Republic Services, Inc.
Filed by Republic Services, Inc. pursuant to Rule 425
under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and
deemed filed
pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Subject Company: Republic Services, Inc.
(Commission File No. 1-14267)
On July 18, 2008, Republic Services, Inc.
issued the attached statement regarding the proposal received from Waste Management, Inc. on July 14, 2008.
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Contacts for Republic Services: |
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Media:
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Investors:
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Both: |
Will Flower
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Tod Holmes
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Chuck Burgess |
(954) 769-6392
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(954) 769-2387
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The Abernathy MacGregor Group |
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or
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(212) 371-5999 |
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Ed Lang |
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(954) 769-3591 |
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REPUBLIC SERVICES DECLINES TO ENTER MERGER NEGOTIATIONS WITH
WASTE MANAGEMENT; REMAINS COMMITTED TO ALLIED WASTE TRANSACTION
After Thorough Analysis, Board Concludes that the Waste Management Proposal Does Not Constitute,
and Could Not Reasonably Be Expected to Lead To, a Superior Proposal
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 18, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG)
announced today that its Board of Directors, after careful consultation with its legal and
financial advisors, unanimously determined that the Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WMI) proposal
announced on July 14 does not constitute, and could not reasonably be expected to lead to, a
transaction that is more favorable to Republic stockholders than the merger currently contemplated
between Republic and Allied Waste Industries, Inc. (NYSE: AW). Republic stated that, having made such a determination, it may not, under Republics existing merger agreement with Allied, furnish information to, and have discussions and negotiations with, Waste Management.
Republic stated that it has not put itself up for sale as a result of entering into a strategic
merger with Allied Waste Industries, Inc. Republics Board therefore has not authorized
discussions between Waste Management and Republic. Republic also said that its Board of Directors
has not changed its recommendation of the existing merger with Allied.
Below is the full text of the letter Republic Services sent to Waste Management:
July 18, 2008
David P. Steiner
Chief Executive Officer
Waste Management, Inc.
1001 Fannin, Suite 4000
Houston, Texas 77002
Dear David,
I am writing to respond to your letter of July 14, 2008, proposing that, subject to due
diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements, and other conditions contained in your letter,
Waste Management, Inc. would acquire Republic Services, Inc. for $34.00 per share in cash.
Republic is not for sale. Although we are always cognizant of our fiduciary duties, Republic has
not put itself up for sale as a result of entering into a strategic merger with Allied Waste
Industries, Inc. Given the issues described below, the Waste Management proposal is not a basis
for us to change Republics strategic direction and we are concerned that it may be an effort by
our largest competitor to disrupt our plans.
After careful consultation with our outside legal and financial advisors, our Board of
Directors unanimously determined that the Waste Management proposal does not constitute, and could
not reasonably be expected to lead to, a transaction that is more favorable to Republic
stockholders than the merger currently contemplated with Allied. As you know, Republic is legally
bound to its merger agreement with Allied, and under the merger agreement, having made such a determination, Republic may not furnish information to, and have discussions and negotiations
with, Waste Management.
The Board is unanimously of the view that the Waste Management proposal seriously undervalues
Republic. Republics common stock was trading close to $34.00 per share as recently as last month,
before the Allied merger was announced. The Board believes that the merger between Republic and
Allied will create significant value generating opportunities, including significant cost saving
synergies, which will result in additional value for Republic stockholders. Financial analyses
presented to our directors and Allieds directors, and which will be included in the joint proxy
statement to be mailed to our stockholders, support a valuation substantially above $34.00 per
share. In your press commentary, you referred to the Waste Management proposal as opportunistic.
We believe that your proposal is opportunistic for you and that it will deny Republic
stockholders the opportunity provided by the merger between Republic and Allied.
The Board also took several other factors into account, including the following:
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our assessment that a transaction with Waste Management will involve significant
additional regulatory complexities and delays compared to the merger between Republic
and Allied given the greater number of overlaps and the requirement to comply with
Waste Managements 1999 consent decree; |
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the fact that Waste Management has not obtained customary financing commitments for
the more than $6 billion of cash needed to complete your proposed transaction, which is
especially troubling given the current turmoil in the global credit markets and the
fact that both you and your financial advisors are very familiar with our company and
this industry; |
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your express condition that Waste Management maintains an investment grade rating as
a result of the proposed transaction, especially given the large amount of debt Waste
Management will need to undertake to finance its proposal and the recent
announcement that Waste Management has been put on review for possible downgrade by
Fitch and Moodys; and |
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the extended timing that will be required to complete a deal with Waste Management. |
Pursuant to the above considerations and others, discussed at length with outside legal and
financial counsel, the Board of Directors of Republic unanimously determined that the Waste
Management proposal does not constitute, and could not reasonably be expected to lead to, a
Superior Proposal, as defined in Section 6.02 of the Republic-Allied merger agreement. Therefore,
the Board has declined to authorize Republic to provide Waste Management with information or engage
in discussions and negotiations with Waste Management.
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On behalf of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ James E. OConnor |
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James E. OConnor |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
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About Republic Services, Inc.
Republic Services, Inc. is a leading provider of environmental services including solid waste
collection, transfer and disposal services in the United States. The companys operating units are
focused on providing solid waste services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential
customers.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication is being made in respect of the proposed business combination involving Republic
and Allied. In connection with the proposed transaction, Republic plans to file with the SEC a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and each of
Republic and Allied plan to file with the SEC other documents regarding the proposed transaction.
The definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of Republic and
Allied. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF REPUBLIC AND ALLIED ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY
BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and
the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the
SEC by Republic and Allied through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Free copies of
the Registration Statement and the definitive Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when available) and
other documents filed with the SEC can also be obtained by directing a request to Republic
Services, Inc., 110 SE 6th Street, 28th Floor, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33301 Attention: Investor
Relations or by directing a request to Allied Waste Industries, Inc., 18500 North Allied Way,
Phoenix, Arizona 85054, Attention: Investor Relations.
Participants in Solicitation
Republic, Allied and their respective directors and executive officers and other persons may be
deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction.
Information regarding Republics directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which was filed with the SEC on February 21,
2008, and its proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, which was filed with the
SEC on April 2, 2008, and information regarding Allieds directors and executive officers is
available in Allieds Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2007, which was
filed with the SEC on February 21, 2008 and its proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of
stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 10, 2008. Other information regarding the
participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by
security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the definitive Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become
available.
Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and information included herein constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are identified by words such as will, expects, intends, and similar words. Any such
forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to a
number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ
materially from expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond
the control of Republic or Allied. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include: regulatory
and litigation matters and risks, legislative developments, changes in tax and other laws, the
effect of changes in general economic conditions, the risk that a condition to closing of the
transaction may not be satisfied, the risk that a regulatory approval that may be required for the
transaction is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated and other
risks to consummation of the transaction, risks that the combined company may not achieve
anticipated synergies, risks that the acquisition may not be accretive to earnings in the
anticipated time frame, or at all, risks that the combined company may not generate expected cash
flows, risks that the anticipated financing may not be secured, as well as risks relating to the
business and operations of both Republic and Allied included in their respective filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged
to consider these factors carefully in evaluating our forward-looking statements and are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made
herein are only made as of the date of this press release and the parties hereto undertake no
obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.
SOURCE: Republic Services, Inc.