantially all of its assets and the
lenders could foreclose on these assets to repay the indebtedness.
Iridium
Holdings’ ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance indebtedness
obligations depends on its financial condition and operating performance, which
are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain
financial, business and other factors beyond its control. Iridium
Holdings may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating
activities sufficient to permit Iridium Holdings to pay the principal, premium,
if any, and interest on its indebtedness. If its cash flows and
capital resources are insufficient to fund its debt service obligations, Iridium
Holdings could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to sell
assets, seek additional capital or seek to restructure or refinance its
indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful or
feasible. Its credit agreements restrict its ability to sell
assets. Even if Iridium Holdings could consummate those sales, the
proceeds that Iridium Holdings realizes from them may not be adequate to meet
any debt service obligations then due.
In October
2008, Iridium Holdings prepaid $22 million of indebtedness under its first lien
credit facility. In addition, Iridium Holdings has agreed to prepay
another $80.0 million of the outstanding balance of its first lien credit
facility at the closing of this transaction ($15.0 million if the acquisition is
not consummated). Following these mandatory prepayments,
approximately $58.2 million of indebtedness will be outstanding and all or a
portion of this amount may be prepaid out of the trust proceeds.
Iridium
Holdings may be able to incur additional indebtedness or other obligations in
the future, which would exacerbate the risks discussed above.
While
Iridium Holdings’ credit agreements limit its ability to incur additional debt,
Iridium Holdings may still incur significant amounts of debt and other
obligations. For example, Iridium Holdings may need to incur a
significant amount of debt to finance the development of Iridium
NEXT. To the extent additional debt or other obligations are added to
its current debt levels, the substantial indebtedness risks described above
would increase.
Restrictive
covenants in Iridium Holdings’ credit agreements impose restrictions that may
limit its operating and financial flexibility.
Iridium
Holdings’ first and second lien credit agreements contain a number of
significant restrictions and covenants that limit its ability to, among other
things:
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incur
or guarantee additional
indebtedness;
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pay
dividends or make distributions to its
unitholders;
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make
investments, acquisitions or capital
expenditures;
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grant
liens on its assets;
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enter
into transactions with its
affiliates;
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merge
or consolidate with other entities or transfer all or substantially all of
its assets; and
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transfer
or sell assets.
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In
addition, Iridium Holdings must maintain compliance with specified financial
covenants. Complying with these restrictive covenants, as well as
those that may be contained in any agreements governing future indebtedness, may
impair Iridium Holdings’ ability to finance its operations or capital needs or
to take advantage of other favorable business opportunities. Iridium Holdings’
ability to comply with these restrictive covenants will depend on its future
performance, which may be affected by events beyond its control. If Iridium
Holdings violates any of these covenants and is unable to obtain waivers,
Iridium Holdings would be in default under the agreement and payment of the
indebtedness could be accelerated. The acceleration of its indebtedness under
one agreement may permit acceleration of indebtedness under other agreements
that contain cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions. If its indebtedness
is accelerated, Iridium Holdings may not be able to repay its indebtedness or
borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if Iridium Holdings is able to
obtain new financing, it may not be on commercially reasonable terms or on terms
that are acceptable to Iridium Holdings. If its indebtedness is in default for
any reason, its business, financial condition and results of operations could be
materially and adversely affected. In addition, complying with these covenants
may also cause Iridium Holdings to take actions that are not favorable to
holders of the common stock and may make it more difficult for Iridium Holdings
to successfully execute its business plan and compete against companies who are
not subject to such restrictions.
Spectrum
values historically have been volatile, which could cause the value of Iridium
Holdings to fluctuate.
Iridium
Holdings’ business
plan is evolving and it may in the future include forming strategic partnerships
to maximize value for its spectrum, network assets and combined service
offerings in the United States and internationally. Values that Iridium Holdings
may be able to realize from such partnerships will depend in part on the value
ascribed to its spectrum. Valuations of spectrum in other frequency bands
historically have been volatile, and Iridium Holdings cannot predict at what
amount a future partner may be willing to value its spectrum and other assets.
In addition, to the extent that the FCC takes action that makes additional
spectrum available or promotes the more flexible use or greater availability
(e.g., via spectrum
leasing or new spectrum sales) of existing satellite or terrestrial spectrum
allocations, the availability of such additional spectrum could reduce the value
of its spectrum authorizations and the value of Iridium Holdings’ business and
the price of its common stock.
Iridium
Holdings’ ability to operate its company effectively could be impaired if
Iridium Holdings loses members of its senior management team or technical
personnel.
Iridium
Holdings depends on the continued service of key managerial and technical
personnel, as well as its ability to continue to attract and retain highly
qualified personnel. Iridium Holdings competes for such personnel
with other companies, academic institutions, government entities and other
organizations. In addition, after the proposed acquisition, few of
Iridium Holdings’ employees will have equity interests in GHQ. Any
loss or interruption of the services of its key personnel could significantly
reduce its ability to effectively manage its
operations
and meet its strategic objectives, because Iridium Holdings may be unable to
find an appropriate replacement, if necessary.
If
Iridium Holdings becomes subject to unanticipated foreign tax liabilities, it
could materially increase its costs.
Iridium
Holdings operates in various foreign tax jurisdictions. Iridium Holdings
believes that it has complied in all material respects with its obligations to
pay taxes in these jurisdictions. However, its position is subject to review and
possible challenge by the taxing authorities of these jurisdictions. If the
applicable taxing authorities were to challenge successfully Iridium Holdings’
current tax positions, or if there were changes in the manner in which Iridium
Holdings conducts its activities, Iridium Holdings could become subject to
material unanticipated tax liabilities. Iridium Holdings may also become subject
to additional tax liabilities as a result of changes in tax laws, which could in
certain circumstances have retroactive effect.
Risks
Associated with the Proposed Acquisition
If
the acquisition’s benefits do not meet the expectations of the marketplace,
investors, financial analysts or industry analysts, the market price of our
securities may decline.
The market
price of our common stock may decline as a result of the acquisition if “Iridium
Communications Inc.” (the post-acquisition entity) does not perform as expected
or if we do not otherwise achieve the perceived benefits of the acquisition as
rapidly as, or to the extent anticipated by, the marketplace, investors,
financial analysts or industry analysts. If such a decline in our
stock price occurs, investors may experience a loss and we may not be able to
raise future capital, if necessary, in the equity markets.
Upon
the consummation of the acquisition, our stockholders will be solely dependent
on a single business.
Upon the
consummation of the acquisition, our stockholders will be solely dependent upon
the performance of Iridium Holdings and its business. Iridium
Holdings will be subject to a number of risks that relate generally to the
satellite industry and other risks that relate specifically to Iridium Holdings,
including the risks relating to its industry and business explained
above.
A
substantial number of new shares of GHQ common stock will be issued in
connection with the acquisition and related transactions, which will result in
substantial dilution of our current stockholders and could have an adverse
effect on the market price of our shares.
We expect
to issue an aggregate of approximately 36.0 million shares of common stock in
connection with the acquisition to the current owners of Iridium Holdings and
will issue an additional 2.29 million shares of GHQ common stock to Greenhill
Europe, a subsidiary of Greenhill, when Greenhill Europe exercises its right to
convert the convertible subordinated promissory note into shares of GHQ common
stock. As a result of these transactions, the ownership of our
existing stockholders is expected to be reduced to approximately 55% and the
current owners of Iridium Holdings are expected to own approximately 45% of the
outstanding shares of common stock of GHQ following the closing of the
acquisition, assuming that (i) no holders of our IPO shares vote against the
acquisition proposal and properly exercise their rights to convert their shares
into cash, (ii) without regard to the results of the tender offer and (iii) no
holders of warrants exercise their rights to acquire GHQ shares.
In
addition, we have issued warrants to purchase approximately 46.1 million shares
of our common stock to our founding stockholder and in our IPO, all of which
warrants are currently outstanding (net of warrants that our founding
stockholder has agreed to forfeit upon closing of the
acquisition). The warrants issued in our IPO will become exercisable
upon the later of February 14, 2009 and the completion of our initial business
combination, although such warrants may not be exercised unless we have an
effective registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is
available. The warrants issued to our founding stockholder will
become exercisable upon the later of February 14, 2009 and the completion of our
initial business combination, in each case if the last sales price of our common
stock equals or
exceeds
$14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading-day period
beginning 90 days after such initial business combination and there is an
effective registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is
available.
Sales of
substantial numbers of shares of GHQ common stock issued upon the exercise of
the warrants in the public market could adversely affect the market price of
such shares and warrants. All of the sellers and we and our
affiliates have agreed to a one-year “lock-up” for the shares of our common
stock they will hold following the closing of the acquisition, except for
underwritten secondary offerings approved by our Board of Directors anytime
after six months from the closing of the acquisition.
If the
stock incentive plan proposal is approved by our stockholders, GHQ will reserve
8.0 million shares of our common stock for the grant of incentive stock options,
nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights and other
stock-based awards (which
includes restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance-based awards
payable both in cash and in shares of our common stock) to eligible
individuals under the plan. Exercise of the stock options and
stock rights by the eligible individuals will have a dilutive effect on our
current stockholders and may adversely affect the market price of our shares of
common stock.
The
holders of our common stock issued in our IPO may vote against the proposed
acquisition and exercise their rights to convert their shares to cash, thereby
reducing the cash available to fund the acquisition and related transactions and
provide working capital for Iridium Holdings after the acquisition.
The
holders of our IPO shares have certain rights to convert their IPO shares into
cash in connection with the completion of our initial business
combination. The actual per share conversion price will be equal to
the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account (before payment of
deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and including accrued interest,
net of any income taxes payable on such interest, which shall be paid from the
trust account, and net of interest income of up to $5.0 million on the trust
account balance previously released to us to fund our working capital
requirements), calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of the
acquisition, divided by the total number of IPO shares.
If the
holders of no more than 30% (minus one share) of the IPO shares vote against the
acquisition and properly exercise their conversion rights, the acquisition may
be completed (if our certificate, share issuance and stock incentive plan
proposals are approved and the other conditions to closing the acquisition are
satisfied or waived) but any cash required to convert the IPO shares would
reduce the cash balances available to us to purchase any of our common stock in
the tender offer, prepay certain Iridium Holdings debt, pay transaction expenses
and conduct Iridium Holdings’ business after completion of the
acquisition.
Registration
rights granted to the owners of Iridium Holdings may have an adverse effect on
the market price of our common stock.
We have
agreed to enter into a registration rights agreement as a condition to the
closing of the acquisition to provide the Sellers who receive shares of our
common stock at the closing of the acquisition certain rights to register those
shares of common stock under the Securities Act. Pursuant to that
registration rights agreement, we will be required to file a shelf registration
statement as soon as reasonably practicable from the closing of the acquisition
and related transactions, with a view to such registration statement becoming
effective six months from the date of the closing of the
acquisition. Certain holders of the registration rights, subject to
certain limitations, may exercise a demand registration right in order to permit
such holders to sell their registrable shares of common stock in an underwritten
public offering from the shelf registration statement. Additionally,
whenever we propose to register any of our securities under the Securities Act,
holders of registration rights will have the right to request the inclusion of
their registrable shares of common stock in such registration.
The resale
of shares of our common stock in the public market upon exercise of these
registration rights could adversely affect the market price of our common stock
or impact our ability to raise additional equity capital.
Because
our initial stockholders and directors will not participate in liquidation
distributions if we do not complete a business combination by February 14, 2010,
our initial stockholders, directors and management team may have conflicts of
interest in approving the proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings.
Our
initial stockholders have waived their rights to receive any liquidation
proceeds with respect to the founding stockholders’ shares if we fail to
complete a business combination by February 14, 2010 and thereafter
liquidate. Accordingly, their shares of GHQ common stock and warrants
to purchase GHQ common stock will be worthless if we do not complete the
acquisition of Iridium Holdings or another business combination by February 14,
2010. Because Messrs. Bok, Niehaus and Rodriguez have ownership
interests in Greenhill and consequently an indirect ownership interest in our
founding stockholder and us, they also have a conflict of interest in
determining whether Iridium Holdings is an appropriate target business for us
and our stockholders. These ownership interests may influence their
motivation in identifying and selecting Iridium Holdings as an appropriate
target business for our initial business combination and in timely completing
the acquisition of Iridium Holdings. The exercise of discretion by
our officers and directors in identifying and selecting one or more suitable
target businesses may result in a conflict of interest when determining whether
the terms, conditions and timing of the acquisition of Iridium Holdings are
appropriate and in our stockholders’ best interest. For a more
detailed discussion of these interests, see “Interests of Certain Persons in the
Acquisition.”
The
exercise of our directors’ and officers’ discretion in agreeing to changes or
waivers in the terms of the acquisition may result in a conflict of interest
when determining whether such changes to the terms of the acquisition or waivers
of conditions are appropriate and in our stockholders’ best
interest.
In the
period leading up to the closing of the acquisition, events may occur that,
pursuant to the transaction agreement, would require us to agree to further
amendments to the transaction agreement, to consent to certain actions taken by
Iridium Holdings or to waive rights that we are entitled to under the
transaction agreement. Such events could arise because of changes in
the course of Iridium Holdings’ business, a request by Iridium Holdings to
undertake actions that would otherwise be prohibited by the terms of the
transaction agreement or the occurrence of other events that would have a
material adverse effect on Iridium Holdings’ business and would entitle us to
terminate the transaction agreement. In any of such circumstances, it
would be discretionary to us, acting through our board of directors, to grant
our consent or waive our rights. The existence of the financial and
personal interests of the directors described in the preceding risk factor may
result in a conflict of interest on the part of one or more of the directors
between what he may believe is best for us and what he may believe is best for
himself in determining whether or not to take the requested action.
If
Iridium Holdings has breached any of its representations, warranties or
covenants set forth in the transaction agreement, we may not have a remedy for
losses arising therefrom.
None of
Iridium Holdings, its owners or any other persons will indemnify us for any
losses we realize as a result of any breach by Iridium Holdings of any of its
representations, warranties or covenants set forth in the transaction
agreement. Moreover, none of representations, warranties or
pre-closing covenants of Iridium Holdings contained in the transaction agreement
will survive the closing of the acquisition, so our rights to purse a remedy for
breach of any such representations, warranties or pre-closing covenants will
terminate upon the closing of the acquisition.
If
any of the Sellers have breached any of their representations, warranties or
covenants set forth in the transaction agreement, our remedies for losses may be
limited and we may be limited in our ability to collect for such
losses.
Each
Seller has agreed to indemnify us for breaches of its individual
representations, warranties and covenants, subject to certain limitations,
including that each Seller’s maximum liability for all indemnification claims
against it will not exceed the sum of (i) the cash consideration received by
such Seller and (ii) the product of the number of shares of our common stock
received by such Seller and $10. Except for the pledge arrangements
we have entered into with the sellers of the “blocker” holding companies
(described below), there are no escrow or other similar arrangements with any of
the Sellers and, in the event we suffer losses from a breach of a Seller’s
representations, warranties or covenants, there can be no assurances that such
Seller will have the cash consideration or shares of our common stock received
by such Seller, or other available assets, to compensate us for our
losses.
Certain
Sellers under the transaction agreement hold their interests in Iridium Holdings
shares via “blocker” corporations, and in those circumstances we are purchasing
ownership of those “blocker” corporations
(Baralonco
and Syncom) instead of directly purchasing the Iridium Holdings units held by
such “blocker” corporations. After the closing of the acquisition,
Baralonco and Syncom will become wholly-owned subsidiaries of
GHQ. Each of the sellers of Baralonco and Syncom have agreed to
indemnify GHQ for the pre-closing tax liabilities of Baralonco and Syncom
respectively, subject to certain limitations. The maximum liability
for the seller of Syncom shall not exceed $3 million and the maximum liability
for the seller of Baralonco shall not exceed $15 million. In support
of their respective indemnity obligations under the transaction agreement, the
seller of Syncom has agreed to pledge 300,000 shares of GHQ common stock it will
receive at closing for a period of nine months post-closing and the seller of
Baralonco has agreed to pledge 1.5 million shares of GHQ common stock it will
receive at closing for a period of two years post-closing. These
pledged shares may not fully cover all pre-closing tax liabilities of Baralonco
and Syncom.
The
transaction costs associated with our proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings
will be substantial, whether or not this acquisition is completed.
We have
already incurred significant costs, and expect to incur significant additional
costs, associated with our proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings, whether or
not this acquisition is completed. These costs will reduce the amount
of cash otherwise available for the payment of Iridium Holdings debt and other
corporate purposes. We estimate that we will incur direct transaction
costs of approximately $12.3 million associated with the acquisition of Iridium
Holdings and related transactions. There is no assurance that the
actual costs may not exceed these estimates.
The
completion of the acquisition could result in disruptions in business, loss of
clients or contracts or other adverse effects to Iridium Holdings’ business
operations.
The
completion of the acquisition may cause disruptions, including potential loss of
clients and other business partners, in the business of Iridium Holdings, which
could have material adverse effects on the combined post-closing company’s
business and operations. Although we believe that Iridium Holdings’
business relationships are and will remain stable following the acquisition,
Iridium Holdings’ clients and other business partners, in response to the
completion of the acquisition, may adversely change or terminate their
relationships with GHQ following the closing of the acquisition, which could
have a material adverse effect on the business of Iridium Holdings or GHQ
following the closing of the acquisition.
The
completion and timing of the acquisition is subject to the receipt of approvals
from government entities.
Completion
of the acquisition is conditioned upon, among other things, the receipt of
certain regulatory approvals, including from the FCC and antitrust approval
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended, which
was obtained on October 10, 2008. There is no assurance that we will
receive the necessary approvals or satisfy the other conditions to the
completion of the acquisition. Failure to complete the proposed
acquisition would prevent GHQ from realizing the anticipated benefits of the
acquisition. Moreover, the terms and conditions of the approvals that
are granted may impose requirements, limitations or costs or place restrictions
on the conduct of GHQ’s business following the closing of the
acquisition. We can provide no assurance that these conditions,
terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment
of the acquisition. See “Proposal I – The Acquisition – Regulatory
Matters” on page 85.
The
price of our common stock after the acquisition might be less than what you
originally paid for your shares of common stock prior to the
acquisition.
The market
price of our common stock may decline as a result of the acquisition if, among
other things:
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the
market for common shares of companies in Iridium Holdings’ industry is
volatile;
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Iridium
Holdings does not perform as
expected;
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there
are mergers, consolidations or strategic alliances in the satellite
industry;
|
|
·
|
market
conditions in the satellite industry
fluctuate;
|
|
·
|
we
do not achieve the perceived benefits of the acquisition as rapidly as, or
to the extent anticipated by, financial or industry
analysts;
|
|
·
|
the
effect of the acquisition on our financial results is not consistent with
the expectations of financial or industry analysts;
or
|
|
·
|
the
capital markets are in a distressed
state.
|
Accordingly,
stockholders may experience a loss as a result of a decreasing stock price and
we may not be able to raise future capital, if necessary, in the equity
markets.
We
do not have any operations, and Iridium Holdings has never operated as a public
company. Fulfilling Iridium Holdings’ obligations as a public company
after the acquisition will be expensive and time consuming.
Iridium
Holdings, as a private company, has not been required to prepare or file
periodic and other reports with the SEC under applicable federal securities
laws, to comply with the requirements of the federal securities laws applicable
to public companies, or to document and assess the effectiveness of its internal
control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”). Although we have
maintained disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over
financial reporting as required under the federal securities laws with respect
to our activities, we have not been required to establish and maintain such
disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial
reporting as will be required with respect to a public company with substantial
operations. Under Sarbanes-Oxley and the related rules and
regulations of the SEC, we will be required to implement additional corporate
governance practices and adhere to a variety of reporting requirements and
accounting rules. Compliance with these obligations will require
significant time and resources from our management and our finance and
accounting staff and will significantly increase our legal, insurance and
financial compliance costs. As a result of the increased costs
associated with being a public operating company after the acquisition, the
operating income as a percentage of revenue of Iridium Holdings’ operations will
likely be lower after the acquisition than if it had remained a private
company.
The
loss of key executives could adversely affect our operations up to and following
the closing of the acquisition.
The
success of the acquisition will be dependent upon the continued service of a
relatively small group of our key executives consisting of Mr. Bok, our Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Niehaus, our Senior Vice President and Mr.
Rodriguez, our Chief Financial Officer. Following the closing of the
acquisition, we expect the current Iridium Holdings executive management team to
remain with the company post-closing. The unexpected loss of the
services of one or more of these executives could adversely affect our ability
to manage the business going forward and to manage our operations following the
closing of the acquisition.
Claims
for indemnification by our officers and directors may reduce the funds available
to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of
money in the trust account.
Under our
certificate, we have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors against a
variety of expenses (including attorneys’ fees) to the fullest extent permitted
under Delaware law.
We will
seek to have all vendors, service providers and prospective target businesses or
other entities with which we execute agreements waive any right, title, interest
or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the trust account for the
benefit of our public stockholders. However, there is no guarantee
that such entities will agree to waive any claims they may have in the future
or, even if such entities agree to waive such claims, that such waiver would be
enforceable. Accordingly, the proceeds held in trust could be subject
to claims that could take priority over the claims of our public
stockholders. To date, the only vendors and/or service providers who
have not executed a waiver of any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in
or to any monies held in the trust account are
Eisner LLP
, Ernst & Young LLP and Duff & Phelps. The amounts not
covered by waivers of any right, title, interest or claim to any monies held in
the trust account are not material.
Our
founding stockholder has agreed that it will be liable to us if and to the
extent claims by third parties reduce the amounts in the trust account available
for payment to our stockholders in the event of a liquidation and the claims are
made by a vendor for services rendered or products sold to us, by a third party
with which we entered into a contractual relationship following consummation of
our IPO or by a prospective target business, except (i) as to any claimed
amounts owed to a third party who executed a waiver (even if such waiver is
subsequently found to be invalid and unenforceable), or (ii) as to any claims
under our indemnity of Banc of America Securities LLC of our IPO offering
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act. We believe that our board of directors would be obligated to
pursue a potential claim for reimbursement from our founding stockholder
pursuant to the terms of its agreements with us if it would be in the best
interest of our stockholders to pursue such a claim. Such a decision
would be made by a majority of our disinterested directors based on the facts
and circumstances at the time.
Risks
Associated with Our Organizational Structure After the Acquisition of Iridium
Holdings
We
may not acquire 100% of Iridium Holdings.
Approximately
99.5% of the unitholders of Iridium Holdings have signed the transaction
agreement. Since holders of Iridium Holdings units who have not entered into the
transaction agreement will not be entitled to participate in the closing of the
acquisition, GHQ will not acquire 100% ownership of Iridium Holdings at the
closing of the acquisition. Accordingly, in the event we are not successful in
acquiring the remaining interest in Iridium Holdings following the closing of
the acquisition, Iridium Holdings might not be wholly owned by GHQ.
After
we complete our proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings, our only material
assets will be the units of Iridium Holdings, and we will accordingly be
dependent upon distributions from Iridium Holdings to pay our expenses and
taxes.
After the
completion of the acquisition, we will be a holding company and will conduct all
of our operations through our subsidiary, Iridium Holdings and its
subsidiaries. We will have no material assets other than our direct
ownership of Iridium Holdings’ units, and no independent means of generating
revenue. To the extent we need funds and Iridium Holdings is
restricted from making distributions under applicable law or regulation or any
other agreement, or is otherwise unable to provide such funds, we may have
difficulty meeting our corporate obligations, which would materially adversely
affect our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of
operations.
Greenhill
Europe might elect not to convert the note.
In the
event Greenhill Europe does not elect to convert the note, the note will
continue to accrue interest at the rate of 5% per annum, beginning April 24,
2009, and would be repayable by Iridium Holdings upon the maturity date, which
is October 24, 2015, or upon Iridium Holdings’ election to redeem the note in
accordance with its terms.
Risks
Associated with a Failure to Complete the Proposed Acquisition
If
our proposals are not approved or if stockholders holding 30% or more of the IPO
shares vote against the acquisition proposal and properly exercise their
conversion rights, we may ultimately be forced to liquidate, in which case you
may receive less than $10.00 per share for your common stock and your warrants
may expire worthless.
If our
proposals are not approved or if stockholders holding 30% or more of our IPO
shares vote against the acquisition proposal and properly exercise their rights
to convert their IPO shares into cash, our acquisition of Iridium Holdings will
not be completed and we will not convert any IPO shares into
cash. While we will continue to search for a suitable target
business, a failure to complete the proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings
could negatively impact the market price of our common stock and may make it
more difficult for us to attract another
acquisition
candidate and any future acquisition candidates may use our time constraints to
our detriment in negotiating acquisition terms.
If we do
not complete a business combination by February 14, 2010, we will be required to
liquidate. In any liquidation, the net proceeds of our IPO held in
the trust account, plus any interest earned thereon, will be distributed on a
pro rata basis to the holders of our IPO shares. If we are required
to liquidate, the per-share liquidation value to be distributed to the holders
of our IPO shares may be less than $10.00 if the expenses of the IPO, our
general and administrative expenses and the costs of seeking an initial business
combination are greater than the interest accrued on the proceeds
deposited in the trust account until the date of liquidation. The
proceeds deposited in the trust account could, however, become subject to claims
of our creditors that are in preference to the claims of our
stockholders. Furthermore, our outstanding warrants are not entitled
to participate in a liquidation distribution and the warrants will therefore
expire worthless if we liquidate before completing an initial business
combination. As a result, purchasers of our warrants will not receive
any money for such warrants in the event of our liquidation.
We
may have insufficient time or funds to complete an alternate business
combination if the acquisition proposal is not adopted by our stockholders or
the acquisition is otherwise not completed.
Pursuant
to our certificate, we must liquidate and dissolve if we do not complete a
business combination with a business having a fair market value of at least 80%
of the balance in the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts
and commissions) at the time of such business combination, by February 14,
2010. If the acquisition is not approved by our stockholders, we will
not complete the acquisition and may not be able to consummate an alternate
business combination within the required time frame, either due to insufficient
time or insufficient operating funds.
If
we are required to liquidate, our stockholders may be held liable for third
parties’ claims against us to the extent of distributions received by them
following our liquidation.
If we have
not completed an initial business combination by February 14, 2010, our
corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up our affairs
and dissolving our corporate existence. Under Delaware law,
stockholders of a dissolved corporation may be held liable for claims by third
parties against the corporation to the extent of distributions received by those
stockholders in the dissolution. However, if the corporation complies
with certain procedures intended to ensure that it makes reasonable provision
for all claims against it, the liability of stockholders with respect to any
claim against GHQ is limited to the lesser of such stockholder’s pro rata share
of the claim or the amount distributed to the stockholder. In
addition, if the corporation undertakes additional specified procedures,
including a 60-day notice period during which any third-party claims can be
brought against the corporation, a 90-day period during which the corporation
may reject any claims brought, and an additional 150-day waiting period before
any liquidation distributions are made to stockholders, any liability of
stockholders would be barred with respect to any claim on which an action, suit
or proceeding is not brought by the third anniversary of the dissolution (or
such longer period directed by the Delaware Court of Chancery). While
we intend, if we have not completed an initial business combination by February
14, 2010, to adopt a plan of dissolution making reasonable provision for claims
against us in compliance with Delaware law, we do not intend to comply with
these additional procedures, as we instead intend to distribute the balance in
the trust account to our public stockholders as promptly as practicable
following termination of our corporate existence. Accordingly, any
liability our stockholders may have could extend beyond the third anniversary of
our dissolution. We cannot assure you that any reserves for claims
and liabilities that we believe to be reasonably adequate when we adopt our plan
of dissolution will suffice. If such reserves are insufficient,
stockholders who receive liquidation distributions may subsequently be held
liable for claims by creditors of the company to the extent of such
distributions.
Risks
Associated with Our Securities
We
may choose to redeem our outstanding warrants at a time that is disadvantageous
to our warrant holders.
Subject to
there being an effective registration statement covering the shares of common
stock issuable upon the exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus
relating to them is available, we may redeem the warrants
issued in
our IPO at any time after the warrants become exercisable, in whole and not in
part, at a price of $0.01 per warrant, upon a minimum of 30 days’ prior written
notice of redemption, and if and only if, the last sale price of our common
stock equals or exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a
30-trading-day period ending three business days before we send the notice of
redemption. Redemption of the warrants could force the warrant
holders (i) to exercise the warrants and pay the exercise price therefor at a
time when it may be disadvantageous for the holders to do so, (ii) to sell the
warrants at the then current market price when they might otherwise wish to hold
the warrants or (iii) to accept the nominal redemption price which, at the time
the warrants are called for redemption, is likely to be substantially less than
the market value of the warrants.
An
effective registration statement may not be in place when an investor desires to
exercise warrants, thus precluding such investor from being able to exercise
their warrants and causing such warrants to be practically
worthless.
No warrant
will be exercisable and we will not be obligated to issue shares of common stock
unless we have (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act and (ii) a
current prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the
warrant and that common stock has been registered or qualified or deemed to be
exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the holder of the
warrants. Under the terms of the warrant agreement between American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent, and us, we have agreed to
use our best efforts to meet these conditions and to maintain a current
prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants
until the expiration of the warrants. However, we cannot assure you
that we will be able to do so, and if we do not maintain a current prospectus
related to the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants, holders will
be unable to exercise their warrants and we will not be required to settle any
such warrant exercise whether by net cash settlement or otherwise. If
the prospectus relating to the common stock issuable upon the exercise of the
warrants is not current or if the common stock is not qualified or exempt from
qualification in the jurisdictions in which the holders of the warrants reside,
the warrants may have no value, the market for the warrants may be limited and
the warrants may expire worthless.
Failure
to complete the acquisition could negatively impact the market price of our
common stock and may make it more difficult for us to attract another
acquisition candidate, resulting, ultimately, in the disbursement of the trust
proceeds, causing stockholders to experience a loss on their
investment.
If the
acquisition is not completed for any reason, we may be subject to a number of
material risks, including:
|
·
|
the
market price of our common stock may decline to the extent that the
current market price of our common stock reflects a market assumption that
the acquisition will be
consummated;
|
|
·
|
costs
related to the acquisition, such as legal and accounting fees and the
costs of the opinion issued in connection with the acquisition, must be
paid even if the acquisition is not completed;
and
|
|
·
|
charges
will be made against our earnings for transaction-related expenses, which
could be higher than expected.
|
Such
decreased market price and added costs and charges of the failed acquisition,
together with the history of failure in consummating an acquisition, may make it
more difficult for us to attract another target business, resulting, ultimately,
in the disbursement of the trust proceeds, causing stockholders to experience a
loss on their investment in our securities.
The
NYSE Alternext U.S. may delist our securities, which could make it more
difficult for our stockholders to sell their securities and subject us to
additional trading restrictions.
Our
securities are currently listed on the NYSE Alternext U.S. We intend
to seek to have our securities approved for listing on the NYSE following completion of
the acquisition. We cannot assure you that our securities will
continue to be listed on the NYSE Alternext U.S., as we might not meet certain
continued listing standards such as income from continuing operations, or that
our securities will be approved for listing on the
NYSE. Additionally, until such time as we voluntarily delist from the
NYSE Alternext U.S. in connection with our acquisition of Iridium
Holdings,
the NYSE Alternext U.S. may require us to file a new initial listing application
and meet its initial listing requirements as opposed to its more lenient
continued listing requirements. We cannot assure you that we will be
able to meet those initial listing requirements at that time.
If we fail
to have our securities listed on the NYSE and the NYSE Alternext U.S. delists
our securities from trading, we could face significant consequences
including:
|
·
|
limited
availability for market quotations for our
securities;
|
|
·
|
reduced
liquidity with respect to our
securities;
|
|
·
|
a
determination that our common stock is a “penny stock” which will require
brokers trading in our common stock to adhere to more stringent rules and
possibly result in a reduced level of trading activity in the secondary
trading market for our common stock;
and
|
|
·
|
a
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional
financing in the future.
|
Risks
Associated with the Planned Tender Offer
A
stockholder is not guaranteed to be able to sell all of its shares to us as part
of the tender offer.
We intend
to commence a tender offer, which will conclude concurrently with the closing of
the acquisition, to repurchase up to 11.4 million shares of our common stock at
a price of $10.50 per share, reduced by a number of shares equal to the amount
of cash distributed to stockholders who vote against the transaction and elect
conversion of their shares of GHQ common stock divided by the per share
conversion price. Because there are 40,000,000 shares of our common
stock outstanding that are not held by our initial stockholders, who have agreed
not to tender any shares, it is possible that the tender offer will be
oversubscribed. In such an event, we will purchase the shares pro
rata, which means that each stockholder who accepts the offer will have only a
portion of such stockholder’s shares bought by us. Consequently, a
stockholder cannot be assured that it will be able to sell all of its shares to
us as part of the tender offer.
We
may encounter delays in commencing or completing the tender offer.
We will be
required to file a Schedule TO and an offer to purchase with the SEC in
connection with our planned tender offer, and the tender offer will be made only
pursuant to the terms of such filed materials. Such tender offer will
be effected in compliance with the requirements of Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange
Act, and all other applicable securities laws and regulations. While
we plan to commence the tender offer as soon as practicable and legally
permissible following the special meeting, there can be no assurance that we
will not encounter delays in commencing or completing the tender offer as a
result of our need to comply with applicable securities laws.
Our
repurchase of our common stock pursuant to our planned tender offer could reduce
the liquidity of the trading market for our common stock.
The tender
of a significant number of outstanding shares of common stock to us in the
tender offer would decrease the number of outstanding shares available for sale
in the public market and therefore could adversely affect the liquidity of the
trading market for our common stock. Such diminished liquidity could
have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock following the
completion of the tender offer.
Forward-looking
statements may prove inaccurate.
We have
made forward-looking statements in this proxy statement about GHQ, Iridium
Holdings and GHQ following the closing of the acquisition that are subject to
risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the
information regarding:
·
revenue enhancements
|
·
capital spending
|
·
capital productivity
|
·
the timetable for completing the acquisition
|
·
returns on capital employed
|
·
launch of the new satellite
system
|
The
sections in this document that have forward-looking statements include “Summary
Term Sheet, ” “Questions and Answers About the Acquisition,” “Summary,”
“Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data,” “The Acquisition—Background
of the Acquisition,” and “Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined
Financial Statements”. Our forward-looking statements are also
identified by such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,”
“intends” or similar expressions.
For those
statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking
statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995.
In making
these statements, we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable
assumptions. Yet you should understand that the following important
factors (some of which are beyond GHQ’s and Iridium Holdings’ control), in
addition to those discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement and in the
documents that we have incorporated by reference, could affect the future
results of GHQ and Iridium Holdings following the closing of the
acquisition. These factors could also cause the results or other
outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking
statements:
Economic
and Industry Conditions
·
|
materially
adverse changes in economic or industry conditions generally or in the
markets served by our companies
|
·
|
product
and raw material prices, fluctuations in exchange rates and currency
values
|
·
|
capital
expenditure requirements
|
Political/Governmental
Factors
·
|
political
stability in relevant areas of the world, as affected by war, civil unrest
or terrorism
|
·
|
political
developments and law and regulations, such as legislative or regulatory
requirements, particularly concerning environmental matters,
telecommunications and national security
matters
|
Technology
Advances
·
|
the
development and use of new
technology
|
Operating
Factors
·
|
changes
in operating conditions and costs
|
·
|
access
to capital markets
|
Transaction
or Commercial Factors
·
|
the
process of, or conditions imposed in connection with, obtaining regulatory
approvals for the acquisition.
|
We are
furnishing this document to holders of GHQ common stock in connection with the
solicitation of proxies by GHQ’s board of directors at the special GHQ
stockholders’ meeting, and at any adjournments or postponements of the
meeting.
Transaction
Description
The
transaction agreement provides for the acquisition of 99.5% of Iridium Holdings’
outstanding units with Iridium Holdings continuing as a subsidiary of
GHQ. After the transaction, GHQ will rename itself “Iridium
Communications Inc.” We have attached a copy of the transaction
agreement as Annex A to this proxy statement which is incorporated in this proxy
statement by reference. We urge you to read the transaction agreement
in its entirety because it is the legal document governing the
acquisition.
Blocker
Entity Acquisition
Baralonco
N.V. and Syncom-Iridium Holdings Corp. currently own approximately 35% and 13.6%
of Iridium Holdings’ outstanding units, respectively. Rather than
acquire the Iridium Holdings units owned by each of Baralonco and Syncom,
pursuant to the transaction agreement, GHQ has agreed to purchase all of the
capital stock of Baralonco and Syncom. Upon the closing of the
acquisition, both Baralonco and Syncom will become wholly owned subsidiaries of
GHQ.
Baralonco
was formed as a privately held limited liability company in the Netherlands
Antilles in 1978 with the purpose of making investments. From its
formation and until 2000, it made investments in the United States oil and gas
industry. In 2000, Baralonco made its first investment in Iridium
Holdings. Baralonco is owned by Baralonco Limited which is currently
owned and controlled by Khalid bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman, a national and
subject of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Since the divestiture of all
its other investments during 2008, the only activity of Baralonco has been its
ownership of Iridium Holdings units.
Syncom is
a Delaware corporation and has not engaged in any activities since its formation
other than the ownership of the Iridium Holdings units. Syncom is
wholly owned and controlled by Syndicated Communications Venture Partners IV,
L.P.
Pursuant
to the transaction agreement, Baralonco and Syncom have agreed to indemnify GHQ
for pre-closing tax liabilities. Please see page 115 for more
information regarding Baralonco’s and Syncom’s indemnification
obligations.
The terms
of the transaction agreement and related documents are the result of
arm’s-length negotiations between our representatives and those of Iridium
Holdings. The following is a brief discussion of the background of
these negotiations and the proposed acquisition.
We are a
blank check company and were incorporated in Delaware on November 2, 2007 for
the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition,
stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or
more businesses or assets, which we refer to as our initial business
combination.
On
November 13, 2007, our founding stockholder, Greenhill, purchased an aggregate
of 11,500,000 founder’s units (each one consisting of one share of common stock
and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock) for $25,000 in cash, at a
purchase price of approximately $0.003 per unit. On January 10, 2008,
we cancelled 1,725,000 units, which were surrendered by our founding stockholder
in a recapitalization, leaving our founding stockholder with a total of
9,775,000 units (of which 1,275,000 were subject to forfeiture). On
February 1, 2008, our founding stockholder transferred at cost an aggregate of
150,000 of these founder’s units to Messrs. Canfield, Clarke and Rush, each of
whom is a director, in connection with their agreement to serve as a
director. On March 27, 2008, following the expiration of the
over-allotment option of the underwriters of our IPO, 1,275,000 founder’s
units were
forfeited pursuant to the terms of the applicable purchase agreement in order to
maintain our initial stockholders’ approximately 17.5% ownership interest in our
common stock after giving effect to the IPO.
The
registration statement for our IPO was declared effective February 14,
2008. We consummated our IPO of 40 million units on February 21,
2008. Each unit consisted of one share of our common stock and one
warrant to purchase one share of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.00
per share, subject to adjustment. The units were sold at an offering
price of $10.00 per unit, generating gross proceeds of $400
million. On February 21, 2008, we also consummated at private
placement of 8.0 million warrants to our founding stockholder at $1.00 per
warrant with an exercise price of $7.00 per share, generating gross proceeds of
$8.0 million. A total of approximately $400 million, including $375.6
million of the initial public offering proceeds net of the underwriters’
discounts and commissions and offering expenses, $16.4 million of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions and $8.0 million from the sale of
warrants to our founding stockholder, was placed into a trust account at
Wachovia Securities, LLC, with the American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
serving as trustee. Except for a portion of the interest income
permitted to be released to us, the proceeds held in trust will not be released
from the trust account until the earlier of the completion of our initial
business combination and our liquidation. Based on our certificate of
incorporation, up to a total of $5.0 million of interest income, subject to
adjustment, may be released to us to fund our working capital requirements and
additional interest income may be released to fund tax
obligations. For the period from inception to September 30, 2008,
approximately $2.7 million has been released to us in accordance with these
terms. As of September 30, 2008, the balance in the trust account was
approximately $402.3 million.
Prior to
our IPO, neither GHQ nor any of its officers, directors, advisors, consultants
or affiliates contacted any prospective target business or engaged in any
substantive discussions, formal or otherwise, with respect to a business
combination with us. Nor did we seek, nor did we engage or retain any
agent or other representative, to identify or locate any suitable acquisition
candidate, conduct any research or take any measures, directly or indirectly, to
locate or contact a target business.
After our
IPO, our officers and directors commenced an active search for prospective
businesses and assets to acquire in our initial business
combination. Our efforts in identifying prospective target businesses
have not been limited to a particular industry. Instead, we focused
on various industries and target businesses in the United States and Europe that
would provide significant opportunities for growth. Representatives
of GHQ were contacted by numerous individuals and entities who offered to
present ideas for acquisition opportunities, including investment bankers and
other members of the financial community. Our officers and directors and their
affiliates also brought to our attention target business
candidates. During this search process, GHQ reviewed more than 190
acquisition opportunities and entered into detailed discussions with three
possible target businesses (or their representatives). Two of the
potential target companies were engaged in the alternative asset management
(hedge fund) industry. In both cases, representatives of GHQ
approached representatives of the companies directly and engaged in discussions
regarding the asset management industry, their respective businesses and
valuation trends of comparable companies. We decided to approach both
companies because of our direct relationships with principals of those
businesses, as well as their favorable performance relative to the overall asset
management industry. Ultimately, as valuation levels in the asset
management industry declined dramatically in spring of 2008, we decided to
abandon discussions with these potential targets. The third potential
target company was engaged in the packaging industry and was introduced to us by
an investment banker representing the company. After discussing the
opportunity and potential transaction structures with the investment banker, in
May 2008 we were unable to agree to a price level at which both parties were
willing to move forward and we decided to abandon further
discussions. We ultimately determined to abandon each of our other
potential acquisition opportunities either because we concluded that the target
business or the terms of a potential business combination would not be a
suitable acquisition for GHQ or because of lack of interest of the possible
target businesses and their owners, particularly in comparison to the
acquisition of Iridium Holdings.
GHQ
initially became aware of the opportunity to potentially acquire Iridium
Holdings when contacted by Michael J. Price, a senior managing director of
Evercore Partners, one of Iridium Holdings’ financial
advisors. Evercore Partners and Fieldstone Partners had been retained
by Iridium Holdings to assist in raising capital and will be paid a fee by
Iridium Holdings upon the closing of the acquisition. No other
“finders’ fees” will be paid as a result of the acquisition. As part
of the capital raising effort, representatives of Evercore and Fieldstone
approached various private equity firms and special purpose acquisition
companies (“SPACs”). The amount of cash and
industry
focus of SPACs was publicly available on various databases. In
addition, Evercore and Fieldstone were aware that Greenhill had made successful
investments in communications companies and had expertise and interest in this
industry.
On April
28, 2008, Scott L. Bok, our chief executive officer, spoke with Mr. Price
regarding Iridium Holdings as a potential acquisition candidate for
GHQ. Mr. Price indicated that Iridium Holdings was currently in
discussions with a private equity firm regarding a minority investment in
Iridium Holdings, but that it would be interested in gauging GHQ’s interest in
acquiring Iridium Holdings in order to provide it with access to a larger amount
of growth capital and a publicly traded currency, as well as providing Iridium
Holdings’ owners with greater liquidity going forward.
On May 1,
2008, we entered into a confidentiality agreement with Iridium Holdings and
thereafter we received certain background materials from Evercore Partners and
Iridium Holdings.
On May 5,
2008, representatives of GHQ, including Mr. Bok, Robert H. Niehaus, Ulrika Ekman
and James Babski met with members of Iridium Holdings’ management, including
Matthew J. Desch, its chief executive officer, Eric Morrison, its chief
financial officer, and Don Thoma, its executive vice president, marketing, and
representatives of Iridium Holdings’ financial advisors, Evercore Partners,
including Mr. Price and Daniel Mendelow, at GHQ’s offices in New York to discuss
a potential acquisition of Iridium Holdings.
Over the
next two weeks, various conversations took place between representatives of GHQ
and members of Iridium Holdings’ management and its financial advisors where
information and materials were exchanged to assist GHQ in gaining a better
understanding of Iridium Holdings’ business. During this time, GHQ was given
access to Iridium Holdings’ electronic data room and began to review the
information made available in the data room.
On May 22,
2008, Messrs. Bok, Niehaus and Babski and Ms. Ekman met with Messrs. Desch,
Morrison and Thoma and representatives of Iridium Holdings’ financial advisors
at GHQ’s offices in New York to learn more about Iridium Holdings’ business and
operations and to continue discussions regarding a potential acquisition of
Iridium Holdings.
On May 29,
2008, after analysis of the information provided by Iridium Holdings to date,
Mr. Bok gave an oral indication to Mr. Price of GHQ’s interest in purchasing
Iridium Holdings for an equity value of $435 million (plus assumption of debt),
consisting of $150 million of cash and $285 million of GHQ’s common stock
(valued at $10.00 per share). As part of this indication, Greenhill
offered to forfeit approximately 1.4 million and 8.4 million of its founding
stockholder’s shares and founding stockholder’s warrants,
respectively. Mr. Bok also indicated that GHQ would be willing to
compensate those holders of Iridium Holdings who facilitated a tax basis step-up
in the assets of Iridium Holdings in an unspecified amount, subject to
confirming the value of such a step-up to GHQ.
Subsequent
to providing this oral indication of interest to Iridium Holdings, a
representative of Evercore Partners contacted Messrs. Bok and Niehaus to clarify
that two significant owners of Iridium Holdings would only agree to a
transaction if GHQ would purchase the holding companies owned by each of them
that in turn held their interests in Iridium Holdings (which we refer to as the
blocker entities). Messrs. Bok and Niehaus agreed to such a
structure, subject to conducting satisfactory accounting and tax due diligence
on the blocker entities GHQ was being asked to purchase.
On June 4,
2008, certain members of Iridium Holdings’ board of directors met to consider
certain strategic alternatives being considered by the company and its owners,
including a review of the oral indication of interest from GHQ. The
members discussed the pros and cons of signing a deal with a private equity
investor or a SPAC. Representatives of
Iridium Holdings then indicated to GHQ that its proposal, while interesting to
Iridium Holdings, was too low.
On June
10, 2008, Messrs. Bok and Niehaus communicated to Mr. Price a revised indication
of interest to purchase Iridium Holdings for $442.5 million equity value (plus
assumption of debt), consisting of $150 million of cash and $292.5 million of
GHQ’s common stock (valued at $10.00 per share). Additionally, GHQ
included details in its revised indication of interest of a management incentive
plan to be put in place after closing of the acquisition. This
incentive plan consisted of 1.8 million options to purchase GHQ’s common stock
at $10.50 per share and 1.8
million
options to purchase GHQ’s common stock at $14.25 per share. Greenhill
also made the same offer to forfeit securities it owned as in the May 29th
proposal.
Representatives
of Iridium Holdings then advised GHQ that Iridium Holdings was continuing to
consider a proposal from a private equity firm which had previously been made,
pursuant to which that firm would invest $100 million in convertible debt
securities of Iridium Holdings. Representative of Iridium Holdings
explained that while that offer was for a considerably smaller amount of total
capital than GHQ’s offer, certain of Iridium Holdings’ unitholders were very
interested in receiving more cash in a transaction that could be consummated
more quickly than the proposed transaction with GHQ.
During the
week of June 16, 2008, in a series of conversations, Messrs. Bok and Niehaus and
Messrs. Price and Mendelow discussed the possibility of a joint transaction with
a third-party private equity investor making an initial minority equity
investment in Iridium Holdings to provide certain of the unitholders of Iridium
Holdings with near-term liquidity which would be used in part to meet tax
obligations in respect of Iridium Holdings.
On June
20, 2008, Mr. Bok sent a letter to Mr. Desch communicating a revised offer of
$470 million equity value (plus assumption of debt), consisting of $100 million
of cash and $370 million of GHQ’s common stock (valued at $10.00 per
share). The revised offer included a management incentive plan to be
put in place after closing of the acquisition consisting of 2.0 million options
to purchase shares of GHQ’s common stock at $10.50 per share and 2.0 million
options to purchase shares of GHQ’s common stock at $14.25 per
share. All other terms remained the same as in the June 10th
proposal. Greenhill also offered to forfeit 4.0 million private placement
warrants, in addition to the securities forfeitures it had offered
previously.
On June
24, 2008, the Iridium Holdings’ board of directors met to review and evaluate
various proposals. Iridium Holdings’ board expressed a desire to
couple a minority investment with the GHQ transaction.
During the
last week of June and through the end of July, representatives of GHQ and
Iridium Holdings had discussions with five private equity firms about the
possibility of making a minority equity investment in Iridium Holdings to
address the concerns of the Iridium Holdings’ unitholders regarding their
upcoming tax obligations. The discussions involved the consideration
of possible equity and debt investments ranging from $22.9 million to $100
million and at equity valuations for Iridium Holdings ranging from $408 million
to $480 million. When it became apparent that the parties involved
were not going to be able to reach agreement on the proposed terms of any such
investment or, in the case of some of the private equity firms, that an
investment in Iridium Holdings did not meet their investment criteria,
representatives of GHQ also held discussions with our founding stockholder about
the possibility of it making an initial investment in Iridium
Holdings. Ultimately, because it was clear that Iridium Holdings’
unitholders were otherwise unwilling to consider GHQ’s proposal, our founding
stockholder, through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, agreed to invest up
to $22.9 million in Iridium Holdings in the form of a convertible note at an
equity valuation for Iridium Holdings of $460 million, which is the same equity
valuation for Iridium Holdings represented by the cash and GHQ common stock
consideration to be made in the acquisition.
In June
2008, GHQ engaged Davis Polk & Wardwell and Covington & Burling LLP as
its legal advisors on legal and regulatory matters and Ernst & Young to
assist with accounting and tax matters. These advisors began to
conduct due diligence investigations, reviewing materials in the data room and
discussing various matters with representatives of Iridium
Holdings.
On June
30, 2008, Messrs. Bok, Niehaus and Babski and Ms. Ekman met with senior members
of management of Iridium Holdings at Iridium Holdings’ headquarters in Bethesda,
Maryland to get an update on Iridium Holdings’ business and operations and to
conduct on-site business due diligence.
On June
30, 2008, Iridium Holdings’ financial advisors provided GHQ with an initial
draft of a transaction agreement for the proposed acquisition of Iridium
Holdings. Over the course of the next several weeks, GHQ, Iridium
Holdings and our respective legal advisors negotiated the terms of the
transaction agreement and related transaction documents.
On July 3,
2008, our board of directors met to receive an update from Messrs. Bok, Niehaus
and Babski and Ms. Ekman on the discussions with Iridium
Holdings. Mr. Bok provided an overview of Iridium Holdings, its
business
and operating history, and compared the opportunity to certain potential
acquisitions GHQ had considered previously. Mr. Niehaus provided a
summary of the mobile satellite services industry and Iridium Holdings’ major
competitors. Mr. Babski provided a preliminary review of Iridium
Holdings’ valuation, including a comparison to the public market valuation of
its primary competitors. Ms. Ekman provided a review of legal issues
relating to the acquisition and a summary of remaining issues and next
steps. At the meeting, our board of directors authorized our
management team to continue pursuing a possible acquisition of Iridium
Holdings.
On July
10, 2008, Mr. Babski, together with representatives from Ernst & Young,
conducted on-site business and accounting due diligence at the offices of
Iridium Holdings in Tempe, Arizona.
Discussions
between representatives of Iridium Holdings and GHQ regarding the merits and the
value of GHQ’s proposal continued during July and August. On July 23,
2008, representatives of GHQ communicated to representatives of Iridium Holdings
a revised offer of $460 million for the equity of Iridium Holdings (plus assumed
debt), consisting of $22.9 million of cash to be invested by Greenhill in the
form of a convertible note, $77.1 million of cash from GHQ, and $360 million of
GHQ’s common stock (valued at $10.00 per share). GHQ also offered to
pay $30 million to those owners of Iridium Holdings who facilitated a step-up in
the tax basis of the assets of the company as part of the
transaction. Greenhill also offered to forfeit approximately 1.4
million founding stockholder’s shares, 8.4 million founding stockholder’s
warrants and 2.0 million private placement warrants upon consummation of the
acquisition.
On July
28, 2008, Mr. Bok sent a letter to Iridium Holdings’ board of directors
reiterating GHQ’s interest in consummating a transaction and the benefits of
partnering with GHQ, including various financial benefits of the transaction for
Iridium Holdings and its unitholders, GHQ’s affiliation with Greenhill and the
track record of investing and public market success of GHQ’s and Greenhill’s
employees.
On July
30, 2008, Iridium Holdings’ board of directors met to consider certain strategic
alternatives being considered by the company and its owners. The
Iridium Holdings’ board discussed the difficulty of coupling the GHQ transaction
with a minority investment. The board decided Iridium Holdings should
pursue the GHQ transaction and minority investment as separate
transactions. Messrs. Bok and Niehaus were given the opportunity to
present the merits of a SPAC transaction with GHQ. In addition, a
representative from a private equity firm was given the opportunity to present
the merits of a minority investment.
On July
31, 2008, our board of directors met to receive an update from Messrs. Bok and
Niehaus on the discussions with Iridium Holdings and to discuss the terms and
conditions of the proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings
On August
4, 2008, Iridium Holdings board of directors met to receive an update from
Messrs. Desch and Morrison and John S. Brunette, Iridium Holdings’ Chief Legal
and Administrative Officer on the discussions with GHQ. Iridium
Holdings’ board determined it should concentrate its time and resources on the
proposed transaction with GHQ.
Over the
next two weeks, representatives of GHQ, Ernst & Young and Davis Polk &
Wardwell conducted due diligence on the blocker entities. GHQ
continued to conduct its business due diligence on Iridium
Holdings. Representatives of GHQ and Iridium Holdings also began to
discuss communications and public relations matters in anticipation of being
able to reach agreement on the proposed acquisition.
On August
12, 2008, our board of directors retained Duff & Phelps to provide an
opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of
GHQ common stock (other than Greenhill) of the consideration to be paid in the
acquisition and whether Iridium Holdings had a fair market value equal to at
least 80% of the balance in our trust account (excluding deferred underwriting
discounts and commissions). Representatives of Duff & Phelps
began their review of the acquisition.
On August
26, 2008, Iridium Holdings’ board of directors met to receive an update on the
status of negotiations with GHQ.
On
September 3, 2008, GHQ engaged Banc of America Securities LLC to provide certain
services related to coordinating and facilitating meetings with institutional
investors and other parties after announcement of the acquisition should the
parties reach agreement. Banc of America Securities agreed to provide
its services without compensation and will be paid deferred underwriting
commissions upon completion of the acquisition in connection with its role as
sole bookrunning manager and as an underwriter in our initial public
offering.
On
September 4, 2008, Messrs. Bok, Niehaus and Babski and Ms. Ekman, Daniel
Colussy, Iridium Holdings’ Chairman, Messrs. Desch and Brunette, Messrs. Price
and Mendelow, representatives of Baralonco and Syncom, the blocker entities, as
well as representatives of the parties’ legal advisors met at the offices of
Evercore Partners in New York to negotiate outstanding issues on the transaction
agreement and related transaction documents. During the period following that
meeting through September 22, 2008, the parties and their respective legal
advisors worked to finalize the drafts of the transaction agreement and related
transaction documents.
On
September 11, 2008, our board of directors met to receive an update from Messrs.
Bok and Niehaus on the discussions with Iridium Holdings and an update on its
business. Ms. Ekman also discussed the material terms and conditions
of the proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings. Representatives from
Duff & Phelps also presented their preliminary analysis regarding the
acquisition with our board of directors.
On
September 19, 2008, Iridium Holdings’ board of directors met to approve the
transaction agreement with GHQ and other related documents.
On
September 22, 2008, our board of directors met to consider approval of the
proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings and related transactions. At
this meeting, Duff & Phelps provided its fairness presentation and orally
delivered its opinion, confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated
September 22, 2008, to our board of directors subject to the qualifications,
limitations and assumptions set forth therein that as of that date, the
consideration to be paid by GHQ in the acquisition is fair, from a financial
point of view to the holders of GHQ’s common stock (other than Greenhill) and
Iridium Holdings has a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in
GHQ’s trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and
commissions). See “Summary of the Duff & Phelps
Opinion.”
After
review and discussion, the members of our board unanimously approved the
transaction agreement and related transaction documents, determined that it was
advisable and in the best interests of GHQ and our stockholders to consummate
the acquisition and other transactions contemplated by the transaction agreement
and related transaction documents and determined to recommend the approval of
the acquisition to our stockholders, subject to the negotiation of the final
terms of the transaction agreement and the related transaction
documents. Our board of directors also determined that Iridium
Holdings has a fair market value that will represent at least 80% of the
estimated balance of the trust account (excluding deferred underwriting
discounts and commissions) at the time of the proposed acquisition and that upon
consummation of the acquisition and related transactions, we would own at least
50.1% of the voting equity interests of Iridium Holdings – two requirements for
an initial business combination under our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation.
On
September 22, 2008, after the financial markets closed in New York, the parties
executed the transaction agreement and related transaction
documents.
On
September 23, 2008, GHQ and Iridium Holdings issued a press release announcing
the proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings by GHQ and related transactions and
filed the press release and the investor presentation with the
SEC. Following the filing of the press release and the investor
presentation with the SEC, GHQ and Iridium Holdings held a conference call for
analysts, investors and other interested parties and, following the call, filed
a copy of the transcript of the call with the SEC.
On October
3, 2008, GHQ made its notification filing under the HSR Act, and on October 6,
2008, Iridium Holdings made its notification filing under the HSR
Act. On October 10, 2008, GHQ and Iridium Holdings received notice
from the FTC of the early termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act
applicable to the acquisition.
On October
21, 2008, GHQ and Iridium Holdings jointly filed an application with the FCC
seeking its approval of the transfer of control of certain of Iridium Holdings’
affiliates and subsidiaries and the transfer of licenses and
authorizations
held by such affiliates and subsidiaries. On November 26, 2008, the FCC issued a
Public Notice announcing the filing of the Applications, summarizing the
information contained therein, and inviting petitions to deny, oppositions and
other comments by third parties with respect to the Applications.
On
December 29, 2008, Cornell and ICG filed comments with respect to the
Applications. The commenters did not oppose the proposed transfer of
control of Iridium Holdings but asked the FCC to adopt certain conditions in
connection with its grant of the Applications. Also on December 29,
2008, Globalstar License filed a petition to deny the Applications.
On January
12, 2009, GHQ and Iridium Holdings jointly filed a consolidated opposition and
response with respect to the comments of Cornell and ICG and the petition to
deny of Globalstar License. The opposition and response asserted that
the comments and petition to deny provide no basis for the FCC to deny,
condition its approval or delay its consideration of the
Applications. On January 21, 2009, Globalstar License filed a reply
to the opposition and response. Pursuant to the Public Notice,
the pleading cycle ended on January 12, 2009. Parties may, however,
continue to make ex parte submissions to the FCC until the FCC acts on the
Applications.
In the
course of determining to enter into the transaction agreement with GHQ, the
Iridium Holdings board of directors, in consultation with Iridium Holdings’
senior management and with Iridium Holdings’ financial and legal advisors,
considered a number of factors, including the following:
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Iridium
Holdings’ unitholders will have significant ownership of GHQ following the
acquisition;
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Iridium
Holdings’ unitholders will receive shares in a publicly-traded
company;
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the
amount of cash Iridium Holdings’ unitholders will receive pursuant to the
acquisition (including the cash distributions permitted prior to the
closing);
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the
additional compensation to be received by Iridium Holdings’ unitholders
(other than Baralonco and Syncom) for the step-up in tax basis of Iridium
Holdings’ assets;
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the
amount of cash that Iridium Holdings will receive from GHQ’s trust
account, which will be sufficient to pay off all of Iridium Holdings’
indebtedness;
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a
traditional initial public offering or other public capital markets
transaction would be difficult in the near
future;
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the
transaction provides for public ownership of Iridium Holdings without the
management distraction, business interruption and underwriting fees
incurred in an initial public
offering;
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the
amount of funds available in GHQ’s trust account was larger than the
proposed investments from potential private equity
investors;
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the
proceeds from future exercise of the outstanding GHQ warrants will provide
a potential funding resource to offset the costs associated with Iridium
NEXT;
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the
willingness of Greenhill Europe to invest $22.9 million into Iridium
Holdings in the form of a convertible note and the willingness of
Greenhill to forfeit certain shares and warrants received as sponsor of
GHQ; and
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the
business and financial expertise of
Greenhill.
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The
Iridium Holdings board of directors also considered a variety of risks and other
potentially negative factors concerning the acquisition, including the
following:
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the
risks and costs to Iridium Holdings if the acquisition does not close,
including the diversion of management time, and the potential effect on
business and customer
relationships;
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the
restrictions on the conduct of Iridium Holdings’ business prior to the
completion of the acquisition, generally requiring Iridium Holdings to
conduct its business only in the ordinary course, subject to specific
limitations, which could impact Iridium Holdings’ ability to undertake
business opportunities that may arise pending completion of the
acquisition that have not been expressly addressed in the transaction
agreement; and
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the
fact that, while the acquisition is expected to be completed, there can be
no assurance that all conditions to the parties’ obligations to complete
the acquisition will be satisfied, and, as a result, it is possible that
the acquisition may not be
completed.
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In seeking
out candidates for our initial business combination, our board of directors and
management considered a variety of criteria to identify a potential opportunity
including the following (not listed in any particular order):
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financial
condition and historical results of
operations;
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profit
margin and cash flow conversion
opportunities;
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experience
and skill of management;
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reputation
and quality of management team and
brand;
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stage
of development of the business and its products or
services;
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existing
distribution arrangements and the potential for geographic and product
expansion;
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degree
of current or potential market acceptance of the products or
services;
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competitive
dynamics in the industry within which the target business
competes;
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proprietary
aspects of products and the extent of intellectual property or other
protection for products or
formulas;
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impact
of regulation on the business;
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costs
associated with effecting the business
combination;
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industry
leadership, sustainability of market share and attractiveness of market
sectors in which target business
participates;
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degree
to which GHQ and Greenhill investment professionals have investment
experience in the target business’s industry;
and
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ability
of GHQ and Greenhill to add value post business
combination.
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These
criteria were not intended to be exhaustive, but our board of directors and
management believed that these considerations should be of particular
importance.
In
evaluating the potential acquisition of Iridium Holdings, our board of directors
considered a wide range of business, financial and other factors and believes
that the non-exhaustive list below, which are all of the material factors
considered by our board of directors, strongly supports its determination to
approve the acquisition and related transactions. Our board of
directors did not consider it practicable to, nor did it attempt to, quantify or
otherwise
assign relative weights to the specific factors that it considered in reaching
its decision. In addition, individual members of our board of
directors may have given different weight to different factors.
Business
Factors
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High-quality business.
Iridium Holdings delivers reliable, secure, real-time, mission-critical
communications services to and from areas where landlines and
terrestrial-based wireless services are either unavailable or
unreliable. Iridium Holdings’ constellation consists of 66
low-earth-orbiting, cross-linked satellites operating as a fully meshed
network and supported by eight in-orbit spares. Based on
information provided by Raymond James, Iridium Holdings is the second
largest provider of mobile satellite services and related equipment with
an estimated 23% market share of the principal industry players in 2007,
based on revenues. GHQ believes that Iridium Holdings’
management has developed a successful business model which provides ample
opportunity for further organic
growth.
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History of strong
growth. Iridium Holdings has experienced strong growth
in recent years, having grown its revenues and subscriber base at compound
annual rates of 31% and 32%, respectively, between December 31, 2002 and
December 31, 2007. Additionally, since most newly added
subscribers generate service revenue over an extended period after they
initiate service, Iridium has in-place a significant base of recurring
revenues.
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Attractive, industrial-focused
business model with diversified revenue streams. Iridium
Holdings benefits from a highly diverse subscriber base, comprising U.S.
and foreign governments, corporations in many industries and
individuals. The company’s business model is focused on
business customers (as opposed to consumers) and therefore requires less
sales, marketing and customer care expenditures, and supports a wide range
of value-added applications globally, rather than simply providing
consumer voice and data services. Additionally, the subscriber
base is geographically diverse and often uses Iridium Holdings’ services
for mission-critical applications, providing a buffer against economic
conditions in any particular
region.
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Compelling growth
opportunities. Iridium Holdings has several attractive
opportunities for additional growth, including: (i) further building its
presence in machine-to-machine (“M2M”) data services; (ii) selling its
services in new geographic markets including China, Russia, India and
Mexico where its satellites provide coverage, but where it currently is
not licensed to actually sell its services; (iii) exploiting new
regulatory mandates in aviation, fisheries, homeland security and marine
transportation; (iv) capturing market share from competitors such as
Globalstar; (v) increasing the range of its DoD applications to include
embedded devices for asset and target tracking and intelligence; and (vi)
expanding new products and services through Iridium Holdings’ network of
distributors and Iridium Holdings’ own research and development (e.g.,
Iridium Holdings’ Iridium OpenPort marine communications system and its
advanced iGPS system, which is being developed in conjunction with the
Boeing Company and the DoD).
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Growing marketplace for mobile
satellite services. Iridium Holdings competes in a
market which is growing rapidly and where there is significant potential
for additional penetration of the existing market. A
significant number of applications into which Iridium Holdings’ services
are integrated contain both cellular and satellite capabilities, which
provide services when ordinary cellular coverage is unavailable or
unreliable. In a 2008 report, Northern Sky Research estimated
that mobile satellites services wholesale revenues are expected to grow at
a compound annual growth rate of 13% in the five year period between 2007
and 2011.
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Growing mobile satellite
services market share. Iridium has expanded its market
share in the mobile satellite services market from 9% in 2001 to 23% in
2007, primarily at the expense of its larger competitor,
Inmarsat.
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Low cost, highly scalable
subscriber acquisition model. Iridium Holdings has
primarily utilized a wholesale distribution model and sold its products
and services through service providers, value added resellers, value-added
manufacturers and value-added developers. Iridium Holdings has
relationships with nearly 235 such partners. These value-added
relationships often provide solutions to specific vertical
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markets
such as aviation, trucking, military and maritime. Because these
partners understand the unique needs of their target markets and spend
significant time and resources integrating Iridium Holdings’ services into those
offerings, incremental applications and, consequently, new subscriber additions
are made at very low incremental cost to Iridium Holdings.
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High barriers to
entry. Iridium Holdings operates a low-earth-orbiting
constellation of 66 satellites with worldwide
coverage. Building this type of infrastructure not only
requires significant upfront capital expenditures, but also significant
lead time (six to eight years) from conceptualization to
launch. In addition, launching and operating a satellite
network requires procuring a number of regulatory and governmental
licenses and approvals. These include securing orbital slots,
spectrum rights, DoD approvals and rocket launch
approvals. Additionally, Iridium Holdings’ roster of clients
and partners, built over the course of many years, serves as a significant
barrier to entry for any new entrant. The combination of
Iridium Holdings’ relationship with the DoD and its network of
distributors would be extremely difficult to
replicate.
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Experienced management
team. Led by CEO Matthew Desch, who joined Iridium
Holdings in 2006, senior management has significant experience in the
telecommunications and satellite space and has been successful in leading
Iridium Holdings to profitability over the last several
years. The team consists of several senior executives hired by
Mr. Desch since 2006 and others who have been involved in the Iridium
project since its conception under the Motorola
umbrella.
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Development of the “Iridium
NEXT” system. Iridium Holdings has begun planning its
next generation satellite network (“Iridium NEXT”) that will enable
increased capabilities. This new system is currently under
development by Iridium Holdings system engineers in conjunction with a
number of experienced aerospace companies. Iridium NEXT will be
built using similar architecture to Iridium Holdings’ existing satellite
constellation, while adding incremental capabilities to support new
products and services. Iridium NEXT will be backward compatible
with Iridium Holdings’ current handsets and devices, and will also
interface new devices that can deliver more bandwidth and end-to-end IP
technology to subscribers.
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Significant subscriber
stickiness. Iridium Holdings handsets retail for
$1,200-1,500, creating significant switching costs for traditional voice
subscribers. Voice systems also are often installed on vessels
or aircraft, which require significant expense to replace the installed
system with a competitor’s system. Iridium Holdings’
fast-growing M2M business also enjoys significant subscriber stickiness
since Iridium Holdings devices are often integrated into expensive
machinery such as military equipment, sophisticated monitoring devices or
heavy machinery and are generally much smaller than devices offered by
competitors. Moreover, regulations requiring certain types of
service providers (maritime and aviation) to utilize satellite
communication/tracking devices are being adopted, further bolstering
Iridium Holdings’ subscriber
growth.
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Opportunities to benefit from
access to capital markets. Access to capital through the
public equity market should enable Iridium Holdings’ management team to
execute Iridium Holdings’ objectives for expansion of its existing
facilities and to capitalize on acquisition opportunities to expand the
scope of scale of its operations.
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Financial
Factors
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Attractive purchase price
relative to comparable public companies. The transaction
enterprise valuation of $591 million implies a multiple of 5.5x annualized
first-half 2008 operational earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization or EBITDA. Iridium Holdings’ closest
comparable, Inmarsat, at the time the acquisition was approved by our
board of directors, traded at approximately 14.8x annualized first-half
2008 EBITDA and as of January 12, 2009, at 9.7x. While Inmarsat
is a larger entity and has less imminent capital needs, we believe the
proposed transaction represents an attractive investment entry
point. In addition, we believe that Iridium Holdings is growing
at a faster pace than its competitors, including Inmarsat, Globalstar,
Thuraya and Orbcomm.
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Strong earnings
momentum. Iridium Holdings has recently been
experiencing strong growth, having added 46,303 new subscribers in the six
months ending June 30, 2008, reaching a subscriber count of
280,471. Consequently, Iridium Holdings has also experienced
record revenues and earnings. For the 6 months ending June 30,
2008, Iridium Holdings reported revenues of $156.0 million (up 31% from
the same period in 2007) and operational EBITDA of $53.5 million (up 55%
from the same period in 2007). As a result of the company’s
largely fixed operating cost model, as recent subscriber additions begin
generating service revenues, we expect that a significant portion of those
incremental revenues will be converted into
profits.
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Fixed operating cost
structure. A large portion of Iridium Holdings’
operating costs are fixed in nature, which allows a large percentage of
any incremental revenues to be converted into pre tax
profits. Therefore, similar to other satellite services
providers, as Iridium Holdings grows its revenues, a significant portion
of that growth will be converted into profits by virtue of this operating
leverage.
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Significant Cash
Flow. Given that the fixed costs of the current
satellite constellation have essentially already been paid for, each
incremental dollar of revenue generates significant profit for Iridium
Holdings, and given its low level of debt, generates significant free cash
flow.
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The opinion dated September
22, 2008 delivered by Duff & Phelps. Duff & Phelps
delivered its opinion dated September 22, 2008 to our board of directors
subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth
therein that as of the date of the opinion, the consideration to be paid
by GHQ in the acquisition is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
holders of GHQ’s common stock (other than Greenhill) and the fair market
value of Iridium Holdings is equal to at least 80% of the balance in GHQ’s
trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and
commissions). The full text of Duff & Phelps’s opinion
dated September 22, 2008 is attached to this proxy statement as Annex
F. See also “Summary of the Duff & Phelps
Opinion.”
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Other
Factors
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Continuing ownership of
Iridium Holdings owners. The current owners of Iridium
Holdings will receive and hold shares of GHQ in the transaction,
reflecting their continued support for Iridium
Holdings.
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Alignment of interests between
Iridium Holdings unitholders and our stockholders. As a
result of the acquisition, the holders of Iridium Holdings’ units are
expected to collectively own approximately 45% and GHQ’s existing
stockholders are expected to collectively own approximately 55% of the
outstanding shares of common stock of the combined entity, assuming that
(i) no holders of our IPO shares vote against the acquisition proposal and
properly exercise their rights to convert their shares into cash, (ii)
without regard to the results of the tender offer and (iii) no holders of
warrants exercise their rights to acquire GHQ
shares.
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Favorable due diligence
outcome. GHQ and its advisors conducted a significant
amount of due diligence on Iridium Holdings, and the results of the due
diligence effort were favorable.
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Negative
factors
Our board
of directors also considered certain negative factors associated with the
proposed acquisition and related transactions but determined that the positive
factors cited above strongly outweighed these negative factors. The
negative factors considered by the GHQ board included:
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Potential for operational
issues. Due to the nature of the complexity of the
operation of satellites and telephony systems, there is a potential for
disruptions and failures that could result in lost revenue and significant
repair costs. GHQ has conducted investigations and analyses
with the aid of internal and external data and believes that the current
constellation will have a full complement of 66 operational satellites
until approximately 2014, when Iridium Holdings plans to begin launching
new satellites under its Iridium NEXT program. This continued
service is expected to be provided by a combination of the existing 66
operational satellites and eight spare satellites already launched in a
storage orbit. Additionally, Iridium Holdings believes the
constellation can be operated with fewer than 66 satellites while
experiencing some level of service degradations until Iridium NEXT
launches are conducted. Certain
in-
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orbit
failures can also be mitigated by the implementation of software solutions which
can be uploaded to satellites after failures. Iridium Holdings’
satellites have not been subject to the kinds of failures which have caused
Globalstar’s system to lose its functionality, in part because Iridium Holdings’
satellites, which orbit the earth at lower altitudes than Globalstar’s
satellites, are less exposed to radiation. However, there can be no
assurance that satellites will not fail faster than expected.
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Costs and risks related to
building new satellite constellation (Iridium NEXT). In
order to replace its existing constellation, Iridium Holdings must
undertake the design, construction and launch of a new constellation of
satellites. Iridium Holdings estimates the total cost of this
effort at approximately $2.7 billion. While Iridium Holdings is
currently working with two potential providers to design a satellite
constellation at this price level, the design process is still at an early
stage and the ultimate total cost of the project cannot be
predicted. Iridium Holdings believes it can offset a portion of
this cost by contracting with third parties to include secondary payloads
on the new satellites. These third parties would offset the
costs of the new satellites either through contributions to construction
and launch costs, or in the form of incremental service revenues to
Iridium Holdings. Iridium Holdings anticipates funding a large
part of the costs of this new system from internally generated cash flows
and secondary payloads, with the remainder from outside
financing. However, to the extent the cost of the system
increases or secondary payload opportunities do not materialize,
additional funding may be required. We also considered the
risks associated with the launch of new satellites, which we weighed
against the fact that (i) Iridium Holdings and its predecessor experienced
no launch failures in the launch of its first generation of satellites
(ii) the smaller size of Iridium Holdings’ satellites compared to
geostationary satellites implies reduced launch
risk.
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Projected growth in new M2M
subscribers is unproven. A large portion of Iridium
Holdings’ future growth in revenues and profits is dependent upon the
addition of significant numbers of new M2M subscribers. This
market is currently seeing rapid growth, both in the commercial and
government markets, and Iridium Holdings believes its truly global
coverage and low-latency network has a significant competitive
advantage. However, to the extent growth in the M2M marketplace
slows or other companies launch competing offerings, Iridium Holdings’
growth may be adversely impacted by a combination of lower subscriber
additions and/or lower pricing.
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Competitors launching new
constellations and potentially developing other
technologies. Iridium Holdings is currently gaining
subscribers as a result of the degraded service quality of certain of its
competitors. Globalstar’s satellites have experienced higher
than expected space radiation and have lost a significant degree of their
functionality. While we do not, given its current financial
position, know whether Globalstar can raise the funds to do so, Globalstar
is planning on launching initial replacement satellites to be in operation
by 2010, which will improve its service and allow it to further compete
with Iridium Holdings. Additionally, Inmarsat has launched
next-generation data-capable GEO satellites which will provide additional
competition, though focused more on applications not requiring a
low-latency low earth orbit constellation. To the extent
competitors are able to finance, build and launch these new satellites and
provide improved service, Iridium Holdings may experience some slowdown in
new subscriber additions. While Iridium Holdings does not
believe there are any land-based technologies currently in use or in
development which pose a significant competitive challenge to its business
model, we cannot exclude the possibility that there are one or more
competing new technologies that will emerge in the long
term.
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DoD revenue concentration
risk. The DoD generated
approximately 19% of Iridium Holdings’ revenues in the first 6 months of
2008. Additionally, Iridium Holdings believes it gains
significant credibility with customers, vendors and financing sources as a
result of its anchor customer relationship with the DoD. The
DoD has invested significantly in its dedicated gateway to the Iridium
Holdings network, and continues to invest significant sums in new
product/service development for use on the Iridium Holdings
network. However, if the DoD were to develop its own
low-earth-orbiting communications network, or switch more of its service
to other providers, it would have an adverse effect on Iridium Holdings’
business. Iridium Holdings believes the DoD has no such
plans.
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Satellite sector history may
limit public investor attractiveness. Historically, the
satellite services sector has suffered from numerous business failures and
bankruptcies. Iridium Holdings’ network was built with
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approximately
$3.4 billion of capital and was acquired in 2000 for $25
million. Other satellite companies that have experienced similar
issues historically include Globalstar, Orbcomm and Loral Space &
Communications Inc. Iridium Holdings believes that many of these
failures occurred because the initial business model focused on the consumer
sector and that its current focus on government and industrial subscribers
through a wholesale sales model is significantly more profitable because of
lower subscriber acquisition costs, lower churn and higher average revenue per
unit or “ARPU” resulting from the mission-critical nature of the applications
utilizing Iridium Holdings’ network.
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Lack of public reporting
capability. Iridium Holdings’ corporate staff, who will
become employees of GHQ at the closing of the acquisition, does not to our
knowledge have experience with the requirements of public reporting since
Iridium Holdings is a private company. After the completion of
the acquisition, we will need to build new reporting capabilities for
Iridium Holdings to meet the requirements of a publicly traded
company.
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Limited remedies if Iridium
Holdings breaches the transaction agreement. None of
Iridium Holdings, its owners or any other persons will indemnify us for
any losses we realize as a result of any breach by Iridium Holdings of any
of its representations, warranties or covenants set forth in the
transaction agreement. Moreover, none of the representations,
warranties or pre-closing covenants of Iridium Holdings contained in the
transaction agreement will survive the closing of the acquisition, so our
rights to purse a remedy for breach of any such representations,
warranties or pre-closing covenants will terminate upon the closing of the
acquisition.
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Regulatory
approvals. Our board of directors considered the
regulatory approvals required to complete the proposed transactions and
the risk that governmental authorities and third parties might seek to
impose unfavorable terms or conditions on the required approvals or that
such approvals may not be obtained at all. Our board of
directors further considered the potential length of the regulatory
approval process.
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Upon the
closing of the acquisition, the current senior management of Iridium Holdings
will become the senior management of GHQ. The senior management team
will be comprised of the following:
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Matthew
J. Desch, Chief Executive Officer
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Eric
Morrison, Chief Financial Officer
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John
S. Brunette, Chief Legal and Administrative
Officer
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·
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Greg
Ewert, Executive Vice President, Global Distribution
Channels
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John
Campbell, Executive Vice President, Government
Programs
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Don
Thoma, Executive Vice President,
Marketing
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John
Roddy, Executive Vice President, Ground Operations and Product
Development
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Lee
Demitry, Executive Vice President, “Iridium
NEXT”
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Immediately
following the closing of the acquisition, our board of directors plans to expand
the size of our board of directors and to appoint the following individuals to
GHQ’s board of directors:
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·
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Matthew
J. Desch, current chief executive officer of Iridium
Holdings
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·
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Alvin
B. Krongard, current member of Iridium Holdings’ board of
directors
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·
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Steven
Pfeiffer, current member of Iridium Holdings’ board of
directors
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Admiral
Dennis Blair, current member of Iridium Holdings’ board of
directors
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Terry
Jones, current member of Iridium Holdings’ board of
directors
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J.
Darrel Barros, representative of
Syncom
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Immediately
following the closing of the acquisition, Kevin P. Clarke, one of our existing
directors, will resign as a director. Admiral Dennis Blair had been
nominated by the Obama Administration to serve as Director of National
Intelligence. If confirmed, it is expected that Admiral Dennis Blair
will not be able to serve on our board of directors.
At its
meeting on September 22, 2008, GHQ’s board of directors
unanimously:
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·
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determined
that the acquisition, the transaction agreement, the amendments to GHQ’s
certificate and the related transactions are advisable, fair to and in the
best interests of GHQ and its
stockholders;
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·
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approved
the transaction agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby
(including the acquisition of Iridium Holdings by GHQ), the amendments to
GHQ’s certificate, the registration rights agreement and the pledge
agreements and other related transactions;
and
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·
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determined
to recommend that stockholders of GHQ approve and adopt the transaction
agreement and the acquisition, including the amendments to the certificate
and the issuance of GHQ common shares in the
acquisition.
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In
approving the transaction and making these recommendations, GHQ’s board of
directors consulted with its outside legal counsel, and it carefully considered
the following material factors:
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·
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all
the reasons described above under “Factors Considered by the GHQ Board in
Approving the Acquisition,” including the added capital and management
expertise available to Iridium
Holdings;
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·
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information
concerning the business, assets, capital structure, financial performance
and condition and prospects of GHQ and Iridium Holdings, focusing in
particular on the quality of Iridium Holdings’ assets and
operations;
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the
possibility, as alternatives to the acquisition, of pursuing an
acquisition of or an initial business combination with a firm other than
Iridium Holdings and the GHQ board’s conclusion that a transaction with
Iridium Holdings is more feasible, and is expected to yield greater
benefits, than the likely alternatives. The GHQ board reached
this conclusion for various reasons, including Iridium Holdings’ interest
in pursuing a transaction with GHQ, GHQ’s view that the transaction could
be acceptably completed from a timing and regulatory standpoint, and GHQ
management’s assessment of the alternatives and the expected benefits of
the acquisition and compatibility of the companies, as described under
“Factors Considered by the GHQ Board in Approving the Acquisition”
above;
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·
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the
anticipated growth opportunities available to Iridium Holdings and the
limited number of competitors in the satellite telephony and services
industry;
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·
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the
composition and strength of the expected senior management of GHQ
following the closing of the
acquisition;
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·
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the
likelihood of the enhancement of the strategic position of GHQ following
the acquisition;
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·
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the
fact that GHQ stockholders would hold approximately 55% of the outstanding
shares of GHQ after the acquisition, assuming that (i) no holders of
shares of our common stock issued in our IPO (“IPO shares”) vote against
the acquisition proposal and properly exercise their rights to convert
their shares into cash, (ii) without regard to the results of the tender
offer and (iii) no holders of warrants exercise their rights to acquire
GHQ shares;
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the
opinion of Duff & Phelps that, subject to the assumptions, limitations
and qualifications set forth therein, as of the date of its opinion the
consideration to be paid by GHQ in the acquisition is fair, from a
financial point of view, to the holders of GHQ’s common stock (other than
Greenhill) and Iridium Holdings has a fair market value equal
to at least 80% of the balance in GHQ ‘s trust account (excluding deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions). See section entitled
“Summary of the Duff & Phelps
Opinion”;
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the
challenges of successfully completing the acquisition and the attendant
risks of not achieving the expected cost savings, other financial and
operating benefits or improvement in earnings, and of diverting management
focus and resources from other strategic opportunities and from
operational matters for an extended period of
time;
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·
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that,
while the acquisition is likely to be completed, there are risks
associated with obtaining necessary approvals, and, as a result of certain
conditions to the completion of the acquisition, it is possible that the
acquisition may not be completed even if approved by the GHQ stockholders
(see “The Transaction Agreement—Conditions to the Closing of the
Acquisition”); and
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·
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the
terms and structure of the acquisition and the terms and conditions of the
transaction agreement, including the consideration to be paid for the
acquisition and the size of the termination fee (see “The Transaction
Agreement—Conditions to the Closing of the Acquisition” and “The
Transaction
Agreement—Termination”).
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In view of
the number and wide variety of factors considered in connection with its
evaluation of the acquisition and the complexity of these matters, GHQ’s board
of directors did not find it practicable to, nor did it attempt to, quantify,
rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors that it
considered. In addition, our board of directors did not undertake to
make any specific determination as to whether any particular factor was
favorable or unfavorable to its ultimate determination or assign any particular
weight to any factor, but conducted an overall analysis of the factors described
above, including through discussions with and questioning of GHQ’s management
and management’s analysis of the proposed acquisition based on information
received from GHQ’s legal, financial and accounting advisors. In
considering the factors described above, individual members of GHQ’s board of
directors may have given different weight to different factors. GHQ’s
board of directors considered all these factors together and, on the whole,
thought them to be favorable to, and to support, its determination.
The GHQ
board of directors engaged Duff & Phelps as an independent financial advisor
in connection with the acquisition. Pursuant to its engagement letter
dated August 12, 2008, on September 22, 2008, Duff & Phelps rendered its
oral opinion (subsequently confirmed in writing as of September 22, 2008) to the
GHQ board of directors to the effect that, subject to the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations set forth therein, as of September 22, 2008, (i)
the consideration to be paid by GHQ in the acquisition is fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of GHQ’s common stock (other than Greenhill) and
(ii) Iridium Holdings has a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the
balance in our trust account (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and
commissions). The opinion was approved by Duff & Phelps’s internal opinion
committee.
Duff &
Phelps’s opinion was directed to the GHQ board and only addressed the fair
market value of Iridium Holdings and the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of the consideration to be paid by GHQ in the acquisition to GHQ
stockholders (other than Greenhill), and does not address any other aspect or
implication of the acquisition. The full text of Duff & Phelps’s written
opinion is included as Annex F to this proxy statement and sets forth the
procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the
review undertaken and other matters considered by Duff & Phelps in preparing
its opinion. We encourage you to carefully read the full text of Duff &
Phelps’s written opinion. However, neither Duff & Phelps’s written opinion
nor the summary of its related analysis is intended to be, and does not
constitute advice or a recommendation to any stockholders as to how such
stockholder should act or vote with respect to the acquisition.
In
connection with its opinion, Duff & Phelps has made such reviews, analyses
and inquiries as it deemed necessary and appropriate under the circumstances.
Duff & Phelps also took into account its assessment of general
economic,
market and financial conditions, as well as its experience in securities and
business valuation, in general, and with respect to similar transactions, in
particular. Duff & Phelps’s due diligence with respect to the acquisition
included, but was not limited to, the items summarized below:
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Discussed
the operations, financial conditions, future prospects and projected
operations and performance of GHQ and Iridium Holdings, respectively, and
the acquisition with the management of Iridium Holdings and
GHQ.
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·
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Reviewed
certain publicly available financial statements and other business and
financial information of GHQ and Iridium Holdings, respectively, and the
industries in which Iridium Holdings
operates.
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·
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Reviewed
certain internal financial statements and other financial and operating
data concerning Iridium Holdings, which GHQ and Iridium Holdings have
respectively identified as being the most current financial statements
available.
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·
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Reviewed
certain financial forecasts as prepared by the management of GHQ and
Iridium Holdings.
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·
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Reviewed
a draft of the transaction agreement and the exhibits thereto dated
September 22, 2008 and the note purchase agreement dated September 12,
2008 and the form of note dated September 22,
2008.
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·
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Reviewed
the historical trading price and trading volume of GHQ common stock and
the publicly traded securities of certain other companies which Duff &
Phelps deemed relevant.
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·
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Compared
the financial performance of Iridium Holdings with that of certain other
publicly traded companies that Duff & Phelps deemed
relevant.
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·
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Compared
certain financial terms of the acquisition to financial terms, to the
extent publicly available, of certain other business combination
transactions that Duff & Phelps deemed
relevant.
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·
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Conducted
such other analyses and considered such other factors as Duff & Phelps
deemed appropriate.
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In
performing its analyses and rendering its opinion with respect to the
acquisition, Duff & Phelps has with the consent of GHQ:
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·
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relied
upon the accuracy, completeness, and fair presentation of all information,
data, advice, opinions and representations obtained from public sources or
provided to Duff & Phelps from private sources, including the
management of GHQ and Iridium Holdings, and did not independently verify
such information;
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·
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assumed
that any estimates, evaluations and projections (financial or otherwise)
furnished to Duff & Phelps were reasonably prepared and based upon the
best currently available information and good faith judgment of the person
or persons furnishing the same;
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·
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assumed
that the final versions of all documents reviewed by Duff & Phelps in
draft form (including, without limitation, the transaction agreement and
the note purchase agreement) conform in all material respects to the
drafts reviewed;
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·
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assumed
that all governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals
necessary for the consummation of the acquisition will be obtained without
any adverse effect on GHQ, Iridium Holdings or the
acquisition;
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·
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assumed
without verification the accuracy and adequacy of the legal advice given
by counsel to GHQ and Iridium Holdings on all legal matters with respect
to the acquisition and assumed all procedures required by law to be taken
in connection with the acquisition have been, or will be, duly, validly
and timely taken and that the acquisition will be consummated in a manner
that complies in all respects with the applicable provisions of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and all other applicable statutes, rules
and regulations.
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·
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assumed
that all of the conditions required to implement the acquisition will be
satisfied and that the acquisition will be completed in accordance with
the transaction agreement, without any amendments
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thereto or
any waivers of any terms or conditions thereof, and assumed that all
representations and warranties of each party to the transaction agreement are
true and correct and that each party will perform all covenants and agreements
required to be performed by such party;
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·
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assumed
that the conditions required to implement the closing of the note purchase
agreement will be satisfied and that the note will be issued prior to the
closing of the transaction agreement in accordance with the terms of the
note purchase agreement, without any amendments thereto or any waivers of
any terms or conditions thereof, and, upon the closing of the transaction
agreement the note will be exchanged for 2.29 million of the 38.29 million
shares of GHQ common stock of the stock consideration to be paid in the
acquisition;
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assumed
that, prior to the closing of the transaction agreement, all of the equity
holders of Iridium Holdings are parties to and bound as sellers under the
transaction agreement;
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·
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assumed
that Iridium Holdings will declare and pay a dividend in the aggregate
amount of $37.9 million prior to the closing of the
acquisition;
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·
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assumed
that within 90 days following the closing, Iridium Holdings will make a
valid, successful election under Section 754 of the Code with respect to
the taxable year in which the closing of the acquisition occurs which
would result in a tax benefit payment by GHQ of $30 million in the
aggregate to sellers (other than the sellers of the equity of Baralonco
and Syncom) pursuant to the terms of the transaction agreement;
and
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·
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has
not made any independent evaluation, appraisal or physical inspection of
GHQ’s or Iridium Holdings’ solvency or of any specific assets or
liabilities (contingent or
otherwise).
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Duff &
Phelps’s opinion should not be construed as a valuation opinion, credit rating,
solvency opinion, liquidation analysis, an analysis of either GHQ’s or Iridium
Holdings’ credit worthiness or otherwise as tax advice or accounting
advice. Duff & Phelps has not been required to, and it did not,
(i) negotiate the terms of the acquisition, (ii) recommend the amount of
consideration to be paid in the acquisition or (iii) advise the GHQ board or any
other party with respect to alternatives to the acquisition. Duff
& Phelps has not made and assumes no responsibility to make, any
representation, or render any opinion, as to any legal matter.
In Duff
& Phelps’s analysis and in connection with the preparation of its opinion,
it has made numerous assumptions with respect to industry, performance, general
business, market and economic conditions and other matters, many of which are
beyond the control of any party involved in the acquisition. To the extent that
any of the foregoing assumptions or any of the facts on which its opinion is
based prove to be untrue in any material respect, Duff & Phelps’s opinion
cannot and should not be relied upon. In connection with its opinion, Duff &
Phelps is not expressing any opinion with respect to the amount or nature of any
compensation to any of GHQ’s officers, directors, or employees, or any class of
such persons, relative to the consideration to be received by the public
stockholders of GHQ in the acquisition, if any, or with respect to the fairness
of any such compensation. In addition, Duff & Phelps is not expressing any
opinion as to the market price or the value of GHQ’s common stock after the
announcement of the acquisition.
Duff &
Phelps prepared its opinion effective as of September 22, 2008. Duff &
Phelps’s opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic, financial and other
conditions as they existed and could be evaluated as of September 22, 2008 and
Duff & Phelps disclaimed any undertaking or obligation to update its opinion
or advise any person of any change in any fact or matter affecting its opinion
which may come or be brought to its attention after September 22,
2008.
In
connection with rendering its opinion, Duff & Phelps made a presentation to
the GHQ board on September 22, 2008 with respect to the material analyses
performed by Duff & Phelps in arriving at its opinion. The following is a
summary of that presentation. The summary includes information
presented in tabular format. In order to understand fully the financial analyses
used by Duff & Phelps, these tables must be read together with the text of
each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the
financial analyses. The following
quantitative
information, to the extent it is based on market data, is based on market data
as it existed at or prior to September 22, 2008, and is not necessarily
indicative of current or future market conditions.
The
summary of Duff & Phelps’s valuation analyses is not a complete description
of the analysis underlying its opinion. The preparation of Duff & Phelps’s
opinion was a complex process involving various quantitative and qualitative
judgments and determinations with respect to the financial, comparative and
other analytic methods employed and the adaptation and application of the these
methods to the unique facts and circumstances presented. As a
consequence, neither Duff & Phelps’s opinion nor its underlying analyses are
readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description.
The
implied reference value ranges indicated by Duff & Phelps’s analyses are
illustrative and not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of
future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than
those suggested by the analyses. In addition, any analysis relating to the value
of assets, businesses or securities does not purport to be appraisals or to
reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold, which
may depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of GHQ
and Duff & Phelps. Much of the information used in, and accordingly the
results of Duff & Phelps’s analyses are inherently subject to substantial
uncertainty.
Discounted
Cash Flow Analysis
A discounted cash flow
analysis is a traditional valuation methodology used to derive a valuation of an
asset by calculating the “present value” of estimated future cash flows of an
asset. “Present value” refers to the current value of the future cash
flows or amounts and is obtained by discounting those future cash flows or
amounts by a discount rate that takes into account macro economic assumptions
and estimates of risk, the opportunity cost of capital, expected returns and
other appropriate factors.
Duff &
Phelps calculated the net present value of the unlevered, after-tax cash flows
of Iridium Holdings from 2008 through 2025 (based upon 2008 and 2009 budget
estimates provided by Iridium Holdings and applying growth rates and margins
provided by Iridium Holdings to the 2009 budget estimates for the period from
2010 through 2025) and estimated the terminal value of Iridium Holdings by using
a commonly accepted perpetuity formula. Such estimates for 2008
revenue and Operational EBITDA were $301.9 million and $104.9 million,
respectively, and such estimated compound annual revenue and Operational EBITDA
growth rates for the period from 2008-2025 were 9% and 15%, respectively. These
estimates are “forward-looking statements” and, especially in light of the
recent dramatic changes in the financial, securities, lending and other markets
and deterioration in global economic conditions, Iridium Holdings’ actual
results may differ materially from the estimates. Please see “Cautionary
Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page
39.
The
terminal value is equivalent to the present value of all cash flows after the
projection period. These cash flows were capitalized based on the
long-term expected annual growth rate of 2%. In performing this analysis, Duff
& Phelps used discount rates ranging from 13.00% to 15.00% which were based
on the estimated weighted average costs of capital for GHQ taking into account
specific risks due to the funding gap related to Iridium NEXT and the launch of
the second generation constellation. Duff & Phelps conducted a discounted
cash flow analysis on the financial information described above (the “Initial
Case”) and also performed a discounted cash flow analysis using the financial
information described above applying a 20% discount to service revenue growth
(the “Downside Case”).
The ranges
of enterprise values indicated from the discounted cash flow analyses described
above were as follows:
Initial
Case
Discount
Rate
|
15%
|
14%
|
13%
|
$890
million
|
$1,070
million
|
$1,300
million
|
Downside
Case
Discount
Rate
|
15%
|
14%
|
13%
|
$460
million
|
$570
million
|
$720
million
|
Based on
the foregoing, Duff & Phelps derived a reference value range of $675 million
to $1,010 million, and noted that the low end of the value range exceeded the
implied total transaction value of approximately $635 million derived by Duff
& Phelps based on the consideration to be paid or issued and net debt to be
assumed in the acquisition.
Selected
Public Company Analysis and M&A Transaction Analysis
A selected
public company analysis is based upon a comparison of the subject company to
publicly held companies with actively traded stock. Duff & Phelps reviewed
the current trading multiples of five publicly traded companies in the satellite
services sector that it determined to be relevant to its analysis. Duff &
Phelps selected the five companies set forth below for the selected public
company analysis because these companies operate satellite systems and provide
voice, data and tracking services similar to those provided by Iridium Holdings.
The five selected companies were:
|
·
|
Eutelsat
Communications, S.A.; and
|
None of
the companies utilized for comparative purposes in the selected public company
analysis are identical to Iridium Holdings. Accordingly, a complete valuation
analysis cannot be limited to a quantitative review of the selected companies
and involves complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in
financial and operating characteristics of such companies, as well as other
factors that could affect their value relative to that of Iridium
Holdings.
For each
of the selected public companies Duff & Phelps derived and analyzed the
following:
|
·
|
the
ratio of such company’s enterprise value to its respective earnings before
interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the
last twelve months (“LTM”), its estimated 2008 EBITDA and its estimated
2009 EBITDA; and
|
|
·
|
the
ratio of such company’s enterprise value to its respective revenue for the
LTM and its estimated 2008 revenue and its estimated 2009
revenue.
|
The LTM
for purposes of this analysis was as of June 30, 2008. Enterprise
value was calculated as the sum of the equity market value (diluted shares
outstanding multiplied by the current stock price) and net indebtedness. The
following tables set forth the low, median, mean and high values of enterprise
value as a multiple of Iridium Holdings revenue and EBITDA performance
measures.
Mobile
Satellite Services (composed of Globalstar, Inmarsat and Orbcomm)
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio
of Enterprise value to:
|
Low
|
Median
|
Mean
|
High
|
·
LTM Revenue
|
4.48x
|
5.19x
|
5.97x
|
8.24x
|
·
Estimated 2008 Revenue
|
4.40x
|
6.27x
|
6.72x
|
9.49x
|
·
Estimated 2009 Revenue
|
2.98x
|
5.87x
|
5.87x
|
8.77x
|
·
LTM EBITDA
|
14.2x
|
23.5x
|
23.5x
|
32.9x
|
·
Estimated 2008 EBITDA
|
14.2x
|
14.2x
|
14.2x
|
14.2x
|
·
Estimated 2009 EBITDA
|
10.3x
|
11.7x
|
11.7x
|
13.0x
|
Fixed
Satellite Services (composed of Eutelsat Communications, S.A. and SES,
S.A.)
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio
of Enterprise value to:
|
Low
|
Median
|
Mean
|
High
|
·
LTM Revenue
|
5.86x
|
6.80x
|
6.80x
|
7.73x
|
·
Estimated 2008 Revenue
|
5.46x
|
6.13x
|
6.13x
|
6.81x
|
·
Estimated 2009 Revenue
|
5.12x
|
5.88x
|
5.88x
|
6.63x
|
·
LTM EBITDA
|
8.5x
|
9.1x
|
9.1x
|
9.7x
|
·
Estimated 2008 EBITDA
|
8.0x
|
8.3x
|
8.3x
|
8.6x
|
·
Estimated 2009 EBITDA
|
7.4x
|
7.7x
|
7.7x
|
8.1x
|
Duff &
Phelps selected nine merger and acquisition transactions involving target
companies that it determined to be relevant to its analysis. Duff
& Phelps selected these transactions for the M&A transaction analysis
because these transactions involved target companies that operate satellite
systems and provide services similar to those provided by Iridium
Holdings. None of the transactions utilized for comparative purposes
in the selected M&A transaction analysis are identical to the acquisition
and accordingly, a complete valuation analysis cannot be limited to a
quantitative review of the selected transactions and involves complex
considerations and judgments.
The nine
selected transactions were:
Date Announced
|
Acquiror Name/Seller
|
February
12, 2008
|
Sky
Perfect JSAT Corporation/Space Communications
Corporation
|
June
19, 2007
|
BC
Partners/Intelsat Ltd.
|
December
16, 2006
|
Loral
Space & Communications, Inc./Telesat Canada
|
October
26, 2006
|
Sky
Perfect Communications, Inc./JSAT Corp.
|
December
14, 2005
|
SES
Global SA/New Skies Satellite Holdings Ltd.
|
August
28, 2005
|
Intelsat
Ltd./PanAmSat Holding Corporation
|
August
16, 2004
|
Apax,
Apollo, Madison Dearborn, Permira/Intelsat Ltd.
|
June
6, 2004
|
The
Blackstone Group/New Skies Satellites NV
|
April,
20, 2004
|
Kohlberg
Kravis Robert & Co./PanAmSat Holding
Corporation
|
Duff &
Phelps calculated the LTM revenues and EBITDA for each of the target companies
(where publicly disclosed) and then calculated the implied enterprise value for
each transaction as a multiple of each target’s LTM revenue and EBITDA. The
following table sets forth the high, median, mean and low values of enterprise
value as a multiple of LTM revenue and EBITDA for each of the
transactions:
|
Enterprise Value as a
Multiple of:
|
|
LTM Revenue
|
LTM EBITDA
|
High
|
8.86x
|
12.9x
|
Median
|
5.13x
|
8.2x
|
Mean
|
5.56x
|
9.2x
|
Low
|
3.30x
|
7.0x
|
Duff &
Phelps then calculated a range of implied enterprise values for Iridium Holdings
by multiplying the LTM operational EBITDA of Iridium Holdings as of June 30,
2008 ($90.4 million) to a selected multiple range of 7.0x to 9.0x LTM
operational EBITDA derived from the foregoing analyses. Based on this
calculation, Duff & Phelps derived a range of implied enterprise values of
$630 million to $810 million for Iridium Holdings and noted that the implied
total transaction value of approximately $635 million derived by Duff &
Phelps based on the consideration to be paid or issued and net debt to be
assumed in the transaction was at the low end of the range.
Based on
the implied enterprise value range of $675 million to $1,010 million derived
from the discounted cash flow analysis and the implied enterprise value range of
$630 million to $810 million derived from the selected public company and
M&A transaction analyses, Duff & Phelps derived a range of equity value
for Iridium Holdings of $584 million to $844 million and noted that the low end
of this range exceeded 80% of the balance in GHQ’s trust account (excluding
deferred underwriting discounts and commissions).
Duff &
Phelps’s opinion and financial analyses were only one of the many factors
considered by the GHQ board in its evaluation of the acquisition and should not
be viewed as determinative of the views of the GHQ board. Duff & Phelps’s
opinion and financial analysis were not a recommendation as to how the GHQ board
should vote or act with respect to the acquisition or any related
transaction.
The
preceding discussion is a summary of the material financial analyses furnished
by Duff & Phelps to the GHQ board, but it does not purport to be a complete
description of the analyses performed by Duff & Phelps or of its
presentation to the GHQ board. In arriving at its opinion, Duff & Phelps did
not attribute any particular weight to any particular analysis or factor
considered by it, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance
and relevance of each analysis and factor. Several analytical methodologies were
employed by Duff & Phelps in its analyses, each analytical
technique has inherent strengths and weaknesses, and the nature of the available
information may further affect valuation techniques. Accordingly,
Duff & Phelps believes that its analyses and factors must be considered as a
whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and of the factors considered
by it without considering all analyses and factors in their entirety, could
create a misleading or incomplete view of the evaluation process underlying its
opinion. The conclusion reached by Duff & Phelps, therefore, is based on the
application of Duff & Phelps’s own experience and judgment to all analyses
and factors considered by Duff & Phelps taken as a whole.
GHQ
selected Duff & Phelps because Duff & Phelps is a leading independent
financial advisory firm, offering a broad range of valuation, investment banking
services and consulting services, including fairness and solvency opinions,
merger and transaction advisory, mergers and transactions due diligence
services, financial reporting and tax valuation, fixed asset and real estate
consulting, ESOP and ERISA advisory services, legal business solutions, and
dispute consulting. Duff & Phelps is regularly engaged in the valuation of
businesses and securities and the preparation of fairness opinions in connection
with mergers, transactions and other strategic transactions.
Pursuant
to Duff & Phelps’s engagement letter, GHQ agreed to pay Duff & Phelps a
customary fee of $325,000, which is due and payable as follow: $135,000 was due
upon the execution of the engagement letter and $190,000 is due upon stockholder
approval of the acquisition. While a significant portion of Duff & Phelps’s
fee is contingent upon stockholder approval of the acquisition, no portion of
Duff & Phelps’s fees is contingent upon the consummation of a transaction or
a conclusion reached in the opinion. The engagement letter also provides that
GHQ will reimburse Duff & Phelps for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
not to exceed $10,000 and for its reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and
other advisors not to exceed $50,000 without the prior consent of GHQ, and will
indemnify Duff & Phelps, its affiliates and certain related parties for
losses related to or arising out of Duff & Phelps’s services as a financial
advisor to the GHQ board. In addition, if the stockholders do not approve the
acquisition, GHQ has granted Duff & Phelps a right of first refusal to
provide a fairness opinion at customary rates for any other initial business
combination contemplated by GHQ.
Other than
pursuant to this engagement, during the two years preceding September 22, 2008,
Duff & Phelps has not had any material relationship with any party to the
transaction for which compensation has been received or is intended to be
received, nor is any such material relationship or related compensation mutually
understood to be contemplated.
GHQ
intends to account for the acquisition under the purchase method of accounting
in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting No.
141(R), “Business Combinations.” Under this accounting method, GHQ
will record at its fair value the assets of Iridium Holdings less the
liabilities assumed, with the excess of the purchase price over the estimated
fair value of such net assets reflected as goodwill. GHQ’s statement
of income will include the operations of Iridium Holdings after the effective
date of the acquisition.
The
following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax considerations for
holders of our IPO shares or warrants who hold their IPO shares as capital
assets within the meaning of the Code and exercise their rights to convert their
IPO shares into cash if the acquisition is completed.
This
discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations
that may be relevant to a holder in light of the holder’s particular
circumstances, and it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be
relevant to holders subject to special rules, such as:
|
·
|
certain
financial institutions;
|
|
·
|
dealers
and certain traders in securities;
|
|
·
|
persons
holding our IPO shares or warrants as part of a hedge, straddle,
conversion transaction or other integrated
transaction;
|
|
·
|
U.S.
persons (within the meaning of the Code) whose functional currency for
U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S.
dollar;
|
|
·
|
partnerships
or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax
purposes;
|
|
·
|
persons
liable for the alternative minimum
tax;
|
|
·
|
tax-exempt
organizations; and
|
|
·
|
Converting
Non-U.S. holders (as defined below) that own, have owned or are deemed to
own or have owned: (1) more than 5% of our shares, (2) more than 5% of our
warrants, or (3) warrants with a fair market value of more than 5% of the
fair market value of our shares.
|
The
following does not discuss any aspect of U.S. federal estate or gift, state,
local or non-U.S. taxation. This discussion is based on current
provisions of the Code, Treasury regulations, judicial opinions, published
positions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and all other
applicable authorities, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject
to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion is not
intended as and does not constitute tax advice.
If a
partnership holds our IPO shares and exercises its conversion rights, the tax
treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and
the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a
partnership holding our IPO shares, you should consult your tax
advisor.
WE URGE
HOLDERS OF OUR IPO SHARES CONTEMPLATING EXERCISE OF THEIR CONVERSION RIGHTS TO
CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S.
INCOME, ESTATE AND OTHER TAX CONSIDERATIONS THEREOF.
U.S.
Holders Converting IPO Shares into a Right to Receive Cash
This
section is addressed to U.S. holders of our IPO shares or warrants that convert
their IPO shares into the right to receive cash pursuant to the exercise of a
conversion right as described in “The Special Meeting ─ Conversion
Rights.” For purposes of this discussion, a “Converting U.S. Holder”
is a beneficial owner that so converts its IPO shares and is:
|
·
|
a
citizen or resident of the United
States;
|
|
·
|
a
corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or
organized in, or under the laws of, the United States or any political
subdivision of the United States;
or
|
|
·
|
an
estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income
taxation regardless of its source.
|
Except as
discussed in the following paragraph, a Converting U.S. Holder will generally
recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between its tax basis in
the IPO share and the amount realized on the conversion. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any
capital gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our IPO share
will be long-term capital gain or loss if the “holding period” for the IPO share
is more than one year. However, because of the conversion right, a
Converting U.S. Holder may be unable to include the time period prior to the
approval of the acquisition in the holder’s “holding period.”
Cash
received upon conversion will be treated as a distribution, however, if the
conversion does not effect a meaningful reduction of the Converting U.S.
Holder’s percentage ownership in us (including shares such Converting U.S.
Holder is deemed to own under certain attribution rules, which provide, among
other things, that it is deemed to own any shares that it holds a warrant to
acquire). Any such distribution will be treated as a dividend for
U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits. However, for the purposes of the
dividends-received deduction and of “qualified dividend” treatment, due to the
conversion right, a Converting U.S. Holder may be unable to include the time
period prior to the approval of the acquisition in the holder’s “holding
period.” Any distribution in excess of our earnings and profits will
reduce the Converting U.S. Holder’s basis in the IPO share (but not below zero),
and any remaining excess will be treated as gain realized on the sale or other
disposition of the IPO share. If, taking into account the effect of
conversion by other stockholders, the Converting U.S. Holder’s percentage
ownership in us is reduced as a result of the conversion by at least 20%, the
holder will generally be regarded as having incurred a meaningful reduction in
interest. Furthermore, if a Converting U.S. Holder has a relatively
minimal stock interest and, such percentage interest is reduced by any amount as
a result of the conversion, the Converting U.S. Holder should generally be
regarded as having incurred a meaningful reduction in interest. For
example, the IRS has ruled that any reduction in a stockholder’s proportionate
interest is a “meaningful reduction” if the stockholder owns less than 1% of the
shares of a corporation and did not have management control over the
corporation.
Holders of
IPO shares considering exercising their conversion rights should consult their
own tax advisors as to whether conversion will be treated as a sale or as a
distribution under the Code and, if a holder actually or constructively owns 5%
or more of our IPO shares before conversion, whether such holder is subject to
special reporting requirements with respect to such conversion.
Non-U.S.
Holders Converting IPO Shares into a Right to Receive Cash
This
section is addressed to non-U.S. holders of our IPO shares or warrants that
convert their IPO shares into the right to receive cash pursuant to the exercise
of a conversion right as described in “The Special Meeting ─ Conversion
Rights.” For purposes of this discussion, a “Converting Non-U.S.
Holder” is a beneficial owner (other than a partnership) that so converts its
IPO shares and is not a Converting U.S. Holder. A “Converting
Non-U.S. Holder” does not include an individual who is present in the United
States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and is not
otherwise a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Such an individual should consult his or her own tax
advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
conversion.
Conversion
by a Converting Non-U.S. Holder generally will be treated as a sale of the IPO
share (rather than as a distribution) and will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax. However, cash received upon conversion will be treated as
a distribution if the conversion does not effect a meaningful reduction of the
Converting Non-U.S. Holder’s percentage ownership in us (including shares such
Converting Non-U.S. Holder is deemed to own under certain attribution rules,
which provide, among other things, that it is deemed to own any shares that it
holds a warrant to acquire). See the discussion above under “U.S.
Holders Converting IPO Shares into a Right to Receive Cash.” Any such
distribution will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30%,
unless the Converting Non-U.S. Holder is entitled to a reduced rate of
withholding under an applicable income tax treaty.
Non-U.S.
holders of IPO shares considering exercising their conversion rights should
consult their own tax advisors as to whether conversion of IPO shares will be
treated as a sale or as a distribution under the Code as well as the potential
applicability of escrow and certification requirements with regard
thereto.
General. It is
possible that governmental authorities having jurisdiction over GHQ and Iridium
Holdings may seek regulatory concessions as conditions for granting approval of
the acquisition. A regulatory body’s approval may contain terms or
impose conditions or restrictions relating or applying to, or requiring changes
in or limitations on, the operation or ownership of any asset or business of
GHQ, Iridium Holdings or any of their subsidiaries, or GHQ’s ownership of
Iridium Holdings, or requiring asset divestitures, which conditional approval
could reasonably be expected to result in a substantial detriment to GHQ,
Iridium Holdings and their subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after the closing of
the acquisition. If this kind of approval occurs, in certain
circumstances, GHQ can decline to close under the transaction
agreement. We can give no assurance that the required regulatory
approvals will be obtained on terms that satisfy the conditions to closing of
the acquisition or are within the time frame contemplated by GHQ and Iridium
Holdings. See “The Transaction Agreement—Conditions to the Closing”
on page 113.
No
appraisal or dissenters’ rights are available under Delaware law for holders of
GHQ common stock in connection with the proposals described in this proxy
statement.
If our
acquisition proposal and other proposals are not approved by the requisite vote
of our stockholders, or if stockholders holding 30% or more of the IPO shares
vote against the acquisition proposal and properly exercise their conversion
rights, we will not acquire Iridium Holdings, none of the IPO shares will be
converted into cash and we will not seek approval of the certificate proposal,
the share issuance proposal or the stock incentive plan
proposal. Although we will continue to seek other potential business
combinations, a failure to complete the proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings
may make it more difficult for us to attract another acquisition candidate and
we may not be able to complete an alternate business combination by February 14,
2010, either because of insufficient time or insufficient operating
funds. If we do not consummate a business combination by February 14,
2010, our corporate existence will cease except for the purposes of winding up
our affairs and liquidating.
We are
required by our certificate to obtain the approval of holders of a majority of
our IPO shares voting in person or by proxy at the special meeting to enter into
an initial business combination.
Prior to
voting, each stockholder should consider the fact that stockholder approval of
the acquisition proposal is necessary for us to complete the acquisition and
related transactions. Each stockholder should consider the fact
that if we
do not complete the acquisition, GHQ will continue as a blank check company
until we find another suitable operating company to acquire, or GHQ will be
liquidated if an initial business combination is not consummated by February 14,
2010.
The
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the IPO shares voted at the special
meeting, represented in person or by proxy is required to approve the
acquisition proposal. However, in accordance with our certificate and
the terms governing the trust account, we will not be able to complete the
acquisition if the holders of 30% or more of the total number of IPO shares vote
against the acquisition and properly exercise their rights to convert such IPO
shares into a pro rata portion of our trust account. Broker
non-votes, abstentions or a failure to vote on the acquisition proposal will
have no impact upon the approval of the acquisition proposal and will have no
effect of converting your shares into a pro rata share of the trust account. You
must affirmatively vote against the acquisition proposal in order to properly
exercise your conversion rights as described in this proxy statement and the
acquisition must be completed.
AFTER
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, GHQ’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY DETERMINED THAT
THE TRANSACTION AGREEMENT AND THE ACQUISITION ARE ADVISABLE, FAIR TO, AND IN THE
BEST INTERESTS OF GHQ AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS TO ITS
STOCKHOLDERS THAT THEY VOTE “FOR” THE ACQUISITION PROPOSAL.
This proxy
statement does not cover any resales of the GHQ common shares to be received by
Iridium Holdings’ stockholders upon completion of the acquisition, and no person
is authorized to make any use of this document in connection with such
resale.
Lock-up
Provisions. Our initial stockholders have agreed not to sell
or transfer the founding stockholder’s GHQ units, founding stockholder’s shares
and founding stockholder’s warrants (and the underlying shares) until 180 days
after the consummation of our initial business combination except to permitted
transferees and not to sell or transfer any of the 8.0 million warrants
purchased by our founding stockholder (“private placement warrants”) (and the
underlying shares) until after we complete our initial business combination,
except to permitted transferees. All of the founding stockholder’s GHQ units,
founding stockholder’s shares and founding stockholder’s warrants and underlying
shares will cease to be subject to the transfer restrictions if, after
consummation of our initial business combination, (i) the last sales price of
our common stock equals or exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days
within any 30-trading-day period beginning 90 days after our initial business
combination or (ii) we consummate a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock
exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders
having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities
or other property. Permitted transferees must agree to be bound by the same
transfer restrictions, waiver and forfeiture provisions, and to vote the
founding stockholder’s shares in accordance with the majority of the shares of
common stock voted by the public stockholders in connection with the stockholder
vote required to approve our initial business combination and in connection with
an amendment to our certificate to provide for our perpetual existence. We refer
to these agreements as “lock-up agreements.”
The
permitted transferees under the lock-up agreements are our executive officers,
directors and employees, our founding stockholder, and other persons or entities
associated or affiliated with our founding stockholder.
During the
lock-up period, our initial stockholders and any permitted transferees to whom
they transfer shares of common stock will retain all other rights of holders of
our common stock, including, without limitation, the right to vote their shares
of common stock (except that our initial stockholders have agreed to vote their
founder’s shares in accordance with the majority of the shares of common stock
voted by the public stockholders in connection with
the
stockholder vote required to approve our initial business combination and in
connection with the related amendment to our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation to provide for our perpetual existence, and our founding
stockholder, executive officers and directors have agreed to vote any shares of
common stock acquired as part of the IPO or thereafter, in favor of our initial
business combination and related amendment to our amended and restated
certificate of incorporation to provide for our perpetual existence) and the
right to receive cash dividends, if declared. If dividends are declared and
payable in shares of common stock, such dividends will also be subject to the
lock-up agreement. If we are unable to effect our initial business combination
and liquidate, our initial stockholders have waived the right to receive any
portion of the liquidation proceeds with respect to the founder’s shares. Any
permitted transferees to whom the founder’s shares are transferred will also
agree to waive that right.
As part of
the consummation of the acquisition, the lock-up agreements and the above
provisions will be terminated and replaced by the transfer restrictions
contained in new registration rights agreement described below.
Upon the
consummation of the acquisition, GHQ, the initial stockholders and the Iridium
Holding’s sellers (each a “restricted stockholder”) will enter into a
registration rights agreement (“new registration rights agreement”), which
provides that each of the stockholders party to the new registration rights
agreement will not sell, pledge, establish a “put equivalent position,”
liquidate or decrease a “call equivalent position,” or otherwise dispose of or
transfer any GHQ securities for a period of one year after the closing date of
the acquisition; provided that, the board of directors of GHQ may authorize an
underwritten public offering at any time beginning six months after the closing
date and that each such stockholder may pledge up to 25% of its GHQ shares as
collateral to secure cash borrowing from a third-party financial institution so
long as such financial institution agrees to be subject to these transfer
restrictions. In addition, GHQ will be required to conduct
underwritten public offerings to permit holders of at least 3.0 million shares
of common stock to sell their shares upon demand, but GHQ will not be required
to effect more than one demand registration in any six-month period following an
effective registration statement. All of the stockholders party to
the registration rights agreement will also be permitted to include their GHQ
common stock in certain registered offerings conducted by GHQ after the closing
of the acquisition.
FCC Regulatory
Limitations. Under the proposed certificate, and if the
certificate proposal is approved by our stockholders, GHQ shall have the right
to restrict the ownership or proposed ownership of its common stock or preferred
stock by any person, if such ownership or proposed ownership: (i) is or could be
inconsistent with, or in violation of, any provision of the Communications Act
of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (“FCC Laws”); (ii)
will or may limit or impair GHQ’s business activities under the FCC Laws; or
(iii) will or could subject GHQ to any specific rule, regulation or policy under
the FCC Laws, to which GHQ was not subject prior to such ownership or proposed
ownership (collectively, “FCC Limitation”).
The
proposed certificate also gives GHQ the right to request from our stockholders
or proposed stockholders (by transfer of stock or otherwise), certain
information, including information relating to such stockholder’s or proposed
stockholder’s citizenship, affiliations and ownership or interest in other
companies, if GHQ believes that such stockholder’s or proposed stockholder’s
ownership of our securities may result in an FCC Limitation.
If GHQ
does not receive the information it requests from any specific stockholder or
concludes that a person’s ownership or proposed ownership or the exercise by any
person of any ownership right may result in an FCC Limitation, GHQ will have the
right to, and until GHQ determines in its sole discretion that no FCC Limitation
will occur: (i) refuse to permit a transfer of stock to a proposed stockholder;
(ii) suspend rights of stock or equity ownership which could cause an FCC
Limitation; and/or (iii) redeem the common stock or preferred stock of GHQ held
by any person.
OF
INCORPORATION
Assuming
the acquisition proposal is approved, GHQ stockholders are also being asked to
approve the amendment and restatement of our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation. This proposed certificate is required to effect the
acquisition and, in the judgment of our board of directors, the proposed
certificate is necessary to adequately address the post-acquisition needs of
GHQ.
The
following table sets forth a summary of the material differences between our
current certificate and the proposed certificate. This summary is
qualified by reference to the complete text of the proposed certificate, a copy
of which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex B. All
stockholders are encouraged to read the proposed certificate in its entirety for
a more complete description of its terms.
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Name
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Our
current certificate provides that our name is “GHL Acquisition
Corp.”
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The
proposed certificate provides that our name is “Iridium Communications
Inc.”
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Duration
of Existence
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Our
current certificate provides that GHQ’s existence will terminate on
February 14, 2010.
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The
proposed certificate provides for the perpetual existence of our
corporation.
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Provisions
Specific to a Blank Check Company
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Under
our current certificate, Article Sixth sets forth various provisions
related to our operations as a blank check company prior to the
consummation of an initial business combination.
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The
proposed certificate does not include these blank check company provisions
because, upon consummation of the acquisition, we will operate Iridium
Holdings and cease to be a blank check company. Further,
provisions requiring that proceeds from GHQ’s IPO be held in a trust
account until a business combination or liquidation of GHQ has occurred
and that the terms of a proposed business combination be submitted for
approval by GHQ stockholders will not be applicable following consummation
of the acquisition.
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Authorized
Shares
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Under
our current certificate, GHQ is authorized to issue up to 201,000,000
shares, of which 200,000,000 shares are common stock with a par value of
US$ 0.001 each and 1,000,000 shares are preferred stock with a par value
US$ 0.0001 each.
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Under
the proposed certificate GHQ shall be authorized to issue up to
shares, of which
shares are common stock with a par value of $0.001 each and
shares are preferred stock with a par value of $ 0.0001 each.
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Dividends
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Our
current certificate is silent as to the payment of
dividends.
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The
proposed certificate provides that, subject to applicable law or the
rights of the preferred stock, if any, dividends may be declared and paid
on the common stock as the board of directors shall determine in its
discretion.
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Conversion
Rights
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If a
majority of the shares issued in our IPO approve a business combination,
any GHQ stockholder holding shares of common stock issued at the IPO who
votes against a business combination and exercises its conversion rights
may demand that we convert the stockholder’s IPO shares to cash, all
subject to certain maximum percentage conversion rights.
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The
proposed certificate does not provide for conversion
rights.
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Action
by Consent of the Stockholders
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Under
Delaware law, unless a company’s certificate provides otherwise,
stockholders may
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The
proposed certificate generally prohibits stockholders from taking any
action by written .
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act
by written consent in lieu of any annual or special
meeting. Our current certificate is silent with respect to
action by written consent. |
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consent,
so stockholders must take any actions at a duly called annual or special
meeting of the stockholders |
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Classes
of Board of Directors
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In
our current certificate, the board of directors is divided into three
classes. Members of each class are elected for specific
terms.
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The
proposed certificate does not expressly provide for different classes of
the board of directors, and, therefore, our board of directors will not be
divided into different classes.
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Restrictions
on Stock Ownership and Transfer
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Our
current certificate does not include specific restrictions on ownership
and transfer.
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The
proposed certificate allows GHQ to restrict ownership or proposed
ownership of its common stock or preferred stock if such ownership or
proposed ownership could result in an FCC Limitation. GHQ may
request information from any stockholder or proposed stockholder if it
believes such stockholder’s ownership of stock may result in an FCC
Limitation. In addition, if GHQ concludes that stock ownership
or proposed stock ownership may result in an FCC Limitation or does not
receive sufficient requested information from a stockholder, GHQ has the
option to either refuse to permit a transfer of shares by a stockholder,
suspend rights of stock or equity ownership or redeem stock in accordance
with the provisions of the proposed
certificate.
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We are
required by Delaware law to obtain the approval of holders of a majority of our
outstanding shares to amend our certificate. Because the acquisition
and related transactions cannot be completed unless we amend our certificate,
stockholder approval of the proposed certificate is necessary.
Prior to
voting, each stockholder should consider the fact that stockholder approval of
the proposed certificate is necessary for us to complete the acquisition and
related transactions. Each stockholder should also consider the fact
that if we do not complete the acquisition, GHQ will continue as a blank check
company until we find another suitable operating company to acquire, or GHQ will
be liquidated if an initial business combination is not consummated by February
14, 2010.
The
affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our
common stock is required to approve our proposed certificate. Broker
non-votes, abstentions or the failure to vote on the certificate proposal will
have the same effect as a vote against the certificate proposal. The
approval of our amended and restated certificate proposal is a condition to the
approval of our acquisition proposal.
AFTER
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, GHQ’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AND
DECLARED ADVISABLE OUR PROPOSED CERTIFICATE AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE OR INSTRUCT THEIR VOTE TO BE CAST “FOR” THE CERTIFICATE
PROPOSAL.
GHQ’s
stockholders are being asked to approve the issuance of up to 38,290,000 common
shares as part of the consideration for the acquisition and related
transactions. As of the date of this proxy statement, there are
48,500,000 shares of GHQ’s common stock outstanding, so this issuance would
represent more than 20% of our outstanding shares.
The NYSE
Alternext U.S. Company Guide requires stockholder approval as a prerequisite to
approval of applications to list additional shares to be issued as sole or
partial consideration for an acquisition of the stock or assets of another
company where the present or potential issuance of common stock, or securities
convertible into common stock, could result in an increase in outstanding common
shares of 20% or more. Because the acquisition and related
transactions will require the issuance by us of shares of common stock that
would represent more than 20% of our currently outstanding common stock,
stockholder approval of the share issuance proposal is required to maintain our
listing on the NYSE Alternext U.S.
Prior to
voting, each stockholder should consider the fact that the share issuance
proposal is a prerequisite to the issuance of shares of common stock that will
be used to complete the acquisition and related transactions. Each
stockholder should consider the fact that if we do not complete the acquisition,
GHQ will continue as a blank check company until we find another suitable
operating company to acquire, or GHQ will be liquidated if an initial business
combination is not consummated by February 14, 2010.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in
person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the special meeting is required to
approve the share issuance proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will have the same effect as a vote against the share issuance
proposal. Failing to vote on the share issuance proposal will have no
impact upon the approval of the share issuance proposal. The approval
of our share issuance proposal is a condition to the approval of our acquisition
proposal.
AFTER
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, GHQ’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED AND
DECLARED ADVISABLE THE SHARE ISSUANCE PROPOSAL AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE OR INSTRUCT THEIR VOTE TO BE CAST “FOR” THE SHARE ISSUANCE
PROPOSAL.
Options. Stock options, including incentive
stock options, as defined under Section 422 of the Code, and nonqualified stock
options may be granted pursuant to the 2009 Plan. The option exercise price of
all stock options granted pursuant to the 2009 Plan will not be less than 100%
of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock options
may be exercised as determined by the compensation committee, but in no event
may a stock option have a term extending beyond the tenth anniversary of the
date of grant. Incentive stock options granted to any employee who owns, as of
the date of grant, stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined
voting power of all classes of outstanding stock, however, shall have an
exercise price that is not less than 110% of the fair market value of the common
stock on the date of grant and may not have a term extending beyond the fifth
anniversary of the date of grant. The aggregate fair market value of the shares
with respect to which options intended to be incentive stock options are
exercisable for the first time by an employee in any calendar year may not
exceed $100,000, or such other amount as the Code
provides.
In the event of any
change in the outstanding
shares of common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, reorganization,
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, transaction or
exchange of shares or other corporate exchange, or any distribution to
stockholders of shares other than regular cash dividends or any transaction
similar to the foregoing, the compensation committee in its sole discretion
shall make such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable,
as to the number or kind of shares or other securities issued or reserved for
issuance pursuant to the 2009 Plan or pursuant to outstanding awards,
the maximum number of shares for which options or stock appreciation rights may
be granted during a calendar year to any participant in the 2009 Plan, the maximum amount of a
performance based award that may be granted during a calendar year to any
participant, the option exercise price or exercise price of any stock
appreciation right and/or any other affected terms of such awards.
In the event of a
change in control of GHQ, the compensation committee may accelerate, vest or
cause the restrictions to lapse with respect to all or any portion of an award, cancel such awards for
fair value (as determined by the compensation committee in its sole discretion)
which, in the case of options and stock appreciation rights, may equal the
excess, if any, of value of the consideration to be paid in the change in
control transaction to holders of the same number of shares subject to such
options or stock appreciation rights (or, if no consideration is paid in any
such transaction, the fair market value of the shares subject to options or
stock appreciation rights) over the aggregate option exercise price of the
options or exercise price of the stock appreciation rights, provide for the
issuance of substitute awards that will substantially preserve the otherwise
applicable terms of any affected awards previously granted as determined by the
compensation committee in its sole discretion, and/or provide that for a
Our board of directors may amend, alter or discontinue the 2009 Plan,
but no amendment, alteration or discontinuation shall be made, without the
approval of our stockholders, if (i) stockholder approval of such action is
required by exchange rules or applicable law, or (ii) such action would increase
the total number of shares of our common stock reserved under the 2009 Plan or
change the maximum number of shares for which awards may be granted to any
participant, or, without the consent of a participant, if such action would
materially adversely affect any of the rights of the participant under any
award. However, the compensation committee may amend the 2009 Plan in such
manner as it deems necessary to permit the granting of awards meeting the
requirements of the Code or other applicable laws.
Options. The Code
requires that, for treatment of an option as an incentive stock option, common
stock acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option cannot be
disposed of before the later of (i) two years from the date of grant of the
option, or (ii) one year from the date of exercise. Holders of
incentive stock options will generally incur no federal income tax liability at
the time of grant or upon exercise of those options. However, the
spread at exercise will be an “item of tax preference,” which may give rise to
“alternative minimum tax” liability for the taxable year in which the exercise
occurs. If the holder does not dispose of the shares before two years
following the date of grant and one year following the date of exercise, the
difference between the exercise price and the amount realized upon disposition
of the shares will constitute long-term capital gain or loss, as the case may
be. Assuming both holding periods are satisfied, no deduction will be
allowed to GHQ for federal income tax purposes in connection with the grant or
exercise of the incentive stock option. If, within two years
following the date of grant or within one year following the date of exercise,
the holder of shares acquired through the exercise of an incentive stock option
disposes of those shares, the participant will generally realize taxable
compensation at the time of such disposition equal to the difference between the
exercise price and the lesser of the fair market value of the share on the date
of exercise or the amount realized on the subsequent disposition of the shares,
and that amount will generally be deductible by GHQ for federal income tax
purposes, subject to the possible limitations on deductibility under Code
Sections 280G and 162(m) for compensation paid to executives designated in those
Sections. Finally, if an incentive stock option becomes first
exercisable in any one year for shares having an aggregate value in excess of
$100,000 (based on the grant date value), the portion of the incentive stock
option in respect of those excess shares will be treated as a non-qualified
stock option for federal income tax purposes.
GHQ units,
common shares and warrants are listed and traded on the NYSE Alternext U.S.
under the trading symbol “GHQ.U”, “GHQ” and “GHQ.WS”,
respectively. GHQ units commenced trading on February 15, 2008 while
its common stock and warrants began public trading on March 20,
2008. Prior to this date, there was no established public trading
market for GHQ securities. Each GHQ Unit consists of one share of GHQ
common stock and one warrant. The following table sets forth, for the
periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices per GHQ Unit, common
share and warrant, as reported on the NYSE Alternext U.S.
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2009
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First
Quarter*
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$ |
9.30 |
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$ |
9.00 |
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$ |
9.20 |
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$ |
9.10 |
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$ |
0.25 |
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$ |
0.20 |
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2008
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Fourth
Quarter
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$ |
9.80 |
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$ |
8.60 |
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$ |
9.19 |
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$ |
8.60 |
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$ |
0.65 |
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$ |
0.16 |
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Third
Quarter
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$ |
10.02 |
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$ |
9.71 |
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$ |
9.41 |
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$ |
9.15 |
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$ |
0.69 |
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$ |
0.45 |
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Second
Quarter
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$ |
10.07 |
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$ |
9.65 |
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$ |
9.35 |
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$ |
9.05 |
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$ |
0.85 |
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$ |
0.54 |
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First
Quarter**
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$ |
9.85 |
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$ |
9.60 |
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$ |
9.10 |
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$ |
9.05 |
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$ |
0.59 |
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$ |
0.55 |
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*
Through January 12,
2009.
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**
Units commenced public trading on February 15, 2008. Common stock and
warrants commenced public trading on March 20,
2008.
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The
closing price for each share of common stock, unit and warrant of GHQ on
September 22, 2008, the last full trading day before the announcement of the
proposed acquisition, was $9.23, $9.75 and $0.54, respectively. On
January 12, 2009, the most recent practicable date prior to the printing of this
document, the reported closing sales price per each share of common stock, unit
and warrant of GHQ was $9.20, $9.30 and $0.25, respectively. You should obtain current market
quotations for GHQ common shares, units and warrants in deciding whether to vote
for the acquisition.
Holders
As of
January 12, 2009, there were five holders of record of GHQ units, one holder of
record of GHQ common stock and two holders of record of GHQ
warrants. Such number does not include beneficial owners holding
shares through nominee names.
Dividends
Since our
IPO and the listing of our shares on the NYSE Alternext U.S., GHQ has not paid
dividends on our common stock and does not intend to pay any dividends prior to
the completion of the proposed acquisition. After we complete the
proposed acquisition, the payment of dividends will depend on our revenues and
earnings, if any, our capital requirements and our general financial
condition. The payment of dividends after the proposed acquisition
will be within the discretion of our board of directors at that
time. Our board of directors currently intends to retain any earnings
for use in our business operations and, accordingly, we do not anticipate that
our board will declare any dividends in the foreseeable future.
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All of our directors, Messrs. Bok, Niehaus, Rush,
Canfield and Clarke, and our founding stockholder own 200,000, 200,000,
43,479, 43,479, 43,479 and 8,369,563 units of GHQ, respectively. Each of
Messrs. Rush, Canfield and Clarke purchased his units prior to our IPO for
an aggregate price of $128.00 and had an aggregate market value of
approximately $404,355, based upon the last sale price of $9.30 on the
NYSE Alternext U.S. on January 12, 2009. If our proposals are
not approved and GHQ is unable to complete another business combination by
February 14, 2010, GHQ will be required to liquidate. In such event, the
8.5 million units held by Messrs. Rush, Canfield and Clark and our
founding stockholder will be worthless because Messrs. Rush, Canfield and
Clarke and our founding stockholder have agreed that they will not receive
any liquidation proceeds with respect to such shares. Accordingly, Messrs.
Rush, Canfield and Clarke and our founding stockholder have a financial
interest in the completion of the acquisition. The 400,000
shares purchased by Messrs. Bok and Niehaus in the IPO would receive
liquidation proceeds. Messrs. Bok and Niehaus each purchased
200,000 units in our IPO.
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The
following summary of the material provisions of the transaction agreement dated
as of September 22, 2008 among GHQ, Iridium Holdings and the sellers listed on
the signature pages thereof (the “Sellers”) does not purport to describe all of
the terms of the transaction agreement. The following summary is
qualified by reference to the complete text of the transaction agreement, a copy
of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement and incorporated herein
by reference. We urge you to read the full text of the transaction
agreement in its entirety for a more complete description of the terms and
conditions of the acquisition.
Explanatory
Note Regarding Summary of Transaction Agreement and Representations and
Warranties in the Transaction Agreement
The
following summary of the transaction agreement is intended to provide
information about the terms and conditions of our proposed acquisition of
Iridium Holdings. Neither this summary, nor the terms and conditions
of the transaction agreement, are intended to be, and should not be relied upon
as, disclosures or any factors or circumstances regarding GHQ or Iridium
Holdings. The provisions of the transaction agreement (such as the
representations and warranties) govern the contractual rights and relationships,
and allocate risks, between the parties in relation to the
acquisition. In particular, the representations and warranties made
by the parties to each other in the transaction agreement have been negotiated
between the parties with the principal purpose of setting forth their respective
rights with respect to their obligation to close the acquisition should events
or circumstances change or otherwise be different from those stated in the
representations and warranties. The representations and warranties
may be subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the
parties in connection with negotiating its terms, including contractual
standards of materiality that are different from those generally applicable to
stockholders under the federal securities laws. Matters may change
from the state of affairs contemplated by the representations and
warranties.
Structure
of the Acquisition
The
transaction agreement provides that upon the closing of the acquisition, GHQ
will own, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the units of
Iridium Holdings, and Iridium Holdings will become a subsidiary of
GHQ. Equityholders owning approximately 99.5% of Iridium Holdings’
equity have signed the transaction agreement. Additionally, GHQ will
acquire all of the equity of two of Iridium Holdings largest equityholders,
Baralonco and Syncom. As a result of the acquisition, all of the
Sellers’ ownership interests in Iridium Holdings held prior to the acquisition
will be exchanged for 35.8 million shares of GHQ common stock and $76.7 million
of cash, subject to certain adjustments.
Timing
of the Closing of the Acquisition
The
closing of the acquisition will take place no later than the fifth business day
after the conditions to closing set forth in the acquisition agreement, which
are described below under “– Conditions to the Closing of the Acquisition,” are
satisfied, unless GHQ and Iridium Holdings agree in writing to postpone the
closing to another time. The closing of the acquisition is expected
to occur as soon as legally permitted and practicable after our stockholders
approve the proposals described in this proxy statement.
Acquisition
Consideration
The
aggregate consideration to be paid in the acquisition and related transactions
is based upon a total enterprise value for Iridium Holdings of $591 million
(calculated as $100 million of cash to be paid to 100% of the Iridium Holdings’
equityholders, of which $77.1 million will be paid by GHQ and $22.9 million by
Greenhill Europe in the form of the note, plus $360 million of GHQ common stock
to be issued to 100% of the Iridium Holdings’ equityholders (based on an assumed
price per share of $10.00), plus net indebtedness of Iridium Holdings of
approximately $131 million as of June 30, 2008). Upon completion of
the acquisition, the Sellers who have signed the transaction agreement will
receive $76.7 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and GHQ will
issue to such Sellers 35.8 million shares of GHQ common stock. The
shares of common stock issued to the Sellers will not be registered under the
Securities Act, in reliance upon the exemptions from the registration
requirements as
provided
in Regulation D of the Securities Act and the representations and warranties of
the Sellers that they are “accredited investors” within the meaning of
Regulation D.
GHQ has
agreed in the transaction agreement to cause the funds in our trust account to
be disbursed at the closing of the acquisition: (1) to pay the cash
consideration to the Sellers; (2) to pay the conversion price to any
stockholders of GHQ who vote against the acquisition and properly exercise their
conversion rights; (3) to pay deferred underwriting fees and commissions to the
underwriters of our IPO; (4) to pay GHQ’s reasonable out-of-pocket documented
third party fees and expenses that are incurred prior to the closing in
connection with the transaction agreement and related transaction documents, to
the extent not paid prior to the closing; and (5) to prepay all or a portion of
Iridium Holdings’ outstanding indebtedness. GHQ will then contribute
the funds remaining in our trust account to Iridium Holdings, and Iridium
Holdings will use such funds for working capital and general corporate
matters.
Additionally,
90 days following the closing of the acquisition, if Iridium Holdings has in
effect a valid election under Section 754 of the Code with respect to the
taxable year in which the closing of the acquisition occurs, GHQ will make a tax
benefit payment of up to $30 million in aggregate to the Sellers (other than the
sellers of the equity of Baralonco and Syncom) to compensate for the tax basis
step-up.
Principal
Representations and Warranties
The
transaction agreement contains a number of representations and warranties made
by Iridium Holdings, the Sellers and GHQ to each other.
The
representations and warranties made by Iridium Holdings relate, among other
things, to:
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proper
corporate organization and similar corporate
matters;
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authorization,
performance and enforceability of the transaction agreement and related
transaction documents;
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governmental
authorizations and filings;
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absence
of any conflicts or violations under organizational documents, material
contracts, material laws or regulations as a result of the execution,
delivery and performance of the transaction agreement and related
transaction documents;
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capital
structure and subsidiaries;
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absence
of certain changes since December 31, 2007 (including absence of a
“Company Material Adverse Effect”);
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absence
of any undisclosed material
liabilities;
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compliance
with laws and court orders;
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employees,
employee benefit plans and labor
matters;
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environmental
matters; and
|
|
·
|
the
provision of information for inclusion in the proxy
statement.
|
The
representations and warranties made by the Sellers as to themselves relate,
among other things, to:
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·
|
proper
corporate organization and similar corporate
matters;
|
|
·
|
authorization,
performance and enforceability of the transaction agreement and the
related transaction documents;
|
|
·
|
absence
of any conflicts or violations under organizational documents, material
contracts, material laws or regulations as a result of the execution,
delivery and performance of the transaction agreement and related
transaction documents;
|
|
·
|
ownership
of the Iridium Holdings units;
|
|
·
|
purchase
of GHQ common stock for investment and not with a view to sell or
distribute; and
|
|
·
|
compliance
with the Securities Act and status of the Sellers as “accredited
investors” under Regulation D of the Securities
Act.
|
The
representations and warranties made by Baralonco and Syncom as to themselves
relate, among other things, to:
|
·
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proper
corporate organization and similar corporate
matters;
|
|
·
|
compliance
with laws and orders; and
|
The
representations and warranties made by GHQ relate, among other things,
to:
|
·
|
proper
corporate organization and similar corporate
matters;
|
|
·
|
authorization,
performance and enforceability of the acquisition agreement and the
related transaction documents;
|
|
·
|
unanimous
approval and recommendation of its board of
directors;
|
|
·
|
governmental
authorizations and filings;
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|
·
|
absence
of any conflicts or violations under organizational documents, material
contracts, material laws or regulations as a result of the execution,
delivery and performance of the transaction agreement and related
transaction documents;
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|
·
|
capital
structure and subsidiaries;
|
|
·
|
SEC
filings and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;
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·
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absence
of certain changes since February 21, 2008 (including absence of a “GHQ
Material Adverse Effect”;
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|
·
|
compliance
with laws and court orders;
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·
|
transactions
with affiliates;
|
|
·
|
employees
and employee matters;
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|
·
|
opportunity
for independent investigation; and
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·
|
GHQ’s
qualification to own and operate Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries
under applicable laws, including the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended.
|
Materiality
and Material Adverse Effect
Many of
the representations and warranties contained in the transaction agreement are
qualified by materiality or material adverse effect. For purposes of
the transaction agreement, a “Company Material Adverse Effect” or “GHQ Material
Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (x) the financial
condition, business, assets or results of operations of Iridium Holdings and its
subsidiaries or GHQ and its subsidiaries, as the case may be, taken as a whole
or (y) the ability of Iridium Holdings or GHQ, as the case may be, to perform
its obligations under or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the
transaction agreement. However, any effect to the extent it results
from any of the following will not be considered when determining whether a
Company Material Adverse Effect or GHQ Material Adverse Effect has
occurred:
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·
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the
negotiation, execution, announcement or performance of the transaction
agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise,
with customers, suppliers, distributors, partners, financing sources,
employees, revenue and profitability (other than any effect resulting from
breach of certain specified representations and warranties of Iridium
Holdings or GHQ, as the case may
be);
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·
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changes
in the economy or credit, debt, financial or capital markets, in each
case, in the United States or elsewhere in the world, including changes in
interest or exchange rates, except to the extent Iridium Holdings and its
subsidiaries or GHQ and its subsidiaries, as the case may be, taken as a
whole, are disproportionately affected compared to other companies in the
same industry;
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·
|
changes
in any laws, GAAP or accounting standards or interpretations thereof; or
changes in the general legal, regulatory or political conditions, except
to the extent Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries or GHQ and its
subsidiaries, as the case may be, taken as a whole, are disproportionately
affected compared to other companies in the same
industry;
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·
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act
of war, sabotage or terrorism, or any escalation or worsening of any such
acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, except to the extent Iridium Holdings
and its subsidiaries or GHQ and its subsidiaries, as the case may be,
taken as a whole, are disproportionately affected compared to other
companies in the same industry;
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·
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earthquakes,
hurricanes, tornados or other natural disasters; except to the extent
Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries or GHQ and its subsidiaries, as the
case may be, taken as a whole, are disproportionately affected compared to
other companies in the same
industry;
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·
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any
failure, in and of itself, to meet any internal or public projections,
forecasts or estimates of revenue, capital expenditures or earnings or the
issuance of revised projections that are not as optimistic as those in
existence as of September 22, 2008, so long as the underlying causes of
any such failure or issuance may be taken into consideration in
determining whether such material adverse effect has occurred;
and
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|
·
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changes
affecting the industries generally in which Iridium Holdings or its
subsidiaries or GHQ and its subsidiaries, as the case may be, conduct
business, except to the extent Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries or
GHQ and its subsidiaries, as the case may be, taken as a whole, are
disproportionately affected compared to other companies in the same
industry.
|
The
occurrence of a Company Material Adverse Effect or a GHQ Material Adverse Effect
provides grounds for the other party not to consummate the acquisition and to
terminate the transaction agreement if such occurrence of a Company Material
Adverse Effect or a GHQ Material Adverse Effect would cause the conditions set
forth in the transaction agreement not to be satisfied and such condition is
incapable of being satisfied by the End Date (as defined below).
Principal
Covenants
General
Iridium
Holdings, GHQ and the Sellers have agreed to perform certain covenants in the
transaction agreement. The principal covenants are as
follows:
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·
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use
reasonable best efforts to obtain, as promptly as practicable, all
approvals and consents that are required to be obtained in order to
complete the acquisition;
|
|
·
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promptly
notify the other parties when a party becomes aware that any consent or
approval is required in connection with the transactions contemplated by
the transaction agreement, any notice or other communication from any
governmental authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by
the transaction agreement is received, or any material actions, suits,
claims, investigations or proceedings are commenced or to its knowledge
threatened against Iridium Holdings or its subsidiaries or against GHQ
before any arbitrator or governmental
authority;
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·
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make
the filings required under the HSR Act with respect to the acquisition and
cooperate with the other parties in making their respective
filings;
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|
·
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cooperate
and make all filings with the FCC for its consent to the transactions
contemplated by the transaction
agreement;
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·
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use
reasonable best efforts to prepare, file and diligently prosecute all
applications required to be filed with non-U.S. governmental authorities
for consent to the transactions contemplated by the transaction agreement,
to cooperate in the filing of such applications and keep the other parties
promptly appraised of any inquiries or requests for information from any
non-U.S. governmental authorities;
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·
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cooperate
and use reasonable best efforts to make filings with or deliver required
notifications, to the extent legally required or deemed appropriate by the
parties, to the DoD and U.S. security agencies, the Committee on Foreign
Investment in the United States, the Office of Foreign Assets Control,
Department of the Treasury and any filings or notifications required to be
made under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 and the
ITAR;
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·
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cooperate
with one another in connection with the preparation of the filing of this
proxy statement; and
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·
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consult
with each other prior to issuing any press release, making any public
statement or scheduling any press conference or conference call with
investors with respect to the transaction agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby, except as may be required by law or any listing
agreement or rule of any national securities exchange or
association.
|
Each party
has agreed to comply with any condition imposed on it by the FCC in connection
with the granting of its consent to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the transaction agreement and with any condition imposed on it
by any similar order of a non-U.S. governmental authority, except that no party
shall be required to comply with a condition if the condition was imposed as a
result of a circumstance the existence of which does not constitute a breach by
the party of its representations, warranties, covenants obligations or agreement
under the transaction agreement or the compliance with the condition would
result in or cause an Iridium Material Adverse Effect or a GHQ Material Adverse
Effect.
Interim covenants relating to
Iridium Holdings, Baralonco and Syncom. Under the transaction
agreement, Iridium Holdings is required to, and has agreed to use its reasonable
best efforts to cause its subsidiaries to, conduct its business in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice, maintain in effect all of its licenses and
permits and manage its working capital (including the timing of collection of
accounts receivable and of the payment of accounts payable) in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice. The most
significant activities that each of Iridium Holdings, Baralonco and Syncom have
agreed not to do, and to not permit any of their respective subsidiaries to do,
except with the consent of GHQ (which consent cannot be unreasonably withheld or
delayed) and subject to certain exceptions, are as follows:
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·
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amend
its charter documents (whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise);
|
|
·
|
split,
combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock or of any subsidiary
or declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution in respect
of any shares of its capital stock or of any subsidiary or redeem or
repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem or repurchase any
shares of its capital stock (or securities convertible or exchangeable for
capital stock) or of any
subsidiary;
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·
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issue,
deliver or sell or authorize the issuance, delivery or sale of any shares
of capital stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
capital stock);
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·
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acquire
(by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise),
directly or indirectly, any material assets, securities, material
properties, other than in the ordinary course of business in a manner
consistent with past practice;
|
|
·
|
sell,
lease or otherwise transfer or incur any lien on any material assets,
securities, material properties or businesses, other than in the ordinary
course of business in a manner consistent with past
practice;
|
|
·
|
make
any loans, advances, capital contributions to or investments in any other
person, other than in the ordinary course of business in a manner
consistent with past practice;
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·
|
with
respect to Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries, create, incur, assume,
suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any indebtedness
for borrowed money or guarantees thereof having an aggregate principal
amount (together with all other indebtedness for borrowed money or
guarantees thereof of Iridium Holdings or its subsidiaries) outstanding at
any time greater than the sum of Iridium Holdings’ existing credit
facilities and the note and, with respect to Baralonco and Syncom, create,
incur, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any
indebtedness for borrowed money or any guarantees
thereof;
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·
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enter
into any hedging arrangements;
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|
·
|
enter
into any agreement or arrangement that limits or otherwise restricts in
any material respect Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries and affiliates
or Baralonco and Syncom and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates,
from engaging in or competing in any line of business, in any location, or
with any person except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, waive, release or assign any material rights, claims or
benefits;
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|
·
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except
as required by any pre-existing contractual obligation expressly disclosed
to GHQ, law or existing employee benefits plan of Iridium Holdings (i)
grant or increase any severance or termination pay (or amend any existing
arrangement with) any director or officer, (ii) increase benefits payable
under any existing severance or termination pay policies or employment
agreements in respect of any officer or director, (iii) enter into any
employment or deferred compensation or other similar agreement (or amend
any such existing agreement) with any director or officer, (iv) establish
or adopt or amend any collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing,
thrift, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, compensation, stock
option, restricted stock or other benefit plan or arrangement covering any
director or officer or (v) increase material compensation, bonus or other
benefits payable to any director of officer, in each case, other than in
the ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with past
practice;
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|
·
|
change
methods of accounting, except as required by concurrent changes in law or
GAAP;
|
|
·
|
settle
or propose to settle (i) any material litigation, investigation,
arbitration, proceeding or other claim before any arbitrator or
governmental authority, (ii) any equityholder litigation against Iridium
Holdings, Baralonco or Syncom or any of their respective current or former
officers or directors before any governmental authority or (iii) any
litigation, arbitration or proceeding that relates in any way to the
transaction contemplated by the transaction agreement before any
arbitrator or governmental
authority;
|
|
·
|
make
or change any material tax election, change any annual tax accounting
period, adopt or change any method of tax accounting, materially amend any
tax returns or file claims for material tax refunds, enter any material
closing agreement, settle any material tax claim, audit or assessment, or
surrender any right to claim a material tax refund, offset or other
reduction in tax liability;
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|
·
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apply
to the FCC or any non-U.S. governmental authority for any license,
construction permit, authorization or any modification thereto that would
materially restrict the present operations of any satellites owned by
Iridium Holdings or its subsidiaries;
or
|
|
·
|
agree,
resolve or commit to do any of the
foregoing.
|
Interim covenants relating to
GHQ. Under the transaction agreement, GHQ is required to, and
has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to, conduct its business in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice and maintain in effect all of its
licenses and permits in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice. The most significant activities that GHQ has agreed not to
do, are as follows:
|
·
|
amend
its charter documents (whether by acquisition, consolidation or
otherwise);
|
|
·
|
split,
combine or reclassify any shares of capital stock of GHQ or other equity
securities or declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution
in respect of the capital stock of GHQ or other equity securities, or
redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase or
otherwise acquire any capital stock or other equity securities of
GHQ;
|
|
·
|
issue,
deliver or sell or authorize the issuance, delivery or sale of, any
capital stock or other equity securities of GHQ or amend any term of any
capital stock or other equity securities of GHQ (in each case whether by
acquisition, consolidation or
otherwise);
|
|
·
|
acquire
(by acquisition, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or
otherwise), directly or indirectly, any assets, securities, properties or
businesses, other then in the ordinary course of business in a manner
consistent with past practice;
|
|
·
|
sell,
lease or otherwise transfer, or to create or incur any lien on, any
assets, securities, properties, or businesses, other than in the ordinary
course consistent with past
practice;
|
|
·
|
make
any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any
other person;
|
|
·
|
create,
incur, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any
indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees
thereof;
|
|
·
|
enter
into any hedging arrangements;
|
|
·
|
enter
into any agreement or arrangement that limits or otherwise restricts in
any respect GHQ or any successor thereto that could, after the closing of
the acquisition, limit or restrict in any respect GHQ or any of its
subsidiaries from engaging or competing in any line of business in any
location with any person or, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, otherwise waive, release or assign any
material rights, claim or benefits of
GHQ;
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|
·
|
increase
compensation or bonus payable to any director or
officer;
|
|
·
|
change
methods of accounting, except as required by concurrent changes in law or
GAAP;
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|
·
|
settle
or offer or propose to settle, (i) any material litigation, investigation,
arbitration, proceeding or other claim involving or against GHQ, (ii) any
equityholder litigation against GHQ or (iii) any litigation, arbitration,
proceeding or dispute that relates to the transactions contemplated by the
transaction agreement;
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|
·
|
make
or change any material tax election, change any annual tax accounting
period, adopt or change any method of tax accounting, materially amend any
tax returns or file claims for material tax refunds, enter any material
closing agreement, settle any material tax claim, audit or assessment, or
surrender any right to claim a material tax refund, offset or other
reduction in tax liability; or
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|
·
|
agree,
resolve or commit to do any of the
foregoing.
|
Prior to
or on the date of the closing of the acquisition, GHQ has agreed to adopt a
long-term equity incentive plan for the officers and directors of GHQ following
the closing of the acquisition pursuant to which options to purchase GHQ common
stock and/or awards of restricted shares of GHQ common stock will be
granted. Under the 2009 Plan, GHQ will reserve 8.0 million shares of
its common stock for issuance under the 2009 plan and will register those shares
under the Securities Act. Please see Proposal IV – Adoption of the
Incentive Option Plan.
Access
to Information
Until the
closing date, the Sellers agree to provide GHQ and its representatives
reasonable access during normal business hours, upon prior notice, to the
office, properties, books and records of Iridium Holdings, its subsidiaries and
of Baralonco and Syncom, furnish financial and operating data as GHQ or its
representatives may reasonably request and to cause the employees, counsel and
financial advisors of Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries to cooperate with
GHQ. GHQ has also agreed to provide Iridium Holdings and its
representatives reasonable access during normal business hours, upon prior
notice, to the office, properties, books and records of GHQ, furnish financial
and operating data as Iridium Holdings or its representatives may reasonably
request and to cause the employees, counsel and financial advisors of GHQ, as
applicable, and its subsidiaries to cooperate with GHQ.
Sales
and Transfer Taxes
All
transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other taxes and fees
(including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the transaction agreement will be borne equally by
GHQ, on the one hand, and the Sellers, on the other hand. The party
having responsibility for the payment of the tax will prepare and file all
necessary tax returns and other documentation, with the cost of the preparation
of the filing to be borne by Iridium Holdings.
Distributions
Iridium
Holdings is not permitted to, directly or indirectly, pay any cash or other
dividends or make any cash or other distributions to any of its equityholders at
any time prior to the closing of the acquisition, except Iridium Holdings may
make cash distributions to its equityholders of up to an aggregate of $37.9
million. On November 3, 2008, Iridium Holdings made distributions
totaling $13,568,393 to Baralonco and $5,136,346 to Syncom as part of the cash
distributions of an aggregate of $37.9 million that Iridium Holdings made to its
equityholders. Baralonco and Syncom may distribute their allocable
portion of any permitted Iridium Holdings distribution and may distribute any
net cash to their equityholders.
Directors
and Officers of GHQ After the Acquisition
GHQ and
Iridium Holdings have each agreed to take all necessary action to ensure that
two individuals designated by Greenhill who currently serve on GHQ’s board of
directors, four of Iridium Holdings’ current directors, the current chief
executive officer of Iridium Holdings, one representative of Syncom and two of
the current independent directors of GHQ continue to serve or are appointed to
serve, as the case may be, as directors of GHQ, to be effective immediately
after the closing of the acquisition. The current officers of GHQ
will resign at the closing of the acquisition and the current officers of
Iridium Holdings will continue to serve in their current positions after the
closing of the acquisition.
Indemnification
for Officers and Directors
All rights
to indemnification for acts or omissions occurring through the closing date that
now exist in favor of current officers and directors of Iridium Holdings and GHQ
will survive the closing of the acquisition and continue in full force and
effect. To the fullest extent allowed by applicable law, from the
closing to the sixth anniversary of the closing of the acquisition, GHQ will
cause Iridium Holdings, its subsidiaries and any successor to GHQ to indemnify
and hold harmless each former and present (as of the closing of the acquisition)
officer and director of GHQ, Iridium Holdings and its subsidiaries against any
costs incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation arising out of actions taken by them in their capacity as an
officer or director prior to the closing of the acquisition.
For a
period of six years following the closing of the acquisition, GHQ will cause to
be maintained in effect the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
policies (or policies of at least the same coverage amounts containing terms and
conditions which are no less advantageous) of Iridium Holdings and GHQ with
respect to claims arising from facts and circumstances prior to the closing of
the acquisition. In the case of Iridium Holdings’ insurance policy,
GHQ shall not be required to pay an aggregate premium for the directors’ and
officers’ liability insurance in excess of 300% of the annual premium Iridium
Holdings paid in its last full fiscal year.
Amendment
and Restatement of GHQ’s Certificate
Prior to
closing of the acquisition, GHQ has agreed to amend and restate our certificate
to, among other things, change our name to “Iridium Communications Inc.”, permit
GHQ’s continued existence after February 14, 2010 and increase the number of our
authorized shares of common stock. See “Proposal II—Approval of the
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.”
Exclusivity;
No Solicitation
Iridium
Holdings and the Sellers have agreed and have agreed to cause their respective
affiliates, employees and representative not to, directly or indirectly, solicit
or enter into discussions or transactions with, or encourage or provide
information to any person (other than GHQ) concerning any recapitalization,
merger, sale (directly or indirectly) of Iridium Holdings or its
assets. Additionally, GHQ has agreed, and has agreed to cause its
affiliates, employees and representatives not to, directly or indirectly,
solicit or enter into discussions or transactions or encourage or provide
information to any person (other than Iridium Holdings) concerning a business
combination or similar transaction. Iridium Holdings, the Sellers and
GHQ have also agreed to terminate and cause their respective affiliates,
employees and representatives to terminate any discussions with any person
concerning a possible business combination.
Special
Meeting of GHQ Stockholders
GHQ has
agreed to call and hold a special meeting of its stockholders as soon as
practicable in accordance with applicable law for the purpose of seeking the
approval of our stockholders of the acquisition and other proposals described in
this proxy statement.
Fees
and Expenses
The
parties to the transaction agreement agreed that each party will bear its own
fees and expenses. To the extent any fees and expenses are incurred
by Iridium Holdings in connection with the transaction agreement and other
related agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby, those fees and
expenses will be discharged by Iridium Holdings in full on or prior to the
closing of the acquisition.
Convertible
Subordinated Promissory Note
The
parties have agreed that in the event the closing of the acquisition occurs
after September 22, 2009, Greenhill Europe, the holder of the $22.9 million
convertible subordinated promissory note issued by Iridium Holdings (the
“note”), will upon the exercise of its conversions rights under the note be
considered a Seller under the transaction agreement and have the right to
receive 2.29 million shares of GHQ common stock at the closing of the
acquisition. If the closing of the acquisition occurs prior to
September 22, 2009, GHQ and Greenhill Europe will enter into an agreement which
will entitle Greenhill Europe to exchange the Iridium Holdings unit into which
the note is convertible for shares of GHQ common stock upon the first
anniversary of the issuance of the note at an exchange ratio of 27.2866 shares
of GHQ common stock per Iridium Holdings unit.
Conditions
to the Closing of the Acquisition
The
obligation of GHQ, Iridium Holdings and the Sellers to complete the acquisition
and related transactions is subject to the requirement that specified conditions
must be satisfied or waived by the parties, including the
following:
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·
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GHQ
stockholder approval of the acquisition, the issuance of GHQ common stock
to the Sellers, the amendment of the GHQ certificate of incorporation and
the adoption of a stock incentive plan have been obtained and less than
30% of GHQ stockholders have voted against the acquisition and elected to
convert their Parent stock into
cash;
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|
·
|
no
law or injunction shall prohibit the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the transaction
agreement;
|
|
·
|
the
expiration or termination of any applicable waiting periods under the HSR
Act (early termination of the applicable waiting period was granted on
October 10, 2008);
|
|
·
|
all
FCC consents with respect to the transactions contemplated by the
transaction agreement have been obtained;
and
|
|
·
|
all
actions by or in respect of filings with any other governmental authority
required to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
the transaction agreement have been taken, made or obtained other than
actions or filings the failure of which to take, make or obtain would not
reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Iridium Holdings or
GHQ.
|
The
obligation of GHQ to complete the acquisition and related transactions is
subject to the requirement that specified conditions must be satisfied or waived
by GHQ, including the following:
|
·
|
Iridium
Holdings’ and the Sellers’ representations and warranties must be true and
correct in all respects (without giving effect to any limitations as to
materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect contained therein) at and
as of the closing of the acquisition (or, to the extent any such
representation and warranty specifically states that it refers to an
earlier date, and on as of such earlier date), except where the failures
|
of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct, in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to have an Iridium Holdings’ Material Adverse
Effect;
|
·
|
Iridium
Holdings and the Sellers must have performed, in all material respects,
their respective obligations to be performed at or prior to the closing of
the acquisition;
|
|
·
|
each
Seller which is receiving shares of GHQ common stock at the closing of the
acquisition has executed and delivered the registration rights
agreement;
|
|
·
|
the
Sellers of Baralonco and Syncom which are receiving shares of GHQ common
stock at the closing of the acquisition have executed and delivered pledge
agreements;
|
|
·
|
the
Sellers have effected the contribution of 100% of the issued and
outstanding equity interests of Iridium Carrier Holdings LLC and Iridium
Carrier Services LLC to Iridium
Holdings;
|
|
·
|
GHQ
has received a certification from Iridium Holdings certifying that 50% or
more of the value of the gross assets of Iridium Holdings does not consist
of U.S. real property interests, or that 90% or more of the value of the
gross assets of Iridium Holdings does not consist of U.S. real property
interests plus cash or cash
equivalents;
|
|
·
|
GHQ
has received a certification from Baralonco and Syncom that each of them
is not, and has not been, a United States real property holding
corporation as defined in the Code;
|
|
·
|
GHQ
has received an affidavit by the custodians of the shares of Baralonco,
substantially to the effect that in its capacity as custodian, each has
actual knowledge of the ultimate beneficial owner of the shares who has
been the ultimate beneficial owner of the shares of Baralonco from the
date of Baralonco’s formation to the closing of the acquisition;
and
|
|
·
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Baralonco
has delivered evidence to GHQ that it has repaid all of its outstanding
debt and all other liabilities.
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The
obligation of Iridium Holdings and the Sellers to complete the acquisition and
the related transactions is subject to the requirement that specified conditions
must be satisfied or waived by Iridium Holdings and the Sellers, including the
following:
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GHQ’s
representations and warranties must be true and correct in all respects
(without giving effect to any limitations as to materiality or GHQ
Material Adverse Effect contained therein) at and as of the closing of the
acquisition (or, to the extent any such representation and warranty
specifically states that it refers to an earlier date, on and as of such
earlier date), except where the failures of such representations and
warranties to be so true and correct, in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have a GHQ Material Adverse
Effect;
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GHQ
must have performed, in all material respects, its obligations to be
performed at or prior to the closing of the
acquisition;
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the
current officers of GHQ have resigned and the current officers of Iridium
Holdings have been duly appointed as officers of GHQ and the directors
described above have been duly appointed as directors of
GHQ;
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GHQ
has made appropriate arrangements to have the trust account disbursed to
GHQ immediately prior to the closing of the
acquisition;
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GHQ
and its affiliates have executed and delivered the registration rights
agreement; and
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GHQ
has executed and delivered the pledge
agreements.
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We cannot
assure you that all of the conditions above will be satisfied or waived or that
the acquisition will occur. It is the intent of our board of
directors to resolicit stockholders approval for the acquisition if either party
waives a material condition to closing detailed above.
Indemnification
The
transaction agreement contains indemnification provisions pursuant to which each
of the Sellers will indemnify GHQ for the following:
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any
breaches of representations and warranties made by such Seller (determined
without regard to any qualification or exception contained therein
relating to materiality or any similar qualification or standard);
and
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any
breaches of covenants or agreement made or performed by such Seller
pursuant to the transaction
agreement.
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Each
Seller’s maximum liability for all claims for indemnification pursuant to the
transaction agreement shall not exceed the sum of (i) the cash consideration
received by such Seller and (ii) the product of the number of shares of GHQ
common stock received by Seller and $10. Baralonco and Syncom have
indemnification obligations with respect to pre-closing tax
liabilities. In the case of the pre-closing tax indemnity given by
each of Baralonco and Syncom, the maximum liability for Syncom shall not exceed
$3 million and for Baralonco shall not exceed $15 million. In support
of their indemnity obligations under the transaction agreement, the seller of
the Syncom shares has agreed to pledge to GHQ 300,000 shares of GHQ common stock
it receives at the closing of the acquisition for a period of nine months
post-closing and the seller of the Baralonco shares agrees to pledge 1.5 million
shares of GHQ common stock it receives at closing for a period of two years
post-closing.
Termination
The
transaction agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the closing of the
acquisition in the following circumstances:
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by
mutual written consent of Iridium Holdings and
GHQ;
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by
either Iridium Holdings or GHQ if the acquisition is not consummated by
June 29, 2009 (if all required regulatory approvals have been obtained) or
February 14, 2010 (if the only condition to closing still not fulfilled as
of June 29, 2009 is the obtaining of all regulatory approvals) (the “End
Date”);
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by
either Iridium Holdings or GHQ if any material law or final,
non-appealable order prohibits the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the transaction
agreement;
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by
either Iridium Holdings or GHQ if the stockholders of GHQ fail to approve
at the GHQ special meeting or any adjournment thereof the adoption of the
transaction agreement, the issuance of GHQ common stock to the Sellers,
the amendment of GHQ’s certificate of incorporation and the adoption of a
stock incentive plan;
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by
GHQ if there has been a breach by Iridium Holdings or a Seller of any
representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or
obligation that would result in the failure of that party to satisfy a
condition to the closing, and such condition is incapable of being
satisfied by the End Date;
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by
Iridium Holdings if there has been a breach by GHQ of any representation
or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or obligation that would
result in the failure of GHQ to satisfy a condition to the closing, and
such condition is incapable of being satisfied by the End Date;
or
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by
Iridium Holdings if the special meeting has not been held within 90 days
of this proxy statement being cleared by the
SEC.
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Effect
of Termination and Remedies
If the
transaction agreement is validly terminated, there will be no liability or
obligation on the part of any party (or any stockholder, member, director,
officer, employee, agent, consultant or representative of such party) to the
other parties thereto, except certain limited provisions of the transaction
agreement will survive such termination. In addition, each party will
be responsible for its breach of the transaction agreement if such termination
shall result from the willful:
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failure
of any party to fulfill a condition to the performance of the obligations
of the other party; or
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failure
of any party to perform a covenant in the transaction
agreement.
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Each party
to the transaction agreement has agreed that the other parties will be entitled
to seek an injunction to prevent breaches of the transaction agreement and to
seek specific performance of the provisions of the transaction
agreement.
Termination
Fee
GHQ agrees
to pay a termination fee of $5 million in cash, shares of GHQ common stock or a
combination thereof if the transaction agreement is terminated under all of the
following circumstances:
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stockholders
of GHQ fail to approve at the GHQ special meeting or any adjournment
thereof the adoption of the transaction agreement, the issuance of GHQ
common stock to the Sellers, the amendment of GHQ’s certificate of
incorporation and the adoption of a stock incentive
plan;
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GHQ
fails to use reasonable best efforts to obtain the necessary approvals to
consummate the acquisition, including obtaining stockholder approval, SEC
clearance of the proxy statement and antitrust clearance;
and
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and
thereafter, GHQ consummates an initial business combination (other than
with Iridium Holdings).
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The
receipt of such cash or shares of GHQ stock, as the case may be, shall be the
exclusive remedy of Iridium Holdings and the Sellers and their respective
affiliates with respect to a failure to use reasonable best efforts as described
above and Iridium Holdings and the Sellers and their respective affiliates shall
have waived any other rights and claims they may have against GHQ, whether in
law or in equity, relating to the transaction agreement following receipt of
such cash or shares of GHQ stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
prior to ten business days immediately following the termination of the
transaction agreement, Iridium Holdings notifies GHQ in writing that it believes
in good faith that GHQ has committed a willful breach of this Agreement, then
the termination fee obligation of GHQ shall not come into effect and Iridium
Holdings shall have the right to pursue its remedies for willful breach of the
transaction agreement against GHQ, subject to other limitations set forth in the
transaction agreement.
Waiver
of Claims Against the Trust Account
The
Sellers and Iridium Holdings have waived any claims against GHQ’s trust account,
and have agreed that prior to closing of the acquisition they do not have,
directly or indirectly, any right, title, interest or claim of any kind to the
monies in the trust account and have waived any such claim they may have in the
future as a result of or arising out of, the transaction agreement, and other
transaction documents or any negotiations, contracts, or agreements with GHQ or
any of its affiliates or representatives and will not seek recourse, directly or
indirectly, against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.
Governing
Law
The
acquisition agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without
giving effect to any conflict or choice of law provision that would result in
the imposition of another state’s law.
Jurisdiction
Prior to
the closing of the acquisition, any suit, action or proceeding seeking to
enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection
with, the transaction agreement or the transactions contemplated under the
transaction agreement will be brought in the U.S. District Court located in the
state of Delaware or any Delaware state court.
Tax
Matters
GHQ and
the Sellers agree to reasonably cooperate on certain tax
matters. Iridium Holdings agrees to have in effect an election under
Section 754 of the Code for the taxable year with respect to which the closing
of the acquisition will occur. With respect to tax periods ending on
or before the date of the closing of the acquisition, the transaction agreement
sets forth certain procedures to be followed by GHQ and the Sellers with respect
to (a) the filing of tax returns of each blocker entity and the payment by each
blocker entity Seller of pre-closing tax liability of the applicable blocker
entity and (b) tax audits of Iridium Holdings.
The following is a summary of the
material terms of other agreements that the parties to the transaction agreement
or their affiliates will enter into immediately prior to or as of the
closing of the
acquisition. For more information, you should read each such
transaction agreement filed as an annex to this proxy
statement.
Concurrently
with the signing of the transaction agreement, Iridium Holdings and Greenhill
Europe entered into an agreement to purchase the note. The closing of
the purchase of the note occurred on October 24, 2008, following receipt by
Iridium Holdings of the consent of its lenders to the issuance of the
note. The representations and warranties of Iridium Holdings in the
note purchase agreement are substantially the same as those in the transaction
agreement. These representations and warranties survive until the
earlier of October 24, 2009 and the closing of transactions contemplated by the
transaction agreement.
Greenhill
Europe has the option to convert the note into Iridium Holdings units upon the
later to occur of (i) October 24, 2009 and (ii) the closing or the termination
of the transaction agreement. If the closing of the acquisition occurs after
September 22, 2009, upon the exercise of its conversion rights, Greenhill Europe
will be entitled to receive 2.29 million shares of GHQ common stock. If the
closing occurs prior to September 22, 2009, GHQ and Greenhill Europe will enter
into an agreement which will entitle Greenhill Europe to exchange, upon the
first anniversary of the issuance of the note, each Iridium Holding unit into
which the note is converted for 27.2866 shares of GHQ common stock.
At the
closing of the acquisition, GHQ will enter into a registration rights agreement
with each Seller who receives GHQ common stock at the closing, our founding
stockholder and our initial other stockholders, pursuant to which each such
person will be granted certain registration rights with respect to the
registration of its GHQ common stock.
This
registration rights agreement will supersede the existing registration rights
agreement among GHQ, our founding stockholder and our initial
stockholders.
GHQ will
be required to file a shelf registration statement and will use its reasonable
best efforts to have the shelf registration statement declared effective by the
SEC within six months of the closing of the acquisition to permit these holders
to sell their GHQ common stock.
GHQ will
be required to conduct underwritten public offerings to permit holders of at
least 3.0 million shares of common stock to sell their shares upon demand, but
GHQ will not be required to effect more than one demand registration in any
six-month period following an effective registration statement.
All of the
stockholders party to the registration rights agreement will also be permitted
to include their GHQ common stock in certain registered offerings conducted by
GHQ after the closing of the acquisition.
Each of
the stockholders party to this registration rights agreement will not sell,
pledge, establish a “put equivalent position,” liquidate or decrease a “call
equivalent position,” or otherwise dispose of or transfer any GHQ securities for
a period of one year after the closing date of the acquisition; provided that
the board of directors of GHQ may authorize an underwritten public offering at
any time beginning six months after the closing date, which will be subject to
the registration rights detailed in the preceding paragraph. In
addition, each stockholder may pledge up to 25% of its GHQ shares as collateral
to secure cash borrowing from a third party financial institution so long as
such financial institution agrees to be subject to these transfer
restrictions.
The full
text of the form of the registration rights agreement to be entered into at the
closing of the acquisition is attached to this proxy statement as Annex
D.
At the
closing of the acquisition, GHQ will enter into pledge agreements with each of
the sellers of the stock of Baralonco and Syncom to secure their indemnification
obligations under the transaction agreement. Pursuant to the terms of
the pledge agreements, the sellers of the stock of Baralonco and Syncom will
pledge their shares of GHQ common stock that they receive at the closing of the
acquisition to GHQ. The seller of Baralonco will pledge 1.5 million
shares of GHQ common stock for a period of two years following the closing of
the acquisition, and the seller of Syncom will pledge 300,000 shares of GHQ
common stock for a period of nine months following the closing of the
acquisition.
The full
text of the form of the pledge agreement to be entered into at the closing of
the acquisition is attached to this proxy statement as Annex C.
At the
closing of the acquisition, our founding stockholder has agreed to forfeit the
following GHQ securities which it currently owns: (1) 1,441,176
shares of our common stock purchased as part of the unit purchase on November
13, 2007; (2) 8,369,563 warrants purchased as part of the unit purchase on
November 13, 2007; and (3) 2,000,000 warrants purchased in a private placement
on February 21, 2008.
This proxy
statement is being furnished to our stockholders as part of our solicitation of
proxies for use at the special meeting in connection with our proposed
acquisition of Iridium Holdings. This document provides you with the
information you need to know to be able to vote or instruct your vote to be cast
at the special meeting.
GHQ will
hold the special meeting at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, on ,
2009, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY, to vote on
the proposals described below and elsewhere in this proxy
statement.
At the close of business on the record date, executive officers
and directors of GHQ and their affiliates owned and were entitled to vote
545,437 shares of GHQ common stock, or approximately 1.1% of the aggregate
voting power of GHQ’s common stock entitled to vote at the special
meeting. In connection with the vote on the acquisition proposal, our
founding stockholder, officers and directors, to the extent they own GHQ common
stock, have agreed to vote their shares in accordance with the majority of
common stock voted by the public stockholders. Our founding
stockholder, officers and directors, to the extent they own GHQ common stock,
have informed GHQ that it and they intend to vote all of its and their shares
“FOR” the other proposals.
Business
General
We are a
blank check company formed on November 2, 2007 for the purpose of effecting an
acquisition, through a merger capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock
purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more
businesses or assets, which we refer to as our initial business
combination. The registration statement for our IPO was declared
effective February 14, 2008.
We
completed the IPO on February 21, 2008 of 40,000,000 GHQ units and recorded
gross proceeds of approximately $408.0 million consisting of $400 million from
the public offering and $8.0 million from the sale of private placement warrants
to our founding stockholder. Upon the closing of the IPO, GHQ paid
$6.9 million of underwriting fees and placed $400 million of the total proceeds
into the trust account. The remaining approximately $1.1 million were
used to pay offering costs. Each GHQ unit consists of one share of
common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and one warrant to purchase one share
of our common stock at an initial exercise price of $7.00 per share, subject to
adjustment. The GHQ units were sold at an offering price of $10.00
per GHQ unit.
GHQ is not
presently engaged in, and will not engage in, any substantive commercial
business until the completion of its initial business
combination. GHQ intends to utilize the funds held in its trust
account and GHQ Common Stock in effecting the acquisition of Iridium
Holdings.
Offering
Proceeds Held in Trust
A total of
approximately $400.0 million, including $375.6 million of the net proceeds from
the IPO, $8.0 million from the sale of warrants to our founding stockholder and
$16.4 million of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions, was placed in
a trust account at Wachovia Securities, LLC, with American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company serving as trustee. The proceeds held in trust will not
be released from the trust account until the earlier of the completion of an
initial business combination or the liquidation of GHQ. Based on our
certificate of incorporation up to a total of $5.0 million of interest income,
subject to adjustment, may be released to GHQ to fund GHQ’s working capital
requirements, subject to availability. If the acquisition with
Iridium Holdings is completed, the trust account will be released to GHQ, less
amounts to be paid to stockholders of GHQ who do not approve the acquisition
with Iridium Holdings and properly elect to convert their shares of common stock
into their pro rata share of the trust account. As of September 30,
2008, the balance in the trust account was approximately $402.3
million.
Fair
Market Value of Target Business
The
initial target business that GHQ acquires must have a fair market value equal to
at least 80% of the balance of the trust account (excluding deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions incurred during our IPO) at the time of
such acquisition.
The fair
market value of Iridium Holdings’ business was determined by GHQ’s board of
directors based upon standards generally accepted by the financial community,
such as actual and potential sales, earnings, cash flow and book
value. While it was not required to do so, GHQ obtained an opinion
dated September 22, 2008 from Duff & Phelps, an unaffiliated and independent
investment banking firm, regarding whether Iridium Holdings had a fair market
value equal to at least 80% of the balance in GHQ’s trust account (excluding
deferred underwriting discounts and commissions). The full text of
Duff & Phelps’s opinion dated September 22, 2008 is attached to this proxy
statement as Annex F. See also “Summary of the Duff & Phelps
Opinion.”
Stockholder
Approval of Initial Business Combination
The
affirmative vote of stockholders owning a majority of the IPO shares voting in
person or by proxy at the special meeting is required to approve our initial
business combination. However, our initial business combination will
not be approved if the holders of 30% or more of the IPO shares vote against our
initial business combination and properly exercise their rights to covert such
IPO shares into cash. In connection with this vote, our founding
stockholder, officers and directors, to the extent they own GHQ common stock,
have agreed to vote their shares in accordance with the majority of the shares
of common stock voted by the public stockholders. Our founding
stockholder, officers and directors, to the extent they own GHQ common stock,
have also informed us that they intend to vote all their shares “FOR” the other
proposals.
Conversion
Rights
In
connection with the proposed acquisition, each holder of IPO shares has the
right to have their IPO shares converted into a pro rata portion of our trust
account, payable in cash, if such holder votes against the acquisition proposal,
such holder properly exercises the conversion rights and the acquisition is
completed. The actual per-share conversion price will be equal to the
quotient determined by dividing (i) the amount then on deposit in our trust
account (before payment of deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and
including accrued interest net of income taxes on such interest and net of
franchise taxes, after distribution of interest income on the trust account
balance to us as described above), calculated as of two business days prior to
the completion of the acquisition, (ii) by the total number of IPO
shares. As of September 30, 2008, the per-share conversion price
would have been approximately $10.02, without taking into account any interest
or expenses accrued after such date. See “The Special
Meeting—Conversion Rights.”
Liquidation
if No Business Combination
Our
certificate provides that we will continue in existence only until February 14,
2010. If our certificate proposal is approved and we complete the
proposed acquisition of Iridium Holdings, we will amend this provision in order
to permit for our continued existence. If we do not complete an
initial business combination by February 14, 2010, our corporate existence will
cease except for the purpose of winding up our affairs and liquidating pursuant
to Section 278 of Delaware law. Because of this provision in our
certificate, no resolution by our board of directors and no vote by our
stockholders to approve our dissolution would be required for us to dissolve and
liquidate.
Property
We do not
own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our
operation. Our executive offices are currently located at 300 Park
Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, New York 10022. The cost for this space
is included in the $10,000 per-month fee that our founding stockholder charges
us for general and administrative services. We believe, based on
rents and fees for similar services in the New York City area that the fee
charged by our founding stockholder is at least as favorable as we could have
obtained from an unaffiliated person. We consider our current office
space adequate for our current operations.
Employees
Scott L.
Bok, Robert H. Niehaus, Harold J. Rodriguez, Jr. and Jodi B. Ganz are the four
officers of GHQ, and GHQ has no direct employees.
Legal
Proceedings
There is
no litigation currently pending against GHQ or any of its executive officers or
directors in their capacity as such.
AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
We are a
blank check company formed on November 2, 2007 for the purpose of effecting an
acquisition, through a merger capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock
purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more
businesses or assets, which we refer to as our initial business
combination. The registration statement for our IPO was declared
effective February 14, 2008.
We have
neither engaged in any operations nor generated any revenues from operations to
date. Our entire activity since inception has been to prepare for and
consummate our IPO and thereafter to identify and investigate potential targets
for a business combination. We will not generate any operating
revenues until completion of a business combination. We will
generate, and have generated, non-operating income in the form of interest and
dividend income on cash and cash equivalents.
Net income
for the period from November 2, 2007 (date of inception) to September 30, 2008
was approximately $2.5 million, which consisted of approximately $4.9 million of
interest income primarily from the trust account offset by approximately $0.3
million of formation, general and operating costs and approximately $2.1 million
of provision for income taxes. Net income for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 was approximately $2.5 million, which consisted of
approximately $4.9 million of interest income primarily from the trust account
offset by approximately $0.3 million of formation, general and operating costs
and $2.1 million of provision for income taxes.
Following
the closing of the acquisition, GHQ will record a compensation charge in the
amount $1.3 million and a capital contribution related to the transfer at cost
of founding stockholder’s units to certain of GHQ’s directors.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Following
our IPO, a total of approximately $400.0 million, including $375.6 million of
the net proceeds from the IPO, $8.0 million from the sale of warrants to our
founding stockholder and $16.4 million of deferred underwriting discounts and
commissions, was placed in a trust account. If the acquisition is
completed, we anticipate that most of the proceeds held in the trust account
will be used to acquire the Iridium Holdings units from the Sellers, purchase
our common stock pursuant to our tender offer, to pay transaction expenses and
to fund capital expenditures for the development and expansion of our
operations. In addition, all or a portion of Iridium Holdings’ debt
will be prepaid.
Upon the
closing of our IPO, we had $1.1 million in funds available to us outside of the
trust account. That amount, together with (i) interest income of up to $5.0
million on the balance of the trust account that may be released to us for
working capital requirements and (ii) additional amounts that may be released to
fund our tax liabilities, will be sufficient to allow us to operate through
February 14, 2010, assuming that our initial business combination is not
consummated during that time. Over this time period, we anticipate making the
following expenditures:
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approximately
$240,000 of expenses in fees relating to our office space and certain
general and administrative
services;
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approximately
$4.8 million for general working capital that will be used for
miscellaneous expenses including expenses for a proposed initial business
combination), such as legal, accounting and other expenses, including due
diligence expenses and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with the investigation, structuring and negotiation of our
initial business combination, director and officer liability insurance
premiums and reserves and expenses of our initial public offering to the
extent they exceeded the estimates, legal and accounting fees relating to
SEC reporting obligations, brokers’ retainer fees, consulting fees and
finder’s fees; and
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approximately
45% of our net income before tax to fund federal, state and local income
taxes.
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On
September 30, 2008, approximately $402.3 million was held in trust, of which GHQ
had the right to withdraw $2.3 million to fund working capital needs relating to
the proposed business combination and the payment of income taxes. Since the
IPO, GHQ has withdrawn approximately $3.8 million in total from the trust
account; approximately $2.0 million for working capital purposes and
approximately $1.8 million for the payment of federal, state and local income
taxes.
GHQ has
remaining authority to withdraw approximately $3.0 million of total earnings
from the trust account for working capital purposes and to consummate the
purchase of our initial business. GHQ is entitled to make additional withdrawals
from earnings to the extent necessary, for the payment of federal, state and
local income taxes.
We do not
believe we will need additional financing following our IPO to meet the
expenditures required for operating our business before our initial business
combination. However, we will rely on interest earned on the trust account to
fund such expenditures and, to the extent that the interest earned is below our
expectation, we may have insufficient funds available to operate our business
before our initial business combination.
Critical Accounting
Policies
We have
identified the following as our critical accounting policies:
Cash and Cash
Equivalents — We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities
of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash
equivalents.
Concentration of
Credit Risk — We maintain our cash and cash equivalents with a financial
institution with high credit ratings. At times, we may maintain deposits in
federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured
(FDIC) limits. However, management believes that the we are not exposed to
significant credit risk due to the financial position of the depository
institution in which those deposits are held. We do not
believe the cash equivalents held in the trust account are subject to
significant credit risk as the portfolio is invested in assets, which meet the
applicable conditions of 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of
1940. We have not experienced any losses on the trust.
Fair Value of
Financial Instruments — Cash and cash equivalents, investments held in
the trust account and notes payable are carried at cost, which approximates fair
value due to the short-term nature of these investments.
Use of Estimates
— The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
materially from those estimates.
Earnings per
Share — We
calculate earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with FASB Statement
No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“SFAS 128”). Basic and diluted
EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of
shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
Warrants
issued by us in our IPO and private placement are contingently exercisable at
the later of one year from the date of the offering and the consummation of a
business combination, provided, in each case, there is an effective registration
statement covering the shares issuable upon exercise of the
warrants. Hence, these are presented in the pro forma diluted
EPS.
Pro forma
diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic and diluted EPS plus to the
extent dilutive, the incremental number of shares of common stock to settle
outstanding common stock purchase warrants, as calculated using the treasury
stock method.
Income Taxes
— We comply with
the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation N.
48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” an interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 109
(“FIN
48”), which provides criteria for the recognition measurement, presentation and
disclosure of uncertain tax position. A tax benefit from an uncertain
position may be recognized only if it is “more likely than not”
that the position is sustainable based on its technical
merits. We filed our first income tax return on September 15,
2008. Management does not plan on taking any uncertain tax positions
when filing our company’s tax returns and consequently we have not recognized
any liabilities under FIN 48. We will recognize interest expense and
penalties related to uncertain tax positions as an operating expense in our
condensed statements of income.
Deferred
income taxes are provided for the differences between bases of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A
valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets
to the amount expected to be realized.
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Effective
January 1, 2008, GHQ adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), for assets and
liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. SFAS 157
accomplished the following key objectives:
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Defines
fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants
at the measurement date;
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Establishes
a three-level hierarchy (“valuation hierarchy”) for fair value
measurements;
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Requires
consideration of GHQ’s creditworthiness when valuing liabilities;
and
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Expands
disclosures about instruments measured at fair
value.
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The
valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of
an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial
instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the
lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value
measurement. The three levels of the valuation hierarchy and the
distribution of GHQ’s financial assets within it are as follows:
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Level
1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for
identical assets or liabilities in active
markets.
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Level
2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar
assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable
for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for
substantially the full term of the financial
instrument.
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Level
3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant
to the fair value measurement
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In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No.
115” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits an entity to elect fair value as
the initial and subsequent measurement attribute for many financial assets and
liabilities. Entities electing the fair value option would be
required to recognize changes in fair value in earnings. Entities
electing the fair value option would be required to distinguish, on the face of
the balance sheet, the fair value of assets and liabilities for which the fair
value option has been elected and similar assets and liabilities measured using
another measurement attribute. SFAS 159 became effective beginning
January 1, 2008. GHQ elected not to measure any eligible items using
the fair value option in accordance with SFAS No. 159 and therefore, SFAS No.
159 did not have an impact on GHQ’s condensed balance sheets, condensed
statements of income and condensed statements of cash flows.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141R. SFAS 141R provides revised
guidance on how acquirers recognize and measure the consideration transferred,
identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interests, and
goodwill acquired in a business combination. SFAS 141R also expands
required disclosures surrounding the nature of financial effects of business
combinations. SFAS 141R is effective, on a prospective
basis, for
companies for fiscal years beginning January 1, 2009. GHQ is
currently assessing the potential effect of SFAS 141R on its balance sheets,
condensed statements of income and condensed statements of cash
flows.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes
requirements for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than
GHQ (sometimes called “minority interests”) be clearly identified, presented,
and disclosed in the condensed balance sheet within equity, but separate from
the parent’s equity. All changes in the parent’s ownership interests
are required to be accounted for consistently as equity transactions and any
noncontrolling equity investments in deconsolidated subsidiaries must be
measured initially at fair value. SFAS 160 is effective, on a
prospective basis, for companies for fiscal years beginning January
2009. However, presentation and disclosure requirements must be
retrospectively applied to comparative financial statements. GHQ is
currently assessing the impact of SFAS 160 on its condensed balance sheets and
condensed statements of income.
In April
2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of
Intangible Assets” (“FSP FAS 142-3”). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the
factors that should be considered in developing a renewal or extension
assumptions used for purposes of determining the useful life of a recognized
intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”
(“SFAS 142”). FSP FAS 142-3 is intended to improve the consistency
between the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the
period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the asset under
SFAS 141R and other U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2008. Earlier application is not
permitted. GHQ will be assessing the potential effect of FSP FAS
142-3 if applicable, once we enter into a business combination.
In
October, 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a
Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP
FAS 157-3”) which provided additional interpretative guidance on the
application of SFAS No. 157 in markets that are not active and provided an
illustrative example to demonstrate how the fair value of a financial asset is
determined when the market for the financial asset is inactive. FSP
FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including for prior periods for which
financial statements have not yet been issued. The issuance of
interpretative guidance on the application of SFAS No. 157 did not have a
material impact on GHQ’s condensed financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet
Arrangements
We have
not entered into any off-balance sheet financing arrangements and have not
established any special purpose entities. We have not guaranteed any
debt or commitments of other entities or entered into any options on
non-financial assets.
Business
Overview
Iridium
Holdings is a leading provider of mobile voice and data communications services
via satellite, and the only provider in the world offering 100% global
coverage. Based on information provided by Raymond James, Iridium
Holdings is the second largest provider of mobile satellite services and related
equipment with an estimated 23% market share of the principal industry players
in 2007, based on revenues. Iridium Holdings’ mobile satellite
services address the increasing demand from customers for connectivity and
reliability at all times and in all locations. Iridium Holdings
offers voice and data communications services to U.S. and international
government agencies, businesses and other customers on a global basis using 66
in-orbit constellation satellites, eight in-orbit spares and related ground
infrastructure, including a primary commercial gateway. The U.S.
government, which owns and operates a dedicated gateway, is its largest
customer, providing 22% of Iridium Holdings’ 2007 revenue.
Iridium
Holdings sells the majority of its products and services on a wholesale basis
via a well-established, global network of distribution partners, who provide
Iridium Holdings’ product and service solutions directly to end-users, or
indirectly through dealers. Iridium Holdings’ distributors often
combine its products with other technologies, such as GPS and terrestrial
wireless technology, to provide integrated communications solutions for
customers in defined market niches. These distributors include
dedicated satellite service providers such as Vizada Inc. and Stratos Global
Corporation as well as some of the largest communications companies in the
world, such as the Telstra Corporation in Australia, the SingTel Group in
Singapore and the KDDI Corporation in Japan. Iridium Holdings
believes that its distribution network provides broad coverage over its target
customer base as well as a platform for developing new applications and
solutions for its products and services, supporting its growth. At
September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings’ product and service solutions were used by
approximately 309,450 subscribers, which represented a 37% increase since
September 30, 2007. Iridium Holdings’ subscriber base has grown
consistently since it reintroduced commercial services in 2001, growing at a
compound annual growth rate of 49% between September 30, 2001 and September 30,
2008. Iridium Holdings has a diverse customer base, including
end-users in the following five vertical markets: land-based handset, maritime,
aviation, asset tracking and monitoring, or machine-to-machine, and
government.
Iridium
Holdings is currently in the process of designing and developing its
second-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. Iridium
Holdings expects to enter into a definitive agreement with a prime contractor
for the design, manufacture and deployment of Iridium NEXT during
2009. Iridium Holdings believes its current constellation will
provide a commercially acceptable quality of service through the transition
period to Iridium NEXT. Iridium Holdings believes that its
second-generation satellites will improve its ability to support new
applications and services, including higher-speed data rates. Iridium
Holdings expects these services to be available on a broad range of new customer
devices that will be significantly smaller in size, lighter in weight and less
expensive than existing mobile satellite services equipment. Iridium
Holdings believes this expanded service portfolio and advanced equipment
offering will significantly expand the target market for its
services.
Iridium
Holdings recorded $260.9 million and $244.2 million in revenue and $43.8 million
and $52.3 million in net income during the year ended December 31, 2007 and the
nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, compared to $212.4 million
and $193.6 million in revenue and $31.8 million and $34.6 million in net income
for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the nine months ended September 30,
2007, respectively.
Industry
Iridium
Holdings competes in the mobile satellite services sector of the global
communications industry. Mobile satellite services operators provide
voice and data services using a network of satellites and ground
facilities. Mobile satellite services are usually complementary to,
and interconnected with, other forms of terrestrial communications services and
infrastructure and are intended to respond to users’ desires for connectivity at
all times and locations. Customers typically use satellite voice and
data communications in situations where existing terrestrial wireline and
wireless communications networks are impaired or do not
exist. Further, many regions of the world benefit from satellite
networks, such as rural and developing areas that lack adequate wireless or
wireline
networks,
and ocean and Polar Regions (defined as those regions at or above 70
degrees latitude) where few alternatives exist, and regions where the
telecommunications infrastructure has been affected by political conflicts and
natural disasters.
Worldwide,
government organizations, military and intelligence agencies, natural disaster
aid associations, event-driven response agencies and corporate security teams
depend on mobile and fixed voice and data communications services on a regular
basis. Businesses with global operating scope require reliable
communications services when operating in remote locations around the
world. Mobile satellite services users span the forestry, maritime,
government, utilities, oil and gas, mining, leisure, emergency services,
construction and transportation sectors, among others. Many existing
customers increasingly view satellite communications services as critical to
their daily operations.
Iridium
Holdings believes that the increasing penetration and continued growth of the
terrestrial wireless industry provide a significant market opportunity for the
mobile satellite services industry. According to GSM Association
& Europa Technologies, there were 2.8 billion global cellular subscribers
served by 930 networks throughout the world as of January
2008. Iridium Holdings believes that growth in the terrestrial
wireless industry has increased awareness for the need for reliable, mobile
voice and data communication services among customers. In addition,
despite significant penetration and competition, terrestrial wireless systems
only serve a small fraction of the earth’s surface and are focused mainly in
those areas where people live, excluding oceans and other remote regions where
ships, airplanes and other remote assets are located. By offering
mobile communications services with ubiquitous global voice and data coverage,
mobile satellite service providers address the increasing demand from
governments, businesses and individuals for connectivity and reliability in
locations not consistently served by wireline and wireless terrestrial
networks. In a 2008 report, Northern Sky Research estimated that
mobile satellites services wholesale revenues are expected to grow at a compound
annual growth rate of 13% in the five year period between 2007 and
2011.
The mobile
satellite services industry also benefits from the continued development of
innovative, lower cost technology and applications integrating mobile satellite
products and services. Growth in demand for mobile satellite voice
services is driven in large part by the declining cost of these services, the
diminishing size and lower costs of voice, data and machine-to-machine devices,
as well as the rollout of new applications tailored to the specific needs of
customers across a variety of markets.
Communications
industry sectors include:
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mobile
satellite services, which provide customers with voice and data
connectivity to mobile and fixed devices using ground facilities and
networks of geostationary satellites (located approximately 22,300 miles
above the earth’s surface), medium earth orbit satellites (located between
approximately 6,400 and 10,000 miles above the earth’s surface), or low
earth orbit satellites (located between approximately 300 and 1,000 miles
above the earth’s surface), such as Iridium Holdings’ satellite
constellation;
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fixed
satellite services, which use geostationary satellites to provide
customers with broadband communications links between fixed points on the
earth’s surface; and
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terrestrial
services, which use a terrestrial network to provide wireless or wireline
connectivity and are complementary to satellite
services.
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Within the
major satellite sectors, fixed satellite services and mobile satellite services
operators differ significantly from each other with respect to size of antenna,
types of services offered and quality of services. Fixed satellite
services providers, such as Intelsat Ltd., Eutelsat S.A. Communications and SES
S.A. are characterized by large, often stationary or “fixed,” ground terminals
that send and receive high-bandwidth signals to and from the satellite network
for video and high speed data customers and international telephone
markets. On the other hand, mobile satellite services providers, such
as Iridium Holdings, Inmarsat, Globalstar, and Orbcomm focus more on voice and
data services, where mobility or small sized terminals are
essential.
A low
earth orbit system, such as the system Iridium Holdings currently operates, has
lower transmission delays than a geosynchronous system such as that operated by
Inmarsat due to the shorter distance signals have to travel,
which
enables the use of smaller antennas on devices. Iridium Holdings
believes the interlinked architecture of its constellation combined with the
global footprint of its satellites provides it with a unique advantage over
other low earth mobile satellite operators like Globalstar and Orbcomm, allowing
Iridium Holdings to route voice and data transmissions to and from anywhere on
the earth’s surface via a single gateway. As a result, Iridium
Holdings is the only mobile satellite services operator offering real-time, low
latency services with 100% global coverage. Furthermore, Iridium
Holdings is the only mobile satellite services with full coverage of the Polar
Regions, which represented approximately 10% of its traffic between 2005 and
2007.
Currently,
Iridium Holdings’ principal mobile satellite services global competitors are
Inmarsat, Globalstar and Orbcomm. United Kingdom-based Inmarsat owns
and operates a geostationary satellite network and U.S.-based Globalstar and
Orbcomm own and operate low earth orbit satellite networks. Iridium
Holdings also competes with several regional mobile satellite services providers
that operate geostationary satellites, such as Thuraya, principally in Europe,
the Middle East, Africa, Australia and several countries in Asia; Mobile
Satellite Ventures and Mobile Satellite Ventures Canada in the Americas; and
Asia Cellular Satellites in Asia. In addition, several regional
mobile satellite services companies, including ICO, TerreStar and Mobile
Satellite Ventures are attempting to exploit their spectrum positions into a
U.S. consumer mobile satellite services business; however such operators
currently offer limited or no services.
History
Iridium
Holdings is the successor to Iridium LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
formed in 1996 by Motorola and several other partners. Motorola
launched Iridium LLC with the mission of providing global mobile satellite
services through a network of 66 low earth orbit satellites, which was completed
and deployed for a cost of approximately $3.4 billion. Motorola
invested significantly in research and development, the acquisition of spectrum
and global licenses and in market development efforts during the development of
the constellation. Beginning in 1997, after seven years of planning
and development, Iridium LLC successfully launched its constellation, including
active satellites and in-orbit spares. In November 1998, Iridium LLC
began offering commercial services principally focused on the retail consumer
market, launching the first commercially available global satellite phone
service. On August 13, 1999, Iridium LLC filed voluntary petitions
under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the District of Delaware. Iridium LLC remained in possession of
its assets and properties and continued to operate its businesses as a
debtor-in-possession.
On
December 7, 2000, Iridium Holdings LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary, Iridium
Satellite, and Iridium Constellation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iridium
Satellite, were organized as limited liability companies under the laws of the
State of Delaware. On December 11, 2000, these entities acquired
Iridium LLC’s operating assets, including the satellite constellation, certain
portions of the terrestrial network, ground spare satellites and real
property. In addition, they also acquired from Motorola, either
outright or by license, all of the intellectual property rights necessary to
operate the system and produce related equipment and took assignment of
applicable licenses from the FCC. In connection with the acquisition
of these assets, Iridium Holdings entered into a transition services, products
and asset agreement with Motorola and an operations and maintenance agreement
with Boeing relating to the operations of its constellation. Iridium
Holdings was also awarded its first services contract with the
DoD. In March 2001, Iridium Holdings reintroduced commercial
satellite services through its subsidiary, Iridium Satellite. In
2002, Iridium Holdings launched into orbit an additional seven spare
satellites.
Distribution
Channels
Iridium
Holdings sells its products and services to its commercial customers exclusively
through a wholesale distribution network of approximately 70 service providers,
100 value-added resellers and 45 value-added manufacturers. These
distributors sell Iridium Holdings’ products and services to the end-user,
either directly or indirectly through service providers, value-added resellers
or dealers. Iridium Holdings’ distributors often integrate its
products and services with other complementary hardware and software and have
developed over 200 unique solutions targeting its main vertical
markets. Iridium Holdings also sell its services directly to U.S.
government customers, including the DoD, pursuant to fixed-fee
arrangements. The U.S. government and international government
agencies purchase additional services as well as Iridium Holdings’ products and
related applications through its network of distributors.
Iridium
Holdings provides its distributors with certain support services, including
assistance with coordinating end-user sales, strategic planning and training, as
well as helping them respond to new opportunities for its products and
services. Iridium Holdings has representatives covering three regions
around the world to better manage its distributor relationships: the Americas,
which includes North, South and Central America; Asia Pacific, which includes
Australia and Asia; and Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Iridium
Holdings also maintains various online management tools that allow it to
communicate efficiently with its distributors. Iridium Holdings
similarly provides support services to its U.S. government
customers. By relying on its distributors to manage end-user sales,
Iridium Holdings believes its model reduces certain risks and costs related to
its business, such as consumer credit risk and sales and marketing costs, while
providing it with a broad and expanding distribution network for its products
and services with access to diverse and geographically dispersed niche
markets. Iridium Holdings is also able to rely on the specialized
expertise of its distributors, who continue to develop innovative and improved
solutions and applications integrating its product and service offerings,
providing it with a unique platform to support its growth.
Commercial
Markets
Iridium
Holdings’ service providers and value-added resellers are the main distribution
channel for its products and services. Service providers and
resellers purchase Iridium Holdings’ products and services and market them
directly to their customers or indirectly through independent
dealers. They are each responsible for customer billing, end-user
customer care, managing credit risk and maintaining all customer account
information. If Iridium Holdings’ service providers or value-added
resellers provide Iridium Holdings’ services through dealers, these dealers will
often provide such services directly to the end-user. Service providers
typically purchase Iridium Holdings’ most basic products and services, such as
mobile voice services and related satellite handsets, offering additional
services such as email. Unlike service providers, Iridium Holdings’
resellers provide a broader array of value-added services specifically targeted
to the niche markets they serve, integrating Iridium Holdings’ handsets,
transceivers, high-speed data devices and short burst data modems with other
hardware and software to create packaged solutions for
end-users. Examples of these applications include cockpit voice and
data solutions for use by the aviation sector and voice, data and tracking
applications for industrial customers, the DoD and other U.S. and international
government agencies. Many of Iridium Holdings’ resellers specialize
in niche vertical markets such as maritime, aviation, machine-to-machine and
government markets where high-use customers with specialized needs are
concentrated. Iridium Holdings’ principal service providers include
dedicated satellite service providers such as Vizada Inc. and Stratos Global
Corporation, as well as some of the largest telecommunications companies in the
world, such as Telstra Corporation, KDDI Corporation and the SingTel Group.
Iridium Holdings’ principal resellers include ARINC Incorporated, Blue Sky
Network, EADS N.V., General Dynamics Corporation, Honeywell International Inc.,
Inthinc Corp., NAL Research Corporation and Zunibal S.A.
Iridium
Holdings also sells its products to value-added manufacturers, which integrate
its transceivers and short burst data devices into their propriety hardware and
software. These manufacturers produce specialized equipment,
including integrated ship communication systems and secure satellite handsets,
such as handsets with National Security Agency Type I encryption capability,
which they offer to end-users in maritime, government and machine-to-machine
markets. As with Iridium Holdings’ service providers and resellers,
manufacturers sell their product solutions either directly or through other
distributors, including some of Iridium Holdings’ service providers and
resellers, for customer sales. These manufacturers sell services on the product
solutions to endorsers only through other distributors. Iridium
Holdings’ principal manufacturers include AirCell Inc., ITT Corporation, General
Dynamics Corporation and Thrane & Thrane A/S.
In
addition to resellers and manufacturers, Iridium Holdings maintains
relationships with approximately 20 value-added developers. Iridium
Holdings typically licenses these companies with technical information on its
products, which they then use to develop new software and hardware that
complements its products and services in line with the specifications of its
resellers and manufacturers. These products include airline tracking
and flight management applications and crew email applications for the maritime
industry. Iridium Holdings believes that working with value-added
developers allows Iridium Holdings to create new platforms for its products and
services and increases its market opportunity while reducing its overall
research and development expenses. Iridium Holdings’ principal
value-added developers include Active Web Solutions, Boeing, Global Marine
Networks, Ontec Co. Ltd. and Tesacom.
Iridium
Holdings maintains a stable pricing model for its commercial products and
services with a consistent wholesale rate structure. Under its
distribution agreements, Iridium Holdings charges its distributors wholesale
rates for commercial products and services, based on volume of data transmitted
or duration of voice calls according to the types of services they distribute to
end-users, subject to discount arrangements. Iridium Holdings also
charges fixed monthly access fees per subscriber for certain
services. Iridium Holdings’ distributors are in turn responsible for
setting their own pricing to their customers. Iridium Holdings’
agreements with distributors typically have terms of one year and are
automatically renewable for additional one year terms, subject to termination
rights. This model results in attractive margins for airtime usage,
monthly access fees and subscriber equipment sales. Iridium Holdings
believes this high margin model provides incentives for distributors to focus on
selling its commercial product and service portfolio and developing additional
applications. An additional benefit of this model is
simplicity. Iridium Holdings’ distributors are assured of a global
service with no coverage gaps, no complicated roaming agreements and a flat
wholesale billing model. This efficient model lessens back office complexities
and costs and allows distributors to remain focused on revenue
generation.
Vizada
Inc. and Stratos Global Corporation represented 11% and 11% of Iridium Holdings’
revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007, respectively, and 9% and 13% for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. Stratos
Global Corporation is currently in the process of being acquired by Inmarsat,
one of Iridium Holdings’ most significant competitors. No other
distributor represented more than 10% of Iridium Holdings’ revenue for the year
ended December 31, 2007 and the nine months ended September 30,
2008.
Government
Markets
Iridium
Holdings provides mission critical mobile satellite products and services with
100% global coverage on a high security network to all military branches of the
DoD as well as other U.S. government customers. Military forces
deployed abroad contribute significantly and increasingly to the demand for
mobile satellite product and service solutions. These users require
voice and two way data capability with high throughput, global coverage, low
latency, significant mobility and security, and often have no alternate
terrestrial communication capability, or, where they do, rely on mobile
satellite services as an important backup system. Iridium Holdings
believes it is well positioned to take advantage of increased demand from such
users. Iridium Holdings is the only commercial mobile satellite
services provider with 100% global coverage on a high security
network. Its satellite handsets are one of the few commercial
handsets available on the market that are capable of Type I encryption
accredited by the National Security Agency for “Top Secret”
communications. In addition, the DoD has made significant investments
to build a dedicated secure gateway to Iridium Holdings’ network in Hawaii and
Iridium Holdings estimates that the DoD has purchased approximately $100 million
of its handsets and devices to be used on its system. These handsets and devices
are only compatible with Iridium Holdings’ network.
Iridium
Holdings provides airtime and airtime support to U.S. government customers
pursuant to a one year agreement managed by the Defense Information Systems
Agency (“DISA”), which administers the contract on behalf of certain U.S.
government customers, including DoD users across all branches of the military,
as well as other U.S. or international government agencies the U.S. government
agrees to support. Iridium Holdings recently renewed its previous agreement with
the U.S. government in April 2008. The new agreement has a term of
one year and is renewable for four additional one-year terms. Under
this agreement, Iridium Holdings provides U.S. government customers bulk access
to its services through the DoD’s dedicated gateway and receives a fixed fee per
voice and data user. The U.S. government is not required to guarantee
a minimal number of users pursuant to this agreement. Services
furnished under the agreement include unlimited voice, data, messaging and
paging services. Iridium Holdings does not sell its products and
related applications directly to U.S. government customers under the existing
agreement. These products are sold to U.S. government customers
through its network of distributors, which typically integrate them with other
products and technologies.
Iridium
Holdings also provides maintenance services to the DoD’s dedicated secure
gateway in Hawaii pursuant to a separate agreement managed by DISA, which also
became effective in April 2008. As with the other DISA agreement,
this agreement has a term of one year and is renewable for additional one-year
terms over a five-year period. The U.S. government may terminate its
agreements with Iridium Holdings, in whole or in part, at any time.
U.S.
government services accounted for approximately 22% and 20% of its total
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, respectively. Iridium Holdings’ U.S.
government
revenue includes only revenue derived from its two agreements with the DISA as
well as other contract revenue related to research and development projects with
the DoD. Such revenues do not include services to U.S. government agencies,
including the DoD and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”),
purchased through its distributors and offered through its commercial
gateway. They also do not include revenues from services to most
non-U.S. government agencies worldwide, including defense
agencies. Iridium Holdings considers such services commercial
services, as they are provided through its commercial gateway. Although Iridium
Holdings cannot determine the amount of U.S. government revenues derived from
its commercial gateway, it does not believe that such revenues are
material.
Vertical
Markets
The
specialized needs of Iridium Holdings’ global customers span many
markets. Its system is able to offer its customers cost-effective
communications solutions with 100% global coverage in areas underserved or
unserved by existing telecommunications infrastructures. Its mission
critical communication solutions have become an integral part of the
communications and business infrastructure of its end-users. In many
cases, its service is the only connectivity for these critical applications or
is used to complement terrestrial applications to provide a full extension to
their mobile communications solutions.
Iridium
Holdings’ current principal markets include land-based handset, maritime,
aviation, machine-to-machine and government.
Land-based
Handset
Iridium
Holdings is one of the leading global providers of mobile satellite
communications services to the land-based handset sector, providing handset
services to areas not served or inconsistently served by existing terrestrial
communications networks. As of December 31, 2007, approximately 648,000
satellite handsets were in operation industry-wide according to a report by TMF
Associates. Mining, forestry, construction, oil and gas, utilities,
heavy industry and transport companies as well as public safety and disaster
relief agencies constitute the largest land-based handset
end-users. Iridium Holdings believes that increasing demand for
mobile communications devices operating outside the coverage of terrestrial
networks, combined with its small, lightweight, durable handsets with 100%
global coverage, including its recently launched next generation handsets, will
allow it to continue to capitalize on growth opportunities among such
users.
Iridium
Holdings’ land-based handset end-users utilize its satellite communications
services for:
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Voice and
data: Multinational corporations in various sectors use
its services for business telephony, email and data transfer services and
to provide pay telephony services for employees in communities
inadequately served by terrestrial networks. Oil and gas and
mining companies, for example, provide their personnel with its equipment
solutions to survey new drilling and mining opportunities and for
conducting routine operations in remote areas that are not served by
cellular communications networks. In addition, a number of
recreational, scientific and other outdoor segments rely on its mobile
satellite handsets and services for use when beyond terrestrial wireless
coverage;
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Mobile and remote office
connectivity: A variety of enterprises use its services
to access voice calls data, email, internet and corporate network
connections;
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Public safety and disaster
relief: Relief agencies, such as FEMA, have built its
products and services into their emergency response plans, particularly in
the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma and Ike, the Asian
tsunami and other natural disasters. These agencies generate
significant demand for both its voice and data products, especially during
the late summer months in anticipation of the hurricane season in North
America. Government responses to natural disasters continue to
increase demand for its products and services in this sector;
and
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Public telephone
infrastructure: Telecommunications providers use its services to
satisfy regulatory mandates to provide communications services to rural
populations currently not served by terrestrial
infrastructure. Telstra Corporation, for example, uses its
services to comply with its obligations to provide communications services
to customers in certain remote parts of
Australia.
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Maritime
The
maritime market is one of Iridium Holdings’ most significant
markets. Currently, its principal competitor in this market is
Inmarsat. End-users of its services in the maritime sector include
companies engaged in merchant shipping, passenger transport, fishing, energy and
leisure. Merchant shipping accounts for a significant portion of its maritime
revenues, as those ships spend the majority of their time at sea away from
coastal areas and out of reach of terrestrial communication
services. Its products and services targeting the maritime market are
high value with high average revenue per subscriber with multiple users
utilizing a single device. Once a system is installed on a vessel, it
typically generates a long-term recurring revenue stream from the
customer.
Iridium
Holdings believes increased regulatory mandates and increased demand for
higher-speed, low-cost data services will allow it to capitalize on significant
growth opportunities in this growing market. Iridium Holdings expects the recent
introduction of its new high-speed data service, Iridium OpenPort, which offers
speeds of up to 128 kilobits per second (“kbps”) and up to three voice lines,
will present a cost competitive, high speed communication alternative to
end-users in the maritime market, which will allow it to compete with Inmarsat’s
strong position in this sector.
Maritime
end-users utilize Iridium Holdings’ satellite communications services for the
following:
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Data and information
applications: Ship crews and passengers use its services to send
and receive email and data files as well as facsimiles, and to receive
other information services such as electronic newspapers, weather reports,
emergency bulletins and electronic charts. Iridium Holdings
believes the introduction of Iridium OpenPort will provide a particularly
attractive alternative for shipping operators looking for cost savings as
a result of building economic pressures as well as luxury yachts, tug
boats and other fishing and cruising vessels for which traditional marine
satellite systems have typically been too
costly;
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Voice services for passengers
and crew: Maritime global voice services are used for
both vessel operations and social communications for crew
welfare. Merchant shipping operators, such as Stolt-Nielsen
S.A., increasingly use its services to provide phone cards and or
payphones for crew use with preferential rates during off peak times
during the day;
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Vessel management, procurement
and asset tracking: Shipping operators, such as Exmar
Shipmanagement N.V., Lauritzen Fleet Management A/S and Zodiac Shipping
Ltd., use its services to manage inventory on board ships and to transmit
data, such as course, speed and fuel stock. Iridium Holdings’
services can be integrated with a global positioning system to provide a
position reporting capability. Many fishing vessels are
required by law to carry terminals using approved mobile satellite
services for tracking purposes as well as to monitor catches and to ensure
compliance with geographic fishing restrictions. European Union
regulations, for example, require EU-registered fishing vessels of over 15
meters, to carry terminals for the purpose of positional reporting of
those vessels. Furthermore, new security regulations in certain
jurisdictions are expected to require tracking of merchant vessels in
territorial waters which will drive further growth;
and
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Safety applications:
Ships in distress, including potential piracy, hijack or terrorist
activity, rely on mobile satellite voice and data services. The
Ship Security and Alert Systems (“SSAS”) regulations were adopted by
International Maritime Organization (“IMO”) to enhance maritime security
in response to the increasing threat from terrorism and
piracy. After July 1, 2004, most deep-sea passenger and cargo
ships must be fitted with a device that can send an alert message
containing the ship’s ID and position whenever the ship is under threat or
has been compromised. Iridium Holdings and its partners are
developing several solutions to meeting this requirement for merchant
vessels. The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
(“GMDSS”) is an application built to alert a maritime rescue coordination
center of their situation and position, which then coordinates rescue
efforts among ships in the area. The IMO requires all cargo
vessels over 300 gross tons and certain passenger vessels, irrespective of
size, that travel in international waters to carry distress and safety
terminals that use GMDSS applications. Iridium Holdings’
products and services are currently not certified to be used in GMDSS
applications. However, Iridium Holdings is currently working on
obtaining such certification and expect to offer such services once these
are obtained.
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Aviation
Iridium
Holdings is one of the leading global providers of mobile satellite
communications services to the aviation sector. In the aviation
sector, its satellite communications services are used principally by corporate
jets, corporate and government helicopter fleets, specialized general aviation
fleets, such as medevac companies and fire suppression and other specialized
transport fleets, and high-end personal aircraft. Increasingly, its
services are being employed by airline operators for passenger and cockpit voice
services and safety applications. Iridium voice and data devices from its
manufacturers and developers have become factory options for a range of airframe
manufacturers and fractional operators in business aviation and air transport,
such as NetJets Inc., Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Bombardier Inc., Cessna
Aircraft Company and Embraer, and have become standard equipment on some of
their aircraft fleets. Its devices are also installed in the
aftermarket on a variety of aircraft. As of September 30, 2008,
Iridium Holdings estimates that approximately 18,000 active Iridium systems were
installed on aircraft.
According
to Euroconsult, there were approximately 338,000 commercial airplanes, business
jets, helicopters and high-end general aviation aircraft in active use around
the world as of December 31, 2006. Based on internal studies and
public documents, Iridium Holdings estimates that approximately 28,000 aircraft
have installed mobile satellite systems as of September 30,
2008. Iridium Holdings believes the low level of penetration in this
market, combined with recent regulatory changes and the continued development of
innovative, cost-effective applications by its distributors, will provide it
with significant growth opportunities in the future.
Aviation
end-users utilize its satellite communications services for:
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Aviation operational
communications: Aircraft crew and airline ground
operations use its services for air-to-ground telephony and data
communications. This includes the automatic reporting of an
aircraft’s position and “mission critical” condition data to the ground
and controller-pilot data link communication for clearance and information
services. Iridium Holdings provides critical communications
applications for airlines and air transport customers such as Continental
Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways and El Al Airlines. Many of these
operators rely on Iridium Holdings’ services and applications because
there is no other communications service available to them in areas such
as the Polar Regions. Iridium Holdings maintains relationships
with ARINC Incorporated and SITA, two of the leading providers of voice
and data network communications service and applications to the airline
sector, which integrate its products and services into their
offerings;
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Aviation passenger
communications: Commercial and private fleet aircraft
passengers use its services for air-to-ground telephony, fax services and
data communications. Operators are currently using Iridium Holdings’
services to allow passengers to email using their own Wi-Fi enabled mobile
phones, including Blackberry devices or other similar smartphones, without
causing interference to aircraft controls. Iridium Holdings believes its
distributors’ small, lightweight cost-effective solutions offer an
attractive alternative for airlines and operators, particularly small
fleet operators;
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Rotary and general aviation
applications: Iridium Holdings is also a major supplier
for rotary aviation applications to end-users including medevac, law
enforcement, oil and gas, and corporate work fleets, among others.
Companies such as Air Logistics, EagleMed and Air Evac Lifeteam rely on
applications from its distributors for traditional voice communications,
fleet monitoring and management and real time flight diagnostics;
and
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Air traffic control
communications (“safety applications”): In November 2007, the
International Civil Aviation Organization (“ICAO”), approved standards and
recommended practices allowing Iridium Holdings to provide Aeronautical
Mobile Satellite (Route) Services to commercial aircraft on long-haul
routes, many of which fly over the Polar Regions. The ICAO decision
permits member states to approve Iridium Holdings’ equipment for
communications on transoceanic flights, pending certification. The first
certification trials are currently underway. Upon receiving
such certification, aircraft crew and air traffic controllers will be able
to use its services for data and voice communication between the flight
deck and ground based control facilities. Iridium Holdings is the only
provider capable of offering such critical flight safety applications
around the entire globe, including the Polar Regions. Iridium
Holdings believes this
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particular
sector of the market will present it with significant growth prospects, as its
services and applications will serve as a lower cost alternative to the current
aging high frequency radio systems that are more expensive to
operate.
Machine-to-Machine
Iridium
Holdings is one of the leading providers of machine-to-machine services.
According to Euroconsult, an estimated 19 million long-haul trucks, rail cars
and industrial fixed and mobile assets, including personnel, capable of
supporting machine-to-machine services were in operation as of December 31,
2006. Of these assets, only an estimated 700,000, or 4%, employed such services
as of that date, according to the same report. Although its
machine-to-machine services and related devices have exhibited strong growth
since their introduction, Iridium Holdings believe the significant
under-penetration of this market presents considerable opportunities for future
growth. As with land-based handsets, Iridium Holdings’ largest
machine-to-machine users include mining, forestry, construction, oil and gas,
utilities, heavy industry and transport companies as well as public safety and
disaster relief agencies. Iridium Holdings believe the increasing
demand for automated data collection processes from mobile and remote assets
operating outside the coverage of terrestrial wireline and wireless networks as
well as the continued push to integrate the operation of such assets into
enterprise management and information technology systems will continue
increasing demand for its machine-to-machine applications.
Machine-to-machine
users utilize Iridium Holdings’ machine-to-machine services for:
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Transportation fleet
management: Iridium Holdings’ global coverage permits
its products and services to be used to monitor the location of transport
fleets, hours of service and engine telemetry data, as well as to conduct
two-way communications with drivers around the entire
world. Long distance drivers need reliable communication with
both dispatchers and their destinations to coordinate changing business
needs, and its satellite network provides continuous communications
coverage while they are in transit. An Iridium-based solution
developed by Inthinc Corp., for example, was selected by James Transportes
Ltda in their service vehicles due to the high reliability of its products
and full North American coverage, including Canada. Iridium
Holdings expects the push for more efficient, cost-effective and safer
fleet operations as well as the imposition of regulatory mandates related
to driver safety, such as drive time monitoring, will continue driving
demand for its services in this
area;
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Fixed-asset
monitoring: Multinational corporations, such as
oil-field service companies like Schlumberger Limited and Conoco Phillips,
use its services to run applications that allow remote monitoring and
operation of equipment and facilities around the globe, such as oil
pipelines and off-shore drilling platforms. Historically high
energy prices have recently increased exploration and production
activities in increasingly remote areas beyond the range of terrestrial
networks;
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Asset
tracking: Leveraging machine-to-machine applications
developed by several of its distributors, companies use its services and
related devices to track assets, including personnel, for logistics,
theft-prevention and safety purposes. Transportation companies,
such as Horizon Lines, Inc., for example, employ machine-to-machine
applications developed by Impeva Labs, Inc. to track containers while in
transit. Premier GPS Inc. similarly develops applications that allow
companies to monitor the safety of personnel operating in remote regions
of Canada;
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Resource management:
Iridium Holdings’ global coverage and data throughput capabilities support
natural resource management applications such as fishing management
systems. Zunibal S.A., one of its resellers, has developed
applications for the fishing industry to assist fishing fleets in pursuing
more efficient fishing practices;
and
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Scientific data
monitoring: The global coverage of its network supports
many scientific data collection applications such as the National
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (“NOAA’s”) Argo float
program. This program relies on its machine-to-machine services
to collect climate data from buoys located throughout the world’s oceans
for monitoring and analysis. Iridium Holdings believes the
increased need for monitoring climate and environmental data associated
with global climate change and its impact on the planet will increase
demand for such services.
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Government
Iridium
Holdings is one of the leading global providers of mobile satellite
communications services to the U.S. government, principally, the
DoD. It provides mission critical mobile satellite products and
services to all branches of the U.S. armed forces. In addition to
voice products used by soldiers for primary and backup communication solutions,
its products and related applications are installed on ground vehicles, unmanned
aerial vehicles, aircraft and helicopters, embedded in unattended sensors and
used for command and control and situational awareness. Global
security concerns, such as the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq,
continue to increase demand for its products and services in this
sector.
Services
and Products
Iridium
Holdings’ principal services are mobile satellite services, including mobile
voice and data services and machine-to-machine services. Sales of its
commercial services collectively accounted for approximately 38.8% and 39.9% of
its total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the nine months
ended September 30, 2008, respectively. Iridium Holdings also sells
related voice and data equipment to its customers, which accounted for
approximately 39.0% and 40.1% of its total revenues for the year ended December
31, 2007 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
respectively. In addition, it offers services to U.S. government
customers, including the DoD. These services accounted for
approximately 22.2% and 20.0% of its total revenues for the year ended December
31, 2007 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
respectively.
Iridium
Holdings’ Commercial Services
Post-paid
Mobile Voice and Data Satellite Communications Services
Iridium
Holdings sells its mobile voice and data services to service providers and
resellers who in turn offer such services to end-users, either directly or
indirectly through dealers, through various packaged solutions such as monthly
plans with differing price levels that vary depending upon expected
usage. In exchange for these services, Iridium Holdings typically
charges service providers and resellers a monthly access fee per subscriber as
well as usage fees for airtime minutes used by their respective
subscribers. A small number of its post-paid customers purchase
monthly blocks of airtime minutes which must be used in a given month or are
forfeited.
Prepaid
Mobile Voice Satellite Communications Services
Iridium
Holdings also offers mobile voice services to service providers and resellers
through prepaid plans. Service providers and resellers pay Iridium
Holdings in advance for blocks of airtime minutes with expiration periods in
various configurations, typically one year. Unused minutes are
forfeited at the applicable expiration date. These services are then typically
sold to subscribers in the form of prepaid scratch cards and e-vouchers that
enable subscribers to use Iridium Holdings’ services on a per minute
basis. Iridium Holdings believes service providers and resellers are
drawn to these services as they enable greater cost control, since they
eliminate the need for monthly billings and reduce collection costs, and can be
sold in cash economies where credit is not readily available. Iridium
Holdings’ distributors often offer its prepaid mobile voice services through
fixed devices to subscribers in rural villages, at remote industrial, commercial
and residential sites and on ships at sea, among other places. Fixed
voice satellite communications services are in many cases an attractive
alternative to handheld mobile satellite communications services in situations
where multiple users will access the service within a defined geographic area
and terrestrial wireline or wireless service is not available. Fixed
phones, for example, can be configured as pay phones (installed at a central
location, for example, in a rural village or maritime vessel) that accept
prepaid scratch cards and e-vouchers.
High-Speed
Data Services
Iridium
Holdings recently introduced its new high-speed data maritime service, Iridium
OpenPort, which offers maritime end-users speeds of up to 128 kbps and up to
three voice lines which can be used simultaneously without
interference. Data rates on this service can easily be adjusted up or
down at any time without making hardware or software changes, giving subscribers
options that allow them to balance needs for data transmission speeds against
cost considerations on a real-time basis. In conjunction with its distributors,
Iridium Holdings intends to develop additional services that will permit service
provider and resellers to offer complete integrated solutions for
ship-to-
shore crew
calling, email and IP-based data communications. Iridium Holdings believes
Iridium OpenPort, its first high-speed data service in the maritime market,
offers a competitive alternative to other marine satellite services that offer
fewer features at higher costs, allowing it to grow its share of this
sector. For its Iridium OpenPort service, Iridium Holdings typically
charges service providers and resellers a monthly access fee per subscriber as
well as usage fees for airtime minutes used by the respective subscribers above
their monthly quotas.
Machine-to-Machine
Services
Introduced
in 2003, Iridium Holdings’ machine-to-machine services are designed to address
the market need for a small and cost-effective solution for sending and
receiving data (such as location) from fixed and mobile assets in remote
locations to a central monitoring station. This service operates
through a two-way burst data transmission between its network and a telemetry
unit, which may be located, for example, on a container in transit or a buoy
monitoring oceanographic conditions. The small size of the units
makes them attractive for use in applications such as tracking asset shipments,
monitoring unattended remote assets, including oil and gas assets, vehicle
tracking and mobile security. Iridium Holdings sells its
machine-to-machine services to its distributors who in turn offer such services
to end-users such as various U.S. and international governmental agencies,
including NOAA, as well as commercial and other entities such as Schlumberger
Limited, Continental Airlines and Conoco Phillips. As with its mobile
voice and data offerings, Iridium Holdings typically charges service providers
and resellers a monthly access fee per subscriber as well as usage fees for
airtime minutes used by their respective subscribers.
Other
Services
In
addition to access and usage fees, Iridium Holdings generates revenue from
several ancillary services related to its core service offerings such as inbound
connections from the public switched telephone networks (“PSTN”), short message
services (“SMS”), subscriber identity module (“SIM”) activation, customer
reactivation, roaming and other peripheral services. Iridium Holdings
also provides certain research and development services to assist customers in
developing new technologies compatible with its system which it may leverage for
use in commercial service and product offerings in the
future. Iridium Holdings charges its distributors certain fees for
these services.
In the
future, Iridium Holdings expects to provide secondary payload services to
customers before and during the life of its next-generation constellation,
Iridium NEXT, which will replace its current satellite
constellation. Currently, Iridium Holdings is providing research and
development services to potential secondary payload customers.
Iridium
Holdings’ Products
Iridium
Holdings offers a broad array of voice and data equipment products for customers
that work on all points of the globe. Iridium Holdings’ devices must
be outside, within direct view of satellites, to be able to properly access its
network.
Satellite
Handsets
Iridium
Holdings’ principal product offering has been its Iridium 9505A satellite
handset phone, which is similar in functionality to an ordinary cellular phone
but with the solid, durable feel that many satellite phone users
demand. This phone weighs 13.2 ounces and is capable of up to three
hours of talk time without being recharged. The Iridium 9505A
provides voice, SMS and data connectivity. Iridium believes its
reputation for industrial strength products is critical for customers, many of
whom are located in the most inhospitable spots on the planet and require tough
and reliable communications equipment.
In October
2008, Iridium Holdings launched its next generation satellite handset, the
Iridium 9555. This new model introduces several new features, including a
larger, brighter screen, improved SMS and email capabilities, integrated antenna
and speakerphone and is smaller, lighter (weighing 9.4 ounces) and more user
friendly than the Iridium 9505A model. The Iridium 9555 also offers up to four
hours of talk time. The new model maintains the industrial feel of
its predecessors, with a rugged housing to protect its sophisticated satellite
transceiver. Iridium believes the Iridium 9555 satellite handset is a
significant improvement over its earlier-generation equipment and that its
advantages will drive increased adoption from prospective users.
Voice
and Data Modems
Iridium
Holdings also offers a combined voice transceiver and data modem which its
distributors integrate into a variety of communications solutions that are
deployed in different applications around the world. Iridium
Holdings’ Iridium 9522A L-Band transceiver is effectively the core of its
Iridium 9505A satellite handset without a key pad, display, earpiece and
microphone. Iridium Holdings’ principal customers for its Iridium
9522A L-Band transceivers are value-added manufacturers who integrate it into
specialized devices that access its network. These specialized
products are often the highest generators of traffic on Iridium Holdings’
network. On-board crew calling terminals built around the Iridium
9522A, which are used as payphones on maritime vessels, for example, have ten to
20 times the average usage of a handheld phone, in part because they are shared
across a large group of users. The Iridium 9522A has also been
integrated into mobile data applications providing email services on maritime
vessels.
In
November 2008, Iridium Holdings launched its next generation transceiver, its
Iridium 9522B L-Band transceiver. This new model is smaller and less
expensive than its previous Iridium 9522A model, which allows its customers to
integrate it into smaller devices while improving its margins as well as the
margins of its distributors. The Iridium 9522B is functionally
equivalent to the Iridium 9522A, which will allow Iridium Holdings’ distributors
to easily integrate it into existing applications.
High-Speed
Data Devices
In October
2008, Iridium Holdings began shipping its Iridium OpenPort high-speed data
terminal to its customers. This device provides dynamic allocation of
three independent telephone lines and a high-speed data port configurable from
9.6 to 128 kbps. All voice and data capabilities can be used at the same time.
The terminal relies on a relatively compact omni-directional antenna array about
the size of a typical small-boat radar dome and contains no moving parts, which
greatly reduces cabling, maintenance and repair costs. Iridium Holdings’
principal customers for Iridium OpenPort are its value-added resellers who
integrate the device with their own hardware and software products to provide a
suite of customer-focused voice and IP-based data packages for ship business,
crew calling and email. Iridium Holdings believes the low cost of its
OpenPort terminal, combined with its high bandwidth and flexible configuration
options, will allow it to grow its share of the existing maritime market while
opening up new market sectors, such as luxury yachts, tug boats and other
fishing and cruising vessels for which traditional marine satellite systems have
typically been too costly.
Machine-to-Machine
Data Devices
In 2005,
Iridium Holdings introduced its Iridium 9601 short burst data modem, which
provides its machine-to-machine services. The Iridium 9601 is a small data
device with two-way transmission capable of sending packet data to and from any
point in the world with low latency. Iridium Holdings’ principal
customers for its Iridium 9601 data modems are value-added resellers and
manufacturers, who embed the Iridium 9601 into their tracking, sensor, and data
applications and systems, such as asset tracking systems. The Iridium
9601 is often combined with a GPS receiver to provide location information
across Iridium Holdings’ system to customer applications. In
addition, an increasing number of resellers and manufacturers are including a
terrestrial global system for mobile communication (“GSM”) packet radio service
modem in their applications to provide low cost cellular data transmission when
available. These applications are used by end-users that require the
ability to transfer large volumes of data but operate in areas with inconsistent
cellular coverage. Iridium Holdings provides gap-filler coverage for
such applications allowing such users to operate anywhere on the
globe.
Device
Manufacturing
Currently,
Iridium Holdings contracts with Cambridge Consulting Ltd. (“Cambridge
Consulting”) to develop all of its devices, which are manufactured by Celestica
in facilities in Malaysia and the United States. Iridium Holdings maintains
long-term agreements with both Cambridge Consulting and Celestica, which are set
to expire on August 2, 2009 and January 1, 2010, respectively. Iridium Holdings’
agreement with Celestica is automatically renewable for one year unless
terminated by either party. Iridium Holdings provides limited
warranties for all its devices to first end-users for a period of one year from
the time of sale.
In
addition to its principal products, Iridium Holdings also offers a selection of
accessories for its devices, including holsters, earbuds, portable auxiliary
antenna, antenna adaptors, USB data cables and charging units, among
others. Iridium Holdings purchases these products from several
third-party suppliers off the shelf at market prices and, as such, do not
maintain any long-term agreements with such suppliers.
Iridium
Holdings currently has sufficient inventory of all its voice and data devices to
meet customers’ demands.
U.S.
Government Services
Iridium
Holdings provides U.S. government customers bulk access to its services,
including unlimited voice, data, messaging and paging services, as well as
maintenance services for the DoD’s dedicated gateway in Hawaii. U.S.
government customers also rely on its voice and data products, which they
purchase from its network of distributors. Resellers and
manufacturers typically integrate Iridium Holdings’ products with other
products, which they then offer to U.S. government customers as customized
product solutions. To conform with U.S. government regulations,
Iridium Holdings ensures devices sold to its distributors for use in certain
U.S. government applications are manufactured by Celestica wholly in the United
States. Such customized voice and data solutions
include:
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personnel
tracking devices, such as personal locator
beacons;
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asset
tracking devices for equipment, vehicles and
aircraft;
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over-the-horizon
(beyond line of sight) fighter aircraft communications
applications;
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submarine
communications applications;
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specialized
communications solutions for high-value
individuals;
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command
and control and data backhaul options for unmanned aerial vehicles;
and
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specialized,
secure, mobile communications and data devices for the military and
intelligence community, such as secure satellite handsets with Type I
encryption capability.
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Iridium
Holdings, with funding support from the DoD, continues to invest in research and
development to develop new products and applications for use by all branches of
the U.S. armed forces. In conjunction with the Marine Corps
Warfighting Lab, Iridium Holdings is currently expanding the capabilities of its
satellite handsets to permit netted (push-to-talk) group calling radio services,
providing over-the-horizon user-defined tactical radio nets to DoD
users. This development program has been fully funded by the
DoD. Iridium Holdings expects the development of the Netted Group
Calling application to provide it with the potential for new commercial
applications in public safety, fishing and field worker communications in
conjunction with Boeing and with funding from the U.S. government, Iridium
Holdings is also developing a high integrity GPS service (“iGPS”), which will be
used as an embedded component in several DoD applications. Iridium
Holdings iGPS technology is expected to provide centimeter level accuracy and
important anti-jamming capability for GPS signals. Iridium Holdings
expects the development of iGPS to provide it the potential for new commercial
applications in enhanced navigation services such as precision farming, high
accuracy navigation for oil and gas exploration and construction
services.
Iridium
Holdings’ Spectrum
Iridium
Holdings holds licenses to use 7.775 MHz of continuous spectrum in the L-Band,
which operates at 1.6 GHz, and allows for two-way communication between its
devices and its satellites. In addition, for feeder and
inter-satellite links, Iridium Holdings is authorized to use 600MHz of Ka-Band
and K-Band spectrum. Of this spectrum, it uses 200 MHz of K-Band
spectrum for satellite-to-satellite communications, and 200 MHz of K-Band
spectrum for two-way communication between its satellites and its and the DoD’s
gateways. Iridium Holdings’ spectrum position is globally coordinated
and recorded by the International Telecommunication Union
(“ITU”). Iridium Holdings’ L-Band is authorized for operation in over
100 countries, and Iridium Holdings continues to seek authorizations in
additional countries. Access to this spectrum enables it to design
satellites, network and terrestrial infrastructure enhancements cost effectively
because each product and service can be deployed and sold worldwide. This broad
spectrum assignment also enhances its ability to capitalize on existing and
emerging wireless and
broadcast
applications. Iridium Holdings believes its existing spectrum
position is sufficient for its anticipated usage well into deployment of its
second generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. However,
Iridium Holdings will consider adding additional spectrum as it becomes
available.
The FCC
has allocated a total of 40 MHz of spectrum at 2 GHz for mobile satellite
services. This is in addition to the mobile satellite service
spectrum at 1.6 and 2.4 GHz (licensed to Iridium Holdings and to Globalstar) and
1.5 and 1.6 GHz (licensed to Mobile Satellite Ventures, Inmarsat and several
foreign operators). Of the 10.5 MHz of spectrum which Motorola
originally designed Iridium Holdings’ system to operate within, the FCC
initially licensed it to operate on 5.15 MHz of spectrum, later increasing its
license spectrum to include an additional 3.1 MHz on a shared basis with
Globalstar. In November 2007, an FCC order increased its
exclusive spectrum to 7.775 MHz including an additional 0.95 MHz shared with
Globalstar. On March 10, 2008, an affiliate of Globalstar filed an
appeal of the FCC's order. Iridium Holdings intervened on behalf of
the FCC. Final briefs on the appeal were filed December 9,
2008. Oral argument is scheduled for February 17,
2009. Iridium Holdings believes that the appeal is without merit,
although no assurance can be given in this regard. The November 2007
spectrum change became effective on December 14, 2008. In addition,
Globalstar has filed a petition before the FCC asking for reconsideration of the
global effects of the license modification. Iridium Holdings has opposed the
reconsideration request as without merit. Globalstar also has filed before the
FCC request for waivers and special temporary authority to continue operating on
spectrum licensed to Iridium Holdings in certain gateways outside of the United
States. Iridium Holdings filed a petition to deny the waiver and special
temporary authority requests on January 21, 2009.
Iridium
Holdings’ use of satellite spectrum is subject to the frequency rules and
regulations of the ITU. The ITU is the United Nations organization
responsible for worldwide co-operation in the telecommunications
sector. In order to protect satellite systems from harmful radio
frequency interference from other satellite systems, the ITU maintains a Master
International Frequency Register of radio frequency assignments. Each
ITU administration is required to give notice of, coordinate and record its
proposed use of radio frequency assignments with the ITU’s Radiocommunication
Bureau. The coordination negotiations are conducted by the national
administrations with the assistance of satellite operators. When the
coordination process is completed, the ITU formally notifies all proposed users
of frequencies and orbital locations in order to protect the recorded
assignments from subsequent nonconforming or interfering uses by member states
of the ITU. Only member states have full standing within this
inter-governmental organization.
Filings to
the ITU for its current constellation have been made on Iridium Holdings’ behalf
by the FCC. Iridium Holdings has coordinated frequencies in the
mobile satellite services spectrum at L-band (1.6 GHz) for communication between
its satellites and end-user devices, frequencies in the Ka-Band (19.4 GHz to
19.6 GHz and 28 GHz) for communications between Iridium Holdings’ and the DoD’s
gateways and its satellites, as well as frequencies in the K-Band (23 GHz) for
its inter-satellite links.
The ITU
controls the assignment of country codes used for placing telephone calls
between different countries. Iridium Holdings’ network is assigned
the 8816 and 8817 country codes, and uses these numbers for calling and
communications between terminals.
Domestic
and Foreign Revenue
Iridium
Holdings supplies services and products to customers in a number of foreign
countries. It allocates revenues geographically based on where it
invoices its distributors, whom it bills for mobile satellite services and
related equipment sales. These distributors sell services directly or
indirectly to end-users, who may be located elsewhere. It is not
possible for Iridium Holdings to provide the geographical distribution of
end-users, as Iridium Holdings does not contract directly with them. All of Iridium Holdings’ revenues are
invoiced in U.S. dollars. While U.S. revenues accounted for approximately
48.3% of Iridium Holdings’ revenues between 2005 and 2007, approximately 95% of
commercial traffic has originated outside the United States during the same period, including the
Polar Regions which represented approximately 10% of
Iridium Holdings’ traffic between 2005 and 2007. The table below sets
forth the percentage of Iridium Holdings’ revenues by country for the period
indicated:
|
|
|
|
Nine
months ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
Year
ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
Year
ended
December
31,
2006
|
|
|
Year
ended December 31, 2005
|
|
United
States
|
|
|
55.1 |
% |
|
|
48.0 |
% |
|
|
48.1 |
% |
|
|
48.9 |
% |
Canada
|
|
|
11.8 |
% |
|
|
16.9 |
% |
|
|
15.8 |
% |
|
|
15.3 |
% |
France
|
|
|
7.6 |
% |
|
|
11.6 |
% |
|
|
8.4 |
% |
|
|
1.3 |
% |
Netherlands
|
|
|
2.3 |
% |
|
|
1.0 |
% |
|
|
4.6 |
% |
|
|
12.3 |
% |
Other
Countries(1)
|
|
|
23.2 |
% |
|
|
22.4 |
% |
|
|
23.1 |
% |
|
|
22.2 |
% |
_______________
(1) No
other country represents more than 10% of Iridium Holdings’ revenue for any of
the periods indicated.
For more
information Iridium Holdings’ revenue from sales to foreign and domestic
customers, see Note 13 to its consolidated financial statements contained
herein.
Iridium
Holdings’ Network
Current
Constellation
Iridium
Holdings’ satellite network includes 66 in-orbit low earth orbit satellites, in
addition to eight in-orbit spares. Iridium Holdings also maintains a
non-service in-orbit spare which it uses for testing purpose. The
satellites operate in six orbital planes of eleven vehicles each in nearly
circular polar orbits. Iridium Holdings’ satellites orbit at an altitude of
approximately 483 miles (778 kilometers) above the earth and travel at 16,689
mph resulting in a complete orbit of the earth approximately every 100
minutes. The design of Iridium Holdings’ constellation ensures that
generally at least one satellite is visible to subscribers from any point on the
earth’s surface, covering all of the world’s population.
Iridium
Holdings’ constellation is unique in its usage of radio frequency crosslinks
between its satellites. These crosslinks enable each satellite to communicate
with up to four other satellites in space—two in the same orbital plane and two
in adjacent planes. All of Iridium Holdings’ traffic is routed
between satellites, which minimizes the ground infrastructure necessary to
support the constellation. This interlinked architecture enables a
single ground station gateway to support all commercial traffic globally. This
allows the satellite that is then passing over the ground station to transmit
all traffic to and from the rest of the satellite constellation to
terrestrial-based networks such as the public switch telecommunication
network.
Iridium
Holdings believes its interlinked satellite infrastructure provides several
advantages over networks that rely on terrestrial gateways like Globalstar’s and
Orbcomm’s networks. Iridium Holdings has the only satellite network
with 100% global coverage, and its constellation is less vulnerable to single
points of failure, since traffic can be routed around any one satellite problem
to complete the communications path. In addition, the lack of ground
stations increases the security of its constellation, a factor that makes its
network particularly attractive to government institutions and large enterprises
that require secure voice and data communications. The low orbit of
its constellation also allows Iridium Holdings’ network to operate with low
latency due to the proximity of its satellites to the earth.
All of
Iridium Holdings’ satellites are virtually identical in design and
functionality, and each satellite contributes equally to the constellation
performance, which allows satellite diversity for mitigation of service gaps
from individual satellite outages. Each satellite has a high degree
of on-board subsystem redundancy, an on-board fault detection system and
isolation and recovery for safe and quick risk mitigation. Iridium
Holdings’ ability to reconfigure the orbital location of each satellite provides
Iridium Holdings with operating flexibility and continuity of
service. If a satellite should fail or become unusable in most cases,
Iridium Holdings can also reposition one of its in-orbit spare satellites to
take over its functions. If there is an in-orbit spare located in the
orbital plane of the failed satellite, such repositioning can be accomplished
within days with minimal impact on its services. If there is no in-orbit spare
located in the relevant orbital plane, redeploying an in-orbit spare into the
affected plane will take
at least
one year. The design of its space and ground control system facilitates the real
time intervention and management of the satellite constellation and service
upgrades via software enhancements.
Iridium
Holdings’ commercial gateway is located in Tempe, Arizona. This
gateway has multiple antennas that communicate with its satellites and pass
calls seamlessly between gateway antennas and satellites as the satellites
traverse the gateway, thereby connecting signals from the terminals of end-users
to its gateways. Additional gateways can be added to the network to
enable dedicated, secure communications links that are not dependant on
localized terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure where subscribers are
using its services. Such gateways would be able to generate and
control all user information pertaining to its registered users, such as user
identity, geo-location and call detail records. The DoD owns and
operates a dedicated gateway in Hawaii for U.S government users to take
advantage of this unique capability. This gateway provides an
interface between voice and data devices and the Defense Information Systems
Network, providing DoD users with secure communications
capabilities. Iridium Holdings is also in discussions with parties in
countries that require physical gateways within their jurisdiction to build or
reactivate additional gateways to connect the traffic coming to and from their
territory, including China and Russia.
Iridium
Holdings operates its satellite constellation from its satellite network
operations center in Leesburg, Virginia. This facility manages the
performance and status of each of its satellites, developing and distributing
routing tables for use by the satellites and gateways, directing traffic routing
through the network and controlling the formation of coverage areas by the
satellites’ main mission antennas. Iridium Holdings also operates telemetry,
tracking, and control stations and satellite earth station facilities as well as
a technical support center in Fairbanks, Alaska and Chandler, Arizona in the
United States, and northern Canada and Norway. The Alaskan ground
station also provides earth terminal backup capability for its Tempe
Gateway.
From time
to time, individual satellites in Iridium Holdings’ constellation experience
operating problems that may result in a temporary satellite outage, but due to
satellite diversity within its constellation, the individual satellite outages
typically do not negatively affect its customers’ use of its system for a
prolonged period. In addition, most system processing related to
Iridium Holdings’ service is performed using software onboard each satellite
instead of on the ground. Iridium Holdings believes this has provided
it with significant flexibility and has contributed to the longevity of the
system by enabling engineers to develop additional functionality and
software-based solutions to occasional faults and anomalies in the
system.
Iridium
Holdings has experienced six satellite failures since it reintroduced commercial
satellite services in 2001 which have resulted in either the complete loss of
the affected satellites or the ability of the satellite to carry traffic on the
network. Iridium Holdings experienced its first satellite failure in
July 2003. This failure has been attributed to a non-recoverable
anomalous short circuit in the satellite’s Integrated Bus Electronics
(“IBE”). Two additional satellites failed as a result of this anomaly
in August 2005 and December 2006. In part, as a response to this
anomaly, Iridium Holdings has implemented several procedures across the
constellation to attempt to mitigate the severity of a similar anomaly in the
future and/or prevent it from resulting in permanent damage to the IBE hardware
of its other satellites. These procedures include reducing the peak
operating temperature of the IBE during portions of the solar season, as well as
modifying the on-board software of its satellites to immediately carry out
certain autonomous actions upon detecting future occurrences of this type of
anomaly.
Iridium
Holdings has experienced three additional satellite failures unrelated to IBE
short circuits. In April 2005, one of its satellites failed as a
result of a radiation-induced single event upset anomaly, which corrupted the
satellite’s on-board time reference. Accurate time reference is
critical to determine a satellite’s ephemeris (its orbital location with respect
to the earth), attitude (its pointing direction) and the sun’s
position. In December 2005, Iridium Holdings was unable to remedy a
failure in the crosslink digital reference oscillator of another of its
satellites, resulting in its failure. Failure of the digital
reference oscillator disables the affected satellite’s crosslinks and, thus, its
ability to communicate with the rest of the satellite
constellation. More recently, in July 2008, another of Iridium
Holdings’ satellites experienced an attitude control anomaly as a result of
sudden loss of communications between its IBE and its primary space vehicle and
routing computer. The nature of this anomaly coupled with the
software state of the vehicle at the time (resulting from an on-board software
fault response to a prior anomaly) resulted in the inability of the on-board
software to correct the computer communications anomaly and control of the
satellite was lost.
Iridium
Holdings has categorized three types of anomalies among the satellites in its
constellation that, if they materialize throughout the satellite constellation,
have the potential for a significant operational impact. These include: (a) a
non-recoverable anomalous short circuit in a satellite’s IBE, as discussed
above; (b) excessive power subsystem degradation resulting from satellite
battery wear-out or excessive loss of solar array power output and (c) failures
to critical payload electronic parts arising from accumulated radiation total
dose.
Based on
the failures and anomalies Iridium Holdings has experienced to date, and
considering the potential for future anomalies related to the three categories
discussed above, Iridium Holdings believes its in-space constellation will
provide a commercially acceptable quality of service into 2014. In
addition, Iridium Holdings believes its constellation can be operationally
functional with less than 66 satellites while experiencing some service
degradation. Iridium Holdings expects to be able to mitigate
satellite failures through the use of the remaining eight in-orbit spares, the
implementation of software solutions, and by landing communications traffic at
its ground station in Alaska and backhauling traffic to the Tempe gateway for
processing and termination. However, there can be no assurance that
Iridium Holdings’ satellites will not fail faster than expected or that it will
be able to mitigate any future failures.
In
addition to its eight spare satellites, Iridium Holdings owns spare parts for
certain equipment in its gateway. Iridium Holdings selectively
replaces parts for its gateway as necessary and maintains an inventory of spare
parts which it continuously monitors. In addition, when it does not
have necessary spares in inventory or such spares become obsolete, Iridium
Holdings relies on third parties to develop necessary parts.
Iridium
Holdings uses the services of third-party Boeing contractors to operate its
constellation pursuant to long-term operations and maintenance agreement with
Boeing. Under the terms of this agreement, Boeing provides operations
and maintenance services with respect to Iridium Holdings’ satellite network
(including engineering, systems analysis and operations and maintenance
services) from Iridium Holdings’ technical support center in Iridium Holdings’
Chandler, Arizona control station and Iridium Holdings’ satellite network
operations center in Leesburg, Virginia. Through subsequent
amendments, the life of the agreement has been extended to be concurrent with
the estimated useful life of its constellation.
Pursuant
to its transition services, products and asset agreement with Motorola, the
original system architect and prior owner, and a separate agreement with the
U.S. government, Iridium Holdings is required to maintain an in-orbit liability
insurance policy with a de-orbiting endorsement to cover the de-orbiting of its
satellite constellation in the amount of $500 million per occurrence, and $1
billion annually. The current policy (together with the de-orbiting
endorsement) covers amounts that Iridium Holdings and certain other named
parties may become liable to pay for bodily injury and/or property damages to
third parties related to processing, maintaining and operating its satellite
constellation and, in the case of the de-orbiting endorsement, de-orbiting the
satellite constellation. The policy covers Iridium Holdings, the U.S.
government, Boeing, as operator of its system, Motorola and other named
beneficiaries. The policy has been renewed annually since the
expiration of the original policy’s three-year term in 2003. The
current policy has a one-year term, which expires December 12, 2009. In
addition, Motorola maintains a separate $1 billion product liability policy to
cover its potential liability as manufacturer of the
satellites. Iridium Holdings pays the premium for Motorola’s
policy.
Iridium
Holdings does not maintain in-orbit insurance covering losses from satellite
failures or other operational problems affecting its
constellation. It makes no warranties to its subscribers as to the
availability of its services and it does not believe it would have any liability
to end-users in the event of a failure of its network to provide communication
services.
Constellation
De-Orbiting Rights
Pursuant
to an agreement between Iridium Satellite, Boeing, Motorola and the U.S.
government, the U.S. government obtained the right to, in its sole discretion,
require Iridium Holdings to de-orbit its constellation upon the occurrence of
any of the following with respect to Iridium Satellite: (a) its failure to pay
certain insurance premiums or maintain insurance; (b) its bankruptcy; (c) its
sale or the sale of any major asset in its satellite system; (d) Boeing’s
replacement as the operator of its satellite system; (e) its failure to provide
certain notices as contemplated by the agreement; or (g) at any time after June
5, 2009, unless extended by the U.S. government. The U.S. government also has
the right to require Iridium Holdings to de-orbit any of its individual
functioning satellites
(including
in-orbit spares) that has been in orbit for more than seven years, unless the
U.S. government grants a postponement. As of September 30, 2008, all
but seven of Iridium Holdings’ functioning satellites have been in orbit for
more than seven years. As the constellation life is projected to last
until 2014, with the current system providing critical services to U.S.
government customers, Iridium Holdings is currently negotiating new terms with
the U.S. government to extend or remove the 2009 deadline.
Motorola
also has the right to de-orbit Iridium Holdings’ constellation pursuant to the
transition services, products and asset agreement with Iridium Holdings and
Iridium Satellite and pursuant to the operations and maintenance agreement
between Iridium Constellation and Boeing. Under these agreements,
Motorola may require the de-orbit of Iridium Holdings’ constellation upon the
occurrence of any of the following: (a) Iridium Holdings’ bankruptcy or the
bankruptcy of Iridium Constellation or Iridium Satellite; (b) Iridium Holdings’
breach of the transition services, products and asset agreement; (c) Boeing’s
breach of its operations and maintenance agreement and other related agreements
with Iridium Constellation or its affiliates; (d) an order from the U.S.
government requiring the de-orbiting of Iridium Holdings’ satellites; (e)
changes in law or regulation that may require Motorola to incur certain costs
relating to the operation, maintenance, re-orbiting or de-orbiting of Iridium
Holdings’ constellation; or (f) Motorola’s failure to obtain a product liability
policy to cover its position as manufacturer of the satellites, provided the
U.S. government has not agreed to cover what would have otherwise been paid by
such policy.
Pursuant
to the operations and maintenance agreement between Iridium Constellation and
Boeing, Boeing similarly has the unilateral right to de-orbit its constellation
upon the occurrence of any of the following events: (a) Iridium Constellation’s
or Iridium Satellite’s bankruptcy; (b) the existence of reasonable grounds for
Boeing to question the financial stability of Iridium Constellation; (c) Iridium
Constellation’s failure to maintain certain insurance policies; (d) Iridium
Constellation’s failure to provide Boeing certain quarterly financial
statements; (e) Iridium Constellation’s breach of the operations and maintenance
agreement, including its payment obligation thereunder; or (f) changes in law or
regulation that may increase the risks or costs associated with the operation of
the constellation. Pursuant to an orbital debris mitigation plan
filed with the FCC and incorporated into its space station license in 2001,
Iridium Holdings is required to lower each satellite to an orbit with a perigee
of approximately 250 kilometers as it reaches the end of its useful life and
coordinate these orbit-lowering maneuvers with the United States Space
Command. Iridium Holdings has applied to modify its license to
conform these requirements to the less stringent de-orbit standards adopted by
the FCC in 2004 for all new satellite applications. Iridium Holdings’
modification application remains pending.
Iridium
NEXT
Iridium
Holdings is currently developing its next-generation satellite constellation,
Iridium NEXT, which it expects to commence launching in 2014. The
current constellation is expected to be operational through 2014 and Iridium
Holdings expects it to provide continuation of service during the transition
period to Iridium NEXT. The new satellite constellation will be
backward compatible with Iridium Holdings’ first generation system and will
replace the existing constellation with what it believes will be a more powerful
and capable network of satellites. Iridium NEXT will maintain Iridium
Holdings’ current system’s unique attributes, including low earth orbit
architecture, global coverage, high security, low latency and high availability,
and will continue to support existing applications and equipment, while
providing new and enhanced capabilities, such as:
|
·
|
higher
speeds and greater flexibility, with rates of up to 1 megabit per second
(“mbps”) for core voice and data services and up to 10 mbps for high speed
services;
|
|
·
|
the
ability to host lower cost, private network gateways, providing greater
control of voice and data traffic;
and
|
|
·
|
regional
broadcast capabilities, enabling global paging and point-to-multi-point
broadcasting of data services to select
groups.
|
Iridium
Holdings will also be able to leverage the launch of its new constellation to
host secondary payloads for U.S. and international government and commercial
customers, including remote sensing and climate monitoring
applications.
In 2007,
Iridium Holdings conducted a request for information with over 60 companies for
the development and launch of the new system. It has since narrowed
its search for a prime system contractor to two companies, Lockheed Martin
Corporation and Thales Alenia Space. These companies are currently working with
input from Iridium Holdings’ engineers to design a system that satisfies its
technical, timing and cost requirements. Iridium Holdings expects to enter into
a definitive agreement with a prime contractor for the design, manufacture and
deployment of its new constellation during 2009. Iridium Holdings
estimates the gross costs associated with Iridium NEXT to be approximately $2.7
billion, including the manufacture of satellites, launch costs and gateway
infrastructure upgrades. Iridium Holdings expects to fund the
majority of these costs from internally generated cash flows, including
potential revenues from secondary payloads, and proceeds from its proposed
transaction with GHQ. Iridium Holdings expects to finance the
remaining cost from borrowings under its revolving credit facility, the
incurrence of additional indebtedness, additional equity financing or a
combination of these potential sources of funding.
Competition
The global
communications industry is highly competitive. Iridium Holdings
currently faces substantial competition from other service providers that offer
a range of mobile and fixed communications options. Iridium Holdings’
most direct competition comes from other global mobile satellite services
providers. Its three largest global competitors are Inmarsat,
Globalstar and Orbcomm. Iridium Holdings competes primarily on the basis of
coverage, quality, mobility and pricing of services and products.
Iridium
Holdings’ main competitor, Inmarsat, has been a provider of communications
services, including voice and data services, since 1982. Inmarsat
owns and operates a fleet of geostationary satellites. Unlike low
earth orbit satellites, geostationary satellites orbit the earth at
approximately 22,300 miles above the equator and are able to cover approximately
70% of the earth’s surface. Geostationary operators require substantially larger
and more expensive antennas, and typically have higher transmission delays than
low earth orbit operators. Due to its geostationary system, Inmarsat’s coverage
area extends and covers most bodies of water except for a majority of the Polar
Regions. Accordingly, Inmarsat is the leading provider of satellite
communications services to the maritime sector. Inmarsat also offers
land-based and aviation communications services. Inmarsat generally
does not sell directly to end-users.
Globalstar
owns and operates a fleet of low earth orbit satellites. Globalstar
began commercial services in 2000. In addition, Globalstar’s service
is available only on a multi-regional basis as a result of its bent pipe
architecture, which requires that voice and data transmissions be routed from
satellites immediately to nearby ground stations. This design
requires the use of multiple ground stations, which are impractical in extreme
latitudes or over oceans. Unlike Inmarsat and Iridium Holdings,
Globalstar sells a higher percentage of its products and services directly to
end-users. Globalstar has recently indicated that satellite failures and other
problems affecting its constellation are affecting and will continue to affect
its ability to provide two-way services in the future. Globalstar is also in the
process of developing its second-generation satellite
constellation.
Orbcomm
also provides commercial services using a fleet of low earth orbit
satellites. Like Globalstar, Orbcomm’s network also has a bent pipe
architecture, which limits its coverage area. Orbcomm’s principal
focus is low-cost data and machine-to-machine services, where it directly
competes with Iridium Holdings’ machine-to-machine
offerings. Orbcomm’s services generally have a certain amount of
latency, which may limit their use in certain mission critical applications. It
does not offer voice service or high-speed data services. Orbcomm is
similarly developing its second-generation satellite constellation.
Iridium
Holdings competes with regional mobile satellite communications services in
several geographic markets. In these cases, the majority of Iridium
Holdings’ competitors’ customers require regional, not global, mobile voice and
data services, so its competitors present a viable alternative to Iridium
Holdings’ services. All of these competitors operate geostationary
satellites. Iridium Holdings’ regional mobile satellite services competitors
currently include Thuraya, principally in Europe, the Middle East, Africa,
Australia and several countries in Asia; Mobile Satellite Ventures and Mobile
Satellite Ventures Canada in the Americas; and Asia Cellular Satellites in
Asia. In addition, several regional mobile satellite services
companies, including ICO, TerreStar and Mobile Satellite Ventures, are
attempting to exploit their spectrum positions into a U.S. consumer mobile
satellite services business; however such operators currently offer limited or
no services.
Iridium
Holdings competes indirectly with terrestrial wireline (landline) and wireless
communications networks. Iridium Holdings provides service in areas
that are inadequately covered by these ground systems. To the extent
that terrestrial communications companies invest in underdeveloped areas,
Iridium Holdings will face increased competition in those
areas. Iridium Holdings believes that local telephone companies
currently are reluctant to invest in new switches, landlines and cellular towers
to expand their networks in rural and remote areas due to high costs and limited
usage. Many of the underdeveloped areas are sparsely populated so it
would be difficult to generate the necessary returns on the capital expenditures
required to build terrestrial wireless networks in such
areas. Iridium Holdings believes that its solutions offer a
cost-effective and reliable alternative to terrestrial-based wireline and
wireless systems and that continued growth and utilization will allow it to
further lower costs to consumers.
Iridium
Holdings will also face competition for its land-based services in the United
States from incipient ATC services providers. In February 2003, the
FCC adopted rules that permit satellite service providers to establish ATC
networks. ATC authorization enables the integration of a satellite-based service
with terrestrial wireless services, resulting in a hybrid mobile satellite
services/ATC network designed to provide advanced services and broad coverage
throughout the United States. The ATC network would extend satellite
services to urban areas and inside buildings where satellite services currently
are impractical. Outside the United States, other countries are
considering implementing regulations to facilitate ATC services.
The mobile
satellite services industry has significant barriers to entry, including the
cost and difficulty associated with obtaining spectrum licenses and successfully
building and launching a satellite network. In addition to cost,
there is a significant amount of lead-time associated with obtaining the
required licenses, building the satellite constellation and deploying the ground
network technology.
Employees
As of
September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings had 169 full-time employees, none of whom
is subject to any collective bargaining agreement. Iridium Holdings
considers its employee relations to be good.
Properties
Iridium
Holdings’ principal headquarters are located in Bethesda, Maryland, where it
currently leases 13,417 square feet of office space. It also owns or leases the
facilities described in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chandler,
Arizona
|
|
USA
|
|
129,303
|
|
Technical
Support Center, Distribution Center and Warehouse
|
|
Leased
|
Leesburg,
Virginia
|
|
USA
|
|
40,434
|
|
Satellite
Network Operations Center
|
|
Owned
|
Tempe,
Arizona
|
|
USA
|
|
30,985
|
|
Gateway
Earth Station
|
|
Owned
Building on Leased Land
|
Tempe,
Arizona
|
|
USA
|
|
25,457
|
|
Operations
and Finance Centers
|
|
Leased
|
Fairbanks,
Alaska
|
|
USA
|
|
3,960
|
|
Satellite
Earth Station Facility
|
|
Owned
|
Svalbard
|
|
Norway
|
|
1,800
|
|
Satellite
Earth Station Facility
|
|
Owned
Building on Leased Land
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories
|
|
Canada
|
|
1,750
|
|
Telemetry,
Tracking and Control Station
|
|
Owned
Building on Leased Land
|
Iqaluit,
Nunavut
|
|
Canada
|
|
1,750
|
|
Telemetry,
Tracking and Control Station
|
|
Owned
Building on Leased Land
|
Intellectual
Property
At
September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings held eight U.S. patents with no additional
U.S. patents pending and no foreign patents with two additional foreign patents
pending. These patents cover several aspects of its satellite system,
its global network and its devices. Iridium Holdings continues to
maintain all of its important patents.
In
addition to its owned intellectual property, Iridium Holdings also licenses
substantially all system technology, including software and systems to operate
and maintain its network as well as technical information for the design and
manufacture of its devices, from Motorola. Iridium Holdings maintains
its licenses with Motorola pursuant to several long-term agreements. Iridium
Holdings also licenses other system technology from additional third
parties. Iridium Holdings expects to license additional technology
from Motorola and other third parties in connection with the development of
Iridium NEXT.
Legal
Proceedings
From time
to time, Iridium Holdings is involved in various litigation matters involving
ordinary and routine claims incidental to its business. Management currently
believes that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the
aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on its business, results of
operations or financial conditions. Iridium Holdings is involved in the
litigation matters discussed below.
In July
31, 2007, Thomas Alabakis, a former member of Iridium Holdings’ board of
directors and a current director of Baralonco Limited, commenced a lawsuit
against Iridium Holdings, one of its directors and a former
officer. Baralonco Limited is the sole shareholder of Baralonco, one
of its shareholders, and will become a significant shareholder in GHQ after the
closing of this transaction. Alabakis’ lawsuit alleges, among other
things, defamation and tortuous interference with the plaintiff’s
economic/business relationship with his principal and Iridium Holdings, an
investor in Iridium Holdings. These actions seek compensatory,
consequential and punitive damages of approximately $50.0 million, and costs and
expenses associated with the litigation, although the plaintiff has indicated in
court filings that it would settle the action for $10.0 million. In
April 2008, Iridium Holdings’ motion to dismiss this lawsuit was granted in
part, with the Court dismissing a related assault claim, and denied in all other
respects. The lawsuit is currently in the discovery stage. Management
believes that the lawsuit is without merit, although no assurance can be given
in this regard, or as to what relief, if any, might be granted if the plaintiff
were to be successful in this lawsuit.
Iridium Holdings sells the majority of its
products and services on a wholesale basis via a well-established, global
network of distribution partners, who provide Iridium Holdings’ product and
service solutions directly to end-users, or indirectly through
dealers. Iridium Holdings’ distributors often combine Iridium
Holdings’ products with other technologies, such as GPS and terrestrial wireless
technology, to provide integrated communications solutions for customers in
defined market niches. Iridium Holdings believes that its distribution network
provides broad coverage over its target customer base as well as a platform for
developing new applications and solutions for its products and services,
supporting its growth. At September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings’ product and
service solutions were used by approximately 309,450 subscribers, which
represented a 37% increase since September 30, 2007. Iridium Holdings’
subscriber base has grown consistently since it reintroduced commercial services
in 2001, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 49% between September 30,
2001 and September 30, 2008. Iridium Holdings has a diverse customer base,
including end-users in the following five vertical markets: land-based handset,
maritime, aviation, asset tracking and monitoring, or machine-to-machine, and
government.
Iridium Holdings is the successor to Iridium
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed in 1996 by Motorola and several
other partners. Motorola launched Iridium LLC with the mission of providing
global mobile satellite services through a network of 66 low earth orbit
satellites, which was completed and deployed for a cost of approximately $3.4
billion. Motorola invested significantly in research and development, the
acquisition of spectrum and global licenses and in market development efforts
during the development of the constellation. Beginning in 1997, after seven
years of planning and development, Iridium LLC successfully launched its
constellation, including active satellites and in-orbit spares. In November
1998, Iridium LLC began offering commercial services principally focused on the
retail consumer market, launching the first commercially available global
satellite phone service. On August 13, 1999, Iridium LLC filed voluntary
petitions under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United
On December 7, 2000, Iridium Holdings, its
wholly owned subsidiary, Iridium Satellite, and Iridium Constellation, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Iridium Satellite, were organized as limited liability
companies under the laws of the State of Delaware. On December 11, 2000, these
entities acquired Iridium LLC’s operating assets, including the satellite
constellation, certain portions of the terrestrial network, ground spare
satellites and real property. In addition, they also acquired from Motorola,
either outright or by license, all of the intellectual property rights necessary
to operate the system and produce related equipment and took assignment of
applicable licenses from the FCC. In connection with the acquisition of these
assets, Iridium Holdings entered into a transition services, products and asset
agreement with Motorola and an operations and maintenance agreement with Boeing
relating to the operations of its constellation. Iridium Holdings was also
awarded its first services contract with the DoD. In March 2001, Iridium
Holdings reintroduced commercial satellite services through its subsidiary,
Iridium Satellite LLC. In 2002, Iridium Holdings launched an additional seven
spare satellites.
Iridium Holdings’ acquisition by GHQ will be
accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method
of accounting, the purchase price will be allocated to the tangible and
identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their
respective fair value, with the remainder being allocated to goodwill. The
increase in the basis of these assets will result in increased depreciation and
amortization charges in future periods. Based on preliminary estimates, which
are subject to material revision, Iridium Holdings expects the carrying value of
property and equipment and intangible assets to increase by approximately $369.0
million and $59.9 million, respectively. The effect of these increases will be
to increase operating expenses and thereby reduce operating profit and operating
profit margin in future periods. Iridium Holdings will also record significant
transaction-related expenses during the quarter when the acquisition closes,
including an estimated $3.8 million related to the accelerated vesting of equity
incentive awards for certain employees and $10.8 million of transaction costs
incurred by Iridium Holdings. In addition, Iridium Holdings’ interest expense
will decrease significantly. Additionally, following the closing of
the acquisition, GHQ will record a compensation charge in the amount $1.3
million and a capital contribution related to the transfer at cost of founding
stockholder’s units to certain of GHQ’s directors. Upon the
consummation of the acquisition, Iridium Holdings will be required to make a
prepayment of $80.0 million of the outstanding balance under its first lien
credit agreement. After the completion of the acquisition, Iridium Holdings will
also incur additional income taxes as it will no longer be treated as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes.
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·
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Constellation life and
health. Iridium Holdings’ current satellite
constellation was launched commencing in 1997. Iridium Holdings believes
its current satellite constellation will provide a commercially acceptable
quality of service through the transition period to Iridium NEXT, which
Iridium Holdings expects to deploy beginning in 2014. However, since
reintroducing commercial services in 2001, six of Iridium Holdings’
satellites have failed in orbit and others have encountered problems.
Although Iridium Holdings has been able to mitigate the impact of previous
failures with the use of in-orbit spares and it believes it will be able
to continue to rely on such spares in the future, if the health of its
current constellation were to decline more rapidly than expected and it
was unable to offer commercially acceptable service until it deploys
Iridium NEXT, its business, revenue and cash flow would be negatively
impacted.
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|
·
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Capital
expenditures. The majority of Iridium
Holdings’ future capital expenditures will relate to the development of
its second generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT. In 2007,
Iridium Holdings conducted a request for information with over 60
companies for the development and launch of Iridium NEXT. Iridium Holdings
has since narrowed its search for a prime system contractor to two
companies, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Thales Alenia Space. These
companies are currently working with input from Iridium Holdings’
engineers to design a system that satisfies its technical, timing and cost
requirements. Iridium Holdings expects to enter into a definitive
agreement with a prime contractor for the design, manufacture and
deployment of its new constellation during 2009. Iridium Holdings
currently expects that the future cash costs associated with Iridium NEXT
under this agreement will be approximately $2.7 billion, including the
manufacture of satellites, launch costs and gateway infrastructure
upgrades. While Iridium Holdings expects a portion of such cost to be
capitalized, until the definitive agreement is finalized, however, a
significant portion of the cost may be expensed as research and
development costs, Iridium Holdings has currently not capitalized any
costs relating to Iridium NEXT. All such expenses to date,
including certain milestone payments to Lockheed Martin Corporation and
Thales Alenia Space in connection with their preliminary work, have been
recorded as research and development expenses. To the extent
any such costs are capitalized, depreciation will
increase.
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|
·
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Iridium
Holdings plans to fund the majority of the costs associated with Iridium
NEXT from internally generated cash flows and secondary payload funding as
well as proceeds from its proposed transaction with
GHQ. Iridium Holdings expects to finance the remaining cost
from borrowings under its revolving credit facility, the incurrence of
additional indebtedness, additional equity financing, or a combination of
these potential sources of funding. If future internally generated cash
flows and revenues from hosting secondary payloads are below expectations,
Iridium Holdings will require additional external
funding. There can be no assurance however if such external
funding will be available to Iridium Holdings or as to the terms or cost
of such funding. An inability to fund such expenditures could
have a material adverse effect on Iridium Holdings’ future results of
operations.
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|
·
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Reliance on a single primary
gateway and satellite network operations
center. Currently Iridium Holdings’ commercial satellite
network traffic is supported by a single ground station gateway in Tempe,
Arizona. In addition, Iridium Holdings operates its satellite
constellation from its satellite network operations center in Leesburg,
Virginia. Currently, Iridium Holdings does not have back-up
facilities that could adequately or quickly replace its Arizona gateway
and Virginia operations center if either experienced catastrophic
failures. If a significant malfunction or catastrophic event
were to occur in either or both of these facilities, Iridium Holdings’
ability to provide service to its commercial customers would be negatively
affected, decreasing its revenues, profitability and cash
flows.
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·
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Competition and pricing
pressures. Iridium Holdings faces increased
competition from other mobile satellite service providers and, to a lesser
extent, from the expansion of terrestrial-based cellular phone systems.
Increased numbers of competitors and the introduction of new services and
products by Iridium Holdings’ competitors may result in loss of customers,
decreased revenue and, ultimately, decreased profitability and cash
flows.
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|
·
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Reliance on U.S. government
customers. The U.S. government, through the
DoD’s dedicated gateway, has been and continues to be Iridium Holdings’
largest customer, representing 22% and 20% of Iridium Holdings’ revenues
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the nine months ended September
30, 2008, respectively. Iridium Holdings provides such services
to the U.S. government pursuant to two one year agreements with DISA, both
of which became effective in April 2008 and are renewable for four
additional one-year terms. In addition, from time to time, Iridium
Holdings enters into agreements with U.S. government agencies to provide
engineering and research and development services related to Iridium
Holdings’ product and service offerings. The U.S. government is
not required to guarantee a minimal number of users pursuant to these
agreements. If the U.S. government reduces its utilization of
Iridium Holdings’ services under these agreements, or if it terminates its
agreements with Iridium Holdings or fails to renew such agreements,
Iridium Holdings’ revenue and cash flow would be negatively
impacted.
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·
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Technological
changes. It is difficult for Iridium
Holdings to promptly match major technological innovations by its
competitors because substantially modifying or replacing its technology,
satellites or gateways as well as its product and service offerings is
expensive and requires significant lead time. Although Iridium Holdings
believes its current technology, fixed assets and products and services
are competitive with those of its competitors, and it plans to procure and
deploy its second-generation satellite constellation, Iridium NEXT, as
well as its next-generation voice and data offerings, Iridium Holdings is
vulnerable to the introduction of superior technology by its
competitors.
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·
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Wholesale distribution network
model. Iridium Holdings relies on
third-party distributors to market and sell its commercial products and
services to end-users and to determine the prices end-users
pay. Iridium Holdings also depends on its distributors to
develop innovative and improved solutions and applications integrating its
product and service offerings. As a result of these arrangements, Iridium
Holdings is dependent on the performance of such distributors to generate
substantially all of its revenues and support its
growth. Iridium Holdings’ top ten distributors for the year
ended December 31, 2007 and the nine months ended September 30, 2008
accounted for, in the aggregate, approximately 46% and 50% of its total
revenues, respectively. Stratos Global Corporation is currently
in the process of being acquired by Inmarsat, one of Iridium Holdings’
most significant competitors. Loss of its distributors due to
competition, consolidation, regulatory developments, business developments
affecting them or their customers, or for other reasons, or failure by its
distributors to perform adequately, could reduce the distribution of
Iridium Holdings’ products and services as well the development of new
product solutions and applications, negatively affecting Iridium Holdings’
revenues.
|
Components
of Results of Operations
Revenues
Iridium
Holdings earns revenues primarily from: (i) the sale of commercial mobile
satellite services to third-party distributors, who provide its product and
service solutions to end-users, either directly or indirectly through dealers;
(ii) the sale of mobile satellite services to U.S. government customers,
particularly the DoD and (iii) sales of related voice and data equipment capable
of accessing Iridium Holdings’ network.
From 2005
to 2007, Iridium Holdings’ revenues increased at a compound annual growth rate
of 18%. Iridium Holdings’ revenues grew during that time primarily
due to:
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·
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increased
overall subscribers resulting from heightened demand for mobile satellite
services across all vertical markets, including emerging global markets,
accelerated by increased demand from U.S. government and relief agencies
in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma and Ike, the Asian
|
tsunami
and other natural disasters. Iridium Holdings’ total subscribers grew at a
compound annual growth rate of 28% during the period, from 142,864 in 2005 to
234,162 in 2007;
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·
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the
introduction of new product and service offerings, particularly its
Iridium 9601 short burst data modem and related machine-to-machine
services, as well as the continued development of innovative and improved
solutions and applications integrating Iridium Holdings’ product and
service offerings by Iridium Holdings’ distributors. Sales of Iridium
Holdings’ short burst data modems grew from 460 in 2005 to 26,253 in
2007;
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|
·
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increased
U.S. government revenue resulting from greater demand from the DoD related
to global security concerns, such as the conflicts in Afghanistan and
Iraq. Iridium Holdings’ U.S. government revenue grew at a compound annual
growth rate of 9.4% during the period, from $48.3 million in 2005 to $57.9
million in 2007;
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|
·
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increased
subscribers growth resulting from the degradation of Globalstar’s voice
and data services as a result of satellite failures and other problems
relating to its constellation, particularly in the North American market.
Iridium Holdings views Globalstar as its primary competitor in North
America; and
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|
·
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an
increase in access fees for Iridium Holdings’ commercial services as well
as an increase in user fees for its U.S. government
customers.
|
The
largest portion of Iridium Holdings’ revenues is generated from sales of voice
and data equipment to its distributors, including service providers, value-added
resellers and value added-manufacturers. U.S. government customers purchase
Iridium Holdings’ equipment and related applications indirectly through such
distributors. Such revenues also include previously deferred
equipment revenues. Through December 31, 2004, Iridium Holdings
considered the sale of its equipment and services as a single unit of accounting
due primarily to the fact that Iridium Holdings’ equipment was not considered to
have stand-alone value to end-users. As a result, when equipment was sold,
revenue from these transactions was deferred and recognized ratably over the
four-year estimated average life of the end-user relationship. See “—Critical
Accounting Policies—Revenue Recognition—Subscriber Equipment
Revenue”. Fiscal 2008 will be the last year Iridium Holdings
recognizes previously deferred equipment revenues. From 2005 to 2007,
revenues from subscriber equipment sales have increased in absolute terms and
have remained at approximately 40% of Iridium Holdings’ total revenues during
the period.
Commercial
mobile satellite services to Iridium Holdings’ third-party distributors, which
include mobile voice and data services and machine-to-machine services, account
for the second largest portion of Iridium Holdings’ total revenues. Such
revenues also include contract revenue from distributors Iridium Holdings works
with on research and development projects. Iridium Holdings’ commercial service
revenues increased in absolute terms between 2005 and 2007. In
addition, such revenues increased as a percentage of total revenues from
approximately 32.3% to 38.8% of Iridium Holdings’ total revenues during the
period.
Iridium
Holdings derives its remaining revenues from sales of mobile satellite services
and other related services to U.S. government customers. These services include
mission critical mobile satellite services to all branches of the U.S. armed
forces as well as services for other U.S. and international government agencies.
Iridium Holdings’ U.S. government revenue is derived from both its agreements
with the DISA as well as other contract revenue related to research and
development projects with the DoD, including assessing the feasibility of
incorporating secondary payloads in Iridium NEXT, and other U.S. government
agencies (either directly or through a prime contractor). Such revenues do not
include services to U.S. and international government agencies, including the
DoD, purchased through Iridium Holdings’ distributors and offered through
Iridium Holdings’ commercial gateway. Although Iridium Holdings
cannot determine the amount of U.S. and international government revenues
derived from Iridium Holdings’ commercial gateway, Iridium Holdings do not
believe such revenues are material. U.S. government revenues also
increased in absolute terms from 2005 to 2007 but decreased as a percentage of
total revenues from approximately 25.8% to 22.2% during the period.
This
increase in the proportion of commercial services revenues relative to Iridium
Holdings’ other sources of revenue from 2005 to 2007 is principally attributable
to a growth in total subscribers and associated access fees resulting from
increased overall demand. The proportion of total revenues from
subscriber equipment sales
remained
relatively stable largely as a result of a change in Iridium Holdings’ product
mix, with lower priced devices accounting for a greater share of total sales.
Iridium Holdings’ Iridium 9601 short burst data modem has exhibited continued
growth in sales since its introduction in 2005 accounting for a greater
proportion of total sales. During the same period, sales of Iridium
Holdings’ satellite handsets, which have historically been Iridium Holdings’
highest priced devices, have decreased as a proportion of Iridium Holdings’
total equipment sales. Iridium Holdings expects continued growth in
revenues from commercial services, U.S. government services and subscriber
equipment sales in the future, although Iridium Holdings anticipates growth in
U.S. government revenues to be more moderate than growth from its other revenue
sources.
The table
below sets forth the geographic distribution of Iridium Holdings’ revenues for
the periods indicated based on the location invoiced.
Revenue
by Country (in thousands)
|
|
|
|
Nine
months ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
Year
ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
Year
ended
December
31, 2006
|
|
|
Year
ended December 31, 2005
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
134,516 |
|
|
$ |
125,251 |
|
|
$ |
102,205 |
|
|
$ |
91,875 |
|
Canada
|
|
|
28,774 |
|
|
|
44,211 |
|
|
|
33,575 |
|
|
|
28,635 |
|
France
|
|
|
18,645 |
|
|
|
30,186 |
|
|
|
17,762 |
|
|
|
2,478 |
|
Netherlands
|
|
|
5,686 |
|
|
|
2,670 |
|
|
|
9,876 |
|
|
|
23,129 |
|
Other
Countries(1)
|
|
|
56,570 |
|
|
|
58,583 |
|
|
|
48,994 |
|
|
|
41,583 |
|
Total
|
|
|
244,192 |
|
|
|
260,901 |
|
|
|
212,412 |
|
|
|
187,700 |
|
_______________
(1) No
other country represents more than 10% of Iridium Holdings’ revenue for any of
the periods indicated.
All of
Iridium Holdings’ revenues are invoiced in U.S. dollars.
Operating
Expenses
Iridium
Holdings’ operating expenses are comprised principally of:
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·
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Cost
of sales, which includes both cost of current year subscriber equipment
sales and cost of recognizing previously deferred subscriber equipment
sales. Cost of current year subscriber equipment sales is the recognition
of inventory carrying cost into expense when equipment is sold. Until
sold, inventory is recorded as an asset on Iridium Holdings’ balance
sheet. Cost of recognizing previously deferred subscriber equipment sales
is the recognition of costs related to equipment sales from previous
years. Inventory consists of subscriber equipment, which
includes satellite handsets, L-Band transceivers, short burst data devices
and a selection of accessories for Iridium Holdings’ devices, including
holsters, earbud remotes and charging units, to be sold to customers to
access Iridium Holdings’ services. Iridium Holdings outsources
manufacturing of satellite handsets, L-Band transceivers and short burst
data devices and purchase accessories from third-party
suppliers. Cost allocations of overhead (including salary and
benefits of Iridium Holdings’ logistics personnel, which manage its
relationships with its vendors and prepare inventory for sale), scrap,
obsolescence, shrinkage, tooling, freight and warehouse distribution
charges are included as cost components of these manufactured
items;
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·
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Network
and satellite operations and maintenance expenses, which are costs
directly related to the operation and maintenance of Iridium Holdings’
network, such as satellite tracking and monitoring, gateway monitoring,
trouble shooting and sub-system maintenance. The majority of these
expenses relate to payments under Iridium Holdings’ operations and
maintenance agreement with Boeing. These expenses also include variable
telecommunication termination costs, which are the costs paid to
telecommunications providers to originate and terminate voice or data
calls from customers using Iridium Holdings’ network to terrestrial
wireline or wireless networks. Personnel expenses for Iridium Holdings’
Operations Group, which oversees the operation of Iridium Holdings’
satellite network, are similarly included in network and satellite
operations and maintenance
expenses;
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·
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Depreciation
and amortization, which represent the depreciation and amortization of
Iridium Holdings space and ground facilities, property and equipment, as
well as amortization of certain intangible assets. Because the acquisition
cost of these assets was substantially below their historic cost or
replacement cost, current depreciation and amortization costs have been
reduced substantially for GAAP purposes, thereby increasing net income or
decreasing net loss. As Iridium Holdings begins to capitalize its capital
expenditures in connection with Iridium NEXT, especially to procure and
launch its second-generation satellite constellation, Iridium Holdings
expects GAAP depreciation to increase substantially starting in 2014 and
2015 after Iridium Holdings launches the first set of
satellites. In addition, as a result of the application of
purchase accounting in connection with Iridium Holdings’ proposed
transaction with GHQ, Iridium Holdings’ depreciation and amortization
expense will increase in future periods following the consummation of the
acquisition;
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·
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Selling,
general and administrative expenses, which are the salaries, commissions
and other personnel-related expenses for employees engaged in sales and
marketing and the marketing costs of Iridium Holdings’ business. This also
includes expenses for its executive, finance, legal, regulatory,
administrative, information technology and human resource departments;
and
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·
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Research
and development expenses, which represent expenses incurred in the
development, design and testing of new products and services, product and
service enhancements and new applications for Iridium Holdings’ existing
products and services. Expenses related to research and development
contracts with certain distributors and U.S. government agencies,
including the DoD, are similarly included in Iridium Holdings’ research
and development expenses. Currently, this also includes all expenses
relating to the development of Iridium NEXT, including certain milestone
payments paid to the two companies vying to serve as the prime system
contractor. Once Iridium Holdings signs a full scale development contract
for Iridium NEXT with a prime contractor, Iridium Holdings expects a
portion of such expenses will be
capitalized.
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Due to the
fixed nature of Iridium Holdings’ network costs, Iridium Holdings’ network and
satellite operations and maintenance expenses have has been fairly consistent
over the past three fiscal years. From 2005 to 2007, its operating expenses have
grown primarily due to:
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·
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increased
cost of sales due to subscriber growth and the related sales of Iridium
Holdings’ voice and data devices;
|
|
·
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increased
research and development expenses resulting from investments in new
products and services, such as its Iridium 9601 short burst data modem and
related machine-to-machine services, its next generation satellite handset
and L-Band transceiver and its high-speed data service, Iridium OpenPort,
as well the development of Iridium
NEXT;
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·
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increased
personnel and related costs to support Iridium Holdings’ growth,
principally as a result of a 25.9% increase in its total employees during
the period, from 108 in 2005 to 136 in 2007;
and
|
|
·
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increased
administrative and related costs, including licensing, regulatory and
legal expenses, to support Iridium Holdings’
growth.
|
All of
Iridium Holdings’ expenses are in U.S. dollars, except those related to its
development agreement with Cambridge Consulting, which are denominated in pounds
sterling. Such expenses amounted to $23.0 million from 2005 to 2007 (based on
the average exchange rate for the period of US$1.86 per £1.00), and as such, do
not account for a significant proportion of Iridium Holdings’ total operating
expenses during the period. However, Iridium Holdings maintains certain hedging
agreements to manage foreign exchange risks relating to this
agreement.
Operating
Profit (Loss)
Iridium
Holdings’ operating profit has grown over the past three years due primarily to
increased service and subscriber equipment revenues resulting from growth in
equipment sales, particularly its high margin satellite handsets, and an
increase in overall subscribers. Iridium Holdings’ satellite handsets have and
continue to comprise Iridium Holdings’ highest margin products. Although the
proportion of satellite handset sales relative to sales of Iridium Holdings’
other devices decreased from 2005 to 2007, sales of its handsets grew in
absolute terms during the period, contributing significantly to growth in
Iridium Holdings’ operating profit. These increases in operating profit were
partially offset by increased cost of sales, research and development expenses
and selling, general and administrative expenses as described above. As a
percentage of total revenue, operating profit has also increased during this
period.
Interest
Expense
Interest
expense consists primarily of interest and fees on borrowings under Iridium
Holdings’ first and second lien credit agreements as well as certain
payments related
to Iridium Holdings’ agreements with Motorola, including Iridium Holdings’
transition services, products and asset agreement and a senior subordinated term
loan. Principal and interest on the senior subordinated term loan with Motorola
were paid in full in May 2005; however Iridium Holdings continues to accrue
certain deferred payment obligations under such documents. Upon the
consummation of Iridium Holdings’ proposed transaction with GHQ, Iridium
Holdings expects its interest expenses to decrease significantly. In
October 2008, Iridium Holdings prepaid $22 million in connection with an
amendment to its first lien credit facility. In addition, Iridium
Holdings has agreed to pay $80.0 million of the outstanding balance of its first
lien credit agreement at the closing of this transaction. See
“—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Cash and Indebtedness” below.
Interest
and Other Income
Interest
and other income is comprised of interest income earned on Iridium Holdings’
cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, consisting primarily of
certain investments that have contractual maturities no greater than nine months
at the time of purchase. Other income includes gains and losses on Iridium
Holdings’ foreign exchange hedge agreement related to its agreement with
Cambridge Consulting. Prior to 2007, miscellaneous revenue related to call
intercept services provided pursuant to subpoenas received from various U.S. and
foreign government agencies was recorded under other income. In 2007,
this revenue was reclassified and is now recorded as commercial service
revenue.
Income
Taxes
As a
limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for federal income
tax purposes, Iridium Holdings is generally not subject to federal income tax
directly. However, Iridium Holdings will be subject to such taxes in
the future upon the consummation of Iridium Holdings’ proposed transaction with
GHQ.
Net
Income
During the
past three years, Iridium Holdings’ net income has increased as a result of the
factors cited above. In future periods, Iridium Holdings expects its
net income to be affected by the changes to depreciation and interest expense
and income taxes, as discussed above.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Iridium
Holdings’ discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of
operations are based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires Iridium
Holdings to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related
disclosure
of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, Iridium Holdings
evaluates its estimates including those related to revenue recognition, property
and equipment, long-lived assets, inventory, interest rate swaps, income taxes
and equity-based compensation. Iridium Holdings bases its estimates on
historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these
estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The
accounting policies Iridium Holdings believes to be most critical to
understanding its financial results and condition and that require complex and
subjective management judgments are discussed below.
Iridium
Holdings derives its revenues as a wholesaler of mobile satellite communications
products and services. Iridium Holdings’ primary types of revenue include
airtime fixed- or flat-rate revenue, airtime usage-based revenue, contract
services revenue and revenue from subscriber equipment sales. Iridium Holdings
recognizes revenue when services are performed or delivery has occurred,
evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable and
collection is probable.
Commercial
Services Revenue
Pursuant
to wholesale agreements, Iridium Holdings sells its commercial products and
services to third-party distributors who, in turn, sell the products and
services to dealers or directly to end-users. When an end-user activates service
on a particular device, Iridium Holdings begins charging its partners a monthly
access fee and a usage fee per minute of use. Iridium Holdings recognizes
revenue for post-paid usage or traffic-driven charges when usage occurs. Revenue
for fixed-per-user access fees is recognized ratably over the period in which
the service is provided to the end-user. Revenue from prepaid services is
recognized when usage occurs or when the customer’s right to access the unused
prepaid services expires.
Government
Services Revenue
Iridium
Holdings provides all services to the U.S. government, including airtime,
airtime support and maintenance services for the U.S. government’s dedicated
gateway, under two separate agreements with the DISA pursuant to fixed-fee
arrangements. Revenues related to the services provided under both agreements
are recognized ratably over the periods in which the services are provided.
Iridium Holdings does not make direct equipment sales to the U.S.
government. Rather, U.S. government customers purchase Iridium
Holdings’ equipment from its third-party distributors.
Contract
Services Revenue
Iridium
Holdings also provides certain engineering services to assist certain
distributors and the DoD in developing new technologies related to its satellite
network. The revenues associated with these services are recorded when the
services are rendered and the expenses are recorded when incurred. Contract
services revenue pertains to all contract revenue, including both government and
non-government customers. Revenue on cost-plus-fee contracts is recognized to
the extent of costs incurred plus an estimate of the applicable fees earned.
Iridium Holdings considers fixed fees under cost-plus-fee contracts to be earned
in proportion to the allowable costs incurred in performance of the contract.
Contract services revenue is recorded as commercial services revenue for
contracts with distributors and government services revenue for contracts with
the DoD.
Subscriber
Equipment Revenue
Iridium
Holdings follows the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-21,
Revenue Arrangements with
Multiple Deliverables, or EITF Issue No. 00-21. EITF Issue No. 00-21
addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a vendor for arrangements under
which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities. In some
arrangements, the different revenue-generating activities (deliveries) are
sufficiently separable and there exists sufficient evidence of their fair values
to account separately for some or all of the deliveries (that is, there are
separate units of accounting). In other arrangements, some or all of the
deliveries are not independently functional, or there is not sufficient evidence
of their fair values to account for them separately. EITF Issue No. 00-21
addresses
when, and
if so, how an arrangement involving multiple deliverables should be divided into
separate units of accounting. EITF Issue No. 00-21 does not change
otherwise applicable revenue recognition criteria.
In late
2004, significant evidence of a secondary market emerged providing proof of
stand-alone value for Iridium Holdings’ subscriber equipment. As a result,
Iridium Holdings determined that its equipment should be treated as a separate
unit of accounting in accordance with EITF Issue No. 00-21. Accordingly,
effective January 1, 2005, Iridium Holdings began recognizing equipment sales
and related costs when equipment title passes to the customer. This change in
accounting estimate was applied prospectively.
All
previously deferred equipment revenues and related costs continue to be
recognized over the remaining estimated average customer relationship period. As
of September 30, 2008, approximately $200,000 of deferred revenue and $200,000
of deferred costs remain unrecognized. These amounts will be recognized during
the remainder of 2008.
Property
and equipment is carried at acquired cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the
straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: space system in
service (14 years); terrestrial system assets (seven years); business support
systems (five years); internally developed software (seven years); other
software and equipment (three to five years); gateway and satellite equipment
(seven to ten years); buildings (39 years) and leasehold improvements (shorter
of estimated useful life or remaining lease term). Repair and maintenance costs
are expensed as incurred. Iridium Holdings performs evaluations of the estimated
useful lives of its property and equipment for depreciation purposes. The
estimated useful lives are determined and evaluated based on the period over
which services are expected to be rendered by the asset. Interest costs
associated with the construction of capital assets for business operations are
capitalized and the cost is amortized over the assets’ useful lives beginning
when the asset is placed in service.
Long
Lived Assets
Iridium
Holdings periodically reviews and evaluates long-lived assets, primarily
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives, when
events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may
not be recoverable. For long-lived assets, this evaluation is based on the
expected future undiscounted operating cash flows of the related assets. Should
such evaluation result in Iridium Holdings concluding that the carrying amount
of long-lived assets has been impaired, an appropriate write-down to their fair
value is recorded. The impairment loss of the assets would be measured as the
excess of the assets’ carrying amount over their fair value. Fair value is based
on market prices where available, an estimate of market value or various
valuation techniques.
The
carrying value of a satellite lost as a result of an in-orbit failure would be
charged to operations upon the occurrence of the loss. For the year ended
December 31, 2005, Iridium Holdings recorded the carrying value of $300,000 as
an impairment loss related to the failure of two satellites. For the year ended
December 31, 2006, Iridium Holdings recorded the carrying value of $100,000
related to the failure of one satellite as an impairment loss. There were no
impairment losses recorded in 2007. For the nine months ending
September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings recorded the carrying value of $100,000 for
one failed satellite as an impairment loss.
Inventory
Inventory
consists of subscriber equipment, which includes satellite handsets, L-Band
transceivers, short burst data devices and a selection of accessories for
Iridium Holdings’ devices, including holsters, earbud remotes and charging
units, to be sold to customers to access Iridium Holdings’ services. Such
inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Iridium
Holdings outsources manufacturing of satellite handsets, L-Band transceivers,
short burst data devices and purchase accessories from third party suppliers.
Cost allocations of overhead (including salary and benefits of Iridium Holdings’
logistics personnel, which manage Iridium Holdings’ relationships with its
vendors and prepare inventory for sale), scrap, obsolescence, shrinkage,
tooling, freight and warehouse distribution charges are included as cost
components of these manufactured items. All inventory is valued using the
average cost method.
Interest
Rate Swaps
Iridium
Holdings follows the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards,
or SFAS, No. 133, Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS No.
138, Accounting for Certain
Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, an Amendment of SFAS
133, or SFAS 133, in accounting for derivate instruments. SFAS 133
requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at
their respective fair values.
As
required by its first and second lien credit agreements, Iridium Holdings
executed four pay-fixed receive-variable interest rate swaps in 2006, two of
which were still open at September 30, 2008, and mature within two years. As of
September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings had approximately $86.0 million of variable
interest rate debt hedged under these swaps. The interest rate swaps are
designated as cash flow hedges. The objective for holding these instruments is
to manage the variable interest rate risk related to Iridium Holdings’ $210.0
million of credit agreements debt by synthetically converting a portion of the
variable rate risk to fixed rate interest rate risk. The swaps are structured so
that Iridium Holdings will pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a variable
interest payment, which, to the extent hedged, should offset the variable
interest that is being paid on Iridium Holdings’ debt. The variable interest
rate on the swaps reset every quarter concurrent with the reset of the variable
rate on its debt. The fixed rate will not change over the life of the swap. Each
quarter-end the swaps are measured against current interest rates to determine a
fair market value. The fair market value is recorded on the balance sheet and
the offset to the value, to the extent effective, is recorded in accumulated
other comprehensive income, or AOCI. Any ineffectiveness is recorded to interest
expense.
The
effectiveness of the swaps in offsetting any gain or loss on Iridium Holdings’
debt is assessed and measured on a quarterly basis by regressing historical
changes in the value of the swap with the historical change in value of the
underlying debt. To establish a value for the underlying debt a “hypothetical”
derivative is created with terms that match the debt (i.e., notional amount, reset
rates and terms, maturity) and had a zero fair value at designation.
Effectiveness is tested and measured every quarter.
The
testing and measurement of the effectiveness of the swaps is performed on a
contract-by-contract basis. The change in the swaps’ fair market value from the
designation due to September 30, 2008 was compared with the hypothetical change
in fair market value for the same period. Since the change in the
value of the hypotheticals was less than the change in the value of the swaps, a
$100,000 loss associated with ineffectiveness was recognized as of September 30,
2008. Therefore, the $2.3 million loss on the derivative is recorded
to interest rate swap liability, and a $2.2 million offset is recorded in AOCI
in the accompanying September 30, 2008 consolidated balance
sheets. The change in the swaps’ fair market value from the
designation date to December 31, 2007 was similarly compared with the
hypothetical change in fair market value for the same period. Since the change
in the value of the hypotheticals was less than the change in the value of the
swaps, a $100,000 loss associated with ineffectiveness was accrued as of
December 31, 2007. Therefore, the $3.7 million loss on the derivative is
recorded to interest rate swap liability and a $3.6 million offset is recorded
in AOCI in the accompanying December 31, 2007 consolidated balance sheets. There
was no ineffectiveness in 2006; as a result, both the interest rate swap
liability and AOCI was $2.4 million at December 31, 2006.
At
September 30, 2008, $1.8 million is expected to be reclassified from AOCI to
earnings as additional interest expense over the next twelve months in
conjunction with lower variable rate interest payments on the debt. The net
interest expense should equal the fixed rate on the swaps, thus meeting the
original objective of the hedge program.
Income
Taxes
As a
limited liability company that is treated as a partnership for federal income
tax purposes, Iridium Holdings is generally not subject to federal income tax
directly. Rather, each member is subject to income taxation based on the
member’s portion of its income or loss as defined in Iridium Holdings’ limited
liability company agreement. Iridium Holdings is subject to federal excise,
withholding and payroll taxes, to state and local taxes in the United States and
to income, value-added tax and other taxes in non-U.S. jurisdictions in which
Iridium Holdings operates.
Iridium
Holdings regularly assesses the potential outcome of current and future
examinations in each of the taxing jurisdictions when determining the adequacy
of accruals for tax, penalties and interest. Iridium Holdings has
established
accruals that it believes are adequate in relation to the potential for
additional assessments. Iridium Holdings does not believe any such tax,
penalties or interest would have a material impact on its financial
position.
Comparison
of Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and
2007
Revenue. Total
revenue increased by $50.6 million, or approximately 26%, to $244.2 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from $193.6 million for the same period
in 2007, due principally to a growth in total subscribers, an increase in
Iridium Holdings’ subscriber equipment sales and increased contract revenue from
the DoD as well as the renewal of its service agreements with the U.S.
government and the related fee increases. Total subscribers increased 37% during
the period, from 225,368 at September 30, 2007 to 309,450 at September 30,
2008.
Government Services
Revenue. Government services revenue increased by
$7.0 million, or approximately 17%, to $48.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 from $41.9 million for the same period in 2007. This growth
was driven by an increase in contract revenue relating to several research and
development agreements with the DoD and other U.S. government agencies,
including secondary payload research. The remaining growth was attributable to a
5% increase in user fees and higher gateway maintenance revenue as provided in
Iridium Holdings’ recently renewed agreements with the U.S. government, which
became effective April 1, 2008. As a percentage of total revenues,
government services revenue decreased from 21.6% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 to 20% for the same period in 2008.
Commercial Services
Revenue. Commercial services revenue increased by
$24.3 million, or approximately 33%, to $97.5 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 from $73.2 million for the same period in 2007, due
principally to growth in subscribers and associated access fees resulting from
increased overall demand, accelerated by the popularity of Iridium Holdings’
machine-to-machine services and customer defections from Globalstar. The
increase in commercial services revenue was offset by lower revenues from usage
fees resulting from an increase in the proportion of machine-to-machine services
relative to voice services, as machine-to-machine services account for lower
average revenue per unit than voice services. As a percentage of
total revenues, commercial services revenue increased from 37.8% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2007 to 39.9% for the same period in
2008.
Subscriber Equipment
Sales. Subscriber equipment sales increased by
$19.3 million, or approximately 25%, to $97.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 from $78.5 million for the same period in 2007. Increased
subscriber equipment sales were driven principally by subscriber growth and the
related increased in sales of Iridium Holdings’ satellite handsets and Iridium
9601 short burst data modem. Despite being introduced in late 2005, sales of its
Iridium 9601 short burst data modem continued to exhibit strong growth. Although
the proportion of satellites handset sales relative to sales of Iridium
Holdings’ other lower priced devices decreased during the period, sales of
Iridium Holdings’ higher priced handsets grew in absolute terms, contributing
significantly to growth in its revenue from subscriber equipment sales. Until
the introduction of its Iridium OpenPort terminals, Iridium Holdings’ satellite
handsets have been its highest priced devices. As a percentage of
total revenues, subscriber equipment sales decreased from 40.6% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2007 to 40.1% for the same period in
2008.
Operating
Expenses. Total operating expenses increased by
$33.9 million, or approximately 24%, to $178.1 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 from $144.2 million for the same period in 2007. This
increase was due primarily to increased costs of sales resulting from a growth
in sales of Iridium Holdings’ voice and data devices as well as increased
research and development expenses related to the development of new subscriber
equipment and services and Iridium NEXT. Total operating expenses for
the period also increased as a result of higher selling, general and
administrative expenses resulting from Iridium Holdings’ capital raising
activities, including its proposed transaction with GHQ in the third quarter of
2008 and increased personnel expenses from growth in total employees resulting
from its expansion. As a percentage of total revenues, operating
expenses decreased from 74.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to
72.9% for the same period in 2008.
Cost of
Sales. Cost of sales increased by $6.9 million, or
approximately 14%, to $55.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
from $48.3 million for the same period in 2007 primarily as a result of
subscriber growth and the related increase in sales of Iridium Holdings’ voice
and data devices, particularly its satellite handsets. Iridium Holdings’
handsets have the highest production costs of all its devices. This increase in
costs of sales was offset by a decrease in the cost of recognizing previously
deferred subscriber equipment sales of $6.6 million, or approximately 67%, to
$3.2 million for the period ended September 30, 2008, from $9.8 million in the
same period in 2007. Effective January 1, 2005, Iridium Holdings began
recognizing equipment sales and related costs when equipment title passes to the
customer. As a percentage of total revenues, cost of sales decreased
from 25.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 22.7% for the same
period in 2008.
Network and satellite operations and
maintenance. Network and satellite operations and
maintenance expenses increased by $3.2 million, or approximately 7%, to $47.5
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from $44.2 million for the
same period in 2007, primarily as a result of increased maintenance expenses
with respect to Iridium Holdings’ satellite network due to the annual price
escalation clause in its operations and maintenance agreement with Boeing,
higher fees for software licensing and maintenance, an increase in variable
network costs, including termination costs, and increased personnel expenses
related to the growth of Iridium Holdings’ Operations Group. As a
percentage of total revenues, network and satellite operations and maintenance
expenses decreased from 22.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to
19.5% for the same period in 2008.
Depreciation and
Amortization. Depreciation and amortization
expenses increased by $1.4 million, or approximately 18%, to $9.0 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from $7.6 million for the same period
in 2007, primarily as a result of additional depreciation associated with new
equipment placed in service, including a new satellite earth station facility in
Norway and certain equipment for Iridium Holdings’ satellite network operations
center and gateway. As a percentage of total
revenues, depreciation and amortization expenses decreased from 3.9% for the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 3.7% for the same period in
2008.
Selling, General and
Administrative. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by $10.1 million, or approximately 31.0%, to
$43.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 from $32.8 million
for the same period in 2007, primarily as a result of higher legal, regulatory
and accounting expenses in 2008 resulting from Iridium Holdings capital raising
activities, including its proposed transaction with GHQ, as well increased
personnel and other administrative expenses related to its growth and pursuit of
expansion opportunities. Total employees grew 42.0% during the period, from 119
at September 30, 2007 to 169 at September 30, 2008. As a percentage
of total revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased from
16.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 17.6% for the same period
in 2008.
Research and
Development. Research and development expenses
increased by $12.3 million, or approximately 109%, to $23.5 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008 from $11.2 million for the same period in 2007,
primarily as a result of increased expenses related to investments in new
subscriber equipment and services, including Iridium Holdings’ next generation
satellite handset, L-Band transceiver and short burst data modem and Iridium
OpenPort, as well as the development of Iridium NEXT. This also includes
increased expenses related to the abovementioned research and development
contracts with the DoD and other U.S. government agencies. As a
percentage of total revenues, research and development expenses increased from
5.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to 9.6% for the same period in
2008.
Operating Profit
(Loss). Operating profit increased by $16.7
million, or approximately 34%, to $66.1 million for the period ended September
30, 2008 from $49.4 million for the same period in 2007. This
increase was due primarily increased service and subscriber equipment revenues
resulting from growth in equipment sales, particularly Iridium Holdings’ high
margin satellite handsets, and an increase in total subscribers. Although the
proportion of satellites handset sales relative to sales of Iridium Holdings’
other devices decreased during the period, as discussed above, handsets sales
grew in absolute terms, contributing significantly to growth in its operating
profit. These increases in operating profit were partially offset by increased
cost of sales, research and development expenses and selling, general and
administrative expenses as described above. As a percentage of total
revenues, operating profit increased from 25.5% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 to 27.1% for the same period in 2008.
Interest
Expense. Interest expense decreased by $2.2
million, or approximately 13%, to $14.3 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 from $16.5 million for the same period in 2007. This
decreased resulted from lower outstanding balances on Iridium Holdings’ first
and second lien credit agreements.
Interest and Other
Income. Interest and other income decreased by
$1.1 million, or approximately 65%, to $600,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 from $1.7 million for the same period in 2007. This decrease
was due to lower interest income resulting from a decrease in the interest
earned on Iridium Holdings’ cash and cash equivalents and short term investments
offset by increased foreign currency losses.
Net
Income. Iridium Holdings’ net income increased by
$17.7 million, or approximately 51%, to $52.3 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008 from $34.6 million for the same period in 2007, as a result
of the factors described above. As a percentage of total revenues,
net income increased from 17.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 to
21.4% for the same period in 2008.
Comparison
of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2007 and
2006
Revenue. Total
revenue increased by $48.5 million, or approximately 22.8%, to
$260.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from
$212.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, due principally
to a growth in total subscribers, an increase in Iridium Holdings’ subscriber
equipment sales and increased contract revenue from the DoD. Total subscribers
increased 34% during the period, from 174,219 at December 31, 2006 to 234,162 at
December 31, 2007.
Government Service
Revenue. Government service revenue increased by
$7.1 million, or approximately 13.9%, to $57.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 from $50.8 million in 2006. This growth was driven by an
increase in contract revenue from an agreement with a prime contractor of the
U.S. government to assess the feasibility of incorporating secondary payloads in
Iridium NEXT as well as an increase in the number of subscribers. As
a percentage of total revenues, government services revenue decreased from 23.9%
for the year ended December 31, 2006 to 22.2% in 2007.
Commercial Service
Revenue. Commercial service revenue increased by
$23.5 million, or approximately 30.3%, to $101.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 from $77.7 million for 2006. This growth was driven by a
growth in subscribers and associated access fees resulting from increased
overall demand, accelerated by the popularity of Iridium Holdings’
machine-to-machine services and customer defections from Globalstar. Further
contributing to this increase, in August 2006, Iridium Holdings increased
monthly access fees for voice subscribers by $5 per month. As a
percentage of total revenues, commercial services revenue increased from 36.6%
for the year ended December 31, 2006 to 38.8% in 2007.
Subscriber Equipment
Sales. Subscriber equipment sales increased by
$17.9 million, or approximately 21.4%, to $101.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 from $83.9 million for 2006. Increased subscriber equipment
sales were driven principally by subscriber growth and the related increase in
sales of Iridium Holdings’ satellite handsets and Iridium 9601 short burst data
modem. Sales of Iridium Holdings’ Iridium 9601 short burst data modem continued
to exhibit strong growth two years after its introduction. Sales of Iridium
Holdings’ higher priced handsets also grew, contributing significantly to growth
in Iridium Holdings’ revenue from subscriber equipment sales. As a
percentage of total revenues, subscriber equipment sales decreased from 39.5%
for the year ended December 31, 2006 to 39.1% in 2007.
Operating
Expenses. Total operating expenses increased by
$30.5 million, or approximately 18.3%, to $197.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 from $167.2 million for 2006. This increase was due
primarily to increased research and development expenses related to the
development of new subscriber equipment and services as well as increased costs
of sales resulting from a growth in sales of Iridium Holdings’ voice and data
devices. Total operating expenses for the period also increased as a
result of higher personnel and other administrative expenses largely from growth
in total employees resulting from its expansion. As a percentage of
total revenues, operating expenses decreased from 78.7% for the year ended
December 31, 2006 to 75.8% in 2007.
Cost of
Sales. Cost of sales increased by $2.4 million, or
approximately 3.9%, to $62.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007
from $60.1 million for 2006, primarily as a result of subscriber growth and the
related increase in sales of Iridium Holdings’ voice and data devices,
particularly its higher cost satellite handsets. This
increase
was offset by a decrease in the cost of recognizing previously deferred
subscriber equipment sales, which decreased by $9.5 million, or approximately
44.4%, to $11.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $21.3
million for 2006. As a percentage of total revenues, cost of sales
decreased from 28.3% for the year ended December 31, 2006 to 23.9% in
2007.
Network and Satellite Operations and
Maintenance. Network and satellite operations and
maintenance expenses decreased by $500,000, or approximately 0.8%, to $60.2
million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $60.7 million for 2006,
primarily as a result of a decrease in the amount of consulting expenditures
incurred related to Iridium Holdings’ current satellite system, partially offset
by increased maintenance expenses with respect to its satellite network due to
the annual price escalation clause in Iridium Holdings’ operations and
maintenance agreement with Boeing, an increase in variable network costs,
including termination costs and higher personnel expenses related to the growth
of its Operations Group. As a percentage of total revenues, network
and satellite operations and maintenance expenses decreased from 28.6% for the
year ended December 31, 2006 to 23.1% in 2007.
Depreciation and
Amortization. Depreciation and amortization
expenses increased by $2.8 million, or approximately 33.2%, to $11.4 million for
the year ended December 31, 2007 from $8.5 million for 2006, primarily as a
result of additional depreciation associated with new equipment placed in
service in 2007, including equipment upgrades at Iridium Holdings’ satellite
network operations center and technical support center as well as business
systems, including a new data warehouse and call intercept system. As
a percentage of total revenues, depreciation and amortization expenses increased
from 4.0% for the year ended December 31, 2006 to 4.4% in 2007.
Selling, General and
Administrative. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased by $12.9 million, or approximately 38.5%, to
$46.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 from $33.5 million for
2006, primarily as a result of increased personnel and other administrative
expenses to accompany Iridium Holdings’ growth. Total employees grew 28% during
the period, from 93 at December 31, 2006 to 119 at December 31,
2007. As a percentage of total revenues, selling, general and
administrative expenses increased from 15.9% for the year ended December 31,
2006 to 17.8% in 2007.
Research and
Development. Research and development expenses
increased by $13.0 million, or approximately 293.1%, to $17.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 2007 from $4.4 million for 2006, primarily as a
result of expenditures related to the development of new subscriber equipment
and services, including Iridium Holdings’ next generation satellite handset and
L-Band transceiver and Iridium OpenPort. This also includes increased expenses
related to the abovementioned research and development contract with the U.S.
government. As a percentage of total revenues, research and
development expenses increased from 2.1% for the year ended December 31, 2006 to
6.7% in 2007.
Operating Profit
(Loss). Operating profit increased by $17.9
million, or approximately 39.7%, to $63.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 from $45.2 million for 2006. This increase was due
primarily to increased service and subscriber equipment revenues resulting from
growth in equipment sales, particularly Iridium Holdings’ high margin satellite
handsets, and an increase in total subscribers. As discussed above, handsets
sales grew during the period, contributing significantly to growth in Iridium
Holdings’ operating profit. These increases in operating profit were partially
offset by increased cost of sales, research and development expenses and
selling, general and administrative expenses as described above. As a
percentage of total revenues, operating profit increased from 21.3% for the year
ended December 31, 2006 to 24.2% in 2007.
Interest
Expense. Interest expense increased by $6.6
million, or approximately 43.4%, to $21.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 from $15.2 million for 2006. This increase resulted from
recognizing a full year of interest expense associated with Iridium Holdings’
first and second lien credit agreements, which it entered into in July
2006.
Interest and Other
Income. Interest and other income increased by
$600,000, or approximately 34.5%, to $2.4 million for the year ended December
31, 2007 from $1.8 million for 2006. This increase resulted from higher interest
income resulting from increased cash balances on hand. This increase was offset
by a decrease in other income due to lower revenues from intercept services
provided pursuant to U.S. government subpoenas, which were reclassified as
commercial service revenues in 2007.
Net
Income. Iridium Holdings’ net income increased by
$12.0 million, or approximately 37.6%, to $43.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2007 from $31.8 million for 2006, as a result of the factors
described above. As a percentage of total revenues, net income
increased from 15.0% for the year ended December 31, 2006 to 16.8% in
2007.
Comparison
of Results of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2006 and
2005
Government Service
Revenue. Government service revenue increased by
$2.5 million, or approximately 5.0%, to $50.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $ 48.3 million for 2005. This growth was driven
principally by an increase in the number of subscribers and an increase in
revenues from maintenance of the DoD gateway, partially offset by a decrease in
revenues from reimbursements for upgrades to the U.S. government gateway which
were recorded in 2005. As a percentage of total revenues, government
services revenue decreased from 25.7% for the year ended December 31, 2005 to
23.9% in 2006.
Commercial Service
Revenue. Commercial service revenue increased by
$17.0 million, or approximately 28.0%, to $77.7 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $60.7 million for 2005. This growth was driven by a
growth in subscribers and associated access fees resulting from increased
overall demand, accelerated by the popularity of the Iridium 9522A L-Band
transceiver and the introduction of Iridium Holdings’ machine-to-machine
services. As a percentage of total revenues, commercial services
revenue increased from 32.3% for the year ended December 31, 2005 to 36.6% in
2006.
Subscriber Equipment
Sales. Subscriber equipment sales increased by
$5.3 million, or approximately 6.7%, to $83.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $78.7 million for 2005. Increased subscriber equipment
sales were driven principally by subscriber growth and the related increased in
sales of Iridium Holdings’ satellite handsets, Iridium 9522A L-Band transceiver
and Iridium 9601 short burst data modem, which was introduced in November 2005.
Although the proportion of satellites handset sales relative to sales of its
other lower priced devices decreased during the period, sales of Iridium
Holdings’ higher priced handsets grew in absolute terms, contributing
significantly to growth in its revenue from subscriber equipment
sales. As a percentage of total revenues, subscriber equipment sales
decreased from 41.9% for the year ended December 31, 2005 to 39.5% in
2006.
Operating
Expenses. Total operating expenses increased by
$19.3 million, or approximately 13%, to $167.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $147.9 million for 2005. This increase was due
primarily to increased research and development expenses related to the reversal
of a $14.0 million expense in 2005 that was originally recorded in 2003 as well
as higher personnel and other administrative expenses largely from growth in
total employees resulting from Iridium Holdings’ expansion. As a
percentage of total revenues, operating expenses decreased from 78.8% for the
year ended December 31, 2005 to 78.7% in 2006.
Cost of
Sales. Cost of sales decreased by $2.7 million, or
approximately 4.4%, to $60.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006
from $62.8 million for 2005, primarily as a result of lower cost of recognizing
previously deferred subscriber equipment sales. The cost of
recognizing previously deferred subscriber equipment sales decreased by $6.0
million, or approximately 22.2%, to $21.3 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $27.3 million for 2005. This decrease was
partially offset by increased subscriber equipment sales driven principally by
subscriber growth and the related increased in sales of Iridium Holdings’
satellite handsets, Iridium 9522A L-Band transceiver and Iridium 9601 short
burst data modem. As a percentage of total revenues, cost of sales
decreased from 33.5% for the year ended December 31, 2005 to 28.3% in
2006.
Network and Satellite Operations and
Maintenance. Network and satellite operations and
maintenance expenses increased by $3.8 million, or approximately 6.6%, to $60.7
million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $56.9 million for 2005,
primarily as a result of increased maintenance expenses with respect to Iridium
Holdings’ satellite network due to the annual price escalation clause in its
operations and maintenance agreement with Boeing and higher personnel expenses
related to the growth of its Operations Group. As a percentage of
total
revenues,
network and satellite operations and maintenance expenses decreased from 30.3%
for the year ended December 31, 2005 to 28.6% in 2006.
Depreciation and
Amortization. Depreciation and amortization
expenses increased by $800,000, or approximately 10.6%, to $8.5 million for the
year ended December 31, 2006 from $7.7 million for 2005, primarily as a
result of additional depreciation associated with new equipment placed in
service in 2006, including the addition of a satellite earth station facility in
Fairbanks, Alaska as well as equipment and software upgrades at Iridium
Holdings’ satellite network operations center, technical support center and
gateway. As a percentage of total revenues, depreciation and amortization
expenses decreased from 4.1% for the year ended December 31, 2005 to 4.0% in
2006.
Selling, General and
Administrative. Selling, general and
administrative increased by $3.3 million, or approximately 11.1%, to $34.5
million for the year ended December 31, 2006 from $30.1 million for 2005,
primarily as a result of increased personnel and other administrative expenses
to accompany Iridium Holdings’ growth. Total employees grew 5.1% during the
period, from 98 at December 31, 2005 to 103 at December 31,
2006. As a percentage of total revenues, selling, general and
administrative expenses increased from 16.0% for the year ended December 31,
2005 to 16.2% in 2006.
Research and
Development. Research and development expenses
increased by $14.1 million, or approximately 145.7%, to $4.4 million for the
year ended December 31, 2006 from ($9.7) million for 2005, primarily as a
result of the reversal of a $14.0 million expenditure in 2005 that was
originally recorded in 2003 as well increased expenditures related to the
development of new subscriber equipment and services, including the initial
development of Iridium OpenPort. The $14.0 million expense relates to an
agreement Iridium Holdings entered into on July 12, 2002 with Boeing Satellite
Systems, Inc. in connection with Iridium NEXT. Iridium Holdings entered into
this agreement in order to retain its license to develop its next generation
constellation as required by the FCC. On January 19, 2005, Iridium Holdings
granted a third party an option to acquire such license and, as result, were no
longer required to maintain its initial agreement with Boeing Satellite Systems,
Inc. (“Boeing Satellite”). On January 31, 2005 Iridium Holdings executed a
settlement agreement with Boeing Satellite releasing it from payment of the
amounts owed under its previous agreement. As a percentage of total
revenues, research and development expenses increased from (5.1%) for the year
ended December 31, 2005 to 2.1% in 2006.
Operating Profit
(Loss). Operating profit increased by $5.4
million, or approximately 13.7%, to $45.2 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $39.8 million for 2005. This increase was due
primarily increased service and subscriber equipment revenues resulting from
growth in equipment sales, particularly Iridium Holdings’ high margin satellite
handsets, and an increase in total subscribers. Although the proportion of
satellites handset sales relative to sales of its other devices decreased during
the period, as discussed above, handsets sales grew in absolute terms,
contributing significantly to growth in Iridium Holdings’ operating profit.
These increases in operating profit were partially offset by increased research
and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses as
described above. As a percentage of total revenues, operating profit
increased from 21.2% for the year ended December 31, 2005 to 21.3% in
2006.
Interest
Expense. Interest expense increased by $12.6
million, or approximately 488.3%, to $15.2 million for the year ended December
31, 2006 from $2.6 million for 2005. This increase resulted from an increase in
Iridium Holdings’ level of indebtedness due to Iridium Holdings’ first and
second lien credit agreements, which it entered into in July 2006.
Interest and Other
Income. Interest and other income decreased by
$600,000, or approximately 25.9%, to $1.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $2.4 million for 2005. This decrease resulted from
an increase in interest income due to higher cash balances offset by a decrease
in other income related to the consideration received in 2005 for the sale to a
third party of the option to acquire a license to build Iridium Holdings’ next
generation constellation as described above.
Net
Income. Iridium Holdings’ net income decreased by
$7.8 million, or approximately 19.7%, to $31.8 million for the year ended
December 31, 2006 from $39.6 million for 2005, principally as a result of a
significant increase in interest expense in 2006 as compared to 2005 resulting
from its first and second lien credit agreements.
As a
percentage of total revenues, net income decreased from 21.1% for the year ended
December 31, 2005 to 15% in 2006.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Iridium
Holdings’ principal sources of liquidity are existing cash, internally generated
cash flow and borrowings under its first and second lien credit
agreements. Iridium Holdings will also receive cash from the GHQ
trust account upon the consummation of its proposed transaction with
GHQ. Iridium Holdings believe that these sources will provide
sufficient liquidity for it to meet its liquidity requirements for the next
12 months. Iridium Holdings’ principal liquidity requirements are to meet
its working capital, research and development and capital expenditure needs,
including the development of Iridium NEXT, and to service its debt. Iridium
Holdings may, however, require additional liquidity as it continues to execute
its business strategy. Additionally, Iridium Holdings’ liquidity and its ability
to fund its liquidity requirements is also dependent on its future financial
performance, which is subject to general economic, financial, regulatory and
other factors that are beyond its control. Iridium Holdings’ anticipates that to
the extent that it requires additional liquidity, it will be funded through
borrowings under its revolving credit facility, the incurrence of additional
indebtedness, additional equity financings, secondary payload funding or a
combination of these potential sources of liquidity. Iridium Holdings’ ability
to obtain additional liquidity may be adversely impacted by a number of factors,
including a continuation of the difficult conditions in the credit and financial
markets which could limit the availability and increase the cost of financing.
Iridium Holdings cannot assure you that it will be able to obtain such
additional liquidity on reasonable terms, or at all.
Cash
Flows
The
following table shows Iridium Holdings’ consolidated cash flows from operating,
investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2005,
2006 and 2007 and the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and
2008:
|
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
Year
Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2007
|
|
(in millions)
|
|
Cash
flows provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
36.6 |
|
|
$ |
41.1 |
|
|
$ |
30.7 |
|
|
$ |
61.6 |
|
|
$ |
29.9 |
|
Cash
flows used in investing activities
|
|
|
(19.8 |
) |
|
|
(11.0 |
) |
|
|
(9.7 |
) |
|
|
(9.2 |
) |
|
|
(13.1 |
) |
Cash
flows used in financing activities
|
|
|
(26.5 |
) |
|
|
(8.0 |
) |
|
|
(18.9 |
) |
|
|
(9.9 |
) |
|
|
(22.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
(9.8 |
) |
|
$ |
22.0 |
|
|
$ |
2.2 |
|
|
$ |
42.5 |
|
|
$ |
5.7 |
|
Cash
Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash
provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
increased to $61.6 million from $29.9 million for the same period in 2007. This
increase was attributable primarily to a $17.7 million increase in net income, a
$10.5 million increase in working capital and a $3.9 million increase in
non-cash adjustments during the period. The increase in working capital
primarily relates to a payment made to Boeing in 2007 in connection with Iridium
Holdings’ purchase of their right to receive distributions, which
consequentially reduced its working capital for that period, as well an increase
in deferred revenues resulting from higher sales of its prepaid services and an
increase to accounts payable due to the timing of payments to vendors. The
increase in non-cash adjustments consists primarily of increases in depreciation
and amortization and increases in equity and profits interest
compensation.
Net cash
provided by operating activities for 2007 decreased to $36.6 million from $41.1
million for 2006. This decrease was attributable primarily to a $23.2 million
decrease in working capital partially offset by a $12.0 million
increase
in net income and a $6.7 million increase in non-cash adjustments during the
period. The decrease in working capital is the result of the abovementioned 2007
payment to Boeing. Adjustments for non-cash items increased during the period
due to increases in depreciation and amortization and increases in equity and
profits interest compensation.
Net cash
provided by operating activities for 2006 increased to $41.1 million from
$30.7 million for 2005. This increase was attributable primarily to a $18.9
million increase in non-cash adjustments, partially offset by a $7.8 million and
$700,000 decrease in net income and working capital, respectively, during the
period. The increase in non-cash adjustments is principally the
result of the reversal of a $14.0 million research and development expense in
2005 as discussed above. Net income decreased during the period due to a
significant increase in interest expense in 2006 as compared to 2005 resulting
from Iridium Holdings’ first and second lien credit agreements.
Cash
Flows Used in Investment Activities
Net cash
used in investment activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
decreased to $9.2 million from $13.1 million for the same period in 2007. This
decrease was attributable primarily to lower development expenses related to
Iridium Holdings’ new high-speed data service, Iridium OpenPort, which it
recently introduced.
Net cash
used in investment activities for 2007 increased to $19.8 million from $11.0
million for 2006. This increase was attributable primarily to increased
development expenses related to Iridium OpenPort as well as the procurement and
implementation of a more robust customer billing system.
Net cash
used in investment activities for 2006 increased to $11.0 million from $9.7
million for 2005. This increase was attributable primarily to software and
hardware upgrades at Iridium Holdings’ satellite network operations center in
Leesburg, Virginia and its technical support center in Chandler,
Arizona.
Cash
Flows Used in Financing Activities
Net cash
used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
decreased to $9.9 million from $22.5 million for the same period in
2007. This decrease was attributable primarily to lower payments on Iridium
Holdings’ first and second lien credit agreements partially offset by two cash
distributions to its current investors.
Net cash
used in financing activities for 2007 increased to $26.5 million from
$8.0 million for 2006. This increase was attributable primarily to
increased debt payments resulting from Iridium Holdings’ first and second lien
credit agreements, which it entered into in July 2006.
Net cash
used in financing activities for 2006 decreased to $8.0 million from $18.9
million for 2005. This decrease was attributable primarily to the proceeds from
Iridium Holdings’ first and second lien credit agreements as well as the
retirement of its credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. in 2006 and the
repayment of its senior convertible promissory note due to Motorola in
2005.
Capital
Expenditures
Iridium
Holdings’ capital expenditures consist primarily of the hardware and software
upgrades to maintain its ground infrastructure and a portion of the expenses
related to the development of Iridium OpenPort. These also include upgrades to
its business systems, including the development of a data warehouse to analyze
call data and records, upgrades to its billing system to enable customer billing
of Iridium OpenPort as well as offering promotional pricing to distributors, and
computers for new employees. Once a prime contractor is selected for Iridium
Holdings’ next generation system, Iridium NEXT, and a full scale development
contract is signed, Iridium Holdings expects that the majority of its future
capital expenditures will relate to the development of Iridium NEXT through
2016.
Iridium
Holdings’ capital expenditures were $9.7 million, $11.0 million, $19.8 million
and $9.3 million in 2005, 2006, 2007 and the first nine months of 2008,
respectively.
Iridium
Holdings plans to fund the majority of the costs associated with Iridium NEXT
from internally generated cash flows and secondary payload funding as well as
proceeds from its proposed transaction with GHQ. Iridium Holdings
expects to finance the remaining cost from borrowings under its revolving credit
facility, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, additional equity
financing, or a combination of these potential sources of funding. If future
internally generated cash flows and revenues from hosting secondary payloads are
below expectations or the cost of Iridium NEXT increases, Iridium Holdings will
require additional external funding. There can be no assurance,
however, that such external funding will be available to Iridium Holdings or as
to the terms or cost of such funding. An inability to fund such
expenditures could have a material adverse effect on Iridium Holdings’ business
and future results of operations.
Cash
and Indebtedness
Iridium
Holdings’ total cash and cash equivalents were $9.8 million at December 31,
2005, $31.8 million at December 31, 2006, $22.1 million at December 31, 2007 and
$64.6 million at September 30, 2008. Iridium Holdings had total indebtedness of
$19.3 million at December 31, 2005, $191.0 million at December 31, 2006, $164.5
million at December 31, 2007 and $160.2 million at September 30,
2008.
On July
27, 2006, Iridium Holdings entered into a $170.0 million first lien credit
agreement and $40.0 million second lien credit agreement. The agreements include
a $98.0 million four-year first lien Tranche A term loan, a $62.0 million
five-year first lien Tranche B term loan, a $40.0 million six-year second lien
term loan and a $10.0 million three-year first lien revolving credit facility.
As of September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings had $60.5 million outstanding under
Iridium Holdings’ Tranche A term loan, $59.7 million outstanding under its
Tranche B term loan, $40.0 million outstanding under the second lien term loan
and it had no borrowings and availability of $10.0 million under its revolving
credit facility.
The
following table sets forth the amounts outstanding under Iridium Holdings’
Tranche A term loan, its Tranche B term loan, its second lien term loan and its
revolving credit facility, the effective interest rates on such outstanding
amounts and amounts available for additional borrowing thereunder as of
September 30, 2008.
First
and Second Lien Credit Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
Available
for
Additional
Borrowing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(dollars
in millions)
|
|
Tranche
A Term Loan(1)
|
|
|
7.05% |
|
|
$ |
60.5 |
|
|
$ |
0.0 |
|
Tranche
B Term Loan(1)
|
|
|
7.05% |
|
|
|
59.7 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
Second
Lien Term Loan
|
|
|
11.05% |
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
Revolving
Credit Facility(2)
|
|
|
7.05% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
160.2 |
|
|
$ |
10.0 |
|
_________________
(1)
|
Amount
outstanding does not reflect $22.0 million prepaid on October 17,
2008.
|
(2)
|
On
October 5, 2008, Lehman Brothers Inc., a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers
Holdings Inc., filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Federal
Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of
New York. Lehman Brothers Inc. is a joint lead arranger under Iridium
Holdings’ revolving credit facility and had, as of September 30, 2008,
committed to provide $5.0 million under Iridium Holdings’ $10 million
revolving credit facility. Iridium Holdings’ ability to draw on that $5.0
million is uncertain as a result of the bankruptcy
filing.
|
First
Lien Tranche A Term Loan
Iridium
Holdings’ $98.0 million first lien Tranche A term loan bears interest at the
Eurodollar base interest rate plus 4.25% and requires quarterly principal and
interest payments. Quarterly principal payments on the loan range
from $2.25 million to $9.75 million. The term loan matures on June 30, 2010. As
of December 31, 2007, Iridium Holdings elected to make optional pre-payments
(without penalty) of $13.2 million out of excess cash on hand of the payments
due through June 2008. Iridium Holdings can prepay the term loan in its entirety
at par.
First
Lien Tranche B Term Loan
Iridium
Holdings’ $62.0 million first lien Tranche B term loan bears interest at the
Eurodollar base interest rate plus 4.25% and requires quarterly principal and
interest payments. Quarterly principal payments start on September 30, 2010 in
the amount of $15.1 million. The term loan matures on July 27, 2011. Iridium
Holdings can prepay the term loan in its entirety at par.
Second
Lien Term Loan
Iridium
Holdings’ $40 million second lien term loan bears interest at the Eurodollar
base interest rate plus 8.25% and requires quarterly interest payments. The term
loan matures on July 27, 2012, at which time the entire $40 million principal
amount is due. After July 21, 2009, Iridium Holdings can prepay the
term loan in its entirety at par, provided that no amounts remain outstanding
under its first lien Tranche A and B term loans.
First
Lien Revolving Credit Facility
Iridium
Holdings’ $10.0 million first lien revolving credit facility matures on July 27,
2009. Iridium Holdings paid an up-front fee of 2% on the revolving facility of
$200,000 and is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee in respect of the
unutilized commitments at an initial rate equal to 0.5% per annum on the
available balance of the commitment. On October 5, 2008, Lehman
Brothers Inc., a subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., filed for
protection under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code in the U.S.
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Lehman Brothers Inc. is
a joint lead arranger under Iridium Holdings’ revolving credit facility and had,
as of September 30, 2008, committed to provide $5.0 million under Iridium
Holdings’ $10.0 million revolving credit facility. Iridium Holdings’ ability to
draw on that $5.0 million is uncertain as a result of the bankruptcy filing. In
the event that Iridium Holdings is not able to draw on the $5.0 million,
however, it does not believe such event will have a material adverse effect upon
it.
Iridium
Holdings’ first and second lien credit agreements also contain certain customary
covenants, agreements and events of default, including restrictions on its
ability to incur indebtedness, grant liens, pay dividends, sell all of its
assets, use funds for capital expenditures, make investments, make optional
payments or modify debt instruments, or enter into sale and leaseback
transactions, among others. In addition, Iridium Holdings’ first and second lien
credit agreements require it to maintain compliance with specified financial
covenants. Iridium Holdings must also maintain hedge agreements in order to
provide interest rate protection on a minimum of 50% of the aggregate principal
amounts outstanding during the first three years of the credit agreement. As of
September 30, 2008, Iridium Holdings was in compliance with all of its
financial covenants specified in its senior secured credit
facilities.
The
indebtedness under Iridium Holdings’ first and second lien credit agreements is
secured by a pledge on all of its tangible and intangible assets.
On October
17, 2008, Iridium Holdings entered into an amendment to each of its first and
second lien credit agreements with its respective lenders. The amendment to its
first lien credit agreement provides for, among other things: (a) an increase in
the applicable interest rate margin for Eurodollar loans by 75 basis points to
5%; (b) an increase in permitted capital expenditures for 2008 and 2009; (c)
distributions of up to $37.9 million to Iridium Holdings’ members in 2008; (d) a
prepayment of $80.0 million of the outstanding balance under the agreement by
Iridium Holdings if the proposed transaction with GHQ is consummated ($15.0
million if the transaction is not consummated); and (e) an amendment to the
definition of “Change of Control” under the agreement to include the public
company in existence after the proposed transaction with GHQ. Upon
execution of the amendment to Iridium Holdings’ first lien credit agreement, it
prepaid $22.0 million of its outstanding balance under agreement.
The
amendment to Iridium Holdings’ second lien credit agreement similarly provides
for, among other things: (a) an increase in the applicable interest rate margin
for Eurodollar loans by 75 basis points to 9%; (b) an increase in permitted
capital expenditures for 2008 and 2009; (c) distributions of up to $37.9 million
to Iridium Holdings’ members in 2008; and (d) an amendment to the definition of
“Change of Control” under the agreement to include the public company in
existence after the proposed transaction with GHQ.
Convertible
Subordinated Promissory Note
Concurrently
with the signing of the transaction agreement, Greenhill Europe entered into an
agreement with Iridium Holdings to purchase a $22.9 million convertible
subordinated promissory note. The closing of the purchase of the note
occurred on October 24, 2008, following the execution of the amendments to the
first and second lien credit facilities described above. Under the
terms of the note, Greenhill Europe has the option to convert the note into
Iridium Holdings’ units upon the later to occur of (a) October 24, 2009 and (b)
the closing or the termination of the transaction agreement. If the
closing occurs after October 24, 2009, upon the exercise of its conversion
rights, Greenhill Europe will be entitled to receive 2.290 million shares of GHQ
common stock. If the closing occurs prior to September 22, 2009, GHQ
and Greenhill Europe will enter into an agreement which will entitle Greenhill
Europe to exchange each of Iridium Holdings’ units into which the note is
convertible for 27.2866 shares of GHQ common stock, subject to certain
adjustments. A portion of the $22.9 million in cash proceeds from the
issuance of the note and an additional $15 million in cash from Iridium Holdings
was distributed to certain holders of its units in November 2008.
Cash
from the GHQ Trust Account
GHQ’s only
significant asset is approximately $402.3 million in cash, which is held in a
trust account pending completion of the acquisition of Iridium
Holdings. GHQ will use $76.7 million of the trust account balance to
pay unitholders, up to $16.4 million to pay the deferred underwriting
commissions and discounts and $8.4 million to pay transaction
expenses. GHQ will also use up to $120.0 million of the trust account
balance to: (a) pay holders of GHQ IPO shares who elect to convert into a
portion of the trust account and/or (b) fund a tender offer for GHQ
shares. In addition, 90 days following the closing of the
acquisition, if Iridium Holdings makes a valid election under Section 754 of the
Code with respect to the taxable year in which the closing of the acquisition
occurs, GHQ will make a tax benefit payment of up to $30 million in aggregate
out of the trust account funds to sellers (other than the sellers of the equity
of Baralonco and Syncom) of Iridium Holdings’ units to compensate them for the
tax basis step-up. Iridium Communications Inc., the combined
enterprise, will have an increase of approximately $150.3 million in cash
following the consummation of the acquisition. As a result, in
addition to the $80.0 million required to be prepaid at the closing of the
acquisition, Iridium Holdings will be able to prepay all or a portion of its
remaining outstanding debt balance, although it has not yet decided to do
so.
Contractual
Obligations and Commitments
The
following table summarizes Iridium Holdings’ outstanding contractual obligations
as of December 31, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in
millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
debt obligations(1)
|
|
$ |
12.9 |
|
|
$ |
81.7 |
|
|
$ |
69.8 |
|
|
$ |
0.0 |
|
|
$ |
164.5 |
|
Operating
lease obligations
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
|
Unconditional
purchase obligations(2)
|
|
|
68.4 |
|
|
|
100.1 |
|
|
|
100.1 |
|
|
|
50.1 |
|
|
|
318.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
82.6 |
|
|
$ |
184.4 |
|
|
$ |
172.6 |
|
|
$ |
51.7 |
|
|
$ |
491.3 |
|
_______________
(1)
|
Iridium
Holdings’ long-term debt obligations are comprised of payments due under
Iridium Holdings’ first and second lien credit
agreements. These amounts do not reflect the effect of its
prepayment of $22.0 million of the outstanding balance of Iridium
Holdings’ first lien credit agreement as provided by the October 17, 2008
amendment discussed above. Pursuant to such amendment to,
Iridium Holdings will also be required to make an additional prepayment of
$80.0 million of the outstanding balance under the agreement if it
consummates its proposed transaction with GHQ ($15.0 million if the
transaction is not consummated). The balance of its long-term
debt obligations also does not reflect amounts due at maturity under
Iridium Holdings’ convertible subordinated promissory
note.
|
(2)
|
Iridium
Holdings’ unconditional purchase obligations are comprised of payments
under its operations and maintenance agreement with the Boeing and its
agreement with Celestica for the manufacturing of Iridium Holdings’
devices.
|
Off-Balance
Sheet Transactions
Iridium
Holdings does not currently have, nor has it had in the last three years, any
relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as
entities referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which
would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet
arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.
Seasonality
Iridium
Holdings’ results of operations are subject to seasonal usage changes for its
commercial customers. April through October are typically Iridium
Holdings’ peak months for commercial service revenues and subscriber equipment
sales. Iridium Holdings’ U.S. Government revenues are not subject to
seasonal usage changes since such revenues are derived from fixed fees per user
rather than usage fees.
Related
Party Transactions
For a
description of Iridium Holdings’ related party transactions, see “Certain
Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”
Recently
Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May
2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 162,
The Hierarchy of Generally
Accepted Accounting
Principles (“SFAS No. 162”). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of
accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used
in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are
presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States. SFAS No.162 will become effective 60 days following the SEC’s
approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) amendments
to AU Section 411, “The
Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.” The adoption of SFAS No.162 will not have a material impact
on Iridium Holdings’ financial statements.
In March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS No. 161”).
SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about the objectives of derivative
instruments and hedging activities, the method of accounting for such
instruments under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and a tabular
disclosure of the effects of such instruments and related hedged items on an
entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. SFAS No.161
is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, as such, will
be effective beginning January 1, 2009. Iridium Holdings is evaluating the
disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 161; however, the adoption of SFAS No. 161
is not expected to have a material impact on Iridium Holdings consolidated
financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141R. SFAS 141R requires the acquiring
entity in a business combination to record all assets acquired and liabilities
assumed at their respective acquisition-date fair values, changes the
recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from
contingencies, changes the recognition and measurement of contingent
consideration, and requires the expensing of acquisition-related costs as
incurred. SFAS No. 141R also requires additional disclosure of information
surrounding a business combination, such that users of the entity’s financial
statements can fully understand the nature and financial impact of the business
combination. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for
which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual
reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not
apply it before that date. The provisions of SFAS No. 141R will only impact
Iridium Holdings if it is a party to a business combination after the
pronouncement has been adopted. Iridium Holdings’ proposed acquisition by GHQ
will be accounted in accordance with SFAS 141R.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement
No. 115 (“SFAS No. 159”). SFAS No. 159 permits entities
to choose
to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that
are not currently required to be measured at fair value.
Unrealized
gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are
reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting
literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair
value. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for Iridium Holdings on January 1,
2008. Iridium Holdings will not adopt the alternative provided in
this statement.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements
(“SFAS No. 157”). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for
measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February
2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-1, Application of FASB Statement No.
157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address
Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement
under Statement 13 and FSP No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No.
157 as amendments to SFAS No. 157, which exclude lease transactions from
the scope of SFAS No. 157 and also defer the effective date of the adoption of
SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are
nonrecurring. In October of 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-3,
Determining the Fair Value of
Financial Assets When the Market for That Asset is Not Active, as an
amendment to SFAS No. 157, clarifying the application of SFAS No. 157 in a
market that is not active. The provisions of SFAS
No. 157 are effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008, except for
certain non-financial assets and liabilities for which the effective date has
been deferred to January 1, 2009. Iridium Holdings is currently evaluating the
effect, if any, the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on Iridium Holdings’
financials statements.
In
September 2006, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-1, Accounting
for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to Manufacturers or Resellers of
Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service
Provider (“EITF 06-1”). EITF 06-1 provides that consideration
provided to the manufacturers or resellers of specialized equipment should be
accounted for as a reduction of revenue if the consideration provided is in the
form of cash and the service provider directs that such cash be provided
directly to the customer. Otherwise, the consideration should be recorded as an
expense. The provisions of EITF 06-1 will be effective on January 1, 2008.
Iridium Holdings is currently assessing the impact, if any, the adoption of EITF
06-1 will have on its financial statements.
In June
2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 109. FIN No. 48
requires that management determine whether a tax position is more likely than
not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related
appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.
Once it is determined that a position meets this recognition threshold, the
position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the
financial statements. The FASB deferred the effective date of FIN 48 for certain
non-public enterprises to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2007.
Iridium Holdings will adopt the provisions of FIN No. 48 effective January 1,
2008. Iridium Holdings is currently evaluating the effect, if any, the adoption
of FIN No. 48 will have on its financial statements.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosure Regarding Market Risk
Iridium
Holdings is exposed to interest rate risk in connection with Iridium Holdings’
variable rate debt under its first and second lien credit agreements, under
which loans bear interest at floating rate based on Eurodollar applicable
borrowing margin. For variable rate debt, interest rate changes generally do not
affect the fair value of the debt instrument, but do impact future earnings and
cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. Assuming that Iridium
Holdings borrowed the entire $210.0 million in revolving and term debt available
under its credit agreements, and without giving effect to the hedging
arrangement described in the next sentence, a 1.0% change in interest rates
would result in a change to interest expense of approximately $2.1 million
annually. As required by Iridium Holdings’ credit agreements, it currently
maintains two interest rate swap agreements with respect to a $86.0 million
portion of the principal amount to hedge a portion of its interest rate
risk.
The
following table sets forth, (1) as of January 12, 2009, the actual beneficial
ownership of our common stock and (2) the expected beneficial ownership of our
common stock immediately following completion of the acquisition by (a) each
person owning (or expected to own) greater than 5% of our outstanding common
stock; (b) each current director and executive officer of GHQ; (c) each current
director and executive officer as a group prior to the acquisition; (d) each
person that is expected to be a director or named executive officer following
the completion of the acquisition; and (e) each person that is expected to be a
director or executive officer following completion of the acquisition as a
group. For purposes of calculating this information, we have made two
alternative sets of assumptions:
|
·
|
Assuming
No Exercise of Conversion Rights: This presentation assumes
that none of the GHQ stockholders exercise their conversion rights;
and
|
|
·
|
Assuming
Maximum Exercise of Conversion Rights: This presentation
assumes that the holders of 30% of the IPO shares minus one share exercise
their conversion rights and/or that the number of holders of our common
stock is reduced as a result of acceptance of our tender offer in the full
amount.
|
The
unaudited pro forma financial statements contain important information regarding
the assumptions used in calculating this information. See “Selected
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Data.”
|
|
|
|
|
After
the Acquisition (Pre-Tender)**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assuming
Maximum Conversion
|
|
Name
and Address of Beneficial Owner and Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
%(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
%(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers and
Directors (3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greenhill
& Co., Inc. (4)
|
|
|
8,369,563 |
|
|
|
17.3 |
% |
|
|
15,218,387 |
|
|
|
11.6 |
% |
|
|
15,218,387 |
|
|
|
12.7 |
% |
Parker
W. Rush
|
|
|
43,479 |
|
|
|
** |
|
|
|
86,958 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
86,958 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Kevin
P. Clarke
|
|
|
43,479 |
|
|
|
** |
|
|
|
86,958 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
86,958 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Thomas
C. Canfield
|
|
|
43,479 |
|
|
|
** |
|
|
|
86,958 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
86,958 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Harold
J. Rodriguez, Jr. (4)(5)
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
** |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Robert
H. Niehaus (4)
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
** |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Scott
L. Bok (4)
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
** |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
All
executive officers and directors as a group (6
individuals)
|
|
|
545,437 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
|
1,090,874 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
1,090,874 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
5%
Holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Millenco
LLC (6)
|
|
|
4,846,940 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
% |
|
|
8,188,940 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
% |
|
|
8,188,940 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
% |
Pine
River Capital Management L.P. (7)
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
7,679,533 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
% |
|
|
7,679,533 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
% |
FMR
Corp. (8)
|
|
|
2,552,600 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
|
5,105,200 |
|
|
|
3.9 |
% |
|
|
5,105,200 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
% |
Basso
Capital Management (9)
|
|
|
2,589,000 |
|
|
|
5.3 |
% |
|
|
4,580,300 |
|
|
|
3.5 |
% |
|
|
4,580,300 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew
J. Desch
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
291,327 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
291,327 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Alvin
B. Krongard
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
29,120 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
29,120 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Steven
Pfeiffer
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
Adm.
Dennis Blair, (ret.)
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
Terry
Jones
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
J.
Darrel Barros
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
Eric
Morrison
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
298,514 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
298,514 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
John
S. Brunette
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
20,737 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
20,737 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Greg
Ewert
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
340,869 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
340,869 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Lt.
Gen. John Campbell, (ret.)
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
57,478 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
57,478 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Don
Thoma
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
180,433 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
180,433 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
John
Roddy
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
Lee
Demitry
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
20,737 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
|
|
20,737 |
|
|
|
*** |
|
Syndicated
Communications Venture Partners IV, L.P (10)
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
4,897,095 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
% |
|
|
4,897,095 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
% |
Syndicated
Communications, Inc.(10)
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
6,415,388 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
% |
|
|
6,415,388 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
% |
Baralonco
Limited (11)
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
11,312,484 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
% |
|
|
11,312,484 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
% |
All
directors and executive officers as a group (19 persons after the
acquisition)
|
|
|
545,437 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
% |
|
|
2,330,089 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
% |
|
|
2,330,089 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
% |
* Figures
before the acquisition assumes no exercise of our warrants since such warrants
become exercisable only at the later of: (1) February 14, 2009; or (2) the
closing of the acquisition. In addition, figures before the
acquisition do not include forfeiture of common stock or warrants by our
founding stockholder or the conversion of the note by Greenhill
Europe.
** Figures
after the acquisition assume the exercise of our warrants and the forfeiture of
1,441,176 founding stockholder’s shares, 8,369,533 founder warrants and
2,000,000 private placement warrants and the conversion of the $22.9 million
note held by Greenhill Europe into 2.29 million shares of GHQ common
stock.
*** Less
than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock.
(1)
|
Reflects
the sale of 48,500,000 units under certain purchase agreements and in our
IPO and the exercise of all warrants included in the public units, the
founder warrants and private placement warrants other than those which
Greenhill has agreed to forfeit upon closing of the
acquisition.
|
(2)
|
Assumes
11,999,999 shares are converted but that none of the holders listed on
this table converted their shares.
|
(3)
|
Unless
otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the individuals is
300 Park Avenue, 23rd Floor, New York, New York
10022.
|
(4)
|
Mr.
Bok is our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and is the Co-Chief
Executive Officer and a managing director of Greenhill. Mr.
Niehaus is our Senior Vice President and is Chairman of Greenhill Capital
Partners and a managing director of Greenhill. Mr. Rodriguez is
our Chief Financial Officer and is Chief Administrative Officer, Chief
Compliance Officer, and a managing director of
Greenhill.
|
(5)
|
These
shares are held by Jacquelyn F.
Rodriguez.
|
(6)
|
Derived
from a joint filing of a Schedule 13G by Millenco LLC, Millenium
Management LLC and Israel A. Englander reporting shared power to vote or
direct the vote over and shared power to dispose or direct the disposition
of 4,846,940 shares and 3,342,000 warrants. The business address of each
such reporting person is 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
10103.
|
(7)
|
Derived
from Schedule 13F filed by Pine River Capital Management reporting power
to vote over and dispose or direct the disposition of no shares and
7,679,533 warrants. Address: 601 Carlson Parkway, Suite 330,
Minnetonka, MN 55305.
|
(8)
|
Derived
from Schedule 13F filed by FMR Corp. reporting power to vote over and
dispose or direct the disposition of 2,552,600 units. Address:
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA
02109.
|
(9)
|
Derived
from Schedule 13F filed by Basso Capital Management reporting power to
vote over and dispose or direct the disposition of 2,589,000 shares and
1,991,300 warrants. Address: 1266 East Main Street, Stamford,
CT 06902
|
(10)
|
Address:
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 725, Silver Spring, MD
20910.
|
(11)
|
Address:
c/o Fulbright & Jaworski LLP, 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20004.
|
The
following summary of the material terms of the GHQ securities following the
acquisition is not intended to be a complete summary of the rights and
preferences of such securities. We urge you to read our proposed
certificate in their entirety for a complete description of the rights and
preferences of the GHQ securities following the acquisition. The
proposed amendments to our certificate are described in “Proposal II—Approval of
the Amended and Restated Certificate” beginning on page 86 and the full text of
the proposed second and amended certificate is attached as Annex B to this proxy
statement.
General
Authorized
and Outstanding Stock
Our
proposed second amended and restated certificate authorizes the issuance of
shares of common stock, par value $0.001, and
shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.0001. As of the
record date, there were
shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock
outstanding. The outstanding shares of GHQ’s common stock are, and
the shares of GHQ common stock issued in the acquisition will be, duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
Units
Each GHQ
unit consists of one share of common stock and one warrant. Each
warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise
price of $7.00 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment. The
GHQ units commenced trading on February 15, 2008.
Common
Stock
Holders of
GHQ’s common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all
matters to be voted on by stockholders. Holders of common stock have
exclusive voting rights for the election of our directors and all other matters
requiring stockholder action, except with respect to amendments to our
certificate that alter or change the powers, preferences, rights or other terms
of any outstanding preferred stock if the holders of such affected series of
preferred stock are entitled to vote on such an amendment.
Holders of
GHQ’s common stock are entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be
declared from time to time by our board of directors in its discretion out of
funds legally available therefor. The payment of dividends, if ever,
on the common stock is subject to the prior payment of dividends on any
outstanding preferred stock, of which there is currently none.
We have
not paid any dividends on our common stock to date and do not intend to pay
dividends prior to the completion of the acquisition. The payment of
dividends in the future will depend on our revenues and earnings, if any,
capital requirements and general financial condition after our initial business
combination is completed. The payment of any dividends subsequent to
a business combination will be within the discretion of our then-board of
directors. It is the intention of our present board of directors to
retain any earnings for use in our business operations and, accordingly, we do
not anticipate the board declaring any dividends in the foreseeable
future.
In the
event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up and
after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of GHQ
and of the preferential and other amounts, if any, to which the holders of any
preferred stock will be entitled, the holders of all outstanding common shares
will be entitled to receive the remaining assets of GHQ available for
distribution ratably in proportion to the number of common shares held by each
stockholder.
Our
proposed certificate allows GHQ to restrict the ownership or proposed ownership
of its common stock or preferred stock by any person, if such ownership or
proposed ownership: (i) is or could be inconsistent with, or in violation of,
any provision of FCC Laws; (ii) will or may limit or impair GHQ’s business
activities under the FCC Laws; or (iii) will or could subject GHQ to any FCC
Limitation.
Our
proposed certificate also gives GHQ the right to request from our stockholders
or proposed stockholders (by transfer of stock or otherwise), certain
information, including information relating to such stockholder’s or proposed
stockholder’s citizenship, affiliations and ownership or interest in other
companies, if GHQ believes that such stockholder’s or proposed stockholder’s
ownership of our securities may result in an FCC Limitation.
If GHQ
does not receive the information it requests from any specific stockholder or
concludes that a person’s ownership or proposed ownership or the exercise by any
person of any ownership right may result in an FCC Limitation, GHQ will have the
right to, and until GHQ determines in its sole discretion that no FCC Limitation
will occur: (i) refuse to permit a transfer of stock to a proposed stockholder;
(ii) suspend rights of stock or equity ownership which could cause an FCC
Limitation; and/or (iii) redeem the common stock or preferred stock of GHQ held
by any person.
Holders of
GHQ’s common stock have no conversion, preemptive or other subscription rights
and there are no sinking fund or redemption provisions applicable to the common
stock.
Founding
Stockholders Shares
On
November 13, 2007, our founding stockholder purchased an aggregate of 11,500,000
GHQ units for $25,000 in cash, at a purchase price of approximately $0.003 per
unit. On January 10, 2008, we canceled 1,725,000 units, which were
surrendered by our founding stockholder in a recapitalization, leaving our
founding stockholder with a total of 9,775,000 units (of which 1,275,000 were
subject to forfeiture). On February 1, 2008, our founding stockholder
transferred at cost an aggregate of 150,000 of these founding stockholder’s GHQ
units to Thomas C. Canfield, Kevin P. Clarke and Parker W. Rush, each of whom is
a director. Of the 9,775,000 GHQ units purchased, 1,275,000 GHQ units
were forfeited on March 27, 2008, following the expiration of the over-allotment
option granted to the underwriters in our IPO. Pursuant to a letter
agreement, dated September 22, 2008, our founding stockholder has agreed to
forfeit 1,441,176 shares of common stock and 8,369,563 warrants obtained in the
November 13, 2007 unit purchase and 2.0 million warrants purchased in the
private placement on February 21, 2008, upon the closing of the
acquisition. Therefore, upon the closing of the acquisition, our
founding stockholder will own 6,928,387 shares (not including any shares that
may result from conversion of the note).
Preferred
Stock
Our
proposed certificate provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from
time to time in one or more series. Our board of directors is
authorized to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences,
the relative, participating, optional or other special rights and any
qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, applicable to the shares
of each series. Our board of directors may, without stockholder
approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could
adversely affect the voting power and other rights of the holders of the common
stock and could have anti-takeover effects. The ability of our board
of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval could have
the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of us or the
removal of existing management. We have no preferred stock
outstanding at the date hereof. Although we do not currently intend
to issue any shares of preferred stock, we cannot assure you that we will not do
so in the future.
Warrants
Public
Stockholders’ Warrants
GHQ sold
40.0 million warrants in the IPO, which will remain outstanding following the
closing of the acquisition. The warrants started trading separately
as of the opening of trading on March 20, 2008. Each warrant entitles
the registered holder to purchase one share of our common stock at a price of
$7.00 per share, subject to adjustment, as discussed below, at any time
commencing on the later of the completion of our initial business combination or
February 14, 2009, provided in each case that we have an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating to them is
available.
The
warrants will expire on February 14, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., New York time, or
earlier upon redemption. Once the warrants become exercisable, we may
call the warrants for redemption, in whole and not in part, at a redemption
price of
$0.01 per warrant if, and only if, the reported last sale price of our common
stock equals or exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within a
30-trading-day period ending on the third business day prior to the date on
which the notice of redemption is given, and only if on the date we give notice
of redemption and during the entire period thereafter until the time we redeem
the warrants we have an effective registration statement covering the shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus
relating to them is available.
If the
foregoing conditions are satisfied and we issue a notice of redemption, each
warrant holder can exercise his or her warrant prior to the scheduled redemption
date. However, there is no guarantee that the price of the common
stock will exceed the $14.25 trigger price or the $7.00 exercise price after the
redemption notice is issued.
The
exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable on exercise of the
warrants may be adjusted in certain circumstances including in the event of a
stock dividend, or our recapitalization, reorganization, acquisition or
consolidation. However, the exercise price and number of shares of
common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants will not be adjusted for
issuances of common stock at a price below the warrant exercise
price.
The
warrants may be exercised upon surrender of the warrant certificate on or prior
to the expiration date at the offices of the warrant agent, with the exercise
form on the reverse side of the warrant certificate completed and executed as
indicated, accompanied by full payment of the exercise price, by certified check
payable to us, for the number of warrants being exercised. Holders of
warrants will not be entitled to a net cash settlement upon exercise of the
warrants. Warrant holders do not have the rights or privileges of
holders of common stock, including voting rights, until they exercise their
warrants and receive shares of common stock. After the issuance of
shares of common stock upon exercise of the warrants, each holder will be
entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters to be voted on
by stockholders.
No
warrants will be exercisable unless at the time of exercise we have an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the shares of common
stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and a current prospectus relating
to them is available. Under the warrant agreement, we have agreed to
use our best efforts to have an effective registration statement covering shares
of common stock issuable on exercise of the warrants and to maintain a current
prospectus relating to the common stock from the date the warrants become
exercisable to the date the warrants expire or are redeemed.
Founding
Stockholder’s Warrants
In
addition to the warrants obtained in the unit purchase described above, our
founding stockholder purchased 8,000,000 warrants in a private placement that
closed simultaneously with the closing of our IPO. Pursuant to a
letter agreement, dated September 22, 2008, our founding stockholder has agreed
to forfeit upon the closing of the acquisition, 2,000,000 of the founding
stockholder’s warrants originally purchased in the private
placement. Therefore, upon the closing of the acquisition, there will
be 6,000,000 founding stockholder’s warrants outstanding.
Our
founding stockholder’s warrants are identical to those issued in the IPO, except
that the founding stockholder’s warrants are non-redeemable so long as they are
held by our founding stockholder or its permitted transferees and the shares of
common stock issued upon exercise of such founding stockholder’s warrants by our
founding stockholder or its permitted transferees will not be registered under
the Securities Act.
Registration
Rights
At the
closing of the acquisition, a Registration Rights Agreement will be entered into
among GHQ and certain persons receiving GHQ shares in the acquisition and
related transactions, the founding stockholder and each other initial
stockholders of GHQ, pursuant to which each such person will be granted certain
registration rights with respect to their shares of common stock and will be
subject to certain transfer restrictions. See “Other Transaction
Agreements—Registration Rights Agreement.” Such Registration Rights
Agreement will supersede the existing registration rights agreement to which the
founding stockholder is a party.
The
transfer agent for the shares of GHQ’s common stock, warrants and units is
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Listing
Currently,
our units, common stock and our warrants are listed on the NYSE Alternext U.S.
under the symbols “GHQ.U,” “GHQ” and “GHQ.WS,”
respectively. Following the completion of the acquisition, we intend
to seek approval to list our securities on the NYSE.
As of the
completion of the acquisition, the board of directors, executive officers and
significant employees of GHQ, which will be renamed “Iridium Communications
Inc.,” will be as set forth below:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Robert
H. Niehaus
|
|
53
|
|
Director
and Chairman
|
Scott
L. Bok
|
|
49
|
|
Director
|
Thomas
C. Canfield
|
|
52
|
|
Director
|
Parker
W. Rush
|
|
49
|
|
Director
|
Matthew
J. Desch
|
|
50
|
|
Director
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Alvin
B. Krongard
|
|
72
|
|
Director
|
Steven
Pfeiffer
|
|
61
|
|
Director
|
Adm.
Dennis Blair, (ret.)
|
|
61
|
|
Director
|
Terry
Jones
|
|
61
|
|
Director
|
J.
Darrel Barros
|
|
47
|
|
Director
|
Eric
H. Morrison
|
|
43
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
John
S. Brunette
|
|
49
|
|
Chief
Legal and Administrative Officer
|
Greg
Ewert
|
|
46
|
|
Executive
Vice President, Sales, Global Distribution Channels
|
Lt.
Gen. John H. Campbell, (ret.)
|
|
61
|
|
Executive
Vice President, Government Programs
|
Don
L. Thoma
|
|
47
|
|
Executive
Vice President, Marketing
|
John
Roddy
|
|
54
|
|
Executive
Vice President, Ground Operations and Product
Development
|
Lee
F. Demitry
|
|
55
|
|
Executive
Vice President, “Iridium NEXT”
|
|
|
|
|
|
Admiral
Dennis Blair had been nominated by the Obama Administration to serve as Director
of National Intelligence. If confirmed, it is expected that Admiral
Dennis Blair will not be able to serve on our board of directors.
Management
Executive
Officers
Matthew J.
Desch, Age 50, Director and Chief
Executive Officer. Mr. Desch has more than 27 years of experience in
telecommunications management, and more than 16 years in the global wireless
business. Mr. Desch joined the company in 2006 as Chief Executive
Officer of Iridium Holdings. Previously, he was CEO of Telcordia
Technologies, a telecom software services provider, from
2002-2005. Prior to Telcordia, he spent 13 years at Nortel Networks,
most recently as president for its fast-growing wireless networks business where
he was responsible for its global carrier customers in Europe, the Middle East,
Asia and Latin America. Mr. Desch served on the board of directors of
Starent Networks and Airspan Networks. He has a Bachelor of Science
in computer science from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business
Administration from the University of Chicago.
Eric
Morrison, Age 43, Chief Financial
Officer. Mr. Morrison has been CFO since 2006. Prior to
becoming CFO, Mr. Morrison served as Vice President, Finance and Treasurer of
Iridium Satellite from 2004-2006. Mr. Morrison has worked on the
Iridium program over the last 14 years. He was the controller, and
was later promoted to CFO, at Iridium North America. Even before he
joined Iridium North America, Mr. Morrison worked on the Iridium program at
Motorola. While at Motorola, he was part of the negotiation and
management team on the Raytheon Main Mission Antenna and Khrunichev launch
vehicle contracts and served as the lead accountant for the satellite
manufacturing facility. He graduated with a Master of Business
Administration and a Master of Accountancy from the University of Illinois at
Champaign-Urbana. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with
a Bachelor’s degree in finance and he is also a certified public
accountant.
John
S. Brunette, Age 49, Chief Legal and
Administrative Officer. Mr. Brunette was appointed to his current
position in 2007. Mr. Brunette provides a broad-based business and
legal perspective on a wide range of strategic, tactical, operational and
administrative matters. Prior to joining Iridium Holdings, Mr. Brunette served
as a consultant to technology start up companies from 2006-2007. Mr.
Brunette was previously with Teleglobe Inc., a
global
voice and data services provider, where he served as CEO. From
1998-2002, prior to his appointment as CEO, he was Teleglobe’s executive vice
president, chief legal and administrative officer. Mr. Brunette was
also at MCI Communications Corporation for twelve years where he led the
company’s corporate legal group. He began his career with the
Satellite Business Services division of IBM Corporation until MCI acquired it in
1986. He holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate from The
Catholic University of America and is a member of the Maryland State Bar
Association.
Significant Employees
Greg
Ewert, Age 46,
Executive Vice President Global Distribution Channels. Mr. Ewert
joined Iridium Holdings in 2004 and is responsible for marketing and business
development for Iridium Holdings and its relationship with its distribution
channels. He is also responsible for the product management for
Iridium Holdings’ new product offerings. Mr. Ewert brings 19 years of
experience at senior-level positions in the global communications
industry. Prior to joining Iridium Holdings from 2002-2004, he served
as Executive Vice President for Marketing, Sales, Product Development, Business
Development and Customer Service for COMSAT International. Prior to
COMSAT from 1998-2002, he held executive positions within Teleglobe, ranging
from Senior Vice President of Global Data Services to Vice President and General
Manager of Carrier and Emerging Markets. Before Teleglobe, he worked
for Sprint from 1987-1997, where he held various positions including President
of Sprint International of Canada. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from
Canisius College, Buffalo, New York.
Lt. Gen. John H.
Campbell, (ret.), Age
61, Executive Vice President Government Programs. General John
Campbell, U.S. Air Force (Retired), joined Iridium Holdings in 2006 from Applied
Research Associates (ARA), where he served as Principal, Defense and
Intelligence, since 2004. Gen. Campbell is responsible for all
aspects of Iridium Holdings’ relationship with its U.S. Government
customers. Gen. Campbell joined ARA after retiring from the United
States Air Force after a 32-year career. In the United States Air Force, Gen.
Campbell served in a variety of operational and staff assignments around the
world. From 1998 to 2000, he was Vice Director of the Defense
Information Systems Agency (DISA) and as the first commander of the Joint Task
Force - Computer Network Defense. From 1997 to 1998, he served on the
Joint Staff as Deputy Director for Operations. Between 1971 and 1997, Gen.
Campbell served around the world in a variety of operational assignments as an
F-15 and F-16 fighter pilot and commander. Gen. Campbell is the
recipient of numerous military and intelligence community awards, including the
Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Air Medal, the
National Imagery and Mapping Agency Award, the National Reconnaissance
Distinguished Medal, and the National Security Agency Award. He is a
graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Computer Science and a
Master of Business Administration.
Don L.
Thoma, Age 47,
Executive Vice President Marketing. Mr. Thoma was appointed to his current
position in 2008. Mr. Thoma is responsible for leading new Iridium
Holdings corporate initiatives such as Iridium NEXT. He brings to
Iridium a strong and versatile background in both management and business
development. Prior to joining Iridium Holdings, he served as Vice President of
Marketing and Business Development for ObjectVideo, Inc. Prior to
working at ObjectVideo, he held various positions of responsibility for ORBCOMM,
ranging from Senior Director of Transportation to Founder and General Manager of
the Vantage Tracking Solutions business unit and Vice President, Business
Development. Prior to ORBCOMM, he was the director of integration and launch
operations for Orbital Sciences Corporation. Previously, he served as a Captain
in the United States Air Force Space Division. He holds a Bachelor's
degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a
Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern
California and a Masters of Business Administration from the Harvard Business
School.
John
Roddy, Age 54,
Executive Vice President Ground Operations and Product
Development. Mr. Roddy joined Iridium Holdings in 2006, bringing with
him more than 27 years of telecommunications industry experience. Mr.
Roddy is responsible for developing Iridium Holdings’ corporate operations model
and program management culture. Prior to joining Iridium Holdings,
Mr. Roddy held numerous executive positions at Telcordia Technologies including
President, Telcordia Global Services; Senior Vice President, Global Operations;
and Chief Information Officer. Mr. Roddy built the Global Services
business, implemented the company’s global operations capability, and rebuilt
its IT organization as part of a major company transition. Prior to
joining Telcordia Technologies, at Nortel Networks, he was Vice President and
General Manager of the Carrier Professional Services Business Unit
serving
the CLEC and new market entrants. Prior to that, he was Vice
President, Technology and Director, Ottawa Laboratories for Public Carrier
Networks. He also held the position of Vice President, Canadian
Technical Services and Global Product Support, responsible for the engineering,
installation and emergency/field services of the switching and transmission
product lines for the carrier customers. He began his
telecommunications career in sales and marketing, holding varied positions
including Product Manager, Dynamic Routing; Regional Sales Director; and
Director of Services Marketing. He holds a Master of Business
Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from McMaster
University, Hamilton, Canada.
Lee
Demitry, Age 55,
Executive Vice President “Iridium NEXT.” Mr. Demitry is responsible
for the development and introduction of Iridium NEXT as well as the ongoing
support of the existing constellation. He has 30 years of experience
in aerospace and satellite technology, 20 years of which were in the U.S. Air
Force and ten in the private sector. Mr. Demitry has worked on and
successfully led some of the most complex and advanced space and satellite
programs within the United States Government. He has experience in
systems engineering, program management, systems procurement and
contracts. Prior to joining Iridium Holdings, Mr. Demitry was the
Vice President of Engineering at GeoEye, where he lead an extended organization
in developing, deploying and maintaining a $700 million enterprise consisting of
commercial imaging satellites, production and mission planning systems, and
global ground stations. He graduated with a Masters of Science in
Astronautical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and
has a Master’s degree and Masters of Business Administration from Golden Gate
University. Mr. Demitry served in the United States Air Force until
he retired in 1995 at the rank of Colonel (select).
Directors
Robert
H.
Niehaus, Age: 53, has served as our Senior Vice
President since our formation in November 2007. Mr. Niehaus is also a
member of our Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. Niehaus has been
the Chairman of Greenhill Capital Partners since June 2000. Mr.
Niehaus has been a member of Greenhill’s Management Committee since its
formation in January 2004. Mr. Niehaus joined Greenhill in January
2000 as a managing director to begin the formation of Greenhill Capital
Partners. Prior to joining Greenhill, Mr. Niehaus spent 17 years at
Morgan Stanley & Co., where he was a managing director in the merchant
banking department from 1990 to 1999. Mr. Niehaus was vice chairman
and a director of the Morgan Stanley Leveraged Equity Fund II, L.P., a $2.2
billion private equity investment fund, from 1992 to 1999, and was vice chairman
and a director of Morgan Stanley Capital Partners III, L.P., a $1.8 billion
private equity investment fund, from 1994 to 1999. Mr. Niehaus was
also the chief operating officer of Morgan Stanley’s merchant banking department
from 1996 to 1998. Mr. Niehaus is a director of Exco Holdings, Inc.
and various private companies.
Scott
L.
Bok, Age: 49, has served as our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer since our formation in November 2007. In addition,
Mr. Bok has served as Greenhill’s Co-Chief Executive Officer since October 2007,
served as its Co-President between 2004 and 2007 and has been a member of
Greenhill’s Management Committee since its formation in January
2004. In addition, Mr. Bok has been a director of Greenhill since its
incorporation in March 2004. From January 2004 until October 2007,
Mr. Bok was Greenhill’s U.S. President. From 2001 until the formation
of Greenhill’s Management Committee, Mr. Bok participated on the two-person
administrative committee responsible for
managing Greenhill’s operations. Mr. Bok has also served as a Senior
Member of Greenhill Capital Partners since its formation. Mr. Bok
joined Greenhill as a managing director in February 1997. Before
joining Greenhill, Mr. Bok was a managing director in the mergers, acquisitions
and restructuring department of Morgan Stanley & Co., where he worked from
1986 to 1997, based in New
York and London. From 1984 to 1986, Mr. Bok
practiced mergers and acquisitions and securities law in New York with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen &
Katz. Mr. Bok is a member of the board of directors of various
private companies. Mr. Bok is also a member of the Investment
Committee of Greenhill Capital Partners.
Thomas
C.
Canfield, Age: 52, is a member of our Board of
Directors. Mr. Canfield has served as Senior Vice President and
General Counsel of Spirit Airlines since October 2007. Previously,
Mr. Canfield was General Counsel of Point Blank Solutions, Inc. and was Chief
Executive Officer and Plan Administrator for AT&T Latin America Corp. Prior
to assuming those roles, Mr. Canfield was General Counsel and Secretary of
AT&T Latin America following its acquisition with FirstCom
Corporation. Mr. Canfield became General Counsel of FirstCom in May
2000. Prior to joining FirstCom, Mr. Canfield was Counsel in the New
York office of Debevoise &
Plimpton LLP, where for nine years he
practiced in the areas of corporate, securities and international
transactions. Mr. Canfield also is a member of the Boards of
Directors of Tricom SA and Birch Telecom Inc.
Parker
W.
Rush, Age: 49, is a member of our Board of
Directors. Mr. Rush has served as the President and Chief Executive
Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of Republic Companies, Inc., a
provider of property and casualty insurance, since December
2003. Prior to his employment with Republic, Mr. Rush served as a
Senior Vice President and Managing Director at The Chubb Group of Insurance
Companies in charge of the Southern U.S. based in Dallas, Texas and in various other capacities since
February 1980.
Alvin B.
Krongard, Age:
72, is the Former CEO
and Chairman of the Board of Alex. Brown Incorporated, the nation's oldest
investment banking firm. Mr. Krongard also served as Vice Chairman of
the Board of Bankers Trust in addition to holding other financial industry
posts. He has served as Counselor to the Director of the U.S. Central
Intelligence Agency (CIA), then as Executive Director of the CIA. Mr.
Krongard received a B.A. degree with honors from Princeton University and a
Juris Doctorate degree with honors from the University of Maryland School of
Law. He served three years of active duty as an infantry officer with
the U.S. Marine Corps.
Steven
Pfeiffer, Age:
61, has been a partner in the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski LLP
since 1983 and has served as the elected Chair of the firm's Executive Committee
since 2003. He previously served as the Partner-In-Charge of the
Washington, DC and London offices, and headed the firm's International
Department. In addition to serving on the Board of Iridium Holdings,
Mr. Pfeiffer is a Non-Executive Director of Barloworld Limited in South Africa,
Chairman Emeritus of Wesleyan University, a trustee of The Africa-America
Institute in New York, a Director of Project HOPE in Washington, D.C., and a
Director of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Mr.
Pfeiffer received a B.A. degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown,
Connecticut and studied at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, completing a
B.A. and a M.A. in jurisprudence. He also holds a M.A. in Area
Studies (Africa) from the School of Oriental and African Studies of the
University of London and holds a Juris Doctorate from Yale
University. Mr. Pfeiffer served as an officer on active and reserve
duty in the United States Navy.
Adm. Dennis
Blair, (ret.),
Age: 61, U.S.
Navy (Retired) holds the John M. Shalikashvilli Chair in National Security
Studies at the National Bureau of Asian Research. Admiral Blair
served as President of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) from 2003 to
2006. He served as the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, from
1999 to 2002. During his 34-year Navy career, Admiral Blair served at
sea on guided missile destroyers. Ashore, Admiral Blair served in
budget and policy positions on several major Navy staffs, the Joint Staff, and
the National Security Council staff. He was the first Associate
Director of Central Intelligence for Military Support. A 1968
graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Admiral Blair earned a Master's Degree in
History and Languages from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, and served as
a White House Fellow at the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. Admiral Blair has been awarded the Defense Distinguished
Service Medal four times, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal
twice, and has received decorations from the governments of Japan, Thailand,
Korea, Australia and Taiwan. Admiral Blair also is a director of Tyco
International.
Terry
Jones, Age:
61, is a General
Partner in Syncom Funds. Prior to joining Syncom in 1978, he was
co-founding stockholder and Vice President of Kiambere Savings and Loan in
Nairobi, and a Lecturer at the University of Nairobi. He also worked
as a Senior Electrical Engineer for Westinghouse Aerospace and Litton
Industries. He is a member of the board of directors for several
Syncom portfolio companies including Radio One, Inc., Iridium Holdings and TV
One LLC. He formerly served on the Board of the Southern African
Enterprise Development Fund, a presidential appointment, and is on the Board of
Trustees of Spellman College. Mr. Jones received a B.S. degree in
Electrical Engineering from Trinity College, an M.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering from George Washington University and a Master of Business
Administration from Harvard University.
J. Darrel
Barros, Age:
47, is the President of
Syndicated Communications, Inc., a private equity fund focused on media and
communications. Prior to joining the SCI team, he was President of
VGC, PC, a Washington, DC based law firm specializing in private equity and
early-stage investments. Mr. Barros also served as a corporate and
securities attorney in the venture capital practice group of DLA Piper US
LLP. He is currently Executive Chairman of Haven Media Group, LLC, a
music-media company, and Chairman of Prestige Resort Properties, Inc., a resort
and hospitality company. Mr. Barros is also a director of TMX
Interactive, Simplink Corporation and Maya Cinemas. Mr. Barros
received a B.S. degree from Tufts University, a Master in Business
Administration from the
Amos Tuck
School of Business in Dartmouth College, and a Juris Doctorate degree from the
University of Michigan.
Base
Salary. Base salaries for Iridium Holdings’
executive officers are established based on the scope of their responsibilities,
historical performance and individual experience. Base salaries are reviewed
annually, and adjusted from time to time. During 2008, Mr. Desch’s
base salary was increased from $556,000 to $675,000, Mr. Morrison’s base salary
was increased from $270,000 to $325,000, Mr. Brunette’s base salary was
increased from $335,000 to $430,000, Mr. Ewert’s base salary was increased from
$247,000 to $340,000, and Mr. Roddy’s base salary was increased from $260,000 to
$320,000. The base salary of each NEO was increased because the
reports delivered to the Committee by the compensation consultant indicated that
the annual cash compensation (base salary and target bonus) paid to the NEOs was
low relative to the annual cash compensation paid to the executive officers of a
number of companies in the group of companies surveyed by the compensation
consultant. Following the increase, the base salaries of the NEOs
fall between the 25th and 50th percentile of the median base salaries
for each applicable position in the group of companies surveyed. Mr.
Desch’s base salary increase factored in his entitlement to an annual base
salary increase of at least the percentage that the consumer price index for the
Washington D.C.-Baltimore metro area increases for that year, as set forth in
his employment agreement with Iridium Holdings.
Determination of the
2008 Bonus Pool. The individual bonus
targets of each employee in the bonus plan are added together to establish the
annual bonus pool target for the plan. The actual bonus pool for the
applicable year is funded based on the level of achievement of pre-established
financial performance goals and organizational imperatives. The
financial performance goals for 2008 are comprised of a company-wide revenue
target of $275.25 million (weighted at 15% of target bonus pool) and adjusted
Operational EBITDA (i.e., GAAP EBITDA less Iridium NEXT expenses) target of $98.1 million
(weighted at 45% of the target bonus pool). In the event of
performance between the company-wide revenue target and a stretch revenue target
of $329.25 million, the amount of the actual bonus pool funded based on the
achievement of the revenue target will be determined based on a sliding scale,
with a maximum of 45% of the bonus pool (i.e., three times the 15% of the target
bonus pool that is funded if the company-wide revenue target is achieved) being
funded if the full stretch goal is achieved or exceeded. Similarly,
the funding of the actual bonus pool for performance between the adjusted
Operational EBITDA target and a stretch Operational EBITDA target of $128.20
million is determined on a sliding scale, with a maximum of 135% of the bonus
pool (i.e., three times the 45% of the target bonus pool that is funded if the
Operational EBITDA target is achieved) being funded if the full stretch goal is
achieved or exceeded. The organizational imperatives comprise the
remaining 40% of the target bonus pool. The organizational
imperatives (which vary from year to year) include the following imperatives for
2008: the core organizational imperatives consist of facilitating a new external
equity investment in Iridium Holdings (weighted at 10% of the target bonus
pool), successful and timely introduction of new products and inventory
management and customer perception in connection with Iridium Holdings’ new
handset introduction (weighted at 10% of the target bonus pool), and the
completion of milestones on Iridium NEXT (weighted at 10% of the target
bonus pool); and the stretch organizational imperatives consist of progress made
on Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and corporate controls in anticipation of becoming
a publicly traded company (which could add an additional 10% to the bonus pool),
achievement of sales goals for new and existing products and increase in
year-end backlog for certain strategic products (which could add an additional
10% to 30% the bonus pool), and the successful closing of a secondary payload
agreement (which could add an additional 20% to the bonus pool). The
organizational imperatives are individually weighted (as shown above) and will
contribute between 0% (if no organizational imperatives are achieved) and 90%
(if all organizational imperatives are achieved) of the total funding of the
bonus pool. When the level of achievement of financial performance
goals and organizational imperatives has been verified by the Committee, the
achieved financial performance goals and organizational imperatives are added
together to comprise the total “corporate target bonus factor”, typically
expressed as a percentage between 0% and the maximum potential computed factor
of 270%. This corporate target bonus factor is multiplied by
the annual bonus pool target to compute the total 2008 bonus
pool. The 2008 bonus pool was funded at % of the target bonus pool based upon
the achievement of .
licenses,
execution of new partnering agreements, increasing inventory efficiency,
improving customer perceptions regarding transitioning to next generation
products and/or improving overall customer satisfaction. None of
these goals is individually weighted and Mr. Desch may take other factors into
account in recommending to the Committee the amount of bonus to
award. Accordingly, an NEO can be awarded a bonus of between 0% and
150% of his personal target bonus percentage multiplied by the percentage at
which the annual bonus pool is funded. For example, if an NEO had a
base salary of $200,000 and a target bonus equal 50% of his base salary, such
NEO’s target bonus would be $100,000. If Iridium Holdings achieves a
“corporate target bonus factor” of 150%, the NEO’s bonus should equal 150% of
his target bonus (i.e., 50% of base salary), for a total of
$150,000. However, Mr. Desch may recommend that the Committee apply a
personal bonus factor of 0–150% to the annual bonus the NEO would have otherwise
earned. In this example, if Mr. Desch recommended a personal factor
of 90% for the NEO, his annual bonus would be 90% of $150,000, or
$135,000. For 2008, Messrs. Morrison, Brunette, Ewert and Roddy
earned a bonus of
$ ,
$ , $ , and $ , respectively.
Employee
Holdings LLC Units. In 2008, Messrs. Desch and Brunette were
awarded 39,582 units and 8,057 units in Employee Holdings LLC,
respectively. The assets of Employee Holdings LLC are comprised
entirely of Class B units in Iridium Holdings. Each Employee Holdings
LLC unit represents one Iridium Holdings Class B unit. The units
provide that Messrs. Desch and Brunette will be indirectly entitled to receive
distributions from Iridium Holdings, but in each case only once such
distributions exceed a designated threshold amount (currently $7,663,499 in the case of Mr. Desch and $2,028,141
in the case of Mr. Brunette). The units were granted subject to a
time-based vesting schedule (with 25% of the units granted to Mr. Desch being
fully vested on the grant date and the remaining 75% vesting ratably over three
years and the units granted to Mr. Brunette vesting ratably over four years),
but the units will become fully vested upon the closing of the
acquisition. Immediately prior to the closing of the acquisition, the
units that remain subject to a threshold amount will be reduced to a lesser
number of units not subject to a threshold amount based on a ratio that
maintains the same economic benefit for all such units. Such reduced
number of units (estimated to be 12,500 Iridium Holdings Class B units in the
case of Mr. Desch and 890 Iridium Holdings Class B units in the case of Mr.
Brunette) will be sold to GHQ pursuant to the
acquisition.
Iridium Employee
Holdings LLC Units. Messrs. Morrison and
Ewert were awarded units in Iridium Employee Holdings LLC (“Iridium Employee
Holdings”). Mr. Morrison was granted a total of three awards, two,
each of 125 units in 2001 and 2005 respectively and one of 750 units in
2006. Mr. Ewert was granted an award of 1,000 units
in 2005. The assets of Iridium Employee Holdings are comprised
entirely of Class B units in Iridium Holdings. Each Iridium Employee
Holdings unit represents 15.484 Iridium Holdings Class B units. The
units provide that Messrs. Morrison and Ewert will be indirectly entitled to
receive distributions from Iridium Holdings, but in each case only once such
distributions exceed a designated threshold amount (currently $242,736 in the
case of Mr. Ewert and $212,378 in the aggregate in the case of Mr.
Morrison). The units
have already become vested pursuant to their time-based vesting schedule, other
than 250 units held by Mr. Morrison that will become vested upon the earlier of
January 1, 2009 or the closing of the acquisition. Immediately
prior to the closing of the acquisition, the units that remain subject to a
threshold amount will be reduced to a lesser number of units not subject to a
threshold amount based on a ratio that maintains the same economic benefit for
all such units. Such reduced number of units (estimated to be 14,745
Iridium Holdings Class B units in the case of Mr. Morrison and 14,626 Iridium
Holdings Class B units in the case of Mr. Ewert) will be sold to GHQ pursuant to
the acquisition.
John
Roddy. The
employment letter agreement for Mr. Roddy provides that he may be terminated by
Iridium Holdings for any reason upon 30 days’ written
notice. However, in the event he is terminated without cause by
Iridium Holdings or he terminates his employment as a result of constructive
discharge, he will be entitled to salary continuation for a period of six
months’ following termination of employment. If after the six month
period Mr. Roddy has not found suitable employment, the salary continuation
payments will continue for up to an additional three months or until Mr. Roddy
finds suitable employment, whichever comes first. In addition, in the event
his employment is terminated without cause by Iridium Holdings or he terminates
his employment as a result of constructive discharge, he will be entitled
receive a pro-rated portion of his target bonus amount for the year of
termination based upon the actual achievement of plan targets for the year of
termination. For purposes of his employment letter agreement,
constructive discharge is defined as the assignment of duties materially
inconsistent with Mr. Roddy’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities,
or a substantially adverse alteration in the nature or status of his
responsibilities.
(5) Equal
to 3 months of salary.
(6) Equal
to Mr. Brunette’s target bonus for 2008 (i.e., 75% of his base salary), as plan
targets were established or exceeded in 2008.
(7) Equal
to 3 months of salary.
(8) Equal
to 6 months of salary.
(9) Equal
to 9 months of salary.
(10) Equal
to 9 months of salary.
Acceleration
of Equity-Based Incentive Compensation Awards.
Phantom
Profits
Interests in Iridium Holdings. Mr. Desch is contractually
entitled to receive accelerated vesting of his phantom profits interest award if
he experiences an involuntary termination resulting from a change of control of
Iridium Holdings (however, as described above, the unvested portion of Mr.
Desch’s phantom profits interest will fully vest and be cashed out upon the
consummation of the acquisition). Mr. Roddy is contractually entitled
to receive accelerated vesting of his phantom profits interest awards upon a
change of control of Iridium Holdings (but he is not entitled to any accelerated
vesting upon termination of employment for any reason).
Employee
Holdings LLC and Iridium Employee Holdings Units. The Employee Holdings units granted to
Mr. Desch and Mr. Brunette both contain provisions that accelerate the vesting
of the units under certain circumstances. In the case of both Mr. Desch and Mr.
Brunette, their unvested units will vest completely upon an involuntarily
termination of employment as a result of a change in control of Iridium Holdings
(but upon any other termination, all unvested units are automatically
forfeited). Mr. Desch’s unit award also provides that his unvested
units will vest upon the occurrence of a change in control to the extent
necessary to bring the total number of vested units up to 50% of the total
number of units granted (However,
as described above, the unvested units will fully vest in connection with the
consummation of the acquisition).
All of the Iridium Employee Holdings
Units held by Messrs. Morrison and Ewert were fully vested prior to
December 31, 2008 other than 250 units granted to Mr. Morrison that are
scheduled to vest on January 1, 2009. The award letter pursuant to
which these units were granted provides for the accelerated vesting of the units
in the event of a change in control of Iridium Holdings (but does not provide
for any accelerated vesting upon a termination of employment).
Estimated Current
Value of Accelerated Vesting of Equity-Based Compensation Upon a Change in
Control of Iridium Holdings. The following table shows the value
attributable to the accelerated vesting of units held by each NEO in the event
of a change in control of Iridium Holdings on December 31, 2008 (Neither Mr.
Desch nor Mr. Brunette is entitled to full accelerated vesting of his unit award
(or, in the case of Mr. Desch, his phantom profits interest award) upon a change
in control of Iridium Holdings.
Executive
|
Value of
Accelerated Vesting of Employee Holdings LLC or Iridium
Employee Holdings Units (1)
|
Value of Accelerated Vesting
of Phantom Profits Interests
|
Matthew J.
Desch
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Eric
Morrison
|
$1,010,562
|
N/A
|
John S.
Brunette
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Greg Ewert
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
John Roddy
|
N/A
|
$ 328,573
(2)
|
(1) The value of the
accelerated vesting has been calculated as the difference between: (a) the value
of the granted units, which is determined by multiplying the number of granted
units held by the NEO on December 31, 2008 by the difference between (i)
$282.97, which in the event of full acceleration we believe to be the fair
market value of a Class B Unit on December 31, 2008, and (ii) the remaining
threshold amount on a per unit basis as of December 31, 2008 and (b) the value
of the vested units, which is determined by multiplying the number of vested
units held by the NEO on December 31, 2008 by the difference between (i)
$286.21, which we believe to be the fair market value of a Class B Unit on
December 31, 2008, and (ii) the remaining threshold amount on a per unit basis
as of December 31, 2008.
(2) The value of the
accelerated vesting of Mr. Roddy’s profits interest has been calculated by
deeming the phantom profits interest to be converted in the equivalent number of
Class B Units (7,916.4) and then applying the calculation described in note 1
above.
Director
Compensation for 2008.
The
following table provides summary information concerning compensation paid or
accrued by us to or on behalf of the non-employee directors of Iridium Holdings
as of the end of the last fiscal year for services rendered to us during the
last fiscal year.
Name
|
Fees
Earned
or
Paid
in
Cash
($)
|
Stock
Awards
($)
|
Total
($)
|
Alvin
B. Krongard
|
$100,000
(1)
|
$128,380(2)
|
$228,380
|
Thomas
J. Ridge
|
$100,000
(1)
|
$129,628(2)
|
$229,628
|
(1) Messrs. Krongard and
Ridge are contractually entitled to receive annual director’s fees equal to
$100,000 in the aggregate.
(2) Reflects
the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 in accordance with FASB Statement 123(R)
with respect to the 3,958 Class B units of Iridium Holdings granted to each of
Messrs. Krongard and Ridge in 2008. The FASB Statement 123(R) grant date value
of each such Class B unit grant was $357,384 for the grant to Mr.
Krongard and $363,101 for the grant to Mr. Ridge. The Class B units
granted to Messrs. Krongard and Ridge are only entitled to receive distributions
from Iridium Holdings once such distributions exceed a designated threshold
amount (currently, $766,415 for each director). The units are subject
to forfeiture if the director voluntarily resigns or is removed from the Iridium
Holdings board of directors before the expiration of his then current
term. Immediately prior to the closing of the acquisition, the units
will cease to be subject to forfeiture and will be reduced to a lesser number of
units not subject to a threshold amount based on a ratio that maintains the same
economic benefit for all such units. Such reduced number of units (in
each case, estimated to be 1,249 Iridium Holdings Class B units) will be sold to
GHQ pursuant to the acquisition.
GHQ
On
November 13, 2007, our founding stockholder purchased an aggregate of 11,500,000
GHQ units for $25,000 in cash, at a purchase price of approximately $0.003 per
unit. On January 10, 2008, we canceled 1,725,000 units, which were
surrendered by our founding stockholder in a recapitalization, leaving our
founding stockholder with a total of 9,775,000 units (of which 1,275,000 were
subject to forfeiture). On February 1, 2008, our founding stockholder
transferred at cost an aggregate of 150,000 of these founding stockholder’s GHQ
units to Thomas C. Canfield, Kevin P. Clarke and Parker W. Rush, each of whom is
a director. Of the 9,775,000 GHQ units purchased, 1,275,000 GHQ units
were forfeited on March 27, 2008, following the expiration of the over-allotment
option granted to the underwriters in our IPO. In addition at the
time of the closing of our IPO our founding stockholder purchased 8,000,000
private placement warrants at a price of $1.00 per warrant with an exercise
price of $7.00 per share. The private placement warrants were
purchased separately and not in combination with common stock or in the form of
GHQ units. The proceeds from the sale price of the private placement
warrants were added to the proceeds from the IPO to be held in the trust account
at Wachovia Securities, LLC, to be maintained by American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company pending our completion of an initial business
combination. If we do not complete an initial business combination
that meets the criteria described in the Prospectus, then the $8.0 million
purchase price of the private placement warrants will become part of the
liquidation distribution to our public stockholders and the private placement
warrants will expire worthless. Our founding stockholder has agreed
to forfeit at the closing of the acquisition: (1) 1,441,176 shares of our common
stock purchased as part of the unit purchase on November 31, 2007; (2) 8,369,563
warrants purchased as part of the unit purchase on November 13, 2007; and (3)
2,000,000 warrants purchased in a private placement on February 21,
2008.
The
founding stockholder’s shares are identical to the shares of common stock
included in the GHQ units sold in our IPO under a prospectus (the “Prospectus”)
dated February 14, 2008, as filed with the SEC on February 14, 2008, except that
the initial stockholders have agreed:
|
·
|
that
the founding stockholder’s shares are subject to the transfer restrictions
described below;
|
|
·
|
to
vote the founding stockholder’s shares in the same manner as the majority
of the holder of the IPO shares in connection with the vote required to
approve the acquisition proposal and to certificate proposal to provide
for GHQ’s perpetual existence; and
|
|
·
|
to
waive their rights to participate in any liquidation distribution with
respect to the founding stockholder’s shares if GHQ fails to consummate a
business combination.
|
In
addition, the founding stockholder and each of our executive officers and
directors have agreed that if it, he or she acquired shares of common stock in
or following our IPO, it, he or she will vote all such shares in favor of an
initial business combination and the related amendment to our certificate to
provide for our perpetual existence. (Any such purchases of stock
following the IPO are expected to be effected through open market purchases or
in privately negotiated transactions.) As a result, neither our initial
stockholders, nor our executive officers or directors will be able to exercise
the conversion rights with respect to any of our shares that it, he or she has
acquired before, in or following our IPO.
The
founding stockholder’s warrants are identical to those included in the GHQ units
sold in the IPO, except that:
|
·
|
the
founding stockholder’s warrants, including the common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants, are subject to the transfer restrictions
described below;
|
|
·
|
the
founding stockholder’s warrants will become exercisable upon the later of
(i) the date that is one year after the date of the Prospectus or (ii)
after the consummation of our initial business combination, in each case,
if (x) the last sales price of our common stock equals or exceeds $14.25
per share for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading-day period
beginning 90 days after such business combination and (y) there is
|
an
effective registration statement covering the shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of the warrants contained in the GHQ units included in the
IPO;
|
·
|
the
founding stockholder’s warrants will not be redeemable so long as they are
held by the founding stockholder or its permitted transferees;
and
|
|
·
|
the
founding stockholder’s warrants may be exercised by the founding
stockholder or its permitted transferees on a cashless
basis.
|
Although
the shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the founding stockholder’s
warrants will not be issued pursuant to a registration statement, so long as
they are held by our founding stockholder and its permitted transferees, the
warrant agreement provides that the founding stockholder’s warrants may not be
exercised unless a registration statement relating to the common stock issuable
upon exercise of the warrants purchased in the IPO is effective and a related
current prospectus is available.
The
private placement warrants, including the common stock issuable upon exercise of
these warrants, are subject to the transfer restrictions described
below. The private placement warrants will be non-redeemable so long
as they are held by our founding stockholder or its permitted transferees and
may be exercised by our founding stockholder or its permitted transferees on a
cashless basis. With the exception of the terms noted above, the
private placement warrants have terms and provisions that are identical to those
of the warrants sold as part of the units in the IPO.
Our
initial stockholders have agreed not to sell or transfer the founding
stockholder’s GHQ units, founding stockholder’s shares or founding stockholder’s
warrants, including the common stock issuable upon exercise of these warrants,
until 180 days after the consummation of our initial business combination except
to certain permitted transferees who must agree to be bound by the same transfer
restrictions and voting, waiver and forfeiture provisions. All of the
founding stockholder’s GHQ units, founding stockholder’s shares and founding
stockholder’s warrants and shares issuable upon exercise of the founding
stockholder’s warrants will cease to be subject to the transfer restrictions if,
after our initial business combination, (i) the last sales price of our common
stock equals or exceeds $14.25 per share for any 20 trading days within any 30
trading day period beginning 90 days after our initial business combination or
(ii) we consummate a subsequent liquidation, acquisition, stock exchange or
other similar transaction that results in all of our stockholders having the
right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other
property. Our founding stockholder has agreed not to sell or transfer
the private placement warrants until after we complete our initial business
combination except to certain permitted transferees.
Concurrently
with the issuance and sale of the securities in the IPO, we entered into an
agreement with our initial stockholders and certain employees of the founding
stockholder with respect to securities held by them from time to time, including
the founding stockholder’s GHQ units, founding stockholder’s shares, founding
stockholder’s warrants, private placement warrants, underlying shares and any
GHQ units purchased in the IPO (including the shares, warrants and underlying
shares included therein) by managing directors and senior advisors of the
founding stockholder, granting them and their permitted transferees the right to
demand that we register the resale of any of our securities held by them on a
registration statement filed under the Securities Act. The
registration rights are exercisable with respect to the securities at any time
commencing 30 days after the consummation of our initial business combination,
provided that such registration statement would not become effective until after
the expiration of the lock-up period applicable to the securities being
registered and with respect to all of the warrants and the underlying shares of
common stock, after the relevant warrants become exercisable by their
terms. We will bear the expenses incurred in connection with the
filing of any such registration statements.
As part of
the consummation of the acquisition, the lock-up agreements and the existing
registration rights agreement will be terminated and replaced by the new
registration rights agreement described below.
Upon the
consummation of the acquisition, GHQ, the initial stockholders and the Iridium
Holding’s sellers (each a “restricted stockholder”) will enter into a
registration rights agreement (“new registration rights agreement”), terminating
and replacing the lock-up agreements described above. Under the new registration
rights agreement, each of the stockholders party to this registration rights
agreement will not sell, pledge, establish a “put equivalent position,”
liquidate or decrease a “call equivalent position,” or otherwise dispose of or
transfer any GHQ securities
for a
period of one year after the closing date of the acquisition; provided that, the
board of directors of GHQ may authorize an underwritten public offering at any
time beginning six months after the closing date. In addition, each
such stockholder may pledge up to 25% of its GHQ shares as collateral to secure
cash borrowing from a third party financial institution so long as such
financial institution agrees to be subject to these transfer
restrictions.
Managing
directors and senior advisors of our founding stockholder have purchased an
aggregate of 1,247,500 GHQ units at the IPO price through a directed unit
program.
On
November 19, 2007, we issued a promissory note in the aggregate principal amount
of $250,000 to our founding stockholder. This note accrued interest
at the rate of 8.5% per annum, was unsecured and was due at the earlier of
December 30, 2008, or the consummation of the IPO. The note was
repaid out of the proceeds of the IPO not placed in our trust
account.
We have
entered into and agreement with Greenhill for the payment of an aggregate of
$10,000 per month for office space, secretarial and administrative services that
will terminate upon the closing of the acquisition.
On October
24, 2008, a subsidiary of our founding stockholder acquired the note from
Iridium Holdings, see “Other Transaction Agreements – Note Purchase
Agreement”.
Iridium
Holdings
Please see
“Information about Iridium Holdings – Legal Proceedings”.
The
transfer agent for our securities and warrant agent for our warrants is American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
GHQ’s
board of directors is aware of no other matter that may be brought before the
GHQ special meeting. Under Delaware law, only business that is
specified in the notice of special meeting to stockholders may be transacted at
the special meeting.
GHQ
stockholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with the acquisition or
the issuance of GHQ shares pursuant to the acquisition under Delaware
law.
Representatives
of GHQ’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP,
will be present at the special meeting of the stockholders. The
representatives will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire
and they are expected to be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Stockholder
proposals intended to be presented at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GHQ must be received by the Secretary
of GHQ not later than:
|
·
|
,
20
for inclusion in the proxy materials for that meeting pursuant to
Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act,
or
|
|
·
|
,
20
in order to be brought before that meeting pursuant to the bylaws
of GHQ.
|
GHQ files
annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC under the Exchange Act. You may read and copy this
information at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington,
D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail
from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington,
D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The SEC also maintains an Internet
website that has reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers,
like Iridium Holdings and GHQ, that make electronic filings with the
SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.
Information
and statements contained in this proxy statement are qualified in all respects
by reference to the copy of the relevant contract or other annex filed as an
exhibit to this proxy statement.
GHQ has
supplied all information contained in this proxy statement relating to GHQ, and
Iridium Holdings has supplied all information relating to Iridium
Holdings. Information provided by one does not constitute any
representation, estimate or projection of the other.
If you
have any questions about any of the proposals set forth herein or need
additional copies of proxy materials, you may contact GHQ in writing or by
telephone:
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
300 Park
Avenue, 23rd Floor
New York,
NY 10022
Telephone:
(212) 372-4180
You can
also get more information by visiting and Iridium Holdings’ website at
www.iridium.com. Website materials are not part of this proxy
statement
Or you may
contact our proxy solicitor:
105
Madison Avenue
New
York, New York 10016
proxy@mackenziepartners.com
Call
Collect: (212) 929-5500
or
Toll-Free
(800) 322-2885
|
If you
would like to request documents from us, please do so by ,
2009 to receive them before the stockholders’ meetings. We shall send
the documents by first-class mail within one business day of receiving your
request.
YOU SHOULD
RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO VOTE ON THE
PROPOSALS DISCUSSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED
ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION
THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT. THIS PROXY
STATEMENT IS DATED ,
2008. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION IN IT IS ACCURATE AS
OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE, AND NEITHER ITS MAILING TO STOCKHOLDERS NOR
THE ISSUANCE OF GHQ COMMON SHARES IN THE ACQUISITION SHALL CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY.
GHQ
Acquisition Corp.
|
F-2
|
|
F-3
|
|
F-4
|
|
F-5
|
|
F-6
|
|
F-7
|
|
F-12
|
|
F-13
|
|
F-14
|
|
F-15
|
|
F-16
|
Iridium
Holdings LLC
|
|
|
F-25
|
|
F-26
|
|
F-27
|
|
F-28
|
|
F-29
|
|
F-30
|
|
F-52
|
|
F-53
|
|
F-54
|
|
F-56
|
Board of
Directors and Stockholder of
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
We have
audited the accompanying balance sheet of GHL Acquisition Corp. (a corporation
in the development stage) (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2007, and the
related statements of operations, stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the
period from November 2, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audit.
We
conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform, an
audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit
included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis
for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but
not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no
such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of GHL Acquisition Corp. as of
December 31, 2007, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
period from November 2, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007 in conformity with
United States generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Eisner
LLP
New York,
New York
March 28,
2008
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
December
31, 2007
ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
Current
assets – cash
|
|
$ |
184,378 |
|
Deferred
offering costs
|
|
|
315,622 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDER’S EQUITY:
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Note
payable – stockholder, including interest
|
|
$ |
252,538 |
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
1,274 |
|
Accrued
offering costs
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
$ |
478,812 |
|
Commitments
|
|
|
— |
|
STOCKHOLDER’S
EQUITY:
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock, $0.0001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
1,000,000 shares
|
|
|
|
|
None
issued and outstanding
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Common
stock, $0.001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
200,000,000 shares
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
and outstanding 11,500,000 shares
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
Deficit
accumulated during the development stage
|
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
Total
stockholder’s equity
|
|
|
21,188 |
|
Total
liabilities and stockholder’s equity
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
For
the period November 2, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
Formation
costs
|
|
$ |
1,274 |
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
2,538 |
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(3,812 |
) |
Weighted
average shares outstanding – basic and diluted
|
|
|
11,500,000 |
|
Net
Loss per share – basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
For
the period November 2, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
Paid-in Capital
|
|
|
Deficit
Accumulated During the Development Stage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance
of units to Founder on November 13, 2007 at approximately $0.002 per
unit
|
|
|
11,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
11,500 |
|
|
$ |
13,500 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
25,000 |
|
Net
loss during the development stage
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
11,500,000 |
|
|
$ |
11,500 |
|
|
$ |
13,500 |
|
|
$ |
(3,812 |
) |
|
$ |
21,188 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
For
the period November 2, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(3,812 |
) |
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
in accrued expenses
|
|
|
1,274 |
|
Increase
in accrued interest
|
|
|
2,538 |
|
Net
cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
— |
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from note payable – stockholder
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Proceeds
from sale of units to Founder
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Deferred
offering costs
|
|
|
(90,622 |
) |
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
184,378 |
|
Net
increase in cash
|
|
|
184,378 |
|
Cash
at beginning of period
|
|
|
— |
|
Cash
at end of period
|
|
$ |
184,378 |
|
SUPPLEMENTAL
DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
Accrual
of deferred offering costs
|
|
$ |
225,000 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
NOTE
1 — ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS
GHL
Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”), a blank check company, was incorporated in
Delaware on November 2, 2007 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital
stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other
similar business combination with one or more businesses or assets (“Business
Combination”). The Company is considered in the development stage and is subject
to the risks associated with development stage companies. The Company has
selected December 31 as its fiscal year-end.
At
December 31, 2007, the Company had not yet commenced any operations, has
generated a net loss and has a working capital deficiency. All activity through
December 31, 2007 relates to the Company’s formation and the proposed public
offering described below. The Company’s ability to commence operations is
contingent upon obtaining adequate financial resources through a proposed public
offering of up to 40,000,000 units (“Units”) which is discussed in Note 3
(“Proposed Offering”). The Company’s management has broad discretion with
respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Proposed
Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Proposed
Offering are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business
Combination. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully
effect a Business Combination. Upon the closing of the Proposed Offering,
management has agreed that at least approximately $10.00 per Unit sold in the
Proposed Offering (or approximately $9.98 per Unit if the underwriter’s
over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be held in a trust account
(“Trust Account”) and invested in United States “government securities” within
the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 having a
maturity of 180 days or less, other than, at our option up to $5.0 million that
may be invested in U.S. “government securities”, as defined under the Investment
Company Act, with remaining maturities at all times of more than six months and
one day, or in money market funds meeting the applicable conditions under Rule
2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 until the earlier of
(i) the consummation of its first Business Combination and (ii) liquidation of
the Company. The placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those
funds from third party claims against the Company. Although the Company will
seek to have all vendors (other than its independent auditors), prospective
target businesses and other entities it engages, execute agreements with the
Company waiving any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any
monies held in the Trust Account, there is no guarantee that they will execute
such agreements. Greenhill & Co., Inc., the Company’s founder (the
“Founder”) has agreed that it will be liable under certain circumstances to
ensure that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of
target businesses or vendors, service providers or other entities that are owed
money by the Company for services rendered to or contracted for or products sold
to the Company. There can be no assurance that it will be able to satisfy those
obligations. The net proceeds not held in the Trust Account may be used to pay
for business, legal and accounting due diligence on prospective Business
Combinations and continuing general and administrative expenses. Additionally,
up to $5.0 million of interest, subject to adjustment, earned on the Trust
Account balance may be released to the Company to fund working capital
requirements and additional funds may be released to fund tax
obligations.
The
Company, after signing a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, is
required to submit such transaction for stockholder approval. In the event that
(i) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock sold in the Proposed
Offering that vote in connection with a Business Combination vote against the
Business Combination or the proposal to amend the Company’s amended and restated
certificate of incorporation to provide for its perpetual existence or (ii)
public stockholders owning 30% or more of the shares sold in the Proposed
Offering vote against the Business Combination and exercise their conversion
rights described below, the Business Combination will not be consummated. The
Company’s initial stockholder has agreed to vote its 11,500,000 founder’s shares
of common stock (up to 1,500,000 of such founder’s shares of common stock are
subject to forfeiture by such stockholders if the underwriter does not exercise
its over-allotment option) in accordance with the vote of the majority of the
shares voted by all the holders of the shares sold in the Proposed Offering
(“Public Stockholders”) with respect to any Business Combination and related
amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to
provide for the Company’s perpetual existence. After consummation of a Business
Combination, these voting provisions will no longer be applicable. The Company’s
stockholder prior to the
Proposed
Offering and the Company’s officers and directors have agreed to vote any shares
of common stock acquired in, or after, the Proposed Offering in favor of the
Business Combination.
With
respect to a Business Combination which is approved and consummated, any Public
Stockholder who voted against the Business Combination may demand that the
Company convert his or her shares. The per share conversion price will equal the
amount in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior to the
consummation of the proposed Business Combination, divided by the number of
shares of common stock held by Public Stockholders at the consummation of the
Proposed Offering. The Company will proceed with the Business Combination if
Public Stockholders owning no more than 30% of the shares sold in the Proposed
Offering (minus one share) both vote against the Business Combination and
exercise their conversion rights. Accordingly, Public Stockholders holding
11,999,999 shares sold in the Proposed Offering may seek conversion of their
shares in the event of a Business Combination (or up to 13,799,999 shares if the
over-allotment option in the Proposed Offering is exercised in full). Such
Public Stockholders are entitled to receive their per share interest in the
Trust Account computed without regard to the shares of common stock held by the
Company’s stockholders prior to the consummation of the Proposed
Offering.
The
Company will amend and restate its certificate of incorporation prior to the
consummation of the Proposed Offering to provide that the Company will continue
in existence only until the 24 month anniversary of the date of the final
prospectus relating to the Proposed Offering. If the Company has not completed a
Business Combination by such date, its corporate existence will cease and it
will liquidate. In the event of liquidation, it is possible that the per share
value of the residual assets remaining available for distribution (including
Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial public offering price per
share in the Proposed Offering (assuming no value is attributed to the Warrants
contained in the Units to be offered in the Proposed Offering discussed in Note
3).
NOTE
2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Cash and Cash Equivalents —
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three
months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk —
The Company maintains cash in a bank deposit account which, at times, exceeds
federally insured (FDIC) limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on
this account.
Deferred Income Taxes —
Deferred income taxes are provided for the differences between bases of assets
and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation
allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized.
The
Company recorded a deferred income tax asset for the tax effect of temporary
differences, aggregating approximately $433 at December 31, 2007. In recognition
of the uncertainty regarding the ultimate amount of income tax benefits to be
derived, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance at December 31,
2007.
The
effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 34% due to the valuation
allowance.
Loss Per Share — Loss per
share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of shares
of common stock outstanding during the period. The effect of the 11,500,000
outstanding warrants issued in connection with the initial unit purchase by the
Founder has not been considered in diluted loss per share calculations since the
effect of such warrants would be antidilutive.
Use of Estimates — The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
— Management does not believe that any recently issued, but not yet effective,
accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the
accompanying financial statements.
NOTE
3 — PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING
The
Proposed Offering contemplates the Company offering for public sale up to
40,000,000 Units at a proposed offering price of $10.00 per Unit (plus up to an
additional 6,000,000 Units solely to cover the underwriter’s over-allotments, if
any). Each Unit will consist of one share of the Company’s common stock and one
Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrant (“Warrants”). Each Warrant will entitle
the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock at an exercise
price of $7.00 commencing on the later of the completion of a Business
Combination or 12 months from the effective date of the Proposed Offering and
expiring five years from the effective date of the Proposed Offering or earlier
upon redemption or liquidation of the trust account. The Company may redeem all
of the Warrants, at a price of $.01 per Warrant upon 30 days’ prior notice while
the Warrants are exercisable, and there is an effective registration statement
covering the common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants current and
available, only if the last sale price of the common stock is at least $14.25
per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the
third day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. The Company
will not redeem the warrants unless an effective registration statement covering
the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is current and
available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If the Company calls the
Warrants for redemption as described above, the Company’s management will have
the option to adopt a plan of recapitalization pursuant to which all holders
that wish to exercise warrants would be required to do so on a “cashless basis.”
In such event, each exercising holder would surrender the Warrants for that
number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i)
the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the Warrants,
multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the warrants and the
“fair market value” (defined below) by (ii) the fair market value. The “fair
market value” means the average reported last sale price of the Company’s common
stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date
on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of Warrants. In
accordance with the warrant agreement relating to the Warrants to be sold and
issued in the Proposed Offering, the Company will only be required to use its
best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement
covering the common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company
will not be obligated to deliver securities, and there are no contractual
penalties for failure to deliver securities, if a registration statement is not
effective at the time of exercise. Additionally, if a registration statement is
not effective at the time of exercise, the holder of such Warrant shall not be
entitled to exercise such Warrant and in no event (whether in the case of a
registration statement not being effective or otherwise) will the Company be
required to net cash settle the warrant exercise. Consequently, the Warrants may
expire unexercised and unredeemed. The number of warrant shares issuable upon
the exercise of each warrant is subject to adjustment from time to time upon the
occurrence of the events enumerated in the Warrant Agreement.
The
Company will pay Banc of America Securities LLC and other underwriters in the
Proposed Offering an underwriting discount of approximately 6.0% of the gross
proceeds of the Proposed Offering less the gross proceeds from the sale of the
Units sold in the directed unit program. However, Banc of America Securities LLC
and other underwriters have agreed that approximately 70% of the underwriting
discounts will not be payable unless and until the Company completes a Business
Combination and has waived its right to receive such payment upon the Company’s
liquidation if it is unable to complete a Business Combination. The deferred
underwriting commission will be reduced to the extent any stockholders exercise
their conversion rights.
To the
extent that Banc of America Securities LLC and other underwriters do not
exercise their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 6,000,000 Units
of the Company in the Proposed Offering, the Company’s Founder has agreed that
they shall return to the Company for cancellation, at no cost, a number of Units
held by them necessary for the Founder’s shares to represent 17.5% of the
Company’s outstanding common stock after the consummation of the Proposed
Offering and the expiration or exercise of the over-allotment
option.
NOTE
4 — DEFERRED OFFERING COSTS
Deferred
offering costs consist of legal, accounting and registration fees incurred
through the balance sheet date that are directly related to the Proposed
Offering and that will be charged to stockholder’s equity upon the receipt of
the capital raised or charged to operations if the Proposed Offering is not
completed.
NOTE
5 — NOTE PAYABLE
On
November 19, 2007, the Company issued a promissory note in the aggregate
principal amount of $250,000 to the Founder. The note accrues interest at the
rate of 8.5% per annum, is unsecured and the principal is due at the earlier of
(i) December 30, 2008, or (ii) the consummation of the offering. The note will
be repaid out of the proceeds of the Proposed Offering not being placed in the
trust account. Due to the short-term nature of the note, the fair value of the
note approximates its carrying amount. The note was repaid to the Founder on
February 26, 2008.
NOTE
6 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND COMMITMENTS
The
Company presently occupies office space provided by the Founder. The Founder has
agreed that, until the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will make
such office space, as well as certain office and secretarial services, available
to the Company, as may be required by the Company from time to time. The Company
has agreed to pay the Founder a total of $10,000 per month for such services
commencing on the effective date of the Proposed Offering and will terminate
upon the earlier of (i) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (ii) the
liquidation of the Company.
On
November 13, 2007 the Founder advanced the Company $100 in order to help the
Company fund certain start up expenses. The advance was non-interest bearing.
The advance was repaid to the Founder on November 28, 2007.
Pursuant
to an agreement that the Company’s initial stockholder will enter into with the
Company and Banc of America Securities LLC, prior to the Proposed Offering, the
initial stockholder will waive its right to receive distributions with respect
to their Founder’s shares upon the Company’s liquidation.
The
Founder has committed to purchase a total of 8,000,000 Warrants (“Private
Placement Warrants”) at $1.00 per Warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of
$8,000,000) privately from the Company. This purchase will take place
simultaneously with the consummation of the Proposed Offering. All of the
proceeds received from this purchase will be placed in the Trust Account. The
Private Placement Warrants to be purchased by the Founder will be identical to
the Warrants underlying the Units being offered in the Proposed Offering except
that if held by the Founder or its permitted transferees they are non-redeemable
by the Company and can be exercised on a cashless basis. Furthermore, the
Founder has agreed that the Private Placement Warrants will not be sold or
transferred by it until after the Company has completed a Business Combination,
subject to certain limited exceptions. The purchase price of the Private
Placement Warrants approximates the fair value of such warrants. However, if it
is determined that the fair value of the Private Placement Warrants exceeds the
purchase price, the Company will record an expense for the excess of the fair
value of the warrants. The Company’s stockholders prior to the Proposed Offering
and certain employees of Greenhill will be entitled to registration rights with
respect to their founder’s Units, Private Placement Warrants (or underlying
securities), founder’s shares, founder’s warrants (or underlying securities) and
any Units purchased in this offering (including the shares, warrants and
underlying shares included therein) by managing directors and senior advisors of
Greenhill, pursuant to an agreement to be signed prior to or on the effective
date of the Proposed Offering.
NOTE
7 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On January
10, 2008, the Company cancelled 1,725,000 founder’s Units, which were
surrendered by the founding stockholder in a recapitalization, leaving the
founding stockholder with a total of 9,775,000 Units.
On
February 1, 2008, the founding stockholder transferred at cost an aggregate of
150,000 of the founder’s Units to certain of the Company’s directors. These
transferred Units have the same terms and are subject to the same restrictions
on transfers as the founder’s Units. The restrictions on transfer on these Units
will lapse 180 days after the consummation of a Business Combination by the
Company (if any) (considered a performance condition). In accordance with the
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004) “Share Based
Payments”, the restrictions are not being taken into account for purposes of
determining the value of the transferred, Units and the Company will record a
compensation charge and a related capital contribution (at the time a Business
Combination is consummated) for the difference between the consideration
received by the founding stockholder in the transfer and the price of $10.00 per
unit paid by the public stockholders which acquired Units in our initial public
offering. Of the 9,775,000 founder’s Units an aggregate of 1,275,000 founder’s
Units, including the common
stock
included therein, were forfeited on March 27, 2008, following the expiration of
the over-allotment option of Banc of America Securities LLC and the other
underwriters pursuant to the terms of the applicable purchase agreement so that
initial stockholders own approximately 17.5% of the Company’s issued and
outstanding common stock after the Proposed Offering (excluding any Units that
they may purchase in or after the Proposed Offering).
On
February 21, 2008, the Company completed its initial public offering of
40,000,000 Units, each consisting of one share of common stock and one warrant
exercisable for an additional share of common stock and received proceeds of
approximately $376.7 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions of
approximately $23.3 million (including approximately $16.4 million of deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions placed in a trust account pending
completion of an initial business combination). On February 21, 2008, the
Company also consummated a private placement of warrants, to Greenhill &
Co., Inc., its founding stockholder for an aggregate purchase price of $8
million. Approximately $400 million of the proceeds of its initial public
offering and the concurrent sale of the private placement warrants (including
deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $16.4 million)
was placed in a trust account subsequent to the completion of its initial public
offering. The Company retained outside of the trust (i) $875,000 to pay offering
expenses and (ii) $225,000 to fund additional expenses relating to its initial
public offering.
On
February 26, 2008, the Company paid off the principal balance of the promissory
note including accrued interest in the amount of $5,844, for a total of
$255,844.
On
February 26, 2008, the Company filed its Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation on a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC. Our Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides, among other things, that our
existence will terminate on February 14, 2010, unless, in connection with an
initial business combination, our stockholders vote to amend our Certificate of
Incorporation to provide perpetual existence.
On March
7, 2008, the Company filed its audited Balance Sheet and accompanying footnotes
as of February 21, 2008 on a current report on Form 8-K with the SEC. The
audited Balance Sheet reflects receipt of the proceeds upon consummation of the
private placement and the initial public offering. A summary of the Balance
Sheet is shown below.
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
401,150,170 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
12,389,703 |
|
Common
Stock Subject to Possible Conversion (11,999,999 shares, at conversion
value)
|
|
|
119,999,999 |
|
Common
stock, $0.001 par value
|
|
|
49,775 |
|
Authorized
200,000,000 shares
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
and outstanding 49,775,000 shares
|
|
|
|
|
(which
includes 11,999,999 common shares subject to possible
conversion)
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
268,756,360 |
|
Deficit
accumulated during the development stage
|
|
|
(45,667 |
) |
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
268,760,468 |
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
|
$ |
401,150,170 |
|
On March
27, 2008, following the expiration of the over-allotment option of Banc of
America Securities LLC and the underwriters of our initial public offering,
1,275,000 founder’s Units were forfeited pursuant to the terms of the applicable
purchase agreement in order to maintain our initial stockholders’ approximately
17.5% ownership interest in our common stock after giving effect to the initial
public offering.
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
|
|
September
30, 2008 (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
489,843 |
|
|
$ |
184,378 |
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
|
|
46,667 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
536,510 |
|
|
|
184,378 |
|
Deferred
tax asset
|
|
|
135,186 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Deferred
offering costs
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
315,622 |
|
Deferred
acquisition costs
|
|
|
1,496,935 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Investments
held in trust at broker, including accrued interest of
$197,294
|
|
|
402,270,297 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
404,438,928 |
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
Liabilities
and Stockholders’ Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note
payable — stockholder, including interest
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
252,538 |
|
Due
to related party
|
|
|
9,606 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
1,535,533 |
|
|
|
1,274 |
|
Accrued
offering costs
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
Income
tax payable
|
|
|
455,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Deferred
underwriter commissions
|
|
|
11,288,137 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
13,288,776 |
|
|
|
478,812 |
|
Common
stock subject to possible conversion (11,999,999 shares, at conversion
value)
|
|
|
119,999,999 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Commitments
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Stockholders’
Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock, $0.0001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
1,000,000 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None
issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007,
respectively
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Common
stock, $0.001 par value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized
200,000,000 shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issued
and outstanding 48,500,000 (including 11,999,999 shares of common stock
subject to possible conversion presented above) and 11,500,000 shares at
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively
|
|
|
36,500 |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
268,569,126 |
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
Retained
earnings (deficit) accumulated during the development
stage
|
|
|
2,544,527 |
|
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
Total
stockholders’ equity
|
|
|
271,150,153 |
|
|
|
21,188 |
|
Total
liabilities and stockholders’ equity
|
|
$ |
404,438,928 |
|
|
$ |
500,000 |
|
See
notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
(unaudited).
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
November
2, 2007 (Inception) to September 30, 2008
|
|
Formation,
general and administrative costs
|
|
$ |
106,198 |
|
|
$ |
300,195 |
|
|
$ |
304,007 |
|
Loss
from operations
|
|
|
(106,198 |
) |
|
|
(300,195 |
) |
|
|
(304,007 |
) |
Other
income — interest
|
|
|
1,943,075 |
|
|
|
4,936,297 |
|
|
|
4,936,297 |
|
Income
before provision for taxes
|
|
|
1,836,877 |
|
|
|
4,636,102 |
|
|
|
4,632,290 |
|
Provision
for income taxes
|
|
|
739,834 |
|
|
|
2,087,763 |
|
|
|
2,087,763 |
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
1,097,043 |
|
|
$ |
2,548,339 |
|
|
$ |
2,544,527 |
|
Weighted
average shares outstanding — basic and diluted
|
|
|
48,500,000 |
|
|
|
41,511,588 |
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
per share — basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proforma
weighted average shares outstanding — diluted
|
|
|
62,518,797 |
|
|
|
53,074,498 |
|
|
|
|
|
Proforma
earnings per share — diluted
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
See
notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
(unaudited).
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
|
|
For
the Period November 2, 2007 (Inception) to September 30,
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
Paid-in Capital
|
|
|
Earnings
(Deficit) Accumulated During the Development Stage
|
|
|
Total
Stockholders’ Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at November 2, 2007 (inception)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
Issuance
of units to Founder on November 13, 2007 at approximately $0.002 per
unit
|
|
|
11,500,000 |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Net
loss during the development stage
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
11,500,000 |
|
|
|
11,500 |
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
|
|
(3,812 |
) |
|
|
21,188 |
|
Sale
of 40,000,000 units through public offering at $10.00 per unit, net of
underwriter’s discount and offering expenses (including 11,999,999 shares
subject to possible conversion)
|
|
|
40,000,000 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
380,540,625 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
380,580,625 |
|
Sale
of private placement warrants
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,000,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8,000,000 |
|
Net
proceeds subject to possible conversion of 11,999,999
shares
|
|
|
(11,999,999 |
) |
|
|
(12,000 |
) |
|
|
(119,987,999 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(119,999,999 |
) |
Forfeiture
of 1,725,000 by Founder
|
|
|
(1,725,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,725 |
) |
|
|
1,725 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Forfeiture
of 1,275,000 by Founder
|
|
|
(1,275,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,275 |
) |
|
|
1,275 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Net
income during the period January 1, 2008 through September 30,
2008
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,548,339 |
|
|
|
2,548,339 |
|
Balance
at September 30, 2008 (unaudited)
|
|
|
36,500,001 |
|
|
$ |
36,500 |
|
|
$ |
268,569,126 |
|
|
$ |
2,544,527 |
|
|
$ |
271,150,153 |
|
See
notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
(unaudited).
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
November
2, 2007 (Inception) Through September 30, 2008
|
|
Cash
Flows from Operating Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
2,548,339 |
|
|
$ |
2,544,527 |
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax asset
|
|
|
(135,186 |
) |
|
|
(135,186 |
) |
Changes
in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income receivable
|
|
|
(197,294 |
) |
|
|
(197,294 |
) |
Prepaid
expenses
|
|
|
(46,667 |
) |
|
|
(46,667 |
) |
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
266,384 |
|
|
|
267,658 |
|
Accrued
interest
|
|
|
3,306 |
|
|
|
5,844 |
|
Due
to related party
|
|
|
9,606 |
|
|
|
9,606 |
|
Income
tax payable
|
|
|
455,500 |
|
|
|
455,500 |
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
2,903,988 |
|
|
|
2,903,988 |
|
Cash
Flows from Investing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
invested in Trust Account
|
|
|
(400,000,000 |
) |
|
|
(400,000,000 |
) |
Interest
income in Trust Account
|
|
|
(2,073,003 |
) |
|
|
(2,073,003 |
) |
Payment
of costs associated with acquisition
|
|
|
(229,060 |
) |
|
|
(229,060 |
) |
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(402,302,063 |
) |
|
|
(402,302,063 |
) |
Cash
Flows from Financing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from public offering
|
|
|
400,000,000 |
|
|
|
400,000,000 |
|
Proceeds
from issuance of private placement warrants
|
|
|
8,000,000 |
|
|
|
8,000,000 |
|
Payment
of underwriting fee
|
|
|
(6,900,000 |
) |
|
|
(6,900,000 |
) |
Payment
of costs associated with offering
|
|
|
(1,140,616 |
) |
|
|
(1,231,238 |
) |
Proceeds
from note payable to related party
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
Payment
of note payable to related party
|
|
|
(255,844 |
) |
|
|
(255,844 |
) |
Proceeds
from sale of Founder Units
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
399,703,540 |
|
|
|
399,887,918 |
|
Net
increase in cash
|
|
|
305,465 |
|
|
|
489,843 |
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, at beginning of period
|
|
|
184,378 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, at end of period
|
|
$ |
489,843 |
|
|
$ |
489,843 |
|
Supplemental
Disclosure:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
|
$ |
5,844 |
|
|
$ |
5,844 |
|
Taxes
paid
|
|
$ |
1,767,395 |
|
|
$ |
1,767,395 |
|
Supplemental
Disclosure of Non-Cash Financing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
deferred underwriting fees
|
|
$ |
11,288,137 |
|
|
$ |
11,288,137 |
|
Accrued
deferred acquisition costs
|
|
$ |
1,267,875 |
|
|
$ |
1,267,875 |
|
See
notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements
(unaudited).
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
(a
corporation in the development stage)
Note
1 — Organization Business Operations, and Basis of Presentation
GHL
Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”), a blank check company, was incorporated in
Delaware on November 2, 2007 for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital
stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other
similar business combination with one or more businesses or assets (“Business
Combination”). The Company is considered in the development stage and is subject
to the risks associated with development stage companies. The Company has
selected December 31 as its fiscal year-end.
At
September 30, 2008, the Company had not yet commenced any operations. All
activity through September 30, 2008 relates to the Company’s formation, initial
public offering (the “Public Offering”) and efforts to identify prospective
target businesses as described in Note 3.
The
registration statement for the Public Offering was declared effective February
14, 2008. The Company consummated the Public Offering on February 21, 2008 and
received gross proceeds of approximately $408,000,000, consisting of
$400,000,000 from the Public Offering and $8,000,000 from the sale of the
private placement warrants to the Company’s founder, Greenhill & Co., Inc.
(the “Founder”). Upon the closing of the Public Offering, the Company paid
$6,900,000 of underwriting fees and placed $400,000,000 of the total proceeds
into a trust account (“Trust Account”). The remaining approximately $1,100,000
was used to pay offering costs. The Company’s management has broad discretion
with respect to the specific application of the net proceeds of the Public
Offering, although substantially all of the net proceeds of the Public Offering
are intended to be generally applied toward consummating a Business Combination.
Up to $5,000,000 of interest, subject to adjustment, earned on the Trust Account
balance may be released to the Company to fund working capital requirements and
additional interest earnings may be released to fund income tax obligations. As
used herein, “Target Business” shall mean one or more businesses that at the
time of the Company’s initial Business Combination has a fair market value of at
least 80% of the Company’s net assets (which includes all of the Company’s
assets, including the funds held in the Trust Account, less the Company’s
liabilities (excluding deferred underwriting discounts and commissions of
$11,288,137). There is no assurance that the Company will be able to
successfully effect a Business Combination.
The
Company’s efforts in identifying prospective target businesses were not limited
to a particular industry. Instead, the Company’s intent was to focus on various
industries and target businesses in the United States and Europe that may
provide significant opportunities for growth.
The
$400,000,000 in the Trust Account is invested in assets which all meet the
conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
The placing of funds in the Trust Account may not protect those funds from third
party claims against the Company. Although the Company will seek to have all
vendors (other than its independent auditors), prospective target businesses and
other entities it engages, execute agreements with the Company waiving any
right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the
Trust Account, there is no guarantee that they will execute such agreements. The
Founder has agreed that it will be liable under certain circumstances to ensure
that the proceeds in the Trust Account are not reduced by the claims of target
businesses or vendors, service providers or other entities that are owed money
by the Company for services rendered to or contracted for or products sold to
the Company. There can be no assurance that it will be able to satisfy those
obligations.
The
Company, after signing a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, is
required to submit such transaction for stockholder approval. In the event that
(i) a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock sold in the Public
Offering that vote in connection with a Business Combination vote against the
Business Combination or the proposal to amend the Company’s amended and restated
certificate of incorporation to provide for its perpetual existence or (ii)
public stockholders owning 30% or more of the shares sold in the Public Offering
vote against the Business Combination and exercise their conversion rights
described below, the Business Combination will not be consummated. The Company’s
stockholders prior to the Public Offering (“Insiders”) agreed to vote their
8,500,000 Founder’s shares of common stock in accordance with the vote of the
majority of the shares voted by all the holders of the shares sold in the Public
Offering (“Public Stockholders”) with respect to any Business
Combination
and related amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of
incorporation to provide for the Company’s perpetual existence. Moreover, the
Company’s stockholders prior to the Public Offering and the Company’s officers
and directors agreed to vote any shares of common stock acquired in, or after,
the Public Offering in favor of the Business Combination and related amendment
to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to provide
for the Company’s perpetual existence. After consummation of a Business
Combination, these voting provisions will no longer be applicable.
With
respect to a Business Combination which is approved and consummated, any Public
Stockholder who votes against the Business Combination may demand that the
Company convert his or her shares into cash. The per share conversion price will
equal the amount in the Trust Account, calculated as of two business days prior
to the consummation of the proposed Business Combination, inclusive of any
interest, net of any taxes due on such interest and net of franchise taxes, and
net of up to $5.0 million in interest income on the Trust Account balance
previously released to us to fund working capital requirements, divided by the
number of shares of common stock held by Public Stockholders at the consummation
of the Public Offering. The Company will proceed with the Business Combination
if Public Stockholders owning no more than 30% (minus one share) of the shares
sold in the Public Offering both vote against the Business Combination and
exercise their conversion rights. Accordingly, Public Stockholders holding
11,999,999 shares sold in the Public Offering may seek conversion of their
shares in the event of a Business Combination. Such Public Stockholders are
entitled to receive their per share interest in the Trust Account computed
without regard to the shares of common stock held by the Company’s stockholders
prior to the consummation of the initial Public Offering.
The
Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that the
Company will continue in existence only until February 14, 2010. If the Company
has not completed a Business Combination by such date, its corporate existence
will cease and it will liquidate. In the event of liquidation, it is possible
that the per share value of the residual assets remaining available for
distribution (including Trust Account assets) will be less than the initial
public offering price per share in the Public Offering (assuming no value is
attributed to the Warrants contained in the units to be offered in the Public
Offering discussed in Note 3).
The
unaudited financial statements included herein have been prepared from the books
and records of the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for
reporting on Form 10-Q. The information and note disclosures normally included
in complete financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) have been condensed or
omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The interim financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes
thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007.
The
Company’s management is responsible for the financial statements included in
this document. The Company’s interim financial statements are unaudited. Interim
results may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year.
However, the Company believes all adjustments considered necessary for a fair
presentation of these interim financial statements have been included and are of
a normal and recurring nature.
Note
2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash and Cash
Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with
maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash
equivalents.
Concentration of
Credit Risk — The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with a
financial institution with high credit ratings. At times, the Company may
maintain deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of
federally insured (FDIC) limits. However, management believes that the Company
is not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position of the
depository institution in which those deposits are held. The Company does not
believe the cash equivalents held in trust at broker are subject to significant
credit risk as the portfolio is invested in assets, which meet the applicable
conditions of 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company has not
experienced any losses on this account.
Fair Value of
Financial Instruments — Cash and cash equivalents, investments held in
trust at broker and notes payable are carried at cost, which approximates fair
value due to the short-term nature of these investments.
Use of
Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
materially from those estimates.
Earnings per
Share — The Company calculates earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance
with FASB Statement No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (“SFAS 128”). Basic and
diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number
of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
Warrants
issued by the Company in the Public Offering and private placement are
contingently exercisable at the later of one year from the date of the offering
and the consummation of a business combination, provided, in each case, there is
an effective registration statement covering the shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants. Hence, these are presented in the proforma diluted
EPS.
Proforma
diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic and diluted EPS plus to the
extent dilutive, the incremental number of shares of common stock to settle
outstanding common stock purchase warrants, as calculated using the treasury
stock method.
Income
Taxes — The Company complies with the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in
Income Taxes,” an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”), which
provides criteria for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure
of uncertain tax position. A tax benefit from an uncertain position may be
recognized only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable
based on its technical merits. The Company filed its first income tax return on
September 15, 2008. Management does not plan on taking any uncertain tax
positions when filing the Company’s tax returns consequently the Company has not
recognized any liabilities under FIN 48. The Company will recognize interest
expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as an operating expense
in its condensed statements of income.
Deferred
income taxes are provided for the differences between bases of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation
allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the
amount expected to be realized.
The
Company recorded a deferred income tax asset for the tax effect of temporary
differences aggregating $135,186 at September 30, 2008. The Company has not
provided a valuation allowance at September 30, 2008, since the Company is
negotiating a proposed Business Combination as disclosed in Note 8. At December
31, 2007, the deferred income tax asset for the tax effect of temporary
differences amounted to $433. In recognition of the uncertainty regarding the
ultimate amount of income tax benefits to be derived, the Company has recorded a
full valuation allowance at December 31, 2007.
The
effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate of 34% due to the provision
for state and local taxes and the establishment of the valuation
allowance.
New Accounting
Pronouncements — Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”
(“SFAS 157”), for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring
basis. SFAS 157 accomplished the following key objectives:
|
·
|
Defines
fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants
at the measurement date;
|
|
·
|
Establishes
a three-level hierarchy (“valuation hierarchy”) for fair value
measurements;
|
|
·
|
Requires
consideration of the Company’s creditworthiness when valuing liabilities;
and
|
|
·
|
Expands
disclosures about instruments measured at fair
value.
|
The
valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of
an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s
categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of
input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the
valuation hierarchy and the distribution of the Company’s financial assets
within it are as follows:
|
·
|
Level
1 — inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for
identical assets or liabilities in active
markets.
|
|
·
|
Level
2 — inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar
assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable
for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly, for
substantially the full term of the financial
instrument.
|
|
·
|
Level
3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant
to the fair value measurement.
|
The
Company’s assets carried at fair value on a recurring basis are its investments
in money market securities under the caption “Investments held in trust at
broker”. The securities have been classified within level 1, as their valuation
is based on quoted prices for identical assets in active markets.
The
estimated fair value at September 30, 2008 including accrued interest is as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
as of September 30, 2008
|
|
Investments
|
|
$ |
402,270,297 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
402,270,297 |
|
Total
investments
|
|
$ |
402,270,297 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
402,270,297 |
|
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No.
115” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits an entity to elect fair value as the initial
and subsequent measurement attribute for many financial assets and liabilities.
Entities electing the fair value option would be required to recognize changes
in fair value in earnings. Entities electing the fair value option would be
required to distinguish, on the face of the balance sheet, the fair value of
assets and liabilities for which the fair value option has been elected and
similar assets and liabilities measured using another measurement attribute.
SFAS 159 became effective beginning January 1, 2008. The Company elected not to
measure any eligible items using the fair value option in accordance with SFAS
No. 159 and therefore, SFAS No. 159 did not have an impact on the Company’s
condensed balance sheets, condensed statements of income and condensed
statements of cash flows.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business
Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R provides revised guidance on how
acquirers recognize and measure the consideration transferred, identifiable
assets acquired, liabilities assumed, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill
acquired in a business combination. SFAS 141R also expands required disclosures
surrounding the nature of financial effects of business combinations. SFAS 141R
is effective, on a prospective basis, for companies for fiscal years beginning
January 1, 2009. The Company is currently assessing the potential effect of SFAS
141R on its balance sheets, condensed statements of income and condensed
statements of cash flows.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 establishes
requirements for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than
the Company (sometimes called “minority interests”) be clearly identified,
presented, and disclosed in the condensed balance sheet within equity, but
separate from the parent’s equity. All changes in the parent’s ownership
interests are required to be accounted for consistently as equity transactions
and any noncontrolling equity investments in deconsolidated subsidiaries must be
measured initially at fair value. SFAS 160 is effective, on a prospective basis,
for companies for fiscal years beginning January 2009. However, presentation and
disclosure requirements must be retrospectively applied to comparative financial
statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact of SFAS 160 on its
condensed balance sheets and condensed statements of income.
In April
2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of
Intangible Assets” (“FSP FAS 142-3”). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that
should be considered in developing a renewal or extension assumptions used for
purposes of determining the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under
SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”). FSP FAS 142-3
is intended to improve the consistency between the useful life of a recognized
intangible asset under SFAS 142 and the period of expected cash flows used to
measure the fair value of the asset under SFAS 141R and other U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2008. Earlier application is not permitted. The
Company will be assessing the potential effect of FSP FAS 142-3 if applicable,
once we enter into a business combination.
In
October, 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, “Determining the Fair Value of a
Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active” (“FSP FAS 157-3”)
which provided additional interpretative guidance on the application of SFAS No.
157 in markets that are not active and provided an illustrative example to
demonstrate how the fair value of a financial asset is determined when the
market for the financial asset is inactive. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon
issuance, including for prior periods for which financial statements have not
yet been issued. The issuance of interpretative guidance on the application of
SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed financial
statements.
Note
3 — Public Offering
Pursuant
to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February 14, 2008, for an offering consummated on
February 21, 2008 (the “Registration Statement”), the Company sold in its Public
Offering 40,000,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit. Each unit (a “Unit”)
consists of one share of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value, and one
Redeemable Common Stock Purchase Warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will
entitle the holder to purchase from the Company one share of common stock at an
exercise price of $7.00 commencing on the later of the completion of a Business
Combination or 12 months from the effective date of the Public Offering and
expiring five years from the effective date of the Public Offering or earlier
upon redemption or liquidation of the Trust Account. The Company may redeem all
of the Warrants, at a price of $.01 per Warrant upon 30 days’ prior notice while
the Warrants are exercisable, and there is an effective registration statement
covering the common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants current and
available, only if the last sales price of the common stock is at least $14.25
per share for any 20 trading days within a 30 trading day period ending on the
third day prior to the date on which notice of redemption is given. The Company
will not redeem the Warrants unless an effective registration statement covering
the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is current and
available throughout the 30-day redemption period. If the Company calls the
Warrants for redemption as described above, the Company’s management will have
the option to adopt a plan of recapitalization pursuant to which all holders
that wish to exercise Warrants would be required to do so on a “cashless basis.”
In such event, each exercising holder would surrender the Warrants for that
number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i)
the product of the number of shares of common stock underlying the Warrants,
multiplied by the difference between the exercise price of the Warrants and the
“fair market value” (defined below) by (ii) the fair market value. The “fair
market value” means the average reported last sales price of the Company’s
common stock for the 10 trading days ending on the third trading day prior to
the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of Warrants.
In accordance with the Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants sold and
issued in the Public Offering, the Company will only be required to use its best
efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement covering the
common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company will not be
obligated to deliver securities, and there are no contractual penalties for
failure to deliver securities, if a registration statement is not effective at
the time of exercise. Additionally, if a registration statement is not effective
at the time of exercise, the holder of such Warrant shall not be entitled to
exercise such Warrant and in no event (whether in the case of a registration
statement not being effective or otherwise) will the Company be required to net
cash settle the Warrant exercise. Consequently, the Warrants may expire
unexercised and unredeemed. The number of Warrant shares issuable upon the
exercise of each Warrant is subject to adjustment from time to time upon the
occurrence of the events enumerated in the Warrant Agreement.
The
Warrants are classified within stockholders’ equity since, under the terms of
the Warrants, the Company cannot be required to settle or redeem them for
cash.
Total
underwriting fees related to the Public Offering aggregate to $23,251,500. The
Company paid $6,900,000 upon closing of the Public Offering and $16,351,500 is
payable only upon the consummation of a Business Combination. Specifically, Banc
of America Securities LLC and other underwriters have agreed that approximately
70% of the underwriting discounts will not be payable unless and until the
Company completes a Business Combination and has waived its right to receive
such payment upon the Company’s liquidation if it is unable to complete a
Business Combination. The deferred underwriting commission paid will be less
pro-rata reductions resulting from the exercise of the stockholder conversion
rights as described in the Registration Statement. Accordingly, the liability
for deferred underwriting commission excludes $5,063,363, which is included in
the liability for common stock subject to possible conversion.
The
Company also granted Banc of America Securities LLC and other underwriters a
30-day over-allotment option to purchase up to 6,000,000 Units, which expired on
March 27, 2008. Following the expiration of the over-allotment option, the
Company’s initial stockholders returned at no cost, 1,275,000 of Units pursuant
to the terms of the applicable purchase agreement in order for the Founders to
maintain its approximately 17.3% ownership interest in our common stock after
giving effect to the Public Offering.
On
September 30, 2008, $402,270,297 was held in trust, of which the Company had the
right to withdraw $2,270,297 to fund working capital needs and the payment of
income taxes. The Company also had $489,843 of unrestricted cash
available.
Note
4 — Note Payable
On
November 19, 2007, the Company issued a promissory note in the aggregate
principal amount of $250,000 to the Founder. The note accrued interest at the
rate of 8.5% per annum, was unsecured and the principal was due at the earlier
of (i) December 30, 2008, or (ii) the consummation of the offering. On February
26, 2008, the Company paid off the principal amount of the promissory note
including accrued interest in the amount of $5,844, for a total of
$255,844.
Note
5 — Related Party Transactions and Commitments
The
Company presently occupies office space provided by the Founder. The Founder has
agreed that, until the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will make
such office space, as well as certain office and secretarial services, available
to the Company, as may be required by the Company from time to time. The Company
has agreed to pay the Founder a total of $10,000 per month for such services
commencing on the effective date of the Public Offering and will terminate upon
the earlier of (i) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (ii) the
liquidation of the Company. The Company paid a total of $30,000 with respect to
this commitment for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and $75,172 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
From time
to time, the Founder funds administrative expenses, such as travel expenses,
meals and entertainment and office supplies, incurred in the ordinary course of
business. Such expenses are to be reimbursed by the Company to the Founder. As
of September 30, 2008, the Founder has funded a total of $15,940 of
administrative expenses, of which $6,334 was paid off to the Founder on
September 29, 2008. The remaining balance of $9,606 will be reimbursed to the
Founder in the future period and is included within “Accrued Expenses” in the
accompanying Balance Sheet.
On January
10, 2008, the Company cancelled 1,725,000 Founder’s Units, which were
surrendered in a recapitalization, leaving the Founder with a total of 9,775,000
Units as of the date of the Public Offering. Of the 9,775,000 Founder’s Units,
an aggregate of 1,275,000 Founder’s Units, including the common stock included
therein, were forfeited on March 27, 2008, following the expiration of the
over-allotment option of Banc of America Securities LLC and the other
underwriters pursuant to the terms of the applicable purchase
agreement.
On
February 1, 2008, the Founder transferred at cost an aggregate of 150,000 of the
Founder’s Units to certain of the Company’s directors (together with the
Founder, the “Initial Stockholders”). These transferred Units have the same
terms and are subject to the same restrictions on transfers as the Founder’s
Units. The restrictions on transfer on these Units will lapse 180 days after the
consummation of a Business Combination by the Company (if any) (considered a
performance condition). In accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004) “Share Based Payments”, the restrictions are
not being taken into account for purposes of
determining
the value of the transferred Units and the Company will record a compensation
charge and a related capital contribution (at the time a Business Combination is
consummated) for the difference between the consideration received by the
Founder in the transfer and the price of $10.00 per Unit paid by the public
stockholders which acquired Units in our initial public offering.
On
February 21, 2008, in connection with the Public Offering, the Founder purchased
a total of 8,000,000 Warrants (“Private Placement Warrants”) at $1.00 per
Warrant (for an aggregate purchase price of $8,000,000) privately from the
Company. All of the proceeds received from the purchase were placed in the Trust
Account. The Private Placement Warrants are identical to those included in the
Units sold in our initial public offering, except that:
|
·
|
the
Private Placement Warrants, including the common stock issuable upon
exercise of these Warrants, are subject to certain transfer
restrictions;
|
|
·
|
the
Private Placement Warrants will not be redeemable by the Company so long
as they are held by the Initial Stockholders or their permitted
transferees; and
|
|
·
|
the
Private Placement Warrants may be exercised by the Initial Stockholders or
their permitted transferees on a cashless
basis.
|
As of
September 30, 2008, the Founder owns approximately 17.3% of the Company’s issued
and outstanding common stock and collectively, the Initial Stockholders own
approximately 17.5%.
Note
6 — Income Taxes
The
components of the provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2008 are set forth below:
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008
|
|
Current
taxes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
federal
|
|
$ |
550,210 |
|
|
$ |
1,397,785 |
|
State
and local
|
|
|
324,810 |
|
|
|
825,164 |
|
Total
current tax expense
|
|
$ |
875,020 |
|
|
$ |
2,222,949 |
|
Deferred
taxes:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
federal
|
|
$ |
(85,005 |
) |
|
$ |
(85,005 |
) |
State
and local
|
|
|
(50,181 |
) |
|
|
(50,181 |
) |
Total
deferred tax expense
|
|
|
(135,186 |
) |
|
|
(135,186 |
) |
Total
provision for income taxes
|
|
$ |
739,834 |
|
|
$ |
2,087,763 |
|
A
reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 34% to the
Company’s effective income tax rate is set forth below:
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008
|
|
U.S.
statutory tax rate
|
|
|
34.0 |
% |
|
|
34.0 |
% |
Increase
related to state and local taxes, net of U.S. income tax
|
|
|
10.0 |
% |
|
|
11.0 |
% |
Reversal
of valuation allowance
|
|
|
(4.0 |
)% |
|
|
— |
|
Effective
income tax rate
|
|
|
40.0 |
% |
|
|
45.0 |
% |
Note
7 — Earnings per Share
The
computations of basic, diluted, and proforma diluted earnings per share are set
forth below:
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008
|
|
Numerator
for basic and diluted earnings per share — net income available to common
stockholders
|
|
$ |
1,097,043 |
|
|
$ |
2,548,339 |
|
Denominator
for basic and diluted earnings per share — weighted average number of
common shares
|
|
|
48,500,000 |
|
|
|
41,511,588 |
|
Proforma
Adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Add
— dilutive effect of Warrants:
|
|
|
14,018,797 |
|
|
|
11,562,910 |
|
Denominator
for proforma diluted earnings per share — adjusted weighted average number
of common shares and assumed potential conversion
|
|
|
62,518,797 |
|
|
|
53,074,498 |
|
Earnings
per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
and diluted
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
Proforma
earnings per share — diluted
|
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.05 |
|
Note
8 — Proposed Business Combination
On
September 22, 2008, the Company announced that it had entered in an agreement
(the “Transaction Agreement”) to acquire Iridium Holdings LLC (“Iridium”), a
leading provider of voice and data mobile satellite services (the “Proposed
Business Combination”).
Under the
terms of the Transaction Agreement, the Company will acquire Iridium in exchange
for 36.0 million shares of its common stock and $77.1 million of cash, subject
to adjustment. In addition, 90 days following the closing of the
Proposed Business Combination, if Iridium has in effect a valid election under
Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Company will
make a tax benefits payment of up to $30 million in aggregate to certain sellers
to compensate for the tax basis step-up. Upon the closing of the
Proposed Business Combination, Iridium will become a subsidiary of the Company
and the combined enterprise will be renamed “Iridium Communications Inc.” and
will apply for listing on NASDAQ.
The
Transaction Agreement and related documents have been unanimously approved by
the board of directors of the Company and Iridium. The closing of the
Proposed Business Combination is subject to customary closing conditions
including the expiration or termination of waiting periods under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, Federal Communications Commission approval, other
regulatory approvals and the approval of the Company’s stockholders, including a
majority of the shares of the Company’s common stock issued in its Public
Offering. The Company has been granted early termination of the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. In addition, the closing of the Proposed
Business Combination is conditioned on the requirement that stockholders owning
not more than 11,999,999 shares of the Company’s common stock (such number
representing 30 percent minus one share of the 40,000,000 shares of issued in
its Public Offering) vote against the Proposed Business Combination and validly
exercise their conversion rights to have their shares converted into cash, as
permitted by the Company’s certificate of incorporation. The
Company’s initial stockholders have agreed to vote the 8,500,000 shares they
already own, which were issued to them prior to the Company’s Public Offering,
in accordance with the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares issued in
the Public Offering. The Proposed Business Combination is expected to
close in the first part of 2009 but may vary depending upon the timing of
regulatory approvals.
If (x) the
Transaction Agreement is terminated either by the Company or Iridium because the
Company’s stockholders shall have failed to approve the Proposed Business
Combination, (y) the Company breaches its obligations to hold a stockholder
meeting or to use its reasonable best efforts to consummate the Proposed
Business Combination contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, and (z) the
Company consummates an initial business combination (other than with Iridium),
the Company will be obligated to pay to Iridium within two business days of the
consummation of such other business combination, a break-up fee consisting of
$5,000,000 in cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or combination thereof,
at the Company’s election (the “Termination Fee”). The
Termination
Fee will be the exclusive remedy of Iridium, the Sellers and their respective
affiliates with respect to any such breach except in the case where, prior to 10
business days immediately following the termination of the Transaction
Agreement, Iridium notifies the Company in writing that it believes in good
faith the Company has committed willful breach of the Transaction Agreement. In
that case, the Company need not pay the Termination Fee and Iridium shall have
the right to pursue its remedies for willful breach against the Company, subject
to other limitations set forth in the Transaction Agreement.
The
Company intends to launch a tender offer for its common shares which will close
concurrent with completion of the Proposed Business Combination, pursuant to
which shares will be acquired at a price per share of $10.50, up to an aggregate
purchase price of $120 million reduced by the amount of cash distributed to
stockholders who vote against the Proposed Business Combination and elect
conversion of their shares.
On
September 22, 2008, the Company entered into a side letter agreement (the “Side
Letter”) with the Founder whereby the Founder has agreed to forfeit at the
closing of the Proposed Business Combination the following securities of the
Company which it currently owns: (1) 1,441,176 common shares; (2) 8,369,563
founder warrants; and (3) 2,000,000 private placement warrants. These
forfeitures will reduce the Company’s shares and warrants outstanding
immediately post-closing.
Note
9 — Deferred Acquisition Costs
The
Company has incurred certain transaction costs for the Proposed Business
Combination as disclosed in Note 8. The Company has deferred such costs under
SFAS 141 (“Business Combinations”). It is probable that the Proposed Business
Combination will close after the effective date of SFAS 141R and under SFAS 141R
such acquisition costs will be expensed.
Unit
Holders and Board of Directors
Iridium
Holdings LLC
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Iridium Holdings LLC
(the Company) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated
statements of income, members’ deficit and comprehensive income, and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in
the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of
internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all
material respects, the consolidated financial position of Iridium Holdings LLC
at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated results of its operations
and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States.
/s/ Ernst
& Young LLP
McLean,
Virginia
April 7,
2008, except for notes 13 and 14, as to which
the date
is November 26, 2008
Iridium
Holdings LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands, Except Unit Data)
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
22,105 |
|
|
$ |
31,858 |
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
3,020 |
|
|
|
3,020 |
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
|
|
35,114 |
|
|
|
25,171 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
14,156 |
|
|
|
10,303 |
|
Deferred
cost of sales, current portion
|
|
|
3,408 |
|
|
|
11,836 |
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
2,539 |
|
|
|
1,847 |
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
80,342 |
|
|
|
84,035 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
59,959 |
|
|
|
50,648 |
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
15,400 |
|
|
|
15,400 |
|
Deferred
cost of sales, net of current portion
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
3,408 |
|
Deferred
financing costs and other assets
|
|
|
11,880 |
|
|
|
8,034 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
167,581 |
|
|
$ |
161,525 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
and members’ deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$ |
2,361 |
|
|
$ |
4,992 |
|
Accrued
expenses and other current liabilities
|
|
|
28,258 |
|
|
|
25,934 |
|
Credit
facility, current portion
|
|
|
12,933 |
|
|
|
13,433 |
|
Deferred
revenue, current portion
|
|
|
24,152 |
|
|
|
30,130 |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
67,704 |
|
|
|
74,489 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
satellite operations and maintenance expense, net of current
portion
|
|
|
12,372 |
|
|
|
14,847 |
|
Motorola
payable
|
|
|
9,761 |
|
|
|
8,947 |
|
Credit
facility
|
|
|
151,542 |
|
|
|
177,567 |
|
Deferred
revenue, net of current portion
|
|
|
– |
|
|
|
4,278 |
|
Other
long-term liability
|
|
|
4,649 |
|
|
|
2,586 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
246,028 |
|
|
|
282,714 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and contingencies (Note 9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members’
deficit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members’
units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A units (1,083,872 units issued and outstanding)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Class
B units (455,209 and 435,703 units issued and outstanding,
respectively)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
761 |
|
|
|
535 |
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(75,576 |
) |
|
|
(119,349 |
) |
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(3,632 |
) |
|
|
(2,375 |
) |
Total
members’ deficit
|
|
|
(78,447 |
) |
|
|
(121,189 |
) |
Total
liabilities and members’ deficit
|
|
$ |
167,581 |
|
|
$ |
161,525 |
|
See
accompanying notes.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
$ |
57,850 |
|
|
$ |
50,807 |
|
|
$ |
48,347 |
|
Commercial
|
|
|
101,172 |
|
|
|
77,661 |
|
|
|
60,690 |
|
Subscriber
Equipment:
|
|
|
101,879 |
|
|
|
83,944 |
|
|
|
78,663 |
|
Total
revenue
|
|
|
260,901 |
|
|
|
212,412 |
|
|
|
187,700 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of subscriber equipment sales
|
|
|
62,439 |
|
|
|
60,068 |
|
|
|
62,802 |
|
Network
and satellite operations and maintenance
|
|
|
60,188 |
|
|
|
60,685 |
|
|
|
56,909 |
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
46,350 |
|
|
|
33,468 |
|
|
|
30,135 |
|
Research
and development
|
|
|
17,370 |
|
|
|
4,419 |
|
|
|
4,334 |
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
11,380 |
|
|
|
8,541 |
|
|
|
7,722 |
|
Satellite
system development refund
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(14,000 |
) |
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
197,727 |
|
|
|
167,181 |
|
|
|
147,902 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
profit
|
|
|
63,174 |
|
|
|
45,231 |
|
|
|
39,798 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
(expense) income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(21,771 |
) |
|
|
(15,179 |
) |
|
|
(5,106 |
) |
Interest
expense recovered
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,526 |
|
Interest
and other income
|
|
|
2,370 |
|
|
|
1,762 |
|
|
|
2,377 |
|
Total
other (expense) income, net
|
|
|
(19,401 |
) |
|
|
(13,417 |
) |
|
|
(203 |
) |
Net
income
|
|
$ |
43,773 |
|
|
$ |
31,814 |
|
|
$ |
39,595 |
|
See
accompanying notes.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
Paid-In Capital
|
|
|
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands, Except Unit Data)
|
|
Balance
at December 31, 2004
|
|
$ |
613,667 |
|
|
$ |
131,500 |
|
|
$ |
215,087 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
488,358 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(159,970 |
) |
|
$ |
(61,538 |
) |
|
$ |
(90,008 |
) |
Net
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,595 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,595 |
|
Comprehensive
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,595 |
|
Purchase
and redemption (Class A)
|
|
|
(18,153 |
) |
|
|
(3,890 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
890 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,000 |
) |
Purchase
and redemption (Class B)
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(4,444 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(500 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(500 |
) |
Capital
contributions returned
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,600 |
) |
|
|
(3,600 |
) |
Class
B units issued
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
18,522 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Equity-based
compensation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
251 |
|
Anti-dilution
adjustment
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,438 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Balance
at December 31, 2005
|
|
|
595,514 |
|
|
|
127,610 |
|
|
|
227,727 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
488,358 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(119,985 |
) |
|
|
(65,138 |
) |
|
|
(57,262 |
) |
Net
Income
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31,814 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
31,814 |
|
Other
comprehensive loss—Swap
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,375 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(2,375 |
) |
Comprehensive
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,439 |
|
Equity-based
compensation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
284 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
284 |
|
Credit
enhancements contributed
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
65,138 |
|
|
|
65,138 |
|
Cash
capital contributions returned
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(62,472 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(62,472 |
) |
Credit
enhancements returned
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(65,138 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(65,138 |
) |
Class
A and B distribution
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(31,178 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(31,178 |
) |
Class
B units issued
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
11,397 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Anti-dilution
adjustment
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
196,579 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Warrant
exercise
|
|
|
488,358 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(488,358 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Balance
at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
1,083,872 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
435,703 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
535 |
|
|
|
(2,375 |
) |
|
|
(119,349 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(121,189 |
) |
Net
income
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
43,773 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
43,773 |
|
Other
comprehensive loss—Swap
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,257 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,257 |
) |
Comprehensive
Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42,516 |
|
Equity-based
compensation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
226 |
|
Class
B units issued
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
15,390 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Class
B units forfeited
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(1,539 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Anti-dilution
adjustment
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
5,655 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Balance
at December 31, 2007
|
|
$ |
1,083,872 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
455,209 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
761 |
|
|
$ |
(3,632 |
) |
|
$ |
(75,576 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(78,447 |
) |
See
accompanying notes.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
43,773 |
|
|
$ |
31,814 |
|
|
$ |
39,595 |
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
11,380 |
|
|
|
8,541 |
|
|
|
7,722 |
|
Other
non-cash amortization and accretion
|
|
|
2,862 |
|
|
|
1,560 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
Non-cash
equity based compensation
|
|
|
2,901 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
Non-cash
release of Boeing obligation
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(16,526 |
) |
Change
in certain operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
|
|
(9,943 |
) |
|
|
(153 |
) |
|
|
(6,771 |
) |
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
(692 |
) |
|
|
(586 |
) |
|
|
77 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
(3,852 |
) |
|
|
(5,232 |
) |
|
|
(1,329 |
) |
Deferred
cost of sales
|
|
|
11,836 |
|
|
|
21,278 |
|
|
|
27,334 |
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
(10,256 |
) |
|
|
(20,872 |
) |
|
|
(23,949 |
) |
Other
noncurrent assets
|
|
|
(5,790 |
) |
|
|
(29 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
(2,631 |
) |
|
|
(183 |
) |
|
|
(3,447 |
) |
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
(553 |
) |
|
|
7,107 |
|
|
|
5,240 |
|
Accrued
satellite operations and maintenance expense
|
|
|
(2,475 |
) |
|
|
(2,474 |
) |
|
|
2,514 |
|
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
36,560 |
|
|
|
41,071 |
|
|
|
30,742 |
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
|
|
(19,787 |
) |
|
|
(11,039 |
) |
|
|
(9,661 |
) |
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(19,787 |
) |
|
|
(11,039 |
) |
|
|
(9,661 |
) |
Financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
under credit facilities
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
Repayments
under credit facilities
|
|
|
(26,526 |
) |
|
|
(59,611 |
) |
|
|
(7,750 |
) |
Deferred
operations and maintenance fees
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(31,277 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Payment
of deferred financing fees
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(7,974 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Repayment
of senior convertible promissory notes
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(34,783 |
) |
Distribution
to Class A and B members
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(31,178 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Transfer
to restricted cash to support letters of credit
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(15,520 |
) |
|
|
146 |
|
Unit
repurchase and redemption
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(3,500 |
) |
Class
A members’ capital distributions
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(62,472 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(26,526 |
) |
|
|
(8,032 |
) |
|
|
(18,887 |
) |
Net
(decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
(9,753 |
) |
|
|
22,000 |
|
|
|
2,194 |
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of year
|
|
|
31,858 |
|
|
|
9,858 |
|
|
|
7,664 |
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of year
|
|
$ |
22,105 |
|
|
$ |
31,858 |
|
|
$ |
9,858 |
|
See
accompanying notes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplementary
cash flow information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
|
$ |
20,643 |
|
|
$ |
9,843 |
|
|
$ |
6,860 |
|
Supplementary
disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease
incentives in the form of leasehold improvements
|
|
$ |
357 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
See
accompanying notes.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
December
31, 2007
1. Organization
and Business
Organization
Iridium
Holdings LLC (the Parent), its wholly owned subsidiary Iridium Satellite LLC
(Satellite), and Satellite’s wholly owned subsidiary, Iridium Constellation LLC
(Constellation) (Parent, Satellite and Constellation, together with all other
subsidiaries, are referred to as the Company or Iridium) were formed under the
laws of the State of Delaware in 2000 and were organized as limited liability
companies pursuant to the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. On December
11, 2000, the Company acquired certain satellite communication assets from
Iridium LLC, a debtor in possession, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement.
The Company holds numerous licenses from the Federal Communications Commission
(the FCC) and other international regulatory bodies that allow the Company to
conduct its business, including the operation of its satellite
constellation.
Business
The
Company is a global wireless telecommunications enterprise that offers its
customers diverse voice, fax, data, and messaging services to and from virtually
anywhere in the world using its satellite-based network infrastructure. The
Company operates 76 satellites (including nine orbiting spares) in a
low-earth-orbit constellation that enables customers to communicate using
specialized phones, data devices, and pagers. The satellites communicate with
those user devices using their main mission antennas, as well as with each other
using crosslink antennas, and with ground-based gateways and control stations
using feeder link antennas.
The
operation of the Company’s satellites is monitored by its Satellite Network
Operations Center (SNOC), located in Leesburg, Virginia. This facility manages
the performance and status of each of the satellites. The SNOC also manages the
network by developing and distributing routing tables for use by the satellites
and gateways, directing traffic routing through the network, and controlling the
formation of coverage areas by the satellites’ main mission antennas. The
Company operates telemetry, tracking, and control stations (TTACs) located in
the United States (Fairbanks, AK and Chandler, AZ), northern Canada, and Norway.
The Alaskan TTAC station also provides Earth Terminal backup capability for the
Tempe Gateway.
The
Company is subject to a number of risks associated with satellite companies at a
similar stage of maturity, including technical, commercial, regulatory, and
broader market risks. More specifically, some of the risks which may affect the
Company’s ability to achieve management’s objectives, include, but are not
limited to: the continued successful operation of the satellite constellation
system and the successful development, financing and launch of the next
generation system; reliance on a single primary gateway and a single primary
satellite network operations center; the Company’s ability to secure secondary
payload customers to offset the costs of the next generation system; the
Company’s ability to compete with new and emerging technologies; retention of
the U.S. government as a significant customer and the ability of the Company to
attract new, as well as retain existing, commercial customers; the ability of
the Company to obtain debt or equity financing sufficient to meet the needs of
the business; significant competition from other satellite and terrestrial
providers; successful product development by the Company; market demand for
satellite communications services; reliance on key software owned by third
parties to operate the satellite system; reliance on third parties to market and
distribute the Company’s services to end-users; reliance on a single
manufacturer to produce the Company’s subscriber equipment; maintenance of
regulatory licenses and spectrum allocation, both domestic and international;
lack of insurance to cover repair or replacement costs for non-functioning
in-orbit satellites; adverse regulatory changes affecting the satellite
industry; retention of key employees and the ability to attract qualified new
personnel; restrictive covenants in the Company’s credit agreements which limit
its operational and financial flexibility; and general economic and business
conditions. The Company’s satellite constellation system is subject to
regulation by the FCC and by certain international bodies.
2. Significant
Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
Principles
of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The
consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include the
accounts of the Parent and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at
the dates of the financial statements and the associated amounts of revenues and
expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from these
estimates.
Cash,
Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of
three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Certain
cash balances are restricted as collateral for letters of credit issued on the
Company’s behalf as collateral held by the Boeing Company (see Note 4),
Celestica Corporation (see Note 9) and certain foreign communications licensing
agencies. These amounts are presented separately on the consolidated balance
sheets. Certain amounts of restricted cash have been placed into certificates of
deposits. The Company expects to roll over the certificates of deposit and keep
them in place for as long as the collateral is required. Assets restricted as
collateral are classified based on the requirements of the underlying term of
the collateral.
Financial
Instruments
The
consolidated balance sheets include various financial instruments (primarily
cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued
expenses and other liabilities, long-term debt, derivative instruments, and
other obligations). The fair values of short-term financial instruments
approximate their carrying values because of their short-term nature. The fair
value of debt approximates its carrying amount as of December 31, 2007, based on
rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and
remaining maturities.
Interest
Rate Swaps
The
Company applies the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities as amended by SFAS 138,
Accounting for Certain
Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, an Amendment of SFAS
133. SFAS No. 133, as amended, requires that all derivative instruments
be recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. As required by
the Company’s credit facility (see Note 7), management executed four pay-fixed
receive-variable interest rate swaps in 2006, three of which are still open at
December 31, 2007, and mature within three years. The Company hedged $146.0
million of variable interest rate debt as of December 31, 2007. The interest
rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. The objective for holding these
instruments is to manage variable interest rate risk related to the Company’s
$210.0 million credit facilities, by synthetically converting a portion of the
variable rate risk to fixed rate interest rate risk. The swaps are structured so
that the Company will pay a fixed rate of interest and receive a variable
interest payment, which, to the extent hedged, should offset the variable
interest that is being paid on its debt. The variable interest rate on the swaps
reset every quarter concurrent with the reset of the variable rate on the debt.
The fixed rate will not change over the life of the swap. Each quarter-end the
swaps are measured against current interest rates to determine a fair market
value. The fair market value is recorded on the balance sheet and the offset to
the value, to the extent effective, is recorded in accumulated other
comprehensive income (AOCI). Any ineffectiveness is recorded to interest
expense.
The
effectiveness of the swaps in offsetting the gain or loss on the debt is
assessed and measured on a quarterly basis by regressing historical changes in
the value of the swap with the historical change in value of the underlying
debt. To establish a value for the underlying debt a “hypothetical” derivative
is created with terms that match the debt (i.e., notional amount, reset rates
and terms, maturity) and had a zero fair value at designation. Effectiveness is
tested and measured every quarter.
The
effectiveness testing and measurement was performed on a contract-by-contract
basis. The change in the swaps’ fair market value from the designation date to
December 31, 2007 was compared with the hypothetical change in fair market value
for the same period. Since the change in the value of the hypotheticals was less
than the change in the value of the swaps, a $0.1 million loss associated with
ineffectiveness was accrued as of December 31, 2007. Therefore, the $3.7 million
loss on the derivative is recorded to interest rate swap liability, and a $3.6
million offset is recorded in AOCI in the accompanying December 31, 2007
consolidated balance sheets. There was no ineffectiveness in 2006; as a result,
both the interest rate swap liability and AOCI was $2.4 million at December 31,
2006.
At
December 31, 2007 $1.9 million is expected to be reclassified from AOCI to
earnings as additional interest expense over the next twelve months in
conjunction with lower variable rate interest payments on the debt. The net
interest expense should equal the fixed rate on the swaps, thus meeting the
original objective of the hedge program.
Deferred
Financing Costs
Costs
incurred in connection with securing debt financing have been deferred and are
amortized as additional interest expense using the effective interest method
over the term of the related debt.
Accounts
Receivable
Trade
accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear
interest. Amounts collected on trade accounts receivable are included in net
cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash
flows. Accounts receivable are stated net of allowances for uncollectible
accounts, if applicable. Management develops its estimate of this
allowance based on the Company’s experience with specific customers, its
understanding of their current economic circumstances and its own judgment as to
the likelihood of their ultimate payments. When a specific account receivable is
determined to be uncollectible, the Company reduces both its accounts receivable
and allowances for uncollectible accounts accordingly.
Inventory
Inventory
consists of subscriber equipment, which includes handsets, L-Band transceivers,
data devices, accessories and pagers to be sold to customers to access Company
services. The inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. The Company
outsources manufacturing of handsets, L-Band transceivers, and data devices; and
purchases accessories and pagers from third party suppliers. Cost allocations of
overhead (including salary and fringes of the Company’s logistics personnel),
scrap, obsolescence, shrinkage, tooling, freight, and warehouse distribution
charges are included as cost components of these manufactured items. All
inventory is valued using the average cost method.
Research
and Development
Research
and development costs are charged as an expense in the period in which they are
incurred. Research and development costs, which consisted primarily of costs
related to the development of the next generation of satellites, new subscriber
equipment and new maritime broadband services, totaled $17.4 million, $4.4
million and $4.3 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
Warranty
Expense
The
Company provides the customer with a warranty on subscriber equipment for one
year from the date of activation. Costs associated with the warranty
program—including equipment replacements, repairs, and program
administration—are expensed as incurred. Warranty expenses were $0.6 million,
$0.2 million and $1.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006,
and 2005, respectively. Higher warranty expenses for the year ended December 31,
2005 were due to certain subscriber equipment design defects discovered during
2005. The defects were corrected in subscriber equipment production occurring
after May 2005. A warranty reserve based on an expected return rate for
handsets, data devices and L-Band transceivers has been recorded in the amount
of $0.5 million and $0.2 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
Accounting
for Equity-Based Compensation
Interests
in Iridium Employee Holdings LLC
Satellite,
in its role as manager of Iridium Employee Holdings LLC (Iridium Employee
Holdings), has granted certain key employees equity interests in Iridium
Employee Holdings. Iridium Employee Holdings was created solely to
own certain Class B non-voting units of Parent and has no other operations. Each
interest in Iridium Employee Holdings represents and is equivalent to ownership
of 15,484 Class B units of Parent. The employee’s interests in Iridium Employee
Holdings generally vest over a three to five year period and Iridium Employee
Holdings is only required to make distributions with respect to vested portions
thereof. If an employee terminates his employment with the Company, unvested
interests are forfeited. Additionally, all interests fully vest in the event of
a change in control of Parent or Satellite. With respect
to some of the interests granted to employees, a designated threshold amount
must be exceeded before the employee becomes entitled to receive distributions
with respect to his Iridium Employee Holdings equity interests (and all
distributions are first applied (without regard to vesting) against the
threshold amount until it has been fully satisfied). The Class B
units of Parent held by Iridium Employee Holdings are subject to the same
vesting and threshold amount provisions that apply to the Iridium Employee
Holdings equity interests granted to employees.
Prior to
January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for employee equity-based compensation
using the method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (APB)
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees, and the associated interpretations using the
intrinsic method. As such, compensation expense related to employee equity-based
compensation was recorded only if, on the date of grant, the fair value of the
underlying equity units exceeded the exercise price. Effective January 1, 2006,
the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which
supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, using the “modified prospective” method. Under
this method, compensation cost is recognized beginning with the effective date
(a) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) for all share-based payments
granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of Statement
No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of
Statement No. 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date. Results for
prior year have not been restated. As a result of adopting SFAS No. 123(R), the
Company’s net income was approximately $0.1 million lower than if it had
continued to account for equity-based compensation under APB Opinion No.
25.
The
Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (Black-Scholes) as its
method of valuation under SFAS No. 123(R) in 2006. This fair value is then
amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the
awards, which is generally the vesting period. The fair value of share-based
payment awards on the date of grant as determined by the Black-Scholes model is
affected by the Company’s assumptions. These assumptions include, but are not
limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and
expected forfeitures. The fair value of employee interests in Employee Holdings
was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following assumptions for
the year ended December 31, 2006:
Expected
volatility
|
63%
|
Risk-free
interest
rate
|
4.5%
|
Expected
dividends
|
0%
|
Expected
term
|
6
years
|
The
expected volatility assumption was based on a review of the expected volatility
of publicly-traded entities similar to the Company, which the Company believes
is a reasonable indicator of its expected volatility. The risk-free interest
rate assumption is based upon U.S. Treasury Bond interest rates with terms
similar to the expected term of the award. The dividend yield assumption is
based on the Company’s history of not declaring and paying
dividends.
Given the
limited number of employees who have been granted interests in Iridium Employee
Holdings, the Company has estimated there will be no forfeitures. This estimate
is supported by the Company’s historical rate of forfeitures due to voluntary
terminations. The expected term is based on the Company’s best estimate for the
period of time for which the instrument is expected to be
outstanding.
During the
years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 the Company recognized $0.2
million, $0.3 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, of equity-based
compensation expense related to the interests in Iridium Employee Holdings
granted to certain key employees (recognized within general and administrative
expenses in accompanying consolidated statements of income). As of December 31,
2007, there was $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to
nonvested equity-based compensation awards that will be recognized over a
weighted-average period of approximately one year.
The
following table illustrates the effect of the net income if the Company had
applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R) to equity-based
compensation for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Net
income, as reported
|
|
$ |
39,595 |
|
Deduct:
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair
value method for all awards, net of any compensation expense recognized in
prior year
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
Pro
forma net income
|
|
$ |
39,579 |
|
Profits
Interests
Commencing
in 2006 the Company granted certain key executives and members of the board of
directors payment rights entitled “profits interests.” These interests do not
give the holder any equity ownership interest in the Company, but are intended
to convey to the holder an economic interest similar to the appreciation in
value of Class B units in Parent. Certain profits interests grants are fully
vested at the date of grant, others vest over a three to four year period, in
each case subject to the continued employment and/or board service of the
recipient. The profits interests grant sets forth a pro-rata threshold equity
valuation of the Company. All distributions received by Class B holders after
the date of grant of the profits interests are aggregated, and once the pro-rata
threshold value is exceeded, the recipient of the profits interests becomes
entitled to receive cash equal to the distributions he would have received if he
had held Class B units of Parent. The right to receive payments under the
profits interests plan survives the termination of the recipient’s employment or
service with the Company with respect to vested portions thereof; however, the
Company has repurchase rights from the recipients.
Under
Statement No. 123(R), a nonpublic entity can make a policy decision of whether
to measure all of its liabilities incurred under share-based payment
arrangements at fair value or to measure all such liabilities at intrinsic
value. The Company’s policy is to measure all liabilities under SFAS No. 123(R)
using the intrinsic method. This intrinsic value is then amortized on a
straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is
generally the vesting periods.
During the
year ended December 31, 2007 the Company recognized $2.7 million of compensation
expense related to profits interests (recognized within general and
administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income).
There was no such expense during the year ended December 31, 2006. As of
December 31, 2007, there was $6.0 million of unrecognized compensation expense
related to nonvested profits interests awards that will be recognized over a
weighted-average period of approximately 2.6 years. The Company will remeasure
its liabilities under these payment arrangements at each reporting date until
the profits interests are terminated or otherwise settled. In 2008, in
consideration for terminating their profit interest award, certain employees
received grants in Employee Holdings LLC (Employee Holdings), as discussed
below. As a result, the corresponding “profits interests” liability will be
reclassified to equity during 2008.
Interests
in Employee Holdings LLC
In early 2008, Satellite, in its role as
manager, granted certain executive-level employees equity interests in Employee
Holdings. A total of 35,914
equity
interests in Employee Holdings, equivalent to 2.3% interest in
Parent, were issued as a result of this grant.
Employee Holdings was
created solely to own certain Class B non-voting units of Parent and has no other operations.
Each interest
in Employee Holdings is
intended to represent and is equivalent to ownership of one
Class B unit
of the Parent. Certain
grants in Employee Holdings are fully vested on the date of grant,
others vest over a three- to four-year period, in each case subject to the
continued employment of the
recipient. The equity
interests in Employee
Holdings contain restrictions on transfer and a
right of first refusal and Employee Holdings has repurchase rights from the
recipients in the event of a termination of service. Equity
interests in Employee Holdings have a right to equivalent
distributions to those paid to Class B unit holders of Parent, provided, however, that all
such distributions are first applied toward the satisfaction of a
designated threshold
amount (without regard to vesting). Once the
threshold amount is satisfied, distributions to holders
of interests in Employee Holdings are paid with respect to vested portions
of the grant and deferred with respect to unvested portions. If an employee
terminates his employment with the Company, unvested equity
interests are forfeited.
Additionally, equity
interests fully vest in
certain cases in the event of a change in control of Parent or Satellite and in
other cases in the event of a termination of service as a result of such a
change in control of Parent or Satellite. The Class B units
of Parent
held by Employee Holdings
are subject
to the same vesting and threshold amount provisions that apply to
the Employee Holdings
equity
interests granted to
employees.
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment is carried at acquired cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the
straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Space
system in service
|
14
years
|
Terrestrial
system assets
|
7
years
|
Business
support systems
|
5
years
|
Other
software and equipment
|
3 –
5 years
|
Gateway
and satellite equipment
|
7 –
10 years
|
Building
|
39
years
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
Shorter
of estimated useful life or remaining lease
term
|
Repair and
maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Long-Lived
Assets
The
Company assesses the impairment of long-lived assets when indicators of
impairment are present. Recoverability of assets is measured by comparing the
carrying amounts of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to
be generated by the assets. The impairment loss of the assets would be measured
as the excess of the assets’ carrying amount over their fair value. Fair value
is based on market prices where available, an estimate of market value, or
various valuation techniques.
The carrying value of a satellite lost
as a result of an in-orbit failure would be charged to operations upon the
occurrence of the loss.
For the year
ended December 31, 2005, the Company recorded the carrying value of $0.3 million
as an impairment loss related to the failure of two satellites. For the year
ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded the carrying value of $0.1 million
related to the failure of one satellite as an impairment loss. There were no
impairment losses recorded in 2007.
Interest
The
Company capitalizes interest costs incurred during the construction phase of new
assets as an element of construction in process and amortizes such costs over
the assets’ estimated useful lives.
Income
Taxes
As a
limited liability company (LLC) that is treated as a partnership for federal
income tax purposes, the Company is generally not subject to federal income tax
directly. Rather, each member is subject to income taxation based on the
member’s portion of the Company’s income or loss as defined in the Company’s
limited liability company agreement (LLC Agreement). The Company is subject to
federal excise, withholding, and payroll taxes; to state and local taxes in the
United States; and to income, value-added tax, and other taxes in non-U.S.
jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
The
Company regularly assesses the potential outcome of current and future
examinations in each of the taxing jurisdictions when determining the adequacy
of accruals for tax, penalties, and interest.
The
Company has established accruals that it believes are adequate in relation to
the potential for additional assessments. The Company does not believe any such
tax, penalties, or interest would have a material impact on the Company’s
financial position.
Advertising
Costs
Costs
associated with advertising and promotions are expensed as incurred. Advertising
expenses, primarily consisting of print media, were $0.2 million, $0.3 million
and $0.2 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company derives its revenues as a wholesaler of satellite communications
products and services. The primary types of revenue include airtime fixed- or
flat-rate revenue, airtime usage-based revenue, contract services revenue and
revenue from subscriber equipment sales.
Pursuant
to wholesale agreements, the Company sells its products and services to service
providers who, in turn, sell the products and services to other distributors or
directly to the end users. When an end user activates service on a particular
device, the Company begins charging the service provider a monthly access fee
and a usage fee per minute of use. The Company does not have direct billing or
other responsibilities for the end users, as the service provider sets customer
pricing, executes subscription agreements, and is responsible for maintaining
customer relations. The Company provides services through the service providers,
who are the Company’s primary customers. The U.S. government purchases its
equipment from a service provider and has a fixed-fee arrangement with the
Company for services.
The
Company recognizes revenue when services are performed or delivery has occurred,
evidence of an arrangement exists, the fee is fixed or determinable, and
collection is probable.
Government
Contract Revenue
The
Company has two separate contracts with the Defense Information Systems Agency
of the U.S. Department of Defense that have been in place since the inception of
the Company. Revenues related to the services provided under both contracts are
recognized ratably over the periods in which the services are
provided.
The first
contract, which was renewed for an additional one-year period on April 1, 2008,
is to provide airtime and airtime support to U.S. government subscribers.
Services furnished under the contract include Short Burst Data (SBD) services
and unlimited monthly voice, data, messaging, and paging services. The U.S.
government has the unilateral right to extend the term of the contract for up to
four additional one-year periods.
The second
contract is for the maintenance of the U.S. government’s gateway in Hawaii. This
contract was renewed for an additional one-year period on April 1, 2008. The
U.S. government has the unilateral right to extend the term of the contract for
up to four additional one-year periods.
Commercial
Revenue
Revenue is
generated from the Company’s service providers via usage of the Iridium
satellite network and through fixed monthly access fees per user charged by the
Company to each service provider. Revenue for usage or traffic-driven charges is
recognized when usage occurs and revenue for the fixed-per-user access fee is
recognized ratably over the period in which the service is provided to the end
user. Revenue from prepaid services is recognized when usage occurs or when the
customer’s right to access the unused prepaid services expires. The Company does
not offer refund privileges for prepaid services. As of December 31, 2007 and
2006 unused prepaid services and access fees of $19.9 million and $16.1 million,
respectively, were recorded in deferred revenue in the consolidated balance
sheets. Revenue for the periods ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 include
the recognition of prior years’ deferred revenue. Deferred service and access
fees are typically earned and recognized as income within one year of customer
prepayment.
Subscriber
Equipment Revenue
The
Company follows the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (EITF) No.
00-21, Revenue Arrangements
with Multiple Deliverables. EITF No. 00-21 requires that revenue
arrangements with multiple deliverables be divided into separate units of
accounting, only if the deliverables meet certain criteria, and that all
elements of an arrangement should be considered a single unit of accounting if
the criteria are not met.
Through
December 31, 2004, the Company considered the sale of its equipment and service
a single unit of accounting due primarily to the fact that its equipment was not
considered to have stand-alone value to the end user. As a result, when
equipment was sold, revenue from these transactions was deferred and recognized
ratably over the four-year estimated average life of the end-user relationship.
In late 2004, significant evidence of a secondary market emerged providing proof
of stand-alone value for Iridium subscriber equipment. As a result, the Company
believes the equipment from that point forward has independent value and that
equipment should be treated as a separate unit of accounting in accordance with
EITF No. 00-21. The Company allocates consideration to the separate units of
accounting using the relative fair value method. Accordingly, effective January
1, 2005, the Company began recognizing equipment sales and the related cost when
equipment title passes to the customer. This change in accounting estimate was
applied prospectively.
All
previously deferred equipment revenues and related costs continue to be
recognized over the remaining estimated average customer relationship period. As
of December 31, 2007, $4.3 million of deferred revenue and $3.4 million of
deferred costs remain unrecognized. These amounts will be recognized during
2008.
Contract
Services Revenue
The
Company also provides certain engineering services to assist customers in
developing new technologies related to the satellite system. The revenues
associated with these services are recorded when the services are rendered and
the expenses are recorded when incurred. Contract services revenue pertains to
all contract revenue, including both government and non-government customers.
Revenue on cost-plus-fee contracts is recognized to the extent of costs incurred
plus an estimate of the applicable fees earned. The Company considers fixed fees
under cost-plus-fee contracts to be earned in proportion to the allowable costs
incurred in performance of the contract.
Concentrations
of Risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit
risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and receivables. The
Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held in federally insured banks and
financial institutions. The majority of this cash is swept nightly into a money
market fund with a diversified portfolio. The Company performs credit
evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and records reserves to
provide for estimated credit losses. Accounts receivable are due from both
domestic and global customers.
Significant
Customers, Supplier, and Service Providers
The
Company derived approximately 22%, 24% and 26% of its total revenue during the
years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, from one customer,
the U.S. government. The U.S. government also accounted for approximately 41.3%
and 35% of the Company’s accounts receivable balances at December 31, 2007 and
2006, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 the
Company derived $101.2 million, $77.7 million, and $60.7 million,
respectively, from its commercial service operations; 14% of total revenue for
both 2006 and 2007 and 13% for 2005 was derived from the Company’s two largest
commercial customers.
The
Company acquires all of its subscriber equipment from one manufacturer. Should
events or circumstances prevent the manufacturer from producing the equipment,
the Company’s business could be adversely affected until the Company is able to
move production to other facilities of the manufacturer or secure a replacement
manufacturer.
All
satellite operations and maintenance services are provided by the Boeing
Company. Should events or circumstances prevent Boeing from providing these
services, the Company’s business could be adversely affected
until the
Company is able to assume operations and maintenance responsibilities or secure
a replacement service provider.
Segments
SFAS No.
131, Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, establishes standards
for reporting information regarding operating segments in annual financial
statements. SFAS No. 131 also establishes standards for related disclosures
about products and services and geographic areas. Operating segments are
identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete
financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating
decision maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions regarding the
allocation of resources and asset performance. Pursuant to SFAS No. 131, the
Company operates in one segment providing global satellite communication
products and services. The information disclosed herein materially represents
all of the financial information related to the Company’s principal operating
segment.
Asset
Retirement Obligations
SFAS No.
143, Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations, requires that legal obligations associated with
retirement of long-lived assets should initially be measured at fair value and
recorded as a liability. Upon initial recognition of a liability for retirement
obligations, a company must record an asset, which is depreciated over the life
of the asset to be retired.
Pursuant
to an indemnification agreement (see Note 12) between Satellite,
Boeing, Motorola, and the U.S.
government, the U.S. government may, in its sole discretion, require
Satellite,
Boeing
or either of them to immediately de-orbit the Iridium satellites at no
expense to the U.S.
government in the event of (a)
Satellite’s failure to pay insurance premiums or maintain insurance,
(b) its
bankruptcy, (c) its sale
or the sale of any major asset in the satellite system, (d) replacing Boeing as
the operator of the satellite system, (e) its failure to make certain
notifications required by the agreement or (f) at any time after June 5, 2009,
unless extended by the U.S. government. In the event the Company was
required to effect a mass de-orbit, the Company, pursuant to
the amended and restated
operations and maintenance agreement with Boeing (the Amended and
Restated Agreement)
would be required to pay Boeing $12.9 million plus an amount equivalent to the
premium for inception of Section B de-orbit insurance coverage ($2.5 million as
of December 31, 2007). The Company has concluded this mass de-orbit
right held by the U.S. government meets the definition of a legal
obligation. Management does not believe the U.S. government will
exercise this right. As a result, management believes the likelihood
of any future cash outflows associated with the mass de-orbit obligation to be
remote.
Pursuant to
the transition services, products and asset agreement with Motorola and the
Amended and Restated Agreement, Motorola has the right to cause the
de-orbit of our
constellation upon the occurrence of any of the following events
(subject, in certain cases, to applicable notice and cure periods): (a)
Iridium Holdings’
bankruptcy or the bankruptcy of Constellation or Iridium Satellite; (b) a breach by
Satellite of the transition services, products and asset agreement; (c)
a
breach by Boeing of the Amended and Restated Agreement or a related side
letter; (d) an order from the U.S. government requiring the de-orbiting of the
satellites; (e) changes in law or regulation that may require Motorola to incur
certain costs relating to the operation, maintenance, re-orbiting or de-orbiting
of Iridium Holdings’ constellation system,
including any terrestrial–based portion (provided that there are
reasonable grounds to believe that the prompt de-orbiting of the satellites will
mitigate such costs); or (f) Motorola’s inability
to obtain on
commercially reasonable terms product liability policy to cover its
position as manufacturer of the satellites (provided
the U.S. government has not agreed to cover what would have otherwise been paid
by such policy). Management
does not believe Motorola will exercise this right. As a result,
management believes the likelihood of any future cash outflows associated with
the mass de-orbit obligation to be remote.
In addition, pursuant to the Amended and Restated
Agreement, Boeing has the
unilateral right to commence the de-orbit of the constellation upon the
occurrence of any of the following events (subject, in certain cases, to
applicable notice and cure periods): (a) Constellation’s failure to make timely contracts
payments to Boeing in accordance with the Amended and Restated Agreement; (b)
the bankruptcy of Constellation or Satellite; (c) reasonable grounds for Boeing
to question the financial stability of Constellation; (d) the failure for any reason
of Constellation to maintain or maintain the availability of certain insurance
policies; (e) the failure of Constellation to provide Boeing quarterly financial
statements for Constellation and Satellite; (f) Constellation’s failure to perform
any obligation which it is required to
perform pursuant to the Amended and Restated Agreement; or (g) should new or
modified regulatory requirements threaten to increase the risks associated with
the operation of the constellation and/or the de-orbit process or the
cost of operation and/or de-orbit. Management does not believe Boeing
will exercise this right. As
a result, management believes the likelihood of any future cash outflows
associated with the mass de-orbit obligation to be
remote.
There are other circumstances in which
the Company could be required, either by the U.S. government or for technical reasons, to
de-orbit an individual satellite; however, management believes that such costs
would not be significant in the ordinary operations of the satellite
constellation.
The
Company pledged to Boeing a $15.4 million letter of credit as collateral for
de-orbit costs in the event the Company does not continue as a going concern.
This letter of credit is cash collateralized, which is included in long-term
restricted cash in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Reclassifications
Certain
prior-year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year
presentation.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In May
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources
of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be
used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that
are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States. SFAS No. 162 will become effective 60 days following the SEC’s
approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) amendments to
AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles.” The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 162 will not
have a material impact on its financial statements.
In March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No.
133 (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about the
objectives of derivative instruments and hedging activities, the method of
accounting for such instruments under SFAS No. 133 and its related
interpretations, and a tabular disclosure of the effects of such instruments and
related hedged items on an entity’s financial position, financial performance
and cash flows. SFAS No.161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
November 15, 2008, as such, will be effective beginning in the Company’s fiscal
year 2009. The Company is evaluating the disclosure requirements of SFAS No.
161; however, the adoption of SFAS No. 161 is not expected to have a material
impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations (SFAS
141R). SFAS 141R requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to
record all assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective
acquisition-date fair values, changes the recognition of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, changes the recognition and
measurement of contingent consideration, and requires the expensing of
acquisition-related costs as incurred. SFAS No. 141R also requires additional
disclosure of information surrounding a business combination, such that users of
the entity’s financial statements can fully understand the nature and financial
impact of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to
business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December
15, 2008. An entity may not apply it before that date. The provisions of SFAS
No. 141R will only impact the Company if it is a party to a business combination
after the pronouncement has been adopted.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No.
115 (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure
many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not
currently required to be measured at fair value.
Unrealized
gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are
reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting
literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be
carried at
fair value. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2008.
The Company will not adopt the alternative provided in this
statement.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS
No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and
expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB
issued FSP No. 157-1, Application of FASB Statement No.
157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address
Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement
under Statement 13 and FSP No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No.
157 as amendments to SFAS No. 157, which exclude lease transactions from
the scope of SFAS No. 157 and also defer the effective date of the adoption of
SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are
nonrecurring. In October of 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-3,
Determining the Fair Value of
Financial Assets When the Market for That Asset is Not Active, as an
amendment to SFAS No. 157, clarifying the application of SFAS No. 157 in a
market that is not active. The provisions of SFAS No. 157 are
effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008, except for certain
non-financial assets and liabilities for which the effective date has been
deferred to January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if
any, the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on its financials
statements.
In
September 2006, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-1, Accounting for Consideration Given
by a Service Provider to Manufacturers or Resellers of Equipment Necessary for
an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider (EITF 06-1).
EITF 06-1 provides that consideration provided to the manufacturers or resellers
of specialized equipment should be accounted for as a reduction of revenue if
the consideration provided is in the form of cash and the service provider
directs that such cash be provided directly to the customer. Otherwise, the
consideration should be recorded as an expense. The provisions of EITF 06-1 will
be effective on January 1, 2008. The Company is currently assessing the impact,
if any, the adoption of EITF 06-1 will have on its financial
statements.
In June
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation
(FIN) No. 48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB
Statement No. 109. FIN No. 48
requires that management determine whether a tax position is more likely than
not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related
appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.
Once it is determined that a position meets this recognition threshold, the
position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the
financial statements. The FASB deferred the effective date of FIN 48 for certain
non-public enterprises to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008. The
Company will adopt the provisions of FIN No. 48 effective January 1, 2009. The
Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, the adoption of FIN No. 48
will have on its financial statements.
3.
Transition Services, Products and Asset Agreement
General
On
December 11, 2000, Parent and Satellite entered into the Transition Services,
Products and Asset Agreement (TSA) with Motorola. Certain obligations under the
TSA have been fully performed, including Motorola’s provision of services and
transfers of assets, but other obligations are on-going, as described
below.
The TSA
requires that the Company use Boeing to provide continuing steady-state
operations and maintenance services with respect to the Satellite Network
Operations Center, Telemetry, Tracking and Control stations and the on-orbit
satellites (collectively, the Iridium System) (see Note 4). These services
include the removal of satellites in the constellation from operational or
storage orbits and preparation for re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. In
addition, the Company must (i) obtain and pay the premium for an in-orbit
insurance policy on behalf of Boeing and certain other beneficiaries (see Note
9), (ii) pay the premiums for an aviation products liability insurance policy
obtained by Motorola, and (iii) maintain on deposit with Motorola an amount that
at all times equals 150% of the current year’s annual premium. The deposit of
$0.8 million is classified within deferred financing costs and other assets in
the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Motorola
Payables
Pursuant
to the TSA, Class B Units were issued to Motorola in consideration of Motorola’s
transfer of certain licenses and equipment. These units have certain limited
anti-dilution provisions, as defined in the TSA.
The TSA
also provides for the payment to Motorola of $7.25 million plus certain accrued
interest upon the occurrence of a “triggering event.” A triggering event is
defined as any change of control as specified therein, an initial public
offering by Parent or Satellite, a sale of all or a material portion of the
assets of Parent or Satellite, or upon reaching the date of December 11, 2010.
This amount consists of two components: (i) a $6.0 million commitment fee and
(ii) $1.25 million of deferred equipment financing (plus accrued interest from
the effective date of the TSA to the date of payment at an annual interest rate
of prime plus 3%).
The
Company discounted the $6.0 million commitment fee at an imputed rate of 12.5%
over 10 years, resulting in an original issue discount of $4.2 million. The net
liability is included in the Motorola payable in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
4. Boeing
Operations and Maintenance Agreement
On
December 11, 2000, Constellation entered into an operations and maintenance
agreement (the original O&M Agreement) with Boeing, pursuant to which Boeing
agreed to provide transition services and continuing steady-state operations and
maintenance services with respect to the Iridium System (including engineering,
systems analysis, and operations and maintenance services). Since that time,
there have been a number of amendments, including an amended and restated
operations and maintenance agreement (the Amended and Restated Agreement). As a
result of these various amendments, the period of performance has been extended
to be concurrent with the useful life of the constellation, the schedule of
monthly payments has been revised and a cost escalation according to a
prescribed formula is now included. A provision has been included for the
payment of all deferred amounts due to Boeing under the original O&M
Agreement, and the Company agreed to make certain revenue-based
payments.
The
Amended and Restated Agreement incorporates a revised de-orbit plan, which, if
exercised, would cost $12.9 million plus an amount equivalent to the premium for
inception of Section B de-orbit insurance coverage (see Note 9) to be paid to
Boeing in the event of a mass de-orbit of the satellite
constellation.
Under the
Amended and Restated Agreement, the Company incurred expenses of $47.0 million,
$47.2 million, and $44.6 million relating to satellite operations and
maintenance costs for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005,
respectively.
As a
condition precedent to any Boeing obligations under the original O&M
Agreement, the Company was required to make refundable deposits to Boeing to
cover potential future de-orbiting costs, in-orbit insurance policies (including
the cost of coverage under a de-orbit endorsement), and two months of
steady-state operations and maintenance. As subsequently amended, in part as a
result of a new approach identified for the de-orbit process of the satellite
constellation that reduced the overall estimated de-orbit time, in lieu of
refundable deposits the Company issued an irrevocable standby letter of credit
for the benefit of Boeing to cover the de-orbit insurance premium in the amount
of $2.5 million as of December 31, 2005. During 2006, the $2.5 million letter of
credit was replaced with a $15.4 million letter of credit in return for Boeing’s
release of the additional collateral security it held (namely, the Company’s
building located in Tempe, Arizona; the SNOC located in Leesburg, Virginia; and
certain equipment in the Company’s Technical Service Center located in Chandler,
Arizona).
The
Amended and Restated Agreement provided for Boeing to receive an additional fee
of 5% of any amounts distributed to Class A or Class B members of the Company to
the extent that such distributions did not constitute a return of members’
capital contributions or distributions in respect of the members’ tax
liabilities. Boeing was entitled to receive, upon any sale or exchange of
substantially all of the interests of the Class A and B members to an unrelated
third party, 5% of the aggregate amount received by the Class A and B members.
In 2007, the Company and Boeing agreed to terminate Boeing’s right to this
additional fee in exchange for a payment of $7.8 million. This payment was
amortized to satellite operations and maintenance expense in the accompanying
statements of income during 2007. The remaining balance of $6.9 million is
included in prepaid expenses ($1.2 million in current assets and $5.7 million in
long term) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31,
2007 and will be amortized ratably to network and satellite operations and
maintenance expense through December 2013.
5. Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment consists of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
Space
system in service
|
|
$ |
47,332 |
|
|
$ |
47,176 |
|
Terrestrial
system assets
|
|
|
9,453 |
|
|
|
8,266 |
|
Business
support systems
|
|
|
9,308 |
|
|
|
8,449 |
|
Capitalized
software
|
|
|
10,601 |
|
|
|
8,760 |
|
Building,
equipment, and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
25,928 |
|
|
|
15,700 |
|
|
|
|
102,622 |
|
|
|
88,351 |
|
Less:
accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(57,426 |
) |
|
|
(46,437 |
) |
|
|
|
45,196 |
|
|
|
41,914 |
|
Construction
in process
|
|
|
14,763 |
|
|
|
8,734 |
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
$ |
59,959 |
|
|
$ |
50,648 |
|
At
December 31, 2006, construction in process consisted of assets being developed
or constructed for building, equipment, and leasehold improvements of $5.4
million, capitalized software of $1.8 million, business support systems of $0.7
million, and terrestrial system assets of $0.8 million. At December
31, 2007 construction in process consisted of assets being developed or
constructed for building, equipment, and leasehold improvements of $1.2 million,
capitalized software of $13.3 million, business support systems of $0.1 million,
and terrestrial system assets of $0.2 million.
The
Company capitalizes interest costs associated with the construction of capital
assets for business operations and amortizes the cost over the assets’ useful
lives beginning when the asset is placed in service. The Company capitalized
$0.8 million and $0.6 million of interest during 2007 and 2006,
respectively.
6. Prior
Credit Facilities
Under a
$65.5 million loan, receivables purchase, and security agreement, Satellite
previously maintained a $10.0 million revolving facility, a $6.9 million term
facility, a $12.0 million Motorola letter of credit facility, a $29.6 million
Receivables Purchase Arrangement, and a $7.0 million Boeing letter of credit
facility. On July 27, 2006, these facilities were paid in full with proceeds
from the First and Second Lien Credit Agreements (see Note 7).
Certain of
the Company’s members had provided collateral to fully secure the Company’s
borrowings pursuant to this facility in the form of cash and letters of credit
expiring January 31, 2007. This collateral was released back to the Company’s
members on July 27, 2006.
Bank
of America Credit Agreement
On May 27,
2005, the Company entered into a $32.0 million credit agreement with Bank of
America (the B of A Credit Agreement) consisting of a $27.0 million term loan
(the B of A Term Loan) and a $5.0 million revolving line of credit
(collectively, with the B of A Term Loan, the B of A Facility). Proceeds of the
B of A Term Loan were used, together with other funds, to pay the $33.7 million
remaining balance of the Motorola Note in May 2005. The B of A Facility required
monthly principal payments starting with the month ending June 30, 2005, through
the maturity date of May 27, 2007. The $19.2 million remaining balance of the B
of A Facility was paid in full on July 27, 2006 with proceeds from the First and
Second Lien Credit Agreements (see Note 7).
7. First
and Second Lien Credit Agreements
On July
27, 2006, the Company entered into a $170.0 million first lien credit facility
and $40.0 million second lien credit facility. The facilities include a $98.0
million four-year first lien Tranche A term loan facility, a $62.0 million
five-year first lien Tranche B term loan facility, and a $40.0 million six-year
second lien term loan facility.
In
addition, the facilities include a $10.0 million three-year revolving credit
facility. The proceeds of the credit facilities were used to repay the Company’s
existing credit facilities, provide cash collateral for letters of credit,
return capital to the Company’s equity investors and for general corporate
purposes including development of new and advanced devices and
services.
Mandatory
principal prepayments are required based on net cash proceeds related to debt or
equity issuances and certain dispositions, as is a mandatory prepayment of 75%
of excess cash flow, determined by a defined formula. The Company must also
maintain hedge agreements in order to provide interest rate protection on a
minimum of 50% of the aggregate principal amounts outstanding during the first
three years of the credit facilities. As a result, the Company entered into four
interest rate swap agreements upon the closing of the credit facilities that
ranged in duration from one to four years and collectively in July 2006 provided
interest rate protection on $170.0 million (see Note 2).
The First
and Second Lien Credit Agreements require the Company to abide by various
covenants primarily related to limitations on liens, indebtedness, sales of
assets, investments, dispositions, distributions to members, transactions with
affiliates and certain financial covenants with respect to its consolidated
leverage ratio on a quarterly basis. Substantially all of the Company’s assets
are pledged as collateral for the facilities.
$10.0
million First Lien Revolving Credit Facility
The
proceeds of the revolving credit facility may be used for general corporate
purposes of the Company. The revolving credit facility matures on July 27, 2009.
The Company paid an up-front fee of 2% on the revolving facility ($0.2 million)
and pays an annual unused facility fee of 0.5% on the available balance of the
commitment on a quarterly basis. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had not
drawn any amounts under the revolving credit facility.
$98.0
million First Lien Tranche A Term Loan
The
Tranche A term loan matures on June 30, 2010, and requires quarterly principal
payment amounts ranging from $2.25 million to $9.75 million. Quarterly interest
payments are also made. The Company elected the Eurodollar base interest rate,
which, including the applicable margin of 4.25%, was 9.24% and 9.63% at December
31, 2007 and 2006 respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has elected
to make optional pre-payments (without penalty) out of excess cash on hand of
the payments due through June 2008. These prepayments total $13.2 million. The
Company can prepay the First Lien Tranche A term loan in its entirety at 101%
through July 27, 2008 and at par thereafter. At December 31, 2007, the
outstanding principal balance was $63.9 million.
$62.0
million First Lien Tranche B Term Loan
The
Tranche B term loan matures on July 27, 2011, and requires quarterly principal
payment amounts starting on September 30, 2010 in the amount of $15.1 million.
Quarterly interest payments are also made. The Company elected the Eurodollar
base interest rate, which including the applicable margin of 4.25%, was 9.24%
and 9.63% at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company can prepay
the First Lien Tranche B term loan in its entirety at 101% through July 27, 2008
and at par thereafter. At December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance was $60.5
million.
$40.0
million Second Lien Term Loan
The Second
Lien term loan matures on July 27, 2012, at which time the entire $40.0 million
principal amount is due. The Company elected the Eurodollar base interest rate,
which including the applicable margin of 8.25%, was 13.24% and 13.63% at
December 31, 2007 and 2006 respectively. The Company is required to make
quarterly interest payments.
The Second
Lien term loan is not prepayable in the first year but the Company can prepay
the loan in its entirety at 102% through July 27, 2008, 101% through July 27,
2009 and at par thereafter. At December 31, 2007, the outstanding balance was
$40.0 million.
Commitments
Under First and Second Lien Credit Facilities at December 31, 2007
The
scheduled annual principal payments on the First and Second Lien Credit
Agreements for each of the next five years are as follows (in
thousands):
2008
|
|
$ |
12,933 |
|
2009
|
|
|
33,317 |
|
2010
|
|
|
48,394 |
|
2011
|
|
|
29,831 |
|
2012
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
$ |
164,475 |
|
8. Motorola
Note Agreement
On
December 11, 2000, Satellite and Motorola entered into a Senior Subordinated
Term Loan Agreement (the Note Agreement), pursuant to which Satellite borrowed
$30 million from Motorola, as evidenced by a senior subordinated term note (the
Motorola Note) dated December 11, 2000. The principal amount of, and all
interest accrued on, the Motorola Note, was paid in full on May 27, 2005 with
proceeds of the B of A Term Loan (see Note 6). However, as detailed below,
certain payment obligations survive this repayment.
Under the
Note Agreement, Satellite is required to pay Motorola a commitment fee of $5.0
million upon the earlier of December 11, 2010, or the occurrence of a trigger
event. A trigger event is defined as any change of control specified therein, an
initial public offering by Parent or Satellite, or a sale of all or a material
portion of the assets of Parent or Satellite. The Company is accruing the
commitment fee through December 2010 using the effective-interest
method.
As of
December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company’s liability approximated $3.5 million
and $3.1 million, respectively, and is included in the Motorola payable (see
Note 3) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Additionally,
in the event of a “distribution event”, defined in the Note Agreement as a
dividend or other distribution (in the form of cash or otherwise), acquisition
for value, or an initial public or secondary offering, in each case relating to
equity interests in Parent, Satellite is required to pay Motorola a loan success
fee equal to the amount that a holder of Class B units in the Parent
representing 5% of the total number of issued and outstanding units (both Class
A and B) would have received in the distribution event. During 2006, the Company
paid Motorola $1.6 million under this provision of the Note Agreement, which is
included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of
income for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Finally,
in addition to the above obligations, upon the first to occur of a change of
control as specified in the Note Agreement or the sale of all or a material
portion of the assets of Parent or Satellite, Satellite is required to pay an
amount equal to the lesser of (i) the value of the consideration that a holder
of Class B units in the Parent representing 5% of the total number of issued and
outstanding units (both Class A and B) would have received in the transaction
and (ii) an amount to be determined based on a multiple of earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization less the amount of the $5.0
million commitment fee discussed above which has been or is being paid
concurrently.
9. Commitments
and Contingencies
Purchase
Commitments
The
Company entered into a manufacturing agreement with Celestica Corporation to
manufacture subscriber equipment, which contained minimum monthly purchase
requirements of 2,000 L-Band transceivers, short burst data devices and / or
satellite phones per month. As a result of customer demand for subscriber
equipment, the Company’s purchases have exceeded the monthly minimum
requirement, which converted from units to dollars ranges from $0.4 million to
$1.0 million per month, depending on the type of equipment purchased. The
Company has issued a $2.9 million letter of credit to Celestica Corporation as
collateral for certain component parts purchase commitments Celestica makes on
behalf of the Company for component parts required.
Unconditional
purchase obligations for subscriber equipment and various goods and services
totaled $18.4 million at December 31, 2007, and are expected to be fulfilled
within one year.
Unconditional
purchase obligations under the Boeing Amended and Restated Agreement totaled
$300.4 million at December 31, 2007. The Company expects to make annual cash
payments of $50 million through December 31, 2013 in fulfillment of these
purchase obligations.
In-Orbit
Insurance
As part of
the TSA, the Company was required to obtain an in-orbit insurance policy with a
de-orbiting endorsement to cover any potential claims relating to operating or
de-orbiting the satellite constellation. This includes the possibility of a
planned or unplanned de-orbiting of one or more of the satellites in the
satellite constellation or the maintenance in orbit of one or more of the
satellites after a decision is made to de-orbit the constellation. The policy
covers Satellite, Boeing as operator (see Note 4), Motorola (the original system
architect and prior owner), Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc., contractors and
subcontractors of the insured, the Government of the United States of America,
and certain other sovereign nations.
The policy
has been renewed annually on its anniversary date, December 12, since the
expiration of the original policy’s three-year term in 2003. The current policy
has a one-year term, which expires December 12, 2008. The policy coverage is
separated into Sections A and B. Liability limits for claims under each of
Sections A and B are $500 million per occurrence and $1 billion in the
aggregate. The deductible for claims is $250,000 per occurrence.
Section A
coverage is currently in effect and covers risks in connection with in-orbit
satellites. Section B coverage is effective once requested by the Company (the
Attachment Date) and covers risks in connection with a decommissioning of the
satellite system. The terms of the coverage under Section B are 12 months from
the Attachment Date for a premium totaling $2.5 million, payable on or before
the Attachment Date. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had not requested
Section B coverage since no decommissioning activities are currently
expected.
The
balance of the unamortized premium payment is included in prepaid expenses and
other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The
Company has not accrued for any deductible amounts related to either Section A
or B of the policy as of December 31, 2007, since management believes that the
likelihood of an occurrence is remote.
Operating
Leases
The
Company leases land, office space, and office and computer equipment under
noncancelable operating lease agreements. Most of the leases contain renewal
options of 1 to 10 years. The Company’s obligations under the current terms of
these leases extend through 2014.
Additionally,
several of the Company’s leases contain clauses for rent escalation including
but not limited to a pro-rata share of increased operating and real estate tax
expenses. Rent expense is recognized pursuant to SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases, on a
straight-line basis over the lease term.
Future
minimum lease payments, by year and in the aggregate, under noncancelable
operating leases with remaining terms of one year or more at December 31, 2007,
are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
$ |
1,246 |
|
2009
|
|
|
1,267 |
|
2010
|
|
|
1,296 |
|
2011
|
|
|
1,326 |
|
2012
|
|
|
1,351 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
1,608 |
|
|
|
$ |
8,094 |
|
Rental
expense during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $1.4
million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively.
Contingencies
From time
to time, the Company is involved in various litigation matters involving
ordinary and routine claims incidental to our business. Management currently
believes that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the
aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business,
results of operations or financial condition. The Company is involved in certain
litigation matters as discussed below.
The
Company, a director, and a former officer were named as defendants in a lawsuit
commenced in 2007 by a former member of the Company’s Board of Directors
(Plaintiff). The lawsuit alleges, among other things, defamation and tortuous
interference with the Plaintiff’s economic/business relationship with his
principal, an investor in the Company. These actions seek compensatory and other
damages, and costs and expenses associated with the litigation. Management
believes that the lawsuit is without merit, although no assurance can be given
in this regard, or as to what relief, if any, might be granted if the Plaintiff
were to be successful in this lawsuit.
Satellite
System Development
Licenses
to build, launch, and operate a “second-generation” satellite communication
system in the 2GHz band were issued by the FCC to Motorola and seven other
applicants on July 17, 2001. The license issued to Motorola, for a 96-satellite
constellation, was transferred to Satellite in February 2002 and subsequently
transferred (with FCC approval) by Satellite to its wholly owned subsidiary
Iridium 2GHz LLC (Iridium 2GHz). In order to satisfy the first FCC milestone
requirement for retaining this license, Satellite entered into a contract with
Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. on July 12, 2002 to provide a system. Boeing
charged the Company $14.0 million for the development of the plan, which was
reflected as research and development in the 2003 statement of operations. This
$14.0 million fee accrued interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 10%.
Effective
January 19, 2005, Iridium 2GHz granted to an independent third party an option
to acquire its license to build the 2GHz system for consideration of $2.0
million. This option price was paid at the time of execution of the option and
was non-refundable. Effective January 31, 2005, Iridium 2GHz executed a
settlement agreement and release with Boeing, which relieved Iridium 2GHz of any
obligation to pay the amounts previously incurred for satellite design,
including the $16.5 million obligation previously accrued (principal and
interest). Accordingly, the Company recorded the release of this liability as a
$14.0 million reduction of operating expenses and $2.5 million reduction of
interest expense during 2005. On March 23, 2005, at the request of the
independent third party, notice was given to Boeing that the satellite
construction contract was terminated and Iridium 2GHz voluntarily surrendered
its license to the FCC.
10. Members’
Equity in Parent
Classes
of Membership Units
Pursuant
to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, as amended (LLC
Agreement), the members’ interests in the Parent are divided into Class A and
Class B units. Currently there are 1,083,872 Class A Units outstanding and
455,209 Class B units outstanding at December 31, 2007.
A
description of each of the classes of membership units follows:
Class A
Units—All voting rights of the members are vested in the Class A units.
Class A members whose agreed capital commitments are at least $10.0 million or
$20.0 million are entitled to appoint, remove, or replace one or two directors
to the Board of Directors of the Parent (the Board), respectively. Those
directors designated by a Class A member who is not in default of its
obligations to make capital contributions or provide credit enhancements for the
benefit of the Company are entitled to cast, in the aggregate, such number of
votes as equals the member’s agreed capital commitment divided by $10.0 million,
rounded down to the nearest whole number, allocated among the directors (if such
member has appointed more than one) as the member may specify. In addition, the
current Chairman of the Parent is entitled to cast one vote.
The Class
A members may manage the Company only through their designated directors and
have no authority in their capacity as members to act on behalf of or bind the
Company. The Board may issue additional Class A units, but the Class A members
have the preemptive right to participate unless such offering involves a
business acquisition or combination. To the extent a Class A member declines to
exercise its preemptive right, the other Class A members succeed to such right
on a proportionate basis. In addition, Class A members have a right of first
refusal on proposed sales of both Class A and Class B units by other
members.
Each Class
A member has the right to receive the return of its capital contributions before
any distributions are made to Class B members. As of December 31, 2007, all
capital contributions had been repaid to Class A members.
Class B
Units— Pursuant to the LLC Agreement members holding Class B units have
rights that expressly exclude any right to vote for or appoint directors.
Additionally, Class B members receive no distributions until such time as the
Class A members have received the return of their full capital contributions.
Distributions to certain Class B members are also subject to limitations
regarding vesting conditions and satisfaction of threshold
amounts. The Board may issue additional Class B units provided, however, that
without the approval of two-thirds of the number of votes entitled to be cast by
the directors, the number of Class B units issued or reserved for issuance may
not exceed a certain percentage of the total number of Class A units and Class B
units then issued or reserved for issuance.
Options
to Acquire Class A Units
Pursuant
to the terms of the LLC Agreement, in June 2002, the Board granted Class A
members who furnished credit enhancements on the Company’s behalf options to
acquire a total of 303,972 Class A units of the Parent at a price of $214.29 per
unit. These options were exercisable only if the credit enhancement provided by
the Class A member for the benefit of the Company was called and the Parent did
not reimburse the Class A member within 10 business days.
In July
2006, the Parent’s Class A members assigned their rights in respect of the
credit enhancements to the Parent in response to a capital call and their
capital accounts were increased accordingly. Shortly thereafter, in connection
with the Company’s execution of a new credit facility (see Note 7), the credit
enhancements were returned to the members and recorded as a distribution to the
Class A members in an amount equal to the face amount of the credit
enhancements. As a result of the refinancing, the credit enhancements were no
longer outstanding and therefore, the options issued in respect of such credit
enhancements were canceled. There are no options outstanding as of December 31,
2007.
Warrants
to Acquire Class A Units
In June
2002 certain members received warrants to acquire 488,358 additional Class A
units. In July 2006, the holders exercised all outstanding warrants and an
additional 488,358 Class A units were issued. There are no warrants to acquire
Class A units outstanding at December 31, 2006 or 2007.
Allocation
of Profits and Losses
The LLC
Agreement provides that Parent profits or losses for any fiscal year will be
allocated among the members as follows: For losses (i) to each of the members to
the extent of (1) the aggregate amount of profit allocated to such member for
prior fiscal years reduced by (2) the aggregate amount of loss allocated to such
member in prior fiscal years, in proportion to the aggregate net profit for
prior years of all the members then, (ii) to each of the members having a
positive capital account balance to the extent of and in proportion to such
balances, thereafter, (iii) in accordance with the members’ respective
percentage interests. For profits, (i) to each of the members to the extent of
(1) the aggregate amount of losses allocated to such member in prior fiscal
years reduced by (2) the aggregate amount of profit allocated to such member in
prior fiscal years in proportion to the aggregate net loss for prior years of
all the members, thereafter (ii) in accordance with the members’ respective
percentage interests.
Distributions
The Board
determines available cash flow for distribution, but any such distribution may
be made only in accordance with the following priorities: (i) to return to the
Class A members their capital contributions not previously returned in
proportion to the aggregate amount then remaining unreturned, then (ii) after
the capital contributions of the Class A members have been returned in full, to
all of the members in accordance with their respective percentage
interests.
It is the
Parent’s intent to distribute to all of the members such amounts as the Board
from time to time determines are necessary to defray the federal, state, and
local income tax liabilities incurred by the members as a result of including in
their gross income their distributive share of the Parent’s income and gain,
taking due account of the members’ marginal tax rates and the amount of any
losses allocated to them in prior years. However, the Company’s credit
facilities contain covenants that restrict the amount of distributions the
Parent can make to its members.
The net
proceeds of a liquidation of the Parent’s assets and properties in connection
with the winding up of the Company are applied as follows: (i) payment of the
debts and liabilities of the Parent (including those owed to members) and the
expenses of liquidation; (ii) setting up of such reserves as the person charged
with winding up the Parent’s affairs may reasonably deem necessary for any
contingent liabilities or obligations. The balance of such reserves, if any,
shall be distributed to the members in the priority set forth
above.
In July
2006, in connection with the execution of the Company’s credit facilities (see
Note 7), and in accordance with the LLC Agreement, the Parent distributed $127.6
million (in the form of cash and return of previously contributed credit
enhancements) to the Class A members as a return of capital and distributed an
additional $31.2 million to both the Class A and the Class B members on a pro
rata.
Transfer
of Interests
Except for
a transfer to an affiliate, no member has the right to transfer all or any part
of such member’s units in the Parent, and no transferee is entitled to become a
substituted member or to exercise any of the rights of a member, except with the
consent of two-thirds of the total number of votes entitled to be cast by all of
the directors of the Parent.
Subscription
Agreements
Pursuant
to subscription agreements executed in December 2000 and additional capital
commitments in February and April 2001, the Class A members committed to
contribute capital of $131.5 million, payable in installments as from time to
time determined by the Board. Certain of the Class A members had also provided
credit enhancements to support a portion of the Company’s credit facilities (see
Note 7 and discussion above) in the form of cash deposits and letters of credit.
All credit enhancements were returned to the Class A members in
2006.
Indemnification
The LLC
Agreement provides that the Parent will indemnify its members, officers,
directors and employees for liability and expenses incurred by any such person
to the fullest extent permitted by law for actions taken in good faith on behalf
of the Parent if such actions were reasonably believed to be within the scope of
authority conferred to the person by the Parent or in accordance with the LLC
Agreement.
Issuance/Forfeitures
of Class B Units
During the
year ended December 31, 2006, the Parent issued (subject to vesting
requirements) an additional 11,397 Class B units to Employee Holdings for the
benefit of management personnel (representing 0.75% of the total outstanding
units of the Parent at December 31, 2006).
During the
year ended December 31, 2007, the Parent issued (subject to vesting
requirements) an additional 15,390 Class B Units for the benefit of management
personnel (representing 1.0% of the total outstanding units of the Parent at
December 31, 2007). A member of Employee Holdings left the Company during 2007
forfeiting an
equivalent
of 1,539 unvested units in the Parent (representing 0.1% of the total
outstanding units of the Parent at December 31, 2007).
Class B
unit issuances described above contain anti-dilution rights that allow the
holders to maintain their percentages of ownership, subject to certain limits.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, an adjustment to increase Class B units
by 5,655 units was recorded given the anti-dilution rights from the transactions
described above.
11. Employee
Benefit Plan
The
Company sponsors a defined-contribution 401(k) retirement plan (the Plan) that
covers all employees of the Company. Employees are eligible to participate in
the Plan ninety days from the date of hire, and participants are 100% vested
from the date of eligibility. The Company matches employees’ contributions equal
to 100% of the salary deferral contributions up to 5% of the employees’
compensation. Company-matching contributions to the Plan were $0.6 million, for
the year ended December 31, 2007 and $0.5 million for each of the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company pays all administrative
fees related to the Plan.
12. Indemnification
Agreement
Satellite,
Boeing, Motorola, and the U.S. government entered into an agreement effective
December 5, 2000 that provided, among other things, the following: (i) Satellite
agrees to maintain satellite liability insurance (see Notes 3 and 9), (ii)
Boeing agrees to maintain aviation and space liability insurance, (iii) Motorola
agrees to maintain an Aviation Products—Completed Operations Liability Insurance
policy, and (iv) the U.S. government may, in its sole discretion, require
Satellite, Boeing or either of them to immediately de-orbit the Iridium
satellites at no expense to the U.S. government in the event of (a) Satellite’s
failure to pay insurance premiums or maintain insurance, (b) its bankruptcy, (c)
its sale or the sale of any major asset in the satellite system, (d) replacing
Boeing as the operator of the satellite system, (e) its failure
to make certain notifications required by the agreement or (f) at any time after June 5, 2009,
unless extended by the U.S. government. However, as discussed in Note 2, the
Company has no reason to believe the U.S. government will exercise this
right.
13. Geographic
Information
Revenue by
geographic area for the years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
125,251 |
|
|
$ |
102,194 |
|
|
$ |
91,860 |
|
Canada
|
|
|
44,211 |
|
|
|
33,576 |
|
|
|
28,635 |
|
France
|
|
|
30,186 |
|
|
|
17,762 |
|
|
|
2,478 |
|
Netherlands
|
|
|
2,671 |
|
|
|
9,876 |
|
|
|
23,130 |
|
Other
Countries (1)
|
|
|
58,582 |
|
|
|
49,004 |
|
|
|
41,597 |
|
|
|
|
260,901 |
|
|
|
212,412 |
|
|
|
187,700 |
|
(1)
|
No
other country represents more than 10% of revenue for any of the periods
indicated.
|
Revenues
are attributed to geographic area based on the billing location of the
customer. The Company does not bare foreign exchange risk on sales,
as invoices are denominated in United States dollar.
Net
property and equipment by geographic area:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
38,486 |
|
|
$ |
27,341 |
|
Unallocated
|
|
|
20,087 |
|
|
|
22,851 |
|
All
others
|
|
|
1,386 |
|
|
|
456 |
|
|
|
|
59,959 |
|
|
|
50,648 |
|
Unallocated
net property and equipment consists of satellites in orbit and equipment in
international waters.
14. Subsequent
Events
Material
Definitive Agreements
On
September 22, 2008, a transaction agreement was executed among, Iridium Holdings
LLC, GHL Acquisition Corp. (“GHQ”) and owners of equity interests in Iridium
Holdings LLC (the “Sellers”), pursuant to which GHQ will acquire the Sellers’
equity interests of Iridium Holdings LLC, and the equity interest in two third
party entities (the “Acquisition”). GHQ is a blank check company formed on
November 2, 2007 for the purpose of acquiring one or more businesses or assets.
The Acquisition must be approved by
a
majority of the
GHQ public
stockholders. In addition, the Acquisition will only be approved if
GHQ public stockholders owning 11,999,999 shares or less vote against the
proposal and seek to exercise their conversion rights. Upon completion of the
Acquisition, the Sellers are expected to receive an aggregate of 36.0 million
shares of GHQ common stock and $77.1 million of cash, subject to
adjustment. In addition, 90 days following the close of the
Acquisition, if Iridium Holdings has in effect a valid election under Section
754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, GHQ will make a tax
benefits payment of up to $30.0 million in aggregate to certain sellers to
compensate them for tax basis step-up, if applicable.
Concurrently
with the signing of the transaction agreement, Iridium Holdings LLC and
Greenhill & Co. Europe Holdings Limited (“Greenhill Europe”), an affiliated
company to GHQ, entered into an agreement for Greenhill Europe to purchase a
$22.9 million convertible subordinated promissory note of Iridium Holdings LLC
(the “Note”). Greenhill Europe acquired the Note on October 24, 2008,
following the consent of certain Iridium Holdings LLC lenders (see Amendment to
Credit Lien Facilities, below). Greenhill Europe has the option to convert the
Note into Iridium Holdings units at a price of $272.87 per unit upon the later
of (i) October 24, 2009 (“first anniversary”) and (ii) the closing or the
termination of the Acquisition. If the closing occurs after the first
anniversary, upon the exercise of its conversion rights, Greenhill Europe will
be entitled to receive 2.290 million shares of GHQ common stock. If
the closing occurs prior to September 22, 2009, GHQ and Greenhill Europe will
enter into an agreement which will entitle Greenhill Europe to exchange, upon
the first anniversary of the issuance of the Note, all Iridium Holding units
received in conversion of the Note for 2.290 million shares of GHQ common stock,
subject to adjustments.
Amendment
to Credit Facilities
On October
17, 2008, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to the first lien credit
facility (First Lien Amendment) and Amendment No. 1 to the second lien credit
facility (Second Lien Amendment). The First Lien Amendment and Second Lien
Amendment included the consent of the respective lenders to the issuance of the
Note.
Pursuant
to the First Lien Amendment, the Company and its requisite lenders agreed to,
among other things: (i) increase the applicable margin on Eurodollar loans by 75
basis points to 5%; (ii) increase permitted capital expenditures for fiscal year
2008 and fiscal year 2009; (iii) permit distributions of up to $37.9 million to
the members of the Company in fiscal 2008; (iv) require the Company to prepay
$80.0 million of the outstanding balance if the Acquisition is consummated and
$15.0 million if the Acquisition is not consummated by June 29, 2009; and (v) to
amend the definition of “Change of Control” to apply to the post-Acquisition
public company. Upon the execution of the First Lien Amendment, the
Company prepaid $22.0 million of its outstanding balance under the first lien
credit facility.
Pursuant
to the Second Lien Amendment, the Company and its requisite lenders agreed to,
among other things: (i) increase the applicable margin of Eurodollar loans by 75
basis points to 9%; (ii) increase permitted capital expenditures for fiscal year
2008 and fiscal year 2009; (iii) permit distributions of up to $37.9 million to
the members of the Company in fiscal 2008; and (iv) amend the definition of
“Change of Control” to apply to the post-Acquisition public
company.
Counterparty
Risk
The
Company may be subject to counterparty risk associated with future access to its
$10.0 million first lien revolving credit facility (see Note 7), as the
counterparty to the credit facility (Lehman Brothers) filed for bankruptcy in
calendar year 2008.
Distributions
The
Company made distributions of $3.0 million and $2.8 million in March and April
2008 to Class A and B members. The Company also made a distribution
of $34.9 million in November 2008 to Class A and B members. As a
result of these distributions, the Company paid Motorola $2.2 million in loan
success fees as required under the Motorola Note Agreement.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands, Except Unit Data)
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
64,582 |
|
|
$ |
22,105 |
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
3,020 |
|
|
|
3,020 |
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
|
|
44,931 |
|
|
|
35,114 |
|
Inventory
|
|
|
16,144 |
|
|
|
14,156 |
|
Deferred
cost of sales, current portion
|
|
|
184 |
|
|
|
3,408 |
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
3,451 |
|
|
|
2,539 |
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
132,312 |
|
|
|
80,342 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
61,827 |
|
|
|
59,959 |
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
15,400 |
|
|
|
15,400 |
|
Deferred
financing costs and other assets
|
|
|
10,210 |
|
|
|
11,880 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
219,749 |
|
|
$ |
167,581 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
and members’ deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$ |
6,667 |
|
|
$ |
2,361 |
|
Accrued
expenses and other current liabilities
|
|
|
30,026 |
|
|
|
28,258 |
|
Credit
facility, current portion
|
|
|
32,639 |
|
|
|
12,933 |
|
Deferred
revenue, current portion
|
|
|
24,849 |
|
|
|
24,152 |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
94,181 |
|
|
|
67,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
satellite operations and maintenance expense, net of current
portion
|
|
|
10,516 |
|
|
|
12,372 |
|
Motorola
payable
|
|
|
10,575 |
|
|
|
9,761 |
|
Credit
facility
|
|
|
127,521 |
|
|
|
151,542 |
|
Other
long-term liability
|
|
|
4,134 |
|
|
|
4,649 |
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
246,927 |
|
|
|
246,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments
and contingencies (Note 9)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members’
deficit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members’
units:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A units (1,083,872 units issued and outstanding)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
— |
|
Class
B units (518,012 and 455,209 units issued and outstanding,
respectively)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
— |
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
4,049 |
|
|
|
761 |
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(28,982 |
) |
|
|
(75,576 |
) |
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(2,245 |
) |
|
|
(3,632 |
) |
Total
members’ deficit
|
|
|
(27,178 |
) |
|
|
(78,447 |
) |
Total
liabilities and members’ deficit
|
|
$ |
219,749 |
|
|
$ |
167,581 |
|
See
accompanying notes.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Services:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
|
|
$ |
48,826 |
|
|
$ |
41,853 |
|
Commercial
|
|
|
97,542 |
|
|
|
73,207 |
|
Subscriber
Equipment:
|
|
|
97,824 |
|
|
|
78,548 |
|
Total
revenue
|
|
|
244,192 |
|
|
|
193,608 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost
of subscriber equipment sales
|
|
|
55,261 |
|
|
|
48,347 |
|
Network
and satellite operations and maintenance
|
|
|
47,451 |
|
|
|
44,223 |
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
42,966 |
|
|
|
32,829 |
|
Research
and development
|
|
|
23,500 |
|
|
|
11,241 |
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
8,959 |
|
|
|
7,598 |
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
178,137 |
|
|
|
144,238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
profit
|
|
|
66,055 |
|
|
|
49,370 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
(expense) income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(14,325 |
) |
|
|
(16,520 |
) |
Interest
and other income
|
|
|
605 |
|
|
|
1,745 |
|
Total
other (expense) income, net
|
|
|
(13,720 |
) |
|
|
(14,775 |
) |
Net
income
|
|
$ |
52,335 |
|
|
$ |
34,595 |
|
See
accompanying notes.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
52,335 |
|
|
$ |
34,595 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
8,959 |
|
|
|
7,598 |
|
Other
non-cash amortization and accretion
|
|
|
2,094 |
|
|
|
1,922 |
|
Equity
and profits interest compensation
|
|
|
2,103 |
|
|
|
1,067 |
|
Change
in certain operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
|
|
(9,817 |
) |
|
|
(8,272 |
) |
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
(912 |
) |
|
|
(4,492 |
) |
Inventory
|
|
|
(1,988 |
) |
|
|
(1,476 |
) |
Deferred
cost of sales
|
|
|
3,224 |
|
|
|
9,736 |
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
697 |
|
|
|
(8,477 |
) |
Other
noncurrent assets
|
|
|
376 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
4,306 |
|
|
|
(94 |
) |
Accrued
expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
2,054 |
|
|
|
(344 |
) |
Accrued
satellite operations and maintenance expense
|
|
|
(1,856 |
) |
|
|
(1,857 |
) |
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
61,575 |
|
|
|
29,889 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
|
|
(9,216 |
) |
|
|
(13,066 |
) |
Net
cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(9,216 |
) |
|
|
(13,066 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
— |
|
Repayments
under credit facilities (Notes 7)
|
|
|
(4,314 |
) |
|
|
(22,526 |
) |
Distribution
to Class A & B members
|
|
|
(5,568 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(9,882 |
) |
|
|
(22,526 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
42,477 |
|
|
|
(5,703 |
) |
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
|
22,105 |
|
|
|
31,858 |
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
|
$ |
64,582 |
|
|
$ |
26,155 |
|
See
accompanying notes
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
September
30, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplementary
cash flow information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
|
$ |
13,411 |
|
|
$ |
15,930 |
|
Supplementary
disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease
incentives in the form of leasehold improvements
|
|
|
1,171 |
|
|
|
357 |
|
Accrued
expense for purchase of property plant & equipment
|
|
$ |
440 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
See
accompanying notes.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
1. Business
Iridium
Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) is a global
wireless telecommunications enterprise that offers its customers diverse voice,
fax, data, and messaging services to and from virtually anywhere in the world
using its satellite-based network infrastructure. The Company operates 75
satellites (including eight orbiting spares) in a low-earth-orbit constellation
that enables customers to communicate using specialized phones, data devices,
and pagers. The satellites communicate with those user devices using their main
mission antennas, as well as with each other using crosslink antennas, and with
ground-based gateways and control stations using feeder link
antennas.
2. Significant
Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
Principles
of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
In the
opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements contain all adjustments necessary, all of which are of a normal
recurring nature, to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of
operations and cash flows as of and for the nine-month periods ended September
30, 2008 and 2007. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and
related notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Certain
financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements
prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, but
is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been condensed or
omitted.
Use
of Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at
the dates of the financial statements and the associated amounts of revenues and
expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from these
estimates.
Financial
Instruments
The
consolidated balance sheets include various financial instruments (primarily
cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued
expenses and other liabilities, long-term debt, derivative instruments, and
other obligations). The fair values of short-term financial instruments
approximate their carrying values because of their short-term nature. The fair
value of debt is approximately 89% its carrying amount as of September 30, 2008,
based on rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms
and remaining maturities.
Interest
Rate Swaps
The
Company applies the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities as amended and interpreted
to derivatives. SFAS 133 requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on
the balance sheet at their respective fair values. As required by the Company’s
credit facility (see Note 7), management executed pay-fixed receive-variable
interest rate swaps in 2006, two of which are still open at September 30, 2008,
and mature within two years. The interest rate swaps hedge $86.0 million of
variable interest rate debt as of September 30, 2008 and are designated as cash
flow hedges. The objective for holding these instruments is to manage variable
interest rate risk related to the Company’s credit facilities, by synthetically
converting a portion of the variable rate risk to fixed rate interest rate risk.
At the end of each quarter the swaps are valued using current interest rate
curves to determine a fair market value and further discounted to reflect credit
quality (see additional discussion of valuation below). The fair market value is
recorded on the balance sheet and the effective offset is recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Any ineffectiveness is recorded
to interest expense.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
The
effectiveness of the swaps in offsetting the gain or loss on the debt is
assessed on a contract by contract basis quarterly, by regressing historical
changes in the value of the swap against the historical change in value of the
underlying debt. Changes in the underlying debt for testing and measurement
purposes are captured using FAS133’s “hypothetical” derivative
approach. As of September 30, 2008 a $0.1 million loss representing
ineffectiveness of the derivative was captured and recorded as interest
expense. The derivative loss of $2.3 million is recorded to interest
rate swap liability (included in other long-term liability in the consolidated
balance sheet), and the $2.2 million offset (net of $0.1 million
ineffectiveness) is recorded in AOCI. At September 30, 2008 $1.8
million is expected to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings as additional
interest expense over the next twelve months due to lower variable rate interest
payments on the debt. The net interest expense should equal the fixed
rate on the swaps, thus meeting the original objective of the hedge
program.
Fair
value measurements
Under SFAS
No. 157, Fair Value
Measurements, the fair value is the price that would be received to sell
an asset or paid to transfer a liability that assumes an orderly transaction in
the most advantageous market at the measurement date. The principal
market in which the Company executes interest rate swap contracts is the retail
market. For recognizing the most appropriate value the highest and
best use of the Company’s derivatives are measured using an in-exchange
valuation premise that considers the assumptions that market participants would
use in pricing the derivatives.
The
company has elected to use the income approach to value the derivatives, using
observable Level II market expectations at measurement date and standard
valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount
(discounted) assuming that participants are motivated, but not compelled to
transact. Level II inputs for the swap valuations are limited to
quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (specifically
futures contracts on LIBOR for the first two years) and inputs other than quoted
prices that are observable for the asset or liability (specifically LIBOR cash
and swap rates, and credit default swap rates at commonly quoted
intervals). Mid-market pricing is used as a practical expedient for
fair value measurements. Key inputs, including the cash rates for
very short term, futures rates for up to two years and LIBOR swap rates beyond
the derivative maturity are bootstrapped to provide spot rates at resets
specified by each swap as well as to discount those future cash flows to present
value at measurement date. Inputs are collected from Bloomberg on the
last market day of the period. The same rates used to bootstrap the
yield curve are used to discount the future cash flows. A credit
default swap basis available at commonly quoted intervals is collected from
Bloomberg and applied to all cash flows when the swap is in an asset position
pre-credit effect.
Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment is carried at acquired cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the
straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Space
system in service
|
14
years
|
Terrestrial
system assets
|
7
years
|
Internally
developed software
|
7
years
|
Business
support systems
|
5
years
|
Other
software and equipment
|
3 –
5 years
|
Gateway
and satellite equipment
|
7 –
10 years
|
Building
|
39
years
|
Leasehold
improvements
|
Shorter
of estimated useful life or remaining lease
term
|
Repair and
maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Income
Taxes
As a
limited liability company (LLC) that is treated as a partnership for federal
income tax purposes, the Company is generally not subject to federal income tax
directly. Rather, generally each member is subject to income
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
taxation
based on the member’s portion of the Company’s income or loss as defined in the
Company’s limited liability company agreement (LLC Agreement). The Company is
subject to federal excise, withholding, and payroll taxes; to state and local
taxes in the United States; and to income, value-added, and other taxes in
non-U.S. jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
The
Company regularly assesses the potential outcome of current and future
examinations in each of the taxing jurisdictions when determining the adequacy
of accruals for tax, penalties, and interest.
The
Company has established accruals that it believes are adequate in relation to
the potential for additional assessments. The Company does not believe any such
tax, penalties, or interest would have a material impact on the Company’s
financial position.
Deferred
Revenue
Revenue is
generated from the Company’s service providers via usage of the Iridium
satellite network and through fixed monthly access fees per user charged by the
Company to each service provider. Revenue for usage or traffic-driven charges is
recognized when usage occurs and revenue for the fixed-per-user access fee is
recognized ratably over the period in which the service is provided to the end
user. Revenue from prepaid services is recognized when usage occurs or when the
customer’s right to access the unused prepaid services expires. The Company does
not offer refund privileges for prepaid services. As of September 30, 2008 and
December 31, 2007 unused prepaid services and access fees of $24.2 million and
$19.9 million, respectively, were recorded in deferred revenue in the
consolidated balance sheets. Revenue for the periods ended September 30, 2008
and December 31, 2007 included the recognition of prior years’ deferred revenue.
Deferred service and access fees are typically earned and recognized as income
within one year of customer prepayment.
Subscriber
Equipment Revenue
The
Company follows the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (EITF) No.
00-21, Revenue Arrangements
with Multiple Deliverables. EITF No. 00-21 requires that revenue
arrangements with multiple deliverables be divided into separate units of
accounting, only if the deliverables meet certain criteria, and that all
elements of an arrangement should be considered a single unit of accounting if
the criteria are not met.
Through
December 31, 2004, the Company considered the sale of its equipment and service
a single unit of accounting due primarily to the fact that its equipment was not
considered to have stand-alone value to the end user. As a result, when
equipment was sold, revenue from these transactions was deferred and recognized
ratably over the four-year estimated average life of the end-user relationship.
In late 2004, significant evidence of a secondary market emerged providing proof
of stand-alone value for Iridium subscriber equipment. As a result, the Company
believes the equipment from that point forward has independent value and that
equipment should be treated as a separate unit of accounting in accordance with
EITF No. 00-21. The Company allocates consideration to the separate units of
accounting using the relative fair value method. Accordingly,
effective January 1, 2005, the Company began recognizing equipment sales and the
related cost when equipment title passes to the customer. This change in
accounting estimate was applied prospectively.
All
previously deferred equipment revenues and related costs continue to be
recognized over the remaining estimated average customer relationship period of
four years. As of September 30, 2008, $0.2 million of deferred revenue and $0.2
million of deferred costs remain unrecognized. These amounts will be recognized
during the remainder of 2008.
Concentrations
of Risk
Financial
instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit
risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and
receivables. The majority of this cash is swept nightly into a money
market fund with a diversified portfolio. Currently, the money market fund is
participating in the U.S. Treasury Temporary Guarantee Program, which is in
effect through December 18, 2008 and provides for a guarantee to receive $1.00
per share in
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
the event
that a participating fund no longer has a $1.00 per share net asset value and
liquidates. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers’ financial
condition and records reserves to provide for estimated credit losses. Accounts
receivable are due from both domestic and global customers.
Significant
Customers, Supplier, and Service Providers
The
Company derived approximately 20.0% and 21.6% of its total revenue during the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, from one customer,
the U.S. government. The U.S. government also accounted for approximately 23.3%
and 41.3% of the Company’s accounts receivable balances at September 30, 2008
and December 31, 2007, respectively. During the periods ended September 30, 2008
and 2007, the Company derived $97.5 million and $73.2 million, respectively,
from its commercial service operations; 13.1% and 13.7% of total revenue for the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, was derived from
the Company’s two largest commercial customers.
The
Company acquires all of its subscriber equipment from one manufacturer. Should
events or circumstances prevent the manufacturer from producing the equipment,
the Company’s business could be adversely affected until the Company is able to
move production to other facilities of the manufacturer or secure a replacement
manufacturer.
All
satellite operations and maintenance services are provided by the Boeing
Company. Should events or circumstances prevent Boeing from providing these
services, the Company’s business could be adversely affected until the Company
is able to assume operations and maintenance responsibilities or secure a
replacement service provider.
Segments
SFAS No.
131, Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, establishes standards
for reporting information regarding operating segments in annual financial
statements. SFAS No. 131 also establishes standards for related disclosures
about products and services and geographic areas. Operating segments are
identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete
financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating
decision maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions regarding the
allocation of resources and asset performance. Pursuant to SFAS No. 131, the
Company operates in one segment providing global satellite communication
products and services. The information disclosed herein materially represents
all of the financial information related to the Company’s principal operating
segment.
Comprehensive
Income
Comprehensive
income for the nine months ended September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
52,335 |
|
|
$ |
34,595 |
|
Change
in fair value of interest rate swaps
|
|
|
1,387 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
Comprehensive
income
|
|
$ |
53,722 |
|
|
$ |
34,608 |
|
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In June
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation
(FIN) No. 48, Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.
FIN No. 48 requires that management determine whether a tax position is more
likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any
related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the
position. Once it is determined that a position meets this recognition
threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
benefit to
be recognized in the financial statements. The FASB deferred the effective date
of FIN 48 for certain non-public enterprises to annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2008. The Company will adopt the provisions of FIN No. 48 effective
January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, the
adoption of FIN No. 48 will have on its financial statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS
No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring
fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and
expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB
issued FSP No. 157-1, Application of FASB Statement No.
157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address
Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement
under Statement 13 and FSP No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No.
157 as amendments to SFAS No. 157, which exclude lease transactions from
the scope of SFAS No. 157 and also defer the effective date of the adoption of
SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities that are
nonrecurring until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. In October
2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of
Financial Assets When the Market for That Asset is Not Active, as an
amendment to SFAS No. 157, clarifying the application of SFAS No. 157 in a
market that is not active. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal year 2008. In
accordance with FSP No 157-2, the Company has deferred application of SFAS No.
157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities. The adoption of SFAS
No. 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements.
In
September 2006, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-1, Accounting for Consideration Given
by a Service Provider to Manufacturers or Resellers of Equipment Necessary for
an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider (EITF 06-1).
EITF 06-1 provides that consideration provided to the manufacturers or resellers
of specialized equipment should be accounted for as a reduction of revenue if
the consideration provided is in the form of cash and the service provider
directs that such cash be provided directly to the customer. Otherwise, the
consideration should be recorded as an expense. EITF 06-1 is effective for
fiscal year 2008. The adoption of EITF 06-1 did not have a material impact on
the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No.
115 (SFAS No. 159). SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure
many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not
currently required to be measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on
items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings.
SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires
certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is
effective for fiscal year 2008. The Company did not adopt the alternative
provided in this statement.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations (SFAS
No. 141R). SFAS No. 141R requires the acquiring entity in a business combination
to record all assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their respective
acquisition-date fair values, changes the recognition of assets acquired and
liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, changes the recognition and
measurement of contingent consideration, and requires the expensing of
acquisition-related costs as incurred. SFAS No. 141R also requires additional
disclosure of information surrounding a business combination, such that users of
the entity’s financial statements can fully understand the nature and financial
impact of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R applies prospectively to
business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December
15, 2008. An entity may not apply it before that date. The provisions of SFAS
No. 141R will only impact the Company if it is a party to a business combination
after the pronouncement has been adopted.
In March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No.
133 (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 requires enhanced disclosures about the
objectives of derivative instruments and hedging activities, the method of
accounting for such instruments under SFAS No. 133 and its related
interpretations, and a tabular disclosure of the effects of such instruments and
related hedged items on an entity’s financial position, financial performance
and cash flows. SFAS
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
No.161 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, as such, will be
effective beginning January 1, 2009 for the Company. The Company is evaluating
the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 161; however, the adoption of SFAS No.
161 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated
financial statements.
In May
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (SFAS No. 162). SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources
of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be
used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that
are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States. SFAS No. 162 will become effective 60 days following the SEC’s
approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) amendments to
AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles.” The Company’s adoption of SFAS No. 162 will not
have a material impact on its financial Statements.
3. Material
Definitive Agreements
On
September 22, 2008, a transaction agreement was executed among, Iridium Holdings
LLC, GHL Acquisition Corp. (“GHQ”) and owners of equity interests in Iridium
Holdings LLC (the “Sellers”), pursuant to which GHQ will acquire the Sellers’
equity interests of Iridium Holdings LLC, and the equity interest in two third
party entities (the “Acquisition”). GHQ is a blank check company formed on
November 2, 2007 for the purpose of acquiring one or more businesses or
assets. The Acquisition
must be approved by a
majority of the
GHQ public
stockholders. In addition, the Acquisition will only be approved if
GHQ public stockholders owning 11,999,999 shares or less vote against the
proposal and seek to exercise their conversion rights. Upon completion of the
Acquisition, the Sellers are expected to receive an aggregate of 36.0 million
shares of GHQ common stock and $77.1 million of cash, subject to
adjustment. In addition, 90 days following the close of the
Acquisition, if Iridium Holdings has in effect a valid election under Section
754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, GHQ will make a tax
benefits payment of up to $30.0 million in aggregate to certain sellers to
compensate them for tax basis step-up, if applicable.
Concurrently
with the signing of the transaction agreement, Iridium Holdings LLC and
Greenhill & Co. Europe Holdings Limited (“Greenhill Europe”), an affiliated
company to GHQ, entered into an agreement for Greenhill Europe to purchase a
$22.9 million convertible subordinated promissory note of Iridium Holdings LLC
(the “Note”). Greenhill Europe acquired the Note on October 24, 2008,
following the consent of certain Iridium Holdings LLC lenders (see Amendment to
Credit Lien Facilities, in Note 13). Greenhill Europe has the option to convert
the Note into Iridium Holdings units at a price of $272.87 per unit upon the
later of (i) October 24, 2009 (“first anniversary”) and (ii) the closing or the
termination of the Acquisition. If the closing occurs after the first
anniversary, upon the exercise of its conversion rights, Greenhill Europe will
be entitled to receive 2.290 million shares of GHQ common stock. If
the closing occurs prior to September 22, 2009, GHQ and Greenhill Europe will
enter into an agreement which will entitle Greenhill Europe to exchange, upon
the first anniversary of the issuance of the Note, all Iridium Holding units
received in conversion of the Note for 2.290 million shares of GHQ common stock,
subject to adjustments.
4. Transition
Services, Products and Asset Agreement
General
On
December 11, 2000, the Company entered into the Transition Services, Products
and Asset Agreement (TSA) with Motorola. Certain obligations under the TSA have
been fully performed, including Motorola’s provision of services and transfers
of assets, but other obligations are on-going, as described below.
The TSA
requires that the Company use Boeing to provide continuing steady-state
operations and maintenance services with respect to the Satellite Network
Operations Center, Telemetry, Tracking and Control stations and the on-orbit
satellites (collectively, the Iridium System) (see Note 5). These services
include the removal of satellites in the constellation from operational or
storage orbits and preparation for re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. In
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
addition,
the Company must (i) obtain and pay the premium for an in-orbit insurance policy
on behalf of Boeing and certain other beneficiaries, (ii) pay the premiums for
an aviation products liability insurance policy obtained by Motorola, and (iii)
maintain on deposit with Motorola an amount that at all times equals 150% of the
current year’s annual premium. The deposit of $0.8 million is classified within
deferred financing costs and other assets in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets.
Motorola
Payables
Pursuant
to the TSA, Class B Units were issued to Motorola in consideration of Motorola’s
transfer of certain licenses and equipment. These units have certain limited
anti-dilution provisions, as defined in the TSA.
The TSA
also provides for the payment to Motorola of $7.25 million plus certain accrued
interest upon the occurrence of a “triggering event.” A triggering event is
defined as any change of control as specified therein, an initial public
offering by the Company, a sale of all or a material portion of the assets of
the Company, or upon reaching the date of December 11, 2010. This amount
consists of two components: (i) a $6.0 million commitment fee and (ii) $1.25
million of deferred equipment financing (plus accrued interest from the
effective date of the TSA to the date of payment at an annual interest rate of
prime plus 3%).
The
Company discounted the $6.0 million commitment fee at an imputed rate of 12.5%
over 10 years, resulting in an original issue discount of $4.2 million. The net
liability is included in the Motorola payable in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007,
respectively.
5. Boeing
Operations and Maintenance Agreement
On
December 11, 2000, the Company entered into an operations and maintenance
agreement (the original O&M Agreement) with Boeing, pursuant to which Boeing
agreed to provide transition services and continuing steady-state operations and
maintenance services with respect to the Iridium System (including engineering,
systems analysis, and operations and maintenance services). Since that time,
there have been a number of amendments, including an amended and restated
operations and maintenance agreement (the “Amended and Restated Agreement”). As
a result of these various amendments, the period of performance has been
extended to be concurrent with the useful life of the constellation, the
schedule of monthly payments has been revised and a cost escalation according to
a prescribed formula is now included.
The
Amended and Restated Agreement incorporates a revised de-orbit plan, which, if
exercised, would cost $12.9 million plus an amount equivalent to the premium for
inception of Section B de-orbit insurance coverage to be paid to Boeing in the
event of a mass de-orbit of the satellite constellation.
Under the
Amended and Restated Agreement, the Company incurred expenses of $36.6 million
and $35.2 million relating to network and satellite operations and maintenance
costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
The
Amended and Restated Agreement provided for Boeing to receive an additional fee
of 5% of any amounts distributed to Class A or Class B members of the Company to
the extent that such distributions did not constitute a return of members’
capital contributions or distributions in respect of the members’ tax
liabilities. Boeing was entitled to receive, upon any sale or exchange of
substantially all of the interests of the Class A and B members to an unrelated
third party, 5% of the aggregate amount received by the Class A and B members.
In 2007, the Company and Boeing agreed to terminate Boeing’s right to this
additional fee in exchange for a payment of $7.8 million, which was recorded to
prepaid expense. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
related amortization expense included in network and satellite operations and
maintenance was $0.9 and $0.6 million respectively. The remaining balance of
$6.1 million is included in prepaid expenses ($1.2 million in current assets and
$4.9 million in long term) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of
September 30, 2008 and will be amortized ratably to network and satellite
operations and maintenance expense through December 2013.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
6. Property
and Equipment
Property
and equipment consists of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
Space
system in service
|
|
$ |
47,052 |
|
|
$ |
47,332 |
|
Terrestrial
system assets
|
|
|
9,770 |
|
|
|
9,453 |
|
Business
support systems
|
|
|
9,797 |
|
|
|
9,308 |
|
Capitalized
software
|
|
|
11,996 |
|
|
|
10,601 |
|
Building,
equipment, and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
27,885 |
|
|
|
25,928 |
|
|
|
|
106,500 |
|
|
|
102,622 |
|
Less:
accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(66,104 |
) |
|
|
(57,426 |
) |
|
|
|
40,396 |
|
|
|
45,196 |
|
Construction
in process
|
|
|
21,431 |
|
|
|
14,763 |
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
$ |
61,827 |
|
|
$ |
59,959 |
|
At
December 31, 2007 construction in process consisted of assets being developed or
constructed for building, equipment, and leasehold improvements of $1.2 million,
capitalized software of $13.3 million, business support systems of $0.1 million,
and terrestrial system assets of $0.2 million. At September 30, 2008
construction in process consisted of assets being developed or constructed for
building, equipment, and leasehold improvements of $3.9 million, capitalized
software of $17.4 million, and terrestrial system assets of $0.1
million.
The
Company capitalizes interest costs associated with the construction of capital
assets for business operations and amortizes the cost over the assets’ useful
lives beginning when the asset is placed in service. The Company capitalized
$1.1 million and $0.6 million of interest for the periods ending September 30,
2008 and 2007, respectively.
7. First
and Second Lien Credit Agreements
On July
27, 2006, the Company entered into a $170.0 million first lien credit facility
and $40.0 million second lien credit facility. The facilities include a $98.0
million four-year first lien Tranche A term loan facility, a $62.0 million
five-year first lien Tranche B term loan facility, and a $40.0 million six-year
second lien term loan facility. In addition, the facilities include a $10.0
million three-year revolving credit facility. The proceeds of the credit
facilities were used to repay the Company’s existing credit facilities, provide
cash collateral for letters of credit, return capital to the Company’s equity
investors and for general corporate purposes including development of new and
advanced devices and services.
Mandatory
principal prepayments are required based on net cash proceeds related to debt or
equity issuances and certain dispositions, as is a mandatory prepayment of 75%
of excess cash flow, determined by a defined formula. The Company must also
maintain hedge agreements in order to provide interest rate protection on a
minimum of 50% of the aggregate principal amounts outstanding during the first
three years of the credit facilities. As a result, the Company entered into four
interest rate swap agreements upon the closing of the credit facilities that
ranged in duration from one to four years and collectively in July 2006 provided
interest rate protection on $170.0 million (see Note 2).
The First
and Second Lien Credit Agreements require the Company to abide by various
covenants primarily related to limitations on liens, indebtedness, sales of
assets, investments, dispositions, distributions to members, transactions with
affiliates and certain financial covenants with respect to its consolidated
leverage ratio on a quarterly basis. The Company was compliant with all
covenants required by the First and Second Lien Credit
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
Agreements
during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Substantially all of the
Company’s assets are pledged as collateral for the facilities.
$10.0
million First Lien Revolving Credit Facility
The
proceeds of the revolving credit facility may be used for general corporate
purposes of the Company. The revolving credit facility matures on July 27, 2009.
The Company paid an up-front fee of 2% on the revolving facility ($0.2 million)
and pays an annual unused facility fee of 0.5% on the available balance of the
commitment on a quarterly basis. As of September 30, 2008, the Company had not
drawn any amounts under the revolving credit facility. Not withstanding the
Company’s rights to access the credit facility, the Company may be subject to
counterparty risk associated with future access to the credit facility, as the
counterparty to the credit facility (Lehman Brothers) filed for bankruptcy in
calendar 2008.
$98.0
million First Lien Tranche A Term Loan
The
Tranche A term loan matures on June 30, 2010, and requires quarterly principal
payment amounts ranging from $2.25 million to $9.75 million. Quarterly interest
payments are also made. The Company elected the Eurodollar base interest rate,
which, including the applicable margin of 4.25%, was 7.05% and 9.24% at
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The Company can prepay
the First Lien Tranche A term loan in its entirety for par. At September 30,
2008, the outstanding principal balance was $60.5 million.
$62.0
million First Lien Tranche B Term Loan
The
Tranche B term loan matures on July 27, 2011, and requires quarterly principal
payment amounts starting on September 30, 2010 in the amount of $14.9 million.
Quarterly interest payments are also made. The Company elected the Eurodollar
base interest rate, which including the applicable margin of 4.25%, was 7.05%
and 9.24% at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The Company
can prepay the First Lien Tranche B term loan in its entirety at par. At
September 30, 2008 the outstanding balance was $59.7 million.
$40.0
million Second Lien Term Loan
The Second
Lien term loan matures on July 27, 2012, at which time the entire $40.0 million
principal amount is due. The Company elected the Eurodollar base interest rate,
which including the applicable margin of 8.25%, was 11.05% and 13.24% at
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 respectively. The Company is required
to make quarterly interest payments.
The Second
Lien term loan can be prepaid in its entirety at 101% through July 27, 2009 and
at par thereafter. At September 30, 2008, the outstanding balance was $40.0
million.
8. Motorola
Note Agreement
On
December 11, 2000, the Company entered into a Senior Subordinated Term Loan
Agreement (the Note Agreement), pursuant to which the Company borrowed $30
million from Motorola, as evidenced by a senior subordinated term note (the
Motorola Note) dated December 11, 2000. The principal amount of, and all
interest accrued on, the Motorola Note, was paid in full on May 27, 2005.
However, as detailed below, certain payment obligations survive this
repayment.
Under the
Note Agreement, the Company is required to pay Motorola a commitment fee of $5.0
million upon the earlier of December 11, 2010, or the occurrence of a trigger
event. A trigger event is defined as any change of control specified therein, an
initial public offering by the Company, or a sale of all or a material portion
of the assets of the Company. The Company is accruing the commitment fee through
December 2010 using the effective-interest method.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
As of
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 the Company’s liability approximated
$3.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively, and is included in the Motorola
payable (see Note 4) in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets.
Additionally,
in the event of a “distribution event”, defined in the Note Agreement as a
dividend or other distribution (in the form of cash or otherwise), acquisition
for value, or an initial public or secondary offering, in each case relating to
equity interests in Parent, Satellite is required to pay Motorola a loan success
fee equal to the amount that a holder of Class B units in the Parent
representing 5% of the total number of issued and outstanding units (both Class
A and B) would have received in the distribution event.
Finally,
in addition to the above obligations, upon the first to occur of a change of
control as specified in the Note Agreement or the sale of all or a material
portion of the assets of Parent or Satellite, Satellite is required to pay an
amount equal to the lesser of (i) the value of the consideration that a holder
of Class B units in the Parent representing 5% of the total number of issued and
outstanding units (both Class A and B) would have received in the transaction
and (ii) an amount to be determined based on a multiple of earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization less the amount of the $5.0
million commitment fee discussed above which has been or is being paid
concurrently.
9. Commitments
and Contingencies
From time
to time, the Company is involved in various litigation matters involving
ordinary and routine claims incidental to its business. Management currently
believes that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the
aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business,
results of operations or financial condition. The Company is involved in certain
litigation matters as discussed below.
The
Company, a director, and a former officer were named as defendants in a lawsuit
commenced in 2007 by a former member of the Company’s Board of Directors
(Plaintiff). The lawsuit alleges, among other things, defamation and tortuous
interference with the Plaintiff’s economic/business relationship with his
principal, an investor in the Company. These actions seek compensatory and other
damages, and costs and expenses associated with the litigation. Management
believes that the lawsuit is without merit, although no assurance can be given
in this regard, or as to what relief, if any, might be granted if the Plaintiff
were to be successful in this lawsuit.
Operating
Leases
Future
minimum lease payments, by year and in the aggregate, under noncancelable
operating leases with remaining terms of one year or more at September 30, 2008,
are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
Remainder
of 2008
|
|
$ |
460 |
|
2009
|
|
|
1,763 |
|
2010
|
|
|
1,930 |
|
2011
|
|
|
1,973 |
|
2012
|
|
|
2,011 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
3,704 |
|
|
|
$ |
11,841 |
|
Rental
Expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007 was
$1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively. In September 2008 the Company
commenced the lease of a new corporate facility in Tempe,
Arizona. The facility will be used primarily for administrative
purposes and is approximately 25,500 square feet. The lease term will
expire in March 2016.
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
Iridium
NEXT
The
Company has selected two contractors to participate in the final phase of its
procurement process for the company’s next-generation satellite constellation,
Iridium NEXT. This final phase is expected to end with the Company
awarding a full-scale development agreement for Iridium NEXT to one prime
contractor by mid-2009. The contractor not selected as the prime contractor will
be paid a bonus payment if they have successfully completed all milestones and
deliverables required in this phase. The potential bonus payments
range from $0 to $10 million. As of September 30, 2008 the Company
has accrued $0.9 million in connection with this potential bonus
payment.
10. Members’
Equity in Parent
Classes
of Membership Units
Pursuant
to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, as amended (LLC
Agreement), the members’ interests in the Parent are divided into Class A and
Class B units. There are 1,083,872 Class A Units outstanding and 518,012 Class B
units outstanding at September 30, 2008. During the nine months ended September
30, 2008 the Company issued 62,803 Class B units. The Class B units were issued
in exchange for certain profits interest awards that were held by key executives
and members of the board of directors. The exchange resulted in canceling the
majority of outstanding profits interest awards and the issuance of Class B
units in return. The economic interest of the canceled profits interest awards
are consistent with the replacement Class B units. The exchange
resulted in the reclassification of approximately $1.9 million of the profits
interest liability to additional paid-in capital. The weighted average
outstanding service period for these awards was 2 years at September 30,
2008.
The
Company made a distribution of $3.0 million in March 2008 and $2.8 million in
April 2008 to Class A and B members
11. Geographic
Information
Revenue by
geographic area for the nine months ended September 30:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
134,511 |
|
|
$ |
91,547 |
|
Canada
|
|
|
28,775 |
|
|
|
32,747 |
|
France
|
|
|
18,645 |
|
|
|
23,016 |
|
Other
Countries (1)
|
|
|
62,261 |
|
|
|
46,298 |
|
|
|
$ |
244,192 |
|
|
$ |
193,608 |
|
(1)
|
No
other country represents more than 10% of our revenue for any of the
periods indicated.
|
Revenues
are attributed to geographic area based on the billing location of the
customer. The Company does not bare foreign exchange risk on sales,
as invoices are denominated in United States dollar.
Net
property and equipment by geographic area:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In
Thousands)
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
42,810 |
|
|
$ |
38,486 |
|
Unallocated
|
|
|
17,522 |
|
|
|
20,087 |
|
All
others
|
|
|
1,495 |
|
|
|
1,386 |
|
|
|
$ |
61,827 |
|
|
$ |
59,959 |
|
Iridium
Holdings LLC
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
Unallocated
net property and equipment consists of satellites in orbit and equipment in
international waters.
12.
Indemnification Agreement
Satellite,
Boeing, Motorola, and the U.S. government entered into an agreement effective
December 5, 2000 that provided, among other things, the following: (i) Satellite
agrees to maintain satellite liability insurance (see Notes 4 and 5), (ii)
Boeing agrees to maintain aviation and space liability insurance, (iii) Motorola
agrees to maintain an Aviation Products—Completed Operations Liability Insurance
policy, and (iv) the U.S. government may, in its sole discretion, require
Satellite, Boeing or either of them to immediately de-orbit the Iridium
satellites at no expense to the U.S. government in the event of (a) Satellite’s
failure to pay insurance premiums or maintain insurance, (b) its bankruptcy, (c)
its sale or the sale of any major asset in the satellite system, (d) replacing
Boeing as the operator of the satellite system, (e) its
failure to make certain notifications required by the agreement or
(f) at any time after June 5, 2009,
unless extended by the U.S. government. Management does not believe
the U.S. government will exercise this right. As a result, management
believes the likelihood of any future cash outflows associated with the mass
de-orbit obligation to be remote.
13.
Subsequent Events
Amendment
to Credit Lien Facilities
On October
17, 2008, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to the first lien credit
facility (First Lien Amendment) and Amendment No. 1 to the second lien credit
facility (Second Lien Amendment). The First Lien Amendment and Second Lien
Amendment included the consent of the respective lenders to the issuance of the
Note (see Note 3).
Pursuant
to the First Lien Amendment, the Company and its requisite lenders agreed to,
among other things: (i) increase the applicable margin for Eurodollar loans by
75 basis points to 5%; (ii) increase permitted capital expenditures for 2008 and
2009; (iii) permit distributions of up to $37.9 million to the members of the
Company in 2008; (iv) require the Company to prepay $80.0 million of the
outstanding balance if the Acquisition is consummated and $15.0 million if the
Acquisition is not consummated by June 29, 2009; and (v) to amend the definition
of “Change of Control” to apply to the post-Acquisition public
company. Upon the execution of the First Lien Amendment, the Company
prepaid $22.0 million of its outstanding balance under the first lien credit
facility.
Pursuant
to the Second Lien Amendment, the Company and its requisite lenders agreed to,
among other things: (i) increase the applicable margin for Eurodollar loans by
75 basis points to 9%; (ii) increase permitted capital expenditures for 2008 and
2009; (iii) permit distributions of up to $37.9 million to the members of the
Company in 2008; and (iv) amend the definition of “Change of Control” to apply
to the post-Acquisition public company.
Distributions
The
Company made a distribution of $34.9 million in November 2008 to Class A and
Class B members. As a result of this distribution, the Company paid
Motorola a $1.9 million loan success fee as required under the Motorola Note
Agreement.
TRANSACTION
AGREEMENT
dated as
of
September
22, 2008
among
IRIDIUM
HOLDINGS LLC,
GHL
ACQUISITION CORP.
and
SELLERS
listed
on the signature pages hereof
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
|
Page
|
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
|
|
Section 1.01.
|
Definitions
|
1
|
Section 1.02.
|
Other
Definitional and Interpretative Provisions
|
10
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 2 PURCHASE AND
SALE
|
11
|
|
|
Section 2.01.
|
Purchase
and Sale
|
11
|
Section 2.02.
|
Closing
|
11
|
Section 2.03.
|
Purchase
Price Allocation
|
11
|
Section 2.04.
|
Tax
Benefits Payment
|
12
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
|
12
|
|
|
Section 3.01.
|
Existence
and Power
|
12
|
Section 3.02.
|
Authorization
|
12
|
Section 3.03.
|
Governmental
Authorization
|
13
|
Section 3.04.
|
Noncontravention
|
13
|
Section 3.05.
|
Capitalization
|
13
|
Section 3.06.
|
Ownership
of Interests
|
13
|
Section 3.07.
|
Subsidiaries
|
14
|
Section 3.08.
|
Financial
Statements
|
14
|
Section 3.09.
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
14
|
Section 3.10.
|
No
Undisclosed Material Liabilities
|
16
|
Section 3.11.
|
Intercompany
Accounts
|
16
|
Section 3.12.
|
Material
Contracts
|
17
|
Section 3.13.
|
Litigation
|
18
|
Section 3.14.
|
Compliance
with Laws and Court Orders
|
18
|
Section 3.15.
|
Properties
|
18
|
Section 3.16.
|
Intellectual
Property
|
19
|
Section 3.17.
|
Insurance
Coverage
|
20
|
Section 3.18.
|
Licenses
and Permits
|
21
|
Section 3.19.
|
Finders’
Fees
|
21
|
Section 3.20.
|
Employees
|
21
|
Section 3.21.
|
Labor
Matters
|
22
|
Section 3.22.
|
Taxes
|
22
|
Section 3.23.
|
Employee
Plans
|
23
|
Section 3.24.
|
Environmental
Matters
|
25
|
Section 3.25.
|
Disclosure
Documents
|
26
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
|
26
|
|
|
Section 4.01.
|
Existence
and Power
|
27
|
Section 4.02.
|
Authorization
|
27
|
Section 4.03.
|
Noncontravention
|
27
|
Section 4.04.
|
Ownership
of Equity Interests
|
27
|
Section 4.05.
|
Litigation
|
27
|
Section 4.06.
|
Finders’
Fees
|
28
|
Section 4.07.
|
The
Blocker Entities
|
28
|
Section 4.08.
|
Purchase
for Investment
|
30
|
Section 4.09.
|
1933
Act Compliance
|
30
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT
|
31
|
|
|
Section 5.01.
|
Corporate
Existence and Power
|
31
|
Section 5.02.
|
Authorization
|
31
|
Section 5.03.
|
Governmental
Authorization
|
32
|
Section 5.04.
|
Non-contravention
|
32
|
Section 5.05.
|
Capitalization
|
33
|
Section 5.06.
|
No
Subsidiaries
|
34
|
Section 5.07.
|
SEC
Filings and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
|
34
|
Section 5.08.
|
Financial
Statements
|
34
|
Section 5.09.
|
Disclosure
Documents
|
35
|
Section 5.10.
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
35
|
Section 5.11.
|
No
Undisclosed Material Liabilities
|
35
|
Section 5.12.
|
Compliance
with Laws and Court Orders
|
35
|
Section 5.13.
|
Litigation
|
36
|
Section 5.14.
|
Finders’
Fees
|
36
|
Section 5.15.
|
Trust
Account
|
36
|
Section 5.16.
|
Transactions
with Affiliates
|
36
|
Section 5.17.
|
Taxes
|
36
|
Section 5.18.
|
Contracts
|
37
|
Section 5.19.
|
Employees
|
38
|
Section
5.20.
|
Employee
Matters.
|
38
|
Section 5.21.
|
Qualification
|
38
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 6 COVENANTS OF THE
COMPANY AND SELLERS
|
39
|
|
|
Section 6.01.
|
Conduct
of the Company and Each Blocker Entity
|
39
|
Section 6.02.
|
Access
to Information; Confidentiality
|
41
|
Section 6.03.
|
Notices
of Certain Events
|
42
|
Section 6.04.
|
No
Solicitation
|
43
|
Section 6.05.
|
Contribution
Of Carrier Holdings And Carrier Services
|
43
|
Section 6.06.
|
Limited
Powers Of Attorney; Certificates for Equity Interests
|
43
|
Section 6.07.
|
Costs
And Expenses
|
44
|
Section 6.08.
|
Convertible
Note
|
44
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 7 COVENANTS OF
PARENT
|
44
|
|
|
Section 7.01.
|
Conduct
of Parent
|
44
|
Section 7.02.
|
Stockholder
Meeting
|
45
|
Section 7.03.
|
Parent
Plan
|
46
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 8 COVENANTS OF
PARENT, SELLERS AND THE COMPANY
|
46
|
|
|
Section 8.01.
|
Reasonable
Best Efforts
|
46
|
Section 8.02.
|
Certain
Filings
|
47
|
Section 8.03.
|
Public
Announcements
|
47
|
Section 8.04.
|
Further
Assurances
|
47
|
Section 8.05.
|
Sales
and Transfer Tax
|
47
|
Section 8.06.
|
Directors
and Officers of Parent
|
48
|
Section 8.07.
|
Registration
Rights Agreement
|
48
|
Section 8.08.
|
Pledge
Agreement
|
48
|
Section 8.09.
|
Certificate
of Incorporation Protections; Directors’ and Officers’ Liability
Insurance
|
48
|
Section 8.10.
|
Sellers’
Committee
|
49
|
Section 8.11.
|
Parent
Committee
|
49
|
Section 8.12.
|
Legends
|
50
|
Section 8.13.
|
Tax
Matters
|
50
|
Section
8.14.
|
Regulatory
Matters.
|
52
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 9 CONDITIONS TO
CLOSING
|
53
|
|
|
Section 9.01.
|
Conditions
to Obligations of Parent, Sellers and the Company
|
53
|
Section 9.02.
|
Conditions
to the Obligations of Parent
|
54
|
Section 9.03.
|
Conditions
to the Obligations of the Company and Sellers.
|
55
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 10 SURVIVAL;
INDEMNIFICATION
|
55
|
|
|
Section 10.01.
|
Survival
|
55
|
Section 10.02.
|
Indemnification
|
56
|
Section 10.03.
|
Indemnification
Procedures
|
57
|
Section 10.04.
|
Indemnification
Payments
|
57
|
Section 10.05.
|
Waiver
of Claims and Rights
|
57
|
Section 10.06.
|
Exclusive
Remedy
|
58
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 11
TERMINATION
|
58
|
|
|
Section 11.01.
|
Grounds
for Termination
|
58
|
Section 11.02.
|
Effect
of Termination
|
59
|
Section 11.03.
|
Termination
Fee
|
59
|
Section 11.04.
|
Limitation
On Remedy
|
60
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
|
60
|
|
|
Section 12.01.
|
Notices
|
60
|
Section 12.02.
|
Amendments
and Waivers
|
61
|
Section 12.03.
|
Addition
of Sellers
|
62
|
Section 12.04.
|
Expenses
|
62
|
Section 12.05.
|
Successors
and Assigns
|
62
|
Section 12.06.
|
Governing
Law
|
62
|
Section 12.07.
|
Jurisdiction
|
62
|
Section 12.08.
|
WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL
|
62
|
Section 12.09.
|
Counterparts;
No Third Party Beneficiaries
|
62
|
Section 12.10.
|
Entire
Agreement
|
63
|
Section 12.11.
|
Specific
Performance
|
63
|
|
|
|
Exhibits
and Schedules:
|
Exhibit
A – Each Seller’s Cash Pro Rata Share and Stock Pro Rata
Share
|
Exhibit
B – Form of Amended and Restated Parent Certificate of
Incorporation
|
Exhibit
C – Form of Limited Power of Attorney
|
Exhibit
D – Form of Registration Rights Agreement
|
Exhibit
E – Form of Pledge Agreement
|
TRANSACTION
AGREEMENT
TRANSACTION
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of
September 22, 2008 among Iridium Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (the “Company”),
GHL Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and each of the
sellers whose name appears on the signature page hereto (each of the foregoing,
a “Seller”, and
collectively, the “Sellers”).
W
I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
Sellers own, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding Units (as
defined in the Company LLC Agreement) of the Company; and
WHEREAS,
Parent desires to purchase, directly or indirectly, the Units.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
DEFINITIONS
Section
1.01. Definitions. (a) The
following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
“Accounting Referee” means a
nationally recognized accounting firm, mutually acceptable to the Parent
Committee and to Sellers’ Committee, chosen to decide any disagreement of the
parties to this Agreement with respect to any Tax or accounting matters. The
fees and expenses of the Accounting Referee shall be allocated by the Accounting
Referee between the parties to any disagreement based on the principle that such
amounts shall be borne by the party whose determination differs from the
Accounting Referee’s ultimate determination by the greater amount.
“Additional Share” means, for
each Seller, the percentage set forth next to its name on Exhibit
A.
“Affiliate” means, with respect
to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by, or under common control with such Person.
“Aggregate Cash Consideration”
means $77.1 million, plus the Special Tax Distribution Shortfall, if
any.
“Aggregate Consideration” means
the Aggregate Cash Consideration and the Aggregate Stock
Consideration.
“Aggregate Stock
Consideration" means (i)
with respect to the Sellers (other than the Greenhill Noteholder), 36,000,000
shares of Parent Stock and (ii) with respect to the Greenhill Noteholder,
assuming the Convertible Note has been issued prior to the Closing and is
being
converted
in connection therewith, 2,290,000 shares of Parent Stock in accordance with
Section 6.08.
“Average Stock Price” means, as
of the date of any determination, the volume-weighted average per share trading
price of the Parent Stock over the 10 consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the date of such determination.
“Balance Sheet” means the
audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2007.
“Balance Sheet Date” means
December 31, 2007.
“Baralonco Blocker Seller”
means the Seller of the shares of Baralonco Blocker.
“Blocker Entities” means
Syncom-Iridium Holdings Corporation (“Syncom Blocker”) and Baralonco
N.V. (“Baralonco
Blocker”), and each of them, a “Blocker Entity”.
“Blocker Seller” means a Syncom
Blocker Seller and/or the Baralonco Blocker Seller.
“Blocker Shares” means all
shares of capital stock or other equity interests in any Blocker
Entity.
“Business Day” means a day,
other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York,
New York are authorized or required by Law to close.
“Cash Available for
Distribution” means, in the case of a Blocker Entity at any time, the
excess of any cash or cash equivalents held by such Blocker Entity over all
liabilities that would be properly reflected on a balance sheet of such Blocker
Entity at such time prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Cash Pro-Rata Share” means,
with respect to each Seller, the percentage set forth next to such Seller’s name
on Exhibit A, as the same may be amended upon the agreement of the Sellers who
are affected by such amendment (without consent of Parent) prior to the
occurrence of Special Tax Distribution that results in a Special Tax
Distribution Shortfall.
“Closing Date” means the date
on which the Closing actually occurs.
“Code” means the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
“Communication Laws” means the
Communications Act of 1934 and the orders, decisions, notices and policies
promulgated by the FCC pursuant thereto, all as may be amended from time to
time.
“Company Intellectual Property
Rights” means the Owned Intellectual Property Rights and the Licensed
Intellectual Property Rights.
“Company LLC Agreement” means
the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Iridium Holdings
LLC as in effect on the date hereof.
“Company Material Adverse
Effect” means a material adverse effect on (i) the financial condition,
business, assets or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations
under or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; except
any such effect resulting from or arising in connection with: (A) the
negotiation, execution, announcement or performance of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the impact
thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers,
distributors, partners, financing sources, employees, revenue and profitability
(other than any effect resulting from breach of representations and warranties
set forth in Sections 3.04, 3.16(b), 3.18 and 4.03), (B) changes in the economy
or the credit, debt, financial or capital markets, in each case, in the United
States or elsewhere in the world, including changes in interest or exchange
rates, (C) changes in Law, GAAP or accounting standards or the interpretation
thereof, or changes in general legal, regulatory or political conditions, (D)
acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, or any escalation or worsening of any such
acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, (E) earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados or
other natural disasters, (F) any failure, in and of itself, to meet any internal
or public projections, forecasts or estimates of revenue, capital expenditures
or earnings or the issuance of revised projections that are not as optimistic as
those in existence as of the date hereof; provided that the underlying
causes of any such failure or issuance may be taken into consideration in
determining whether such material adverse effect has occurred, or (G) changes
affecting the industries generally in which the Company or its Subsidiaries
conduct business, except to the extent, in the case of clauses (B), (C), (D),
(E) and (G), the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are
disproportionately affected compared to other companies in the same
industry.
“Company Technology” means any
computer software (whether in object code or source code form), firmware,
middleware, development tools, and all associated documentation owned by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or licensed to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
“Convertible Note” means the
Convertible Subordinated Promissory Note of the Company attached as Exhibit A to
the Note Purchase Agreement.
“Damages” means any and all
damage, loss, liability and expense (including reasonable expenses of
investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses in connection with any
action, suit or proceeding whether involving a third party claim or a claim
solely between the parties hereto).
“Environmental Laws” means any
Law or any legally binding agreement with any Governmental Authority or other
third party, relating to the protection of the environment, or to the discharge,
release, use, recycling, labeling, treatment, storage, disposal or handling of
any toxic, radioactive, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise hazardous
substances, chemicals, wastes or materials or, to the extent relating to
exposure to any such substances, chemicals, wastes or materials, to human health
and safety.
“Environmental Permits” means
all permits, licenses, franchises, certificates, approvals, registrations and
other similar authorizations of Governmental Authorities required by
Environmental
Laws for the current conduct of the business of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
“Equity Interests” means the
Interests and the Blocker Shares, and each of them, an “Equity
Interest”.
“ERISA” means the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“ERISA Affiliate” of any Person
means any other Person that, together with such Person, would be treated as a
single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
“FCC” means the Federal
Communications Commission of the United States of America, including its
bureaus, offices and divisions, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to the
functions of such commission in whole or in part.
“FCC Consent” means any order
of the FCC granting in all material respects any application filed with the FCC
(including the FCC Consent Application) without the imposition of any conditions
that would reasonably be expected to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect
or a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
“FCC Consent Application” means
any application, petition, motion, request or other filing with the FCC for its
consent to the transactions contemplated hereby with respect to any FCC License
or pending application therefor (including any petition, request or other
application to the FCC to approve, if necessary, aggregate foreign ownership in
the Company in excess of 25%).
“FCC Licenses” means the FCC
licenses for the satellite space stations and earth stations, and any other
licenses, permits or other authorizations (including those for special temporary
authority under the Communications Laws) issued to the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company by, or pending before, the FCC in connection with the operation
or planned operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, including
any operational requirements contained in such licenses or other
authorizations.
“Foreign Permits” means all
licenses, permits, construction permits, approvals, concessions, franchises,
certificates, consents, qualifications, registrations, privileges and other
authorizations and other rights issued by any non-United States Governmental
Authority to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company currently in effect
and used or useful in connection with the operation or planned operation of the
Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, including any operational requirements
contained in such licenses or other authorizations.
“GAAP” means United States
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis; provided, however, that with
respect to any references to the financial statements of Baralonco Blocker for
periods commencing on or after January 1, 1990, GAAP shall mean International
Auditing Standards issued by the International Federation of
Accountants.
“Governmental Authority” means
any court, administrative agency or commission or other federal, state, local or
foreign governmental or regulatory authority, agency, body, instrumentality or
official.
“Greenhill Noteholder” means
Greenhill & Co. Europe Holdings Limited.
“Hazardous Substances” means
any pollutant, contaminant or waste or any toxic, radioactive, ignitable,
corrosive or reactive substance, waste, chemical or material, including
petroleum, its derivatives, by-products and other hydrocarbons, asbestos or
asbestos-containing materials and any substance, waste or material regulated as
hazardous, toxic or any other term of similar import under any Environmental
Law.
“HSR Act” means the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.
“Initial Business Combination”
has the meaning set forth in the Parent Certificate of
Incorporation.
“Intellectual Property Rights”
means all worldwide (i) inventions, whether or not patentable; (ii) patents and
patent applications; (iii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos,
Internet domain names and trade names, whether or not registered, and all
goodwill associated therewith; (iv) rights of publicity and other rights to use
the names and likeness of individuals; (v) copyrights and related rights,
whether or not registered; (vi) mask works; (vii) computer software, data,
databases, files, and documentation and other materials related thereto; (viii)
trade secrets and confidential, technical and business information; (ix) all
rights therein provided by bilateral or international treaties or conventions;
and (x) all rights to sue or recover and retain damages and costs and attorneys’
fees for past, present and future infringement or misappropriation of any of the
foregoing.
“Interests” means the Class A
Units and the Class B Units (as defined in the Company LLC
Agreement).
“IPO” means the initial public
offering of Parent, effected on February 21, 2008.
“IPO Shares” means the shares
of Parent Stock issued in the IPO.
“ITAR” means the International
Traffic in Arms Regulation, 22 CFR Parts 120-130.
“knowledge” of any Person that
is not an individual means the knowledge of such Person’s senior officers after
reasonable inquiry of the senior officer with primary responsibility for the
matter in question.
“Law” means, with respect to
any Person, any federal, state or local law (statutory, common or otherwise),
constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order,
injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted,
adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Authority that is binding upon
or applicable to such Person, as amended, unless expressly specified
otherwise.
“Licensed Intellectual Property
Rights” means any Intellectual Property Rights owned by a third party
that either the Company or one of its Subsidiaries has a right to use, exploit
or practice by virtue of a license grant, immunity from suit or
otherwise.
“Lien” means, with respect to
any property or asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest,
encumbrance or other adverse claim of any kind in respect of such property or
asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own
subject to a Lien any property or asset which it has acquired or holds subject
to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement,
capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such property or
asset.
“Majority Interest” means, in
the case of a group of Sellers, Sellers holding (directly or indirectly)
Interests having a majority of the voting power of the Interests that may be
voted on matters before the members of the Company under the Company LLC
Agreement immediately prior to the closing of the transactions to be consummated
on the Closing Date.
“Member” means any Person
owning Interests.
“1933 Act” means the Securities
Act of 1933.
“1934 Act” means the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
“Note Purchase Agreement” means
the Purchase Agreement dated as of the date hereof between the Company and the
Greenhill Noteholder.
“Owned Intellectual Property
Rights” means all Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company.
“Parent Balance Sheet” means
the audited consolidated balance sheet of Parent as of February 21,
2008.
“Parent Balance Sheet Date”
means February 21, 2008.
“Parent Certificate of
Incorporation” means the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Parent.
“Parent Material Adverse Effect” means a
material adverse effect on (i) the financial condition, business, assets or
results of operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii)
the ability of Parent to perform its obligations under or to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; except any such effect resulting
from or arising in connection with: (A) the negotiation, execution, announcement
or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual
or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, distributors, partners, financing
sources, employees, revenue and profitability (other than any effect resulting
from the breach of representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.04),
(B) changes in the economy or the credit, debt, financial or capital markets, in
each case, in the United States or elsewhere in the world, including changes in
interest or exchange rates, (C) changes in Law, GAAP or accounting standards or
the interpretation thereof, or changes in general legal,
regulatory
or political conditions, (D) acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, or any
escalation or worsening of any such acts of war, sabotage or terrorism, (E)
earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados or other natural disasters, (F) any failure,
in and of itself, to meet any internal or public projections, forecasts or
estimates of revenue, capital expenditures or earnings or the issuance of
revised projections that are not as optimistic as those in existence as of the
date hereof; provided that the underlying causes of any such failure or issuance
may be taken into consideration in determining whether such material adverse
effect has occurred, or (G) changes affecting the industries generally in which
Parent and its Subsidiaries conduct their business, except to the extent, in the
case of clauses (B), (C), (D), (E) and (G), Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, are disproportionately affected compared to other companies in the
same industry.
“Parent Ownership Tax Period”
means any 2008-10 Pre-Closing Tax Period for which the corresponding Tax Return
has not been filed prior to the Closing Date.
“Parent Plan” means the
long-term equity incentive plan for Company’s officers, directors, employees and
consultants to be agreed upon by the Company and Parent prior to the Closing
Date, and as approved and adopted by the stockholders of Parent.
“Parent SEC Documents” means
all of Parent’s reports, statements, schedules and registration statements filed
with the SEC.
“Parent Stock” means the common
stock, $0.001 par value, of Parent.
“Person” means an individual,
corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other
entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an
agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Pre-Closing Blocker Tax
Return” means any Tax Return of any Blocker Entity with respect to any
Pre-Closing Tax Period that has not been filed prior to the Closing
Date.
“Pre-Closing Tax Period” means
any Tax period ending on or before the Closing Date; and, with respect to a Tax
period that begins on or before the Closing Date and ends thereafter, the
portion of such Tax period ending on the Closing Date.
“Pre-Closing Tax Liability”
means a liability for any Tax imposed upon a Blocker Entity for any Pre-Closing
Tax Period. In the case of a Tax period that begins on or before the Closing
Date and ends thereafter, the portion of such Tax related to the portion of such
Tax period ending on and including the Closing Date shall (y) in the case of any
Taxes based upon or related to gross income, net income, gross receipts, sales
receipts, or use receipts (“Revenue Taxes”), be deemed equal to the amount which
would be payable if the relevant Tax period ended on and included the Closing
Date, and (z) in the case of any Tax other than a Revenue Tax, be deemed to be
the amount of such Tax for the entire Tax period multiplied by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of days in the Tax period ending on and
including the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in
the entire Tax period. Pre- Closing Tax Liability shall not include any
liability for any federal, state or local income Tax (other than any branch
profits tax) imposed upon a Blocker Entity by reason of (i) the treatment of a
distribution by the Company of such Blocker Entity’s share of the proceeds of
the Convertible Note as a sale of a portion of such Blocker Entity’s Interests
or (ii) any excess on or
after the
Closing Date of (A) such Blocker Entity’s share (as determined under Section 752
and applicable regulations thereunder) of the liabilities of the Company over
(B) such Blocker Entity’s adjusted tax basis in its Interests.
“2008-10 Pre-Closing Tax
Periods” means all Pre-Closing Tax Periods ending after December 31, 2007
that are not Parent Ownership Tax Periods.
“Public Stockholder” means each
holder of IPO Shares.
“Purchased Shares” means the
shares of Parent Stock to be acquired by the Sellers hereunder.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. “SEC” means the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
“Sellers’ Committee” means a
committee consisting of a designee appointed by the Baralonco Blocker, whose
designee shall initially be Steven B. Pfeiffer, and a designee appointed by the
Syncom Blocker and Syndicated Communications Inc., whose designee shall
initially be Terry L. Jones.
“Senior Loan Facilities” mean
(i) the First Lien Credit Agreement between the Company, Iridium Satellite LLC
and the other parties named therein dated as of July 27, 2007 and (ii) the
Second Lien Credit Agreement between the Company, Iridium Satellite LLC and the
other parties named therein dated as of July 27, 2006.
“Special Tax Distribution
Shortfall” means that amount equal to the difference between $37,900,000
and the sum of (x) Special Tax Distributions, to the extent such distributions
have been paid or declared on or prior to the Closing and (y) any payments and
expenses incurred in connection with such Special Tax Distributions (including
consent fees and other fees payable to the lenders under the Senior Loan
Facilities in connection with any consents or waivers under such Senior Loan
Facilities obtained on or after the date hereof).
“Stock Buyer” means any Seller
acquiring any of the Purchased Shares.
“Stock Pro-Rata Share” Stock
Pro-Rata Share" means (i) with respect to each Seller (other than the Greenhill
Noteholder), the percentage set forth next to such Seller's name on Exhibit A
and (ii) with respect to the Greenhill Noteholder, assuming the Convertible Note
has been issued prior to the Closing and is being converted in connection
therewith, the number of shares of Parent Stock set forth opposite the Greenhill
Noteholder's name on Exhibit A.
“Subsidiary” means, with
respect to any Person, any entity of which securities or other ownership
interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of
directors or other persons performing similar functions are at any time directly
or indirectly owned by such Person. For purposes of this Agreement, each of
Iridium Carrier Holdings LLC (“Carrier Holdings”), Iridium Carrier
Services LLC (“Carrier
Services”), Iridium Satellite, LLC (“Iridium Satellite”) and
Iridium Constellation, LLC (“Iridium Constellation”) shall
be considered a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Syncom Blocker Seller” means
the Seller of the shares of Syncom Blocker.
“Tax” means (i) any and all
federal, state, provincial, local, foreign and other tax, levy, fee, impost,
duty or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever (including
withholding on amounts paid to or by any Person), together with any interest,
penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental
Authority responsible for the imposition of any such tax (a “Tax Authority”), and any
liability for any of the foregoing as transferee and (ii) in the case of Parent,
the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Blocker Entity, any liability
for the payment of any amount of the type described in clause (i) as a result of
being or having been before the Closing Date a member of an affiliated,
consolidated, combined or unitary group.
“Transaction Documents” means
this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and any
and all other agreements and documents required to be delivered by any party
hereto prior to or at the Closing pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement.
“Trust Account” means the trust
account established by Parent in connection with the consummation of the IPO and
into which Parent deposited a designated portion of the net proceeds from the
IPO.
“Trust Agreement” means the
agreement pursuant to which Parent has established the Trust
Account.
(b) Each
of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such
term:
Term
|
|
Section
|
Agreement
|
|
Preamble
|
Allocation
|
|
2.03
|
Baralonco
Release Date
|
|
10.02
|
Blocker
Entity Securities
|
|
4.07(b)(ii)
|
Blocker
Settlement Date
|
|
10.02
|
Capex/R&D
Budget
|
|
6.01
|
Closing
|
|
2.02
|
Company
|
|
Preamble
|
Company
Disclosure Schedule
|
|
Article
3
|
Company
Securities
|
|
3.05(b)
|
Confidentiality
Agreement
|
|
6.02(a)
|
Contribution
|
|
6.05
|
Costs
|
|
8.09(c)
|
Employee
Plans
|
|
3.23(a)
|
End
Date
|
|
11.01(b)(i)
|
Exon-Florio
Amendment
|
|
8.14(a)
|
Foreign
Applications
|
|
8.14(c)
|
Indemnified
Party
|
|
10.03
|
Indemnifying
Party
|
|
10.03
|
Initial
Business Combination
|
|
5.01
|
International
Plan
|
|
3.23(l)
|
Organizational
Documents
|
|
5.01
|
Parent
|
|
Preamble
|
Parent
Board Recommendation
|
|
5.02(c)
|
Parent
Committee
|
|
8.11
|
Parent
Contracts
|
|
5.18(a)
|
Parent
Disclosure Schedule
|
|
Article
5
|
Parent
Indemnified Parties
|
|
10.02
|
Parent
Plan Grant
|
|
7.03
|
Parent
Proxy Statement
|
|
5.09
|
Parent
Stockholder Approval
|
|
5.02(b)
|
Parent
Stockholder Meeting
|
|
5.02(b)
|
Parent
Warrant
|
|
5.05(a)
|
Permits
|
|
3.18
|
Permitted
Liens
|
|
3.15(a)(iii)
|
Pledge
Agreement
|
|
9.02(c)
|
Pro
Rata Share of Tax Benefit Payments
|
|
2.04(a)
|
Registration
Rights Agreement
|
|
9.02(b)
|
Section
754 Election
|
|
2.04(b)
|
Seller
|
|
Preamble
|
Sellers
|
|
Preamble
|
Special
Tax Distribution
|
|
6.01(b)
|
Subsidiary
Securities
|
|
2.04(b)
|
Tax
Payment Date
|
|
2.04(a)
|
Tax
Returns
|
|
2.04(b)
|
Transfer
Taxes
|
|
2.04(b)
|
Units
|
|
Preamble
|
WARN
|
|
2.04(b)
|
Section
1.02. Other
Definitional and Interpretative Provisions. The words “hereof”, “herein”
and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.
The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be
ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof. References to Articles,
Sections, Exhibits and Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and
Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All Exhibits and
Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and
made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized
terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein, shall
have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any singular term in this
Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the
singular. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in
this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without
limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of
like import. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing
and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible
form. References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract
as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the
terms hereof and thereof. References to a statute shall be to such statute, as
amended
from time
to time, and to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. References to
any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person.
References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and
including or through and including, respectively.
ARTICLE
2
PURCHASE
AND SALE
Section
2.01. Purchase and
Sale. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, each Seller agrees to sell to Parent, and Parent agrees to purchase
from such Seller, at the Closing, all Equity Interests held by such Seller as
set forth opposite such Seller’s name on Schedule 2.01. The aggregate purchase
price for the Equity Interests is the Aggregate Consideration, which shall be
paid as provided in Section 2.02.
Section
2.02. Closing.
The closing (the “Closing”) of the purchase and
sale of the Equity Interests hereunder shall take place at the offices of
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, as
soon as possible, but in no event later than 5 Business Days, after satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Article 9, or at such other time or place as
Parent and the Company may agree. At the Closing:
(a) Except
as provided in Section 2.02(b), Parent shall deliver to each Seller (i) its
Stock Pro-Rata Share of the Aggregate Stock Consideration, which, at Parent’s
option, shall be in stock certificates or uncertificated book-entry form, and
(ii) its Cash Pro-Rata Share of the Aggregate Cash Consideration in immediately
available funds by wire transfer to an account of such Seller with a bank
designated by such Seller, by notice to Parent, which notice shall be delivered
not later than two Business Days prior to the Closing Date (or if not so
designated, then by certified or official bank check payable in immediately
available funds to the order of such Seller in such amount).
(b) Parent
shall retain, as contemplated by the Pledge Agreement, the certificates
representing shares of Parent Stock otherwise deliverable to the Sellers of the
Blocker Shares, all as set forth on Schedule 2.02.
(c) Each
Seller shall deliver to Parent certificates (if any) for its Equity Interests
duly endorsed or accompanied by stock powers duly endorsed in blank (or other
similar instruments as appropriate), with any required transfer stamps affixed
thereto or shall otherwise execute such documents and instruments as may be
necessary or useful to transfer such Seller’s Equity Interests to
Parent.
Section
2.03. Purchase Price
Allocation. Parent shall allocate for federal income tax purposes the
Aggregate Consideration paid for the Interests in accordance with Section 755 of
the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder. The Sellers’ Committee
shall review such Allocation and provide any objections to Parent within 30 days
after the receipt thereof. If the Sellers’ Committee raises any objection to the
Allocation, the parties will negotiate in good faith to resolve such
objection(s). If the Sellers’ Committee and Parent are unable to agree on the
Allocation within 15 days after the Sellers’ Committee raises
such
objections, they shall request the Accounting Referee, to decide any disputed
items. Parent and the Sellers’ Committee shall cooperate in the filing of any
forms (including, e.g., Form 8308 and compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.743-1(k), as
applicable) with respect to the Allocation.
Section
2.04. Tax Benefits
Payment. (a) In addition to the Aggregate Consideration but subject to
Section 2.04(b), Parent agrees to pay to each Seller (other than the Sellers of
Blocker Shares) an amount in cash equal to such Seller’s allocable portion as
set forth in Schedule 2.04 of an aggregate of $30 million (the “Pro-Rata Share of Tax Benefit
Payments”) on the date
which is 90 days after the Closing Date (the “Tax Payment
Date”).
(b) Parent’s
obligation to make the payments pursuant to Section 2.04(a) shall be subject to
the Company having in effect a valid election under Section 754 of the Code with
respect to the Company’s taxable year in which the Closing occurs (the “Section 754
Election”).
(c) Under
this Section 2.04, any cash payments by Parent shall be made in immediately
available funds by wire transfer to an account of a Seller with a bank
designated by such Seller, by notice to Parent, which notice shall be delivered
not later than two Business Days prior to the Tax Payment Date (or if not so
designated, then by certified or official bank check payable in immediately
available funds to the order of such Seller in an amount equal to such Seller’s
Pro-Rata Share of Tax Benefit Payments).
ARTICLE
3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as
set forth in the disclosure schedule (with reference to the section or
subsection of this Agreement to which the information stated in such disclosure
schedule relates; provided that any fact,
matter or condition disclosed in any section or subsection of such disclosure
schedule in such a way as to make its relevance to another section or subsection
of such disclosure schedule that relates to a representation or representations
made elsewhere in Article 3 of this Agreement reasonably apparent shall be
deemed to be an exception to such representation or representations
notwithstanding the omission of a reference or cross reference thereto)
delivered by the Company to Parent prior to the execution of this Agreement (the
“Company Disclosure Schedule”), the
Company represents and warrants to Parent as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date
that:
Section
3.01. Existence and
Power. The Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware. The Company is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign limited liability company and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except for
those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has
heretofore delivered to Parent true and complete copies of the organizational
documents of the Company as currently in effect.
Section
3.02. Authorization. The
execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the
other Transactions Documents to which it is party and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within the Company’s
powers and
have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and
the Members. This Agreement and the other Transactions Documents to which it is
party constitutes, and will constitute when executed, and assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery hereof and thereof by Parent, valid and
binding agreements of the Company.
Section
3.03. Governmental
Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of
this Agreement and the other Transactions Documents to which it is party and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby require no
action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority other
than (i) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act, (ii) FCC
Consent with respect to the FCC Consent Application, (iii) any notices required
to be given to U.S. security agencies under network security understandings,
(iv) the consents and approvals set forth on Schedule 3.03 and (v) such actions
or filings, if not made, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.04. Noncontravention. The
execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the
other Transactions Documents to which it is party and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) violate the
organizational documents of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii)
assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section 3.03, violate any
Law, (iii) require any consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a
default under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration of any right or obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company or to a loss of any benefit to which the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company is entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument
binding upon the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or (iv) result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien on any material asset of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, except for such violations, consents, actions,
defaults, rights, breaches, conflicts, terminations, cancellations, impositions,
modifications or accelerations referred to in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) that
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Company Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.05. Capitalization. (a) The
capitalization of the Company consists of the Interests set forth on Schedule
3.05(a).
(b) All
Interests have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non assessable. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.05, there are no outstanding
(i) units of capital stock or voting securities of the Company, (ii) securities
of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for units of capital stock or
voting securities of the Company or (iii) options or other rights to acquire
from the Company, or other obligation of the Company to issue, any capital
stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
capital stock or voting securities of the Company (the items in Sections
3.05(b)(i), 3.05(b)(ii) and 3.05(b)(iii) being referred to collectively as the
“Company Securities”).
There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company
Securities.
Section
3.06. Ownership of
Interests. All of the Interests are owned by the Members in the
respective amounts set forth in Schedule 3.06.
Section
3.07. Subsidiaries. (a) Each
Subsidiary of the Company is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization, is duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited liability
company or corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such
qualification is necessary, except, in each case, as would not, individually or
in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect. All Subsidiaries of the Company and their respective jurisdictions of
organization are identified on Schedule 3.07.
(b) All of
the outstanding capital stock or other voting securities of each Subsidiary of
the Company is owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of
any Lien and free of any other limitation or restriction (including any
restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital
stock or other voting securities). There are no outstanding (i) securities of
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company convertible into or exchangeable
for shares of capital stock or voting securities of any Subsidiary of the
Company or (ii) options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, or other obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of any
Subsidiary of the Company (the items in Sections 3.07(b)(i) and 3.07(b)(ii)
being referred to collectively as the “Subsidiary Securities”). There
are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any outstanding Subsidiary
Securities.
Section
3.08. Financial
Statements. (a) The audited consolidated balance sheets as of December
31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 and the related audited consolidated statements of
income and cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and
2007 of the Company and its Subsidiaries fairly present, in conformity with GAAP
applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto),
the consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
the dates thereof and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows
for the periods then ended.
(b) The
unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2008 and the related
unaudited consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the period ending
thereon of the Company and its Subsidiaries fairly present, in conformity with
GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto (if any) and subject to normal year-end adjustments in amounts
consistent with past experience and the absence of footnotes), the consolidated
financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof
and their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the period then
ended.
Section
3.09. Absence of
Certain Changes. Since the Balance Sheet Date, the business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries has been conducted in the ordinary course
consistent with past practices and there has not been:
(a) any
event, occurrence, development or state of circumstances or facts that has had
or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Company Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any
amendment of the Company LLC Agreement, the articles of incorporation, bylaws or
other similar organizational documents (whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise) of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company;
(c) any
splitting, combination or reclassification of any Interests or shares of capital
stock of any Subsidiary of the Company or declaration, setting aside or payment
of any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any
combination thereof) in respect of the capital stock of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, or redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or
offer to redeem, repurchase, or otherwise acquire any Company Securities or any
Subsidiary Securities;
(d) (i)
any issuance, delivery or sale, or authorization of the issuance, delivery or
sale of, any units of any Company Securities or Subsidiary Securities, other
than the issuance of Subsidiary Securities to the Company or any other
Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) amendment of any term of any Company Security
or any Subsidiary Security (in each case, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise);
(e) any
acquisition (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or
otherwise), directly or indirectly, by the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company of any material assets, securities, material properties or businesses,
other than in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in a manner consistent with past practice;
(f) any
sale, lease or other transfer, or creation or incurrence of any Lien (other than
Permitted Liens) on, any material assets, securities, material properties or
businesses of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(g) the
making by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of any loans, advances or
capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person, other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(h) the
creation, incurrence, assumption or sufferance to exist by the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company of any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees
thereof other than under the Senior Loan Facilities and the Convertible
Note;
(i) any
damage, destruction or other casualty loss (whether or not covered by insurance)
affecting the business or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(j) the
entering into of any agreement or arrangement that limits or otherwise restricts
in any material respect the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or any of
their respective Affiliates or any successor thereto or that would reasonably be
expected to, after the Closing Date, limit or restrict in any material respect
the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, Parent or any of their respective
Affiliates, from engaging or competing in any line of business, in any location
or with any Person or, except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, waiver, release or assignment of any material rights, claims or
benefits of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company;
(k) except
as required by Law or any Employee Plan, (i) the grant or increase of any
severance or termination pay to (or amend any existing arrangement with) any
director or officer of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any
increase in benefits payable under any existing severance or termination pay
policies or employment agreements in respect of any director or officer of the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) the entering into of any
employment, deferred compensation or other similar agreement (or amendment of
any such existing agreement) with any director or officer of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, (iv) the establishment, adoption or amendment of any
collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing, thrift, pension, retirement,
deferred compensation, compensation, stock option, restricted stock or other
benefit plan or arrangement covering any director or officer of the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company or (v) any increase in compensation, bonus or
other benefits payable to any director or officer of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, in each case, other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice;
(l) any
labor dispute, other than routine individual grievances, or any activity or
proceeding by a labor union or representative thereof to organize any employees
of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any lockouts, strikes,
slowdowns, work stoppages or threats thereof by or with respect to such
employees;
(m) any
change in the Company’s methods of accounting, except as required by concurrent
changes in GAAP as agreed to by its independent public accountants;
or
(n) any
settlement, or offer or proposal to settle, of (i) any material litigation,
investigation, arbitration, proceeding or other claim involving or against the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority or (ii) any litigation, arbitration or proceeding that relates to the
transactions contemplated hereby before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority.
(o) any
material restrictions or limitations imposed on the FCC Licenses or Foreign
Permits, or any revocation, non-renewal, suspension or adverse modification of a
material FCC License or a material Foreign Permit.
Section
3.10. No Undisclosed
Material Liabilities. There are no liabilities of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent,
absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, other than:
(a) liabilities
provided for in the Balance Sheet or disclosed in the notes
thereto;
(b) liabilities
set forth in Schedule 3.10; and
(c) other
undisclosed liabilities which, individually or in the aggregate, are not
material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Section
3.11. Intercompany
Accounts. Schedule 3.11 contains a complete list of all intercompany
balances as of the Balance Sheet Date between each Member and its Affiliates, on
the one hand, and the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the other hand. Since the
Balance Sheet Date there has not been any accrual of liability by the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company to any Member or any of its Affiliates or other
transaction between the
Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company and any Member and any of its Affiliates, except
with respect to the period prior to the date of this Agreement, in the ordinary
course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries consistent with past
practice, and thereafter, as provided in Schedule 3.11.
Section
3.12. Material
Contracts. (a) As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any
Subsidiary of the Company is a party to or bound by:
(i) any
lease (whether of real or personal property) providing for annual rentals of
$500,000 or more;
(ii) any
agreement for the purchase of materials, supplies, goods, services, equipment or
other assets providing for either (A) annual payments by the Company and its
Subsidiaries of $1,000,000 or more or (B) aggregate remaining payments by the
Company and its Subsidiaries of $5,000,000 or more;
(iii) any
sales, distribution, dealer, sales representative, marketing, license or other
similar agreement providing for the sale by the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company of materials, supplies, goods, services, equipment or other assets that
provides for either (A) annual payments to the Company and its Subsidiaries of
1,000,000 or more or (B) aggregate remaining payments to the Company and its
Subsidiaries of $5,000,000 or more;
(iv) any
partnership, joint venture or other similar agreement or
arrangement;
(v) any
agreement relating to the acquisition or disposition of any business (whether by
merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise);
(vi) any
agreement relating to indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase
price of property (in either case, whether incurred, assumed, guaranteed or
secured by any asset), except any such agreement (A) with an aggregate
outstanding principal amount not exceeding $5,000,000 and which may be prepaid
on not more than 30 days’ notice without the payment of any penalty and (B)
entered into
subsequent
to the date of this Agreement as permitted by Section 6.01;
(vii) any
option, franchise or similar agreement;
(viii) any
agreement that limits the freedom of the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company to compete in any line of business or with any Person or in any area or
which would so limit the freedom of the Company, Parent or any of their
respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates after the Closing Date (excluding an
Employee Plan); or
(ix) any
agreement with (A) any Member or any of its Affiliates, (B) any Person directly
or indirectly owning, controlling or holding with power to vote, 5% or more of
the outstanding voting securities of any Member (if not an individual) or any of
its Affiliates, (C) any Person 5% or more of whose outstanding voting securities
are directly or indirectly owned, controlled or held with power to vote by any
Member or any of its Affiliates or (D) any director or officer of the Company,
any Subsidiary of the
Company,
any Member (if not an individual) or any of their respective Affiliates or any
“associates” or members of the “immediate family” (as such terms are
respectively defined in Rule 12b-2 and Rule 16a-1 of the 1934 Act) of any such
director or officer.
(b) Each
agreement, contract, plan, lease, arrangement or commitment disclosed in any
Schedule to this Agreement or required to be disclosed pursuant to this Section
is a valid and binding agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company,
as the case may be, and is in full force and effect, and none of the Company,
any Subsidiary of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other
party thereto is in default or breach in any material respect under the terms of
any such agreement, contract, plan, lease, arrangement or commitment, and, to
the knowledge of the Company, no event or circumstance has occurred that, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute any event of default
thereunder, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a
Company Material Adverse Effect. True and complete copies of each such
agreement, contract, plan, lease, arrangement or commitment have been delivered
to Parent.
Section
3.13. Litigation. There is
no material action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened against, the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company or any of their respective properties before any arbitrator or any
Governmental Authority.
Section
3.14. Compliance with
Laws and Court Orders. Except for such failures to comply, and notices,
actions and assertions concerning such failures to comply, that have not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Company Material Adverse Effect or have a material adverse impact on the ability
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to consummate the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement since December 31, 2004: (i) the Company and each
of its Subsidiaries has conducted its business in material compliance with all
Laws and (ii) no notice, action, or assertion has been received by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or , to the knowledge of the Company, has been filed,
commenced or threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging
any violation of any Law applicable to them or by which their respective
properties are bound or affected.
Section
3.15. Properties. (a) The
Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or in the case
of leased property and assets have valid leasehold interests in, all material
property and material assets (whether real, personal, tangible or intangible)
reflected on the Balance Sheet or acquired after the Balance Sheet Date, except
for properties and assets sold or disposed of since the Balance Sheet Date in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices. None of such
material property or material assets is subject to any Lien,
except:
(i) Liens
disclosed on the Balance Sheet;
(ii) Liens
for taxes not yet due or being contested in good faith (and for which adequate
accruals or reserves have been established on the Balance Sheet);
or
(iii)
Liens which do not materially detract from the value or materially interfere
with any present or intended use of such property or assets (clauses (i) - (iii)
of this
Section 3.15(a) are, collectively, the “Permitted
Liens”).
(b) There
are no developments affecting any such property or assets pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company threatened, which would, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
(c) Except
as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Company Material Adverse Effect, all leases of such real property and personal
property are in good standing and are valid, binding and enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms and there does not exist under any such
lease any default or any event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute a default.
(d) Except
as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect,
the plants, buildings, structures and equipment owned by the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company have no defects, are in good operating condition and
repair and have been reasonably maintained consistent with standards generally
followed in the industry, are adequate and suitable for their present uses (in
each case giving due account to the age and length of use of same, ordinary wear
and tear excepted).
(e) The
material tangible property and material tangible assets owned or leased by the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, or which they otherwise have the right
to use, constitute all of the material tangible property and material tangible
assets used or held for use in connection with the businesses of the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company and are adequate to conduct such businesses as
currently conducted.
Section
3.16. Intellectual
Property. (a) Schedule 3.16(a) contains a true and complete list of all
registrations or applications for registration included in the Owned
Intellectual Property Rights.
(b) The
Company Intellectual Property Rights constitute all of the Intellectual Property
Rights necessary to the conduct of the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as currently conducted. There exist no material restrictions on the
disclosure, use, license or transfer of any Owned Intellectual Property Rights
or Company Technology owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, in and
of itself, alter, encumber, impair or extinguish the rights of the Company or
its Subsidiaries in any material Company Intellectual Property Rights or
material Company Technology.
(c) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has infringed, misappropriated or
otherwise violated any Intellectual Property Right of any Person in any material
respect. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material
Adverse Effect, there is no claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding
pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing
(including invitations to take a patent license to avoid a claim of
infringement) against, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) based upon, or
challenging or seeking to deny or restrict, the rights of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries in any of the
Company
Intellectual Property Rights or the Company Technology, (ii) alleging that the
use of the Company Intellectual Property Rights or the Company Technology or any
services provided, processes used or products manufactured, used, imported,
offered for sale or sold by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries do or may
conflict with, misappropriate, infringe or otherwise violate any Intellectual
Property Right of any third party or (iii) alleging that the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries have infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any
Intellectual Property Right of any Person.
(d) No
material Owned Intellectual Property Rights have been adjudged invalid or
unenforceable in whole or part, and, to the knowledge of the Company, all
material Owned Intellectual Property Rights are valid and enforceable. The
Company and its Subsidiaries hold
(i) all
right, title and interest in and to all material Owned Intellectual Property
Rights and the material Company Technology owned by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and (ii) the right to use all material Licensed Intellectual
Property Rights and the material Company Technology licensed or leased by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of any Lien
(other than Permitted Liens). The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken all
reasonable actions necessary to maintain and protect their rights in all
material Company Intellectual Property Rights and material Company
Technology.
(e) To
the knowledge of the Company, no Person has infringed, misappropriated or
otherwise violated any of the material Owned Intellectual Property Rights. To
the knowledge of the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries have taken
reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality of all material Company
Intellectual Property Rights and material Company Technology the value of which
to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is contingent upon maintaining the
confidentiality thereof and no such Company Intellectual Property Rights or
Company Technology has been disclosed other than to employees, representatives
and agents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or others who, in all
cases, are bound by written confidentiality agreements or other obligations of
confidentiality.
(f) The
Company Technology operates and performs in all material respects in a manner
that permits the Company and its Subsidiaries to conduct their respective
businesses as currently conducted. To the knowledge of the Company, (i) neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has experienced any material defects in
any material Company Technology that have not been satisfactorily resolved and
(ii) no Person has gained unauthorized access to any material Company
Technology.
Section
3.17. Insurance
Coverage. The Company has furnished to Parent a list of, and true and
complete copies of, all insurance policies and fidelity bonds relating to the
assets, business, operations, employees, officers or directors of the Company
and its Subsidiaries. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, there is no
claim by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company pending under any of such
policies or bonds as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed
by the underwriters of such policies or bonds or in respect of which such
underwriters have reserved their rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have
complied fully with the terms and conditions of all such policies and bonds.
Such policies of insurance and bonds (or other policies and bonds providing
substantially similar insurance coverage) have been in effect since December 31,
2004 and remain in full force and effect. The
Company
does not know of any threatened termination of, material premium increase with
respect to, or material alteration of coverage under, any of such policies or
bonds.
Section
3.18. Licenses and
Permits. (a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Company
Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have all material
licenses, franchises, permits, certificates, approvals or other similar
authorizations affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of
the Company and its Subsidiaries necessary to conduct their business in the
manner in which it is currently conducted (collectively, including all FCC
Licenses and Foreign Permits, the “Permits”), (ii) the Permits
are valid and in full force and effect and have not been revoked, suspended,
canceled, rescinded or terminated and have not expired, (iii) neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is in default under, and no condition
exists that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default
under, the Permits and (iv) none of the Permits will be terminated or impaired
or become terminable, in whole or in part, as a result of the transactions
contemplated hereby. Schedule 3.18(a) lists all of the FCC Licenses held by the
Company and its Subsidiaries and describes all material pending applications
filed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with the FCC in connection
with the operation or planned operation of the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries. Schedule 3.18(a) lists all FCC Consent Applications.
(b) Except
for restrictions or conditions that appear on the face of the FCC Licenses or
Foreign Permits, and except for restrictions or conditions that pertain to the
FCC Licenses under generally applicable rules of the FCC, including those
pertaining to satellite and common carrier radio licenses, and except as set
forth in Schedule 3.18(b), to the Company’s knowledge no FCC License or Foreign
Permit held by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is subject to any
restriction or condition which would limit the operation of the Company’s and
its Subsidiaries’ business as it is currently conducted. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.18(b), no proceeding, inquiry, investigation or other administrative
action is pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened by or before the
FCC or any applicable non-United States Governmental Authority to revoke,
suspend, cancel, rescind or modify any material FCC License or Foreign Permit or
otherwise impair in any material respect the operation of the Company’s and its
Subsidiaries’ business as it is currently conducted (other than proceedings to
amend the Communications Laws or proceedings of general applicability to the
satellite industry). No application, action or proceeding is pending for the
renewal of any FCC License or Foreign Permit as to which any petition to deny or
objection has been filed.
Section
3.19. Finders’
Fees. Except for Evercore Group LLC and Fieldstone Partners, Inc., whose
fees and expenses shall be paid only pursuant to the arrangements set forth on
Schedule 3.19 and will be paid by the Company, there is no investment banker,
broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized
to act on behalf of any Seller, Member, Blocker Entity or the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company who might be entitled to any fee or commission in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents.
Section
3.20. Employees. Schedule
3.20 sets forth a true and complete list of the names, titles, annual salaries
and other compensation of all officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries and
all other employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries whose annual base salary
exceeds $300,000.
Section
3.21. Labor
Matters. (a) Except as would not reasonably be
expected to result in a material liability to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Laws
respecting employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of
employment and wages and hours, and are not engaged in any unfair labor
practice. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a material
liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, there is no unfair labor
practice complaint pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened
against the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company before the National Labor
Relations Board.
(b) (A)
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has effectuated either (i) a
“plant closing” (as defined in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification
Act (“WARN”)) affecting
any site of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within any
site of employment or facility of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof or (ii)
a “mass layoff” (as defined in WARN) affecting any site of employment or
facility of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof and (B) neither the Company
nor any of its Subsidiaries has been affected by any transaction or engaged in
layoffs or employment terminations sufficient in number to trigger application
of any similar law, rule or regulation, and none of the employees of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries has suffered an “employment loss” (as defined in
WARN) during the six months prior to the date hereof.
(c) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or subject to, or is
currently negotiating in connection with entering into, any collective
bargaining agreement or other labor agreement with any union or labor
organization.
Section
3.22. Taxes.
Except as
would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect:
(a) The
Company and its Subsidiaries have each timely filed (or will timely file) all
returns, reports, statements and forms required to be filed under the Code or
applicable state, local or foreign Tax Laws (the “Tax Returns”) for taxable
years or periods ending on or before the Closing Date, and all Tax Returns when
filed were true, correct and complete in all respects;
(b) The
Company and its Subsidiaries have each timely paid (or will pay) all Taxes due
for such periods and has made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for any
Taxes not yet due and payable;
(c) The
US federal and state income and franchise Tax Returns of the Company and its
Subsidiaries through the Tax year ended December 31, 2003 have each been
examined and closed or are Tax Returns with respect to which the applicable
period for assessment under Law, after giving effect to extensions or waivers,
has expired;
(d) No
Liens for Taxes other than Permitted Liens have been filed, and no claims or
adjustments are being asserted or threatened by a Governmental Authority in
writing with respect to any Taxes of the Company or its
Subsidiaries;
(e) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding Tax audit,
inquiry or assessment (and no written notice of any such event has been
received);
(f) The
Company and its Subsidiaries have each complied with all Laws relating to the
payment and withholding of Taxes;
(g) There
has not been any Tax election or any change in any Tax election, change in
annual tax accounting period, adoption of, or change in, any method of tax
accounting, amendment of any Tax Return, filing of a claim for any Tax refund,
entering into of any closing agreement, settlement of any Tax claim, audit or
assessment, or surrender of any right to claim a Tax refund, offset or other
reduction in Tax liability with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries since the Balance Sheet Date;
(h) There
are no outstanding waivers or comparable consents regarding the application of
the statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, nor any agreement to any extension of time
with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency, and no such waivers, consents or
agreements have been requested;
(i) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement or
arrangement with any Tax Authority or any other Person with regard to Taxes,
including any contract providing for the allocation or sharing of
Taxes;
(j) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into, engaged in or
participated in any “reportable transaction” as described in Section 1.6011-4(b)
of the Treasury Regulations (or any similar provision of applicable state or
local law);
(k) No
claim has been received from a Tax Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, does not file Tax Returns with
respect to a particular type of Tax that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
as the case may be, may be subject to, or liable for, that particular type of
Tax in that jurisdiction. Schedule 3.22(k) contains a list of all jurisdictions
(whether foreign or domestic) to which any Tax is properly payable or any Tax
Return is filed, by or on behalf of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(l) The
Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule
3.22(l)) are (and have been since the date of its formation) properly classified
as a partnership or a disregarded entity for U.S. federal, state and local
income Tax purposes; and
(m) Neither the Company nor any
related person within the meaning of Section 197(f)(9) of the Code has
held or used, at any time on or prior to August 10, 1993, any Section
197 intangible
described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of Section 197(d)(1) of the
Code.
Section 3.23. Employee
Plans. (a) Schedule 3.23(a)
contains a correct and complete list identifying each material “employee benefit
plan”, as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, each material employment, severance
or similar contract, plan, arrangement or policy and each other plan or
arrangement (written or oral) providing for compensation, bonuses, profit-
sharing, stock option or other stock related rights or other forms of incentive
or deferred compensation, vacation benefits, insurance (including any
self-insured arrangements), health or medical benefits, employee assistance
program, disability or sick leave benefits, workers’ compensation, supplemental
unemployment benefits, severance benefits and post-employment or retirement
benefits (including compensation, pension, health, medical or life insurance
benefits) which is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or
any ERISA Affiliate
thereof
and covers any employee or former employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company, or with respect to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company has any liability (excluding International Plans). Copies of such plans
(and, if applicable, related trust or funding agreements or insurance policies)
and all amendments thereto have been furnished to Parent together, to the extent
applicable, with the most recent annual report (Form 5500 including, if
applicable, Schedule B thereto) and tax return (Form 990) prepared in connection
with any such plan or trust. Such plans (excluding International Plans) are
referred to collectively herein as the “Employee Plans”.
(b) None
of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate thereof sponsors, maintains or contributes
to, or has in the past six years sponsored, maintained or contributed to, any
Employee Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA.
(c) None
of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate thereof contributes to, or has in the past
six years contributed to, any multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA.
(d) (i)
Each Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code has received a favorable determination letter, or has pending or has time
remaining in which to file, an application for such determination from the
Internal Revenue Service, and to the Company’s knowledge, there is no reason why
any such determination letter should be revoked or not be reissued, (ii) each
Employee Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with
the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules and
regulations, including ERISA and the Code, which are applicable to such Employee
Plan, and (iii) no material events have occurred with respect to any Employee
Plan that would reasonably be expected to result in payment or assessment by or
against the Company of any material excise taxes under the Code.
(e) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.23(e) or pursuant to an Employee Plan, neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has any current or projected material
liability in respect of post-employment or post-retirement health or medical or
life insurance benefits for retired, former or current employees of the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company, except as required to avoid excise tax under
Section 4980B of the Code.
(f) No
prohibited transaction as defined by Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code, has occurred with respect to any Employee Plan, which transaction has or
will cause the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to incur
material liability under ERISA, the Code or otherwise, excluding transactions
effected pursuant to and in compliance with any statutory or administrative
exemption.
(g) No
Employee Plan that is an “employee welfare benefit plan” within the meaning of
Section 3(1) of ERISA, is funded by a trust or subject to Section 419 or 419A of
the Code.
(h) Each
Employee Plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Code has been operated in
good faith compliance with the requirements of Section 409A and the guidance
issued thereunder. Schedule 3.23(h) lists each Employee Plan that is an excess
benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(36) of ERISA.
(i) With
respect to each Employee Plan, there are no material restrictions on the ability
of the plan sponsor to amend or terminate such Employee Plan, and the sponsor
has expressly reserved in itself the right to amend, modify or terminate any
such Employee Plan.
(j) Except
as disclosed on Schedule 3.23(j), no payment made as a result of, or in
connection with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will fail to
qualify for a deduction as a result of Section 280G of the Code, or be subject
to tax under Section 4999 of the Code.
(k) Schedule
3.23(l) identifies each International Plan. The Company has furnished to Parent
copies of each International Plan. Each International Plan has been maintained
in substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements prescribed by
any and all applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations (including any
special provisions relating to qualified plans where such Plan was intended to
so qualify) and has been maintained in good standing with applicable
Governmental Authorities.
(l) For
purposes of this Agreement, “International Plan” means any
material employee benefit plan, program or arrangement presently maintained, or
contributed to, by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate thereof, for the benefit
of any current or former employee thereof, including any such plan required to
be maintained or contributed to by any applicable law, rule or regulation of the
relevant jurisdiction, which would be an Employee Plan but for the fact that
such plan is maintained outside the jurisdiction of the United States. For the
avoidance of doubt, no plan maintained or administered by a Governmental
Authority shall constitute an International Plan.
(m) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.23(m), no employee or former employee of the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company will become entitled to any material bonus,
retirement, severance or job security or similar benefit, or the enhancement of
any such benefit (including acceleration of vesting or exercise of an incentive
award), as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(n) There
are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under
the 1934 Act) or director of the Company that would be prohibited under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(o) There
is no action, suit, investigation, audit or proceeding pending against or
involving or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving
any Employee Plan before any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority that would
reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries.
Section
3.24. Environmental
Matters. (a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse
Effect:
(i) no
written notice, notification, demand, complaint, request for information,
citation, summons or order has been received, no penalty has been assessed and
no action, claim, suit, proceeding or review is pending, or to the Company’s
knowledge, threatened by any Governmental Authority or other Person with respect
to any matters relating to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and
relating to or
arising out of any Environmental Law or relating to the actual or alleged
exposure to a Hazardous Substance.
(ii) The
Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been in compliance with all
Environmental Laws and have obtained and are in compliance with all
Environmental Permits; such Environmental Permits are valid and in full force
and effect and will not be terminated or impaired or become terminable, in whole
or in part, as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(iii) No
Hazardous Substance has been discharged, disposed of, dumped, injected, pumped,
deposited, spilled, leaked, emitted or released at, on, to, from or under any
property now or previously owned, leased or operated by the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company or any predecessor of the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company (including Iridium LLC) in a manner that would result in liability
under any Environmental Law.
(b) There
has been no material written environmental investigation, study, audit, test,
review or other written environmental analysis conducted of which the Company
has possession or control in relation to any material portion of the current or
prior business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any material
property or facility now or previously owned, leased or operated by the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company which has not been delivered or otherwise made
available to Parent prior to the date hereof.
Section
3.25. Disclosure
Documents. The information provided by the Company for inclusion in the
Parent Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto will not, at the
time the Parent Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto is first
mailed to stockholders of Parent and at the time the stockholders vote on
adoption of this Agreement, contain any statement which, at the time and in
light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with
respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein not false or misleading.
ARTICLE
4
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
Except as
set forth in the disclosure schedule (with reference to the section or
subsection of this Agreement to which the information stated in such disclosure
schedule relates; provided that any fact,
matter or condition disclosed in any section or subsection of such disclosure
schedule in such a way as to make its relevance to another section or subsection
of such disclosure schedule that relates to a representation or representations
made elsewhere in Article 4 of this Agreement reasonably apparent shall be
deemed to be an exception to such representation or representations
notwithstanding the omission of a reference or cross reference thereto)
delivered by the applicable Seller to Parent prior to the execution of this
Agreement (as applicable, the “Seller Disclosure Schedule”),
each Seller, severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to Parent as of
the date hereof and as of the Closing Date solely with respect to such Seller to
Parent that:
Section
4.01. Existence and
Power. If such Seller is not an individual, such Seller is
duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of
organization.
Section
4.02. Authorization. The
execution, delivery and performance by such Seller (if not an individual) of
this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents to which it is party and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within such
Seller’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the
part of such Seller. If such Seller is an individual, the execution, delivery
and performance by such Seller of this Agreement, the other Transaction
Documents to which it is party and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby requires no spousal consent. This Agreement and
the other Transaction Documents to which such Seller is a party constitutes, and
will constitute when executed by such Seller, assuming the due authorization,
execution and delivery hereof and thereof by the other parties hereto and
thereto, valid and binding agreements of such Seller.
Section
4.03. Noncontravention. The
execution, delivery and performance by such Seller of this Agreement, the other
Transaction Documents to which it is party and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) violate the
organizational documents of such Seller (if not an individual) or any Blocker
Entity in which such Seller owns any Blocker Shares, (ii) subject to the Company
obtaining any required consents or approvals from Governmental Authorities as
set forth in Section 3.03, violate any Law, (iii) with or without notice, lapse
of time, or both, require any consent or other action by any Person under or
constitute a breach of or default under any provision of any agreement or other
instrument binding on such Seller or any Blocker Entity in which such Seller
owns any Blocker Shares or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien
on the Units of such Seller.
Section
4.04. Ownership of
Equity Interests. Such Seller is the record and beneficial owner of the
Equity Interests set forth opposite its name on Schedule 4.04, free and clear of
any Lien (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise
dispose of such Equity Interests) other than restrictions under applicable
securities Laws and those restrictions contained in the Company LLC Agreement.
By execution of this Agreement, such Seller (i) hereby consents in all respects
to all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Note Purchase
Agreement (including the amendment to the Company LLC Agreement contemplated
thereby) and the Convertible Note and hereby waives all restrictions contained
in the Company LLC Agreement or any other agreement to which such Seller is a
party pertaining thereto, (ii) hereby waives any preemptive rights under the
Company LLC Agreement with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Note
Purchase Agreement and the Convertible Note, and (iii) hereby agrees that such
Seller will cease to have any antidilution rights with respect to its Interests;
provided that clause
(iii) shall not apply to the Greenhill Noteholder. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.04, none of such Equity Interests is subject to any voting trust or
other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting thereof. Except for
Equity Interests listed on Schedule 4.04, such Seller does not own any other
Equity Interests.
Section
4.05. Litigation. There is
no action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or to the
knowledge of such Seller threatened in writing against or affecting, such Seller
or any Blocker Entity in which such Seller owns any Blocker Shares, before any
court or arbitrator or any Governmental Authority or official which in any
manner challenges or
seeks to
prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents.
Section
4.06. Finders’
Fees. Except as provided by Section 3.19 hereof, there is no investment
banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is
authorized to act on behalf of such Seller or any Blocker Entity in which such
Seller owns any Blocker Shares who might be entitled to any fee or commission in
connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction
Documents.
Section
4.07. The Blocker
Entities.
(a) With
respect to each Blocker Entity in which such Seller owns any Blocker Shares,
such Blocker Entity is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has all powers and all
governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals required
to carry on its business as now conducted. Such Blocker Entity is duly qualified
to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary. Such Seller or such Blocker
Entity has heretofore delivered to Parent true and complete copies of the
organizational documents of such Blocker Entity as currently in
effect.
(b) With
respect to each Blocker Entity in which such Seller owns any Blocker
Shares:
(i) The
capitalization of such Blocker Entity consists of the Blocker Shares set forth
on Schedule 4.07(b)(i).
(ii) All
Blocker Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid
and non assessable. Except as set forth in this Section 4.07, there are no
outstanding (A) units of capital stock or voting securities of such Blocker
Entity, (B) securities of such Blocker Entity convertible into or exchangeable
for units of capital stock or voting securities of such Blocker Entity or (C)
options or other rights to acquire from such Blocker Entity, or other obligation
of such Blocker Entity to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting
securities of such Blocker Entity (the items in Sections 4.07(b)(ii)(A),
4.07(b)(ii)(B)
and 4.07(b)(ii)(C) being referred to collectively as the “Blocker Entity Securities”). There are no
outstanding obligations of such Blocker Entity or any Subsidiary of such
Blocker Entity to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Blocker Entity
Securities.
(iii) Since
the date of its organization, such Blocker Entity has not engaged in any
activity other than the ownership of the Interests held by such Blocker
Entity.
(iv) Other
than the liabilities set forth on Schedule 4.07(b)(iv) and liabilities for Taxes
(representations and warranties with respect to Taxes being provided
exclusively
in Section 4.07(c)), there are no liabilities of such Blocker Entity of any kind
whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or
otherwise,
and there is no existing condition, situation or set of circumstances which
could result in such a liability.
(v) Such Blocker Entity has not violated,
and to the knowledge of such Seller, is not under investigation with
respect to and has not been threatened to be charged with or given notice of any
violation of, any Law.
(c) With
respect to Taxes of each Blocker Entity in which such Seller owns any Blocker
Shares, except as set forth in Section 4.07(c) of such Blocker Entity Disclosure
Schedule:
(i) Such
Blocker Entity has timely filed (or will timely file) all material Tax Returns
for taxable years or periods ending on or before the Closing Date, and all Tax
Returns when filed were true, correct and complete in all material
respects;
(ii) Syncom
Blocker has timely paid (or will timely pay) all of its Taxes (including
estimated Tax payments) for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods;
(iii) Baralonco
Blocker has timely paid (or will timely pay) all of its Taxes (including
estimated Tax payments) for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods (taking into account Tax
withholding amounts withheld by the Company);
(iv) The
income and franchise Tax Returns of such Blocker Entity through the Tax year
ended December 31, 2003 have each been examined and closed or are Tax Returns
with respect to which the applicable period for assessment under Law of
underpayments of Tax for such years, after giving effect to extensions or
waivers, has expired;
(v) No
Liens for Taxes other than Permitted Liens have been filed, and no material
claims or adjustments are being asserted or threatened by a Governmental
Authority in writing with respect to any Taxes of such Blocker
Entity;
(vi) Such
Blocker Entity is not subject to any material outstanding Tax audit, inquiry or
assessment (and no written notice of any such event has been
received);
(vii) Such
Blocker Entity has materially complied with all Laws relating to the payment and
withholding of Taxes;
(viii) There
has not been any material Tax election or any change in any material Tax
election, change in annual tax accounting period, adoption of, or change in, any
method of tax accounting, amendment of any Tax Return, filing of a claim for any
material Tax refund, entering into of any material closing agreement, settlement
of any material Tax claim, audit or assessment, or surrender of any right to
claim a material Tax refund, offset or other reduction in Tax liability since
the Balance Sheet Date;
(ix) There
are no outstanding waivers or comparable consents regarding the application of
the statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns of such
Blocker Entity, nor any agreement to any extension of time with respect to a
Tax
assessment
or deficiency, and no such waivers, consents or agreements have been
requested;
(x) Such
Blocker Entity is not a party to any agreement or arrangement with any Tax
Authority or any other Person with regard to Taxes, including, any contract
providing for the allocation or sharing of Taxes;
(xi) Such
Blocker Entity has not entered into, engaged in or participated in any
“reportable transaction” as described in Section 1.6011-4(b) of the Treasury
Regulations (or any similar provision of applicable state or local
law);
(xii) No
material claim has been received from a Tax Authority in a jurisdiction where
such Blocker Entity does not file Tax Returns with respect to a particular type
of Tax that such Blocker Entity may be subject to, or liable for, that
particular type of Tax in that jurisdiction. Schedule 4.07(c) contains a list of
all jurisdictions (whether foreign or domestic) to which any Tax is properly
payable or any Tax Return is filed, by or on behalf of such Blocker Entity;
and
(xiii) Such
Blocker Entity is (and has been since the date of its formation) properly
classified for U.S. federal, state and local income Tax purposes (x) in the case
of Syncom Blocker, as a domestic corporation and (y) in the case of Baralonco
Blocker, as a foreign corporation.
Section
4.08. Purchase for
Investment. Such Seller (as a Stock Buyer) is purchasing the Purchased
Shares for investment for its own account and not with a view to, or for sale in
connection with, any distribution thereof. Such Stock Buyer (either alone or
together with its advisors) has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial
and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
its investment in the Purchased Shares and is capable of bearing the economic
risks of such investment. Such Stock Buyer acknowledges that it has not relied
upon any express or implied representations or warranties of any nature made by
or on behalf of or imputed to Parent, except as expressly set forth in this
Agreement.
Section
4.09. 1933 Act
Compliance.
(a) Such
Seller (as a Stock Buyer) is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of
Regulation D under the 1933 Act.
(b) Such
Stock Buyer acknowledges that the Purchased Shares have not been registered
under the 1933 Act and may not be offered or sold except in accordance with the
registration requirements of the 1933 Act or pursuant to an exemption from the
registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Accordingly, such Stock Buyer
represents and agrees that (i) it will sell the Purchased Shares only in
accordance with the registration requirements under the 1933 Act, pursuant to
Rule 144 under the 1933 Act (if available) or in offshore transactions pursuant
to Regulation S under the 1933 Act and (ii) it has not and will not engage in
any hedging transactions with regard to any Purchased Shares except in
compliance with the 1933 Act. Such Stock Buyer acknowledges that the Purchased
Shares will bear a legend to the effect set forth in Section 8.12 and that
Parent will be required by the terms of this Agreement to refuse
to
register any transfers of such Purchased Shares not made in accordance with this
provision. Such Stock Buyer further acknowledges that, except as
required under the Registration Rights Agreement, Parent is not required to file
a registration statement to permit sales of the Purchased Shares on a registered
basis.
ARTICLE
5
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT
Except as
disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed before the date of this Agreement,
and except as set forth in the disclosure schedule (with reference to the
section or subsection of this Agreement to which the information stated in such
disclosure schedule relates; provided that any fact, matter or condition
disclosed in any section or subsection of such disclosure schedule in such a way
as to make its relevance to another section or subsection of such disclosure
schedule that relates to a representation or representations made elsewhere in
Article 5 of this Agreement reasonably apparent shall be deemed to be an
exception to such representation or representations notwithstanding the omission
of a reference or cross reference thereto) delivered by Parent to the Company
prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Schedule”),
Parent represents and warrants to the Company and the Sellers as of the date
hereof and as of the Closing Date that:
Section
5.01. Corporate
Existence and Power. Parent is duly incorporated, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of Delaware and has all powers and all governmental
licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals required to carry on
its business as now conducted, except for those licenses, authorizations,
permits, consents and approvals the absence of which would not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent has
heretofore delivered to the Company true and complete copies of its certificate
of incorporation and bylaws as currently in effect (the “Organizational Documents”). Parent is not,
and has not been, in violation of any of the provisions of its Organizational
Documents. The transaction contemplated by this Agreement, when and if
consummated, will constitute an “Initial Business Combination”
within the meaning of Parent’s Organizational Documents and the Parent’s
Organizational Documents do not obligate Parent to liquidate or dissolve prior
to February 14, 2010 as a result of Parent’s execution and delivery of this
Agreement.
Section
5.02. Authorization. (a)
The execution, delivery and performance by Parent of this Agreement and the
other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by
Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within the
corporate powers of Parent and, except for the Parent Stockholder Approval, have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This Agreement and the
other Transaction Documents to which Parent is a party constitutes, and will
constitute when executed by Parent, assuming the due authorization, execution
and delivery hereof and thereof by the other parties hereto and thereto, valid
and binding agreements of Parent.
(b) (i)
The affirmative vote of a majority of the IPO Shares voted at a duly held
stockholders meeting (the “Parent Stockholder Meeting”) to approve the Initial
Business Combination contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) the affirmative
vote of the holders of a
majority
of the outstanding shares of Parent Stock (x) to amend the Parent Certificate of
Incorporation in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, (y) to adopt the Parent
Plan, and (z) to 32 approve the issuance of Parent Stock contemplated by this
Agreement are the only votes of any of Parent’s capital stock necessary in
connection with the consummation of the Closing; provided that holders of less
than 30% of the IPO Shares vote against the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and exercise their rights to convert their IPO
Shares into cash from the Trust Account in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph C of Article Sixth of Parent Certificate of Incorporation (the “Parent Stockholder Approval”).
This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Parent.
(c) At
a meeting duly called and held, Parent’s Board of Directors (including any
required committee or subgroup of the Parent’s Board of Directors) has (i)
determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair
to and in the best interests of Parent’s stockholders, (ii) approved and adopted
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) determined that
the fair market value of the Company is equal to at least 80% of the balance in
the Trust Account excluding Deferred Underwriting Compensation (as defined in
the Parent Certificate of Incorporation) and (iv) resolved to recommend to
stockholders adoption of this Agreement, the approval of the issuance of shares
of Parent Stock hereunder, the transactions contemplated hereby, and the
amendment to the Parent Certificate of Incorporation in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit B (such recommendation, the “Parent Board
Recommendation”).
Section
5.03. Governmental
Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by Parent of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the
consummation by Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental
Authority, other than (i) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR
Act, (ii) FCC Consent with respect to the FCC Consent Application, (iii)
compliance with any applicable requirements of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and
any other U.S. state or federal securities laws, (iv) any notices required to be
given to U.S. security agencies under network security understandings, (v) the
consents and approvals set forth on Schedule 5.03 and (vi) such actions or
filings, if not made, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Parent Material Effect.
Section
5.04. Non-contravention.
The execution, delivery and performance by Parent of this Agreement and the
other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by
Parent of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not
(i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any
provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Parent, (ii) assuming
compliance with the matters referred to in Section 5.03, contravene, conflict
with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Law, (iii)
assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section 5.03, require any
consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a default, or an event
that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, could become a default,
under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other
change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which Parent is
entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding upon
Parent or any license, franchise, permit, certificate, approval or other similar
authorization affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of
the Parent or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset
of the Parent, except for such
contraventions,
conflicts and violations referred to in clause (ii) and for such failures to
obtain any such consent or other action, defaults, terminations, cancellations,
accelerations, changes, losses or Liens referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv)
that would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section
5.05. Capitalization. (a)
The authorized capital stock of Parent consists of (i) 200,000,000 shares of
Parent Stock and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per
share. As of the date of this Agreement, there were outstanding 48,500,000
shares of Parent Stock, no shares of preferred stock, 56,500,000 warrants
entitling the holder to purchase one share of Parent Stock per warrant (each, a
“Parent Warrant”), and
no employee stock options to purchase Parent Stock. All outstanding shares of
capital stock of Parent have been duly authorized, validly issued, are fully
paid and nonassessable, and were not issued in violation of any preemptive or
other similar right.
(b) Except
as set forth in this Section 5.05, there are no outstanding (i) shares of
capital stock or voting securities of Parent, (ii) securities of Parent
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting
securities of Parent or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from Parent or
other obligation of Parent to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting
securities of Parent. There are no outstanding obligations of Parent to
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the securities referred to in
clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, other than obligations that may arise if Parent
is required to pay cash from the Trust Account to stockholders who elect to have
their shares so converted in accordance with the provisions of paragraph C of
Article Sixth of Parent Certificate of Incorporation.
(c) Parent
Stock is quoted on the American Stock Exchange. There is no action or proceeding
pending or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened against Parent by the American
Stock Exchange with respect to any intention by such entity to prohibit or
terminate the quotation of such securities thereon.
(d) The
shares of Parent Stock to be issued as part of the Aggregate Consideration have
been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement, will have been validly issued and will be fully paid and
nonassessable and the issuance thereof is not subject to any preemptive or other
similar right.
(e) All
of the outstanding Parent Stock and Parent Warrants have been issued in
compliance in all material respects with all requirements of Laws applicable to
the Parent, Parent Stock and Parent Warrants.
(f) Except
as contemplated by the Transaction Documents, there are no registration rights,
and there is no voting trust, proxy, rights plan, anti-takeover plan or other
understandings to which the Parent is a party or by which the Parent is bound
with respect to the Parent Stock and Parent Warrants.
(g) Except
as disclosed in Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement or
as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, as a result of the consummation of
this transaction, no shares of capital stock, warrants, options or other
securities of Parent are
issuable
and no rights in connection with any shares, warrants, rights, options or other
securities or Parent accelerate or otherwise become triggered (whether as to
vesting, exercisability, convertibility or otherwise).
Section 5.06. No
Subsidiaries. Parent has no Subsidiaries.
Section 5.07. SEC Filings and the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. (a) As of its filing date, each Parent SEC
Document complied, and each such Parent SEC Document filed subsequent to
the date hereof will comply, as to form in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and 1934 Act, as the case may
be.
(b) As
of its filing date, each Parent SEC Document filed pursuant to the 1934 Act did
not, and each such Parent SEC Document filed subsequent to the date hereof will
not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(c) Each
Parent SEC Document that is a registration statement, as amended or
supplemented, if applicable, filed pursuant to the 1933 Act, as of the date such
registration statement or amendment became effective, did not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading.
(d) Parent
has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rule 13a-15 under the 1934 Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are
designed to ensure that material information relating to Parent is made known to
Parent’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer,
particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the
1934 Act are being prepared. Such disclosure controls and procedures are
effective in timely alerting Parent’s principal executive officer and principal
financial officer to material information required to be included in Parent’s
periodic reports required under the 1934 Act.
(e) Parent
has established and maintained a system of internal controls. Such internal
controls are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of Parent’s financial reporting and the preparation of Parent
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
(f) There are no outstanding loans or
other extensions of credit made by Parent to any executive officer (as
defined in Rule 3b-7 under the 1934 Act) or director of Parent. Parent has not
taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act.
Section
5.08. Financial
Statements. The audited consolidated statements and unaudited condensed
interim financial statements of Parent included in the Parent SEC Filings fairly
present, in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be
indicated in the notes thereto), the financial position of Parent as of the
dates thereof and their results of operations and cash flows for the periods
then ended (subject to normal year-end adjustments in the case of any unaudited
interim financial statements).
Section
5.09. Disclosure
Documents. The proxy of Parent to be filed with the SEC in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Parent Proxy Statement”) and any amendments
or supplements thereto will, when filed, comply as to form in all material respects
with the applicable requirements of the 1934 Act. At the time the Parent Proxy
Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto is first mailed to stockholders
of Parent, and at the time such stockholders vote on adoption of this Agreement,
the Parent Proxy Statement, as supplemented or amended, if applicable, will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations
and warranties contained in this Section 5.09 will not apply to statements or
omissions in the Parent Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto
based upon information furnished to Parent by the Sellers or the Company
specifically for use therein.
Section
5.10. Absence of
Certain Changes. Since Parent Balance Sheet Date, the business of Parent
has been conducted in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, and
there has not been:
(a) any
event, occurrence, development or state of circumstances or facts that has had
or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Parent Material Adverse Effect;
(b) any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution with
respect to any shares of capital stock of Parent, or any repurchase, redemption
or other acquisition by Parent of any outstanding shares of capital stock or
other securities of, or other ownership interests in, Parent; and
(c) any
change in any method of accounting or accounting practice by Parent, except for
any such change required by reason of a concurrent change in GAAP or Regulation
S-X under the 1934 Act.
Section
5.11. No Undisclosed
Material Liabilities. There are no liabilities or obligations of Parent
of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined,
determinable or otherwise, and there is no existing condition, situation or set
of circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in such a
liability, other than:
(a) liabilities
or obligations disclosed and provided for in the Parent Balance Sheet or in the
notes thereto or in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof;
and
(b) other
undisclosed liabilities which are, individually or in the aggregate not material
to Parent.
Section
5.12. Compliance with
Laws and Court Orders. Parent has not violated, and to the knowledge of
Parent is not under investigation with respect to and has not been threatened to
be charged with or given notice of any violation of, any Law, except for
violations that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section
5.13. Litigation. There
is no material action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or to
the knowledge of Parent, threatened against or affecting, Parent or any of its
properties before any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority.
Section
5.14. Finders’
Fees. There is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary
that has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of Parent who might
be entitled to any fee or commission from Parent, Sellers or any of their
respective Affiliates upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section
5.15. Trust
Account. (a) As of the date hereof and at the Closing Date (without
giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby), Parent has and will have
no less than $400,000,000 invested in United States Government securities or in
money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 in the Trust Account, less such amounts, if
any, as Parent is required to pay to stockholders who elect to have their shares
converted to cash in accordance with the provisions of paragraph C of Article
Sixth of Parent Certificate of Incorporation.
(b)
Effective as of the Closing Date, the obligations of Parent to dissolve or
liquidate within the specified time period contained in the Parent Certificate
of Incorporation will terminate, and effective as of the Closing Date Parent
shall have no obligation whatsoever to dissolve and liquidate the assets of
Parent by reason of the consummation of the Closing, and following the Closing
Date no Public Stockholder shall be entitled to receive any amount from the
Trust Account except to the extent such Public Stockholder voted against the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and exercised its
conversion rights in accordance with the terms of paragraph C of Article Sixth
of Parent Certificate of Incorporation.
Section
5.16. Transactions
with Affiliates. There are no contracts, agreements or transactions
between Parent and any other Person of a type that would be required to be
disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act
and no loans by Parent to any of its employees, officers or directors, or any of
its Affiliates.
Section
5.17. Taxes.
Except as set forth in Schedule 5.17:
(a) Parent
has timely filed all material Tax Returns for taxable years or periods ending on
or before the Closing Date, and all Tax Returns when filed were true, correct
and complete in all material respects;
(b) Parent
has timely paid (or will pay) all material Taxes due for such periods and has
made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for any Taxes not yet due and
payable;
(c) None
of the income and franchise Tax Returns of Parent have been examined and closed
or are Tax Returns with respect to which the applicable period for assessment
under Law, after giving effect to extensions or waivers, has
expired;
(d) No
Liens for Taxes other than Permitted Liens have been filed, and no material
claims or adjustments are being asserted or threatened by a Governmental
Authority in writing with respect to any Taxes of Parent;
(e) Parent
is not subject to any material outstanding Tax audit, inquiry or assessment (and
no written notice of any such event has been received);
(f) Parent
has materially complied with all Laws relating to the payment and withholding of
Taxes;
(g) There
has not been any material Tax election or any change in any material Tax
election, change in annual tax accounting period, adoption of, or change in, any
method of tax accounting, amendment of any Tax Return, filing of a claim for any
material Tax refund, entering into of any material closing agreement, settlement
of any material Tax claim, audit or assessment, or surrender of any right to
claim a material Tax refund, offset or other reduction in Tax liability with
respect to the Parent since the Balance Sheet Date;
(h) There
are no outstanding waivers or comparable consents regarding the application of
the statute of limitations with respect to any Taxes or Tax Returns of Parent,
nor any agreement to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or
deficiency, and no such waivers, consents or agreements have been
requested;
(i) Parent
is not a party to any agreement or arrangement with any Tax Authority or any
other Person with regard to Taxes, including any contract providing for the
allocation or sharing of Taxes;
(j) Parent
has not entered into, engaged in or participated in any “reportable transaction”
as described in Section 1.6011 4(b) of the Treasury Regulations;
and
(k) No
material claim has been received from a Tax Authority in a jurisdiction where
Parent does not file Tax Returns with respect to a particular type of Tax that
Parent may be subject to, or liable for, that particular type of Tax in that
jurisdiction. Schedule 5.17(k) contains a list of all jurisdictions (whether
foreign or domestic) to which any Tax is properly payable or any Tax Return is
filed by or on behalf of Parent.
Section
5.18. Contracts.
(a) There
are no contracts, agreements or obligations of any kind, whether written or
oral, to which Parent is a party or by or to which any of the properties or
assets of Parent may be bound, subject or affected without penalty or cost,
which either (i) creates or imposes a liability greater than $50,000 or (ii) may
not be cancelled without liability by Parent on thirty (30) days’ or less prior
notice (the “Parent
Contracts”). All Parent Contracts are listed in Schedule 5.18(a) other
than the Transaction Documents and those that are exhibits to the Parent SEC
Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement. True, correct and complete
copies of all Parent Contracts have been heretofore made available to the
Company.
(b) Neither
Parent, nor any other party thereto is in breach in any respect of or in default
under, and, to the knowledge of Parent, no event has occurred which with notice
or lapse of time or both would become a breach of or default under, any Parent
Contract, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section
5.19. Employees. There
are no employees of Parent. Schedule 5.19 sets forth a true and
complete list of the names, titles, annual salaries and other compensation of
all officers of Parent.
Section
5.20. Employee
Matters.
(a) There
are no current activities to organize any employees of Parent into a collective
bargaining unit.
(b) Parent
does not and is not required to, and has not and has never been required to,
maintain, sponsor, contribute to, or administer any pension, retirement,
savings, money purchase, profit sharing, deferred compensation, medical, vision,
dental, hospitalization, prescription drug and other health plan, cafeteria,
flexible benefits, short-term and long-term disability, accident and life
insurance plan, bonus, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation, phantom
stock, incentive and special compensation plan or any other employee or fringe
benefit plan, program or contract and does not have any liability of any kind
with respect to any of the foregoing (under ERISA or otherwise). Parent does not
have any contract, plan or commitment, whether or not legally binding, to create
any of the foregoing other than as contemplated by this Agreement. Neither
Parent nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has, during any time in the six-year
period preceding the Closing Date, contributed to, sponsored, maintained or
administered any "employee pension benefit plan" within the meaning of Section
3(2) of ERISA that is or was subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the
Code.
(c) The
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and
the consummation of the transaction will not (i) result in any payment
(including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or
otherwise) becoming due to any stockholder, director or employee of Parent; or
(ii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefits.
Section
5.21. Qualification. Parent
is legally, financially and otherwise qualified under the Communications Laws to
own the Company and its Subsidiaries and to perform its obligations hereunder.
To Parent’s knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances relating to Parent
that would, under the Communications Laws, disqualify Parent as the transferee
of the FCC Licenses or the owner of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Except as
set forth in Schedule 5.21, no waiver of or exemption from any provision of the
Communications Laws is necessary for FCC Consent to be obtained. To Parent’s
knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances relating to Parent that might
reasonably be expected to result in the FCC’s refusal to grant FCC Consent.
Parent is legally, financially and otherwise qualified under all applicable Laws
to own all Subsidiaries of the Company that are party to contracts with a
Governmental Authority. To Parent’s knowledge, there are no facts or
circumstances relating to Parent that would, under applicable Law, disqualify
Parent from owning any Subsidiary of the Company that is party to any contract
with a Governmental Authority, that operates under U.S. government security
clearances or that is registered under ITAR.
ARTICLE
6
COVENANTS
OF THE COMPANY AND SELLERS
Section
6.01. Conduct of the
Company and Each Blocker Entity. From the date hereof until
the Closing Date, (x) the Company shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice
and use its reasonable best efforts to (i) preserve intact its present business
organization; (ii) maintain in effect all of its Permits, including the FCC
Licenses and the Foreign Permits; (iii) keep available the services of its
directors, officers and key employees; (iv) maintain satisfactory relationships
with its customers, lenders, suppliers and others having material business
relationships with it; (v) manage its working capital (including the timing of
collection of accounts receivable and of the payment of accounts payable) in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (vi) promptly execute
any necessary applications for renewal of FCC Licenses and Foreign Permits
necessary for the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries
as presently conducted and use reasonable efforts to cooperate with Parent in
any other respect as Parent may reasonably request in order to enhance, protect,
preserve or maintain the FCC Licenses, Foreign Permits or the business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries; (vii) timely file with the FCC and any applicable
non-United States Governmental Authority all required reports, and pay any
required annual or other regulatory fees, for the maintenance of the FCC
Licenses and the Foreign Permits and the ongoing operation of the Company’s and
its Subsidiaries’ business as presently conducted; (viii) deliver to Parent,
within ten (10) Business Days after filing, copies of any reports, applications
or responses to the FCC or any non-United States Governmental Authority related
to the satellite assets owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries which are
filed during the period between the date hereof and the Closing Date; (ix)
operate and control the satellite assets owned by the Company and its
Subsidiaries in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and in
a manner consistent with past practices and otherwise in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable Laws, including the Communications Laws,
the FCC Licenses, the Foreign Permits and all other applicable Permits; and (x)
continue to make capital expenditures materially consistent with the 2008
Capex/R&D Budget attached as Schedule 6.01(i) (the “Capex/R&D Budget”) and (y)
each Blocker Entity will continue to conduct its business in the ordinary course
consistent with past practice and will not engage in any activity other than the
ownership of the Interests held by such Blocker Entity. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement
or in Schedule 6.01(ii), or with the prior written consent of Parent (which
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Company shall not and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, and, with respect to each Blocker Entity
in which a Seller owns any Blocker Shares, such Seller shall cause such Blocker
Entity not to:
(a) amend
its articles of incorporation, bylaws or other similar organizational documents
(whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise);
(b) split,
combine or reclassify any shares of capital stock of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company or of such Blocker Entity or declare, set aside or pay
any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any
combination thereof) in respect of the capital stock of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company or of such Blocker Entity, or redeem, repurchase or
otherwise acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase, or otherwise acquire
any
Company
Securities or any Subsidiary Securities or securities of such Blocker Entity,
provided that the
Company may declare and pay distributions on the Interests of up to an aggregate
of $37,900,000 (each, a “Special Tax Distribution,” and collectively, the
“Special Tax Distributions”) (and each Blocker Entity may distribute such
Blocker Entity’s allocable portion of any Special Tax Distribution to the
Sellers that own such Blocker Entity), provided further that no
Special Tax Distribution shall be paid unless any required amendment of Exhibit
A hereto has been executed by the Sellers who are affected by such amendment
(without consent of Parent) prior to the declaration or payment of such Special
Tax Distribution, provided
further that each Blocker Entity may distribute any Cash Available for
Distribution at any time prior to the Closing;
(c) (i)
issue, deliver or sell, or authorize the issuance, delivery or sale of, any
shares of any Company Securities or Subsidiary Securities or securities of such
Blocker Entity, other than the issuance of any Subsidiary Securities to the
Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) amend any term of any
Company Security or any Subsidiary Security or any security of such Blocker
Entity (in each case, whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise);
(d) acquire
(by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise),
directly or indirectly, any material assets, securities, material properties or
businesses, other than in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries or of such Blocker Entity, as applicable, in each case in a manner
that is consistent with past practice;
(e) sell,
lease or otherwise transfer, or create or incur any Lien on, any material
assets, securities, material properties or businesses of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or of such Blocker Entity, as applicable, in each case other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;
(f) make
any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other
Person, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;
(g) with
respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, create, incur, assume, suffer to
exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any indebtedness for borrowed money
or guarantees thereof having an aggregate principal amount (together with all
other indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof of the Company and
its Subsidiaries) outstanding at any time greater than the sum of the Senior
Loan Facilities and the Convertible Note; and, with respect to such Blocker
Entity, create, incur, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with
respect to any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees
thereof;
(h) enter
into any hedging arrangements;
(i) enter
into any agreement or arrangement that limits or otherwise restricts in any
material respect the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, such Blocker Entity
or any of their respective Affiliates or any successor thereto or that would
reasonably be expected to, after the Closing Date, limit or restrict in any
material respect the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, such Blocker
Entity, Parent or any of their respective Affiliates, from engaging or competing
in any line of business, in any location or with any Person or, except in the
ordinary
course of
business consistent with past practice, otherwise waive, release or assign any
material rights, claims or benefits of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or
such Blocker Entity;
(j) except
as required by any pre-existing contractual obligation expressly disclosed in
the Company Disclosure Schedules, Law or any Employee Plan, (i) grant or
increase any severance or termination pay to (or amend any existing arrangement
with) any director or officer of the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or
such Blocker Entity, (ii) increase benefits payable under any existing severance
or termination pay policies or employment agreements in respect of any director
or officer of the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or such Blocker Entity,
(iii) enter into any employment, deferred compensation or other similar
agreement (or amend any such existing agreement) with any director or officer of
the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or such Blocker Entity, (iv)
establish, adopt or amend any collective bargaining, bonus, profit-sharing,
thrift, pension, retirement, deferred compensation, compensation, stock option,
restricted stock or other benefit plan or arrangement covering any director or
officer of the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or such Blocker Entity or
(v) increase material compensation, bonus or other benefits payable to any
director or officer of the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or such
Blocker Entity, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
(k) change
the Company’s or such Blocker Entity’s methods of accounting, except as required
by concurrent changes in Law or GAAP;
(l) settle,
or offer or propose to settle, (i) any material litigation, investigation,
arbitration, proceeding or other claim involving or against the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company or such Blocker Entity before any arbitrator or
Governmental Authority, (ii) any equityholder litigation against the Company,
such Blocker Entity or any of their current or former officers or directors
before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority or (iii) any litigation,
arbitration or proceeding that relates to the transactions contemplated hereby
before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority;
(m) make
or change any material Tax election, change any annual Tax accounting period,
adopt or change any method of Tax accounting, materially amend any Tax Returns
or file claims for material Tax refunds, enter any material closing agreement,
settle any material Tax claim, audit or assessment, or surrender any right to
claim a material Tax refund, offset or other reduction in Tax
liability;
(n) apply
to the FCC or any non-U.S. Governmental Authority for any license, construction
permit, authorization or any modification thereto that would materially restrict
the present operations of any satellite assets owned by the Company or its
Subsidiaries; or
(o) agree,
resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.
Section
6.02. Access to
Information; Confidentiality. (a) From the date hereof until the earlier
of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with
Article 11 and subject to applicable Law, (x) each Seller will (i) give, and
will cause each Blocker Entity in which it owns Blocker Shares, the Company and
each Subsidiary of the Company to give, Parent, its counsel, financial advisors,
auditors and other authorized
representatives
reasonable access during normal business hours, upon prior notice, to the
offices, properties, books and records of each Blocker Entity in which such
Seller owns Blocker Shares, the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries, (ii)
furnish, and will cause each Subsidiary of the Company to furnish, to Parent,
its counsel, financial advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives
such financial and operating data and other information relating to each Blocker
Entity in which such Seller owns Blocker Shares, the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company as such Persons may reasonably request and (iii) instruct the
employees, counsel and financial advisors of the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company to cooperate with Parent in its investigation of each Blocker Entity
in which such Seller owns Blocker Shares, the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company, and (y) Parent will (i) give the Company, its counsel, financial
advisors, auditors and other authorized representatives reasonable access during
normal business hours, upon prior notice, to the offices, properties, books and
records of Parent, (ii) furnish to the Company, its counsel, financial advisors,
auditors and other authorized representatives such financial and operating data
and other information relating to Parent as such Persons may reasonably request,
and (iii) instruct the employees, counsel and financial advisors of Parent to
cooperate with the Company in its investigation of Parent. Any investigation
pursuant to this Section shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere
unreasonably with the conduct of the business of the Company and Parent, as
applicable. No investigation by any party hereto or other information received
by any party hereto shall operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any
representation, warranty or agreement given or made by any other party
hereunder. The confidentiality agreement between Parent and the Company dated as
of May 1, 2008 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”)
shall survive the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. On
or prior to the Closing Date, each Seller of any Blocker Entity shall deliver to
Parent the minute books and all other books and records relating to such Blocker
Entity as reasonably requested by Parent.
(b) After
the Closing Date, each Seller and its Affiliates will hold, and will use its
reasonable best efforts to cause their respective officers, directors,
employees, accountants, counsel, consultants, advisors and agents to hold, in
confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process
or by other requirements of Law, all confidential documents and information
concerning the Blocker Entities, the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries,
except to the extent that such information can be shown to have been (i)
previously known on a non-confidential basis by such Seller, (ii) in the public
domain through no fault of such Seller or its Affiliates or (iii) later lawfully
acquired by such Seller from sources other than those related to its prior
ownership of Equity Interests. The obligation of each Seller and its Affiliates
to hold any such information in confidence shall be satisfied if they exercise
the same care with respect to such information as they would take to preserve
the confidentiality of their own similar information.
Section
6.03. Notices of
Certain Events. From the date hereof until the Closing Date each party
shall promptly notify the other parties in writing of any of the following with
respect to which such party obtains knowledge:
(a) any
written notice or other written communication from any Person alleging that the
consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents;
(b) any
notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority in connection with
the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents;
(c) any
event relating to the Company, Parent any of their respective Subsidiaries or
any of their respective Affiliates, officers or directors discovered by the
Company or Parent which should be set forth in a supplement to the Parent Proxy
Statement; and
(d) any
material actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or, to
its knowledge threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise
affecting the Company or Parent or any Subsidiary of the Company before any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority.
No
information received by any party pursuant to this Section 6.03 or otherwise
shall operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty or
agreement given or made by any other party in this Agreement, and no such
information shall be deemed to change, supplement or amend the Schedules
hereto.
Section
6.04. No
Solicitation. (a) Each of the Company and the
Sellers will not, and will cause their respective Affiliates, employees, agents
and representatives not to directly or indirectly, solicit or enter into
discussions or transactions with, or encourage, or provide any information to,
any Person (other than Parent) concerning any merger, sale (directly or
indirectly) of their respective Interests or assets of the Company,
recapitalization or similar transaction. Each of the Company and the Sellers
will, and will cause their respective Affiliates, employees, agents and
representatives to, terminate any existing discussions with any Person (other
than Parent) concerning any such transaction.
(b) Parent
will not, and will cause its respective Affiliates, employees, agents and
representatives not to, directly or indirectly, solicit or enter into
discussions or transactions with, or encourage, or provide any information to,
any Person (other than the Company) concerning any Initial Business Combination
or similar transaction. The Parent will, and will cause its respective
Affiliates, employees, agents and representatives to, terminate any existing
discussions with any Person (other than the Company and the Sellers) concerning
any such transaction.
Section
6.05. Contribution Of
Carrier Holdings And Carrier Services. Sellers shall cause the
contribution of 100% of the issued and outstanding equity interests in Carrier
Holdings and Carrier Services to the Company to be effected at the Closing,
which contribution shall not result in any liability to the Company, any of
Subsidiaries or Parent or in the breach of any representations or warranties set
forth in Article 3 (the “Contribution”); provided that, to the extent
necessary, the Company has obtained any required consents or approvals from
Governmental Authorities as set forth in Section 3.03.
Section
6.06. Limited Powers
Of Attorney; Certificates for Equity Interests. Each Seller shall, no
later than 10 days following the date hereof, (x) execute and deliver to the
Sellers’ Committee a limited power of attorney substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C, which limited power of attorney shall not be
amended and shall remain in full force and effect until immediately after the
Closing Date and (y) deliver the certificates for the Equity Interests to the
Sellers’ Committee to be held by the Sellers’ Committee for the sole purpose
of
delivering
such certificates at Closing pursuant to the limited power of attorney delivered
by such Seller. The Sellers’ Committee shall promptly inform Parent of any
failure of any Seller to execute and deliver such limited power of attorney and
to deliver such certificates for Equity Interests within such 10-day
period.
Section
6.07. Costs And
Expenses. The Company shall, prior to or on the Closing Date, discharge
in full all costs and expenses incurred by it or any of its Subsidiaries in
connection with or relating to this Agreement, the other Transactions Documents
and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including fees and
expenses of investment bankers, counsel, accountants and other advisors and
consultants.
Section
6.08. Convertible
Note. If the Closing occurs after the first anniversary hereof, the
Greenhill Noteholder, as the holder of the Convertible Note, shall, upon
exercise of its conversion rights under the Convertible Note be considered a
Seller for all purposes hereunder and have the right at Closing to receive the
number of shares of Parent Stock set forth in Exhibit A hereto. If the Closing
occurs on or prior to the first anniversary hereof, then Parent shall enter into
an agreement with the Greenhill Noteholder, as the holder of the Convertible
Note, that shall entitle such holder to exchange the Units into which such
Convertible Note is convertible for a number of shares of Parent Stock upon the
first anniversary of the issuance of such Convertible Note at the ratio of
27.2866 of shares of Parent Stock per Unit. Parent agrees that all of the
provisions of Section 8 of the Convertible Note applicable to the Company shall
apply to Parent from the date hereof until the date of such
conversion.
ARTICLE
7
COVENANTS
OF PARENT
Parent
agrees that:
Section
7.01. Conduct of
Parent. From the date hereof until the Closing Date except as
expressly contemplated hereunder, Parent shall conduct its business in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice and shall use its reasonable best
efforts to (i) preserve intact its present business organization, (ii) maintain
in effect all of its foreign, federal, state and local licenses, permits,
consents, franchises, approvals and authorizations, (iii) keep available the
services of its directors, officers, and key employees, and (iv) maintain
relationships with third parties and to keep available the services of their
present officers and employees. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, Parent shall
not:
(a) amend
its certificate of incorporation or bylaws (whether by merger, consolidation or
otherwise);
(b) split,
combine or reclassify any shares of capital stock or other equity securities of
Parent or declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether
in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of the capital
stock or other equity securities of Parent, or redeem, repurchase or otherwise
acquire or offer to redeem, repurchase, or otherwise acquire any capital stock
or other equity securities of Parent;
(c) (i)
issue, deliver or sell, or authorize the issuance, delivery or sale of, any
capital stock or other equity securities of Parent, or (ii) amend any term of
any capital stock or other equity securities of Parent (in each case, whether by
merger, consolidation or otherwise);
(d) acquire
(by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise),
directly or indirectly, any assets, securities, properties, or businesses, other
than in the ordinary course of business of Parent in a manner that is consistent
with past practice;
(e) sell,
lease or otherwise transfer, or create or incur any Lien on, any assets,
securities, properties, or businesses of Parent, other than in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;
(f) make
any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other
Person;
(g) create,
incur, assume, suffer to exist or otherwise be liable with respect to any
indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof;
(h) enter
into any hedging arrangements;
(i) enter
into any agreement or arrangement that limits or otherwise restricts in any
respect Parent, or any successor thereto or that could, after the Closing Date,
limit or restrict in any respect Parent, the Company or any of the Company’s
Subsidiaries, from engaging or competing in any line of business, in any
location or with any Person or, except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, otherwise waive, release or assign any material
rights, claims or benefits of Parent;
(j) increase
compensation, bonus or other benefits payable to any director or
officer
of
Parent;
(k) change
Parent’s methods of accounting, except as required by concurrent changes in Law
or GAAP;
(l) settle,
or offer or propose to settle, (i) any material litigation, investigation,
arbitration, proceeding or other claim involving or against Parent, (ii) any
equityholder litigation against Parent or (iii) any litigation, arbitration,
proceeding or dispute that relates to the transactions contemplated
hereby;
(m) make
or change any material Tax election, change any annual Tax accounting period,
adopt or change any method of Tax accounting, materially amend any Tax Returns
or file claims for material Tax refunds, enter any material closing agreement,
settle any material Tax claim, audit or assessment, or surrender any right to
claim a material Tax refund, offset or other reduction in Tax liability;
or
(n) agree,
resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing.
Section
7.02. Stockholder
Meeting. Parent shall cause the Parent Stockholder Meeting to be duly
called and held as soon as reasonably practicable for the purpose
of voting
on the adoption of this Agreement, the approval of the issuance of shares of
Parent Stock and the other transactions contemplated hereunder, the adoption of
the Parent Plan, and the amendment to the Parent Certificate of Incorporation in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit B. The Board of Directors of Parent shall
recommend to Parent’s stockholders their adoption of this Agreement, and their
approval of such issuance of shares of Parent Stock and the other transactions
contemplated hereunder, their approval of the Parent Plan and their approval of
such amendment to the Parent Certificate of Incorporation and shall include such
recommendation in the Parent Proxy Statement. In connection with the Parent
Stockholder Meeting, Parent shall (i) promptly prepare and file with the SEC,
use its reasonable best efforts to have cleared by the SEC and thereafter mail
to its stockholders as promptly as practicable the Parent Proxy Statement and
all other proxy materials for such meeting, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts
to obtain the necessary approvals by its stockholders of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) otherwise comply with all legal
requirements applicable to such meeting.
Section
7.03. Parent
Plan. Prior to or on the Closing Date, Parent shall adopt the Parent
Plan, pursuant to which options to purchase Parent common stock and/or awards of
restricted shares of Parent common stock will be granted to individuals to be
agreed upon by the Company and Parent (the “Parent Plan Grants”). The
Parent Plan Grants will be issued by Parent on the Closing Date to such
individuals, subject to such individual's continued employment or service with
the Company on such date and having the vesting schedule, if any, and such other
terms and conditions as may be agreed upon. Parent shall (i) reserve 8,000,000
shares of Parent common stock on the Closing Date for issuance under the Parent
Plan, (ii) cause the shares of Parent common stock so reserved to be registered
on Form S-8, or another registration statement of similar effect, promptly
following the adoption of the Parent Plan and (iii) use reasonable best efforts
to keep such registration statement effective for so long as any shares reserved
under the Parent Plan may be granted thereunder or are subject to outstanding
awards.
ARTICLE
8
COVENANTS
OF PARENT, SELLERS AND THE COMPANY
The
parties hereto agree that:
Section
8.01. Reasonable Best
Efforts. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
including Section 8.14 hereof, Sellers, the Company and Parent shall use their
reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or
cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under Law to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (i)
preparing and filing as promptly as practicable with any Governmental Authority
or other third party all documentation to effect all necessary filings, notices,
petitions, statements, registrations, submissions of information, applications
and other documents and (ii) obtaining and maintaining all approvals, consents,
registrations, permits, authorizations and other confirmations required to be
obtained from any Governmental Authority or other third party that are
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(b) In
furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each of Parent, the Blocker
Entities, and the Company shall make an appropriate filing of a Notification and
Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten
Business Days of the date hereof and to supply as promptly as practicable any
additional information and documentary material that may be requested pursuant
to the HSR Act and to take all other actions necessary to cause the expiration
or termination of the applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act as soon as
practicable.
Section
8.02. Certain
Filings. (a) The Company, Sellers, and Parent shall cooperate with one
another (i) in connection with the preparation of the Parent Proxy Statement,
(ii) in determining whether any action by or in respect of, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is required, or any actions, consents, approvals or
waivers are required to be obtained from parties to any material contracts, in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and (iii) in taking such actions or making any such filings,
furnishing information required in connection therewith or with the Parent Proxy
Statement and seeking timely to obtain any such actions, consents, approvals or
waivers.
(b) Prior
to the filing or mailing of the Parent Proxy Statement (or any amendment or
supplement thereto) or making any required filing with the SEC or responding to
any comments of the SEC with respect thereto, the Parent shall give the Company
and its counsel a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such documents
or responses, and shall include in such documents or responses all additions,
deletions or changes suggested by the Company and its counsel as are reasonably
acceptable to Parent and its counsel.
(c) The
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the consent of its
independent public accountants to the incorporation by reference into the Parent
Proxy Statement of the financial statements described in Section
3.08.
Section
8.03. Public
Announcements. Parent, Sellers and the Company shall consult with each
other before issuing any press release, making any other public statement or
scheduling any press conference or conference call with investors or analysts
with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and,
except as may be required by Law or any listing agreement with or rule of any
national securities exchange or association, shall not issue any such press
release, make any such other public statement or schedule any such press
conference or conference call before such consultation.
Section
8.04. Further
Assurances. At and after the Closing Date, Sellers shall, upon the
request of Parent, execute and deliver any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or
assurances, and take and do any other actions and things reasonably necessary
and appropriate to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise in Parent any
and all right, title and interest in and to the Equity Interests.
Section
8.05. Sales and
Transfer Tax. All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration
and other such Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in
connection with transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any real
property transfer Tax and any similar Tax) (“Transfer Taxes”) shall be
borne, equally, by Sellers on the one hand, and Parent, on the other hand. The
party or parties having responsibility therefor
under
applicable Law shall prepare and file all necessary Transfer Tax Returns and
other documentation, with the costs of such preparation and filing to be borne
by the Company.
Section
8.06. Directors and
Officers of Parent. Parent and the Company shall take all necessary
action so that (a) the persons listed on Schedule 8.06(a) are appointed or
elected, as applicable, to the position of directors, officers and employees of
Parent, as set forth therein, to serve in such positions effective immediately
after the Closing and (b) the persons listed on Schedule 8.06(b) have resigned
from their positions as directors, officers and employees of
Parent.
Section
8.07. Registration
Rights Agreement. Parent and each Seller which is a Stock Buyer shall
execute and deliver to each other the Registration Rights Agreement on or prior
to the Closing Date.
Section
8.08. Pledge
Agreement. Parent and each Seller of the Blocker Shares shall
execute and deliver the Pledge Agreement on or prior to the Closing
Date.
Section
8.09. Certificate of
Incorporation Protections; Directors’ and Officers’ Liability
Insurance. (a) All rights to indemnification for
acts or omissions occurring through the Closing Date now existing in favor of
the current directors and officers of the Company and Parent as provided in such
entity’s organizational documents or in any indemnification agreements shall
survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance
with their terms.
(b) For
a period of six years after the Closing Date, Parent shall cause to be
maintained in effect the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability
insurance maintained by the Company and Parent (or policies of at least the same
coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions which are no less
advantageous) with respect to claims arising from facts and events that occurred
prior to the Closing Date; provided, that in satisfying
its obligation under this Section 8.09(b), Parent shall not be obligated to pay
an aggregate premium in excess of 300% of the amount per annum the Company paid
in its last full fiscal year, which amount the Company has disclosed to Parent
prior to the date hereof.
(c) From
the Closing Date through the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date, Parent shall
and shall cause the Company and its Subsidiaries and any successor to Parent,
the Company and its Subsidiaries to, and the Company shall, indemnify and hold
harmless each former or present (as of the Closing Date) officer or director of
Parent, the Company and its Subsidiaries, against all claims, losses,
liabilities, damages, judgments, inquiries, fines and reasonable fees, costs and
expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (collectively,
“Costs”), incurred in
connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of actions taken
by them in their capacity as officers or directors at or prior to the Closing
Date (including this Agreement and the transactions and actions contemplated
hereby), whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Closing Date, to
the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law. Each such officer or director
will be entitled to advancement of reasonable expenses incurred in the defense
of any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation from Parent, the Company
and its Subsidiaries.
(d) If
Parent or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into
any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving entity of such
consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all
of its properties and assets to any Person, then, in each such case, to the
extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and
assigns of Parent assume the obligations set forth in this Section
8.09.
(e) The
provisions of this Section 8.09 are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall
be enforceable by, each Person who will have been a director or officer of
Parent or the Company or its Subsidiaries (as applicable) for all periods stated
herein and may not be changed, in the case of any provision regarding the
officers and directors of Parent, without the consent of the Parent Committee,
and in the case of any provision regarding the officers and directors of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, without the consent of the Sellers’
Committee.
Section
8.10. Sellers’
Committee. (a) From and after the Closing Date, Parent shall be entitled
to deal exclusively with the Sellers’ Committee in respect of all notices,
disputes and other matters delegated to the Sellers’ Committee pursuant to this
Agreement. Parent shall be entitled to rely upon any statements or actions taken
by the Sellers’ Committee (whether or not such statements or actions were in
fact authorized).
(b) The
Sellers’ Committee shall have the authority to take any and all actions required
or permitted to be taken by the Sellers’ Committee under this Agreement (and any
and all actions incidental or related to such authority), including with respect
to any matters in respect of Taxes as described in Section 8.05 (but not with
respect to Blocker Taxes), and all other matters described herein. The Sellers’
Committee shall notify Parent of any material action taken by the Sellers’
Committee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Sellers’
Committee is not authorized to, and shall not, accept on behalf of any Seller
any portion of the Aggregate Consideration to which such Seller is entitled
under this Agreement.
(c) In
the event that a member of the Sellers’ Committee dies or becomes unable to
perform his or her responsibilities as a member of the Sellers’ Committee or
resigns from such position, the party who designated such individual to serve as
a member of the Sellers’ Committee shall have the right to appoint a
replacement. If such party fails to designate an individual to serve on the
Sellers’ Committee in substitution thereof, the remaining members of the
Sellers’ Committee shall have the authority to take actions as permitted herein
until a replacement is appointed.
(d) Any
matter approved by the Sellers’ Committee shall be set forth on a certificate
delivered to Parent by the Sellers’ Committee. Actions of the Sellers’ Committee
may be approved pursuant to a meeting or a written consent. Parent shall be
entitled to rely on a certificate from both of the members of the Sellers’
Committee with respect to any action taken by the Sellers’
Committee.
Section
8.11. Parent
Committee. Prior to the Closing, the Board of Directors of Parent shall
appoint a committee (the “Parent Committee”) consisting
of one or more of its then members to act on behalf of Parent after the Closing
to take all necessary actions and make all decisions pursuant to this Agreement
and the other Transaction Documents. In the event of a vacancy in such
committee, the Board of Directors of Parent shall appoint as a successor
a
Person who
was a director of Parent prior to the Closing Date or some other Person who
would qualify as an “independent” director of Parent and who has not had any
relationship with the Sellers. The Parent Committee shall have the sole
authority to take any and all actions on behalf of Parent under any Transaction
Document (excluding the Registration Rights Agreement).
Section
8.12. Legends.
(a) Each
Stock Buyer acknowledges and agrees that each certificate (if any) for the
Purchased Shares shall bear a legend substantially as set forth in Section
8.12(b) and that any Purchased Shares in uncertificated book-entry form will be
subject to equivalent restrictions.
(b) Certificates
for the Purchased Shares shall bear legends in substantially the following
form:
The
securities represented by this Certificate have not been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and may not be transferred,
sold or otherwise disposed of except while such a registration is in effect
under such act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption
from registration under such act or such laws. Hedging transactions in the
securities are also prohibited except in compliance with the 1933
Act.
When
issued pursuant hereto, the certificates evidencing Purchased Shares shall also
bear any legend required by any applicable state blue sky law. Any holder of the
Purchased Shares may request Parent to remove any or all of the legends
described in this section from the certificates evidencing such Purchased Shares
by submitting to Parent such certificates, together with an opinion of counsel
reasonably satisfactory to Parent to the effect that such legend or legends are
no longer required under the 1933 Act or applicable state laws, as the case may
be.
Section
8.13. Tax
Matters. (a) Parent and Sellers shall reasonably cooperate, and shall
cause their respective affiliates, officers, employees, agents, auditors and
other representatives reasonably to cooperate, in preparing and filing all Tax
Returns, including maintaining and making available to each other all records
necessary in connection with Taxes and in resolving all disputes and audits with
respect to all taxable periods relating to Taxes.
(b) The
Company shall have in effect an election under Section 754 of the Code for the
taxable year in which the Closing will occur.
(c) Blocker Tax
Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable, the Company will provide to the
Blocker Entities schedules K-1 for 2008, estimated schedules K-1 for post-2008
Pre-Closing Tax Periods and other relevant information to be used in preparing
the Tax Returns of Syncom Blocker and Baralonco Blocker for the 2008-10
Pre-Closing Tax Periods. With respect to all Pre-Closing Tax periods other than
Parent Ownership Tax Periods, each Blocker Entity shall file Tax Returns and
make estimated and final Tax payments in accordance with applicable Law. Any Tax
credits or refunds received for a Pre-Closing Tax period other than a Parent
Ownership Tax Period shall be promptly paid over to the Blocker’s Seller. The
following
procedures
shall be followed with respect to the Tax liability of Syncom Blocker and
Baralonco Blocker for the Parent Ownership Tax Periods:
(i) With
respect to each Parent Ownership Tax Period, the Syncom Blocker Seller and the
Baralonco Blocker Seller shall pay to Parent at least two business days before
the applicable due date any amount of estimated Tax (including Tax amounts
required to be withheld by the Company and not theretofore withheld) required to
be paid by the Syncom Blocker and by Baralonco Blocker, respectively, for such
Parent Ownership Tax Period.
(ii) As
soon as is reasonably practicable, and in any event no later than 30 days prior
to the earlier of (x) the Blocker Settlement Date, and (y) the required date for
filing the applicable Tax Return (including any extensions permitted by law),
the Blocker Sellers will deliver to Parent drafts of all Tax Returns required to
be filed by their respective Blocker Entities for the Parent Ownership Tax
Periods, which drafts will be consistent with the information provided by the
Company pursuant to this Section 8.13(c).
(iii) Parent
shall cause the Blocker Entities to file their Tax Returns for the Parent
Ownership Tax Periods in a manner substantially consistent with the draft Tax
Returns delivered pursuant to Section 8.13(c)(ii), provided, however, that if
Parent disagrees with the treatment of any item on such draft Tax Returns, the
parties will negotiate in good faith to resolve any such disagreement. Failing
such resolution, the matter shall be referred to the Accounting Referee, the
determination of which shall be final and binding upon the parties.
(iv) At
least two business days prior to the required date (including any extensions
permitted by law) for filing the Tax Return for any Parent Ownership Tax Period,
the Syncom Blocker Seller or the Baralonco Blocker Seller, as the case may be,
shall pay to Parent the amount of the Pre-Closing Tax Liability shown as due on
the corresponding Tax Return.
(v) No
later than five business days before the Blocker Settlement Date, Parent shall
deliver to each Blocker Seller a reconciliation statement showing:
(x) the
aggregate Pre-Closing Tax Liability of the corresponding Blocker Entity for the
Parent Ownership Tax Periods (as reflected on the Tax Returns to be filed
pursuant to clause Section 8.13(c)(iii)) with
(y) the
amounts paid by the corresponding Blocker Entity and by the Blocker Sellers
pursuant to Sections 8.13(c)(i) and (iv) in respect of such returns prior to the
Closing, including a statement of the amount (if any) required to be paid by
each such Seller to Parent or by Parent to such Seller in order to effect such
reconciliation.
The
reconciliation payments reflected on the statements shall be made on the Blocker
Settlement Date.
(vi) Upon
receipt by Parent of all payments (if any) required of the Syncom Blocker Seller
on the Blocker Settlement Date, Parent shall release to the Syncom Blocker
Seller the shares of Parent stock pledged by the Syncom Blocker Seller (to the
extent such shares are not otherwise required to be retained pursuant to the
Pledge Agreement).
(vii) On
the Baralonco Release Date, Parent shall release to the Baralonco Blocker Seller
shares of Parent stock pledged by the Baralonco Blocker Seller (to the extent
such shares are not otherwise required to be retained pursuant to the Pledge
Agreement).
(d) Pre-Closing Tax Audits of
the Company. Notwithstanding Section 10.03, in the event of any US
federal, state or local income Tax audits of the Company with respect to any
Pre-Closing Tax Period or portion thereof, if (x) Parent and the Sellers’
Committee reasonably conclude that such audit could have a material adverse
effect on any of the Sellers and (y) a Majority of Interests of the Sellers that
could be so affected acknowledge in writing any indemnification obligations that
they may have under Section 10.02 (taking into account all limitations set forth
in Article X) with respect to all Taxes assessed or that may be assessed in
connection with such audit and provide reasonable assurance to Parent of their
financial capacity to provide any such applicable indemnification with respect
to such Taxes, then solely with respect to those portions of the audit relating
to the Pre-Closing Tax Period
(i) the
Sellers’ Committee shall be entitled to participate in such audit, including
having the right to participate in any contest or settlement discussions with
respect to any claims or assessments pursuant thereto, and
(ii) no
settlement of such audit shall be settled or compromised without the consent of
the Sellers’ Committee, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
provided, however, that if Parent
reasonably concludes that any positions or settlements proposed by the Sellers’
Committee in the conduct of such audit has or could have a material adverse
effect on Parent and/or any Blocker Entity, no consent of the Sellers’ Committee
shall be required, and Parent shall have ultimate control of any settlement or
compromise of such audit.
Section
8.14. Regulatory
Matters.
(a) The
parties shall cooperate with one another and use their reasonable best efforts
to make the following filings as soon as possible, to the extent legally
required or deemed appropriate by mutual agreement of the parties: (i) any
required notifications to the Department of Defense and U.S. security agencies;
(ii) a submission of a joint notification to the Committee on Foreign Investment
in the United States pursuant to Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of
1950, (the “Exon-Florio
Amendment”); (iii) any filings or notifications required to be made prior
to the Closing under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976 and the International
Traffic in Arms Regulations, 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130; and (iv) any filings or
notifications required to be made prior to the Closing to the Office of Foreign
Assets Control, Department of the Treasury.
(b) The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to
the prior consent and approval of the FCC. The Company and its Subsidiaries and
Parent shall prepare and, within 20 Business Days after the date hereof, file
with the FCC the FCC Consent Application. In addition, each party hereto
covenants and agrees to (i) furnish to the other parties such information and
assistance as such parties reasonably may request in connection with the
preparation or prosecution of the FCC Consent Application; (ii) file any
amendment or modification to the FCC Consent Application; (iii) otherwise take
any other action with respect to the FCC as may be reasonably necessary in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; and (iv) cooperate in good
faith with the other parties hereto with respect to the foregoing, all as may be
determined by Parent, the Company and its Subsidiaries to be necessary,
appropriate or advisable in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(c) The
Company and its Subsidiaries and Parent shall (i) use reasonable best efforts to
prepare, file and diligently prosecute all applications required to be filed
with non-U.S. Governmental Authorities for consent to the transactions
contemplated hereby, and to provide all appropriate filings and notifications to
such non-U.S. Governmental Authorities (such applications, filings and
notifications, collectively, the “Foreign Applications”); (ii)
furnish to the other parties such information and assistance as such parties
reasonably may request in connection with the preparation or prosecution of any
such applications; and (iii) keep the other parties promptly apprised of any
communications with, and inquiries or requests for information from, such
non-U.S. Governmental Authorities with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(d) Each
party agrees to comply with any condition imposed on it by any FCC Consent and
with any condition imposed on it by any similar order of similar and non-U.S.
Governmental Authority, except that no party shall be required to comply with a
condition if (i) the condition was imposed on it as the result of a circumstance
the existence of which does not constitute a breach by that party of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or agreements hereunder or
(ii) compliance with the condition would reasonably be expected to result in or
cause a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Parent Material Adverse
Effect.
ARTICLE
9
CONDITIONS
TO CLOSING
Section
9.01. Conditions to
Obligations of Parent, Sellers and the Company. The obligations of
Parent, Sellers and the Company to consummate the Closing are subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) the
Parent Stockholder Approval shall have been obtained;
(b) no
Law shall prohibit the consummation of the Closing;
(c) any
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have expired or been terminated; and
(d) FCC
Consent with respect to the FCC Consent Application;
(e) FCC
Consent with respect to any other FCC applications required in connection with
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
and
(f) all
actions by or in respect of, or filings with, any other Governmental Authority,
required to permit the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
shall have been taken, made or obtained, other than such actions or filings the
failure of which to take, make or obtain would not reasonably be expected to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect or a
Parent Material Adverse Effect.
Section
9.02. Conditions to
the Obligations of Parent. The obligations of Parent to consummate the
Closing are subject to the satisfaction of the following further
conditions:
(a) (i)
the Company and Sellers shall have performed in all material respects all of
their respective obligations hereunder required to be performed by them at or
prior to the Closing Date, (ii) the representations and warranties of the
Company and Sellers contained in this Agreement and in any certificate or other
writing delivered by the Company or Sellers pursuant hereto shall be true and
correct in all respects (without giving effect to any limitation as to
“materiality” or “Company Material Adverse Effect” contained therein) at and as
of the Closing Date as if made at and as of the Closing Date (or, to the extent
any such representation and warranty specifically states that it refers to an
earlier date, on and as of such earlier date), except where the failures of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct, in the aggregate,
would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, and
(iii) Parent shall have received a certificate signed by the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company to the foregoing effect;
(b) Each
Seller which is a Stock Buyer shall have executed and delivered the registration
rights agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto (the “Registration Rights
Agreement”);
(c) Each
Seller of the Blocker Shares shall have executed and delivered the pledge
agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto (the “Pledge
Agreement”);
(d) Sellers
shall have effected the Contribution;
(e) Parent
shall have received (x) a certification dated not more than 30 days prior to the
Closing Date, issued by the Company and signed by an officer of the Company
under penalties of perjury, certifying that (i) fifty percent or more of the
value of the gross assets of the Company does not consist of U.S. real property
interests or (ii) ninety percent or more of the value of the gross assets of the
Company does not consist of U.S. real property interests plus cash or cash
equivalents and (y) a certification for each Blocker Entity dated not more than
30 days prior to the Closing Date and signed by an officer of such Blocker
Entity to the effect that such Blocker Entity is not, nor has it been within the
time period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code, a “United States
real property holding corporation” as defined in Section 897 of the Code. The
foregoing certification in clause (x) is intended to comply, and should be
interpreted in accordance, with the exemption from withholding provided in
Section 1.1445-11T(d)(2) of the Treasury Regulations;
(f) Parent
shall have received an affidavit, duly executed and signed under penalties of
perjury, by the custodian of Blocker Shares in Baralonco Blocker substantially
to the effect that, in its capacity as custodian of such Blocker Shares, it has
actual knowledge of the identity of the ultimate beneficial owner of such
Blocker Shares, who has been the ultimate beneficial owner of such Blocker
Shares from the date of formation of Baralonco Blocker to the Closing Date;
and
(g) Baralonco
Blocker shall have delivered to Parent a letter or letters providing evidence
that it has repaid and settled all of its outstanding debt and all other
liabilities.
Section
9.03. Conditions to
the Obligations of the Company and Sellers. The obligations of the
Company and Sellers to consummate the Closing are subject to the satisfaction of
the following further conditions:
(a) (i)
Parent shall have performed in all material respects all of their respective
obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing
Date, (ii) the representations and warranties of Parent contained in this
Agreement and in any certificate or other writing delivered by Parent pursuant
hereto shall be true and correct in all respects (without giving effect to any
limitation as to “materiality” or “Parent Material Adverse Effect” contained
therein) at and as of the Closing Date as if made at and as of the Closing Date
(or, to the extent any such representation and warranty specifically states that
it refers to an earlier date, on and as of such earlier date), except where the
failures of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, in
the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material
Adverse Effect, and (iii) the Company shall have received a certificate signed
by the Chief Executive Officer of Parent to the foregoing effect;
(b) The
persons referred to on Schedule 8.06(b) shall have resigned as officers or
directors of Parent and the persons referred to on Schedule 8.06(a) shall have
been duly appointed as officers or directors of Parent;
(c) Parent
shall have made appropriate arrangements to have the Trust Account disbursed to
Parent immediately upon the Closing (and the amount of such disbursement shall
be no less than $400,000,000 (plus any accrued interest and
less (i) the payment of
deferred underwriting discounts and commissions and (ii) any payments to the
holders of IPO Shares who vote against the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and exercise their rights to convert their IPO
Shares into cash);
(d) Parent
and its Affiliates party thereto shall have executed and delivered the
Registration Rights Agreement; and
(e) Parent
shall have executed and delivered the Pledge Agreement.
ARTICLE
10
SURVIVAL;
INDEMNIFICATION
Section
10.01. Survival. The
representations and warranties of the parties hereto contained in this Agreement
or in any certificate or other writing delivered pursuant
hereto or
in connection herewith and each covenant requiring performance prior to the
Closing shall terminate effective as of immediately prior to the Closing such
that no claim for breach of any such representation or warranty or
covenant may be brought after the Closing; provided, however, that the
representations and warranties of Sellers contained in Article 4 and any covenants or agreements
of Sellers set forth herein shall survive indefinitely or until the latest date
permitted by Law, provided, however, that (w) the
representations and warranties of the Syncom Blocker Seller and the Baralonco
Blocker Seller contained in Section 4.07(b)(iv) and (v) and the indemnification
obligations under Section 10.02(a) of any such Sellers with respect thereto
shall survive until eighteen months after the Closing Date, (x) the
representations and warranties of the Sellers contained in Section 4.05 and the
indemnification obligations under Section 10.02(a) of any such Sellers with
respect thereto shall survive until eighteen months after the Closing Date,(y)
the representations and warranties of the Syncom Blocker Seller contained in
Section 4.07(c), the indemnification obligations under Section 10.02(a) of any
such Sellers with respect thereto and the indemnification obligations under
Section 10.02(b) of any such Sellers shall survive until nine months after the
Closing Date and (z) the representations and warranties of Baralonco Blocker
Seller contained in Section 4.07(c), the indemnification obligations under
Section 10.02(a) of any such Sellers with respect thereto and the
indemnification obligations under Section 10.02(b) of any such Sellers shall
survive until the second anniversary of the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, any breach of representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement in respect of which indemnity may be sought under this Agreement shall
survive the time at which it would otherwise terminate pursuant to the preceding
sentence, if notice of the inaccuracy or breach thereof giving rise to such
right of indemnity shall have been given to the party against whom such
indemnity may be sought prior to such time. Any covenant of any party in this
Agreement that requires performance at or after the Closing shall survive the
Closing.
Section
10.02. Indemnification.
Effective at and after the Closing, each Seller severally and not jointly,
hereby indemnifies Parent, the Company and their respective directors, officers
and Affiliates and their respective successors and assignees (the “Parent Indemnified Parties”) against and agrees
to hold each of them harmless from any and all Damages incurred or suffered by such
Parent Indemnified Parties arising out of (a) any breach of representation or
warranty contained in Article 4 made by such Seller (determined without regard
to any qualification or exception contained therein relating to materiality or
any similar qualification or standard) or breach of covenant or agreement made
or to be performed by such Seller pursuant to this Agreement regardless of
whether such Damages arise as a result of the negligence, strict liability or
any other theory of law or, violation of law by any Seller or (b) any
Pre-Closing Tax Liability of any Blocker Entity in which such Seller owns any
Blocker Shares. Parent Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to any
duplicative recovery with respect to the same Damages arising under multiple
provisions of this Agreement under any circumstances whatsoever. Each Seller’s
maximum liability for all claims for indemnification pursuant to this Agreement
shall not exceed the sum of (i) the cash consideration received by such Seller
pursuant to Article II and (ii) the product of the number of shares of Parent
Stock received by such Seller pursuant to Article II and $10, provided, however, in respect of claims
for indemnification pursuant to (y) Section 10.02(a) in connection with any
breach of representation or warranty contained in Section 4.07(c) or (z) Section
10.02(b), the maximum liability shall not exceed $3 million for the Syncom
Blocker Seller and $15 million for the Baralonco Blocker Seller. For the
avoidance of doubt, no Seller shall have any liability under this Agreement
for
the
breaches of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by any other
Seller or for any Taxes of any other Seller or any Blocker Entity in which such
Seller has never owned any equity interests. In support of their indemnification
obligations, (i) the Syncom Blocker Seller agree to pledge 300,000 shares of
Parent stock until the first business day that is at least nine months after the
Closing Date (the “Blocker
Settlement Date”), and (ii) the Baralonco Blocker Seller agrees to pledge
1,500,000 shares of Parent stock until the second anniversary of the Closing
Date (the “Baralonco Release
Date”). Such pledges shall be effected pursuant to the Pledge
Agreement.
Section
10.03. Indemnification
Procedures. The party seeking indemnification under Section 10.02 (the
“Indemnified Party”)
agrees to give prompt notice to the party against whom indemnity is sought (the
“Indemnifying Party”) of
the assertion of any claim, or the commencement of any suit, action or
proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought under such Section. The
Indemnified Party will be entitled, at the sole expense and liability of the
Indemnifying Party, to exercise full control of the defense, compromise, or
settlement of any such third party claim unless the Indemnifying Party, within
twenty (20) days after the giving of such notice by the Indemnified Party, and
in any event within such shorter period as may be reasonably necessary for the
Indemnified Party to otherwise take appropriate action to resist such third
party claim, (i) acknowledges in writing without any reservation of its rights
its indemnification obligations and provides reasonable assurance to the
Indemnified Party of its financial capacity to defend such third party claim and
provide full indemnification with respect to such third party claim, (ii)
notifies the Indemnified Party in writing of the Indemnifying Party’s intention
to assume such defense and (iii) retains legal counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the Indemnified Party to conduct the defense of such third party claim. If
the Indemnifying Party does not elect to exercise control of the defense,
compromise or settlement of such third party claim, it may at its own expense
participate in (but not control) such defense, compromise or settlement. The
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable under Section 10.02 for any settlement
effected without its consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) of any claim,
litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnity may be sought
hereunder.
Section
10.04. Indemnification
Payments. Any payment under Section 10.02 to an Indemnified Party
entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 10.02 shall be paid to such
Indemnified Party by (1) wire transfer of immediately available funds to an
account of such Indemnified Party as may be designated by such Indemnified Party
or (2) delivery to such Indemnified Party of a certified or official bank check
payable in immediately available funds to such Indemnified Party. Any such
payments and any payments pursuant to Sections 8.13(c)(i), (iv) or (v) hereof
shall constitute adjustments to the purchase price of the corresponding Units or
Blocker Shares and shall be so treated by the parties for all Tax
purposes.
Section
10.05. Waiver of
Claims and Rights. Except for (i) rights arising pursuant to the terms of
any Transaction Document (or any document identified on Schedule 10.05), (ii)
rights arising pursuant to any employment agreement with Parent or its
Affiliates, or under any Employee Plan described in this Agreement and (iii)
rights to indemnification for actions taken in their capacity as an director or
officer, each Seller, as of the Closing Date, irrevocably waives any rights and
claims such Seller, or, to the extent permitted by Law and otherwise, any person
designated to serve as an officer or director of the Company by such Seller, may
have against Parent, any of its Affiliates or their respective officers,
directors,
employees
or agents, whether in law or in equity, relating to the Blocker Entities, the
Units, the Company, the Company’s Subsidiaries, the Interests or any options to
purchase Interests, or arising out of such Person’s ownership of Units or any
options to purchase Units, such Person’s position (including as a director or
officer) with the Blocker Entities, the Company or the Company’s Subsidiaries
prior to the Closing (subject to the exclusions described above), the operation
of the business of the Blocker Entities, the Company and the Company’s
Subsidiaries prior to the Closing or the transactions contemplated hereby or by
any other Transaction Document.
Section
10.06. Exclusive
Remedy. Except as specifically set forth in the Transaction Documents,
effective as of the Closing the parties waive any rights and claims they may
have against the other parties, whether in law or in equity, relating to this
Agreement, the other Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby. After the Closing, the Indemnified Parties’ sole and
exclusive remedy with respect to any and all claims relating to this Agreement,
the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby shall be pursuant to the indemnification provisions set forth in this
Article 10. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 10.06 does not apply to any
of the documents identified on Schedule 10.05.
ARTICLE
11
TERMINATION
Section
11.01. Grounds for
Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time
prior to the Closing Date (notwithstanding any approval of this Agreement by the
stockholders of Parent):
(a) by
mutual written agreement of the Company and Parent;
(b) by
either the Company or Parent, if:
(i) the
Closing has not been consummated on or before June 29, 2009 (if all regulatory
approvals required to consummate the Closing have been obtained prior to such
date) or February 14, 2010 (if the only condition to Closing unfulfilled as of
June 29, 2009 is the obtaining of all regulatory approvals required to
consummate the Closing), (the “End Date”); provided that the right to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.01(b)(i) shall not be
available to any party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement results
in the failure of the Closing to be consummated by such time;
(ii) there
shall be any material Law that (A) makes consummation of the Closing illegal or
otherwise prohibited or (B) enjoins the parties hereto from consummating the
Closing and such injunction shall have become final and nonappealable;
or
(iii) the
Parent Stockholder Approval shall not have been obtained at the Parent
Shareholder Meeting (including any adjournment thereof);
(c) by
Parent, if a breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any
covenant or agreement on the part of the Company or a Seller set forth in this
Agreement shall have occurred that would cause the condition set forth in
Section 9.02(a) not to be satisfied, and such condition is incapable of being
satisfied by the End Date; or
(d) by
the Company, if:
(i) a
breach of any representation or warranty or failure to perform any covenant or
agreement on the part of the Parent set forth in this Agreement shall have
occurred that would cause the condition set forth in Section 9.03(a) not to be
satisfied, and such condition is incapable of being satisfied by the End Date;
or
(ii) the
Parent Stockholder Meeting has not been held within 90 days of the Parent Proxy
Statement being cleared by the SEC.
The party
desiring to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.01 (other than
pursuant to Section 11.01(a)) shall give notice of such termination to the other
party.
Section
11.02. Effect of
Termination. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 11.01,
this Agreement shall become void and of no effect without liability of any party
(or any stockholder, member, director, officer, employee, agent, consultant or
representative of such party) to the other party hereto; provided that, if such
termination shall result from the willful (i) failure of any party to fulfill a
condition to the performance of the obligations of the other party or (ii)
failure of any party to perform a covenant hereof, such party shall be fully
liable for any and all liabilities and damages incurred or suffered by the other
parties as a result of such failure. The provisions of this Section 11.02,
Section 11.03 and Article 12 shall survive any termination hereof pursuant to
Section 11.01.
Section
11.03. Termination
Fee. If (x) this Agreement is terminated by Parent or the
Company pursuant to Section 11.01(b)(iii), (y) Parent breaches its obligations
under Section 7.02 or Section 8.01 of this Agreement and (z) Parent consummates
an Initial Business Combination (other than with the Company), Parent shall pay
to the Company, within two Business Days of such consummation, $5,000,0000 in
cash, shares of Parent Stock or combination thereof, at Parent’s election. The
number of shares of Parent Stock deliverable in respect of the amount elected by
the Parent to be delivered in shares of Parent Stock shall equal (x) such amount
divided by (y) the Average Stock Price as of the date of such consummation,
provided that no
fractional shares shall be delivered and that cash shall be paid in lieu of
any fractional
shares. The receipt of such cash or shares of Parent Stock, as the case may be,
shall be the exclusive remedy of the Company, Sellers and their respective
Affiliates with respect to such breach and they shall have waived any other
rights and claims they may have against Parent and its Affiliates, whether in
law or in equity, relating to this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents or
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, following receipt of such cash
or shares of Parent Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if prior to ten (10)
Business Days immediately following the termination of this Agreement, the
Company notifies Parent in writing that it believes in good faith that Parent
has committed a willful breach of this Agreement, then the obligation of Parent
set forth in the first sentence of this Section 11.03 shall
not come
into effect and the Company shall have the right to pursue its remedies for
willful breach of this Agreement against Parent, subject to other limitations
set forth in this Agreement.
Section
11.04. Limitation On
Remedy. Sellers and the Company hereby acknowledge that (a) they have
read the prospectus dated February 14, 2008, filed by Parent with the SEC
pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act and understand that Parent
has established the Trust Account for the benefit of certain Persons (as
described in the prospectus) and that Parent may disburse monies from the Trust
Account only to certain Persons (as described in the prospectus) and (b) for and
in consideration of Parent agreeing to evaluate the Blocker Entities and the
Company for purposes of consummating a transaction with respect to their capital
stock, Sellers and the Company agree that, prior to Closing, they do not have,
directly or indirectly, any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to
any monies in the Trust Account and waive any such claim they may have in the
future as a result of, or arising out of, this Agreement, any other Transaction
Document or any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Parent or any of its
Affiliates or representatives and will not seek recourse, directly or
indirectly, against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.
ARTICLE
12
MISCELLANEOUS
Section
12.01. Notices. All
notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in
writing (including facsimile transmission) and shall be given,
if to
Parent, to:
GHL
Acquisition Corp.
300 Park
Avenue
New York,
NY 10022
Attention:
Jodi Ganz
Facsimile
No.: (212) 389-1761
with a
copy to:
Davis Polk
& Wardwell
450
Lexington Avenue
New York,
NY 10017
Attention:
Leonard Kreynin
Facsimile
No.: (212) 450-3800
if to any
Seller, to the address set forth below such Seller’s signature on the signature
pages hereof
if to the
Company, prior to Closing, to:
Iridium
Holdings LLC
6707
Democracy Boulevard, Suite 300
Bethesda,
MD 20817
Attention:
John Brunette
Facsimile
No.: (301) 571-6250
with a
copy to:
Simpson
Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425
Lexington Avenue
New York,
NY 10017
Attention:
Edward J. Chung
Facsimile
No.: (212) 455-2502
if to the
Sellers’ Committee, after Closing, to:
Iridium
Holdings LLC Sellers’ Committee
c/o
Fulbright & Jaworski LLP
801
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington,
DC 20004
Attention:
Steven B. Pfeiffer
Facsimile
No.: (202) 662-4643
Iridium
Holdings LLC Sellers’ Committee
c/o Syncom
Funds
8515
Georgia Avenue
Suite
725
Silver
Spring, MD 20910
Attention:
Terry L. Jones
Facsimile
No.: (301) 608-3307
or to such
other address or facsimile number as such party may hereafter specify for the
purpose by notice to the other parties hereto. All such notices, requests and
other communications shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the
recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day in the place
of receipt. Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed
to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day in the place of
receipt.
Section
12.02. Amendments and
Waivers. (a) Any provision of this Agreement (including any Schedule or
Exhibit hereto) may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or
waiver is in writing and is signed, in the case of an amendment, by Parent, the
Company, the Sellers’ Committee and each other party to this Agreement who is
adversely affected by such amendment in a manner that is material and
disproportionate to any other party, or in the case of a waiver, by the party
against whom the waiver is to be effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, after
the Closing, amendments or waivers must be approved in writing by the Sellers’
Committee.
(b) No
failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial
exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or
privilege.
The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of
any rights or remedies provided by Law.
Section
12.03. Addition of
Sellers. In the event that one or more of the Persons listed on Schedule
2.01 has not executed a counterpart to this Agreement as of the date hereof,
Parent, in its sole discretion, may allow such person after the date hereof to
execute (x) a counterpart to this Agreement, accepting and agreeing to be bound
by all of the terms and conditions hereof, and (y) such other documents or
instruments as are necessary or appropriate to effect such Person’s addition as
a Seller hereunder.
Section 12.04. Expenses. Except as otherwise
provided herein, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
Transaction Documents shall be paid by the party incurring such cost or
expense.
Section 12.05. Successors and
Assigns. No party may assign, delegate or otherwise transfer
any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of
each other party hereto.
Section
12.06. Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflicts of law rules
of such state.
Section
12.07. Jurisdiction. The
parties hereto agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any
provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought in any
federal court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court, and
each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such
courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit,
action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue
of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit,
action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an
inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served
on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction
of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, each party agrees that
service of process on such party as provided in Section 12.01 shall be deemed
effective service of process on such party.
Section
12.08. WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES
ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section
12.09. Counterparts;
No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement may be signed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
This Agreement shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received
a counterpart hereof signed by the other party hereto. The provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Except with
respect
to persons
specified in Sections 8.09, 8.11 and 10.02, no provision of this Agreement is
intended to confer any rights, benefits, remedies, obligations or liabilities
hereunder upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns.
Section
12.10. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute
the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of
this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both oral
and written, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
Section
12.11. Specific
Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur
if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the
terms hereof and that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the
performance of the terms and provisions hereof (subject, in the case of
enforcement against Parent, to the limitations set forth in Section 11.04) in
any federal court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court,
in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in
equity.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by
their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above
written.
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IRIDIUM
HOLDINGS LLC
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By:
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/s/ Matthew
J. Desch
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Name:
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Matthew
J. Desch
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Title:
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Chief
Executive Officer
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GHL
ACQUISITION CORP.
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By:
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/s/
Robert Niehaus
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Name:
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Robert
Niehaus
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Title:
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Senior
Vice President
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SYNDICATED
COMMUNICATIONS VENTURE PARTNERS IV, L.P.
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BY:
WJM PARTNERS IV, LLC,
ITS
GENERAL PARTNER
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By:
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/s/
Terry L. Jones
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Name:
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Terry
L. Jones
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Title:
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Managing
Member
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SYNDICATED
COMMUNICATIONS INC.
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By:
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/s/
Herbert P. Wilkins, Sr.
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Name:
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Herbert
P. Wilkins, Sr.
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Title:
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Chairman
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BARALONCO
LIMITED
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By:
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/s/ Steven B. Pfeiffer |
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Name:
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Steven
B. Pfeiffer
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Title:
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Attorney
in Fact
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BAREENA
SATELLITE, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Michael Boyd |
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Name:
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Michael
Boyd
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Title:
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Director
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COLUSSY
GRANTOR RETAINED ANNUITY TRUST
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By:
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/s/ Dan A. Colussy |
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Name:
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Dan
A. Colussy
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Title:
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Trustee
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DAN
A. COLUSSY REVOCABLE TRUST WITH DAN A. COLUSSY AS THE
TRUSTEE
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By:
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/s/ Dan A. Colussy |
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Name:
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Dan
A. Colussy
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Title:
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Trustee
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TYRONE
BROWN
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By:
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/s/ Tyrone Brown |
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Name:
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Tyrone
Brown
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Title:
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Director
(nonvoting)
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MOTOROLA,
INC.
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By:
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/s/ Loren S. Minkus
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Name:
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Loren
S. Minkus
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Title:
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Director
Portfolio Management
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GINO
PICASSO
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By:
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/s/ Gino Picasso
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Name:
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Gino
Picasso
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Title:
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CEO,
GLOBOKASNET
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AB
KRONGARD
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By:
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/s/ A.B. Krongard
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Name:
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A.B.
Krongard
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THOMAS
J. RIDGE
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By:
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/s/ Thomas J. Ridge
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Name:
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Thomas
J. Ridge
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IRIDIUM
EMPLOYEE HOLDINGS LLC
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BY:
IRIDIUM SATELLITE, LLC, AS MANAGER
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By:
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/s/ John Brunette
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Name:
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John
Brunette
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Title:
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Chief
Legal & Administrative Officer
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EMPLOYEE
HOLDINGS LLC
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BY:
IRIDIUM SATELLITE, LLC, AS MANAGER
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By:
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/s/ John Brunette
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Name:
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John
Brunette
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Title:
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Chief
Legal & Administrative Officer
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IRIDIUM
OPERATIONS SERVICES LLC
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BY:
IRIDIUM SATELLITE, LLC, AS MANAGER
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By:
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/s/ John Brunette
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Name:
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John
Brunette
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Title:
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Chief
Legal & Administrative Officer
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CHASE
LINCOLN FIRST COMMERCIAL CORPORATION |
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By:
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/s/ Samantha Hamerman
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Name:
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Samantha
Hamerman
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Title:
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Vice
President
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BNP
PARIBAS
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By:
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/s/ Fletcher Duke
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Name:
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Fletcher
Duke
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Title:
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Managing
Director
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By:
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/s/ Francois Schwall
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Name:
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Francois
Schwall
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Title:
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Managing
Director
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CPR
(USA) INC.
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By:
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/s/ Robert Olsen
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Name:
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Robert
Olsen
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Title:
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Authorized
Signatory
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DEUTSCHE
BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
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By:
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/s/ Scott G. Martin
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Name:
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Scott
G. Martin
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Title:
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Managing
Director
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DEUTSCHE
BANK AG, LONDON BRANCH
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By:
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/s/ Andrea Leons
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Name:
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Andrea
Leons
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Title:
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AIF
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By:
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/s/ Sunil Hariani
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Name:
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Sunil
Hariani
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Title:
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AIF
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D.K.
ACQUISITION PARTNERS, L.P.
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BY:
M.H. DAVIDSON & CO.,
AS
GENERAL PARTNER
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By:
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/s/ Anthony Yoseloff
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Name:
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Anthony
Yoseloff
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Title:
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General
Partner
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JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK NA
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By:
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/s/ Ann Kurinskas
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Name:
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Ann
Kurinskas
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Title:
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Managing
Director
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KENSINGTON
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, AS NOMINEE FOR MANCHESTER SECURITIES
CORP.
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By:
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/s/ Elliot Greenberg
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Name:
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Elliot
Greenberg
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Title:
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Vice
President
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POST
STRATEGIC MASTER FUND, LP, AS
SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO POST BALANCED FUND, L.P., AS GENERAL
PARTNER
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BY:
POST ADVISORY GROUP, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Carl H. Goldsmith
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Name:
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Carl
H. Goldsmith
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Title:
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Managing
Director
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SILVER
OAK CAPITAL, L.L.C.
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By:
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/s/ Thomas M. Fuller
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Name:
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Thomas
M. Fuller
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Title:
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Authorized
Signatory
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SPRINGFIELD
ASSOCIATES LLC AS NOMINEE FOR MANCHESTER SECURITIES CORP.
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By:
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/s/ Elliot Greenberg
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Name:
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Elliot
Greenberg
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Title:
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Vice
President
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STONEHILL
INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS, L.P.
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BY:
STONEHILL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
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By:
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/s/ John Motulsky
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Name:
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John
Motulsky
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Title:
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MM
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AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION
OF
Iridium
Communications Inc.
GHL
Acquisition Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Delaware (hereinafter the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as
follows:
1.
The name of the Corporation is GHL Acquisition Corp.
2. This
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted by the
board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”)
and by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 228, 242
and 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended (“DGCL”), and amends
and restates the provisions of the existing Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation.
3.
The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as
follows:
ARTICLE
ONE
The name
of the corporation is Iridium
Communications Inc. The Corporation was duly incorporated under the
laws of the State of Delaware on November 2, 2007. A Certificate of
Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on
November 2, 2007 under the name “GHL Acquisition Corp.”.
ARTICLE
TWO
The
registered office and registered agent of the Corporation is The Corporation
Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle
County, Delaware 19808.
ARTICLE
THREE
The
purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which
corporations may be organized under the DGCL.
ARTICLE
FOUR
A. AUTHORIZED
SHARES
The total
number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation has authority to issue
is [ ] shares, consisting of:
(A) [ ] shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”);
and
(B) [ ] shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common
Stock”).
B. PREFERRED
STOCK
The board
of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”)
is expressly authorized to provide for the classification and reclassification
of any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and the issuance thereof in one or
more classes or series without the approval of the stockholders of the
Corporation. The stockholders of the Corporation may increase or
decrease (but not below the number of shares of any class or classes then
outstanding) the number of authorized shares of any such class or classes of
stock by the affirmative approval of a majority of the stockholders entitled to
vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL (or
any successor provision thereto), including by a resolution of such
stockholders, and no vote of the holders of Common Stock or Preferred Stock
voting separately as a class shall be required therefore.
The
Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, with such
distinctive serial designations as may be stated or expressed in the resolution
or resolutions providing for the issue of such stock adopted from time to time
by the Board of Directors; and in such resolution or resolutions providing for
the issuance of shares of each particular series, the Board of Directors is also
expressly authorized to fix the right to vote, if any; the consideration for
which the shares of such series are to be issued; the number of shares
constituting such series, which number may be increased (except as otherwise
fixed by the Board of Directors) or decreased (but not below the number of
shares thereof then outstanding) from time to time by action of the
Board of
Directors; the rate of dividends upon which and the times at which dividends on
shares of such series shall be payable, including a rate payable in shares of
Preferred Stock, and the preference, if any, which such dividends shall have
relative to dividends on shares of any other class or classes or any other
series of capital stock of the Corporation; whether such dividends shall be
cumulative or noncumulative, and if cumulative; the date or dates from which
dividends on shares of such series shall be cumulative, the rights, if any,
which the holders of shares of such series shall have in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, merger, consolidation, distribution or
sale of assets, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation; the
rights, if any, which the holders of shares of such series shall have to convert
such shares into or exchange such shares for shares of any other class or
classes or any other series of capital stock of the Corporation or for any debt
securities of the Corporation and the terms and conditions, including price and
rate of exchange, of such conversion or exchange; whether shares of such series
shall be subject to redemption, and the redemption price or prices and other
terms of redemption, if any, for shares of such series including, without
limitation, a redemption price or prices payable in shares of Common Stock; the
terms and amounts of any sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of shares
of such series; and any and all other powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations
or restrictions thereof pertaining to shares of such series permitted by
law.
C. COMMON
STOCK
Except as
otherwise required by applicable law, all shares of Common Stock shall be
identical in all respects and shall entitle the holders thereof to the same
rights and privileges, subject to the same qualifications, limitations and
restrictions.
Section 1. Voting Rights.
Except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Common Stock, voting
together as if a single class, shall be entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted on by the Corporation’s stockholders. Except as
otherwise provided by law, the Common Stock, together as if a single class,
shall possess full and complete voting power for the election of members of the
Board of Directors.
Section 2. Dividends.
Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any
outstanding series of Preferred Stock or any class or series of stock having a
preference over or the right to participate with the Common Stock with respect
to the payment of dividends, dividends may be declared and paid on the Common
Stock at such times and in such amounts as the
Board of
Directors in its discretion shall determine. Dividends shall be
payable only as and when declared by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
FIVE
The
Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
ARTICLE
SIX
In
furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board
of Directors, acting by majority vote, is expressly authorized to make, adopt,
alter, amend or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation, except as may be
otherwise provided in the by-laws of the Corporation.
ARTICLE
SEVEN
Meetings
of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the
by-laws of the Corporation may provide. The books of the Corporation
may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be
designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the by-laws of the
Corporation. Election of directors of the Corporation need not be by
written ballot unless the by-laws of the Corporation so provide.
ARTICLE
EIGHT
Any action
required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of
stockholders may be taken only upon the vote of stockholders at an annual or
special meeting duly noticed and called in accordance with the DGCL, and may not
be taken by written consent of stockholders without a meeting.
ARTICLE
NINE
Special
meetings of the stockholders may be called by the Board of Directors and the
Chairman of the Board of Directors in accordance with the by-laws of the
Corporation and may not be called by any other person.
ARTICLE
TEN
The business and affairs of the
Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors
consisting of not less than 3 and not more than [___] directors. The
exact number of directors within such minimum and maximum shall be fixed solely
by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
ELEVEN
Section
1. Limitation on Liability of
Directors. The directors of the Corporation shall be entitled
to the benefits of all limitations on the liability of directors generally that
are now or hereafter become available under the DGCL. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, no director of the Corporation shall
be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach
of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the
director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
Section
2. Right of Directors and
Officers To Indemnity From the Corporation. The Corporation
shall indemnify, in a manner and to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL,
each person who is or was a party to or subject to, or is threatened to be made
a party to or to be the subject of, any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative in
nature (including any legislative or self-regulatory proceeding), by reason of
the fact that he or she is or was, or had agreed to become or is alleged to have
been, a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving, or had
agreed to serve or is alleged to have served, at the request of or to further
the interests of the Corporation as a director, officer, manager, partner or
trustee of, or in a similar capacity for, another corporation or any limited
liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
including any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or of any of its
affiliates (any such person being sometimes referred to hereafter as an “Indemnitee”), or by
reason of any action taken or omitted or alleged to have been taken or omitted
by an Indemnitee in any such capacity, against, in the case of any action, suit
or proceeding other than an action or suit by or in the right of the
Corporation, all expenses (including court costs and attorneys’ fees) and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on
his or her behalf and all judgments, damages, fines, penalties and other
liabilities actually sustained by him or her in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom and, in the case of an action or
suit by or in the right of the Corporation, against all expenses and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection
with such action or 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 the
Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, without
reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful; provided, however, that in an
action by or in the right of the Corporation no indemnification shall be made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the Corporation unless, and then only to the extent
that, the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the court in which such action or
suit was brought shall determine
upon
application that, despite the adjudication of such liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity against such expenses or amounts paid in settlement as the Court of
Chancery of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper. The
termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,
conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not, of
itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of the Corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, without reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was
unlawful. With respect to service by an Indemnitee on behalf of any
employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any of its affiliates, action in
good faith in what the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be the best interest of
the beneficiaries of the plan shall be considered to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Corporation. The Corporation shall indemnify an
Indemnitee for expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by the
Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding successfully establishing his or her
right to indemnification, in whole or in part, pursuant to this
Article. However, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Article, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify an Indemnitee
against expenses incurred in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by the Indemnitee against the Corporation or any other person who is
an Indemnitee unless the initiation of the proceeding was approved by the Board
of Directors of the Corporation, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
Section
3. Advancement of
Expenses. Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of
Section 2 of this Article, any advancement by the Corporation against expenses
in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be provided in
accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation then in effect.
Section
4. Procedural
Matters. The right to indemnification and advancement of
expenses provided by this Article shall continue as to any person who formerly
was an officer or director of the Corporation in respect of acts or omissions
occurring or alleged to have occurred while he or she was an officer or director
of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs,
executors and administrators of the Indemnitees. Unless otherwise
required by law, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to
indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article shall be on the
Corporation. The Corporation may, by provisions in its by-laws or by
agreement with one or more Indemnitees, establish procedures for the application
of the foregoing provisions of this Article, including a provision defining
terms used in this Article. The right of an Indemnitee to
indemnification or advances as granted by this Article shall be a contractual
obligation of the Corporation and, as such, shall be enforceable by the
Indemnitee in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Section
5. Amendment. No
amendment, termination or repeal of this Article or of the relevant provisions
of the DGCL or any other applicable laws shall affect or diminish in any way the
rights of any Indemnitee to indemnification under the provisions hereof with
respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising out of or
relating to any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final
adoption of such amendment, termination or repeal.
Section
6. Other Rights to
Indemnity. The indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided by this Article shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which an
Indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under any law (common or statutory), agreement, vote of stockholders or action
of the Board of Directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official
capacity and as to action in any other capacity while holding office for the
Corporation, and nothing contained in this Article shall be deemed to prohibit
the Corporation from entering into agreements with officers and directors
providing indemnification rights and procedures different from those set forth
in this Article.
Section
7. Other Indemnification and
Advancement of Expenses. In addition to indemnification by the
Corporation of current and former officers and directors and advancement of
expenses by the Corporation to current and former officers and directors as
permitted by the foregoing provisions of this Article, the Corporation may, by
action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to such of the
employees and agents of the Corporation to such extent and to such effect as the
Board of Directors shall determine to be appropriate and authorized by the
DGCL.
Section
8. Insurance. The
Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect
itself and any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation or of another corporation or a limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee
benefit plan) in which the Corporation has an interest against any expense,
liability or loss incurred by the Corporation or such person in his or her
capacity as such, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not
the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such
liability under the DGCL.
ARTICLE
TWELVE
Section 1. Restrictions on Stock
Ownership and Transfer. As contemplated by this Article, the
Corporation may restrict the ownership, or proposed ownership, of Common Stock
or Preferred Stock of the Corporation by any person if such ownership or
proposed ownership (i) is or could be inconsistent with, or in violation of, any
provision of the Federal Communications
Laws (as
hereinafter defined); (ii) limits or impairs or could limit or impair any
business activities or proposed business activities of the Corporation under the
Federal Communications Laws; or (iii) subjects or could subject the Corporation
to any law, regulation or policy under the Federal Communications Laws to which
the Corporation would not be subject but for such ownership or proposed
ownership (clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) collectively, “FCC Regulatory
Limitations”). For purposes of this Article, the term “Federal Communications
Laws” shall mean the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules, regulations or policies promulgated thereunder.
Section 2. Requests for
Information. If the Corporation believes that the ownership or
proposed ownership of Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Corporation by any
person may result in an FCC Regulatory Limitation, such person shall furnish
promptly to the Corporation such information (including, without limitation,
information with respect to citizenship, other ownership interests and
affiliations) as the Corporation shall request.
Section 3. Denial of Rights, Refusal to
Transfer. If (i) any person from whom information is requested
pursuant to Section 2 of this Article does not provide all the information
requested by the Corporation, or (ii) the Corporation shall conclude in its sole
discretion that a person’s ownership or proposed ownership of, or that a
person’s exercise of any rights of ownership with respect to the Common Stock or
Preferred Stock of the Corporation, results or could result in an FCC Regulatory
Limitation, then, in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii), the
Corporation may (a) refuse to permit the transfer of Common Stock or Preferred
Stock of the Corporation to such person, (b) suspend those rights of stock or
equity ownership the exercise of which causes or could cause such FCC Regulatory
Limitation, (c) redeem the Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Corporation
held by such person in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth
herein, and/or exercise any and all appropriate remedies, at law or in equity,
in any court of competent jurisdiction, against any such person, with a view
towards obtaining such information or preventing or curing any situation which
causes or could cause an FCC Regulatory Limitation. Any refusal of
transfer or suspension of rights pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively,
of the immediately preceding sentence shall remain in effect until the requested
information has been received and the Corporation has determined in its sole
discretion that such transfer, or the exercise of such suspended rights, as the
case may be, will not result in an FCC Regulatory Limitation.
ARTICLE
THIRTEEN
The
Corporation expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the
DGCL.
ARTICLE
FOURTEEN
The
Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision
contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the
manner now or hereafter prescribed herein and by the laws of the State of
Delaware, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are granted subject
to this reservation.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to be executed by ____________, its __________________, this __
day of ______, 200__.
[_________________]
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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PLEDGE
AGREEMENT
PLEDGE
AGREEMENT dated as of _________, ___ (the “Effective Date”) between [NAME
OF PLEDGOR] (the “Pledgor”) and GHL Acquisition
Corporation (the “Pledgee”).
WHEREAS,
the Pledgor and the Pledgee are parties to the Transaction Agreement dated as of
September 22, 2008 (as amended from time to time, the “Transaction Agreement”);
and
WHEREAS,
the Pledgor is willing to secure its indemnification obligations under the
Transaction Agreement and certain other obligations set forth herein, by
granting Liens on certain assets to the Pledgee as provided herein.
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
(a) Terms Defined in Transaction
Agreement. Except for capitalized terms specifically defined
in this Agreement, the terms defined in the Transaction Agreement shall have, as
used herein, the respective meanings provided for such terms in the Transaction
Agreement.
(b) Terms Defined in
UCC. As used herein, each of the following terms has the
meaning specified in the UCC:
Term
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UCC
Section
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Authenticate
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9-102
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Control
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8-106
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Instrument
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9-102
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Proceeds
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9-102
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Registered
Organization
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9-102
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(c) Additional
Definitions. The following additional terms, as used herein,
have the following meanings:
“Collateral” has the meaning
set forth in Section 2; provided that if at any time the Pledgor proposes to
substitute other collateral for the Collateral described in Section 2 and the
Pledgee agrees in its sole discretion to such substitution, “Collateral” shall
mean such substitute collateral as defined in the amendment or other documents
agreed and executed by the parties to document such
substitution. References
to the Collateral include the Pledged Securities, except as the context
otherwise requires.
“Indemnification Event” means
the failure by the Pledgor to make payment in full for any claim for
indemnification made by an Indemnified Party pursuant to Article 10 of the
Transaction Agreement after (i) the Pledgor’s liability has been determined by a
final non-appealable judgment of a court of compentent jurisdiction in respect
of such claim or (ii) conclusion of a written settlement agreement between
Pledgor and Pledgee in respect of such claim.
“Permitted Liens” means (i) the
Security Interest, and (ii) inchoate Tax and ERISA Liens.
“Pledged Securities” means
[ ]
shares of Pledgee’s common stock, represented by stock certificate number
[ ], which are pledged by the Pledgor hereunder. “Release Date” means the first
Business Day that is on or after nine months after the Closing Date]1 [the first Business Day
that is on or after the second anniversary of the Closing Date]2; provided that, if there is
any outstanding dispute under Article 10 of the Transaction Agreement, the
Collateral shall be partially released to the Pledgor, but only to extent that a
sufficient amount of Collateral remains so as to satisfy all outstanding claims
related to all Indemnification Events.
“Secured Obligations” means all
Damages and costs arising from or in connection with an Indemnification
Event.
“Security Document” means this
Agreement and the Transaction Agreement.
“Security Interest” means the
security interest in the Collateral granted hereunder.
“Transfer Restriction” means,
with respect to any item of Collateral pledged hereunder, any condition to or
restriction on the ability of the owner thereof to sell, assign or otherwise
transfer such item of Collateral or enforce the provisions thereof or of any
document related thereto whether set forth in such item of Collateral itself or
in any document related thereto, including (i) any requirement that any sale,
assignment or other transfer or enforcement for such item of Collateral be
consented to or approved by any Person, including the issuer
1 In the
case of the Syncom Blocker Seller.
2 In the case of the
Baralonco Seller.
thereof or
any other obligor thereon, (ii) any limitations on the type or status, financial
or otherwise, of any purchaser, pledgee, assignee or transferee of such item of
Collateral, and (iii) any requirement for the delivery of any certificate,
consent, agreement, opinion of counsel, notice or any other document of any
Person to the issuer of, any other obligor on or any registrar or transfer agent
for, such item of collateral, prior to the sale, pledge, assignment or other
transfer or enforcement of such item of collateral.
“UCC”
means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of
New York; provided
that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the
priority of the Security Interest on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than New York, “UCC”
means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other
jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection,
effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.
(d) Terms
Generally. The definitions of terms herein (including those incorporated
by reference to the UCC or to another document) apply equally to the singular
and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may
require, any pronoun includes the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter
forms. The words “include”,
“includes”
and “including”
shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without
limitation”. The word “will”
shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless
the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any
agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring
to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such
amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (ii) any reference
herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and
permitted assigns, (iii) the words “herein”,
“hereof”
and “hereunder”,
and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in
its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (iv) all references
herein to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to
Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (v) the word
“property”
shall be construed to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and
properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract
rights.
2. Security
Interest. In order to secure the Secured Obligations, the
Pledgor hereby grants to the Pledgee a security interest in the following (the
“Collateral”):
(a) all
right, title and interest of the Pledgor in the Pledged Securities and all
rights of the Pledgor in respect of the Pledged Securities, whether now owned or
existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located; and
(b) all
Proceeds of any of the foregoing.
The
Security Interest is granted as security only and shall not subject the Pledgee
to, or transfer or in any way affect or modify, any obligation or liability of
the Pledgor with respect to any of the Collateral or any transaction in
connection therewith.
3. Representations,
Warranties and Covenants of the Pledgor. The Pledgor
represents and warrants to the Pledgee as of the date hereof, and covenants with
the Pledgee, as follows:
(a) [For
the Syncom Blocker Seller: The Pledgor is a Registered Organization validly
existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.] [For the
Baralonco Seller: [The Pledgor is a business company duly incorporated and in
good legal standing under the laws of the British Virgin
Islands.] The Pledgor’s exact legal name is correctly set forth on
the signature page hereof. The Pledgor will provide the Pledgee with
at least 30 days’ prior written notice of any change in the Pledgor’s name or
form or jurisdiction of organization.
(b) The
Pledgor has good and marketable title to all of the Collateral, free and clear
of any Lien, other than Permitted Liens. With respect to the Pledged
Securities, the Pledgor is relying on the representations of the Pledgee in
Section 5.05 of the Transaction Agreement. The Pledgor has not
performed any acts that might prevent the Pledgee from enforcing any of the
provisions of this Agreement. No financing statement, security
agreement, mortgage or similar or equivalent document or instrument covering all
or part of the Collateral is on file or of record in any jurisdiction in which
such filing or recording would be effective to perfect or record a Lien on such
Collateral except for the Security Interest. After the date of this
Agreement, no Collateral will be in the possession or under the Control of any
other Person having a claim thereto or security interest therein, other than
Permitted Liens.
(c) None
of the Collateral is subject to any Transfer Restriction except those created
under the Transaction Documents and under federal and state securities
laws. The Pledgor will not cause or suffer to exist any Transfer
Restriction with respect to any of the Collateral except those created under the
Transaction Documents and under federal and state securities laws.
(d) To
the extent that (i) perfection of a security interest in the Collateral may be
perfected by control pursuant to the UCC and (ii) the Pledgee obtains and
maintains control of the Collateral, no registration, recordation or filing with
any governmental body, agency or official is required in connection with the
execution or delivery of this Agreement or is necessary for the validity or
enforceability thereof or for the perfection or due recordation of the Security
Interest or for the enforcement of the Security Interest.
(e) The
Pledgor will, from time to time, at its expense, execute, deliver, file and
record any statement, assignment, instrument, document, agreement or other paper
and take any other action that from time to time may be necessary in order to
(i) create, preserve or perfect the Security Interest, (ii) cause the Pledgee to
have Control of the Collateral or (iii) enable the Pledgee to exercise and
enforce any of its rights, powers and remedies with respect to the
Collateral.
(f) The
Pledgor will, promptly upon request, provide to the Pledgee all information and
evidence concerning the Collateral that the Pledgee may request from time to
time to enable it to enforce the provisions of this Agreement.
4.
Dispositions; Proceeds; Voting Rights, Etc.
(a) The
Pledgor will not sell or otherwise dispose of the Collateral.
(b) Unless
an Indemnification Event shall have occurred and be continuing, the Pledgor will
have the right, from time to time, to vote and to give consents, ratifications
and waivers with respect to the Collateral. If any Indemnification
Event shall have occurred and be continuing, the Pledgee will have the exclusive
right to the extent permitted by Law to give consents, ratifications and waivers
and to take any other action with respect to the Collateral, with the same force
and effect as if the Pledgee were the absolute and sole owner thereof, and the
Pledgor will take all such action as the Pledgee may reasonably request from
time to time to give effect to such right.
5. Remedies. (a)
If an Indemnification Event has occurred, the Pledgee may exercise all the
rights of a secured party under the UCC (whether or not in effect in the
jurisdiction where such rights are exercised) with respect to the Collateral
and, in addition, the Pledgee may, without being required to give any notice,
except as herein provided in Section 8 or as may be required by mandatory
provisions of Law, sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of the Collateral
or any part thereof, in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any
exchange, broker’s board or at any of Pledgee’s offices or elsewhere, for cash,
on credit or for future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or
prices and upon such other terms as the Pledgee may deem commercially
reasonable, irrespective of the impact of any such sales on the market price of
the Collateral. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable Law,
the Pledgee may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral at any such
sale and shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or
payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at
any such public sale, to use and apply all of any part of the Secured
Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price of any Collateral
payable at such sale. Upon any sale of Collateral by the Pledgee
(including pursuant to a power of sale granted by statute or under a judicial
proceeding), the receipt of the Pledgee or of the officer making the sale shall
be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers of the Collateral so
sold and such purchaser or purchasers shall not be
obligated
to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid over the
Pledgor or such officer or be answerable in any way for the misapplication
thereof. Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold
absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of the Pledgor, and the
Pledgor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by Law) all rights of redemption,
stay or appraisal that it now has or may at any time in the future have under
any rule of Law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. The
Pledgee shall not be obliged to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice
of sale having been given. The Pledgee may adjourn any public or
private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed
therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and
place to which it was so adjourned. To the maximum extent permitted
by Law, the Pledgor hereby waives any claim against the Pledgee arising because
the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was
less than the price that might have been obtained at a public sale, even if the
Pledgee accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to
more than one offeree. The Pledgee may disclaim any warranty, as to
title or as to any other matter, in connection with such sale or other
disposition, and its doing so shall not be considered adversely to affect the
commercial reasonableness of such sale or other disposition.
(b) If
the Pledgee sells any of the Collateral upon credit, the Pledgor will be
credited only with payment actually made by the purchaser, received by the
Pledgee and applied in accordance with Section 6 hereof. In the event
the purchaser fails to pay for the Collateral, the Pledgee may resell the same,
subject to the same rights and duties set forth herein. Notice of any
such sale or other disposition shall be given to the Pledgor as required by
Section 8.
6. Application
of Proceeds.
(a) If
an Indemnification Event has occurred, the Pledgee may apply the proceeds of any
sale or other disposition of all or any part of the Collateral, in the following
order of priorities:
first, to
pay the expenses of such sale or other disposition, including reasonable
compensation to agents of and counsel for the Pledgee, and all expenses,
liabilities and advances incurred or made by the Pledgee in connection herewith,
and any other amounts then due and payable to the Pledgee in respect of any
expenses in connection with or any indemnity under the Transaction
Agreement;
second, to
pay the Secured Obligations, until payment in full of the Secured Obligations
shall have been made; and
third, to
pay all interest and fees payable pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement, until
payment in full of all such interest and fees shall have been
made.
7. Fees
and Expenses. (a) The Pledgor will forthwith upon demand pay
to the Pledgee:
(i) the
amount of any Taxes that the Pledgee may have been required to pay in connection
with maintaining the validity, perfection and rank of the Security Interest or
to free any Collateral from any other Lien thereon; and
(ii) the
amount of any and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including transfer
Taxes and reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and other experts, that the
Pledgee may incur in connection with (x) the administration or enforcement
of this Agreement, including such reasonable expenses as are incurred to
preserve the value of the Collateral or the validity, perfection, rank or value
of the Security Interest, (y) the collection, sale or other disposition of any
Collateral or (z) the exercise by the Pledgee of any of its rights or powers
under the Transaction Agreement; and
(iii) the
amount of any fees that the Pledgor shall have agreed in writing to pay to the
Pledgee and that shall have become due and payable in accordance with such
written agreement.
Any such
amount not paid to the Pledgee on demand will bear interest for each day
thereafter until paid at a rate per annum equal to 10%.
(a) If
any transfer Tax, documentary stamp Tax or other Tax is payable in connection
with any transfer or other transaction provided for in the Security Documents,
the Pledgor will pay such Tax and provide any required Tax stamps to the Pledgee
or as otherwise required by Law.
8. Authority
to Administer Collateral. As further security for the Secured
Obligations, the Pledgor irrevocably appoints the Pledgee its true and lawful
attorney, with full power of substitution, in the name of the Pledgor, the
Pledgee or otherwise, for the sole use and benefit of the Pledgee, but at the
expense of the Pledgor, to the extent permitted by Law to exercise, at any time
and from time to time while an Indemnification Event shall have occurred or be
continuing, all or any of the following powers with respect to all or any of the
Collateral:
(a) to
demand, sue for, collect, receive and give acquittance for any and all monies
due or to become due upon or by virtue thereof;
(b) to
settle, compromise, compound, prosecute or defend any action or proceeding with
respect thereto;
(c) to
sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of the same or the proceeds or avails
thereof, as fully and effectually as if the Pledgee were the absolute owner
thereof; and
(d) to
extend the time of payment of any or all thereof and to make any allowance or
other adjustment with reference thereto;
provided
that, except in the case of Collateral that threatens to decline speedily in
value or is of a type customarily sold on (and such sale is being made through)
a recognized market, the Pledgee will give the Pledgor at least ten days prior
written notice of the time and place of any public sale thereof or the time
after which any private sale or other intended disposition thereof will be made.
Any such notice shall (x) contain the information specified in UCC Section
9-613, (y) be Authenticated and (z) be sent to the parties required to be
notified pursuant to UCC Section 9-611(c); provided
that, if the Pledgee fails to comply with this sentence in any respect, its
liability for such failure shall be limited to the liability (if any) imposed on
it as a matter of law under the UCC.
9. Limitation
on Duty in Respect of Collateral. Beyond the exercise of
reasonable care in the custody and preservation thereof, the Pledgee will have
no duty as to any Collateral in its possession or control or in the possession
or control of any agent or bailee or any income therefrom or as to the
preservation of rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining
thereto. The Pledgee will be deemed to have exercised reasonable care
in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession or control
if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it
accords its own property, and will not be liable or responsible for any loss or
damage to any Collateral, or for any diminution in the value thereof, by reason
of any act or omission of any agent or bailee selected by the Pledgee in good
faith, except to the extent that such liability arises from the Pledgee’s gross
negligence or willful misconduct.
10. Termination,
Release. (a) The Security Interest shall terminate and all
rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Pledgor on the Release Date;
provided, however, that if a partial release of Collateral is made as specified
in the final provision in the definition of “Release Date,” then the portion of
such remaining Collateral retained on account of outstanding claims shall be
released upon (i) the payment by the Pledgor to satisfy such outstanding claims
following a final non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction
in respect of such claims; (ii) a final non-appealable judgment by such court
that the Pledgor has no liability with respect of such outstanding claims; or
(iii) the payment by the Pledgor after conclusion of a written settlement
agreement between Pledgor and Pledgee in respect of such outstanding
claims.
(a) Upon
any termination of the Security Interest and release of Collateral, the Pledgee
will, at the expense of the Pledgor, execute and deliver to the Pledgor such
documents as the Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence the termination of
the Security Interest and the release of the Collateral.
11. Notices. Each
notice, request or other communication given to any party hereunder shall be
given in accordance with Section 12.01 of the Transaction
Agreement.
12. No
Implied Waivers; Remedies Not Exclusive. No failure by the
Pledgee to exercise, and no delay in exercising and no course of dealing with
respect to, any right or remedy under any Security Document shall operate as a
waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by the Pledgee of any
right or remedy under any Security Document preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The
rights and remedies specified in the Security Documents are cumulative and are
not exclusive of any other rights or remedies provided by Law.
13. Successors
and Assigns. This Agreement is for the benefit of the Pledgee
and its successors and assigns. If all or any part of the Pledgee’s
interest in any Secured Obligation is assigned or otherwise transferred, the
transferor’s rights hereunder, to the extent applicable to the obligation so
transferred, shall be automatically transferred with such
obligation. This Agreement shall be binding on the Pledgor and its
successors and assigns.
14. Amendments
and Waivers. Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof
may be waived, amended, modified or terminated except pursuant to an agreement
or agreements in writing entered into by the parties hereto.
15. Choice
of Law; Submission
to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with and governed by the Laws of the State of New York except as
otherwise required by mandatory provisions of Law and except to the extent that
remedies provided by the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New
York are governed by the Laws of such jurisdiction. The Pledgor
hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District
Court for the Southern District of New York and of any New York State Court
sitting in New York City for purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or
relating to this Agreement. The Pledgor irrevocably waives, to the
fullest extent permitted by Law, any objection which the Pledgor may now or
hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such
court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been
brought in an inconvenient forum.
16. Waiver
of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY SECURITY DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION
CONTEMPLATED THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER
THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE,
AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE,
THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE
FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO
HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE
MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
17. Severability. If
any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction,
then, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, (i) the other provisions of the
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in such jurisdiction and
shall be liberally construed in favor of the Pledgee in order to carry out the
intentions of the parties thereto as nearly as may be possible and (ii) the
invalidity or unenforceability of such provision in such jurisdiction shall not
affect the validity or enforceability thereof in any other
jurisdiction.
18. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
an original but all of which together shall constitute one
instrument.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of
the date set forth above.
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[NAME
OF PLEDGOR]
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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[NAME
OF PLEDGEE]
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
dated as
of
[ ],
among
GHL
ACQUISITION CORP.
and
THE
SHAREHOLDERS PARTY HERETO
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE
1
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DEFINITIONS
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Section
1.01. Definitions
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1
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Section
1.02. Other Definitional and
Interpretative Provisions
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4
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ARTICLE
2
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REGISTRATION
RIGHTS
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Section
2.01. Registration.
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5
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Section
2.02. Participation In
Underwritten Takedown
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9
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Section
2.03. Rule 144 Sales;
Cooperation By Parent
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9
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ARTICLE
3
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INDEMNIFICATION
AND CONTRIBUTION
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Section
3.01. Indemnification by
Parent
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12
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Section
3.02. Indemnification by
Participating Shareholders
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12
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Section
3.03. Conduct of
Indemnification Proceedings
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13
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Section
3.04. Contribution
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14
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Section
3.05. Other
Indemnification
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15
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ARTICLE
4
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LOCK
UP
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Section
4.01. Restriction on
Shareholders.
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15
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ARTICLE
5
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MISCELLANEOUS
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Section
5.01. Binding Effect;
Assignability; Benefit
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15
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Section
5.02. Notices
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16
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Section
5.03. Waiver; Amendment;
Termination
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16
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Section
5.04. Governing
Law
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17
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Section
5.05. Jurisdiction
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17
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Section
5.06. WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL
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17
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Section
5.07. Specific
Enforcement
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17
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Section
5.08. Counterparts;
Effectiveness
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18
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Section
5.09. Entire
Agreement
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18
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Section
5.10. Severability
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18
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REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT
dated as of
[ ]
(this “Agreement”) among
GHL Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Parent”), and the Shareholders
party hereto as listed on the signature pages (each a “Shareholder” and collectively
the “Shareholders”).
WHEREAS
Parent, certain of the Shareholders and Iridium Holdings LLC are parties to the
Transaction Agreement dated September 22, 2008 (the “Transaction Agreement”) with
respect to the purchase by Parent of the equity interests in Iridium Holdings
LLC on the terms and subject to the conditions set out in the Transaction
Agreement; and
WHEREAS
Parent has agreed to grant certain registration rights to the Shareholders upon
the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement as
provided herein.
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration for the mutual promises made herein and other good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
Definitions
Section
1.01. Definitions. (a) The following terms, as used
herein, have the following meanings:
“Affiliate” means, with respect
to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled
by or under common control with such Person, provided that no
securityholder of Parent shall be deemed an Affiliate of any other
securityholder solely by reason of any investment in Parent. For the
purpose of this definition, the term “control” (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”),
as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise.
“Board” means the board of
directors of Parent.
“Business Day” means any day
except a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York
City are authorized by law to close.
“Exchange Act” means the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
“FINRA” means the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority and any successor thereto.
“Initial Shareholders” means
Greenhill & Co., Inc., _______, ________ and ________.
“Parent Securities” means (i)
shares of capital stock or voting securities of Parent, (ii) securities of
Parent convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting
securities of Parent or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from Parent, or
other obligation of Parent to issue, any capital stock, voting securities or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting
securities of Parent.
“Person” means an individual,
corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other
entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an
agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Public Offering” means an
underwritten public offering of Registrable Securities of Parent pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement as amended or supplemented.
“Registrable Securities” means,
the Parent Securities held as of the date hereof by the Shareholders and any
other securities issued or issuable by Parent or any of its successors or
assigns in respect of such Parent Securities by way of conversion, exchange,
exercise, dividend, split, reverse split, combination, recapitalization,
reclassification, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale of assets, other
reorganization or otherwise until (i) a registration statement covering such
Parent Securities or such other securities has been declared effective by the
SEC and such Parent Securities or such other securities have been disposed of
pursuant to such effective registration statement, or (ii) such Parent
Securities or such other securities are sold under circumstances in which all of
the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force)
under the Securities Act are met.
“Registration Expenses” means
any and all expenses incident to the performance of, or compliance with, any
registration or marketing of securities, including all (i) registration and
filing fees, and all other fees and expenses payable in connection with the
listing of securities on any securities exchange or automated interdealer
quotation system, (ii) fees and expenses of compliance with any securities or
“blue sky” laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel in
connection with “blue sky” qualifications of the securities registered), (iii)
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing, mailing and delivery of
the Shelf Registration Statement, prospectuses and other documents in connection
therewith and any amendments or supplements thereto, (iv) security engraving and
printing expenses, (v) internal expenses of Parent (including all salaries and
expenses
of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (vi)
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Parent and customary fees and
expenses for independent certified public accountants retained by Parent
(including the expenses relating to any comfort letters or costs associated with
the delivery by independent certified public accountants of any comfort letters
requested pursuant to Section 2.01(j), (vii) reasonable fees and expenses of any
special experts retained by Parent in connection with such registration, (viii)
reasonable fees, out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Shareholders, including
one counsel for all of the Shareholders selected by the Shareholders holding a
majority of the Registrable Securities to be sold for the account of all
Shareholders in the offering or included in the Shelf Registration Statement,
(ix) fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or
sellers of securities, but excluding any underwriting fees, discounts and
commissions attributable to the sale of Registrable Securities, (x) costs of
printing and producing any agreements among underwriters, underwriting
agreements, any “blue sky” or legal investment memoranda and any selling
agreements and other documents in connection with the offering, sale or delivery
of the Registrable Securities, (xi) transfer agents’ and registrars’ fees and
expenses and the fees and expenses of any other agent or trustee appointed in
connection with such offering, (xii) expenses relating to any analyst or
investor presentations or any “road shows” undertaken in connection with the
registration, marketing or selling of Registrable Securities, (xiii) all out-of
pocket costs and expenses incurred by Parent or its appropriate officers in
connection with their compliance with Section 2.01(o), and (xiv) fees and
expenses in connection with any review by FINRA of the underwriting arrangements
or other terms of the offering. Except as set forth in clause (viii)
above, Registration Expenses shall not include any out-of-pocket expenses of the
Shareholders (or the agents who manage their accounts).
“Rule 144” means Rule 144 (or
any successor provisions) under the Securities Act.
“SEC” means the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the
Securities Act of 1933.
“Transfer” means, with respect
to any Parent Securities, (i) when used as a verb, to sell, assign, dispose of,
exchange, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise transfer such Parent
Securities or any participation or interest therein, whether directly or
indirectly, or agree or commit to do any of the foregoing and (ii) when used as
a noun, a direct or indirect sale, assignment, disposition, exchange, pledge,
encumbrance, hypothecation, or other transfer of such Parent Securities or any
participation or interest therein or any agreement or commitment to do any of
the foregoing.
(b) Each
of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such
term:
Term
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Section
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Agreement
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Preamble
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Parent
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Preamble
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Damages
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3.01
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Demand
Takedown
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2.01(b)
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Effectiveness
Period
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2.01(a)
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Indemnified
Party
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3.03
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Indemnifying
Party
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3.03
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Inspectors
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2.01(h)
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Maximum
Offering Size
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2.01(b)
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Notice
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5.02
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Records
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2.01(h)
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Requesting
Shareholder
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2.01(b)
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Selling
Shareholders
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2.01(b)
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Shareholder
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Preamble
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Shelf
Registration
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2.01
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Shelf
Registration Statement
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2.01
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Transaction
Agreement
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Preamble
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Underwritten
Takedown
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2.01(b)
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(c) Capitalized
terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined in this Agreement have
the meanings specified in the Transaction Agreement.
Section
1.02. Other
Definitional and Interpretative Provisions. The words
“hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this
Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
provision of this Agreement. The captions herein are included for
convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or
interpretation hereof. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be
deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the
singular. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are
used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words
“without limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or
words of like import. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer
to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic
media) in a visible form. References to a statute shall be to such
statute, as amended from time to time, and to the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder. References to any agreement or contract are
to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. References to
any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that
Person. References from or through any
date mean,
unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including,
respectively.
ARTICLE
2
Registration
Rights
Section
2.01. Registration.
(a) As
soon as reasonably practicable and with a view to such registration to become
effective six months from the date hereof, Parent shall effect the registration
of the Registrable Securities under a registration statement (the “Shelf Registration Statement”)
pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule) (the
“Shelf
Registration”). Parent shall use all reasonable best efforts
to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become and remain effective for so
long as Shareholders hold Registrable Securities (the “Effectiveness Period”)
commencing on the first anniversary of the date hereof (or such shorter period
in which all of the Registrable Securities shall have actually been
sold).
(b) Parent
shall not be required to effectuate any Public Offering prior to, or following
the expiration of, the Effectiveness Period. During the Effectiveness
Period, Parent shall only be required to effectuate one Public Offering from
such Shelf Registration (an “Underwritten Takedown”) within
any six-month period, which offering may be requested by Shareholders then
holding at least three million Registrable Securities. In connection
with any such Underwritten Takedown:
(i) If
Parent shall receive a request from Shareholders then holding at least three
million Registrable Securities (the requesting Shareholder(s) shall be referred
to herein as the “Requesting
Shareholder”) that Parent effect the Underwritten Takedown of all or any
portion of the Requesting Shareholder’s Registrable Securities, and specifying
the intended method of disposition thereof, then Parent shall promptly give
notice of such requested Underwritten Takedown (each such request shall be
referred to herein as a “Demand
Takedown”) at least 10 Business Days prior to the anticipated filing date
of the prospectus or supplement relating to such Demand Takedown to the other
Shareholders and thereupon shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect, as
expeditiously as possible, the offering in such Underwritten Takedown
of:
(A) subject
to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.01(b)(iii), all Registrable
Securities for which the Requesting Shareholder has requested such offering
under Section 2.01(b)(i), and
(B) subject
to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.01(b)(iii), all other Registrable
Securities that any Shareholders (all such Shareholders, together with the
Requesting Shareholder, the “Selling Shareholders”) have
requested Parent to offer by request received by Parent within 7 Business Days
after such Shareholders receive Parent’s notice of the Demand
Takedown,
all to the
extent necessary to permit the disposition (in accordance with the intended
methods thereof as aforesaid) of the Registrable Securities so to be
offered.
(ii) Promptly
after the expiration of the 7-Business Day-period referred to in Section
2.01(b)(i)(B), Parent will notify all Selling Shareholders of the identities of
the other Selling Shareholders and the number of shares of Registrable
Securities requested to be included therein.
(iii) If
the managing underwriter in an Underwritten Takedown advises Parent and the
Requesting Shareholder that, in its view, the number of shares of Registrable
Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering exceeds the
largest number of shares that can be sold without having an adverse effect on
such offering, including the price at which such shares can be sold (the “Maximum Offering Size”),
Parent shall include in such Underwritten Offering, up to the Maximum Offering
Size, Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten
Takedown by all Selling Shareholders and allocated pro rata among such Selling
Shareholders on the basis of the relative number of Registrable Securities held
by each such Selling Shareholders at such time.
(c) Parent
shall be liable for and pay all Registration Expenses in connection with the
Shelf Registration and any Underwritten Takedown.
(d)
Prior to filing the Shelf Registration Statement or a prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto (other than any report filed pursuant to the
Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference therein), Parent shall, if
requested, furnish to each Shareholder and each underwriter, if any, of the
Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus,
amendment or supplement (as applicable) copies of the Shelf Registration
Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement as proposed to be filed, and
thereafter Parent shall furnish to each Shareholder and underwriter, if any,
such number of copies of such documents and other documents as such Shareholder
or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of
the Registrable Securities.
(e)
After the
filing of the Shelf Registration Statement, Parent shall (i) cause any related
prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus
supplement,
and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities
Act, (ii) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the
disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration
Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended methods
of disposition by the Shareholders thereof set forth in the Shelf Registration
Statement or supplement to such prospectus and (iii) promptly notify each
Shareholder holding Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration
Statement of the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement and any stop
order issued or threatened by the SEC or any state securities commission and
take all reasonable actions required to prevent the entry of such stop order or
to remove it if entered.
(f)
The Parent
shall use all reasonable best efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable
Securities under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions
in the United States as any Shareholder holding such Registrable Securities
reasonably (in light of such Shareholder’s intended plan of distribution)
requests and (ii) cause such Registrable Securities to be registered with or
approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary
by virtue of the business and operations of Parent and do any and all other acts
and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable such
Shareholder to consummate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by
such Shareholder, provided that Parent shall
not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction
where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section
2.01(f), (B) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or (C) consent
to general service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(g)
Parent
shall immediately notify each Shareholder, at any time when a prospectus
relating the Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act, of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a
supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to
the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such prospectus will not contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading and promptly prepare and make available to each such Shareholder and
file with the SEC any such supplement or amendment.
(h)
Selling
Shareholders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities requested to be
sold in an Underwritten Takedown shall have the right to select an underwriter
or underwriters in connection with such Underwritten Takedown, which underwriter
or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to Parent. In
connection with an Underwritten Takedown, Parent shall enter into customary
agreements (including an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take such
other actions as are reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of the Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Takedown,
including
the engagement of a “qualified independent underwriter” in connection with the
qualification of the underwriting arrangements with FINRA.
(i)
Upon
execution of confidentiality agreements in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Parent, Parent shall make available for inspection by any
Shareholder and any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement and any prospectus being filed by Parent pursuant
to this Section 2.01 and any attorney, accountant or other professional retained
by any such Shareholder or underwriter (collectively, the “Inspectors”), all financial
and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of Parent
(collectively, the “Records”) as shall be
reasonably necessary or desirable to enable them to exercise their due diligence
responsibility, and cause Parent’s officers, directors and employees to supply
all information reasonably requested by any Inspectors in connection with the
Shelf Registration Statement and any such prospectus. Records that
Parent determines, in good faith, to be confidential and that it notifies the
Inspectors are confidential shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors unless (i)
the disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement
or omission in the Shelf Registration Statement or prospectus (as applicable) or
(ii) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other
order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Each Shareholder agrees
that any non-public information obtained by it as a result of such inspections
shall be deemed confidential and shall not be used by it or its Affiliates as
the basis for any market transactions in the Parent Securities unless and until
such information is made generally available to the public. Each
Shareholder further agrees that, upon learning that disclosure of such Records
is sought in a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall give notice to Parent
and allow Parent, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of the Records deemed confidential.
(j)
The Parent
shall use reasonable best efforts to furnish to each Shareholder participating
in an Underwritten Offering and to each such underwriter, if any, a signed
counterpart, addressed to such Shareholder or underwriter, of (i) an opinion or
opinions of counsel to Parent and (ii) a comfort letter or comfort letters from
Parent’s independent public accountants, each in customary form and covering
such matters of the kind customarily covered by opinions or comfort letters, as
the case may be, as a majority of such Shareholders or the managing underwriter
therefor reasonably requests.
(k)
The Parent
shall otherwise use all reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its security holders, as
soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement or such other document
covering a period of 12 months, beginning within three months after the
effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement, which earnings statement
satisfies the requirements of Rule 158 under the Securities Act.
(l)
The Parent
may require each Shareholder promptly to furnish in writing to Parent such
information regarding the distribution of the Registrable Securities as Parent
may from time to time reasonably request and such other information as may be
legally required in connection with the Shelf Registration.
(m)
Each
Shareholder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from Parent of the happening
of any event of the kind described in Section 2.01(g), such Shareholder shall
forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until such
Shareholder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus
contemplated by Section 2.01(g), and, if so directed by Parent, such Shareholder
shall deliver to Parent all copies, other than any permanent file copies then in
such Shareholder’s possession, of the most recent prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice. If
Parent shall give such notice, Parent shall extend the period during which the
Shelf Registration Statement shall be maintained effective (including the period
referred to in Section 2.01(a)) by the number of days during the period from and
including the date of the giving of notice pursuant to Section 2.01(g) to the
date when Parent shall make available to such Shareholder a prospectus
supplemented or amended to conform with the requirements of Section
2.01(g).
(n)
The Parent
shall use all reasonable best efforts to list all Registrable Securities on any
securities exchange or quotation system on which any Parent Securities are then
listed or traded.
(o)
The Parent
shall have appropriate officers of Parent (i) prepare and make presentations at
any “road shows” and before analysts and (ii) otherwise use their reasonable
efforts to cooperate as reasonably requested by the underwriters or the
Shareholders in the offering, marketing or selling of the Registrable
Securities.
Section
2.02 . Participation In Underwritten
Takedown. No Shareholder may participate in an Underwritten
Takedown hereunder unless such Shareholder (a) agrees to sell such Shareholder’s
Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms
of such underwriting arrangements and the provisions of this Agreement in
respect of registration rights.
Section
2.03 . Rule 144 Sales;
Cooperation By Parent. (a) If any Shareholder
shall transfer any Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144, Parent shall
cooperate, to the extent commercially reasonable, with such Shareholder and
shall provide to such Shareholder such information as such Shareholder shall
reasonably request. Without limiting the foregoing:
(b)
Parent
shall, at any time shares of Parent’s capital stock are registered under the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, (i) make and keep available public
information, as those terms are contemplated by Rule 144 under the Securities
Act (or any successor or similar rule then in force); (ii) timely file with the
SEC all reports and other documents required to be filed under the Securities
Act and the Exchange Act; and (iii) furnish to each Shareholder forthwith upon
request a written statement by Parent as to its compliance with the reporting
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, a copy of the most
recent annual or quarterly report of Parent, and such other information as such
Shareholder may reasonably request in order to avail itself of any rule or
regulation of the SEC allowing such Shareholder to sell any Registrable
Securities without registration.
Section
2.04. Piggyback
Registrations.
(a) Whenever
Parent proposes to register any of its equity securities (including any proposed
registration of the Parent’s securities by any third party) under the
Securities Act (other than pursuant to a registration on Form S−4 or S−8 or any
successor or similar forms), whether or not for sale for its own account,
and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration
of Registrable Securities (a “Piggyback Registration”),
Parent shall give prompt written notice to all holders of Registrable Securities
of its intention to effect such a registration (which notice shall be given at
least 20 days prior to the date the applicable registration statement
is to be filed) and, subject to Sections 2.04(c) and 2.04(d), shall include in
such registration (and in all related registrations and
qualifications under state blue sky laws or in compliance with other
registration requirements and in any related underwriting) all
Registrable Securities with respect to which Parent has received written
requests for inclusion therein within 15 days after the receipt of
Parent’s notice. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 2.04(a) to the
contrary, as long as Parent determines that such delay would not
impair the ability of holders of Registrable Securities to participate in such
registration (e.g., because the registration statement therefor is likely to be
reviewed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and/or such offering will not
be completed until at least 20 days after the registration statement therefor is
filed), Parent may delay the notice of a Piggyback Registration until the day
after the registration statement with respect to such Piggyback
Registration is filed, in which case, subject to the remainder of this Section
2.04, Parent shall include in such registration (and in all related
registrations and qualifications under state blue sky laws or in compliance with
other registration requirements and in any related underwriting) all
Registrable Securities with respect to which Parent has received written
requests for inclusion therein within 15 days after the receipt of Parent’s
notice.
(b) The
Registration Expenses of the holders of Registrable Securities shall be paid by
Parent in all Piggyback Registrations.
(c) If
a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten primary registration on behalf of
Parent, and the managing underwriter advises Parent that, in its view, the
number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwritten
primary registration exceeds the largest number of shares that can be sold
without having an adverse effect on such offering, including the price at which
such shares can be sold, Parent shall include in such registration (i) first,
the securities Parent proposes to sell, (ii) second, the Registrable Securities
requested to be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of
such Registrable Securities on the basis of the amount of such securities owned
by each such holder, and (iii) third, the other securities requested to be
included in such registration pro rata among the holders of such securities on
the basis of the amount of such securities shares owned by each such
holder.
(d) If
a Piggyback Registration is an underwritten secondary registration on behalf of
holders of Parent’s securities (a “Secondary Registration”), and
the managing underwriter advises Parent that, the number of shares of
Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Secondary Registration
exceeds the largest number of shares that can be sold without having an adverse
effect on such offering, including the price at which such shares can be sold,
Parent shall include in such registration (i) first, except to the extent
otherwise previously agreed to by holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities, the securities requested to be included therein by the holders
requesting such registration, together with the Registrable Securities requested
to be included in such registration, pro rata among the holders of such
securities and Registrable Securities on the basis of the amount of such
securities owned by each such holder, and (ii) second, other securities
requested to be included in such registration pro rata among the holders of such
securities on the basis of the amount of such securities owned by each such
holder.
(e) If
any Piggyback Registration is an underwritten offering, Parent will have the
right to select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) for the
offering.
(f) During
such time as any holder of Registrable Securities may be engaged in a
distribution of securities pursuant to an underwritten Piggyback Registration,
such holder shall distribute such securities only under the registration
statement and solely in the manner described in the registration
statement.
(g) Parent
shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it
under this Section 2.04, whether or not any holder of
Registrable
Securities has elected to include securities in such registration, without any
liability to Parent, except that the Registration Expenses of such withdrawn
registration shall be borne by Parent.
ARTICLE
3
Indemnification
and Contribution
Section
3.01 . Indemnification by
Parent. Parent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Shareholder beneficially owning any Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement, or any prospectus filed in connection with an
Underwritten Takedown pursuant to the terms hereof, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, its officers, directors, employees, partners and agents, and
each Person, if any, who controls such Shareholder within the meaning of Section
15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act from and against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable
expenses of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses)
(collectively, “Damages”) caused by or
relating to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Shelf Registration Statement or any such prospectus relating to
the Registrable Securities (as amended or supplemented if Parent shall have
furnished any amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by or relating to
any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as such Damages are caused by or related to any such untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission so made based upon
information furnished in writing to Parent by such Shareholder or on such
Shareholder’s behalf expressly for use therein. Parent also agrees to
indemnify any underwriters of the Registrable Securities, their officers and
directors and each Person who controls such underwriters within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act on
substantially the same basis as that of the indemnification of the Shareholders
provided in this Section 3.01.
Section
3.02 . Indemnification by Participating
Shareholders. Each Shareholder holding Registrable Securities
included in the Shelf Registration Statement, any prospectus filed in connection
with an Underwritten Takedown pursuant to the terms hereof, or any supplement or
amendment thereto agrees, severally but not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless Parent, its officers, directors and agents and each Person, if any, who
controls Parent within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity
from Parent to such Shareholder, but only with respect to information furnished
in writing by such Shareholder or on such Shareholder’s behalf expressly for use
in the Shelf Registration Statement or any such prospectus, or any amendment or
supplement thereto. Each such Shareholder also agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless
underwriters
of the Registrable Securities, their officers and directors and each Person who
controls such underwriters within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act on substantially the same basis
as that of the indemnification of Parent provided in this Section
3.02. As a condition to including Registrable Securities in the Shelf
Registration Statement or any prospectus filed in connection with an
Underwritten Takedown pursuant to the terms hereof, Parent may require that it
shall have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from any
underwriter to indemnify and hold it harmless to the extent customarily provided
by underwriters with respect to similar securities. No Shareholder
shall be liable under this Section 3.02 for any Damages in excess of the net
proceeds realized by such Shareholder in the sale of Registrable Securities of
such Shareholder to which such Damages relate.
Section
3.03 . Conduct of Indemnification
Proceedings. If any proceeding (including any governmental
investigation) shall be instituted involving any Person in respect of which
indemnity may be sought pursuant to this Article 3, such Person (an “Indemnified Party”) shall
promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in
writing and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and
shall assume the payment of all fees and expenses, provided that the failure of
any Indemnified Party so to notify the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder except to the extent that the
Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure to
notify. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Party shall have the
right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall
be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party
and the Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such
counsel, (ii) in the reasonable judgment of such Indemnified Party
representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to
actual or potential differing interests between them, including one or more
defenses or counterclaims that are different from or in addition to those
available to the Indemnifying Party, or (iii) the Indemnifying Party shall have
failed to assume the defense within 30 days of notice pursuant to this Section
3.03. It is understood that, in connection with any proceeding or
related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, the Indemnifying Party shall not
be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for all such
Indemnified Parties, and that all such fees and expenses shall be reimbursed as
they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the
Indemnified Parties, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Indemnified
Parties. The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any
settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if
settled with such consent, or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff,
the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify and hold harmless such Indemnified
Parties from and against any loss or liability (to the
extent
stated above) by reason of such settlement or judgment. Without the
prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, no Indemnifying Party shall
effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of
which any Indemnified Party is or could have been a party and indemnity could
have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Party, unless such settlement (A)
includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability
arising out of such proceeding, and (B) does not include any injunctive or other
equitable or non-monetary relief applicable to or affecting such Indemnified
Person.
Section
3.04 . Contribution. If
the indemnification provided for in this Article 3 is unavailable to the
Indemnified Parties in respect of any Damages, then each Indemnifying Party, in
lieu of indemnifying the Indemnified Parties, shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in
connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such
Damages as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question,
including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission
or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to
information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the
parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount
paid or payable by a party as a result of any Damages shall be deemed to
include, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable
attorneys’ or other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in
connection with any proceeding to the extent such party would have been
indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in
this Article 3 was available to such party in accordance with its
terms.
The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 3.04 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any
other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.04, no
Shareholder shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in
excess of the net proceeds actually received by such Shareholder from the sale
of the Registrable Securities subject to the proceeding. Each
Shareholder’s obligation to contribute pursuant to this Section 3.03 is several
in the proportion that the proceeds of the offering received by such Shareholder
bears to the total proceeds of the offering received by all such Shareholders
and not joint.
No Person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The indemnity
and
contribution agreements contained in this Article 3 are in addition to any
liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified
Parties.
Section
3.05 . Other
Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that specified
herein (with appropriate modifications) shall be given by Parent and each
Shareholder participating therein with respect to any required registration or
other qualification of securities under any foreign, federal or state law or
regulation or governmental authority other than the Securities Act.
ARTICLE
4
Lock
Up
Section
4.01 . Restriction on Shareholders.
Except as provided in the next sentence, no Shareholder will, without the prior
written consent of Parent (which consent may be withheld in its sole
discretion), directly or indirectly, Transfer, offer, contract or grant any
option to Transfer (including any short sale), pledge, transfer, establish an
open “put equivalent position” or liquidate or decrease a “call equivalent
position” within the meaning of Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act, or
otherwise dispose of or Transfer (or enter into any transaction which is
designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition or
Transfer of) any Parent Securities, currently or hereafter owned either of
record or beneficially (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by the
undersigned, or publicly announce the undersigned’s intention to do any of the
foregoing, for a period commencing on the date hereof and continuing through to
the first anniversary of the date hereof, provided that the Board may,
in its sole discretion, at the request of any Requesting Shareholder, authorize
an Underwritten Takedown at any time beginning six months following the date
hereof. Each Shareholder may pledge up to 25% of its Parent
Securities as collateral to secure cash borrowing from a third party financial
institution, provided
that such financial institution agrees in writing with Parent to be bound
by the provisions of this Article 4 with respect to such Parent
Securities.
ARTICLE
5
Miscellaneous
Section
5.01 . Binding Effect;
Assignability; Benefit. (a) This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective heirs, successors, legal representatives and permitted
assigns. Any Shareholder that ceases to own beneficially any Parent
Securities shall cease to be bound by the terms hereof (other than (i) the
provisions of Article 3 applicable to such Shareholder with respect to any
offering of Registrable Securities completed before the date such Shareholder
ceased to own any Parent Securities and (ii) this Article 5).
(b) Neither
this Agreement nor any right, remedy, obligation or liability arising hereunder
or by reason hereof shall be assignable by any party hereto, except pursuant to
any permitted Transfer of Parent Securities.
(c) Nothing in
this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other
than the parties hereto, and their respective heirs, successors, legal
representatives and permitted assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section
5.02 . Notices. All
notices, requests and other communications (each, a “Notice”) to any party shall be
in writing and shall be delivered in person, mailed by certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, or sent by facsimile transmission,
if to
Parent to:
[ ]
with a
copy to:
[ ]
if to any
Shareholder, at the address for such Shareholder listed on the signature pages
below or otherwise provided to Parent as set forth below.
Any Notice
shall be deemed received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if
received prior to 5:00 p.m. in the place of receipt and such day is a Business
Day in the place of receipt. Otherwise, such Notice shall be deemed
not to have been received until the next succeeding Business Day in the place of
receipt. Any Notice sent by facsimile transmission also shall be
confirmed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, posted
within one Business Day, or by personal delivery, whether courier or otherwise,
made within two Business Days after the date of such facsimile
transmission.
Any Person
that becomes a Shareholder after the date hereof shall provide its address and
fax number to Parent.
Section
5.03 . Waiver; Amendment;
Termination. No provision of this Agreement may be waived
except by an instrument in writing executed by the party against whom the waiver
is to be effective. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or
otherwise modified except by an instrument in writing executed by Parent, the
Initial Holders (so long as they, collectively, hold at least 10% of their
initial Registrable Securities), Syndicated Communications, Inc. (so long as it
holds at least 10% of its initial Registrable Securities), Syndicated
Communications Venture Partners IV, L.P. (so long as it holds at least 10% of
its
initial
Registrable Securities), Baralonco N.V. (so long as it holds at least 10% of its
initial Registrable Securities) and the holders of at least 51% of the
Registrable Securities held by the parties hereto at the time of such proposed
amendment or modification. This Agreement may be terminated by an
instrument in writing executed by Parent, the Initial Holders (so long as they,
collectively, hold at least 10% of their initial Registrable Securities),
Syndicated Communications, Inc. (so long as it holds at least 10% of its initial
Registrable Securities), Syndicated Communications Venture Partners IV, L.P. (so
long as it holds at least 10% of its initial Registrable Securities), Baralonco
N.V. (so long as it holds at least 10% of its initial Registrable Securities)
and the holders of at least 51% of the Registrable Securities held by the
parties hereto at the time of such proposed termination. Except for
the indemnification provisions set forth in Article 3, this Agreement shall
terminate as to any Shareholder at such time as such Shareholder ceases to own
any Registrable Securities.
Section
5.04 . Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the law of the State of Delaware, without regard to the
conflicts of law rules of such state.
Section
5.05 . Jurisdiction. The
parties hereto agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any
provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be brought in any
federal court located in the State of Delaware or any Delaware state court, and
each of the parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such
courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit,
action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue
of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit,
action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an
inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding
may be served on any party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the
jurisdiction of any such court. Without limiting the foregoing, each
party agrees that service of process on such party as provided in Section 5.02 shall
be deemed effective service of process on such party.
Section
5.06 . WAIVER OF JURY
TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES
ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section
5.07 . Specific
Enforcement. Each party hereto acknowledges that the remedies
at law of the other parties for a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement
would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, any party to this
Agreement, without posting any bond or furnishing other security, and in
addition
to all
other remedies that may be available, shall be entitled to obtain equitable
relief in the form of specific performance, a temporary restraining order, a
temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy that may then be
available.
Section
5.08 . Counterparts;
Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed (including by
facsimile transmission) with counterpart signature pages or in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument. This Agreement shall become effective when each party
hereto shall have executed and delivered this Agreement. Until and
unless each party has executed and delivered this Agreement, this Agreement
shall have no effect and no party shall have any right or obligation hereunder
(whether by virtue of any other oral or written agreement or other
communication).
Section
5.09 . Entire
Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and
understanding among the parties hereto and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous agreements and understandings, both oral and written, among the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof (including that certain
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of ____, 2008, by and among Parent,
Greenhill & Co., Inc. and the other Initial Shareholders, which is hereby
terminated in its entirety).
Section
5.10 . Severability. If
any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a
court of competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated so long as the economic or legal
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
materially adverse to any party. Upon such a determination, the
parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect
the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable
manner so that the transactions contemplated hereby be consummated as originally
contemplated to the fullest extent possible.
[Signature
page follows.]
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement or have caused
this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of
the day and year first above written.
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2009
IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
STOCK
INCENTIVE PLAN
The
purpose of this 2009 Iridium Communications Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the
“Plan”) is to
aid Iridium Communications Inc. (the “Company”) and its
Affiliates in recruiting and retaining key employees, directors and other
service providers and to motivate such persons to exert their best efforts on
behalf of the Company and its Affiliates by providing incentives through the
granting of Awards. The Company expects that it will benefit from the
added interest which such key employees, directors or consultants will have in
the welfare of the Company as a result of their proprietary interest in the
Company’s success.
The
following capitalized terms used in the Plan have the respective meanings set
forth in this Section:
(a) Act: The
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor
thereto.
(b) Affiliate: With
respect to the Company, any entity directly or indirectly controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with, the Company or any other entity
designated by the Board in which the Company or an Affiliate has an
interest.
(c) Award: An
Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Award granted pursuant to
the Plan.
(d) Beneficial
Owner: A “beneficial owner”, as such term is defined in Rule
13d-3 under the Act (or any successor rule thereto).
(e) Board: The
Board of Directors of the Company.
(f) Change in
Control: The occurrence, in a single transaction or in a
series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following
events:
(i) the
sale or disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or
substantially all, of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used for purposes of
Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Act) other than the Permitted
Holders;
(ii) any
person or group, other than the Permitted Holders, is or becomes the Beneficial
Owner (except that a person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of
all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the voting stock of
the Company (or any entity which controls the Company), including by way of
merger, consolidation, tender or exchange offer or otherwise;
2
(iii) a
reorganization, recapitalization, merger or consolidation (a “Corporate
Transaction”) involving the Company, unless securities representing 50%
or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company or the
corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (or the parent of such
corporation) are held subsequent to such transaction by the person or persons
who were the Beneficial Owners of the outstanding voting securities entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors of the Company immediately prior to
such Corporate Transaction, in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction; or
(iv) during
any period of 12 months, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constituted the Board (together with any new directors whose election by such
Board or whose nomination for election by the stockholders of the Company was
approved by a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company, then still in
office, who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose
election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of the Board, then in office.
(g) Code: The
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor
thereto.
(h) Committee: The
Compensation Committee of the Board (or a subcommittee thereof), or such other
committee of the Board (including, without limitation, the full Board) to which
the Board has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the
Plan.
(i) Company: Iridium
Communications Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(j) Effective
Date: The date the Board approves the Plan, or such later date
as is designated by the Board.
(k) Employment: The
term “Employment” as used herein shall be deemed to refer to (i) a Participant’s
employment if the Participant is an employee of the Company or any of its
Affiliates, (ii) a Participant’s services as a consultant, if the Participant is
consultant to the Company or its Affiliates or (iii) a Participant’s services as
an non-employee director, if the Participant is a non-employee member of the
Board or the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of any
Affiliate.
(l) Employment Agreement:
The employment agreement, if any, specifying the terms of a Participant’s
employment by the Company or one of its Affiliates.
(m) Fair Market
Value: As of any date, the value of a Share determined as
follows: (i) if there should be a public market for the Shares on such
date, the closing price of the Shares as reported on such date on the Composite
Tape of the principal national securities exchange on which such Shares are
listed or admitted to trading, or, if the Shares are not listed or admitted on
any national securities exchange, the arithmetic mean of the per Share closing
bid price and per Share closing asked price on such date as quoted on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System (or such
market in which such prices are regularly quoted)(the “NASDAQ”), or, if no
sale of Shares shall have been reported on the Composite Tape of any national
securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ on such date, then the immediately
preceding date on which sales of the Shares have been so reported or quoted
shall be used, and (ii) if there should not be a public market for the
Shares on such date, the Fair Market Value shall be the value established by the
Committee in good faith.
3
(n) ISO: An
Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder,
as amended from time to time.
(o) Option: A
stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 of the Plan.
(p) Option
Price: The purchase price per Share of an Option, as
determined pursuant to Section 6(a) of this Plan.
(q) Other Stock-Based
Awards: Awards granted pursuant to Section 8 of the
Plan.
(r) Participant: An
employee, director or other service provider who is selected by the Committee to
participate in the Plan and receives an Award hereunder.
(s) Permitted Holder
means, as of the date of determination, any and all of an employee benefit plan
(or trust forming a part thereof) maintained by (A) the Company or any
Subsidiary or (B) any corporation or other Person of which a majority of its
voting power of its voting equity securities or equity interest is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company.
(t) Performance-Based
Awards: Certain Other Stock-Based Awards granted pursuant to
Section 8(b) of the Plan.
(u) Person: A
“person”, as such term is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Act
(or any successor section thereto).
(v) Plan: This
2009 Iridium Communications Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to
time.
(w) Shares: The
shares of the common stock, $0.001 par value, of the Company.
(x) Stock Appreciation
Right: A stock appreciation right granted pursuant to Section
7 of the Plan.
(y) Subsidiary: With
respect to the Company, any entity that is a subsidiary corporation thereof, as
defined in Section 424(f) of the Code (or any successor section
thereto).
3.
|
Shares
Subject to the Plan and
Participation
|
Subject to
Section 9, the total number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan is
8,000,000 (which is also the maximum number of Shares for which ISOs may be
granted). Additionally, subject to Section 9, the maximum number of
Shares for which Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (or other Awards under
Section 8(b)) may be granted during a calendar year to any Participant shall be
2,000,000. The Shares may consist, in whole or in part, of unissued
Shares or treasury Shares. The issuance of Shares or the payment of
cash upon the exercise of an Award or in consideration of the cancellation or
termination of an Award shall reduce the total number of Shares available under
the Plan, as applicable. Shares which are subject to Awards which
terminate or lapse without the payment of consideration may be granted again
under the Plan.
Employees,
directors and other service providers of the Company and its Affiliates shall be
eligible to be selected to receive Awards under this Plan; provided, that ISOs
may only be granted to employees of the Company and its
Subsidiaries.
4
This Plan
shall be administered by the Committee, which may delegate its duties and powers
in whole or in part to any subcommittee thereof consisting solely of at least
two individuals who are intended to qualify as “non-employee directors” within
the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Act or any successor rule thereto,
“independent directors” within the meaning of the listed company rules of the
principal national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed or
admitted to trading and “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code or any successor section thereto (“Eligible
Directors”). Additionally, the Committee may delegate the
authority to grant Awards under the Plan to any employee or group of employees
of the Company or an Affiliate; provided that Awards
to Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Act and/or Section 162(m)
of the Code shall only be made by the Committee (if the Committee consists
solely of at least two Eligible Directors) or by a subcommittee consisting
solely of at least two Eligible Directors; provided, further, that such
delegation and grants are consistent with applicable law and guidelines
established by the Board from time to time. Awards may, in the
discretion of the Committee, be made under the Plan in assumption of, or in
substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by the Company or its
Affiliates or any entity acquired by the Company or with which the Company
combines. The number of Shares underlying such substitute awards
shall be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for Awards
under the Plan. Subject to Section 13, the Committee is authorized to
interpret the Plan, to establish, amend and rescind any rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, and to make any other determinations that it deems
necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. The
Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems
necessary or desirable. Any decision of the Committee in the
interpretation and administration of the Plan, as described herein, shall lie
within its sole and absolute discretion and shall be final, conclusive and
binding on all parties concerned (including, but not limited to, Participants
and their beneficiaries or successors). The Committee shall have the
full power and authority to establish the terms and conditions of any Award
consistent with the provisions of the Plan and to waive any such terms and
conditions at any time (including, without limitation, accelerating or waiving
any vesting conditions). The Committee shall require payment of any
amount it may determine to be necessary to withhold for federal, state, local or
other taxes as a result of the exercise, grant or vesting of an Award
(including, without limitation, any applicable income, employment and social
security taxes or contributions). To the extent permitted by the
Committee in the applicable Award agreement or otherwise and, in each case, as
permitted by applicable local law, a Participant may elect to pay a portion or
all of such withholding taxes by (a) the delivery of Shares (which are not
subject to any pledge or other security interest owned by the Participant having
a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability; provided, that such
Shares have been held by the Participant for no less than six months (or such
other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid
adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles)
or (b) by having the Company withhold from the number of Shares otherwise
issuable or deliverable pursuant to the exercise or settlement of the Award a
number of shares with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability
(but no more than the minimum required statutory withholding
liability).
No Award
may be granted under this Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective
Date, but Awards theretofore granted may extend beyond such date.
5
6.
|
Terms
and Conditions of Options
|
Options
granted under this Plan shall be, as determined by the Committee, non-qualified
or incentive stock options for federal income tax purposes, as evidenced by the
applicable Award agreement, and shall be subject to the foregoing and the
following terms and conditions and to such other terms and conditions, not
inconsistent therewith, as the Committee shall determine:
(a) Option
Price. The Option Price per Share shall be determined by the
Committee, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share
on the date an Option is granted (other than in the case of Options granted in
substitution of previously granted awards, as described in Section 4
hereof).
(b) Exercisability. Options
granted under this Plan shall be exercisable at such time and upon such terms
and conditions as may be determined by the Committee, but in no event shall an
Option be exercisable more than ten years after the date it is
granted.
(c) Exercise of
Options. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan or in the
applicable Award agreement, an Option may be exercised for all, or from time to
time any part, of the Shares for which it is then exercisable. For
purposes of this Section 6, the exercise date of an Option shall be the later of
the date a notice of exercise is received by the Company and, if applicable, the
date payment is received by the Company pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of the
following sentence. The purchase price for the Shares as to which an
Option is exercised shall be paid to the Company as designated by the Committee,
pursuant to one or more of the following methods: (i) in cash or its equivalent
(e.g., by check or wire transfer) or (ii) by such other method as the
Committee in its sole discretion may permit either in the applicable Award
agreement or otherwise, including without limitation, (A) in Shares having a
Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price for the Shares being
purchased that are not subject to any pledge or other security interest and
satisfy such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided, that such
Shares have been held by the Participant for no less than six months (or such
other period as established from time to time by the Committee in order to avoid
adverse accounting treatment applying generally accepted accounting principles),
(B) partly in cash and partly in such Shares, (C) if there is a public
market for the Shares at such time, through the delivery of irrevocable
instructions to a broker to sell Shares obtained upon the exercise of the Option
and to deliver promptly to the Company an amount out of the proceeds of such
Sale equal to the aggregate Option Price for the Shares being purchased and
applicable withholdings or (D) through net settlement in Shares. No
Participant shall have any rights to dividends or other rights of a stockholder
with respect to Shares subject to an Option until the Participant has given
written notice of exercise of the Option, paid in full for such Shares and, if
applicable, has satisfied any other conditions imposed by the Committee pursuant
to this Plan.
(d) ISOs. The
Committee may grant Options under the Plan that are intended to be
ISOs. Such ISOs shall comply with the requirements of Section 422 of
the Code (or any successor section thereto). No ISO may be granted to
any Participant who at the time of such grant, owns more than ten percent of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any
Subsidiary, unless (i) the Option Price for such ISO is at least 110% of
the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the ISO is granted and
(ii) the date on which such ISO terminates is a date not later than the day
preceding the fifth anniversary of the date on which the ISO is
granted. The documentation evidencing an ISO shall provide that any
Participant who disposes of Shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO either
(i) within two years after the date of grant of such ISO or
(ii) within one year after the transfer of such Shares to
6
the
Participant, shall promptly notify the Company of such disposition and of the
amount realized upon such disposition. All Options granted under the
Plan are intended to be nonqualified stock options, unless the applicable Award
agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an
ISO. If an Option is intended to be an ISO, and if for any reason
such Option (or portion thereof) shall not qualify as an ISO, then, to the
extent of such nonqualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be
regarded as a nonqualified stock option granted under this Plan; provided, that such
Option (or portion thereof) otherwise complies with this Plan’s requirements
relating to nonqualified stock options. In no event shall any member
of the Committee, the Company or any of its Affiliates (or their respective
employees, officers or directors) have any liability to any Participant (or any
other Person) due to the failure of an Option to qualify for any reason as an
ISO.
(e) Attestation. Wherever
in this Plan or any Award agreement a Participant is permitted to pay the
exercise price of an Option or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by
delivering Shares, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to
the Committee, satisfy such delivery requirement by presenting proof of
beneficial ownership of such Shares, in which case the Company shall treat the
Option as exercised without further payment and/or shall withhold such number of
Shares from the Shares acquired by the exercise of the Option, as
appropriate.
7.
|
Terms
and Conditions of Stock Appreciation
Rights
|
(a) Grants. The
Committee may grant (i) a Stock Appreciation Right independent of an Option
or (ii) a Stock Appreciation Right in connection with an Option, or a
portion thereof. A Stock Appreciation Right granted pursuant to
clause (ii) of the preceding sentence (A) may be granted at the time
the related Option is granted or at any time prior to the exercise or
cancellation of the related Option, (B) shall cover the same number of
Shares covered by an Option (or such lesser number of Shares as the Committee
may determine) and (C) shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as
such Option except for such additional limitations as are contemplated by this
Section 7 (or such additional limitations as may be included in
the applicable Award agreement).
(b) Terms. The
exercise price per Share of a Stock Appreciation Right shall be an amount
determined by the Committee but in no event shall such amount be less than the
Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted
(other than in the case of Stock Appreciation Rights granted in substitution of
previously granted awards, as described in Section 4); provided, however, that in the
case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in conjunction with an Option, or a
portion thereof, the exercise price may not be less than the Option Price of the
related Option. Each Stock Appreciation Right granted independent of
an Option shall entitle a Participant upon exercise to an amount equal to
(i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value on the exercise date of
one Share over (B) the exercise price per Share, times (ii) the number
of Shares covered by the Stock Appreciation Right. Each Stock
Appreciation Right granted in conjunction with an Option, or a portion thereof,
shall entitle a Participant to surrender to the Company the unexercised Option,
or any portion thereof, and to receive from the Company in exchange therefore an
amount equal to (i) the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value on the
exercise date of one Share over (B) the Option Price per Share, times
(ii) the number of Shares covered by the Option, or portion thereof, which
is surrendered. Payment shall be made in Shares or in cash, or partly
in Shares and partly in cash (any such Shares valued at such Fair Market Value),
all as shall be determined by the Committee. Stock Appreciation
Rights may be exercised from time to time upon actual receipt by the Company of
7
written
notice of exercise stating the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock
Appreciation Right is being exercised. The date a notice of exercise
is received by the Company shall be the exercise date. No fractional
Shares will be issued in payment for Stock Appreciation Rights, but instead cash
will be paid for a fraction or, if the Committee should so determine, the number
of Shares will be rounded downward to the next whole Share.
(c) Limitations. The
Committee may impose, in its discretion, such conditions upon the exercisability
of Stock Appreciation Rights as it may deem fit, but in no event shall a Stock
Appreciation Right be exercisable more than ten years after the date it is
granted.
8.
|
Other
Stock-Based Awards
|
(a) Generally. The
Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant or sell Awards of Shares, Awards of
restricted Shares and Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference
to, or are otherwise based on the Fair Market Value of, Shares (“Other Stock-Based
Awards”). Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be in such form,
and dependent on such conditions, as the Committee shall determine, including,
without limitation, the right to receive, or vest with respect to, one or more
Shares (or the equivalent cash value of such shares) upon the completion of a
specified period of service, the occurrence of an event and/or the attainment of
performance objectives. Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted alone
or in addition to any other Stock Awards granted under the
Plan. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall
determine to whom and when Other Stock-Based Awards will be made; the number of
Shares to be awarded under (or otherwise related to) such Other Stock-Based
Awards; whether such Other Stock-Based Awards shall be settled in cash, Shares
or a combination of cash and Shares; and all other terms and conditions of such
Awards (including, without limitation, the vesting provisions thereof and
provisions ensuring that all Shares so awarded and issued shall be fully paid
and non-assessable).
(b) Performance-Based
Awards. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,
certain Other Stock-Based Awards granted under this Section 8 may be
granted in a manner which is intended to be deductible by the Company under
Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor section thereto) (“Performance-Based
Awards”). A Participant’s Performance-Based Award shall be
determined based on the attainment of written performance goals approved by the
Committee for a performance period established by the Committee (i) while
the outcome for that performance period is substantially uncertain and
(ii) no more than 90 days after the commencement of the performance
period to which the performance goal relates or, if less, the number of days
which is equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the relevant performance
period. The performance goals, which must be objective, shall be
based upon one or more of the following criteria: (i) consolidated earnings
before or after taxes (including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization); (ii) net income; (iii) operating income; (iv) earnings per
Share; (v) book value per Share; (vi) return on stockholders’ equity; (vii)
expense management; (viii) return on investment; (ix) improvements in capital
structure; (x) profitability of an identifiable business unit or product; (xi)
maintenance or improvement of profit margins; (xii) stock price; (xiii) market
share; (xiv) revenues or sales; (xv) costs; (xvi) cash flow; (xvii) working
capital (xviii) return on assets, (xix) total stockholder return, (xx) capital
expenditures and (xxi) progress toward or attaining milestones on key
projects. The foregoing criteria may relate to the Company, one or
more of its Affiliates or one or more of its or their divisions or units, or any
combination of the foregoing, and may be applied on an absolute basis and/or be
relative to one or more peer group companies or indices, or any combination
thereof, all as the Committee shall determine. In addition, to the
degree consistent with Section 162(m) of the
8
Code (or
any successor section thereto), the performance goals may be calculated without
regard to extraordinary items. The maximum amount of a
Performance-Based Award during a calendar year to any Participant shall be: (x)
with respect to Performance-Based Awards that are denominated in Shares,
2,000,000 Shares and (y) with respect to Performance-Based Awards that are not
denominated in Shares, $2,000,000. The Committee shall determine
whether, with respect to a performance period, the applicable performance goals
have been met with respect to a given Participant and, if they have, shall so
certify and ascertain the amount of the applicable Performance-Based
Award. No Performance-Based Awards will be paid for such performance
period until such certification is made by the Committee. The amount
of the Performance-Based Award actually paid to a given Participant may be less
than the amount determined by the applicable performance goal formula, at the
discretion of the Committee. The amount of the Performance-Based
Award determined by the Committee for a performance period shall be paid to the
Participant at such time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion
after the end of such performance period; provided, however, that a
Participant may, if and to the extent permitted by the Committee and consistent
with the provisions of Sections 162(m) and 409A of the Code, elect to defer
payment of a Performance-Based Award.
9.
|
Adjustments
Upon Certain Events
|
Notwithstanding
any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, the following provisions shall
apply to all Awards granted hereunder:
(a) Generally. In
the event of any change in the outstanding Shares after the Effective Date by
reason of any Share dividend or split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination, transaction or exchange of Shares or other
corporate exchange, or any distribution to stockholders of Shares other than
regular cash dividends or any transaction similar to the foregoing, the
Committee in its sole discretion and without liability to any person shall make
such substitution or adjustment, if any, as it deems to be equitable (subject to
Section 17), as to (i) the number or kind of Shares or other securities issued
or reserved for issuance pursuant to the Plan or pursuant to outstanding Awards,
(ii) the maximum number of Shares for which Options or Stock Appreciation Rights
may be granted during a calendar year to any Participant (iii) the
maximum amount of a Performance-Based Award that may be granted during a
calendar year to any Participant, (iv) the Option Price or exercise price of any
stock appreciation right and/or (v) any other affected terms of such
Awards. For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of any "equity
restructuring" (within the meaning of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004)), the
Committee shall make an adjustment to outstanding Awards to reflect such equity
restructuring, which adjustment shall be made in such manner as the Committee,
acting in good faith, in its sole discretion determines to be
equitable.
(b) Change in Control. In
the event of a Change in Control after the Effective Date, the Committee may
(subject to Section 17), but shall not be obligated to, (i) accelerate, vest or
cause the restrictions to lapse with respect to all or any portion of an Award,
(ii) cancel such Awards for fair value (as determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion) which, in the case of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights,
may equal the excess, if any, of value of the consideration to be paid in the
Change in Control transaction to holders of the same number of Shares subject to
such Options or Stock Appreciation Rights (or, if no consideration is paid in
any such transaction, the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such
Options or Stock Appreciation Rights) over the aggregate Option Price of such
Options or exercise price of such Stock Appreciation Rights, (iii) provide for
the issuance of substitute Awards that will
9
substantially
preserve the otherwise applicable terms of any affected Awards previously
granted hereunder as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, and/or
(iv) provide that for a period of at least 15 days prior to the Change in
Control, such Options shall be exercisable as to all Shares subject thereto and
that upon the occurrence of the Change in Control, such Options shall terminate
and be of no further force and effect.
10.
|
No
Right to Employment or Awards
|
The
granting of an Award under the Plan shall impose no obligation on the Company or
any Affiliate to continue the Employment of a Participant and shall not lessen
or affect the Company’s or any Affiliate’s right to terminate the Employment of
such Participant. No Participant or other Person shall have any claim
to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment
of Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and
conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with
respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant (whether
or not such Participants are similarly situated). In addition, except
as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Employment Agreement, under no
circumstances will any Participant ceasing to be an employee or other service
provider to the Company or any of its Affiliates, as applicable, be entitled to
any compensation for any loss of any right or benefit or prospective right or
benefit under the Plan which such Participant might otherwise have enjoyed
whether such compensation is claimed by way of damages for wrongful dismissal or
other breach of contract or by way of compensation for loss of office or
otherwise. By accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant
acknowledges and agrees that any Award such Participant has been awarded under
the Plan and any other Awards the Participant may be granted in the future, even
if such Awards are made repeatedly or regularly, and regardless of their amount,
(i) are wholly discretionary, are not a term or condition of Employment and do
not form part of a contract of Employment, or any other working arrangement,
between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) do no
create any contractual entitlement to receive future Awards or to continued
Employment, and (iii) do not form part of salary or remuneration for purposes of
determining pension payments or any other purposes, including, without
limitation, termination indemnities, severance, resignation, redundancy,
bonuses, long-term service awards, pension or retirement benefits, or similar
payments, except as otherwise required by applicable law or as otherwise
provided in a Participant’s Employment Agreement.
11.
|
Successors
and Assigns
|
This Plan
shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company and each
Participant, including without limitation, the estate of each such Participant
and the executor, administrator or trustee of any such estate, and, if
applicable, any receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or representative of the
creditors of any such Participant.
12.
|
Nontransferability
of Awards
|
Unless
expressly permitted by the Committee in an Award agreement or otherwise in
writing and, in each case to the extent permitted by applicable local law, an
Award shall not be transferable or assignable by the applicable Participant
other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. An
Award exercisable after the death of a Participant may be exercised by the
legatees, personal representatives or distributees of the
Participant.
10
13.
|
Amendments
or Termination
|
The Board
may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration or
discontinuation shall be made, (a) without the approval of the stockholders
of the Company, if (i) such approval is required to comply with the rules of any
stock exchange on which the Shares are then listed or applicable law, or (ii)
such action would (except as is provided in Section 9 of the Plan),
increase the total number of Shares reserved for the purposes of the Plan or
change the maximum number of Shares for which Awards may be granted to any
Participant or (b) without the consent of a Participant, if such action
would materially adversely affect any of the rights of the Participant under any
Award theretofore granted to such Participant under the Plan; provided, however, that the
Committee may amend the Plan in such manner as it deems necessary to permit the
granting of Awards meeting the requirements of the Code or other applicable laws
(including, without limitation, to avoid adverse tax consequences to the Company
or to Participants).
Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent applicable,
notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Plan and Awards issued
hereunder shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and
Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretative guidance issued
thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance
that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any
provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that the Committee
determines that any amounts payable hereunder will be taxable to a Participant
under Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance prior
to payment to such Participant of such amount, the Company may (a)
adopt such amendments to the Plan and Awards and appropriate policies and
procedures, including amendments and policies with retroactive effect, that the
Committee determines necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax
treatment of the benefits provided by the Plan and Awards hereunder and/or (b)
take such other actions as the Committee determines necessary or appropriate to
avoid the imposition of an additional tax under Section 409A of the
Code.
14.
|
International
Participants
|
With
respect to Participants who reside or work outside the United States of America
and who are not (and who are not expected to be) “covered employees” within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may, in its sole
discretion, amend the terms of the Plan and/or Awards with respect to such
Participants in order to conform such terms with the requirements of local law
and/or to make such changes as are necessary or beneficial to the Company, its
Affiliates and/or the Participants.
This Plan
and the Awards granted hereunder shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to
contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware, without giving
effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.
16.
|
Effectiveness
of the Plan
|
This Plan
shall be effective as of the Effective Date, subject to the approval of the
stockholders of the Company.
11
Notwithstanding
other provisions of this Plan or any Award agreements hereunder, no Award shall
be granted, deferred, accelerated, extended, paid out or modified under this
Plan in a manner that would result in the imposition of an additional tax under
Section 409A of the Code upon a Participant. In the event that it is
reasonably determined by the Committee that, as a result of Section 409A of the
Code, payments in respect of any Award under the Plan may not be made at the
time contemplated by the terms of the Plan or the relevant Award agreement, as
the case may be, without causing the Participant holding such Award to be
subject to taxation under Section 409A of the Code, the Company will make such
payment on the first day that would not result in the Participant incurring any
tax liability under Section 409A of the Code. The Company shall use
commercially reasonable
efforts to implement the provisions of this Section 17 in good faith;
provided, that neither the Company, the
Committee nor any of the Company’s employees, directors or
representatives shall have any liability to any Participant with
respect to this Section
17.
DUFF
& PHELPS, LLC
• 55
EAST 52nd STREET,
31st FLOOR
• NEW
YORK, NY 10055 • TEL
212-871-2000 • FAX
212-277-0716
September 22, 2008
Board of Directors
GHL Acquisition Corp.
300 Park Avenue 23rd Floor
New York, New York
10022
Dear Directors:
The Board of Directors of GHL Acquisition Corp. (the “Company”) has engaged Duff & Phelps, LLC (“Duff & Phelps”) as its ind
ependent financial advisor
to provide to the Board of Directors of the Company an opinion (the “Opinion”) as of the date hereof as to (i) the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of the
Company’s common stock (other than Greenhill
& Co., Inc. (“GHL”)) of the consideration to be paid by the
Company in the contemplated transaction described below (the
“Proposed Transaction”) and (ii) whether the Target (as
defined below) has a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in
the Company’s trust account (excluding deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions).
Duff & Phelps has acted as financial advisor
to the Board of Directors of the Company, and will receive a fee for its
services, a significant portion of which is contingent upon Company stockholder
approval of the Proposed Transaction. No portion of Duff & Phelps’ fee is refundable or contingent upon
either the conclusion expressed in the Opinion or the consummation of the
Proposed Transaction. In addition, the Company has agreed to reimburse certain
of Duff & Phelps expenses and to indemnify Duff
& Phelps for certain liabilities arising out of
this engagement. If the Company stockholders do not approve the Proposed
Transaction, the Company has agreed to grant Duff & Phelps a right of first
refusal to provide a fairness opinion at customary rates for any other initial business combination
contemplated by the Company. Other than this engagement, during the two years
preceding the date of this Opinion, Duff & Phelps has not had any material
relationship with any party to the Proposed Transaction for which
compensation has been
received or is intended to be received, nor, except as disclosed above, is any
such material relationship or related compensation mutually understood to be
contemplated. This Opinion has been approved by the internal opinion committee
of Duff & Phelps.
Description
of the Proposed Transaction
The Proposed Transaction is the
acquisition by the Company of all the equity interests of Iridium Holdings
LLC (the “Target”) pursuant to a Transaction Agreement
(the “Transaction Agreement”) among the Company, the Target and the
equity holders of the Target, as listed on the signature page of the Transaction
Agreement (the “Sellers”). Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement
and as more fully set forth therein, the Company agrees to purchase from the
Sellers all of the equity interests of the Target (as well as Syncom-Iridium
Holdings Corporation and Baralonco N.V. (the “Blocker Entities”)), for (a) an aggregate cash
consideration of $77.1
GHL Acquisition Corp.
September 22, 2008
Page 2 of 6
million to be paid at closing and $30
million to paid to the Sellers (other than the Sellers of shares or
other equity interests of
the Blocker Entities) 90 days following the closing upon the successful
completion of an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code by the
Company (the “Cash Consideration”) and (b) 38,290,000 shares of common
stock, par value $0.001, of
the Company (the “Company Common Stock”) (the “Stock Consideration”, and together with the Cash
Consideration, the “Consideration”). Concurrently with the execution of
the Transaction Agreement it is contemplated that the Target will
enter into a purchase
agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with Greenhill & Co. Europe Holdings Limited
(“GHL Europe”), an affiliate of GHL, pursuant to
which upon the closing thereof (the “Note Closing”), in exchange for the payment by GHL
Europe to the Target of
$22.9 million in cash, the Target will issue to GHL Europe a Convertible
Subordinated Promissory Note (the “Note”). As more fully set forth in the Note
and the Transaction Agreement, upon the closing of the Transaction Agreement,
the Note will be redeemable
for $22.9 million plus any accrued interest in cash or exchangeable for
2,290,000 of the 38,290,000 shares of Company Common Stock of the Stock
Consideration.
Scope of
Analysis
In connection with this Opinion,
Duff & Phelps has made such reviews,
analyses and inquiries as Duff & Phelps has deemed necessary and
appropriate under the circumstances. Duff & Phelps also took into account its
assessment of general economic, market and financial conditions, as well
as its experience in
securities and business valuation, in general, and with respect to similar
transactions, in particular. Duff & Phelps’ due diligence with regards to the
Proposed Transaction included, but was not limited to, the items
summarized below.
|
|
1.
|
Discussed the operations,
financial conditions, future prospects and projected operations and
performance of the Company and Target, respectively, and the Proposed
Transaction with the management of Target and the
Company;
|
|
2.
|
Reviewed certain publicly
available financial
statements and other business and financial information of the Company and
Target, respectively, and the industries in which the Target
operates;
|
|
3.
|
Reviewed certain internal
financial statements and other financial and operating data concerning Target which the
Company and Target have respectively identified as being the most current
financial statements
available;
|
|
4.
|
Reviewed certain financial
forecasts as prepared by the management of the Company and
Target;
|
|
5.
|
Reviewed a draft of the
Transaction Agreement and the exhibits thereto dated September 22, 2008
and the Note Purchase Agreement dated September 12, 2008 and the form of
Note dated September
22,2008;
|
GHL Acquisition Corp.
September 22, 2008
Page 3 of 6
|
6.
|
Reviewed the historical trading
price and trading volume of the Company Common Stock and the publicly
traded securities of certain other companies that Duff & Phelps deemed
relevant;
|
|
7.
|
Compared the financial performance
of Target with that
of certain other publicly traded companies that Duff & Phelps deemed
relevant;
|
|
8.
|
Compared certain financial terms
of the Proposed Transaction to financial terms, to the extent publicly
available, of certain other business combination transactions that Duff
& Phelps deemed relevant;
and
|
|
9.
|
Conducted such other analyses and
considered such other
factors as Duff & Phelps deemed
appropriate.
|
Assumptions, Qualifications and
Limiting Conditions
In performing its analyses and rendering
this Opinion with respect to the Proposed Transaction, Duff & Phelps, with your
consent:
|
1.
|
Relied upon the accuracy,
completeness, and fair presentation of all information, data, advice,
opinions and representations obtained from public sources or provided to
it from private sources, including Company and Target management, and did
not independently verify such
information;
|
|
2.
|
Assumed that any estimates,
evaluations and projections (financial or otherwise) furnished to Duff
& Phelps were reasonably prepared
and based upon the best currently available information and good faith
judgment of the person or persons furnishing the
same.
|
|
3.
|
Assumed that the final versions of
all documents reviewed by Duff & Phelps in draft form (including,
without limitation, the Transaction Agreement and the Note Purchase
Agreement) conform in all material respects to the drafts
reviewed.
|
|
4.
|
Assumed that all governmental,
regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation
of the Proposed Transaction will be obtained without any adverse effect on
the Company, Target or the Proposed Transaction.
|
|
5.
|
Assumed without verification the
accuracy and adequacy
of the legal advice given by counsel to the Company and Target on all
legal matters with respect to the Proposed Transaction and assumed all
procedures required by law to be taken in connection with the Proposed
Transaction have been, or will be, duly, validly and timely
taken and that the Proposed Transaction will be consummated in a
manner that complies
in all respects with
the applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and all
other applicable statutes, rules
and
|
GHL Acquisition Corp.
September 22, 2008
Page 4 of 6
regulations. Duff & Phelps has not made, and assumes no
responsibility to make, any representation, or render any opinion, as to any legal
matter.
|
6.
|
Assumed that all of the conditions
required to implement the Proposed Transaction will be satisfied and
that the Proposed
Transaction will be completed in accordance with the Transaction
Agreement, without any amendments thereto or any waivers of any terms or
conditions thereof. Duff & Phelps assumed that all
representations and warranties of each party to the Transaction Agreement are true and
correct and that each party will perform all covenants and agreements
required to be performed by such
party.
|
|
7.
|
Assumed that the conditions
required to implement the Note Closing will be satisfied and that the Note
will be issued prior
to the closing of the Transaction Agreement in accordance with the terms
of the Note Purchase Agreement, without any amendments thereto or any
waivers of any terms of conditions thereof, and, upon the closing of the
Transaction Agreement the Note will be exchanged for
2,290,000 of the 38,290,000 shares of Company Common Stock of the Stock
Consideration.
|
|
8.
|
Assumed that, prior to the closing
of the Transaction Agreement, all of the equity holders of Target are
parties to and bound as Sellers under the Transaction
Agreement.
|
|
9.
|
Assumed that Target will declare
and pay a dividend in the aggregate amount of $37.9 million prior to the
closing of the Proposed
Transaction.
|
|
10.
|
Assumed that within 90 days
following the closing, the Company will make a valid, successful election
under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
|
|
11.
|
Did not make any independent
evaluation, appraisal or physical inspection of the Company’s or the Target’s solvency or of any specific
assets or liabilities (contingent or
otherwise).
|
This Opinion should not be construed as
a valuation opinion, credit rating, solvency opinion, liquidation analysis, an
analysis of either the Company’s or Target’s credit worthiness or otherwise as tax advice
or as accounting advice. Duff & Phelps has not been requested to, and
did not, (a) negotiate the terms of the Proposed Transaction or (b) advise the
Board of Directors or any other party with respect to alternatives to the Proposed Transaction. In
addition, Duff & Phelps is not expressing any opinion as
to the market price or value of the Company’s Common Stock after announcement of the
Proposed Transaction.
In our analysis and in connection with
the preparation of this Opinion, Duff & Phelps has made numerous assumptions
with respect to industry performance, general business, market and economic
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of any party involved in the Proposed
Transaction. To the extent that any of the foregoing assumptions or any of the
facts on which this Opinion is based prove to be untrue in any material respect,
this Opinion cannot and should not be relied upon.
GHL Acquisition Corp.
September 22, 2008
Page 5 of 6
In rendering this Opinion, Duff
& Phelps is not expressing any opinion
with respect to the amount or nature of any compensation to any of the
Company’s officers, directors, or employees, or any class of such
persons, relative to the consideration to be received by the public shareholders
of the Company in the Proposed Transaction, if any, or with respect to the
fairness of any such compensation.
Duff & Phelps has prepared this Opinion effective as of the date
hereof. This Opinion is necessarily based upon market, economic, financial and
other conditions as they exist and can be evaluated as of the date hereof, and
Duff & Phelps disclaims any undertaking or
obligation to update this
Opinion or advise any person of any change in any fact or matter affecting this
Opinion which may come or be brought to the attention of Duff & Phelps after the date
hereof.
The basis and methodology for this
Opinion have been designed specifically for the express purposes of the Board
of Directors and may not translate to any other purposes. This Opinion is not a
recommendation as to how the Board of Directors or any stockholder should vote
or act with respect to any matters relating to the Proposed Transaction, or whether to proceed
with the Proposed Transaction or any related transaction, nor does it indicate
that the terms of (including the consideration to be paid in) the Proposed
Transaction are the best attainable by the Company under any circumstances. Further, Duff & Phelps has not been requested to opine
as to, and the Opinion does not in any manner address, the underlying business
decision of the Company to engage in the Proposed Transaction or the relative
merits of the Proposed Transaction as compared to any alternative
business transaction or strategy (including, without limitation, a liquidation
of the Company after not completing a business combination within the allotted
time). Instead, it merely states whether the consideration in the Proposed Transaction is within a range
suggested by certain financial analyses. The decision as to whether to proceed
with the Proposed Transaction or any related transaction may depend on an
assessment of factors unrelated to the financial analysis on which this Opinion is based. This letter
should not be construed as creating any fiduciary duty on the part of Duff
& Phelps to any party. Without our prior
consent, this Opinion may not be quoted from or referred to, in whole or in
part, in any written document or used for any other purpose,
except that this Opinion may be included in its entirety in filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission made by the Company in connection with the
Proposed Transaction. The Company may summarize or otherwise reference the existence of this Opinion in
such documents provided that any such summary or reference language shall be
subject to prior approval of Duff & Phelps.
GHL Acquisition Corp.
September 22, 2008
Page 6 of 6
Conclusion
Based upon and subject to the foregoing,
Duff & Phelps is of the opinion that (i)
the Consideration to be paid by the Company in the Proposed Transaction is fair,
from a financial point of view, to the holders of the Company’s cornmon stock (other than
GHL) and (ii) the Target
has a fair market value equal to at least 80% of the balance in the
Company’s Trust Account (excluding deferred
underwriting discounts and commissions).
Respectfully
submitted,
DUFF & PHELPS, LLC
GHL
ACQUISITION CORP.
300
Park Avenue, 23rd
Floor
New
York, NY 10022
SPECIAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
THIS
PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GHL ACQUISITION
CORP.
The
undersigned appoints
and
as proxies, and each of them with full power to act without the other, each with
the power to appoint a substitute, and hereby authorizes either of them to
represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side, all shares of common
stock of GHL Acquisition Corp. (“GHQ”) held of record by the undersigned on
,
2009, at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held on ,
2009, or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
THIS
PROXY REVOKES ALL PRIOR PROXIES GIVEN BY THE UNDERSIGNED. THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTIONS ARE GIVEN, THIS PROXY
WILL BE VOTED “FOR” EACH OF THE PROPOSALS LISTED HEREIN. THE GHQ
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSALS LISTED
HEREIN.
(Continued,
and to be marked, dated and signed, on the other side)
PROXY
CARD – GHQ
THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTIONS ARE GIVEN, THIS
PROXY WILL BE VOTED “FOR” PROPOSAL NUMBERS 1, 2, 3, 4 AND 5. THE GHQ
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS.
1.
|
To
approve our acquisition of Iridium Holdings, LLC (“Iridium Holdings”)
pursuant to the Transaction Agreement dated as of September 22,
2008 among GHQ, Iridium Holdings and the sellers listed therein
(“Transaction Agreement”) and the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Agreement (the “Acquisition Proposal”).
|
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
ð
ð
ð
|
3.
To approve the issuance of shares of our common stock in the acquisition
and related transactions that would result in an increase in our
outstanding common stock by more than 20%.
|
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
ð
ð
ð
|
4. To
adopt the proposed stock incentive plan, to be effective upon completion
of the acquisition.
|
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
ð
ð
ð
|
|
If
you voted “AGAINST” the Acquisition Proposal and you hold shares of GHQ
common stock issued in the GHQ initial public offering, you may exercise
your conversion rights and demand that GHQ convert your shares of common
stock into a pro rata portion of the trust account by marking the “I
Hereby Exercise My Conversion Rights” box below. If you
exercise your conversion rights, then you will be exchanging your shares
of GHQ common stock for cash and will no longer own these
shares. You will only be entitled to receive cash for these
shares if the acquisition is completed and you affirmatively vote against
the Acquisition Proposal, continue to hold these shares through the
effective time of the acquisition and deliver your stock certificate to
GHQ’s transfer agent. Failure to (a) vote against the approval
of the Acquisition Proposal, (b) check the “I Hereby Exercise My
Conversion Rights” box below, (c) deliver your stock certificate to GHQ’s
transfer agent before the special meeting by following the procedures set
forth on pages 119 and 120 of GHQ’s proxy
statement under “The Special Meeting—Conversion Rights”, or (d) submit
this proxy in a timely manner, will result in the loss of your conversion
rights.
|
5.
To consider the vote upon a
proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if
necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of
proxies.
|
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
ð ð
ð
|
|
|
|
|
1a.
|
I
HEREBY EXERCISE MY CONVERSION RIGHTS
|
ð
|
|
|
2.
|
To
approve an amendment to GHQ’s Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation to, among other things, (i) change the name of GHQ from GHL
Acquisition Corp. to “Iridium Communications Inc.”; (ii) permit GHQ’s
continued existence after February 14, 2010; (iii) increase the number of
GHQ’s authorized shares of common stock; and (iv) eliminate the different
classes of GHQ’s board of directors.
|
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
ð
ð
ð
|
|
|
Sign
exactly as your name appears on this proxy card. If shares are held
jointly, each holder should sign. Executors, administrators,
trustees, guardians, attorneys and agents should give their full
titles. If stockholder is a corporation, sign in full name by an
authorized officer.
PLEASE
MARK, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY. ANY VOTES RECEIVED AFTER A
MATTER HAS BEEN VOTED UPON WILL NOT BE COUNTED.
MARK
HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT
RIGHT ð
COMPANY
ID:
PROXY
NUMBER:
ACCOUNT
NUMBER:
Signature
__________________________________________ Signature
___________________________________________ Date ____________________,
2009