UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Tasty Baking Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania 23-1145880
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(State of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer
or organization) Identification No.)
2801 Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which
to be so registered each class is to be registered
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If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A.(c), check the following box. |_|
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to
Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General
Instruction A.(d), check the following box. |X|
Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates:
none (if applicable)
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Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock Purchase Rights
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(Title of class)
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED.
Common Stock Purchase Right Dividend
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On July 30, 2003, the Board of Directors of Tasty Baking Company (the
"Company"), declared a dividend distribution of one common stock purchase right
(a "Right") for each outstanding share of the Company's common stock (the
"Common Shares") to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 30,
2003. Each Right entitles the registered holder, upon the occurrence of certain
events, to purchase from the Company that number of Common Shares having a then
market value equal to two times the exercise price of the Rights ($45.00 per
Right, subject to adjustment (the "Exercise Price")), upon payment of the
Exercise Price. The description and terms of the Rights are set forth in a
Rights Agreement dated as of July 30, 2003 (the "Rights Agreement") between the
Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent.
This summary description of the Rights does not purport to be complete and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement. A copy of the
Rights Agreement may be obtained from the Company without charge.
Certificates; Separation of Rights from Common Stock
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Initially, the Rights will be attached to all Common Shares then
outstanding, and no separate Right certificates will be distributed. The Rights
will separate from the Common Shares and trade separately after the Distribution
Date. The "Distribution Date" is the earlier of (i) 10 days following the date
of the first public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons, has acquired or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (an "Acquiring
Person") or (ii) 10 business days (or such later day as may be determined by
action of the Board of Directors before the time any person or group becomes an
Acquiring Person) following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer
if, upon consummation thereof, any person or group would be an Acquiring Person.
The date of announcement of the existence of an Acquiring Person referred to in
clause (i) above is referred to as the "Share Acquisition Date."
Until the Distribution Date (or earlier redemption, exchange or expiration
of the Rights), (i) the Rights will be evidenced only by the Rights Agreement
and the Common Share certificates, and will be automatically transferred with,
and only with, the Common Shares, (ii) new Common Share certificates issued
after July 30, 2003, upon transfer or new issuance of Common Shares, will
contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference, and (iii)
the surrender for transfer of any Common Share certificate, even without such
notation or a copy of this Summary of Rights attached thereto, will also
constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares
represented by such stock certificate.
As promptly as practicable following the Distribution Date, separate
certificates evidencing the Rights ("Right Certificates") will be mailed to
holders of record of the Common Shares as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date, and thereafter, such separate Right Certificates alone will
evidence the Rights. The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution
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Date and will expire at the close of business on July 29, 2013, unless earlier
redeemed or exchanged by the Company as described below.
Flip In Trigger
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In the event that any person or group of associated or affiliated persons
becomes an Acquiring Person, then after the Distribution Date, except as
provided in the next paragraph, each Right shall entitle the holder thereof to
receive, upon exercise and payment, Common Shares (or Common Stock Equivalents
(as such term is defined in the Rights Agreement)) having a then market value
equal to two (2) times the Exercise Price of the Rights.
Certain Rights to Become Void
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Upon the occurrence of the event described in the preceding paragraph, any
Rights beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Associate or
Affiliate (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) of an Acquiring
Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or
(iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or
Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring
Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer
from the Acquiring Person (or any such Associate or Affiliate) to holders of
equity interests in such Acquiring Person or to any person with whom the
Acquiring Person (or any such Associate or Affiliate) has any agreement or other
understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board
of Directors of the Company in its discretion has determined is part of a plan,
arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect the
avoidance of the Rights Agreement, shall become null and void without any
further action, and no holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever
with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of the Rights Agreement
or otherwise.
Flip Over Trigger
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In the event that, following the earlier of the Distribution Date or Share
Acquisition Date, (i) the Company engages in a merger or other business
combination transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation,
(ii) the Company engages in a merger or other business combination transaction
with another person in which the Company is the surviving corporation, but in
which its Common Shares are changed or exchanged, or (iii) more than 50% of the
Company's assets or earning power is sold or transferred, the Rights Agreement
provides that proper provision shall be made so that each Right (except Rights
which previously have been voided as described above in the preceding paragraph)
shall entitle the holder thereof to receive, upon exercise and payment, common
stock of the acquiring company having a then market value equal to two (2) times
the Exercise Price of the Rights.
Optional Exchange of Rights for Common Stock
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At any time after any person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, the
Board of Directors of the Company may exchange the Rights (except Rights which
previously have been
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voided as described above), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one
Common Share (or, in certain circumstances, one Common Stock Equivalent) for
each Right.
Adjustments to Exercise Price and Number of Rights/Common Shares
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The Exercise Price payable, the number of Common Shares or other securities
issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject to adjustment from time to
time to prevent dilution (i) in the event of a stock dividend on, or a
subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Common Shares, (ii) upon
the grant to all holders of the Common Shares of certain rights, options or
warrants to subscribe for Common Shares or convertible securities at less than
the current market price of the Common Shares, or (iii) upon the distribution to
all holders of the Common Shares of evidences of indebtedness, stock (other than
a dividend payable in Common Shares), assets or cash (excluding regular
quarterly cash dividends) or of subscription rights, options or warrants (other
than those referred to above).
The number of outstanding Rights and the number of Common Shares issuable
upon exercise of each Right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a
stock split of the Common Shares or a stock dividend on the Common Shares
payable in Common Shares or in the event of subdivisions, consolidations or
combinations of the Common Shares occurring, in any such case, prior to the
Distribution Date.
With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the Exercise Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in
such Exercise Price. No fractional Common Shares will be issued upon the
exercise of any Right or Rights. In lieu of fractions of a share equal to
one-half of a share or less, a cash payment will be made, as provided in the
Rights Agreement. No Rights may be exercised that would entitle the holders to
any fraction of a Common Share greater than one-half of a share unless
concurrently therewith the holder purchases an additional fraction of a Common
Share which, when added to the number of Common Shares to be received upon such
exercise, equal a whole number of Common Shares, as provided in the Rights
Agreement. If the holder does not purchase an additional fraction of a Common
Share, a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.
Redemption of Rights
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At any time prior to such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person
and for a period of 10 Business Days thereafter, the Board of Directors of the
Company may redeem the Rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.001 per
Right, subject to adjustment (the "Redemption Price"). Immediately upon the
action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the
Rights (or at such later time as the Board of Directors may establish for the
effectiveness of such redemption), the Rights will terminate and the only right
of the holders of the Rights will be to receive the Redemption Price.
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Shareholder Rights
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Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends by reason of ownership of the Rights.
Tax Implications
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While the distribution of the Rights will not be taxable to a shareholder
or to the Company, shareholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize
taxable income in the event that the Rights become exercisable or exchangeable
for shares of Common Stock.
Amendment
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The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Company and the Rights Agent
at any time for any purpose, provided that following the Distribution Date the
amendment may not materially adversely affect the interests of holders of Rights
(other than the interests of an Acquiring Person).
Continuing Directors
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The Board of Directors of the Company has the exclusive power and authority
to administer the Rights Agreement and to exercise all decisions on behalf of
the Company provided in the Agreement. Actions by the Board of Directors shall
require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Continuing Directors.
"Continuing Directors" means (i) any member of the Board who is not an Acquiring
Person or an associate or affiliate of such person, or a representative or
designee of an Acquiring Person or any such associate or affiliate, and was a
member of the Board prior to July 30, 2003, or (ii) any person who subsequently
becomes a member of the Board, who is not an Acquiring Person or an associate or
affiliate of such person, or a representative or designee of any such person, if
such person's nomination for election or election to the Board is recommended or
approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors then in office.
Antitakeover Effects
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The Rights may have certain antitakeover effects. The Rights will cause a
dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company on terms not
approved by the Board of Directors. The Rights will not interfere with any
merger or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors prior to
the time the other party to the transaction becomes an Acquiring Person.
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ITEM 2. EXHIBITS
Number Description
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4.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2003, between Tasty Baking
Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights
Agent.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
Date: August 18, 2003 TASTY BAKING COMPANY
By: /s/ Ronald O. Whitford, Jr.
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Ronald O. Whitford, Jr., Secretary
and General Counsel
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Number Description
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4.1 Rights Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2003, between Tasty Baking
Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights
Agent.
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