001 0197

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

COMMISSIONERS: Robert Pitofsky, Chairman

Sheila F. Anthony

Mozelle W. Thompson

Orson Swindle

Thomas B. Leary

______________________________

In the Matter of )

)

The Valspar Corporation, ) Docket No. C-3995

) DECISION AND ORDER

a corporation. ) 

______________________________)

The Federal Trade Commission (“Commission”) having initiated an investigation of the

proposed acquisition by Respondent The Valspar Corporation (“Valspar”) of Lilly Industries, Inc.

(“Lilly”), and Respondent having been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of Complaint

which the Bureau of Competition presented to the Commission for its consideration and which, if

issued by the Commission, would charge Respondent with violations of Section 7 of the Clayton

Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as

amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45; and

Respondent, its attorneys and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an

Agreement Containing Consent Order (“Consent Agreement”), containing an admission by

Respondent of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of Complaint, a statement

that the signing of said Consent Agreement is for settlement purposes only and does not

constitute an admission by Respondent that the law has been violated as alleged in such

Complaint, or that the facts as alleged in such Complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true,

and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission’s Rules; and 

The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it has

reason to believe that Respondent has violated the said Acts and that a Complaint should issue

stating its charges in that respect, and having accepted the executed Consent Agreement and

placed such Consent Agreement on the public record for a period of thirty (30) days for the

receipt and consideration of public comments, now in further conformity with the procedure

described in Commission Rule 2.34, 16 C.F.R. § 2.34, the Commission hereby issues its

Complaint, makes the following jurisdictional findings and issues the following Decision and

Order (“Order”):
-2-

1. Respondent Valspar is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under

and by virtue of the laws of the state of Delaware with its office and principal place

of business located at 1101 Third Street South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415.

2. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this

proceeding and of Respondent and the proceeding is in the public interest.

ORDER

I.

IT IS ORDERED that, as used in this Order, the following definitions shall apply:

A. “Valspar” means The Valspar Corporation, its directors, officers, employees, agents and

representatives, successors, and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions, groups

and affiliates controlled by The Valspar Corporation, and the respective directors, officers,

employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each.

B. “Lilly” means Lilly Industries, Inc., a corporation organized, existing and doing business

under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Indiana with its office and principal place of

business located at 200 W. 103 Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 42690.

C. “Respondent” means Valspar.

D. “Spraylat” means Spraylat Corporation, a corporation organized, existing and doing

business under and by virtue of the laws of the state of New York with its office and

principal place of business located at 716 S. Columbus Ave., Mount Vernon, New York

10550. Spraylat also includes all of the joint ventures, subsidiaries, divisions, groups and

affiliates controlled by Spraylat Corporation.

E. “Commission” means Federal Trade Commission.

F. “Acquirer” means Spraylat, or the entity approved by the Commission to acquire the

Assets To Be Divested pursuant to Paragraph II. of this Order.

G. “Acquisition” means the proposed acquisition by Valspar of Lilly pursuant to the

Agreement and Plan of Merger By and Among Lilly Industries, Inc., The Valspar

Corporation and VAL Acquisition Corp., dated June 23, 2000.

H. “Assets To Be Divested” means all of Valspar’s business, assets, properties, and goodwill,

tangible and intangible, as of the date the Consent Agreement is signed by the Respondent,
-3-

relating to the research, development, manufacture, quality assurance, customer support,

marketing or sale of Mirror Coatings, including, but not limited to, the following:

1. a lease for the Greensboro Facility together with appurtenances and improvements;

2. all fixtures, equipment, furniture, tools and other tangible personal property,

together with all licenses and permits located at the Greensboro Facility; 

3. all fixtures, equipment, furniture, tools and other tangible personal property,

together with all licenses and permits relating to the research and development of

any Mirror Coating located at the High Point Facility; 

4. trade names, trademarks, brand names, formulations, contractual rights, Patents,

trade secrets, technology, know-how, inventions, specifications, designs, drawings,

processes, production information, manufacturing information, testing and quality

control data, research materials, technical information, marketing and distribution

information, customer lists, vendor lists, catalogs, sales promotion literature,

advertising materials, information stored on management information systems (and

specifications sufficient for the Acquirer to use such information) and all data,

contractual rights, materials and information regarding Regulatory Approvals

relating to Mirror Coatings;

5. all rights, titles and interest in and to the contracts entered into in the ordinary

course of business with customers, suppliers, sales representatives, distributors,

agents, personal property lessors and lessees, licensors, licensees, consignors and

consignees;

6. inventory and storage capacity;

7. all rights under warranties and guarantees, express or implied;

8. all books, records, and files; and

9. all items of prepaid expense.

I. “Cost” means direct cash cost of raw materials and labor.

J. “Divestiture Agreement” means the agreement(s) by and between Respondent and the

Acquirer and all exhibits thereof, incorporated by reference into this Order and made a

part hereof as Confidential Appendix I, that has been approved by the Commission.
-4-

K. “Greensboro Facility” means the facility located at 3125 Spring Garden St., Greensboro,

North Carolina

L. “High Point Facility” means the facility located at 1647 English Road, High Point, North

Carolina.

M. “Key Employees” means the employees listed in Confidential Appendix II.

N. “Mirror Coatings” means any silver solution, tin solution, copper solution, reducer, mirror

backing paint or any other coating researched, developed, manufactured or sold by

Valspar that is used in the production of a mirror or an ornament.

O. “Non-Public Acquirer Information” means any information not in the public domain

obtained by Respondent, directly or indirectly, from the Acquirer relating to Mirror

Coatings or any information obtained by Respondent, directly or indirectly, while

providing assistance to the Acquirer as required by Paragraph III. of this Order. NonPublic Acquirer Information shall not include information already in the public domain or

information that subsequently falls within the public domain through no violation of this

Order by Respondent.

P. “Patents” means all patents and patent rights, patent applications, patents of addition, reexaminations, reissues, extensions, granted supplementary protection certificates,

substitutions, confirmations, registrations, revalidations, revisions, additions and the like,

of or to said patent and patent rights and any and all continuations and continuations-in

part and divisionals relating to Mirror Coatings.

Q. “Regulatory Approvals” means approval by any governmental entity or regulatory

approvals held by Valspar for the research, development, manufacture, quality control,

marketing or sale of Mirror Coatings as of the date of the Acquisition.

R. “Sole Source Customer” means any person or company that has a contract, as of the date

of the Acquisition, to purchase 100% of its Mirror Coatings from Respondent.

S. “Sole Source Customer Contract” means any agreement between any Sole Source

Customer and Respondent relating to Mirror Coatings existing as of the date the Consent

Agreement is signed by the Respondent.

T. “Third-Party Consents” means all consents, waivers and approvals from any person,

private or public, that are necessary to effect the complete transfer to the Acquirer of the

Assets To Be Divested pursuant to this Order.
-5-

U. “Transitional Services” means any services or assistance provided by Respondent to

enable or facilitate the transfer of the Assets To Be Divested to the Acquirer, including,

but not limited to, all services identified in the Transition Services Agreement.

V. “Transition Services Agreement” means the Transition Services Agreement entered into

by and between Valspar and Acquirer attached as Exhibit C to the Divestiture Agreement.

II.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

A. Respondent shall divest the Assets To Be Divested to Spraylat pursuant to and in

accordance with the Divestiture Agreement (which agreement shall not vary from or

contradict or be construed to vary from or contradict the terms of this Order). The

divestiture shall be made no later than ten (10) days after Respondent consummates the

Acquisition. Provided, however, that if Respondent has divested the Assets To Be

Divested to Spraylat prior to the date the Order becomes final, and if, at the time the

Commission determines to make the Order final, the Commission notifies Respondent that

Spraylat is not an acceptable purchaser or that the manner of divestiture or the proposed

transaction is not acceptable, then Respondent shall immediately rescind the transaction

with Spraylat and shall divest the Assets To Be Divested, absolutely and in good faith,

within six (6) months of the date the Order becomes final. Respondent shall divest the

Assets To Be Divested only to an Acquirer that receives the prior approval of the

Commission and only in a manner that receives the prior approval of the Commission.

B. Respondent shall obtain all Third-Party Consents prior to the closing of the divestiture

pursuant to the Divestiture Agreement required by Paragraph II.A. of this Order.

C. Respondent shall comply with all of the terms of the Divestiture Agreement approved by

the Commission pursuant to which the Assets To Be Divested are divested to the Acquirer

(either Spraylat or the entity approved by the Commission to acquire the Assets To Be

Divested pursuant to this Order). The Divestiture Agreement with the Acquirer shall be

deemed incorporated by reference into this Order and any failure by Respondent to

comply with the terms of the Divestiture Agreement shall constitute a failure to comply

with this Order.

D. The purpose of the divestiture pursuant to this Order is to ensure the continued use of the

Assets To Be Divested in the same businesses in which they were engaged at the time of

the announcement of the proposed Acquisition and to remedy the lessening of competition

resulting from the Acquisition as alleged in the Commission’s Complaint.
-6-

III.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

A. No later than ten (10) days prior to the divestiture, Respondent shall provide the Acquirer

with a complete list of all non-clerical employees of Respondent who are engaged, or have

been engaged, in the research, development, manufacture, quality assurance, customer

support, marketing or sale of Mirror Coatings at any time during the period from June 23,

2000, until the date of the divestiture. The list shall state each individual’s name, position

or positions held from June 23, 2000, until the date of the divestiture, address, telephone

number, and a description of the duties and work performed by the individual in

connection with Mirror Coatings. Respondent shall provide the Acquirer the opportunity

to enter into employment contracts with such individuals, provided that such contracts are

contingent upon the Commission’s approval of the divestiture.

B. Respondent shall provide the Acquirer with an opportunity to inspect the personnel files

and other documentation relating to the individuals identified pursuant to Paragraph III.A.

of this Order to the extent permissible under applicable laws, at the request of the

Acquirer any time after the execution of the Divestiture Agreement between the Acquirer

and Respondent.

C. Respondent shall not enforce any confidentiality or non-compete restrictions relating to

the Assets To Be Divested that apply to any employee identified pursuant to Paragraph

III.A. who accepts employment with the Acquirer that would interfere with the Acquirer’s

ability to interview or hire such employee.

D. Respondent shall provide all employees identified pursuant to Paragraph III.A. with

reasonable financial incentives to continue in their positions until the date the divestiture is

accomplished. Such incentives shall include a continuation of all employee benefits

offered by Respondent until the date the divestiture of the Assets to Be Divested is

accomplished, including regularly scheduled raises and bonuses, and a vesting of all

pension benefits (as permitted by law). In addition, Respondent shall provide all Key

Employees incentives to accept employment with the Acquirer at the time of the

divestiture. Such incentives shall include a bonus for each Key Employee, equal to 10%

of the employee’s current annual salary and commissions (including any annual bonuses)

as of the date this Order is accepted by the Commission for public comment, who accepts

an offer of employment on or prior to the date the Order becomes final from the Acquirer

and remains employed by the Acquirer for a period of three (3) years, payable by the

Acquirer three (3) years after the commencement of the employee’s employment by the

Acquirer.
-7-

E. For a period of one (1) year following the date the divestiture is accomplished,

Respondent shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or otherwise attempt to induce any

employees to terminate their employment relationship with the Acquirer; provided,

however, it shall not be deemed to be a violation of this provision if: (i) Respondent

advertises for employees in newspapers, trade publications or other media not targeted

specifically at the employees, or (ii) Respondent hires employees who apply for

employment with Valspar, as long as such employees were not solicited by Valspar in

violation of this Paragraph III.E. During the one-year period following the divestiture,

Respondent shall not, directly or indirectly, hire or enter into any arrangement for the

services of any employees employed by the Acquirer, unless the individual’s employment

has been terminated by the Acquirer.

F. Respondent shall not transfer, without the consent of the Acquirer, any of the individuals

identified in Paragraph III.A. of this Order to any other position until the divestiture is

accomplished.

G. For the period beginning on the date the Divestiture Agreement is signed and ending one

(1) year following the divestiture (“Extended Restricted Period”), Respondent shall not:

1. solicit, induce or attempt to induce any Sole Source Customer to terminate or

modify any Sole Source Customer Contract or, in the case of any Sole Source

Customer Contract which by its terms expires or terminates within one (1) year of

the date this order is signed by Respondent, solicit the Sole Source Customer

which is a party to such Sole Source Customer Contract to not renew such Sole

Source Customer Contract; or

2. solicit, induce, or attempt to induce any Sole Source Customer to transfer to 

Respondent any business that is subject to any Sole Source Customer Contract

during the term of such Sole Source Customer Contract.

Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent Respondent from responding to an unsolicited

invitation to bid on a contract from any Sole Source Customer during the Extended

Restricted Period.

H. Respondent shall, at the request of the Acquirer, at Cost to the Acquirer, provide: (a) for a

period not to exceed one (1) year after the divestiture is accomplished, such Transitional

Services as are necessary to enable the Acquirer to manufacture and distribute Mirror

Coatings in substantially the same manner and quality employed or achieved by

Respondent; and (b) for a period not to exceed one (1) year after the divestiture is

accomplished, such assistance, personnel and training as are reasonably necessary to

enable the Acquirer to obtain any necessary Regulatory Approvals to manufacture and sell

Mirror Coatings.
-8-

I. Respondent shall not provide, disclose or otherwise make available to any of its employees

not involved in providing Transitional Services any Non-Public Acquirer Information, nor

shall Respondent use any Non-Public Acquirer Information obtained or derived by

Respondent in its capacity as provider of Transitional Services pursuant to Paragraph

III.H. of this Order except for the sole purpose of providing Transitional Services

pursuant to Paragraph III.H. of this Order. Respondent shall cause each individual

involved in providing Transitional Services pursuant to Paragraph III.H. of this Order and

having access to Non-Public Acquirer Information to sign an agreement that the individual

will maintain the confidentiality of any Non-Public Acquirer Information as required by the

terms and conditions of this Paragraph. Such individuals shall not be involved in any way

in the management, sales, marketing, or financial operations of the competing products of

Respondent. 

J. Pending divestiture of the Assets To Be Divested, Respondent shall take such actions as

are necessary to maintain the viability, marketability and competitiveness of the Assets To

Be Divested, and to prevent the destruction, removal, wasting, deterioration or

impairment of the Assets To Be Divested except for ordinary wear and tear.

IV.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:

A. If Respondent has not divested, absolutely and in good faith and with the Commission’s

prior approval, the Assets To Be Divested within the time required by Paragraph II. of this

Order, the Commission may appoint a trustee to divest the Assets To Be Divested in a

manner that satisfies the requirements of Paragraphs II. and III. of this Order.

B. In the event that the Commission or the Attorney General brings an action pursuant to

Section 5(l) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(1), or any other statute

enforced by the Commission, Respondent shall consent to the appointment of a trustee in

such action. Neither the appointment of a trustee nor a decision not to appoint a trustee

under this Paragraph shall preclude the Commission or the Attorney General from seeking

civil penalties or any other relief available to it, including a court-appointed trustee,

pursuant to Section 5(1) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, or any other statute

enforced by the Commission, for any failure by the Respondent to comply with this Order.

C. If a trustee is appointed by the Commission or a court pursuant to Paragraph IV.A. of this

Order, Respondent shall consent to the following terms and conditions regarding the

trustee’s powers, duties, authority, and responsibilities:
-9-

1. The Commission shall select the trustee, subject to the consent of Respondent,

which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The trustee shall be a person

with experience and expertise in acquisitions and divestitures. If Respondent has

not opposed, in writing, including the reasons for opposing, the selection of any

proposed trustee within ten (10) days after receipt of notice by the staff of the

Commission to Respondent of the identity of any proposed trustee, Respondent

shall be deemed to have consented to the selection of the proposed trustee.

2. Subject to the prior approval of the Commission, the trustee shall have the

exclusive power and authority to divest the Assets To Be Divested.

3. Within ten (10) days after appointment of the trustee, Respondent shall execute a

trust agreement that, subject to the prior approval of the Commission and, in the

case of a court-appointed trustee, of the court, transfers to the trustee all rights

and powers necessary to permit the trustee to effect the divestiture required by this

Order.

4. The trustee shall have twelve (12) months from the date the Commission approves

the trust agreement described in Paragraph IV.C.3. to accomplish the divestiture,

which shall be subject to the prior approval of the Commission. If, however, at the

end of the twelve-month period, the trustee has submitted a plan of divestiture or

believes that divestiture can be achieved within a reasonable time, the divestiture

period may be extended by the Commission, or, in the case of a court-appointed

trustee, by the court; provided, however, the Commission may extend the period

for no more than two (2) additional periods.

5. The trustee shall have full and complete access to the personnel, books, records,

and facilities related to the Assets To Be Divested or to any other relevant

information as the trustee may request. Respondent shall develop such financial or

other information as such trustee may request and shall cooperate with the trustee. 

Respondent shall take no action to interfere with or impede the trustee’s

accomplishment of the divestiture. Any delays in divestiture caused by

Respondent shall extend the time for divestiture under this Paragraph in an amount

equal to the delay, as determined by the Commission or, for a court-appointed

trustee, by the court.

6. The trustee shall use his or her best efforts to negotiate the most favorable price

and terms available in each contract that is submitted to the Commission, subject

to Respondent’s absolute and unconditional obligation to divest expeditiously at

no minimum price. The divestiture shall be made in a manner that receives the

prior approval of the Commission and to an Acquirer that receives the prior

approval of the Commission; provided, however, if the trustee receives bona fide

offers for the Assets To Be Divested from more than one acquiring entity, and if
-10-

the Commission determines to approve more than one such acquiring entity, the

trustee shall divest such assets to the acquiring entity or entities selected by

Respondent from among those approved by the Commission; provided further,

however, that Respondent shall select such entity within five (5) days of receiving

notification of the Commission’s approval.

7. The trustee shall serve, without bond or other security, at the cost and expense of

Respondent, on such reasonable and customary terms and conditions as the

Commission or a court may set. The trustee shall have the authority to employ, at

the cost and expense of Respondent, such consultants, accountants, attorneys,

investment bankers, business brokers, appraisers, and other representatives and

assistants as are necessary to carry out the trustee’s duties and responsibilities. The

trustee shall account for all monies derived from the divestiture and all expenses

incurred. After approval by the Commission and, in the case of a court-appointed

trustee, by the court, of the account of the trustee, including fees for his or her

services, all remaining monies shall be paid at the direction of Respondent, and the

trustee’s power shall be terminated. The trustee’s compensation shall be based at

least in significant part on a commission arrangement contingent on the trustee’s

divesting the Assets To Be Divested.

8. Respondent shall indemnify the trustee and hold the trustee harmless against any

losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising out of, or in connection

with, the performance of the trustee’s duties, including all reasonable fees of

counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the preparation for or

defense of any claims, whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent

that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, or expenses result from misfeasance,

gross negligence, willful or wanton acts, or bad faith by the trustee.

9. If the trustee ceases to act or fails to act diligently, a substitute trustee shall be

appointed in the same manner as provided in Paragraph IV.A. of this Order.

10. The Commission or, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, the court, may on its

own initiative or at the request of the trustee issue such additional orders or

directions as may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the divestiture

required by this Order.

11. In the event that the trustee determines that he or she is unable to divest the Assets

To Be Divested, in a manner consistent with the Commission’s purpose as

described in Paragraph II.D., the trustee may divest additional ancillary assets and

businesses of Respondent and effect such arrangements as are necessary to satisfy

the requirements of this Order.
-11-

12. The trustee shall have no obligation or authority to operate or maintain the Assets

To Be Divested.

13. The trustee shall report in writing to Respondent and the Commission every sixty

(60) days concerning the trustee’s efforts to accomplish the divestiture required by

this Order.

V.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within thirty (30) days after the date this Order

becomes final and every sixty (60) days thereafter until Respondent has fully complied with the

provisions of Paragraphs II. through IV. of this Order, Respondent shall submit to the

Commission a verified written report setting forth in detail the manner and form in which it

intends to comply, is complying, and has complied with Paragraphs II. through IV. of this Order. 

Respondent shall include in its compliance reports, among other things that are required from time

to time, a full description of the efforts being made to comply with Paragraphs II. through IV. of

the Order, including a description of all substantive contacts or negotiations relating to the

divestiture and the approvals and consents. Respondent shall include in its compliance reports

copies, other than of privileged materials, of all written communications to and from such parties,

all internal memoranda, and all reports and recommendations concerning the divestitures and

approvals. The final compliance report required by this Paragraph V. shall include a statement

that the divestiture has been accomplished in the manner approved by the Commission and shall

include the date the divestiture was accomplished.

VI.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondent shall notify the Commission at least

thirty (30) days prior to any proposed change in the corporate Respondent, such as dissolution,

assignment, sale resulting in the emergence of a successor corporation, or the creation or

dissolution of subsidiaries or any other change in the corporation that may affect compliance

obligations arising out of this Order.

VII.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of determining or securing

compliance with this Order, and subject to any legally recognized privilege, and upon written

request with reasonable notice to Respondent, Respondent shall permit any duly authorized

representative of the Commission:
-12-

A. Access, during office hours and in the presence of counsel, to all facilities and access to

inspect and copy all books, ledgers, accounts, correspondence, memoranda and other

records and documents in the possession or under the control of Respondent relating to

compliance with this Order; and

B. Upon five (5) days’ notice to Respondent and without restraint or interference from it, to

interview officers, directors, or employees of Respondent, who may have counsel present,

regarding any such matters.

By the Commission.

Donald S. Clark

Secretary

SEAL

ISSUED: January 26, 2001
CONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX I

[Redacted From Public Record Version]
-14-

CONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX II

[Redacted From Public Record Version]