Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.9

TIME-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
	
		
	Company:
	Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.

	 
	 

	Recipient:
	The recipient’s name (the “Recipient”) is set forth on the Recipient’s online award acceptance page on Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s StockPlan Connect website (the “Acceptance Page”) at https://www.stockplanconnect.com, which is incorporated by reference to this Agreement.

	 
	 

	The Number of Shares of Common Stock Subject to RSUs Granted Hereunder
(the “RSU Shares”):
	The aggregate number of shares of Common Stock as stated on the Acceptance Page.

	 
	 

	The Effective Date of the Award (the “Award Date”):
	A date in _________ as determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion and as set forth on the Acceptance Page.

	 
	 

	The Date the RSU Shares Start To Vest
(the “Vesting Start Date”):
	A date subsequent to the Award Date as determined by the Committee in its absolute discretion and as set forth on the Acceptance Page.

	 
	 

	Vesting Schedule
(the “Vesting Schedule”):
	One fifth of the RSU Shares will vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Start Date and two fifths of the RSU Shares will vest on each of the second and third anniversaries of the Vesting Start Date; provided, however, that if any of such dates falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the applicable portion of the RSU Shares shall vest on the immediately following business day. For example, if the Vesting Start Date is determined by the Committee to be February 15, 2020, then 1/5 of the RSU Shares will vest on February 16, 2021 (because February 15, 2021 is a federal holiday, President’s Day, the immediately following business day is February 16, 2021), 2/5 of the RSU Shares will vest on each of February 15, 2022 and February 15, 2023.

	 
	 

	Vesting Period
(the “Vesting Period”):
	A period beginning on the Vesting Start Date, and ending  on the third anniversary of the Vesting Start Date; provided, however, that if such anniversary date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, such period shall end on the immediately following business day. See footnote 1, supra.

	 
	 

This TIME-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made as of the Award Date stated on the Acceptance Page by and between Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the Recipient named on the Acceptance Page, with reference to the following facts:

Exhibit 10.9

Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the amended and restated Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan effective on April 21, 2015 (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Plan”).  The Board has delegated to the Committee all authority to administer the Plan.  The Committee has determined to grant to the Recipient, under the Plan, time-based Restricted Stock Units (the “RSUs”) with respect to the RSU Shares stated on the Acceptance Page.
To evidence the RSUs and to set forth the terms and conditions thereof, the Company and the Recipient agree as follows:
1.Confirmation of Grant.
(a)The Company grants the RSUs to the Recipient and the Recipient agrees to accept the RSUs and participate in the Plan, effective as of the Award Date.  As a condition of the grant, this Agreement and the RSUs shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and shall be subject to all applicable policies and guidelines of the Company, including the Company’s compensation recovery policy, stock ownership, and hedging, pledging and trading policies.
(b)The RSUs shall be reflected in a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company through the date on which the RSUs become fully vested pursuant to section 2 or are forfeited pursuant to section 3.  If and when the RSUs become fully vested pursuant to section 2, and on the satisfaction of all other conditions applicable to the RSUs, the RSUs not forfeited pursuant to section 3 shall be settled in the number of shares of Common Stock as provided in section 1(d) and otherwise in accordance with the Plan.
(c)The Company’s obligations under this Agreement shall be unfunded and unsecured.  No special or separate fund shall be established therefor and no other segregation of assets shall be required or made with respect thereto.  The rights of the Recipient under this Agreement shall be no greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and the Plan, the RSUs shall be settled by the issuance and delivery of the RSU Shares, or as provided in this Section 1(d), by cash or a combination thereof (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion), within sixty days after the RSUs have vested pursuant to section 2 subject to satisfaction of any other terms and conditions applicable to the RSUs; provided, however, that to the extent the Committee determines that any of the RSUs are subject to Code section 409A, to the extent necessary to comply with Code section 409A, no distribution or payment of any amount under such RSUs shall be made until the earliest of the date (i) set for such RSUs to vest according to the Vesting Schedule (a time or fixed schedule specified for the purpose of Code section 409A), (ii) of the Recipient’s “separation from service” (as defined in Code section 409A), (iii) of the Recipient’s death, or (iv) when the Recipient becomes “disabled” (as defined in Code section 409A); and further provided that, the number of the RSU Shares issued or delivered (or for which a cash payment is made) to the Recipient in any calendar year, together with the number of shares of Common Stock issued or delivered (or for which a cash payment is made) to the Recipient in the same calendar year under any other RSU Awards, shall not exceed the annual maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable or deliverable under RSU Awards as set forth in the Plan that is effective at the time of the issuance or delivery of (or making a cash payment for) the RSU Shares.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Committee determines that any of the RSUs are subject to Code section 409A and the Recipient is a Specified Employee The determination of whether the Recipient is a Specified Employee will be made annually by the Committee or its delegate pursuant to Code section 409A for the 12-month period ending every December 31st (the “Specified Employee Identification Date”).  The Committee’s determination shall be final and binding on the Recipient.  If the Recipient was determined by the Committee as a Specified Employee at any time during such 12-month period ending on the Specified Employee Identification Date, he or she shall be considered a Specified Employee for the 12-month period commencing on the February 1st immediately following the Specified Employee Identification Date (i.e., from February 1st to the following January 31st), even if he or she is no longer employed or engaged by the Company on or after the Specified Employee Identification Date.  For the purposes of this section 1(d), a “Specified Employee” shall mean: 
		
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	the Recipient owns 5% or more of all outstanding Common Stock;

		
	•
	the Recipient owns 1% or more of all outstanding Common Stock and has an annual compensation of more than $150,000; and/or

(d)the Recipient is among the top 50 most highly-compensated officers of the Company and the Subsidiaries forming a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Code section 1563(a) (based on total W-2 compensation plus elective 401(k) plan deferrals) and has an annual compensation exceeding the indexed dollar limit then in effect pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(i) promulgated under Code (which is $185,000 for 2020).   on the date of his or her “separation from service” (as defined in Code section 409A), to the extent necessary to comply with Code section 409A, no distribution or payment of any amount under such RSUs that is otherwise payable pursuant to this Section 1(d) upon a separation from service shall be made before the date that is six months after the date of the Recipient’s separation from service.  In settling the RSUs pursuant to the foregoing, the Company (or its acquirer or successor) shall have the option (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) to make or provide for a cash payment to the Recipient, in exchange for the cancellation of the vested RSUs (or any portion thereof), in an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of the RSU Shares under the cancelled RSUs and (B) the average closing price of a share of Common Stock over the period ending on the date the RSUs (or the portion thereof) become vested and starting sixty days prior to that date.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement does not create an obligation on the part of the Company to adopt any policy or procedure, agree to any amendment hereto, make any arrangement, or take any other action, to comply with Code section 409A.  The Recipient agrees and acknowledges that the Company makes no representations that this Agreement, 

Exhibit 10.9

including the grant, vesting and/or delivery of the RSU Shares (or cash equivalent), does not violate Code section 409A, and the Company shall have no liability whatsoever to the Recipient if he or she is subject to any taxes or penalties under Code section 409A.
2.Vesting.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan and unless otherwise forfeited pursuant to section 3, For example, pursuant to section 3, before the Vesting Start Date, (I) if the Recipient’s employment or engagement with the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated by the Recipient for any reason, or (II) if the Recipient retires, dies or becomes Disabled, the RSUs shall be forfeited in their entirety and no distribution or payment of any amount under such RSUs shall ever be made to the Recipient.   the RSUs shall vest (that is, the Restricted Period with respect thereto shall terminate) pursuant to the Vesting Schedule; provided, however, that the unvested RSUs shall vest in full during the Vesting Period on the date, (a) immediately preceding the effective date of the Recipient’s Retirement as determined by the Committee in relation to the RSUs: either (A) after reaching age 70 or (B) after reaching age 55 and having been employed or engaged by the Company or any Subsidiary for 15 years (provided that, if the Recipient retires after reaching age 56, for each year after age 55, the Recipient may work one year less for the Company or any Subsidiary, as applicable, and still be qualified for Retirement under this sub-section (B) For example, if the Recipient retires at age 60 during the Vesting Period, he or she only needs to have worked for the Company or the applicable Subsidiary for 10 years to be qualified for Retirement and receive the RSU Shares; and for example, if the Recipient retires at age 65 during the Vesting Period, he or she only needs to have worked for the Company or the applicable Subsidiary for 5 years to be qualified for Retirement and receive the RSU Shares.), (b) immediately preceding the Recipient’s death or the effective date of the Recipient’s Disability, or (c) immediately preceding the effective date of the termination of the Recipient’s employment or engagement with the Company or any Subsidiary by the Company or Subsidiary (which, whenever used in this Agreement, includes any such entity’s successor)  without Cause, “Cause” means, in addition to any cause for termination as provided in any other applicable written agreement between the Company, the applicable Subsidiary, or the acquirer or successor of the Company or Subsidiary, and the Recipient, (i) conviction of any felony, (ii) any material breach or violation by the Recipient of any agreement to which the Recipient and the Company or the Subsidiary that employs or engages the Recipient are parties or of any published policy or guideline of the Company, (iii) any act (other than retirement or other termination of employment or engagement) or omission to act by the Recipient which may have a material and adverse effect on the business of the Company or Subsidiary or on the Recipient’s ability to perform services for the Company or Subsidiary, including habitual insobriety or substance abuse or the commission of any crime, gross negligence, fraud or dishonesty with regard to the Company or Subsidiary, or (iv) any material misconduct or neglect of duties and responsibilities by the Recipient in connection with the business or affairs of the Company or Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Recipient first shall have received written notice, which shall specifically identify what the Company or Subsidiary believes constitutes Cause, and if the breach, act, omission, misconduct or neglect is capable of being cured, the Recipient shall have failed to cure after 15 days following such notice. or by the Recipient for a Good Reason, A “Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a material adverse change in the functions, duties or responsibilities of the Recipient’s position (other than a termination by the Company or Subsidiary) which would meaningfully reduce the level, importance or scope of such position (provided that, a change in the person, position and/or department to whom the Recipient is required to report shall not by itself constitute a material adverse change in the Recipient’s position), (ii) the relocation of the Company or Subsidiary office at which the Recipient is principally located immediately prior to a Sale Event (the “Original Office”) to a new location outside of the metropolitan area of the Original Office or the failure to place the Recipient’s own office in the Original Office (or at the office to which such office is relocated which is within the metropolitan area of the Original Office), or (iii) a material reduction in the Recipient’s base salary and incentive compensation opportunity as in effect immediately prior to a Sale Event; provided, however, that, within 90 days of the incident that provides the basis for a Good Reason termination, the Recipient shall have provided the Company or Subsidiary a written notice specifically identifying what the Recipient believes constitutes a Good Reason, and the Company or Subsidiary shall have failed to cure the adverse change, relocation or compensation reduction after 30 days following such notice. in either case only in connection with or within 24 months following a Sale Event. A “Sale Event” shall mean (i) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Subsidiary that employs or engages the Recipient, including a majority or more of all outstanding stock of the Subsidiary, on a consolidated basis to one or more unrelated persons or entities, (ii) a Change in Control, or (iii) the sale or other transfer of outstanding Common Stock to one or more unrelated persons or entities (including by way of a merger, reorganization or consolidation in which the outstanding Common Stock are converted into or exchanged for securities of the successor entity) where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to such sale or other transfer, would not, immediately after such sale or transfer, beneficially own shares representing in the aggregate more than 50 percent of the voting shares of the acquirer or surviving entity (or its ultimate parent corporation, if any).  For the purpose of sub-section (iii) of this definition, only voting shares of the acquirer or surviving entity (or its ultimate parent, if any) received by stockholders of the Company in exchange for Common Stock shall be counted, and any voting shares of the acquirer or surviving entity (or its ultimate parent, if any) already owned by stockholders of the Company prior to the transaction shall be disregarded.  The Recipient explicitly acknowledges and agrees that the granting or vesting of the RSUs as well as the Recipient’s holding of the RSU Shares shall be subject to all applicable policies and guidelines of the Company, including the Company’s compensation recovery, stock ownership, and hedging, pledging and trading policies.

3.Forfeiture.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) all RSUs that are not vested in accordance with section 2 shall terminate immediately and be forfeited in their entirety if and at such time as (i) the Recipient ceases to be an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant, as the case may be, or (ii) 24 months have passed immediately following a Sale Event (provided that, in the event the surviving or acquiring entity or the new entity resulting from a Sale Event substitutes a similar equity award for the RSUs, such award will continue in accordance with its own terms and conditions), and (b) all RSUs, to the extent not theretofore settled in accordance with section 1(d), shall terminate immediately and be forfeited in their entirety when and as provided in section 13(I) of the Plan.

Exhibit 10.9

4.Tax Withholding.  Pursuant to section 10 of the Plan, the Company may require the Recipient to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment in cash, Common Stock or otherwise by the Recipient to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (a) the granting or vesting of the RSUs, (b) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the RSUs or the RSU Shares are subject, or (c) the disposition of the RSUs or the RSU Shares, to the extent such arrangement does not cause a loss of the Section 16(b) exemption pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

5.Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company represents and warrants to the Recipient that the RSU Shares, when issued and delivered on the vesting of the RSUs in accordance with this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

6.Recipient Representations.  The Recipient represents and warrants to the Company that the Recipient has received and read this Agreement and the Plan, that the Recipient has consulted with the Recipient’s own legal, financial and other advisers regarding this Agreement and the Plan to the extent that the Recipient considered necessary or appropriate, that the Recipient fully understands and accepts all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan, and that the Recipient is relying solely on the Recipient’s own advisers with respect to the tax consequences of this Agreement and the RSUs.

7.Change in Control.  Notwithstanding section 9 of the Plan, a Change in Control shall be treated as a Sale Event with respect to the RSUs granted hereunder.
8.Adjustments to Reflect Capital Changes.  Subject to and except as otherwise provided in section 9 of the Plan, the number and kind of shares subject to the RSUs shall be appropriately adjusted, as the Committee may determine pursuant to section 11 of the Plan, to reflect any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination, exchange of shares, split-up, split-off, spin-off, liquidation or other similar change in capitalization, or any distribution to common stockholders other than normal cash dividends.
9.No Rights as Stockholder.  Neither the granting or vesting of the RSUs nor the issuance or delivery of the RSU Shares shall entitle the Recipient, as such, or any of the Recipient’s Beneficiaries or Personal Representative, to any rights of a stockholder of the Company, unless and until the RSU Shares are registered on the Company’s records in the name or names of the Recipient or the Recipient’s Beneficiaries or Personal Representative, as the case may be, and then only with respect to such RSU Shares so registered.  
10.No Right to Continued Employment.  Nothing in this Agreement shall confer on the Recipient any right to continue in the employment of, or service to, the Company or any Subsidiary or limit, interfere with or otherwise affect in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate the Recipient’s employment or service at any time.  If the Award of the RSUs is in connection with the Recipient’s performance of services as a Consultant or Outside Director, references to employment, employee and similar terms shall be deemed to include the performance of services as a Consultant or an Outside Director, as the case may be; provided that no rights as an Employee shall arise by reason of the use of such terms.
11.Regulatory Compliance.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the issuance and delivery of the RSU Shares shall in all events be subject to and governed by section 13(C) of the Plan.
12.Notices.  Any notice, consent, demand or other communication to be given under or in connection with this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given and received when delivered personally, when transmitted by facsimile, one business day after being deposited for next-day delivery with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, or three days after being mailed by first class mail, charges or postage prepaid, properly addressed, if to the Company, at its principal office in California, and, if to the Recipient, at the Recipient’s address on the Company’s records.  Either party may change such party’s address or facsimile number from time to time by notice hereunder to the other.
13.Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Plan together contain the entire agreement of the parties and supersede all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, correspondence, understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties, regarding the RSUs.  The Recipient specifically acknowledges and agrees that all descriptions of the RSUs in any prior letters, memoranda or other documents provided to him or her by the Company or any Subsidiary are hereby replaced and superseded in their entirety by this Agreement and shall be of no further force or effect.  To the extent there is any inconsistency between the descriptions of any such documents and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
14.Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented only by a written instrument signed by the Recipient and the Company.
15.Assignment.  The Recipient shall not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or dispose of this Agreement, any of the RSUs or any other rights hereunder, and shall not delegate any duties hereunder, except only as may be permitted pursuant to section 13(B) of the Plan, and any such action or transaction that may otherwise be attempted or purported by the Recipient shall be void and of no effect; provided, however, that this section 15 does not restrict the sale, assignment, transfer, pledging, hypothecation or other encumbrance or disposal of RSU Shares that have fully vested.

Exhibit 10.9

16.Successors.  Subject to section 15, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Company and the Recipient and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, legatees, devisees, executors, administrators and legal representatives.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any other Person any right or benefit in or under this Agreement or the Plan.
17.Separate Payments.  All amounts payable in connection with the RSUs hereunder or any other Awards granted under the Plan shall be treated as separate payments for the purposes of Code section 409A.
18.Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
19.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
20.Order of Precedence and Construction.    This Agreement, the RSUs and the RSU Shares are subject to all provisions of the Plan (a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A), including the Restricted Stock Unit provisions of section 6 thereof, and are further subject to all interpretations and amendments thereto that may from time to time be adopted pursuant to the Plan.  In the event of any inconsistency between any provision of this Agreement and any provision of the Plan, the provision of the Plan shall govern.  The headings of sections herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any provision hereof.  Whenever the context requires, the use in this Agreement of the singular number shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa, and each gender shall be deemed to include each other gender.  References herein to sections refer to sections of this Agreement, except as otherwise stated.  The meaning of general words is not limited by specific examples introduced by “includes”, “including”, “for example”, “such as” or similar expressions, which shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.
21.Further Assurances.  The Recipient agrees to do and perform all acts and execute and deliver all additional documents, instruments and agreements as the Company or the Committee may reasonably request in connection with this Agreement.
22.Data Privacy.  Recipient hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of Recipient’s personal data as described in this Agreement by and among, as applicable, Recipient’s employer, the Company, and any Subsidiary for the exclusive purposes of implementing, administering, and managing Recipient’s participation in the Plan.  Recipient understands that the Company and the employing Subsidiary may hold certain personal information about Recipient, including, but not limited to, Recipient’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, and any shares of stock or directorships held in the Company or any Subsidiary, details of all RSUs or any other entitlement to shares of stock awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Recipient’s favor (“Personal Data”).  Recipient understands that Personal Data may be transferred to any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these entities may be located in Recipient’s country, or elsewhere, and that the third parties’ country may have different data privacy laws and protections than Recipient’s country.  Recipient understands that he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential third parties in receipt of the Personal Data by contacting the Company’s Equity Plans Administrator.  Recipient authorizes the third parties to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Personal Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing Recipient’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Personal Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom Recipient may elect to deposit any RSU Shares received upon vest of the RSUs.  Recipient understands that Personal Data will be held as long as is necessary to administer and manage Recipient’s participation in the Plan.  Recipient understands that he or she may, at any time, view Personal Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Personal Data, require any necessary amendments to Personal Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, without cost, by contacting in writing the Company’s Equity Plans Administrator.  Recipient understands that refusal or withdrawal of consent may affect Recipient’s ability to realize benefits from the RSUs.  For more information on the consequences of Recipient’s refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Recipient understands that he or she may contact the Company’s Equity Plans Administrator.
23.Electronic Delivery.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide (a) to deliver or effect by electronic means any documents or communications related to the RSUs granted under the Plan, Recipient’s participation in the Plan, or future Awards that may be granted under the Plan or (b) to request by electronic means Recipient’s consent to participate in the Plan and other communications related to the RSUs or the Plan.  Recipient hereby consents to receive such documents and communications by electronic delivery and, if requested, to agree to participate in the Plan and deliver or effect such other communications through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or any third party designated by the Company. 

[Signature Page Follows]

Exhibit 10.9

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement has been duly executed by or on behalf of the Company and the Recipient as of the Award Date.
COMPANY:

SIMPSON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.

By    ___________________________________
Authorized Signatory for the Compensation
and Leadership Development Committee
of the Board of Directors

ACCEPTANCE OF AGREEMENT:  Through the electronic submission of his or her consent to this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement in accordance with the instructions on Morgan Stanley Smith Barney’s StockPlan Connect website, the Recipient hereby confirms, ratifies, approves and accepts all of the terms and conditions of this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.hlio-ex41_597.htm

 

EXHIBIT 4.1

 

DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES REGISTERED

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

As of February 25, 2020, Helios Technologies, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” or “our”) has one class of securities, our Common Stock (as defined below), registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

 

The following description of our Common Stock is a summary and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended (the “Articles”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), each of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit 4.1 is a part. We encourage you to read our Articles, our Bylaws and the applicable provisions of the Florida Business Corporation Act (“FBCA”) for additional information. 

 

Authorized Capital Stock

 

The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), and (ii) 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”). The Company does not have any shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, and it has no present plans to issue any shares of Preferred Stock. 

 

Voting Rights

 

Holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders. Holders of shares of Common Stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Under the FBCA, directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast by holders of our Common Stock at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Under our Bylaws, if a quorum exists, any other action is approved if the votes cast favoring the action exceed the votes cast opposing the action, unless our Articles or the FBCA require a greater number of affirmative votes. 

 

Dividends; Liquidation Rights

 

Subject to the prior rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, if any, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors from funds legally available therefor, and to share ratably in the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to the shareholders in the event of liquidation or dissolution. 

 

Subscription, Redemption or Conversion Privileges

 

Holders of shares of Common Stock do not have any subscription, redemption or conversion privileges.

 

 

 

Listing

 

Our shares of Common Stock are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “HLIO.”

 

Director’s Liability

 

As authorized by the FBCA, the Articles limit the liability of Directors to the Company for monetary damages. The effect of this provision in the Articles is to eliminate the rights of the Company and its shareholders (through shareholders’ derivative suits on behalf of the Company) to recover monetary damages from Directors for breaches of their fiduciary duties as Directors (including breaches resulting from negligent behavior), except in certain circumstances involving wrongful acts, such as the breach of a Director’s duty of loyalty or acts or omissions which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law. Further, the Articles contain provisions to indemnify the Company’s Directors and Officers to the full extent permitted by the FBCA. These provisions do not limit or eliminate the rights of the Company or any shareholder to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a Director’s fiduciary duty. These provisions will not alter the liability of Directors under federal securities laws.

 

Certain Provisions of Florida Law 

 

Affiliated Transactions 

 

As a Florida corporation, we are subject to the FBCA, which provides that a Florida corporation generally may not engage in an “affiliated transaction” with an “interested shareholder,” as those terms are defined in the statute, for three years following the date a shareholder becomes an “interested shareholder,” unless:

 

	
 
	
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prior to the time that such shareholder became an interested shareholder, the board of directors approved either the affiliated transaction or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder;

 

	
 
	
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upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting shares of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, subject to certain exclusions; or 

 

	
 
	
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at or subsequent to the time that such shareholder became an interested shareholder, the affiliated transaction is approved by the board of directors and authorized by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting shares which are not owned by the interested shareholder.

 

The FBCA generally defines an “interested shareholder” as any person who is the beneficial owner of more than 15% of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation. The affiliated transactions covered by the FBCA include, with specified exceptions:

 

	
 
	
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mergers and consolidations to which the corporation and the interested shareholder are parties; 

 

2

 

 

	
 
	
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sales or certain other dispositions of assets representing 10% or more of the aggregate fair market value of the corporation’s assets, outstanding shares, earning power or net income to the interested shareholder; 

 

	
 
	
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generally, issuances by the corporation of 10% or more of the aggregate fair market value of its outstanding shares to the interested shareholder; 

 

	
 
	
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the adoption of any plan for the liquidation or dissolution of the corporation proposed by or pursuant to an arrangement with the interested shareholder; 

 

	
 
	
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any reclassification of the corporation’s securities, recapitalization of the corporation, merger or consolidation, or other transaction which has the effect of increasing by more than 10% the percentage of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested shareholder; and

 

	
 
	
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the receipt by the interested shareholder of certain loans or other financial assistance from the corporation.

 

The foregoing transactions generally also include transactions involving any affiliate of the interested shareholder and involving or affecting any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the corporation.

 

The voting requirements above will not apply if, among other things, subject to specified qualifications:

 

	
 
	
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the transaction has been approved by a majority of the corporation’s disinterested directors;

 

	
 
	
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the interested shareholder has been the beneficial owner of at least 80% of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares for at least three years preceding the transaction;

 

	
 
	
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the interested shareholder is the beneficial owner of at least 90% of the outstanding voting shares; or

 

	
 
	
•
	
specified fair price and procedural requirements are satisfied.

 

The foregoing restrictions do not apply if the corporation’s original articles of incorporation or an amendment to its articles of incorporation or bylaws approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation (other than shares held by the interested shareholder) contain a provision expressly electing for the corporation not to be governed by the restrictions. The Company’s Articles and Bylaws do not contain such a provision. 

 

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Control-Share Acquisitions 

 

The FBCA also contains a control-share acquisition statute which provides that a person who acquires shares in an “issuing public corporation,” as defined in the statute, in excess of certain specified thresholds generally will not have any voting rights with respect to such shares unless such voting rights are approved by the holders of a majority of the votes of each class of securities entitled to vote separately, excluding shares held or controlled by the acquiring person. The thresholds specified in the FBCA are the acquisition of a number of shares representing:

 

	
 
	
•
	
one-fifth or more, but less than one-third, of all voting power of the corporation;

 

	
 
	
•
	
one-third or more, but less than a majority, of all voting power of the corporation; or

 

	
 
	
•
	
a majority or more of all voting power of the corporation.

 

The statute does not apply if, among other things, the acquisition:

 

	
 
	
•
	
is approved by the corporation’s board of directors; or

 

	
 
	
•
	
is effected pursuant to a statutory merger or share exchange to which the corporation is a party.

 

The statute also does not apply to an acquisition of shares of a corporation in excess of a specified threshold if, before the acquisition, the corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws provide that the corporation will not be governed by the statute. The statute also permits a corporation to adopt a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws providing for the redemption of the acquired shares by the corporation in specified circumstances. The Company’s Articles and Bylaws do not contain such provisions.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Company’s Articles and Bylaws

 

Certain provisions of the Articles and the Bylaws could have an anti-takeover effect. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the Board of Directors of the Company and in the policies formulated by the Board of Directors and to discourage certain types of transactions, described below, which may involve an actual or threatened change of control of the Company. The provisions are designed to reduce the vulnerability of the Company to an unsolicited proposal for a takeover of the Company that does not contemplate the acquisition of all of its outstanding shares or an unsolicited proposal for the restructuring or sale of all or part of the Company. The provisions are also intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights.

 

Articles

 

Classified Board of Directors

 

The Articles provide for the Board of Directors to be divided into three classes of Directors serving staggered three-year terms. As a result, approximately one-third of the Board of Directors will be elected each year. The classified Board of Directors provision could have the effect of discouraging a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company, even though such 

4

 

 

an attempt might be beneficial to the Company and its shareholders. In addition, the classified board provision could delay shareholders who do not agree with the policies of the Board of Directors from removing a majority of the Board for two years, unless they can show cause and obtain the requisite vote.

 

Special Meetings of Shareholders

 

The Articles provide that special meetings of shareholders of the Company may be called only by the Chairman, the President, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or by the holders of 50% of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on an issue proposed to be considered at the special meeting. The Articles also prohibit the taking of shareholder action by written consent without a meeting if there are more than 30 shareholders of record. This provision will make it more difficult for shareholders to take action opposed by the Board of Directors.

 

Amendment of Certain Provisions of the Articles

 

The Articles generally require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding voting stock in order to amend its provisions, including any provisions concerning (i) the classified board, (ii) the amendment of the Bylaws, (iii) the authority of shareholders to act by written consent, (iv) indemnification, (v) the liability of Directors, (vi) the calling of special meetings of the shareholders, and (vii) the supermajority voting requirements described in this paragraph. These voting requirements will make it more difficult for shareholders to make changes in the Articles which would be designed to facilitate the exercise of control over the Company. In addition, the requirement for approval by at least an 80% shareholder vote will enable the holders of a minority of the voting securities of the Company to prevent the holders of a majority or more of such securities from amending such provisions of the Articles.

 

Number of Directors; Removal

 

The Articles provide that the Board of Directors will consist of that number of Directors as shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors then in office. The Articles provide that Directors of the Company may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of voting stock. This provision will preclude a shareholder from removing incumbent Directors without cause and simultaneously gaining control of the Board of Directors by filling the vacancies created by such removal with its own nominees.

 

Bylaws

 

The Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for the nomination, other than by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, of candidates for election as Director as well as for other shareholder proposals to be considered at shareholders’ meetings.

 

Notice of shareholder proposals and Director nominations must be timely given in writing to the Secretary of the Company prior to the meeting at which the matters are to be acted upon or at which the Directors are to be elected. To be timely, notice must be received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than 120 days prior to the proxy statement relating to the prior year’s annual meeting of shareholders.

 

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A shareholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to a shareholder proposal shall set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (ii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, (iii) the name and record address of the shareholder proposing such business, (iv) the class or series and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially or of record by the shareholder, (v) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by the shareholder and any material interest of the shareholder in such business, and (vi) a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

 

The purpose of requiring advance notice is to afford the Board of Directors an opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees or the merits of other shareholder proposals and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the Board of Directors, to inform shareholders about those matters. 

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