UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C
INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(c)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Information Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))
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Definitive Information Statement
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READY MIX, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
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The proposed aggregate value of the transaction is $9,750,000.00 in cash. The filing
fee was determined by multiplying the proposed value of the
transaction by 0.0000713.
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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$9,750,000.00
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5.
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Total fee paid:
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$695.17
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously.
Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and
the date of its filing.
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Amount Previously Paid:
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Form, schedule or registration statement number:
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INFORMATION STATEMENT IN CONNECTION
WITH ASSET SALE
Ready Mix, Inc.
4602 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
Phone: (602) 957-2722
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED
NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
THIS IS ONLY FOR YOUR INFORMATION.
February 23, 2010
Dear Stockholder:
On January 29, 2010, Ready Mix, Inc. (
we
,
us
,
our
,
Ready
Mix
or the
Company
) entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the
Purchase
Agreement
) with Skanon Investments, Inc., an Arizona corporation (the
Buyer
or
Skanon
) whereby Skanon, or one or more acquisition entities designated by Skanon on or
prior to the closing, agreed to purchase and the Company agreed to sell substantially all of its
assets (the
Assets
) comprising the Companys ready-mix concrete business for an
aggregate of $9,750,000 in cash (the
Asset Sale
). In connection with the execution of
the Purchase Agreement, on January 29, 2010, Meadow Valley Parent Corp. (the
Majority
Stockholder
), in its capacity as the holder of a majority of the outstanding shares of our
common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
Common Stock
), entered into a Voting
Agreement (the
Voting Agreement
) with Skanon. Pursuant to the terms of the Voting
Agreement, the Majority Stockholder agreed to vote or give written consent in favor of adoption of
the Purchase Agreement and approval of the Asset Sale. Action by written consent is sufficient to
adopt the Purchase Agreement and approve the Asset Sale without any further action or vote of the
stockholders of the Company. It is possible that the Majority Stockholder may materially breach
or terminate the Voting Agreement with or without cause at any time and without penalty, and
consequently may not vote or give written consent in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement
and approval of the Asset Sale.
The accompanying Information Statement is being provided to you for your information to
comply with the requirements of Regulation 14C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(
Exchange Act
). This Information Statement constitutes notice of corporate action to be
taken without a meeting by less than unanimous consent of the Companys stockholders pursuant to
Section 78.320 and 78.565 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (the
NRS
) covering the
consummation of the Asset Sale. You are urged to read this Information Statement carefully in its
entirety. However, no action is required on your part in connection with this document, including
with respect to the adoption of the Purchase Agreement and approval of the Asset Sale. No meeting
of our stockholders will be held or proxies requested since we anticipate that the Majority
Stockholder will give written consent to these matters in its capacity as the holder of a majority
of the issued and outstanding shares of the Companys Common Stock.
Under Rule 14c-2(b) of the Exchange Act, the Asset Sale described in the Information
Statement may be consummated no earlier than 20 calendar days after we have mailed the Information
Statement to our stockholders. The Company intends to mail this Information Statement to its
stockholders on or about February 23, 2010. The Asset Sale is expected to occur on or before
April 30, 2010. The record date established by the Company for purposes of determining the number
of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, and thus voting power, was January 29, 2010.
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/s/ Bradley E. Larson
Bradley E. Larson, Chief Executive Officer
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Pages
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EXHIBIT A: FAIRNESS OPINION
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i
Ready Mix, Inc.
4602 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
Phone: (602) 957-2722
INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14C
OF THE EXCHANGE ACT.
THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND NO STOCKHOLDER MEETING WILL BE HELD
TO CONSIDER ANY MATTER DESCRIBED IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT. WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE ACTIONS
DESCRIBED IN THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT WILL BE CONSENTED TO BY THE HOLDERS OF A MAJORITY OF THE
SHARES OF THE COMPANYS COMMON STOCK.
THE COMPANY IS NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND THE COMPANY A PROXY.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Information Statement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including,
among others, statements regarding the anticipated Asset Sale, are forward-looking statements.
Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the
Company and members of its management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements
are based, and generally are identified by the use of words such as may, will, seeks,
anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, plans, intends, should or similar
expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
risks and uncertainties that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such
forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the Companys ability to control or
predict. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or
other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Purchase Agreement, (2) risks
that adjustments to the purchase price may be substantial and actual proceeds to the Company are
uncertain, (3) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated in the Purchase Agreement
due to the failure to satisfy any of the conditions to the closing of the Asset Sale, (4) failure
of any party to the Purchase Agreement to abide by the terms of that agreement, (5) risks that the
proposed transaction, including the uncertainty surrounding the closing of the transaction, will
disrupt the current plans and operations of the Company, including as a result of undue
distraction of management and personnel retention problems, (6) risks that the Company may not
have adequate liquidity to maintain operations through the closing of the transactions
contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, (7) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be
instituted against the Company and others following announcement of the Purchase Agreement, (8)
risks that the Companys lenders may accelerate indebtedness that is currently in default, and (9)
the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Purchase Agreement, including
the impact of any termination fees the Company may incur and the likely prospect that the Company
would have insufficient liquidity to pay such termination fees when due. Furthermore, the
expectations expressed in forward-looking statements about the Company could materially differ
from the actual outcomes because of changes in demand for the Companys products and services, the
timing of new orders, the impact of competitive products and pricing, excess of production
capacity, the effects of regional, national and international economic conditions, and other
factors discussed under Item IA (Risk Factors) in the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008, and as updated in its Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and
September 30, 2009. The Company assumes no duty to update these statements unless otherwise
required by law.
Management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, undue reliance
should not be placed on any forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations.
All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on
its behalf are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Further,
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and
ii
the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect
changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results
over time unless otherwise required by law.
iii
GENERAL
This Information Statement and Notice of Action to be Taken Without a Meeting of Stockholders
is being furnished by us to our stockholders of record as of January 29, 2010 (the
Record
Date
), to inform the stockholders of the proposed sale of substantially all of the Companys
assets (the
Assets
) comprising the Companys ready-mix concrete business (the
Asset
Sale
) pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2010 (
Purchase
Agreement
) that is described in more detail in this Information Statement.
This Information Statement is being sent in lieu of a special meeting of the stockholders of
the Company. At a meeting of the Board of Directors (the
Board
) held on January 29,
2010, the Board unanimously adopted the Purchase Agreement and recommended that the Asset Sale be
consummated based upon the Boards determination that it was the strategic alternative most likely
to maximize stockholder value.
On January 29, 2010, the Companys independent financial advisor, Lincoln International LLC
(
Lincoln International
), rendered an opinion to the Board that the consideration to be
received by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreement is fair, from a financial point of view,
to the Company.
In reaching its conclusion to adopt the Purchase Agreement and approve the Asset Sale, the
Board considered the Companys current condition and future prospects, including its financial
condition, results of operations, cash flow, the value of the Companys remaining assets and its
remaining claims and obligations, the detrimental impact on demand and pricing of the Companys
products due to current and near-term expectations of general economic and market conditions in the
marketplace in which the Company conducts its business, and other strategic alternatives for the
Company, including the risks associated with these alternatives. After considering these factors
and alternatives, the Board determined that the Asset Sale was advisable, expedient and in the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders, and that the Company should proceed with the Asset
Sale.
On January 29, 2010, Meadow Valley Parent Corp. (the
Majority Stockholder
), who
beneficially owns in the aggregate shares of the common stock of the Company representing
approximately 69.4% of the voting power of the Company as of the date of this Information Statement
(the
Majority Shares
), entered into a voting agreement with Skanon (the
Voting
Agreement
), under which we anticipate that the Majority Stockholder will adopt and approve, by
written consent in lieu of a special meeting, the Purchase Agreement and the Asset Sale,
respectively, on or before April 30, 2010. The Majority Stockholder may materially breach or
terminate the Voting Agreement with or without cause at any time and without penalty, and
consequently could determine not to vote or give written consent in favor of adoption of the
Purchase Agreement and approval of the Asset Sale.
The ability to proceed without a special or annual meeting of the stockholders to adopt the
Purchase Agreement and approve the Asset Sale is authorized by Sections 78.320 and 78.565 of the
Nevada Revised Statutes (the
NRS
) which provide that unless otherwise provided in the
Companys Articles of Incorporation, as amended and Amended and Restated Bylaws, action required or
permitted to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a written
consent (or counterparts thereof) that sets forth the action so taken is signed by stockholders
holding at least a majority of the voting power, except that if a different proportion of voting
power is required for such an action at a meeting, then that proportion of written consents is
required. Such consent shall have the same force and effect as a majority vote of the stockholders
and may be stated as such in any document. The Companys Articles of Incorporation, as amended and
Amended and Restated Bylaws do not contain any provisions contrary to the provisions of Sections
78.320 and 78.565 of the NRS. Thus, to eliminate the costs to the Company and management time
involved in holding a special meeting, and in order to effect the Asset Sale as early as possible
in order to accomplish the purposes of the Company as described in this Information Statement, the
Company determined to request the written consent of the Majority Stockholder.
The Company is distributing this Information Statement to its stockholders in full
satisfaction of any notice requirements it may have under the NRS. No dissenters rights of
appraisal under the NRS are afforded to the Companys stockholders as a result of the adoption of
the Purchase Agreement and the approval of the Asset Sale.
This Information Statement is dated as of and is first being sent or given to our stockholders
of record on or about February 23, 2010.
1
SUMMARY TERM SHEET
This summary term sheet is intended to give you a brief description of the Asset Sale. This
summary term sheet is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information elsewhere in this
Information Statement and in the Purchase Agreement
,
which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Companys Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2010. We urge
you to review this Information Statement and the Purchase Agreement to gain a more complete
understanding of these transactions.
Asset
Sale (see page 8)
On January 29, 2010, the Company entered into the Purchase Agreement with Skanon pursuant to
which the Company agreed to sell, and Skanon agreed to purchase, substantially all of the assets of
the Company comprising its ready-mix concrete business. The purchase price to be paid by Skanon
for the Assets is $9,750,000 in cash. Skanon will also assume certain of the Companys
liabilities. The Purchase Agreement provides that under specified circumstances the purchase price
will be subject to a downward adjustment.
To fully understand the Asset Sale, you should read this Information Statement and the
Purchase Agreement completely. The Purchase Agreement constitutes the legal document that governs
the Asset Sale and is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the
SEC
) on February 1, 2010. For a more complete description
of the terms of the Purchase Agreement and the details of the transaction with Skanon, please see
THE ASSET SALE in this Information Statement and the Purchase Agreement.
Purchase
Price (see page 13)
In consideration for the purchase of the Assets, Skanon agreed to pay the Company $9,750,000
in cash (the
Purchase Price
). Also, under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Skanon
agreed to assume certain of the Companys liabilities set forth on the Companys balance sheet
dated September 30, 2009 and any other of the Companys liabilities arising in the ordinary course
of business after September 30, 2009. The Purchase Agreement provides that under specified
circumstances the purchase price will be subject to a downward adjustment.
As a result of the Asset Sale, the Company will have conveyed substantially all of its assets
and retired substantially all of its liabilities. The Company will retain some assets in the form
of the Companys office building, certain deferred tax assets, certain written agreements and other
assets. The Company will retain some liabilities, including liabilities related to certain written
agreements that will not be assumed by Skanon. The disposition of the assets retained by the
Company, including cash, net of all liabilities, will be subject to further analysis of possible
alternatives by the Companys management and the Board, including but not limited to, a
distribution or dividend of cash.
Closing
(see page 16)
The closing of the Asset Sale is expected to occur on the date on which the conditions to
close set forth in the Purchase Agreement have been satisfied and including the requirement that
the Information Statement be sent or given at least 20 calendar days prior to the closing date,
which is estimated to occur on or before April 30, 2010. For a more complete description of the
conditions to close please see THE ASSET SALE in this Information Statement and the Purchase
Agreement.
Material
Terms of the Purchase Agreement (see page 12)
The Purchase Agreement sets forth the various rights and obligations of the Company and
Skanon. The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the
Company including,
2
among others, a covenant to use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its operations in
the ordinary course during the period between the execution of the Purchase Agreement and the
completion of the Asset Sale, the agreement of the Company not to solicit other purchasers before
the closing, and agreements concerning confidentiality.
The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement is subject to the
satisfaction of certain conditions, including that there will be no breaches of the
representations, warranties and covenants of the Company contained in the Purchase Agreement except
for breaches that, when considered collectively, would not result in a material adverse effect on
the Companys business; and that applicable consents and approvals required to be obtained by the
parties have been obtained and not withdrawn. The Asset Sale is not subject to a financing
condition.
The Purchase Agreement contains certain termination rights for both the Company and Skanon and
provides that, following the termination of the Purchase Agreement, under specified circumstances,
including a breach by the Company of certain representations and warranties contained in the
Purchase Agreement where such breach, collectively with all other breaches, would result in a
material adverse effect on the Companys business, or if the Majority Stockholder fails to vote or
give written consent in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement and approval of the Asset Sale
and the Asset Sale is not approved by an affirmative vote of the stockholders of the Company, the
Company will be required to pay a termination fee of $500,000 to Skanon.
The representations and warranties contained in the Purchase Agreement will terminate at the
closing of the Asset Sale. The covenants and agreements contained in the Purchase Agreement and
the certificates and other documents delivered pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will survive the
closing to the extent applicable. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
contained in the Purchase Agreement are exclusive. The Company and Skanon have waived, after the
closing, all of their rights, actions or causes of action they have against each other relating to
the Purchase Agreement and the Asset Sale, other than claims of fraud and rights and actions
arising out of any breach of any covenant or agreement that survives the closing.
Prior to the closing, Skanon may acquire an insurance policy to insure Skanon against losses
arising out of or in connection with the breach of certain of the Companys representations and
warranties under the Purchase Agreement following the closing of the Asset Sale. The Company will
be responsible for paying 50% of the costs of the insurance policy, subject to a maximum obligation
of the Company of $50,000.
Opinion
of the Companys Financial Advisor (see page 18)
On January 29, 2010, Lincoln International, an investment bank and the Companys financial
advisor in connection with the transaction, rendered a written opinion to the Board as to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, of the purchase price to be received by the Company in
the Asset Sale. The summary of Lincoln Internationals opinion in this Information Statement is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of its written opinion, which is included
as
Exhibit A
to this Information Statement and sets forth the procedures followed,
assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters
considered by Lincoln International in preparing its opinion.
Stockholder
Approvals Required in Connection with the Asset Sale (see page 25)
As of January 29, 2010, there were 3,809,500 shares of our common stock issued and
outstanding. The required vote for the adoption of the Purchase Agreement and the approval of the
Asset Sale is a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock. The Majority Stockholder, the
holder of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock, has entered into a
voting agreement to vote in favor of the Asset Sale by written consent, and because it has
sufficient voting power to approve such proposal, no other consents will be
3
solicited in connection with this Information Statement.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY
AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
Voting Agreement (see page 18)
On January 29, 2010, the Majority Stockholder entered into the Voting Agreement with Skanon.
Pursuant to the terms of the Voting Agreement, the Majority Stockholder agreed to vote or give
written consent with respect to any Majority Shares in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement
and approval of the Asset Sale. Action by written consent is sufficient to approve the Asset Sale
and the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement without any further action or vote of
the stockholders of the Company. The Majority Stockholder may materially breach or terminate the
Voting Agreement with or without cause at any time and without penalty, and consequently could
determine not to vote or give written consent in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement and
approval of the Asset Sale. However, we anticipate that the Majority Stockholder will, by written
consent, adopt the Purchase Agreement and approve the Asset Sale on or before April 30, 2010 in
accordance with the terms of the Voting Agreement, but there can be no assurance to this effect.
For a more complete description of the terms of the Voting Agreement, please see THE ASSET
SALEVoting Agreement in this Information Statement.
Reasons for the Asset Sale (see page 8)
The Board approved the Asset Sale because the Board reasonably believed that it was the
strategic alternative most likely to maximize stockholder value.
In reaching its conclusion to approve the Asset Sale, the Board considered the Companys
current condition and future prospects, including its financial condition, results of operations,
cash flow, the value of the Companys remaining assets and its remaining claims and obligations,
the detrimental impact on demand and pricing of the Companys products due to current and near-term
expectations of general economic and market conditions in the marketplace in which the Company
conducts its business, and other strategic alternatives for the Company, including the risks
associated with these alternatives. After considering these factors and alternatives, and after
spending approximately seven months with the assistance of an investment bank intensively seeking
purchasers for, or investors in, the Company, the Board determined that the Asset Sale was
advisable, expedient and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and that the
Company should proceed with the Asset Sale.
Dissenters Right of Appraisal (see page 26)
Under the NRS, the Companys stockholders are not entitled to dissenters rights with respect
to the proposed Asset Sale, and the Company will not independently provide the Companys
stockholders with any such rights.
Regulatory Approvals
No United States Federal or state regulatory requirements must be complied with or approvals
obtained in connection with the Asset Sale.
Certain U.S. Federal Tax Consequences (see page 27)
As described in CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES in this Information Statement,
and subject to the limitations and qualifications therein, the Company will recognize gain or loss
on the disposition of each of its assets pursuant to the Asset Sale in an amount equal to the
difference between the portion of the total purchase price allocable to such asset and the
Companys adjusted tax basis in such asset. Any gain recognized by the Company from the Asset Sale
may be offset by other tax attributes of the Company such as net operating losses or tax credits to
the extent they are available and allowed by the U.S. tax laws. The Company has not evaluated the
adjusted tax basis of its assets for purposes of the Asset Sale and therefore is not able to fully
analyze the tax treatment of the transaction to determine if any gain will be realized in the
transaction. Due to inadequate current information with respect to the Companys tax basis in its
assets and uncertainties regarding
4
potential adjustments to the Purchase Price, the Company is unable to provide additional
disclosure in this report with respect to the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of the Asset
Sale.
Operation of the Company Following the Asset Sale
Following consummation of the Asset Sale, the Company expects to have nominal operations and
limited assets consisting of cash, the Companys office building, certain deferred tax assets and
certain written agreements as well as certain liabilities, including liabilities associated with
certain written agreements that are not assumed by Skanon. On January 18, 2010, the Board held a
special meeting at which the directors and management discussed and passed a resolution indicating
the Boards intent to exercise to the fullest extent its fiduciary duties and to seek the maximum
value for the stockholders and, to the extent possible if the strategic alternative analysis should
indicate such action, expedite a cash distribution or dividend to the Companys stockholders as
soon as practicable following the closing of the Asset Sale.
Additional Information About Ready Mix, Inc. (see page 31)
More information about the Company is available from various sources described in this
Information Statement under WHERE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION.
Additional Questions About the Asset Sale
If you have any additional questions about the Asset Sale, or would like additional copies of
this Information Statement, you should contact:
Ready Mix, Inc.
4602 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
(602) 957-2722
Robert A. DeRuiter, President
BUSINESS OF READY MIX, INC.
The Company is based in Phoenix, Arizona, and is engaged in the construction industry as a
supplier of construction materials. We provide ready mix concrete, sand and gravel products to a
variety of customers, including but not limited to, contractors, subcontractors, individuals and
owners of both private and public construction projects. We have operations in the Las Vegas,
Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan areas. Our operations consist of five permanent ready mix
concrete batch plants and two portable facilities, two sand and gravel crushing and screening
facilities and a fleet of approximately 125 ready mix concrete trucks and other assorted support
vehicles for transporting cement powder, fly ash, sand and gravel, as well as maintenance and
service vehicles. Since 1997, our operations have consisted principally of formulating, preparing
and delivering ready mix concrete to the job sites of our customers. We also provide services to
reduce our customers overall construction costs by lowering the installed, or in-place, cost of
concrete. These services include the formulation of new mixtures for specific design uses, on-site
and lab-based product quality control and delivery programs configured to meet our customers
needs.
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information contained in this Information Statement, you should
carefully read the following risk factors, as well as the other risk factors discussed under Item
IA (Risk Factors) in the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and as updated
in its Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2009.
Except for the Majority Stockholder, our current stockholders have no opportunity to approve
or disapprove the Asset Sale.
5
The Purchase Agreement has been adopted and the consequent Asset Sale has been approved by our
Board of Directors and we anticipate that the Majority Stockholder will, by written consent, adopt
the Purchase Agreement and approve the Asset Sale on or before April 30, 2010 in accordance with
the terms of the Voting Agreement. Thus the Purchase Agreement and the Asset Sale will not be
presented to our other stockholders for adoption and approval. Accordingly, stockholders are not
being asked to approve or disapprove the Purchase Agreement and the Asset Sale.
If the closing of the Asset Sale does not occur, we will not benefit from the expenses we have
incurred in the pursuit of the Asset Sale.
The Company has incurred substantial expenses in connection with the Asset Sale. The
completion of the Asset Sale depends on the satisfaction of specified conditions in the Purchase
Agreement. The Company cannot guarantee that these conditions will be met. If the Asset Sale is
not completed, these expenses could have a material adverse impact on the Companys financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, the market price of the Companys common stock
could decline in the event that the Asset Sale is not consummated as the Companys current market
price may reflect an assumption that the Asset Sale will be completed.
If the Asset Sale is not completed, we may have to revise our business strategy.
During the past several months, management of the Company has been focused on, and has devoted
significant resources to, the Asset Sale. This focus is continuing and the Company has not pursued
certain business opportunities which may have been beneficial to the Company. If the Asset Sale is
not completed, the Company will have to revisit its business strategy in an effort to determine
what changes may be required in order for the Company to continue its operations. We may need to
consider raising additional capital or financing in order to continue as a going concern if the
Asset Sale is not completed. No assurance can be given whether we would be able to successfully
raise capital or financing in such circumstances or, if so, under what terms.
Termination of the Purchase Agreement could negatively impact the Company.
If the Purchase Agreement is terminated, there may be various consequences. For example, the
Companys business may have been adversely impacted by the failure to pursue other beneficial
opportunities due to the focus of management on the Asset Sale, without realizing any of the
anticipated benefits of completing the Asset Sale, or the market price of the Companys common
stock could decline to the extent that the current market price reflects a market assumption that
the Asset Sale will be completed. If the Purchase Agreement is terminated and the Companys Board
of Directors seeks another transaction or business combination, the Companys stockholders cannot
be certain that the Company will be able to find a party willing to pay an equivalent or more
attractive price than the price Skanon has agreed to pay in the Asset Sale. Furthermore, under
certain specified circumstances, the Company will be required to pay a termination fee of $500,000
if the Purchase Agreement is terminated and it is likely that the Company would have insufficient
liquidity to pay such termination fee when due. See THE ASSET SALETermination.
If the Asset Sale is not consummated by April 30, 2010, either Skanon or the Company may
choose not to proceed with the Asset Sale.
Either Skanon or the Company may terminate the Purchase Agreement if the Asset Sale has not
been completed by April 30, 2010 (subject to specified automatic extensions), unless the failure of
the Asset Sale to be completed has resulted from the material failure of the party seeking to
terminate the Purchase Agreement to perform its obligations.
The Purchase Agreement limits the Companys ability to pursue alternatives to the Asset Sale.
6
The Purchase Agreement contains provisions that limit the Companys ability to solicit
competing third-party proposals to acquire all or a significant part of the Company. These
provisions, which include a $500,000 termination fee payable under certain circumstances, might
discourage a potential competing acquiror that might have an interest in acquiring all or a
significant part of the Company from considering or proposing that acquisition even if it were
prepared to pay more consideration for the Assets than that proposed in the Purchase Agreement.
The opinion obtained by the Company from its financial advisor will not reflect changes in
circumstances between signing the Purchase Agreement and completion of the Asset Sale.
The Company has not obtained an updated opinion as of the date of this Information Statement
from its financial advisor, Lincoln International. Changes in the operations and prospects of the
Company, general market and economic conditions and other factors that may be beyond the control of
the Company, and on which the Companys financial advisors opinion was based, may significantly
alter the value of the Company by the time the Asset Sale is completed. The opinion does not speak
as of the time the Asset Sale will be completed or as of any date other than the date of such
opinion. Because the Company does not currently anticipate asking its financial advisor to update
its opinion, the opinion will not address the fairness of the Purchase Price from a financial point
of view at the time the Asset Sale is completed. For a description of the opinion that the Company
received from its financial advisor, please refer to THE ASSET SALEOpinion of the Companys
Financial Advisor.
The Company will be subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the
Asset Sale is pending.
Uncertainty about the effect of the Asset Sale on employees and customers may have an adverse
effect on the Company. These uncertainties may impair the Companys ability to attract, retain and
motivate key personnel until the Asset Sale is consummated, and could cause customers and others
that deal with the Company to seek to change existing business relationships with the Company.
Retention of certain employees may be challenging during the pendency of the Asset Sale, as certain
employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles, if any, with Skanon. In addition,
the Purchase Agreement restricts the Company from making certain acquisitions and taking other
specified actions until the Asset Sale occurs without the consent of Skanon. These restrictions
may prevent the Company from pursuing attractive business opportunities that may arise prior to the
completion of the Asset Sale.
Following the announcement of the Asset Sale, legal proceedings may be instituted against the
Company challenging the Asset Sale, and an adverse ruling in such legal proceedings may prevent the
Asset Sale from closing.
The Company, the members of the Board and others may become parties to legal proceedings
challenging the proposed Asset Sale, seeking, among other things, to enjoin the Company from
consummating the Asset Sale on the agreed-upon terms. The Purchase Agreement provides that either
the Company or Skanon could terminate the Purchase Agreement if a court or other agency of
competent jurisdiction has issued an order, decree or ruling or taken any other action permanently
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Asset Sale. In addition, the Company could
incur substantial legal fees in connection with the defense of any legal proceedings against the
Company or the members of the Board or could become responsible for significant monetary damages.
The Company may not have adequate liquidity to maintain its operations while the Asset Sale is
pending.
We require substantial liquidity to maintain our production facilities, meet scheduled term
debt and lease obligations and run our normal business operations. While the Asset Sale is pending
and we continue to operate at or close to the minimum cash levels necessary to support our normal
business operations, our need for cash might continue to intensify and we might be unable to make
payments to our suppliers, which could severely limit our ability to close the Asset Sale and may
result in the termination of the Purchase Agreement that could require us to pay a $500,000
termination fee.
7
The Companys lenders may accelerate our outstanding indebtedness.
As of December 31, 2009, we are in violation of certain financial covenants in our loans with
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. (
WFE
) and National Bank of Arizona (
NBA
).
Due to these violations, the WFE and NBA loans could become immediately due and payable if either
WFE or NBW were to declare us in default of its respective loan. Either WFE or NBA or both could
proceed against the real property and equipment securing the loans. If WFE or NBA were to
accelerate the payment requirements, we would not have sufficient liquidity to pay off the related
debt that could result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations. If this were to happen, we would not be able to close the Asset Sale, and Skanon could
elect to terminate the Purchase Agreement and require us to pay a $500,000 termination fee.
The Company cannot be certain of the exact amount of the Purchase Price as it is subject to
downward adjustment under specified circumstances described in the Purchase Agreement.
The Purchase Agreement provides that the Purchase Price will be subject to substantial
downward adjustment if (1) the amount of cash the Company is entitled to retain under the Purchase
Agreement is not sufficient to satisfy certain liabilities specified in the Purchase Agreement, or
(2) if the Company breaches any of its obligations pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Purchase
Agreement (regarding interim operations of the Company) and such breach results in (a) actual
damages to the Assets of greater than $10,000 but less than $500,000, or (b) an increase of the
dollar amount of liabilities to be assumed by Skanon at the closing by more than $10,000 but less
than $500,000. For a more complete description of the downward adjustment to the Purchase Price,
please see THE ASSET SALEPurchase Price in this Information Statement.
The completion of the Asset Sale is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of conditions.
The Asset Sale is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of closing conditions set
forth in the Purchase Agreement. If these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Asset Sale
will not be completed. Also, even if all of these conditions are satisfied, the Asset Sale may not
be completed, as each of the Company and Skanon has the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement
under certain circumstances specified in the Purchase Agreement and described in greater detail in
the section entitled THE ASSET SALETermination.
The Majority Stockholder may elect to terminate the Voting Agreement.
The Majority Stockholder may materially breach or terminate the Voting Agreement with or
without cause at any time and without penalty, and consequently could determine not to vote or give
written consent in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement and the Asset Sale. We anticipate
that the Majority Stockholder will, by written consent, adopt the Purchase Agreement and approve
the Asset Sale on or before April 30, 2010 in accordance with the terms of the Voting Agreement,
but there can be no assurance to this effect. For a more complete description of the terms of the
Voting Agreement, please see THE ASSET SALE in this Information Statement.
THE ASSET SALE
Background and Reasons for the Asset Sale
During the fall and winter of 2008 and the spring of 2009, the Companys Board and the
Companys management undertook a review of the Companys long-term prospects to maximize value for
the Companys stockholders. As part of its review, the Companys Board and the Companys
management considered the Companys current condition and future prospects, including its financial
condition, results of operations, cash flow, the value of the Companys remaining assets and its
remaining claims and obligations, the detrimental impact on
8
demand and pricing of the Companys products due to current and near-term expectations of
general economic and market conditions in the marketplace in which the Company conducts its
business, and other strategic alternatives for the Company, including the risks associated with
these alternatives.
On February 18, 2009, the Company entered into a confidentially agreement with Skanon.
Pursuant to this confidentiality agreement, the Company furnished to Skanon and its representatives
financial and operational information to facilitate the evaluation of a potential transaction with
the Company.
At a meeting of the Board on March 10, 2009, the Companys management presented to the Board
potential strategic alternatives for the Company, including potential alternatives involving the
sale of the Company, and informed the Board that two potential strategic buyers had expressed
interest in reviewing the Companys financial and operational information to determine the
possibility of a transaction with the Company. The Companys management informed the Board that
the Company had entered into a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement with one of the
potential strategic buyers and was in the process of negotiating a confidentiality and
non-disclosure agreement with the other potential strategic buyer. The Companys management also
presented an overview of the Companys financial condition, results of operations and future
prospects.
On March 13, 2009, the Majority Stockholder entered into a confidentiality agreement with the
Company. Pursuant to this confidentiality agreement, the Company agreed to furnish the Majority
Stockholder and its affiliates and representatives with certain confidential information of the
Company to facilitate the undertaking of an evaluation of potential transactions with or related to
the Company.
On May 27, 2009, representatives of the Company and of the Majority Stockholder met and
discussed the Companys financial condition and liquidity and the Companys ongoing discussions
with potential financial advisors in connection with the Companys consideration of potential
strategic alternatives.
On June 15, 2009, the Company engaged Lincoln International to assist it with the potential
sale of, or investment in, the Company. Lincoln International is an investment bank that is
familiar with investors in and purchasers of mid-market companies similar to the Company.
On June 30, 2009 and July 30, 2009, representatives of the Company and the Majority
Stockholder met and discussed the status of the Companys ongoing consideration of potential
strategic alternatives.
Between June and November 2009, Lincoln International contacted 149 potential purchasers and
investors. Forty-six of these potential purchasers and investors engaged in further discussions
with Lincoln International and/or the Company, six submitted an indication of interest, four
attended management presentations given by the Companys management, and two, including Skanon,
submitted letters of intent. Representatives of the Majority Stockholder also suggested potential
purchasers and investors for a transaction with the Company.
On October 1, 2009, Skanon submitted preliminary, non-binding terms pursuant to which Skanon
would be willing to enter into a transaction with the Company.
On October 29, 2009 representatives of the Company and the Majority Stockholder discussed and
summarized three offers from potential buyers of the Company. The Company determined, after
consultation with representatives of the Majority Stockholder, that the preliminary offer from
Skanon was the most attractive.
On November 6, 2009, the Company received a letter of intent from Skanon to purchase
substantially all of the Companys assets. On November 7, 9 and 10, 2009, representatives of the
Company and of the Majority Stockholder discussed Skanons proposed letter of intent, including
potential structures for the proposed transactions, Skanons proposed purchase price for
substantially all of the Companys assets and its assumption of certain liabilities.
9
At a meeting of the Board on November 10, 2009, the Companys management summarized to the
Board the previously discussed potential strategic alternatives for the Company involving the sale
of the Company and informed that Board that a letter of intent had been received from Skanon. In
light of managements discussion of the Companys current and future prospects for financial and
operational performance, the board unanimously approved to accept a non-binding letter of intent
from Skanon.
On November 13, 2009, after consultation with representatives of the Majority Stockholder
regarding potential revisions to Skanons proposed letter of intent, counsel to the Company sent a
revised draft of the letter of intent to counsel to Skanon.
On November 16, 2009, the Board approved and the Company executed the letter of intent with
Skanon to purchase substantially all of the Companys assets. The letter of intent included a 30
day exclusivity period during which the Company was prohibited from speaking or negotiating with
other potential buyers. The Company informed the Majority Stockholder that the Company executed
the letter of intent with Skanon.
On November 24, 2009, Skanons legal counsel delivered a draft of the Purchase Agreement to
the Company and its advisors. The Company provided a copy of the draft of the Purchase Agreement
to representatives of the Majority Stockholder. Between November 25, 2009 and January 29, 2010,
the Company and Skanon, including their respective financial and legal advisors, negotiated the
terms and provisions of the Purchase Agreement. While negotiating the Purchase Agreement the
Company solicited and considered comments from the Majority Stockholder.
Between November 25, 2009 and November 29, 2009, representatives and legal advisors of the
Company and the Majority Stockholder discussed Skanons proposed draft of the Purchase Agreement,
the negotiation process and proposed revisions to the draft Purchase Agreement.
On December 15, 2009, representatives of the Company and the Majority Stockholder discussed
certain issues regarding the negotiation of the Purchase Agreement and Skanons request that the
Majority Stockholder enter into a non-competition agreement.
On December 17, 2009, the Majority Stockholder received a draft of a non-competition agreement
that Skanon would request the Majority Stockholder execute as a condition to the transaction with
Skanon. Between December 17, 2009 and January 29, 2010, the Majority Stockholder, Skanon and their
respective legal advisors negotiated and finalized the terms of the non-competition agreement.
On December 22, 2009, representatives of the Company and the Majority Stockholder discussed
certain issues regarding the negotiation of the Purchase Agreement, including the Companys
liquidity, cash flow management, pre-payment penalties and other matters.
On December 23, 2009, the Company and Skanon agreed to amend the letter of intent to extend
the exclusivity period to January 5, 2010.
On December 28, 2009, the Majority Stockholder received a draft of the Voting Agreement from
Skanon. Between December 28, 2009 and January 29, 2010, the Majority Stockholder, Skanon and their
respective legal advisors negotiated and finalized the Voting Agreement.
On December 28, 2009, representatives of the Company and the Majority Stockholder discussed
certain issues regarding the negotiation of the Purchase Agreement, including termination rights
and the proposed draft of the Voting Agreement.
10
On January 5, 2010, the Company and Skanon agreed to amend the letter of intent to extend the
exclusivity period to January 19, 2010.
On January 7, 2010, the Board held a special meeting at which the directors, Company counsel,
representatives from Lincoln International and management reviewed the Companys current condition
and future prospects, including its financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, the
value of the Companys assets and its claims and obligations, the detrimental impact on demand and
pricing of the Companys products due to current and near-term expectations of general economic and
market conditions in the marketplace in which the Company conducts its business, and other
strategic alternatives for the Company, including the risks associated with these alternatives.
The directors also heard managements report regarding the Companys available cash and the value
of the Companys assets and managements report as to the strategic alternatives available.
Company counsel advised the board concerning the proper execution of its fiduciary duties. Lincoln
International reviewed its preliminary findings related to valuation analyses. After considering
these factors and alternatives, the Board determined that the Asset Sale, including the sale of all
or substantially all of the Companys assets in connection therewith, was in the best interests of
the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should continue working toward a definitive
purchase agreement with Skanon.
On January 11, 2010, representatives of the Company and the Majority Stockholder discussed
certain issues regarding the negotiation of the Purchase Agreement.
On January 14, 2010, the Majority Stockholder requested that the Board adopt a resolution
stating that the Board of Directors and the Companys management will analyze the possibility of a
cash distribution or dividend of the net proceeds from the Asset Sale to the Companys stockholders
as soon as practicable, subject to ongoing fiduciary duties and the solvency of the Company.
On January 15, 2010, Skanon provided to the Company a letter from Skanons parent company
indicating its intent to provide funding to Skanon in connection with the proposed Asset Sale.
On January 18, 2010, the Board held a special meeting at which the directors discussed and
passed a resolution indicating the Boards intent to exercise to the fullest extent its fiduciary
duties and to seek the maximum value for the stockholders and, to the extent possible if the
strategic alternative analysis should indicate such action, expedite a cash distribution or
dividend to the Companys stockholders as promptly as possible following the closing of the Asset
Sale.
On January 20, 2010, the Company and Skanon agreed to amend the letter of intent to extend the
exclusivity period to January 26, 2010.
On January 24, 27 and 28, 2010, representatives of the Company and the Majority Stockholder
discussed certain issues regarding the negotiation of the Purchase Agreement.
On January 29, 2010, the Majority Stockholder informed the Company that it had finalized
negotiations of the Voting Agreement with Skanon and had no additional comments to the draft of the
Purchase Agreement.
On January 29, 2010, the Board held a special meeting at which the directors, management,
financial advisors and legal counsel reviewed a substantially complete draft of the Purchase
Agreement, the Companys current condition and future prospects, including its financial condition,
results of operations, liquidity, financial outlook and prospects, the value of the Companys
assets and its claims and obligations, the detrimental impact on demand and pricing of the
Companys products due to current and near-term expectations of general economic and market
conditions in the marketplace in which the Company conducts its business, and other strategic
alternatives for the Company, including the risks associated with these alternatives. The
directors also heard managements report regarding the Companys available cash and the value of
the Companys assets. Company counsel reviewed the Boards fiduciary obligations. Lincoln
International, the Companys financial advisor, rendered an opinion that the consideration to be
received by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreement was fair, from a financial point of
view, to the Company. After considering these factors and alternatives, the Board determined that
the Asset
11
Sale, including the sale of all or substantially all of the Companys assets in connection
therewith, was fair to, and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the
Company should proceed with the Asset Sale.
On January 29, 2010, pursuant to the authority granted by the Board, the Company entered into
the Purchase Agreement with Skanon.
On January 29, 2010, the Majority Stockholder entered into the Voting Agreement under which we
anticipate that on or before April 30, 2010 the Majority Stockholder will, by written consent,
adopt the Purchase Agreement and approve the Asset Sale.
Parties to the Purchase Agreement
The parties to the Purchase Agreement are the Company and Skanon.
The Company is located at 4602 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
Skanon is an Arizona corporation engaged in the principal business of cement manufacturing.
Skanons principal business address is: 14500 N. Northsight Blvd., Suite 317, Scottsdale, Arizona
85260.
Material Terms of the Purchase Agreement
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the Purchase Agreement but does not
purport to describe all of the terms of the Purchase Agreement. The following summary is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Purchase Agreement which is included as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 1, 2010
.
The Purchase
Agreement was included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 1,
2010 to provide investors with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any
other factual information about the Company or Skanon. In particular, the assertions embodied in
the representations and warranties contained in the Purchase Agreement are qualified by certain
disclosures not reflected in the text of the Purchase Agreement, and may apply standards of
materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material by shareholders of, or
other investors in, the Company. Moreover, certain representations and warranties in the Purchase
Agreement were used for the purpose of allocating risk between the Company, on the one hand, and
Skanon, on the other hand, rather than establishing matters as facts. Accordingly, the
representations and warranties in the Purchase Agreement should not be viewed as characterizations
of the actual state of facts about the Company or Skanon. We urge you to read the full text of the
Purchase Agreement because it is a legal document that governs the Asset Sale.
General
Subject to the conditions contained in the Purchase Agreement, Skanon agreed to purchase the
Assets for $9,750,000 in cash. Skanon will also assume certain of the Companys liabilities. The
Purchase Agreement provides that under specified circumstances the purchase price will be subject
to a downward adjustment. The Asset Sale constitutes a sale of substantially all of our assets
under Nevada law, which requires the approval of our stockholders. In connection with the Asset
Sale, the Majority Stockholder entered into the Voting Agreement with Skanon. Pursuant to the
terms of the Voting Agreement, the Majority Stockholder agreed to vote or give written consent with
respect to any common stock of the Company in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement and
approval of the Asset Sale. The Majority Stockholder may materially breach or terminate the Voting
Agreement with or without cause at any time and without penalty, and consequently could determine
not to vote or give written consent in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement and approval of
the Asset Sale. However, we anticipate that the Majority Stockholder will approve and adopt, by
written consent, the Asset Sale on or before April 30, 2010 in accordance with the terms of the
Voting Agreement, but there can be no assurance to this effect. Other than the adoption of the
Purchase Agreement and approval of the Asset Sale by the Majority Stockholder pursuant to the
12
Voting Agreement, no further action on the part of the Companys stockholders is required to
consummate the Asset Sale.
The Asset Sale is not conditioned on any financing arrangements by Skanon and the
consideration to be received by the Company at the closing will be from immediately available
funds. The parties have the right to terminate the Purchase Agreement in the event that the
transaction does not close on or before April 30, 2010 (subject to certain automatic extensions
specified in the Purchase Agreement). We anticipate that the closing and transfer of cash
consideration will occur on or before April 30, 2010. Stockholders, in their capacity as such,
will not directly receive any of the proceeds from the Asset Sale at the closing of the Asset Sale.
The Company will use the cash proceeds of the Asset Sale to (i) pay expenses incurred in
connection with the Asset Sale (which are estimated to be $1.2 million) and (ii) to satisfy the
Companys remaining liabilities, including all liabilities not assumed by Skanon in connection with
the Asset Sale.
Purchase Price
In consideration for the purchase of the Assets, Skanon agreed to pay the Company $9,750,000
in cash. Also, under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Skanon agreed to assume certain of the
Companys liabilities set forth on the Companys balance sheet dated September 30, 2009 and any
other of the Companys liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business after September 30,
2009.
The Purchase Agreement provides that the Company will be entitled to retain the net proceeds
received by the Company from the sale of certain equipment specified in the Purchase Agreement,
subject to specified adjustments (the
Retained Seller Cash
). For purposes of calculating
the amount of Retained Seller Cash, the actual amount of Retained Seller Cash starts at $1 million,
subject to upward or downward adjustment depending on the actual net proceeds received by the
Company from the sale of certain equipment specified in the Purchase Agreement. In addition,
Retained Seller Cash is subject to other adjustments, including downward adjustments based on the
amount of expenses and liabilities incurred by the Company in connection with the Asset Sale, the
amount of specified liabilities that the Company may be obligated to retire prior to the closing of
the Asset Sale, the amount of a specified account receivable and 50% of the
prepayment penalties incurred by the Company in connection with the prepayment of specified debts.
If the amount of the Retained Seller Cash, as adjusted in accordance with the provisions of
the Purchase Agreement, is a negative number, the Purchase Price will be adjusted downward in an
amount equal to that negative number. The Purchase Price is also subject to further adjustment if
the Company breaches any of its obligations pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Purchase Agreement
(regarding interim operations of the Company) and such breach results in (a) actual damages to the
Assets of greater than $10,000 but less than $500,000, or (b) an increase of the dollar amount of
liabilities to be assumed by Skanon at the closing by more than $10,000 but less than $500,000.
As a result of the Asset Sale, the Company will have conveyed substantially all of its assets
and retired substantially all of its liabilities. The Company will retain some assets in the form
of cash, the Companys office building, certain deferred tax assets, certain written agreements and
other assets. The Company will retain some liabilities, including liabilities related to certain
written agreements that will not be assumed by Skanon. The disposition of the assets retained by
the Company, net of all liabilities, will be subject to further analysis of possible alternatives
by the Companys management and the Board, including but not limited to, a distribution or dividend
of cash.
Representations and Warranties
Section 3.2 of the Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties by the
Company that relate to, among other things:
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due organization, valid existence and good standing of the Company with requisite power
and authority to carry on its business as currently conducted;
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requisite corporate authority and power to execute and deliver the Purchase Agreement
and to perform its obligations under the Purchase Agreement;
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due execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement;
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enforceability of the Purchase Agreement in accordance with its terms, except to the
extent such enforceability may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws of general applicability affecting or relating to
enforcement of creditors rights generally, and (ii) general equitable principles
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in equity or at law)
;
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absence of violation of charter documents, federal, state or local laws and contracts;
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required consents and approvals;
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capitalization of the Company;
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the Companys charter documents;
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the Companys financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the nine
months ended September 30, 2009;
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the status of the Companys real property, material contracts and commitments, personal
property, intellectual property, leases, insurance policies, accounts receivable, and
assets;
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the Companys relationships with its customers and suppliers;
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the Companys employees and employee benefit plans;
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absence of pending or threatened litigation, actions and other proceedings against the
Company;
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tax matters and compliance with relevant tax laws;
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absence of any material changes relating to the Companys business since September 30,
2009;
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compliance with federal, state and local statutes;
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compliance with federal, state and local laws related to the environment and the absence
of any liabilities related to hazardous wastes or toxic substances;
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the Companys solvency;
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the absence of brokers fees; and
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absence of a material adverse effect with respect to the Companys business.
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Section 3.1 of the Purchase Agreement contains customary representations and warranties by
Skanon that relate to, among other things:
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due organization, valid existence and good standing with requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as currently conducted;
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requisite authority and power to execute and deliver the Purchase Agreement;
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requisite corporate power and due authorization to perform the transactions contemplated
by the Purchase Agreement;
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absence of violation of charter documents, and federal, state or local laws;
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sufficient funds to pay the purchase price;
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absence of pending or threatened litigation;
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absence of legal claims or regulatory approvals that would materially interfere with the
Asset Sale;
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absence of brokers fees; and
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Skanons financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the eleven months
ended November 30, 2009.
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Covenants
Sections 4 and 5 of the Purchase Agreement contain a number of covenants by the Company and
Skanon, including covenants relating to:
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non-competition;
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nondisclosure of proprietary information;
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public announcements;
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employment of certain of the Companys employees by Skanon;
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adding Skanon as an additional insured under the Companys insurance policies;
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the obligation of Skanon to acquire an insurance policy to insure Skanon against losses
arising out of or in connection with a breach of the Companys representations and
warranties contained in the Purchase Agreement;
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interim operations of the Company;
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exclusivity and solicitation of an alternative acquisition proposal, subject to the
Companys ability to accept an unsolicited superior acquisition proposal;
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preparation of this Information Statement;
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consummation of the Asset Sale;
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notification of certain events;
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access to information;
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state takeover laws; and
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compliance with COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended)
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15
Conditions to Closing
Under Section 6.3(b) of the Purchase Agreement, the obligation of Skanon to complete the
closing is subject to the following conditions:
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execution and delivery by the Company of all related documents required to be executed
by the Company at or prior to the closing;
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there will be no breaches of the representations, warranties and covenants of the
Company contained in the Purchase Agreement except for breaches that, when considered
collectively, would not result in a material adverse effect on the Companys business; and
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all consents and approvals have been obtained to assign certain of the Companys
agreements and permits that Skanon has agreed to assume and are in full force and effect.
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Under Section 6.3(a) of the Purchase Agreement, the obligation of the Company to complete the
closing is subject to the following conditions:
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execution and delivery by Skanon of all related documents required to be executed by
Skanon at or prior to the closing;
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there are no material breaches by Skanon of its representations and warranties, or the
covenants and obligations that Skanon is required to perform prior to the closing of the
Asset Sale; and
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payment of the purchase price.
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Survival and Indemnification
The representations and warranties contained in the Purchase Agreement and the certificates
and other documents delivered pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will terminate at the closing of
the Asset Sale. The covenants and agreements contained in the Purchase Agreement and the
certificates and other documents delivered pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will survive the
closing to the extent applicable. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
contained in the Purchase Agreement are exclusive. The Company and Skanon have waived, after the
closing, all of their rights, actions or causes of action they have against each other relating to
the Asset Sale, other than claims of fraud and rights and actions arising out of any breach of any
covenant or agreement that survives the closing.
Prior to the closing, Skanon may acquire an insurance policy to insure Skanon against losses
arising out of or in connection with the breach of certain of the Companys representations and
warranties under the Purchase Agreement following the closing of the Asset Sale. The Company will
be responsible for paying 50% of the costs of the insurance policy, subject to a maximum obligation
of the Company of $50,000.
Termination
Section 8 of the Purchase Agreement sets forth the rights of each party to terminate the
Purchase Agreement prior to the closing of the Asset Sale and provides that the Purchase Agreement
may be terminated at any time prior to closing as follows:
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by the mutual written consent of the Company and Skanon;
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by the Company if there has been a material breach by Skanon of any representation,
warranty, covenant or other obligation of Skanon under the Purchase Agreement (and such
breach is not cured by Skanon on the earlier of closing or within 10 business days of
notice thereof from the Company);
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by Skanon if there has been a breach by the Company of any representation, warranty,
covenant or obligation under the Purchase Agreement other than under Section 5.1 of the
Purchase Agreement (regarding interim operations of the Company) of the Purchase Agreement
(and such breach is not cured by the Company on the earlier of closing or within 10
business days of notice thereof from Skanon) or change between the disclosures delivered by
the Company to Skanon in connection with the Purchase Agreement and any supplements to such
disclosures to be delivered at the closing, and such breach or change, collectively with
all other breaches or changes by the Company of its representations, warranties, covenants
or obligations in the Purchase Agreement, would have a material adverse effect on the
Companys business;
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by Skanon if there has been a non-trivial breach (as defined in the Purchase Agreement)
by the Company of the provisions of Section 5.1 of the Purchase Agreement (regarding
interim operations of the Company), and such non-trivial breach is not cured by the Company
on the earlier of closing or within 10 business days of notice thereof from Skanon;
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by Skanon if there has been a material breach by the Company of Section 5.3 of the
Purchase Agreement (regarding exclusivity and solicitation of an alternative acquisition
proposal), or there has been any other breach by Seller of Section 5.3 of the Purchase
Agreement that materially and adversely impedes or otherwise materially prejudices Skanons
ability to exercise its right to match a superior acquisition proposal received by the
Company;
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by Skanon if the Majority Shareholder fails to vote or give written consent in favor of
adoption of the Purchase Agreement and approval of the Asset Sale and the Asset Sale is not
approved by an affirmative vote of the stockholders of the Company;
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by either party if a governmental authority has issued an order, decree or ruling or
taken any other action, in each case permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise
prohibiting the Asset Sale;
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by either party if the closing of the Asset Sale has not occurred by April 30, 2010
(subject to specified automatic extensions); or
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by either party if Skanon fails or declines to match a superior acquisition proposal.
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If the Purchase Agreement is terminated because there is a breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or obligation of the Company under the Purchase Agreement as described above,
the Majority Stockholder fails to vote or give written consent in favor of adoption of the Purchase
Agreement and approval of the Asset Sale and the Purchase Agreement is not adopted and the Asset
Sale is not approved by an affirmative vote of the stockholders of the Company, or Skanon fails or
declines to match a superior acquisition proposal, the Company will be required to pay a
termination fee of $500,000 to Skanon.
Name Change
The Purchase Agreement provides that at the closing of the Asset Sale, the Company will
prepare and deliver to Skanon executed documentation ready for filing with the Nevada Secretary of
State to change the Companys name to a name not including the words Ready Mix.
17
Voting Agreement
In connection with and as a condition to the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the Majority
Stockholder entered into a voting agreement, dated as of January 29, 2010 (the
Voting
Agreement
) with Skanon. Pursuant to the terms of the Voting Agreement, the Majority
Stockholder agreed to vote or give written consent with respect to any Majority Shares:
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in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated
thereby;
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against approval of any proposal made in opposition to the Purchase Agreement and
consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby;
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against any competing transaction (as defined in the Voting Agreement) from any party
other than Skanon or an affiliate of Skanon as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement;
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against any proposal that is intended to, or is reasonably likely to, result in the
conditions of the Companys obligations under the Purchase Agreement not being fulfilled;
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against any other action that is intended, or could reasonably be expected, to impede,
interfere with, delay, postpone, discourage or materially adversely affect the Purchase
Agreement or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement; and
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against any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company (other than as may be
contemplated by the Purchase Agreement).
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Furthermore, as part of the Voting Agreement, the Majority Stockholder delivered to Skanon a
duly executed proxy (the Proxy) appointing the members of the board of directors of Skanon as the
Majority Stockholders sole and exclusive powers of attorney and proxies with respect to the
matters referenced above.
The Voting Agreement and Proxy are effective until the earlier to occur of (a) the closing of
the transaction contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, (b) the date on which the Purchase
Agreement is amended, supplemented, varied, altered or modified other than as a result of Skanon
exercising its right to match superior proposals, and other than to extend the time for closing by
no more than 90 days after April 30, 2010 as mutually agreed by Skanon and the Company, (c) the
date on which the Purchase Agreement is terminated or (d) the date on which the Majority
Stockholder materially breaches or terminates the Voting Agreement, which the Majority Stockholder
is entitled to do with or without cause or reason at any time and without penalty.
The descriptions of the Voting Agreement and the Proxy contained in this Information Statement
are qualified in their entirety by the Voting Agreement set forth as Exhibit 99.2 that is included
in the Majority Stockholders Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on February 1, 2010 and the Proxy
set forth as Exhibit 99.3 that is included in the Majority Stockholders Schedule 13D/A filed with
the SEC on February 1, 2010, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Opinion of the Companys Financial Advisor
On June 15, 2009 the Board engaged Lincoln International to act as the Companys financial
advisor in connection with a potential merger or sale of all or part of our business The Board
based its decision to engage Lincoln International on certain information provided by Lincoln
International to the Board, including proposed methods for handling a potential merger or sale of
the Company and the fees that Lincoln International would charge for their services, and on Lincoln
Internationals expertise in advising middle-market companies operating in the construction
materials industry. Lincoln International, as part of its investment banking activities, regularly
provides merger and acquisition advisory services and engages in the valuation of businesses and
their securities and assets in connection with mergers and other strategic combinations,
acquisitions and dispositions.
On January 29, 2010, at a telephonic meeting of the Board, Lincoln International reviewed the
analyses discussed below. On such date, Lincoln International delivered its written opinion to the
Board that, as of January 29, 2010, and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set
forth therein, the consideration to be
18
received by the Company in the Asset Sale pursuant to the Purchase Agreement was fair from a
financial point of view to the Company.
The full text of the written opinion of Lincoln International, dated January 29, 2010, which
sets forth assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and limitations on the review
undertaken in connection with the opinion, is attached as
Exhibit A
to this Information
Statement and is incorporated by reference. We urge you to read the opinion carefully in its
entirety. The following summary of the analyses performed by Lincoln International in connection
with its opinion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the opinion.
In connection with rendering the opinion described above and performing its related financial
analyses, Lincoln International, among other things:
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reviewed a substantially complete draft of the Purchase Agreement as of January 27,
2010;
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reviewed the Companys Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended
December 31, 2008, and unaudited interim financial statements included in the Companys
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30,
2009;
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reviewed the unaudited interim financial statements for the month ended November 30,
2009, which the Companys management had identified as being the most current financial
statements and other financial information available;
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discussed with the Companys management the business, financial outlook and prospects
for the Company;
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reviewed certain other business, financial and other information relating to the Company
provided to or discussed with Lincoln International by the Companys management;
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reviewed a liquidation analysis performed by the Companys management, and compared the
results of that analysis with the financial terms of the Asset Sale;
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reviewed certain stock trading, financial and other information for the Company and
compared that data and information with certain stock trading, financial and corresponding
data and information for companies with publicly traded securities that Lincoln
International deemed relevant;
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reviewed estimates and assumptions made by the Companys management with respect to the
assets not included in the Asset Sale (including as to the values of those assets); and
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considered such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and
financial, economic and market criteria that Lincoln International deemed relevant.
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Lincoln International provided its advisory services and opinion solely for the information
and assistance of the Board in connection with its consideration of the Asset Sale. Lincoln
Internationals opinion (a) does not address the merits of the underlying business decision to
enter into the Asset Sale or the merits of any alternative transaction, (b) was not intended as,
and was and is not, a recommendation as to how the Board should act with respect to any matters
relating to the Asset Sale, (c) was not intended as, and was and is not, a recommendation as to how
any holder of the Companys stock should vote or act in connection with the proposed Asset Sale,
and (d) does not indicate that the consideration received is the best possible consideration
attainable under any circumstances. Further, Lincoln Internationals opinion was necessarily based
on economic, monetary, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made
available to Lincoln International as of, the date of its opinion. Lincoln International assumed
no responsibility for updating or revising its opinion based on circumstances or events occurring
after the date of the opinion.
19
In preparing its opinion, Lincoln International relied upon and assumed the accuracy and
completeness of all of the financial, accounting, legal, tax and other information Lincoln
International reviewed, and Lincoln International did not assume any responsibility for the
independent verification of any of that information. With respect to the financial forecasts
provided to or discussed with Lincoln International by the Companys management and the unaudited
financial statements and other financial information prepared and provided to Lincoln International
by the Companys management, Lincoln International assumed that they were reasonably prepared in
good faith on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
Companys management. Lincoln International assumed no responsibility for the assumptions,
estimates and judgments on which such forecasts and interim financial statements and other
financial information were based.
With regard to the information provided to Lincoln International, and representations made to
Lincoln International, by or on behalf of the Company, Lincoln International assumed that such
information and representations were accurate and complete, based in part upon the assurances of
the members of the Companys management that they were unaware of any facts or circumstances that
would make such information or representations materially inaccurate, incomplete or misleading.
Lincoln International also assumed that there has been no material change in the assets,
liabilities, business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects of
the Company since the date of the most recent financial statements made available to Lincoln
International. With the Companys consent, Lincoln International also assumed that, in the course
of obtaining any necessary regulatory and third party consents, approvals and agreements for the
Asset Sale, no modification, delay, limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that
would have an adverse effect on the Company or the Asset Sale and that the Asset Sale will be
consummated in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement, without waiver, modification or
amendment of any term, condition or agreement therein that is material to Lincoln Internationals
analysis. The Companys management advised Lincoln International, and Lincoln International
further assumed that the final terms of the Purchase Agreement would not vary materially from those
set forth in the January 27, 2010 draft reviewed by Lincoln International.
Lincoln International assumed, based on discussions with the Companys management, that the
business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition of the Company (including its
ability to operate as a going concern on a stand-alone basis) were deteriorating significantly, as
they were being negatively impacted by the poor economic conditions prevailing in the Companys
core markets of Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada (the
Core Markets
).
In particular, Lincoln International assumed the following facts relating to the Companys
liquidity as of January 29, 2010:
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the liquidity position of the Company is severely strained due in large part to
continuing low levels of construction activity in the Core Markets, and that the Company
might have insufficient unrestricted cash on hand to meet its needs in the near term;
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the Company had a limited amount of unencumbered assets available as collateral for any
financings that the Company might seek to obtain on an immediate basis;
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as a result of general market conditions and matters specific to the Company, the
Company was then not able to raise capital, through the capital markets or otherwise, in
amounts sufficient for its needs, and this inability to raise capital would continue for
the foreseeable future;
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the Company projected substantial losses for fiscal year 2010, which would put
significant strain on the Companys ability to maintain its capital position in the near
term in light of difficulties the Company faced in obtaining financing and accessing the
capital markets;
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because the Company was then in default under its loan and security agreement with Wells
Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. (
WFE
), WFE was entitled to accelerate the payment
requirements thereunder, and the Company would not have sufficient liquidity to satisfy
such payment requirements; in such case, unless the Company could refinance the debt (which
the Company has no basis for believing it could do), WFE could seize the Companys
equipment, which would result in an immediate threat to the Companys ability to continue
as a going concern; and
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absent entering into a definitive transaction (such as the Asset Sale) that would
relieve the Company of the need for sources of substantial ongoing liquidity and funding,
the Company would soon commence the liquidation of all or certain assets of the Company, or
would soon be required to seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws.
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The following is a summary of the material financial analyses reviewed by Lincoln
International with the Board in connection with rendering its opinion. The following summary,
however, does not purport to be a complete description of the financial analyses performed by
Lincoln International, nor does the order of analyses described represent relative importance or
weight given to those analyses by Lincoln International. Except as otherwise noted, any
quantitative information set forth below, to the extent that it is based on market data, is based
on market data as it existed on or before January 27, 2010, and is not necessarily indicative of
current market conditions.
Summary of Financial Analyses
Liquidation Analysis
Lincoln International does not customarily, nor did it in the case of Ready Mix, determine
liquidation values or make any independent evaluation or appraisal of assets or liabilities.
However, liquidation was one possibility among the strategic alternatives available to the Company.
Thus Lincoln International reviewed the liquidation analysis prepared solely by the Companys
management. The Companys liquidation analysis estimated a range of prospective liquidation values
of the Company based on balance sheet information as of November 30, 2009 and, in certain cases,
recent appraisals obtained by the Company. This liquidation analysis was performed on both an
orderly liquidation basis and a forced liquidation basis, and the components listed below represent
an orderly liquidation analysis:
The following values of the Companys assets were included by the Company in its liquidation
analysis:
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the value of the Companys cash and cash equivalents, which the Company determined was
approximately $1.6 million;
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the value of the Companys accounts receivable, which was estimated by the Company to be
approximately $1.6 million to $2.5 million;
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the value of the Companys inventories, which was estimated by the Company to be
approximately $0.6 million to $0.8 million;
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the value of the Companys property and equipment (not including the Companys
headquarters building), which was estimated by the Company to be approximately $12.2
million to $17.0 million;
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the value of the Companys headquarters building (net of mortgage debt), which was
estimated by the Company to be approximately $0 to $0.4 million;
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the value of the Companys income tax receivable, which the Company determined was
approximately $1.0 million;
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the value of the Companys refundable deposits, which the Company determined was
approximately $0.1 million; and
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the value of the Companys receivable from the Majority Stockholder, which the Company
determined was approximately $20,000.
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The following values of the Companys liabilities were deducted by the Company from the aggregate
value of the included assets for purposes of the liquidation analysis:
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the value of the Companys accounts payable, which was determined by the Company to be
approximately $1.4 million;
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the value of the Companys accrued liabilities, which was determined by the Company to
be approximately $0.8 million; and
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the value of the Companys notes payable (not including the mortgage debt on the
headquarters building), which was determined by the Company to be approximately $5.2
million.
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The total professional costs incurred in connection with the liquidation of the Company were
estimated by the Company to be $1 million in excess of estimated fees to complete the Asset Sale.
In addition, severance costs for certain members of the Companys management were estimated by the
Company to be in a range of $0.4 million to $0.6 million.
After performing the calculations listed above, the total cash that might be generated in an
orderly liquidation of Ready Mix was estimated by the Company to be approximately $8.2 million to
$14.3 million.
After reviewing the Companys orderly liquidation analysis, Lincoln International applied a
30% discount to the orderly liquidation value in order to estimate a forced liquidation value for
the Company. Such discount represented Lincoln Internationals estimate to account for the
reduction in realizable value as a result of trying to dispose of the assets in a short period of
time. This estimated forced liquidation value was in a range of $5.8 million to $10 million.
The orderly liquidation and the forced liquidation value ranges were compared by Lincoln
International to the equity value range implied by the Asset Sale, with such equity value range
being from $9.7 million to $11.0 million. Such equity value range was calculated by adding to the
amount of Skanons cash payment a range of values for the Companys retained headquarters building
and a range of potential retained cash as described in the Purchase Agreement and by subtracting
the value of the retained mortgage on the Companys headquarters building.
Selected Publicly Traded Companies Analysis
Lincoln International reviewed certain publicly available financial information and stock
market information for certain publicly traded companies in the building materials industry that
Lincoln International deemed relevant. The group of publicly traded companies reviewed is listed
below.
Selected Public Companies:
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Continental Materials
Corporation
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US Concrete Inc.
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Other Public Building Material Providers:
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Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V.
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CRH plc
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Eagle Materials Inc.
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HeidelbergCement AG
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Holcim Ltd.
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Lafarge SA
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Martin Marietta Materials
Inc.
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MDU Resources Group Inc.
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Monarch Cement Company
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Texas Industries Inc.
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Vulcan Materials Company
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Lincoln International chose these companies based on a review of publicly traded companies
that possessed general business, operating and financial characteristics representative of
companies in the building materials industry. Lincoln International noted that none of the
companies reviewed is identical to Ready Mix or the industry in which the Company operates and
that, accordingly, the analysis of such companies necessarily involves complex considerations and
judgments concerning differences in the business, operating and financial characteristics of each
company and other factors that affect the public market values of such companies.
While Lincoln International considered all of the publicly traded companies in its overall
analysis, it focused its review of public company valuation multiples on the valuation multiples of
the selected public companies listed above, Continental Materials Corporation and U.S. Concrete
Inc. Those two companies were selected because they are more comparable to the Company in terms of
size and business operations than the other identified public building materials providers. Such
valuation multiples were considered particularly relevant by Lincoln International due to certain
similarities between the Company and the selected public companies.
For each company, Lincoln International calculated the equity value (defined as the closing
market price per share multiplied by the companys common stock outstanding). In addition, Lincoln
International calculated the enterprise value (defined as the equity value plus the book value
(or, in one case, the market value) of
the companys total debt, preferred stock and minority interests, less cash, cash equivalents and
marketable securities).
Lincoln International also analyzed operating
statistics including (a) last twelve months (
LTM
) revenue, (b) LTM earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA), (c) LTM EBITDA margin (LTM EBITDA divided by LTM revenue), (d) book value
and (e) tangible book value (book value excluding intangible assets).
Lincoln International then calculated the multiples of each companys enterprise value to its LTM revenue.
Although Lincoln International also calculated (a) equity value to book value and (b) equity value to tangible book value multiples, Lincoln International did not place significant
weight on such multiples because of Lincoln Internationals reliance instead on the previously discussed liquidation analysis.
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Ready Mix Information
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LTM Revenue (through November 30, 2009)
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$28.6 million
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23
Lincoln
International then compared the enterprise value to LTM revenue multiple implied in the transaction with the
corresponding trading multiples for the selected companies. Stock market and historical financial
information for the selected companies was based on publicly available information as of January
27, 2010, and projected financial information was based on publicly available research reports as
of such date.
The results of the selected public companies analysis is summarized as follows:
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Selected
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Companies Range
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The Asset Sale
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Enterprise value / LTM Revenue
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0.25x 0.35x
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0.44x 0.49x
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As
a result of the enterprise value to LTM revenue multiple, the
selected publicly traded companies
analysis indicated an estimated equity value for the Company of $2.2 million to $5.1 million. The
estimated equity value range for the Company resulting from the
selected publicly traded companies
analysis was compared by Lincoln International to the equity value range implied by the Asset Sale,
with such equity value range being from $9.7 million to $11.0 million.
Selected Transactions Analysis
Lincoln International reviewed certain publicly available financial information concerning
completed or pending acquisition transactions that Lincoln International deemed relevant. Lincoln
International gave initial consideration to over 500 transactions as part of its analysis; however,
the recent upheaval in the financial markets and the negative trends in the building materials
industry had limited acquisition activity for companies similar to the Company. Accordingly,
Lincoln International reviewed only nine acquisition transactions deemed most relevant to the
Company in the selected transactions analysis.
Lincoln International reviewed the consideration paid in such transactions in terms of the
enterprise value of such transactions as a multiple of revenues for the LTM period prior to the
announcement of such transactions. Such analysis of selected acquisitions resulted in a median
multiple of 0.49x for enterprise value to LTM revenues. In contrast, the implied purchase
multiples for the Company were from 0.44x to 0.49x for enterprise value to LTM revenues.
Lincoln International chose these acquisition transactions based on a review of completed and
pending transactions involving target companies that possessed general business, operating and
financial characteristics representative of companies in the building materials industry that
Lincoln International deemed relevant. Lincoln International noted that none of the acquisition
transactions or subject target companies reviewed was identical to the Company and that,
accordingly, the analysis of such acquisition transactions necessarily involved complex
considerations and judgments concerning differences in the business, operating and financial
characteristics of each subject target company and each acquisition transaction and other factors
that affected the values implied in such acquisition transactions.
24
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis and Leveraged Buyout Analysis
While discounted cash flow and leveraged buyout analyses are both commonly used valuation
methodologies, Lincoln International did not employ such analyses for the purposes of its opinion.
These analyses are most appropriate for companies that exhibit relatively steady or somewhat
predictable streams of future cash flows. Given that the Companys current operating results are
not cash flow positive and the Companys management was uncertain in estimating both the future
cash flows and a sustainable long-term growth rate for the Company, Lincoln International
considered both a discounted cash flow analysis and a leveraged buyout analysis inappropriate for
the Company.
As noted above, the foregoing summary does not purport to be a complete description of the
analyses performed by Lincoln International or its presentations to the Board and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the written opinion of Lincoln International attached as
Exhibit
A
to this Information Statement. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and
is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting portions of
the analyses or of the summary set forth above, without considering the analyses as a whole, could
create an incomplete view of the processes underlying Lincoln Internationals opinion. In arriving
at its fairness determination, Lincoln International considered the results of all of its analyses
and did not attribute any particular weight to any factor or analysis considered by it. Rather,
Lincoln International made its determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and
professional judgment after considering the results of all of its analyses.
Miscellaneous
Lincoln International prepared the analyses described above for the purpose of providing its
opinion to the Board as to the fairness from a financial point of view to the Company of the
consideration to be received by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. These analyses do
not purport to be appraisals nor do they necessarily reflect the prices at which businesses or
securities actually may be sold.
As described above, Lincoln Internationals opinion to the Board was one of many factors taken
into consideration by the Board in making its determination to approve the Purchase Agreement.
Lincoln International and its affiliates provide a range of investment banking and financial
services and, in that regard, Lincoln International and its affiliates may in the future provide
investment banking and other financial services to the Company, the Majority Stockholder and their
respective affiliates for which Lincoln International and its affiliates would expect to receive
compensation.
Lincoln International has acted as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
Asset Sale and will receive approximately $600,000 from the Company for its services, $50,000 of
which has been paid, $200,000 of which became payable upon Lincoln Internationals rendering its
opinion, and $350,000 of which is contingent upon the consummation of the Asset Sale. In addition,
the Company has agreed to indemnify Lincoln International and certain related parties against
certain liabilities, and to reimburse Lincoln International for certain expenses arising in
connection with or as a result of its engagement.
Accounting Treatment of the Asset Sale
The Asset Sale will be accounted for as a sale of assets transaction. At the closing of the
Asset Sale, any excess in the purchase price received by the Company, less transaction expenses,
over the net book value of the net assets sold will be recognized as a gain.
REASONS WE USED STOCKHOLDER CONSENT AS OPPOSED TO SOLICITATION OF
STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL VIA PROXY STATEMENT AND SPECIAL MEETING
The sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company cannot proceed under the NRS until
stockholder approval is obtained and effective. Stockholder approval could have been obtained by
us in one of two ways: (1) by
25
the dissemination of a proxy statement and subsequent majority vote in favor of the actions at
a stockholders meeting called for such purpose, or (2) by a written consent of the holders of a
majority of our voting securities. In connection with the execution of the Purchase Agreement, on
January 29, 2010, the Majority Stockholder, in its capacity as the holder of a majority of the
outstanding shares of our common stock, entered into the Voting Agreement with Skanon. Pursuant to
the terms of the Voting Agreement, the Majority Stockholder agreed to vote or give written consent
with respect to any Majority Shares in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement and approval of
the Asset Sale. The Majority Stockholder may materially breach or terminate the Voting Agreement
with or without cause at any time and without penalty, and consequently could determine not to vote
or give written consent in favor of adoption of the Purchase Agreement and approval of the Asset
Sale. We anticipate that the Majority Stockholder will, by written consent, adopt the Purchase
Agreement and approve the Asset Sale on or before April 30, 2010 in accordance with the terms of
the Voting Agreement. However in accordance with Rule 14c-2(b) of the Exchange Act, the closing of
the Asset Sale is not permitted to take place until 20 calendar days after this Information
Statement has been sent to all of our stockholders giving them notice of and informing them of the
actions that we anticipate will be adopted and approved by the Majority Stockholders written
consent.
Given that we anticipate that the Majority Stockholder will adopt and approve, by written
consent, the Purchase Agreement and the Asset Sale, we determined that it would be a more efficient
use of limited corporate resources to forego the dissemination of a proxy statement and subsequent
majority vote in favor of the actions at a stockholders meeting called for such a purpose, and
rather proceed through the written consent of the Majority Stockholder, the holder of a majority of
our voting securities. Spending the additional corporate time, money and other resources required
by the proxy and meeting approach would have been potentially wasteful and, consequently,
detrimental to completing the consummation of the Asset Sale in a manner that is timely and
efficient for us and our stockholders.
DISSENTERS RIGHT OF APPRAISAL
Under the NRS, the Companys stockholders are not entitled to dissenters rights with respect
to the proposed Asset Sale, and the Company will not independently provide the Companys
stockholders with dissenters rights.
INCORPORATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and our Quarterly Reports
on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2009 as filed with the SEC
are incorporated in their entirety by reference into this Information Statement. We will provide,
without charge, to each stockholder as of the Record Date, upon the written or oral request of the
stockholder and by first class mail or other equally prompt means within one business day of our
receipt of such request, additional copies of the Annual Report and the Quarterly Reports that we
have incorporated by reference into this Information Statement, as well as all amendments thereto,
including financial statements and schedules as filed with the SEC. Stockholder should direct the
written requests to Ready Mix, Inc., 4602 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018, Attention:
Robert A. DeRuiter.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY IN THE ASSET SALE
On April 6, 2009, the board of directors appointed David D. Doty as the Companys Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer. In connection with Mr.
Dotys appointment, the Company and Mr. Doty entered into an Award Agreement dated as of April 7,
2009 (the
Doty Award Agreement
) pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Mr. Doty a
lump sum cash transaction bonus equal to a formula based upon Mr. Dotys current annual salary and
the amount of proceeds received by the Companys stockholders upon the closing of certain
transactions described in the Doty Award Agreement. Based on the formula set forth in the Doty
Award Agreement, the Asset Sale will not trigger payment of the transaction bonus to Mr. Doty.
26
On April 7, 2009, the Company and Nicole Smith, the Companys Controller, entered into an
Award Agreement dated as of April 7, 2009 (the
Smith Award Agreement
) pursuant to which
the Company agreed to pay Ms. Smith a lump sum cash transaction bonus equal to a formula based upon
Ms. Smiths current annual salary and the amount of proceeds received by the Companys stockholders
upon the closing of certain transactions described in the Smith Award Agreement. Based on the
formula set forth in the Smith Award Agreement, the Asset Sale will not trigger payment of the
transaction bonus to Ms. Smith.
On April 7, 2009 the Company and Robert A. DeRuiter, the Companys President, entered into a
Severance and Award Agreement (the
DeRuiter Award Agreement
) pursuant to which the
Company agreed to pay Mr. DeRuiter (1) a lump sum cash severance payment equal to Mr. DeRuiters
current annual salary if Mr. DeRuiters employment with the Company is terminated without cause in
connection with a sale of the Company, including a sale of substantially all of the Companys
assets, and (2) a lump sum cash transaction bonus equal to a formula based upon Mr. DeRuiters
current annual salary and the amount of proceeds received by the Companys stockholders upon the
closing of certain transactions described in the DeRuiter Award Agreement. The consummation of the
Asset Sale may trigger payment of the severance payment to Mr. DeRuiter. However, based on the
formula set forth in the DeRuiter Award Agreement, the Asset Sale will not trigger payment of the
transaction bonus to Mr. DeRuiter.
On April 7, 2009 the Company and Michael Ramsey, the Companys General Manager for its Nevada
operations, entered into a Severance and Award Agreement (the
Ramsey Award Agreement
)
pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay Mr. Ramsey (1) a lump sum cash severance payment equal
to Mr. Ramseys current annual salary if Mr. Ramseys employment with the Company is terminated
without cause in connection with a sale of the Company, including a sale of substantially all of
the Companys assets, and (2) a lump sum cash transaction bonus equal to a formula based upon Mr.
Ramseys current annual salary and the amount of proceeds received by the Companys stockholders
upon the closing of certain transactions described in the Ramsey Award Agreement. The consummation
of the Asset Sale may trigger payment of the severance payment to Mr. Ramsey. However, based on
the formula set forth in the Ramsey Award Agreement, the Asset Sale will not trigger payment of the
transaction bonus to Mr. Ramsey.
Bradley E. Larson, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and David D. Doty, the Companys
Chief Financial Officer, are officers of the Majority Stockholder.
REGULATORY MATTERS
No United States federal or state regulatory requirements must be complied with or approvals
obtained as a condition of the proposed Asset Sale other than the federal securities laws.
CERTAIN
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ASSET SALE
We intend the following discussion to provide only a general summary of certain U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the Asset Sale to the Company and its stockholders. Stockholders should
consult their own tax advisors as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences, as well as the
effects of state, local and non-U.S. tax laws. This summary does not address the treatment of
stockholders under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.
This discussion describes certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Asset Sale.
This discussion is based on currently existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, existing and proposed Treasury regulations thereunder and current administrative rulings
and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Any such change, which may or may not be
retroactive, could alter the tax consequences as described herein. This discussion is limited to
U.S. corporations, U.S. trusts and estates, and U.S. residents and citizens that hold their shares
as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment).
This
27
discussion does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular
person or the tax consequences that may be relevant to persons subject to special treatment under
U.S. federal income tax laws (including, among others, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in
securities or foreign currencies, banks, insurance companies, financial institutions or persons
that hold their Company stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion
transaction, persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, persons that are, or hold
their Company stock through, partnerships or other pass-through entities, or persons who acquired
their Company stock through the exercise of an employee stock option or otherwise as compensation).
In addition, this discussion does not address any aspects of state, local, non-U.S. taxation or
U.S. federal taxation other than income taxation.
The following discussion presents the opinion of the Company. No ruling has been requested
from the Internal Revenue Service (the
IRS
) with respect to the anticipated tax treatment
of the Asset Sale, and no assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court
would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences set forth below.
Furthermore, the Company will not seek an opinion of counsel with respect to the anticipated tax
treatment of the Asset Sale. If any of the conclusions stated herein proves to be incorrect, the
result could be increased taxation at the corporate and/or stockholder level.
Consequences to the Company
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company will recognize gain or loss on the
disposition of each of its assets pursuant to the Asset Sale in an amount equal to the difference
between the portion of the total purchase price allocable to such asset and the Companys adjusted
tax basis in such asset. Any gain recognized by the Company from the Asset Sale may be offset by
other tax attributes of the Company such as net operating losses or tax credits to the extent they
are available and allowed by the U.S. federal tax laws. The Company has not evaluated the adjusted
tax basis of its assets for purposes of the Asset Sale and therefore is not able to fully analyze
the tax treatment of the transaction to determine if any gain will be realized in the transaction.
Due to inadequate current information with respect to the Companys tax basis in its assets as well
as the potential adjustments to the Purchase Price, the Company is unable to provide additional
disclosure in this report with respect to the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of the Asset
Sale.
Consequences to Stockholders
The Asset Sale will not produce any separate and independent tax consequences to our
stockholders. However, upon distributions of any amounts (whether in cash or in kind) to the
Companys stockholders, the stockholders will recognize income and potentially be subject to the
payment of income tax at that time.
THE FOREGOING SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL
INFORMATION ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE TO ANY STOCKHOLDER OF THE COMPANY.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The table below sets forth, as of January 29, 2010, information concerning the holdings of our
common stock by (i) each person who is known by the Company, based solely on review of filings with
the SEC pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange Act, to beneficially own more than 5% of
the Companys common stock and (ii) by each director, named executive officer, and by all directors
and executive officers as a group.
28
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Name
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and
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Address
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of
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Percent
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Beneficial
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of Class
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Owner
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Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership (1)
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(1)
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Meadow Valley Parent Corp. (3)
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2,645,212
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69.4
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%
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Bradley E. Larson (2)
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20,083
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1.0
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David D. Doty (7)
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16,750
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*
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Robert A. De Ruiter (4)
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54,568
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1.4
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%
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Kenneth D. Nelson (2)
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21,083
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1.0
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%
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Charles E. Cowan (5)
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30,083
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1.0
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%
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Charles R. Norton (5)
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30,083
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1.0
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%
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Dan H. Stewart (5)
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30,083
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1.0
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%
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Gary A. Agron (6)
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26,750
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1.0
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%
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All executive officers and directors as a group (eight persons)
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229,483
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6.0
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%
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*
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Less than 1%.
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(1)
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Beneficial ownership includes direct and indirect ownership
of shares of our common stock, including rights to acquire
beneficial ownership of shares upon the exercise of stock
options exercisable as of January 29, 2010 and that would
become exercisable within 60 days of such date. To our
knowledge and unless otherwise indicated, each stockholder
listed above has sole voting and investment power over the
shares listed as beneficially owned by such stockholder,
subject to community property laws where applicable.
Percentage of ownership is based on 3,809,500 shares of our
common stock outstanding as of January 29, 2010 and
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29
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options
exercisable within 60 days thereafter. Unless otherwise
indicated, all stockholders listed below have an address in
care of our principal executive offices which is located at
4602 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018.
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(2)
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Includes 20,083 shares of our common stock issuable upon
exercise of outstanding options that are vested within
60 days of January 29, 2010.
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(3)
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The address for this stockholder is Insight Equity Holdings
LLC, c/o Insight Equity Management Company LLC, 1400 Civic
Place, Suite 250, Southlake, TX 76092. According to the
Schedule 13D filed on March 13, 2009, the following
individuals and entities may be deemed beneficial owners of
all or a portion of these securities: Meadow Valley Parent
Corp, Meadow Valley Solutions LLC, Meadow Valley Resources
LLC, Meadow Valley Holdings LLC, Insight Equity I LP,
Insight Equity GP I LP, Insight Equity Holdings I LLC,
Insight Equity Holdings LLC, Bradley E. Larson, Kenneth D.
Nelson and Robert W. Bottcher.
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(4)
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Includes 53,958 shares of our common stock issuable upon
exercise of outstanding options that are vested within
60 days of January 29, 2010.
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(5)
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Includes 30,083 shares of our common stock issuable upon
exercise of outstanding options that are vested within
60 days of January 29, 2010.
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(6)
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Includes 26,750 shares of our common stock issuable upon
exercise of outstanding options that are vested within
60 days of January 29, 2010.
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(7)
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Includes 16,750 shares of our common stock issuable upon
exercise of outstanding options that are vested within
60 days of January 29, 2010
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On February 2, 2009, Meadow Valley Corporation, the then holder of 69.4% of the issued and
outstanding shares of our common stock (the
Ready Mix Shares
), consummated the merger
transaction (the
Merger
) contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
July 28, 2008 (the
Merger Agreement
), among Meadow Valley Corporation, the Majority
Stockholder and Phoenix Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Majority Stockholder
(
Merger Sub
). As a result of the Merger, Merger Sub merged with and into Meadow Valley
Corporation, with Meadow Valley Corporation continuing as the surviving entity and wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Majority Stockholder. Immediately following the Merger, on February 2, 2009,
Meadow Valley Corporation affected a dividend of the Ready Mix Shares to the Majority Stockholder.
The aggregate purchase price paid for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
(other than certain shares held by members of management) was approximately $56.5 million. These
events resulted in a change in control of the Company.
Based on a Schedule 13D filed by the Majority Stockholder, among others, on February 5, 2009,
the Majority Stockholder pledged the Ready Mix Shares to LBC Credit Partners II, L.P., as agent
(
Agent
), as security for a portion of the debt financing obtained in connection with the
Merger pursuant to a Pledge Agreement dated February 2, 2009 (the
Pledge Agreement
). The
pledge of the Ready Mix Shares includes all rights associated with the ownership of the Ready Mix
Shares, including the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the
proceeds from the sale of, the Ready Mix Shares. In the event the Agent exercises its rights under
the Pledge Agreement to take ownership of the Ready Mix Shares, a change in control of the Company
could occur.
DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION STATEMENT
We will pay the costs of distributing this Information Statement. This distribution will be
made by mail.
Only one Information Statement is mailed to multiple stockholders sharing the same address
unless the Company receives contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. The
Company will deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the Information
Statement to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy was delivered. If a
stockholder wishes to receive a separate copy of the Information Statement,
30
please send such
request to the Company at 4602 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85018, Telephone (602) 957-2722.
WHERE TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and file
reports, proxy statements and other information required under the Exchange Act with the SEC. Such
reports, proxy statements and other information may be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies
of such materials and information from the SEC can be obtained at existing published rates from the
Public Reference Section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. The
SEC also maintains a site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with
the SEC which may be downloaded free of charge. A copy of the Purchase Agreement is attached as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 1, 2010
.
31
Exhibit A
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Chicago
| Frankfurt | London
Los Angeles | Madrid | New York
Paris | Tokyo | Vienna
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Lincoln International LLC
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500 West Madison Street
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Suite 3900
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Chicago, IL 60661
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tel 312.580.8339
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fax 312.580.8317
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www.lincolninternational.com
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January 29, 2010
Board of Directors
Ready Mix, Inc.
4602 E. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Members of the Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors (the Board) of Ready Mix, Inc. (the Company) has requested that
Lincoln International LLC (we, us, or Lincoln) render an opinion (this Opinion) as to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, to the Company of certain consideration to be received by
the Company in the proposed transaction (the Proposed Transaction) pursuant to an Asset Purchase
Agreement to be entered into between Skanon Investments Inc. (the Buyer) and the Company (the
Asset Purchase Agreement). The Proposed Transaction involves the purchase by the Buyer of
substantially all of the operating assets of the Company for total consideration of $9,750,000 in
cash (the Consideration) and the assumption of certain liabilities of the Company (such
liabilities, together with the purchased assets, the Transferred Assets and Liabilities). The
Transferred Assets and Liabilities include the following assets: (a) owned real property and leased
real property (excluding the Companys headquarters building in Phoenix, Arizona), (b) tangible
personal property, (c) intellectual property, (d) leases and sub-leases, (e) certain assumed
contracts, (f) accounts and notes receivable (including the approximate $982,000 income tax
receivable), (g) securities, (h) claims and rights to payment, (i) permits and other rights
obtained from governmental authorities, (j) books, records, ledgers and documents, (k) cash and
cash equivalents (except for the Retained Seller Cash (as defined in the Asset Purchase
Agreement)), and (l) customer lists. The Transferred Assets and Liabilities include the following
liabilities subject to specified exceptions: (a) liabilities set forth on the Companys September
30, 2009 balance sheet, (b) liabilities arising after September 30, 2009 in the ordinary course of
business, (c) excise, sales, use, occupancy, gross receipts, ad valorem, real and personal property
taxes incurred in the ordinary course of business and arising prior to the closing of the Proposed
Transaction, (d) liabilities arising from assumed contracts from and after the closing, (e) any
obligation to provide COBRA coverage to any current or former employee of the Company after the
closing, and (f) other liabilities as set forth on Schedule 2.3 to the Asset Purchase Agreement.
We are acting as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the Proposed Transaction
and will receive a customary fee from the Company for our services, a portion of which has been
paid, a portion of which is payable upon our rendering this Opinion, and a significant portion of
which is contingent upon the consummation of the Proposed Transaction. The portion of our fee which
is payable upon our rendering this Opinion is not contingent upon either the conclusion reached
herein or the consummation of the Proposed Transaction. In addition, you have agreed to indemnify
us and certain related parties against certain liabilities, and to reimburse us for certain
expenses, arising in connection with or as a result of our engagement. We and our affiliates
provide a range of investment banking and financial services and, in that regard, we and our
affiliates may in the future provide investment banking and other financial services to the
Company, the Buyer and their respective affiliates for which we and our affiliates would expect to
receive compensation.
Lincoln International LLC is a registered broker-dealer in the United States and
regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
A-1
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Board of Directors
Ready Mix, Inc.
January 29, 2010
Page 2 of 5
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In arriving at this Opinion, we have, among other things:
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(i) discussed with management of the Company the level of
response received following the press release issued by the Company on June
17, 2009 stating that the Company would explore strategic alternatives to
enhance shareholder value;
(ii) reviewed with management of the Company the comprehensive
auction process conducted by Lincoln to a broad set of prospective strategic
and financial buyers of the Company and/or its assets, as well as other
expressions of interest received by Lincoln, which did not result in any
credible alternatives to the Proposed Transaction;
(iii) reviewed a draft of the Asset Purchase Agreement dated January 27, 2010;
(iv) reviewed the Companys Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for the year ended December 31, 2008, and
unaudited interim financial statements included in the Companys quarterly reports on Form
10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2009;
(v) reviewed the unaudited interim financial statements for the month ended November
30, 2009, which management of the Company has identified as being the most current
financial statements and other financial information available;
(vi) discussed with certain members of the Companys management the business, financial
outlook and prospects for the Company;
(vii) reviewed certain other business, financial and other information relating to the
Company provided to or discussed with us by management of the Company;
(viii) reviewed a liquidation analysis performed by management of the Company, and
compared the results of that analysis with the financial terms of the Proposed Transaction;
(ix) reviewed certain stock trading, financial and other information for the Company
and compared that data and information with certain stock trading, financial and
corresponding data and information for companies with publicly traded securities that we
deemed relevant;
(x) reviewed estimates and assumptions made by management of the Company with respect
to the assets not included in the Transferred Assets and Liabilities (including as to the
values thereof); and
(xi) considered such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations
and financial, economic and market criteria that we deemed relevant.
We have been informed by management of the Company that the business, results of operations,
prospects and financial condition of the Company (including its ability to operate as a going
concern on a stand-alone basis) are deteriorating significantly, as they are being negatively
A-2
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Board of Directors
Ready Mix, Inc.
January 29, 2010
Page 3 of 5
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impacted by the poor economic conditions currently prevailing in the Companys core markets of
Phoenix, Arizona and Las Vegas, Nevada (the Core Markets).
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In particular, management of the Company has informed us that:
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(i) the liquidity position of the Company is severely strained due in large part to continuing
low levels of construction activity in the Core Markets, and that the Company may have insufficient
unrestricted cash on hand to meet its needs in the near term;
(ii) the Company has a limited amount of unencumbered assets available as collateral for any
financings that the Company may seek to obtain on an immediate basis;
(iii) as a result of general market conditions and matters specific to the Company, the
Company presently is not able to raise capital, through the capital markets or otherwise, in
amounts sufficient for its needs, and this inability to raise capital will continue for the
foreseeable future;
(iv) the Company projects substantial losses for fiscal year 2010, which will put significant
strain on the Companys ability to maintain its capital position in the near term in light of
difficulties the Company faces in obtaining financing and accessing the capital markets;
(v) because the Company is in default under its loan and security agreement with Wells Fargo
Equipment Finance, Inc. (WFE), WFE is entitled to accelerate the payment requirements thereunder,
and the Company would not have sufficient liquidity to satisfy such payment requirements; in such
case, unless the Company could refinance the debt (which the Company has no basis for believing it
could do), WFE could seize the Companys equipment, which would result in an immediate threat to
the Companys ability to continue as a going concern; and
(vi) absent entering into a definitive transaction (such as the Proposed Transaction) that
would relieve the Company of the need for sources of substantial ongoing liquidity and funding, the
Company would soon commence the liquidation of all or certain assets of the Company, or would soon
be required to seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws.
In preparing the Opinion, we have relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all
of the financial, accounting, legal, tax and other information we reviewed, and we have not assumed
any responsibility for the independent verification of any of such information. With respect to
the financial forecasts provided to or discussed with us by management of the Company and the
unaudited financial statements and other financial information prepared and provided to us by
management of the Company, we have assumed that they were reasonably prepared in good faith on a
basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of management of the Company.
We assume no responsibility for the assumptions, estimates and judgments on which such forecasts
and interim financial statements and other financial information were based. In addition, we were
not requested to make, and did not make, an independent evaluation or
appraisal of the Companys solvency or of any of the Transferred Assets and Liabilities or any
other assets or liabilities (contingent, derivative, off-balance sheet or otherwise) of the
Company. This Opinion should not be construed as a valuation opinion, credit rating, solvency
opinion, as an analysis of the Companys credit worthiness or as tax or accounting advice.
A-3
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Board of Directors
Ready Mix, Inc.
January 29, 2010
Page 4 of 5
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With regard to the information provided to us, and representations made to us, by or on behalf
of the Company, we have assumed that such information and representations are accurate and
complete, based in part upon the assurances of the members of management of the Company that they
are unaware of any facts or circumstances that would make such information or representations
materially inaccurate, incomplete or misleading. We have also assumed that there has been no
material change in the assets, liabilities, business, condition (financial or otherwise), results
of operations or prospects of the Company since the date of the most recent financial statements
made available to us. With your consent, we have also assumed that, in the course of obtaining any
necessary regulatory and third party consents, approvals and agreements for the Proposed
Transaction, no modification, delay, limitation, restriction or condition will be imposed that will
have an adverse effect on the Company or the Proposed Transaction and that the Proposed Transaction
will be consummated in accordance with the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, without waiver,
modification or amendment of any term, condition or agreement therein that is material to our
analysis. Management of the Company has advised us, and we further have assumed, that the final
terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement will not vary materially from those set forth in the draft
reviewed by us. The Opinion is necessarily based on financial, economic, market and other
conditions as they exist on and the information made available to us as of the date hereof.
Although subsequent developments may affect the Opinion, we do not have any obligation to update,
revise or reaffirm this Opinion.
It is understood that this letter is for the exclusive use and benefit of the Board in
connection with the Proposed Transaction. However, this Opinion may be included in its entirety in
any proxy statement distributed to shareholders of the Company in connection with the Proposed
Transaction or other document required by law or regulation to be filed with the SEC in connection
therewith, and the Company may summarize or otherwise reference the existence of the Opinion in
such documents; provided that any such summary or reference language shall be subject to our prior
approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Except as described above, this Opinion may
not be used for any purpose, nor may this letter or any other advice or information provided by
Lincoln, whether oral or written, be disclosed, reproduced, disseminated, summarized, quoted from
or referred to, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent. The Opinion should not be
construed as creating any fiduciary duty on the part of Lincoln to the Company, the Board, the
shareholders of the Company or any other party. The Opinion only addresses the fairness to the
Company from a financial point of view of the Consideration to be received by the Company pursuant
to the Asset Purchase Agreement in the Proposed Transaction and does not address any other terms,
aspects or implications of the Proposed Transaction or any agreements, arrangements or
understandings entered into in connection with the Proposed Transaction or otherwise. In addition,
the Opinion does not address the relative merits of the Proposed Transaction as compared to other
transaction structures, transactions or strategies (including, without limitation, a liquidation of
the Company) that may be available to the Company or the shareholders of the Company, nor does it
address, or constitute a recommendation regarding, the decision of the Company to enter into the
Asset Purchase Agreement or to engage in the Proposed Transaction. The decision as to
whether to proceed with the Proposed Transaction or any related transaction may depend on an
assessment of factors unrelated to the financial analysis on which the Opinion is based.
Furthermore, we do not express any opinion as to the prices at which the Companys common stock may
trade subsequent to the date of this Opinion or as to any amounts that will ultimately be received
by the shareholders or any remaining creditors of the Company from the Consideration. The Opinion
does not constitute advice or a recommendation to any shareholder of the Company as to how such
shareholder should act on any matter relating to the Proposed Transaction.
A-4
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Board of Directors
Ready Mix, Inc.
January 29, 2010
Page 5 of 5
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The Opinion has been authorized for issuance by the Fairness Opinion Committee of Lincoln.
Based on and subject to the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that, as
of the date hereof, the Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company.
Very truly yours,
LINCOLN INTERNATIONAL LLC
A-5
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