As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 14, 2003
Registration No. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 3670 38-1686453
(State or other (Primary Standard (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Industrial Code Identification Number)
incorporation or Classification Number)
organization)
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Avi D. Eden
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
63 Lincoln Highway
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355-2120
(610) 644-1300
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of Registrant's principal executive offices)
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Copy to:
Abbe L. Dienstag, Esq.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
(212) 715-9100
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code, of agent for service)
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Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: From time to
time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
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If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.
|-|
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. |X|
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. |_|
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. |_|
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. |_|
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Title of each class Maximum
of Offering Aggregate Amount of
securities to be Amount to Price Offering Registration
registered be Registered Per Unit Price Fee
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Common Stock, par
value $0.10 per
share(1)(2)....... 6,176,467 $17.00 $104,999,939.00 $9,659.99
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Class A Warrants
to purchase
Common Stock, at
an exercise price
of $20.00 per share 7,000,000 -- (3) -- (3) -- (3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class B Warrants
to purchase
Common Stock, at
an exercise price
of $30.30 per share 1,823,529 -- (3) -- (3) -- (3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, par
value $0.10 per
share (2)(4) 8,823,529 $12.38 $109,235,289.02 $10,049.65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Issuable upon exchange of Vishay's $105,000,000 Floating Rate Unsecured
Loan Notes Due 2102 (or any replacement notes issued in connection with any
spin-off transaction), at an initial exchange price of $17.00 per share.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, there are
also being registered an indeterminate number of additional shares of
common stock that may be issued pursuant to the anti-dilution and
transactional adjustment provisions of the notes and warrants.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 457(g) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, no
separate registration fee is required with respect to the Class A Warrants
or the Class B Warrants as they are being registered in the same
registration statement as the common stock to be offered pursuant thereto.
(4) Issuable upon exercise of the class A warrants and the class B warrants.
(5) Pursuant to Rule 457(c), and solely for the purpose of calculating the
registration fee, the proposed maximum offering price per share is
calculated based upon the average of the high and low prices per share of
the Registrant's common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
January 10, 2003.
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The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates
as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file
a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
Preliminary Prospectus, Subject to Completion, dated January 14, 2003
(Vishay logo)
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
Class A Warrants to purchase 7,000,000 shares of Common Stock
Class B Warrants to purchase 1,823,529 shares of Common Stock
6,176,467 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exchange of $105,000,000
Floating Rate Unsecured Loan Notes Due 2102
8,823,529 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Class A
Warrants and the Class B Warrants
This prospectus will be used by the selling securityholders to resell all
or a portion of the following of our securities:
o Class A Warrants to purchase up to 7,000,000 shares of our common
stock at an exercise price of $20.00 per share;
o Class B Warrants to purchase up to 1,823,529 shares of our common
stock at an exercise price of $30.30 per share;
o Up to 6,176,467 shares of our common stock issuable upon exchange of
our floating rate unsecured loan notes due 2102 in the principal
amount of $105,000,000 (or any replacement notes issued in connection
with any spin-off transaction); and
o Up to 8,823,529 shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants, but
only by the initial holders of the warrants and their affiliates or in
an underwritten public offering.
We issued the warrants and the notes in connection with our acquisition of
BCcomponents Holdings, B.V. in December 2002.
In addition, this prospectus covers the issuance of up to 8,823,529 shares
of our common stock upon the exercise of the class A warrants or the class B
warrants by the holders of these warrants, including the initial holders of the
warrants and their affiliates, except that the initial holders of the warrants
and their affiliates may not exercise the warrants before the first anniversary
of the date the warrants were issued.
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Our shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "VSH". On January 10, 2003, the last sale price of the shares as reported
on the New York Stock Exchange was $12.55 per share.
Investing in our securities involves risks that are described in the "Risk
Factors" section beginning on page 4 of this prospectus.
We will not receive any cash proceeds from sale of the selling
securityholders' securities, but we will receive the proceeds from the exercise
of the warrants.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities
commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2003.
Important Notice about the Information Presented in this Prospectus
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide
you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or
inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer
to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is
accurate as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus only. The
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of Vishay may
have changed since that date.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY...........................................................1
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION..................................................3
RISK FACTORS.................................................................4
USE OF PROCEEDS..............................................................8
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK.................................................8
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS.................................................10
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS.....................................................25
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION........................................................27
LEGAL MATTERS...............................................................29
EXPERTS.....................................................................29
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION.........................................29
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
You should read this entire prospectus, including the information set
forth under "Risk Factors" and the information incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. As used in this prospectus, "Vishay," "company," "we," "us" and
"our" refer to Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries,
unless otherwise specified.
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
Vishay is a leading international manufacturer and supplier of passive and
active electronic components. Passive components include resistors, capacitors
and inductors. Vishay's offering of active components includes discrete
semiconductors, diodes, rectifiers, infrared data communications devices and
power and analog switching circuits. Vishay gives its customers "one-stop"
access to one of the most comprehensive electronic component lines of any
manufacturer in the United States or Europe. Passive electronic components and
discrete active electronic components, along with integrated circuits, are the
primary elements of every electronic circuit. Components manufactured by Vishay
are used in virtually all types of electronic products, including those in the
computer, telecommunications, military/aerospace, instrument, automotive,
medical and consumer electronics industries.
Vishay employs over 23,000 people and has plants in sixteen countries.
Vishay is a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are
located at 63 Lincoln Highway, Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355-2120, and our
telephone number there is (610) 644-1300.
The Offering
In connection with our acquisition of BCcomponents Holdings, B.V. in
December 2002, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of BCcomponents
Holdings B.V. in exchange for class A warrants and class B warrants to acquire
an aggregate of 8,823,529 shares of our common stock. In addition, in connection
with the acquisition, $105 million in principal amount of BCcomponents'
mezzanine indebtedness and certain other securities of BCcomponents were
exchanged for $105 million principal amount of our floating rate unsecured loans
due 2102. We entered into a put and call agreement related to the notes. In
addition, we granted to the recipients of the notes and the warrants certain
registration rights. This prospectus has been prepared, and the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, to satisfy our obligations to the recipients of the
notes and the warrants. Accordingly, this prospectus covers:
o the resale by selling securityholders of the class A warrants and the
class B warrants;
o the resale by selling securityholders of shares of our common stock
issuable upon exchange of the notes;
o the resale by selling securityholders of shares of our common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants, but only by the initial
holders of the warrants or their affiliates or in an underwritten
public offering where the warrants are exercised in connection with
the offering, or in certain other circumstances; and
o the issuance by us of shares of our common stock upon exercise of the
warrants by holders.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider
the information under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 4 and the other
information included in this prospectus before investing in our securities.
Warrants
The class A warrants give the holders the right to purchase up to an
aggregate of 7,000,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $20.00
per share. The class B warrants give the holders the right to purchase up to an
aggregate of 1,823,529 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $30.30
per share. Both the number of shares for which the class A warrants and the
class B warrants are exercisable and their respective exercise prices are
subject to specified anti-dilution and transactional adjustments. The class A
warrants and the class B warrants each have a 10-year term expiring on December
13, 2012.
The warrants may be exercised at any time from and after the date the
warrants were issued until the expiration date by any holder other than an
initial holder of the warrants or an affiliate of an initial holder. The
warrants may be exercised at any time from and after December 13, 2003, the
first anniversary of the date the warrants were issued, until the expiration
date by an initial holder of the warrants or an affiliate of an initial holder.
The warrants expire on December 13, 2012, ten years from the date of issuance.
Pursuant to a securities investment and registration rights agreement that
we entered into at the time of our acquisition of BCcomponents, we agreed to
register the class A warrants and the class B warrants held by the selling
securityholders together with the shares of our common stock issuable upon
exercise of the class A warrants and the class B warrants pursuant to the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to facilitate the public sale of those
warrants.
Common Stock
Shares issuable on exchange of notes
In connection with our acquisition of BCcomponents Holdings B.V., we
entered into a put and call agreement with the holders our floating rate
unsecured loan notes due 2102 issued in connection with the acquisition. Among
other things, this agreement provides that holders of the notes may "put" or
exchange the notes for our common stock, at a ratio of one share of our common
stock for each $17.00 principal amount of the notes. A total of 6,176,467 shares
of our common stock are issuable upon exchange of the $105,000,000 principal
amount of notes outstanding, subject to anti-dilution and transactional
adjustments. These shares are being offered through this prospectus for sale by
the selling securityholders following exchange of the notes in the manner
described under "Plan of Distribution."
Shares issuable on exercise of warrants
We are offering through this prospectus the 7,000,000 shares of our common
stock issuable upon exercise of the class A warrants and the 1,823,529 shares of
our common stock issuable upon exercise of the class B warrants to the holders
of the warrants upon exercise. As a result, the shares issuable upon exercise of
the warrants will be freely tradeable under the United States securities laws,
other than by holders who are our affiliates.
In addition, the selling securityholders may offer the shares issuable
upon exercise of the warrants for resale through this prospectus, but only if
they are the initial holders of the warrants or affiliates of the
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initial holders or if the shares are being offered for resale in an underwritten
public offering where the warrants are being exercised in connection with the
offering.
Other holders of the warrants may only sell the common stock underlying
the warrants pursuant to the prospectus:
in an underwritten public offering, where the warrants are being exercised
in connection with the offering; or
if for any reason our registration of the shares of common stock issuable
upon exercise of the warrants is not effective
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
Some of the statements in this prospectus and in documents incorporated by
reference constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements reflect our current views with respect to future events or our
financial performance, and involve certain known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, including those identified below, which may
cause our or our industry's actual or future results, levels of activity,
performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by any forward-looking statements or from historical results. In some cases, you
can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will,"
"could," "would," "should," "believe," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend,"
"estimate," "predict," "potential" and other expressions which indicate future
events and trends. We do not, nor does any other person, assume responsibility
for the accuracy and completeness of any forward-looking statements. We have no
duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this
prospectus or to conform them to actual results, new information, future events
or otherwise.
The following factors, among others, could cause our or our industry's
future results to differ materially from historical results or those
anticipated:
o overall economic and business conditions;
o the demand for Vishay's goods and services;
o the fact that Vishay's customers may cancel orders they have placed
with us, in whole or in part, without advance notice;
o competitive factors in the industries in which Vishay competes;
o changes in governmental regulation;
o changes in tax requirements, including tax rate changes, new tax laws
and revised tax law interpretations;
o developments in and results of litigation;
o interest rate fluctuations, foreign currency rate fluctuations and
other capital market conditions;
o economic and political conditions in international markets, including
governmental changes and restrictions on the ability to transfer
capital across borders;
o changes in the cost of the raw materials used in our business
o the timing, impact and other uncertainties of pending and future
acquisitions by Vishay; and
o the ability to achieve anticipated synergies and other cost savings in
connection with such pending and future acquisitions.
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These factors and the risk factors described in this document are all of
the important factors of which we are aware that could cause actual results,
performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in any of
our forward-looking statements. We operate in a continually changing business
environment, and new risk factors emerge from time to time. Other unknown or
unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on our future
results, performance or achievements. We cannot assure you that projected
results or events will be achieved or will occur.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the securities offered through this prospectus involves
certain risks. You should carefully consider the following risks, as well as
other information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.
Risk factors relating to our business generally
Our business is cyclical and the current decline in demand in the
electronic component industry may continue and may become more pronounced.
We and others in the electronic and semiconductor component industry have
recently experienced a decline in product demand on a global basis, resulting in
order cancellations and deferrals. This decline is primarily attributable to a
slowing of growth in the personal computer and cellular telephone product
markets. This slowdown may continue and may become more pronounced. The current
slowdown in demand, as well as recessionary trends in the global economy, makes
it more difficult for us to predict our future sales, which also makes it more
difficult to manage our operations, and could adversely impact our results of
operations. In the past, adverse economic trends that resulted in a slowdown in
demand for electronic components have materially and adversely impacted our
results of operations. A decrease in the current demand for our products, or an
increase in supply due to the expansion of production capacity by our
competitors, could cause a significant drop in our average sales prices, which
could, in turn, cause a reduction in our gross margins and operating profits. In
addition, at the initial stage of a business cycle, increased efforts by
distributors to sell inventory remaining from the prior cycle may cause average
selling prices to decrease. Our published operating results for 2001 and first
three quarters of 2002 reflect some of these industry trends. During 2001, total
restructuring costs were $62 million and during the first three quarters of 2002
total restructuring costs were $8 million, as a result of our accelerated effort
to streamline operations in response to the continued weakness in the electronic
components market at the time. We continued our cost control programs during the
fourth quarter of 2002 with an emphasis on the reduction and reallocation of
headcount, and we expect to continue these programs during 2003.
In the past we have grown through acquisitions but this may not continue.
Our long-term historical growth in revenues and net earnings has resulted
in large part from our strategy of expansion through acquisitions. We cannot
assure you, however, that we will identify or successfully complete transactions
with suitable acquisition candidates in the future. We also cannot assure you
that acquisitions that we complete in the future will be successful. If an
acquired business fails to operate as anticipated or cannot be successfully
integrated with our other businesses, our results of operations, enterprise
value, market value and prospects could all be materially and adversely
affected.
Future acquisitions could require us to issue additional indebtedness or equity.
If we were to undertake a substantial acquisition for cash, the
acquisition would likely need to be financed in part through bank borrowings or
the issuance of public or private debt. This acquisition financing would likely
decrease our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and adversely affect other
leverage criteria. Under our existing credit facility, we are required to obtain
the lenders' consent for certain
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additional debt financing, and to comply with other covenants including the
application of specific financial ratios. We are also restricted from paying
cash dividends on our capital stock. We cannot assure you that the necessary
acquisition financing would be available to us on acceptable terms when
required. If we were to undertake an acquisition for equity, the acquisition may
have a dilutive effect on the interests of the holders of our common stock.
Our results are sensitive to raw material availability, quality and cost.
Many of our products require the use of raw materials that are produced in
only a limited number of regions around the world or are available from only a
limited number of suppliers. Our results of operations may be materially and
adversely affected if we have difficulty obtaining these raw materials, the
quality of available raw materials deteriorates or there are significant price
increases for these raw materials. For example, the prices for tantalum and
palladium, two raw materials that we use in our capacitors, are subject to
fluctuation. For periods in which the prices of these raw materials are rising,
we may be unable to pass on the increased cost to our customers which would
result in decreased margins for the products in which they are used. For periods
in which the prices are declining, we may be required to write down our
inventory carrying cost of these raw materials which, depending on the extent of
the difference between market price and our carrying cost, could have a material
adverse effect on our net earnings.
We are a major consumer of the world's annual production of tantalum.
Tantalum, a metal purchased in powder or wire form, is the principal material
used in the manufacture of tantalum capacitors. There are currently three major
suppliers that process tantalum ore into capacitor grade tantalum powder. Due to
the strong demand for our tantalum capacitors and difficulty in obtaining
sufficient quantities of tantalum powder from our suppliers, we stockpiled
tantalum ore in 2000 and early 2001. During 2001, we experienced a significant
decrease in sales due to declining orders and the deferral or cancellation of
existing orders. Our tantalum capacitor business was particularly impacted by
the slowdown in sales. Prices for tantalum ore and powder decreased during this
period. As a result, we recorded write-downs of $52,000,000 on tantalum during
2001.
In June 2002, we agreed with Cabot Corporation to amend the two tantalum
supply agreements for the supply by Cabot to us of tantalum powder and wire.
Pursuant to the amendments, we and Cabot agreed to reduce volumes, and starting
in 2003, prices of tantalum products under the agreements and to extend the term
of one of the agreements by one year. We also agreed to purchase tantalum
products at regular intervals over the term of the agreements. These amendments
require us to purchase tantalum products in excess of our current usage
requirements. In addition to our contracts with Cabot, we make purchases of
tantalum from our other suppliers under contracts at prices that are subject to
periodic adjustment.
We record our inventory at the lower of cost or market. Management
believes that our tantalum inventory and our commitments under our contracts
with Cabot may exceed the current market price of tantalum. We are evaluating
whether, under generally accepted accounting principles, it is appropriate for
us to recognize a charge in 2002 for any such excess and, if so, the amount of
the charge. If a charge is appropriate, it could be significant.
Palladium, a metal used to produce multi-layered ceramic capacitors, is
currently found in primarily South Africa and Russia. Palladium is a commodity
product subject to price volatility. The price of palladium has fluctuated in
the range of approximately $222 to $1,090 per troy ounce during the last three
years. As of December 31, 2002, the price of palladium was approximately $236
per troy ounce. From time to time there have been short-term market shortages of
raw materials. While these shortages have not historically adversely affected
our ability to increase production of products containing tantalum
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and palladium, they have historically resulted in higher raw material costs for
us. We cannot assure you that any of these market shortages in the future would
not adversely affect our ability to increase production, particularly during
periods of growing demand for our products.
Our backlog is subject to customer cancellation.
Many of the orders that comprise our backlog may be canceled by customers
without penalty. Customers may on occasion double and triple order components
from multiple sources to ensure timely delivery when backlog is particularly
long. Customers often cancel orders when business is weak and inventories are
excessive, a phenomenon that we have experienced in the current economic
slowdown. Therefore, we cannot be certain the amount of our backlog does not
exceed the level of orders that will ultimately be delivered. Our results of
operations could be adversely impacted if customers cancel a material portion of
orders in our backlog.
We face intense competition in our business.
Our business is highly competitive worldwide, with low transportation
costs and few import barriers. We compete principally on the basis of product
quality and reliability, availability, customer service, technological
innovation, timely delivery and price. The electronics components industry has
become increasingly concentrated and globalized in recent years and our major
competitors, some of which are larger than us, have significant financial
resources and technological capabilities.
We may not have adequate facilities to satisfy future increases in demand for
our products.
Our business is cyclical and in periods of a rising economy, we may
experience intense demand for our products. During such periods, we may have
difficulty expanding our manufacturing to satisfy demand. Factors which could
limit such expansion include delays in procurement of manufacturing equipment,
shortages of skilled personnel and capacity constraints at our facilities. If we
are unable to meet our customers' requirements and our competitors sufficiently
expand production, we could lose customers and/or market share. This loss could
have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and
prospects.
Future changes in our environmental liability and compliance obligations may
harm our ability to operate or increase costs.
Our manufacturing operations, products and/or product packaging are
subject to environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions,
wastewater discharges, the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous
substances, wastes and certain chemicals used or generated in our manufacturing
processes, employee health and safety labeling or other notifications with
respect to the content or other aspects of our processes, products or packaging,
restrictions on the use of certain materials in or on design aspects of our
products or product packaging and responsibility for disposal of products or
product packaging. More stringent environmental regulations may be enacted in
the future, and we cannot presently determine the modifications, if any, in our
operations that any such future regulations might require, or the cost of
compliance with these regulations. In order to resolve liabilities at various
sites, we have entered into various administrative orders and consent decrees,
some of which may be, under certain conditions, reopened or subject to
renegotiation.
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Risk factors relating to our operations outside the United States
We obtain substantial benefits by operating in Israel, but these benefits may
not continue.
We have increased our operations in Israel over the past several years.
The low tax rates in Israel applicable to earnings of our operations in that
country, compared to the rates in the United States, have had the effect of
increasing our net earnings. In addition, we have employees in Israel. Any
significant increase in the Israeli tax rates or reduction or elimination of the
Israeli grant programs that have benefited us could have an adverse impact on
our results of operations. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001,
incorporated by reference in this prospectus, for a description of our
accounting policy for grants received by certain subsidiaries from governments
outside the United States.
We attempt to improve profitability by operating in countries in which labor
costs are low, but the shift of operations to these regions may entail
considerable expense.
Our strategy is aimed at achieving significant production cost savings
through the transfer and expansion of manufacturing operations to and in
countries with lower production costs, such as Israel, Mexico, Portugal, the
Czech Republic, Malaysia, Taiwan and China. In this process, we may experience
under-utilization of certain plants and factories in high labor cost regions and
capacity constraints in plants and factories located in low labor cost regions.
This under-utilization may result initially in production inefficiencies and
higher costs. These costs include those associated with compensation in
connection with work force reductions and plant closings in the higher labor
cost regions, and start-up expenses, manufacturing and construction delays, and
increased depreciation costs in connection with the initiation or expansion of
production in lower labor cost regions.
As we implement transfers of certain of our operations we may experience
strikes or other types of labor unrest as a result of lay-offs or termination of
our employees in high labor cost countries.
We are subject to the risks of political, economic and military instability in
countries outside the United States in which we operate.
We have operations in 16 countries around the world outside the United
States, and approximately 59% of our revenues during 2001 were derived from
sales to customers outside the United States. Some of the countries in which we
operate have in the past experienced and may continue to experience political,
economic and military instability or unrest. These conditions could have an
adverse impact on our ability to operate in these regions and, depending on the
extent and severity of these conditions, could materially and adversely affect
our overall financial condition and operating results.
Risk factors relating to our capital structure
The holders of our Class B common stock have voting control of Vishay.
We have two classes of common stock: common stock and Class B common
stock. The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share
held, while the holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes for
each share held. Currently, the principal holder of our Class B common stock,
our chairman and chief executive officer, controls approximately 49.0% of our
outstanding voting power. As a result, this holder of Class B common stock can
effectively cause the election of the entire board of directors of Vishay. This
holder of the Class B common stock may also be able to approve other actions as
a stockholder without obtaining the votes of other stockholders of Vishay.
7
The existence of the Class B common stock may deprive other stockholders of a
premium value for their shares in a takeover.
The effective control of Vishay by holders of our Class B common stock may
make us less attractive as a target for a takeover proposal. It may also make it
more difficult or discourage a merger proposal or proxy contest for the removal
of the incumbent directors, even if such actions were favored by all
stockholders of Vishay other than the holders of our Class B common stock.
Accordingly, this may deprive the holders of our common stock of an opportunity
they might otherwise have to sell their shares at a premium over the prevailing
market price in connection with a merger or acquisition of Vishay with or by
another company.
Risk factors relating to the offering
There may be no active trading market for the warrants.
Before the offering, there has been no established trading market for our
class A warrants or our class B warrants. We do not intend to list the warrants
on a national securities exchange or seek admission of the warrants for
quotation through any automated quotation system. Moreover, we cannot assure you
as to the development or liquidity of any market for the warrants, the ability
of the warrant holders to sell their warrants or any portion of those warrants
or the price at which holders would be able to sell their warrants or any
portion of those warrants.
Exchange of the notes or exercise of the warrants will dilute the ownership
interests of existing stockholders.
The exchange of some or all of the notes or the exercise of some or all of
the warrants will dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders and
any sales in the public market of the shares of our common stock issuable upon
such exchange or exercise could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our
common stock. In addition, the existence of the warrants may encourage short
selling by market participants because exercise of the warrants could depress
the price of our common stock.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the sale of warrants or our
common stock by the selling securityholders.
If the class A warrants are exercised in full, we would realize proceeds,
before expenses, in the amount of $140,000,000. If the class B warrants are
exercised in full, we would realize proceeds, before expenses, in the amount of
$55,252,928. If we spin off a subsidiary or business unit, any warrants then
outstanding, under certain circumstances, would be exchanged in part for
warrants of the spin-off entity. In that case, the amount of proceeds that we
would realize upon exercise of the warrants would be lower.
The net proceeds of the exercise of the warrants will be used to pay down
any outstanding debt on our revolving credit facility and for general corporate
purposes.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The aggregate number of shares of capital stock which Vishay has authority
to issue is 341,000,000 shares: 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$1.00 per share, 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share
and 40,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.10 per share. At
December 31, 2002, there were 144,297,301 shares of common stock and 15,383,476
shares of Class B common stock outstanding. No shares of preferred stock have
been issued.
8
After any required payment on shares of preferred stock, holders of common
stock and Class B common stock are entitled to receive, and share ratably on a
per share basis, all dividends and other distributions declared by the board of
directors of Vishay. In the event of a stock dividend or stock split, holders of
common stock will receive shares of common stock and holders of Class B common
stock will receive shares of Class B common stock. Neither the common stock nor
the Class B common stock may be split, divided or combined unless the other is
split, divided or combined equally.
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held.
Holders of Class B common stock are entitled to 10 votes for each share held.
The common stock and the Class B common stock vote together as one class on all
matters subject to stockholder approval, except as set forth in the following
sentence. The approval of the holders of common stock and of Class B common
stock, each voting separately as a class, is required to authorize issuances of
additional shares of Class B common stock other than in connection with stock
splits and stock dividends.
Shares of Class B common stock are convertible into shares of our common
stock on a one-for-one basis at any time at the option of the holder thereof.
The Class B common stock is not transferable except to the holder's spouse,
certain of such holder's relatives, certain trusts established for the benefit
of the holder, the holder's spouse or relatives, corporations and partnerships
beneficially owned and controlled by such holder, such holder's spouse or
relatives, charitable organizations and such holder's estate. Upon any transfer
made in violation of those restrictions, shares of Class B common stock will be
automatically converted into shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis.
Neither the holders of common stock nor the holders of Class B common
stock have any preemptive rights to subscribe for additional shares of capital
stock of Vishay.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. There is no
public market for shares of our Class B common stock. All outstanding shares of
common stock and Class B common stock are, and upon exchange of the notes or
exercise of the warrants, the shares of common stock issuable upon exchange of
the notes and exercise of the warrants will be, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
We furnish to our stockholders annual reports containing financial
statements certified by an independent public accounting firm. In addition, we
furnish to our stockholders quarterly reports containing unaudited financial
information for each of the first three quarters of each year.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is the transfer agent and
registrar of our common stock and Class B common stock.
Common Stock Offered Pursuant to this Prospectus
The common stock covered by this prospectus includes common stock issuable
upon exercise of the warrants and upon exchange of the notes. For a description
of the warrants, see "Description of the Warrants."
We issued the notes and entered into a related put and call agreement in
connection with the acquisition of BCcomponents to the holders of $105 million
principal amount of mezzanine debt of BCcomponents in exchange for the mezzanine
debt and certain other securities of BCcomponents. The notes were issued
pursuant to the terms of a note purchase agreement, and the notes, copies of
which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus forms a part and to which reference is made for a definitive
description of the terms of the notes.
9
The notes will bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.5% for any interest ending
on or prior to December 31, 2006, and LIBOR thereafter. If at any time beginning
on the date of issue of the notes and ending on December 31, 2010 our common
stock trades at a price above $45.00 per share over a specified measuring
period, the interest rate will be reduced for all interest periods beginning on
or after January 1, 2011 to one-half LIBOR.
The notes are subject to a put and call agreement executed by us for the
benefit of the holders of the notes. A copy of the put and call agreement is
filed as an exhibit to the registration agreement of which this prospectus forms
a part. Under the agreement, note holders may "put" the notes to us at an
exchange price of one share of our common stock for $17.00 principal amount of
the notes, or 6,176,467 shares of our common stock in the aggregate. We may
similarly call the notes in exchange for shares of our common stock at any time
beginning on January 2, 2018 and ending on the date that is 30 days prior to the
maturity date of the notes. If the price of our common stock has not traded
above $35.00 per share over a specified measuring period prior to the call, the
number of shares issuable in the call will be the principal amount of the notes
divided by the then current market price for the shares, or we may also call the
notes for cash equal to the principal amount of the notes.
The exchange price, and in some cases the cash that we or a successor may
be required to pay, under the put and the call are subject to anti-dilution and
transactional adjustments under the terms of the put and call agreement, to
which reference is made for a description of these adjustments. In the event of
a spin-off transaction of the type described below under "Description of the
Warrants--Adjustments-- Spin-offs," other notes of Vishay, having the same terms
and provisions but a lesser principal amount, may be substituted for the notes.
This prospectus covers the shares of our common stock issuable upon exchange of
the replacement notes as well.
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
On December 13, 2002, we acquired all the outstanding shares of
BCcomponents in exchange for class A warrants to acquire 7,000,000 shares of our
common stock at an exercise price of $20.00 per share and class B warrants to
acquire 1,823,529 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $30.30 per
share. With the exception of the exercise price, the class A warrants and the
class B warrants have identical terms and provisions. Unless otherwise
indicated, we will use the term warrants to refer to the class A warrants and
the class B warrants. The following summary description of the warrants sets
forth some general terms and provisions of the warrants, but the summary does
not purport to be complete and is qualified in all respects by reference to the
actual text of the warrants and the warrant agreement, pursuant to which the
warrants were issued, copies of which have been filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In the event of any
conflict between this description and the text of the warrant agreement or the
warrants, the text of the warrant agreement or the warrants, as the case may be,
will govern. We urge you to read the text of the warrant agreement and the
warrants because those documents, and not this description, define your rights
as a warrant holder.
Exercise Period
The warrants may be exercised at any time from and after the date the
warrants were issued until the expiration date by any holder other than an
initial holder of the warrants or an affiliate of an initial holder. The
warrants may be exercised at any time from and after December 13, 2003, the
first anniversary of the date the warrants were issued, until the expiration
date by an initial holder of the warrants or an affiliate of an initial holder.
The warrants expire on December 13, 2012, ten years from the date of issuance.
10
Exercise Price and Other Terms
Each class A warrant will entitle its holder to purchase the shares of our
common stock specified on the face of the class A warrant at an exercise price
of $20.00 per share, and each class B warrant will entitle its holder to
purchase the shares of our common stock specified on the face of the class B
warrant at an exercise price of $30.30 per share. The exercise price of the
warrants is subject to adjustment in accordance with the anti-dilution and
transactional adjustment provisions described below. Each warrant holder will be
able to exercise the warrants, in whole or in part, by delivering to us the
certificate representing the warrants, the exercise notice properly completed
and executed and payment of the aggregate exercise price for the number of
shares of our common stock as to which the warrant is being exercised. The
exercise price will be payable in cash or by check payable to the order of
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., except upon exercise of the warrants in an
underwritten public offering or in a block trade.
We will not issue any fractional shares of our common stock upon the
exercise of the warrants. We will pay a cash adjustment instead of fractional
shares equal to the product resulting from multiplying the fractional amount by
the daily market value of one share of our common stock on the trading day prior
to the date the warrant is exercised.
Upon exercise of any warrant, we will deliver a stock certificate
representing the number of shares that were exercised under the warrant. If the
warrant is not fully exercised, we will execute a new warrant certificate
exercisable for the remaining shares and deliver the new warrant certificate at
the same time as the stock certificate for the exercised shares.
Adjustments
The exercise price of the warrants and the number of shares of our common
stock purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants may be subject to adjustment
in certain situations.
In the description of the adjustments that follows, we use the following
terms and concepts:
The Black-Scholes value of the warrants is to be determined on the basis
of the Black-Scholes methodology by an investment banking firm of national
reputation and standing, selected by us and reasonably acceptable to a majority
of the warrant holders, but the Black-Scholes Value of a warrant cannot exceed
the daily market price of our common stock on the day immediately preceding the
transaction in question. For purposes of applying the Black-Scholes methodology,
the price per share of our common stock is deemed to be the average of the daily
market prices for the ten full trading days ending ten trading days prior to the
first public announcement of the transaction, and the methodology is to be
applied as if the relevant transaction had not occurred.
Daily market price. Daily market price means, for any trading day, the
volume-weighted average of the per share selling prices on that trading day of
our common stock or other relevant security on the principal market on which the
relevant security is then quoted. If there is no sales of the security on the
trading day, daily market price means the average of the high bid and low ask
price for the relevant security on the last trading day on which a sale was
reported. If the security is not traded so that there are no bid and ask prices,
the daily market price will be the per share fair market value of the relevant
security as determined by an investment banking firm of national reputation and
standing that we select and that is reasonably acceptable to a majority of the
warrant holders.
Majority of the warrant holders means, at any time, the holders of
warrants that are exercisable for more than 50% of the shares for which all
outstanding warrants are exercisable at that time. Whenever reasonable approval
of a majority of the warrant holders is required for any action or
determination, that approval is deemed to be given if a majority of the warrant
holders do not reasonably object to the action
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or determination by written notice to us within ten business days of the date on
which notice of the action or determination is first given to the holders.
Declaration of Stock Dividend, Splits, Reverse Splits or Reclassification
or Reorganization; Other Distributions. We will make the following adjustments
if we declare a stock dividend, split, reverse split, if there is a
reclassification or reorganization of our common stock or if we make
distributions on our common stock. In each case, we will issue a notice to each
warrant holder at least ten business days before the record date of the
adjustment. Any adjustment will become effective immediately after the effective
date of the adjustment retroactive to the record date, if any.
o If we declare any dividend or other distribution upon, or subdivide,
the outstanding shares of our common stock into a greater number of
shares, then the exercise price per share of the warrants will be
decreased proportionately, and the number of shares of our common
stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant will be increased
proportionately.
o If we combine the outstanding shares of our common stock into a
smaller number of shares, then the exercise price per share of the
warrants will be increased proportionately, and the number of shares
of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant will be
decreased proportionately.
o If we issue to holders of our shares of common stock any indebtedness,
shares of our stock or any other securities by reclassification of our
common stock; distribute to holders of our shares of common stock any
rights, options or warrants to purchase or subscribe for any evidence
of indebtedness, shares of our stock (other than distributions in
connection with adjustments for issuances of any rights, options or
warrants, or spin-offs) or any other securities; distribute to holders
of our shares of common stock cash (other than regular quarterly or
semi-annual cash dividends) or other property; or issue by means of a
capital reorganization our other securities in lieu of our common
stock or in addition to our common stock, then the warrants will be
adjusted so that each warrant will be exercisable into the kind and
number of shares or other securities of us or any successor entity to
us, or cash or other property that the warrant holder would have owned
or have been entitled to receive had the warrant holder exercised the
warrants immediately prior to any of these events.
Rights Issuance. We will make the following adjustments if we distribute
any rights, options or warrants to holders of our common stock:
o If we distribute any rights, options or warrants to holders of our
common stock entitling them, for a period of 60 days or less after the
record date for determination of the stockholders entitled to receive
these rights to purchase or subscribe for shares of our common stock
at a price per share less than 90% of the daily market price of our
common stock on the record date, then we will increase the number of
shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants based on the following
formula:
N = No x (O + A)/ (O +C/M))
where:
N = the adjusted number of shares issuable upon exercise of a
warrant.
No = the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant prior
to the adjustment.
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O = the number of shares outstanding immediately prior to the
issuance of the rights, options or warrants.
A = the maximum number of shares issuable pursuant to the rights,
options or warrants.
C = the aggregate consideration that we will receive for the
issuance of our common stock upon exercise of the rights, options
or warrants.
M = the average of the daily market prices of our common stock for
the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the record
date.
The exercise price of the warrants will be correspondingly reduced. If less than
all of the rights, options or warrants have been exercised upon the expiration
of such rights, options or warrants, the number of shares issuable upon exercise
of the warrants and corresponding adjustment to the exercise price of the
warrants will be readjusted based on the number of rights, options or warrants
actually exercised.
o If we distribute any rights, options or warrants to holders of our
common stock entitling them, for a period of more than 60 days after
the record date, to purchase or subscribe for shares of our common
stock at a price per share less than 90% of the daily market price of
our common stock on the record date, then we will distribute the same
rights, options or warrants to the warrant holders on the record date
as if the warrant holders had exercised their warrants immediately
prior to the record date.
Liquidation or Dissolution. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our
affairs, other than in connection with a consolidation, merger or sale or
conveyance of all or substantially all of our assets or a spin-off transaction,
then the warrants will terminate and expire at the close of business on the last
full business day before the earliest record date fixed for the payment of any
distributable amount on our common stock. At least ten business days prior to
the record date, we will provide each warrant holder with notice of the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of affairs. Each warrant holder may
exercise warrants held by him, her or it during the period between the day we
give notice and the day we wind up our affairs. Upon exercise of the warrants,
each warrant holder will receive consideration in the liquidation on the same
basis as other shares of the same class.
Merger or Consolidation. If any person or entity acquires us in a
transaction in which we are merged with or into or consolidated with another
person or entity, or if we sell or convey all or substantially all of our assets
to another person or entity, then we will make the adjustments described below.
In each case, we will give written notice to each warrant holder of any change
at least ten business days prior to the effective date of any change. These
provisions do no apply to a transaction in which we are the surviving entity and
have reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act because of the
registration of our equity securities.
o The warrant holder will receive at his, her or its election, either
o the kind and number of shares, securities, cash, assets or other
property which the holder would otherwise have been entitled to
receive had the holder exercised the warrants before the transaction,
or
o the Black-Scholes value of the warrants in cash, or in certain
circumstances, the securities of the purchaser. This cash-out option
may not be available in certain circumstances if it would interfere
with the tax or accounting treatment of the transaction.
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If the acquirer is a reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act,
and the acquirer is offering a combination of cash and shares, then the warrant
holder may elect to receive:
o a warrant exercisable for securities of the acquirer in an amount and
at an exercise price described below, but otherwise having the same
terms as the Vishay warrant, and
o a cash amount calculated as described below.
The exercise price of the acquirer warrants is determined by the
formula:
Ew = (Eo x (Pa/Pt))
where:
Ew = the per share exercise price of the acquirer warrants.
Eo = the per share exercise price of the Vishay warrants.
Pt = the average of the daily market prices of our common stock for the
ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the effective
date of the transaction.
Pa = the fair market value per share of the acquirer shares, that is the
average daily market price of the acquirer shares for the ten
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the effective date of
the transaction.
The number of acquirer shares issuable upon exercise of an acquirer warrant
is determined by the following formula:
N = a x No where:
N = the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the acquirer warrant.
A = the number of acquirer shares delivered in the transaction to
holders of our common stock for each share of our common stock.
No = the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the original Vishay
warrant.
The cash amount (or in certain circumstances, the securities of the
purchaser) is determined by the following formula:
AC = BSw x (1-((a x Pa) /C ))
where the symbols defined above have the same meanings here and:
AC = the cash amount.
BSw = the Black-Scholes value of the Vishay warrant.
C = the total fair market value of the consideration delivered in the
transaction to holders of our common stock for each share of our
common stock. For purposes of determining this amount:
o the fair market value of the component of the consideration consisting
of shares of the acquirer is deemed to be the average daily market
price of the
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acquirer shares for the ten consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the effective date of the transaction multiplied by the
number of acquirer shares delivered in the transaction for each share
of our common stock;
o the fair market value of any cash component is the amount of the cash
delivered in the transaction for each share of our common stock; and
o the fair market value of any other consideration delivered in the
transaction for each share of our common stock shall be as determined
by an investment banking firm of national reputation and standing
selected by us and reasonably acceptable to a majority of the warrant
holders.
This election may not be available in certain circumstances if it would
interfere with the tax or accounting treatment of the transaction.
We will give the warrant holders notice of any transaction to which this
discussion relates at least ten business days prior to the effective date of the
transaction and earlier in certain circumstances.
Spin-offs. If at any time we make a distribution to all holders of our
common stock consisting of the capital stock of one of our subsidiaries or other
business units, which we refer to as a spin-off, then each holder of a warrant
on the date of the distribution will be entitled to receive a warrant to
purchase the number of shares of capital stock of the spin-off company that the
holder would have received had the holder exercised the warrants immediately
prior to the record date for the spin-off. The terms of the spin-off warrants
will be the same as the Vishay warrants, except that the exercise price of the
spin-off warrants will be determined by the following formula:
Es = Eo x Ps / (Pp+ (r x Ps))
where:
Es = the per share exercise price of the spin-off warrants.
Eo = the per share exercise price of the Vishay warrants.
Pp = the average of the daily market prices of our common stock for the
ten consecutive trading days following the date on which the
spin-off is consummated.
r = the number of spin-off shares, which may be one or a fraction less
than or greater than one, distributed in the spin-off in respect
of each share of our common stock.
Ps = the fair market value per share of the spin-off shares, which
means the average daily market price of the spin-off shares for
the first ten consecutive trading days following the date of the
spin-off. If, however, shares do not begin trading within two
trading days after the date of the spin-off or do not trade for at
least ten consecutive trading days within 20 days after the
spin-off, then the fair market value of the spin-off shares will
be determined by an investment banking firm of national reputation
and standing selected by us and reasonably acceptable to a
majority of the warrant holders on the record date for the
spin-off.
Following the spin-off, the exercise price of each Vishay
warrant will be adjusted in accordance with the following formula:
15
En = Eo x Pp / (Pp+ (r x Ps))
where:
En = the adjusted exercise price per share of common stock of the
warrants.
and the other symbols have the meanings specified in the preceding
formula.
If distribution of spin-off shares to the warrant holders would, in the
reasonable opinion of our counsel, prevent the tax-free nature of the spin-off
or require us to register the spin-off with the SEC when we would not otherwise
be required to do so, then the warrant holders will not receive warrants in the
spin-off company. Instead the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the
Vishay warrants will be adjusted in accordance with the formula:
N = No x (Pp + (Ps x r))/Pp
where:
N = the adjusted number of shares issuable upon exercise of a warrant.
No = the number of shares issuable upon exercise of the warrant prior
to adjustment.
Pp = the average of the daily market prices of our common stock for the
ten consecutive trading days following the date on which the
spin-off is consummated.
Ps = the average daily market price of the spin-off shares for the
first ten consecutive trading days following the date of the
spin-off. If, however, the spin-off shares do not begin trading
within two trading days after the date of the spin-off or do not
trade for at least ten consecutive trading days within 20 days
after the spin-off, then this quantity will mean the per share
fair market value of the spin-off shares as of the date the
spin-off, determined by an investment banking firm of national
reputation and standing selected by us and acceptable to a
majority of the warrant holders on the record date for the
spin-off.
r = the number of spin-off shares, which may be one or a fraction less
than or greater than one, distributed in the spin-off for each
share of our common stock.
In this case, the exercise price of the warrants will be adjusted in accordance
with the following formula:
En = Eo x (No/N)
where:
En = the adjusted exercise price of the warrants per share of our
common stock.
Eo = the exercise price per share of our common stock of the warrants
immediately prior to adjustment for the spin-off.
and the other symbols in such formula having the meanings specified in the
preceding formula.
We will give the warrant holders notice of any spin-off at least ten business
days prior to the record date for the spin-off.
16
Warrant Agent
We have appointed American Stock Transfer & Trust Co. to serve as warrant
agent. The warrant agent will issue, transfer and exchange the certificates for
the warrants. Upon exercise of the warrants by the warrant holders, the warrant
agent will notify us to issue or cause to be issued the certificates
representing the appropriate number of shares of our common stock or other
consideration issuable upon exercise of those warrants.
We have agreed to pay the warrant agent reasonable compensation for its
services and to reimburse us for its reasonable expenses. We have also agreed to
indemnify the warrant agent from all damages arising in connection with the
warrant agent's execution of its duties and powers under the warrant agreement,
except for any damages arising as a result of the warrant agent's gross
negligence or willful misconduct.
The warrant agent may resign upon 30 days' prior written notice. At least
15 days before the effective date of the resignation, the warrant agent will, at
our expense, cause to be mailed a copy of its notice of resignation to each
warrant holder. Upon the resignation of the warrant agent, we may, in our sole
discretion, appoint a new warrant agent. If we do not appoint a new warrant
agent within 30 days after we have been notified in writing of the former
warrant agent's resignation, then any warrant holder may apply to a court for
the appointment of a new warrant agent. Each new warrant agent will have the
same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had been originally
named as the warrant agent.
Warrant Holder Not a Stockholder
Neither the warrant agreement nor any of the warrants entitles any warrant
holder to any voting or other rights of a holder of shares of our common stock.
Transfer and Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant may be presented for transfer at any time on or prior to its
expiration date, at which time each warrant will become wholly void and of no
value. Any proposed transfer of the warrants must be made pursuant either to an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or to an
effective registration statement. In addition, each transfer must be made in
accordance with the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States
or any other applicable jurisdiction.
Prior to any transfer, a warrant holder must deliver written notice to us
and to the warrant agent of his, her or its intention to transfer the warrants.
If the transfer of the warrants is being made pursuant to an exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act, then we may also require that
the warrant holder deliver to us an agreement by the transferee to be bound by
certain restrictions on transfer set forth in the warrant agreement. We may also
require an opinion of counsel that the transfer complies with applicable
securities laws.
The warrant agent will register all transfers of outstanding warrant
certificates in the warrant register. Upon registration of the transfer, the
warrant agent will issue a new warrant certificate to the transferee and cancel
the surrendered warrant certificate.
If any warrant holder sells shares of our common stock issuable upon
exercise of the warrants in an underwritten public offering, then we will
cooperate with the warrant holders and the underwriters to ensure that the
warrants may be exercised and the underlying shares of common stock delivered to
the underwriters for sale in the offering. Upon consummation of the offering,
the underwriters will deliver the exercise price of the warrants to us.
17
If any initial warrant holder or its affiliates sells shares of our common
stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants in a block trade, then we will
cooperate with the warrant holders and the broker in the trade so that the
warrants may be exercised and the underlying shares of common stock delivered to
the broker. Upon consummation of the trade, the broker will deliver the exercise
price of the warrants to us. A block trade means the disposition at a single
time in a single transaction by one or more initial holders of not less than
1,000,000 warrant shares in the aggregate to one or more institutional investors
or purchasers.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
The following summary description of the registration rights sets forth a
summary of the terms and provisions of the registration rights relating to the
warrants and the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the
warrants and exchange of the notes, provided in the securities investment and
registration rights agreement. The summary does not purport to be complete and
is qualified in all respects by reference to the actual text of the securities
investment and registration rights agreement, a copy of which has been filed as
an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. In
the event of any conflict between this description and the text of the
registration rights agreement, the text of the registration rights agreement
will govern. We urge you to read the text of the registration rights agreement
because that document, and not this description, defines your rights as a
warrant holder and a note holder.
We have entered into a securities investment and registration rights
agreement in which we agreed to register at our expense, no later than 30 days
after the closing date of our issuance of the warrants and the notes, a shelf
registration statement covering:
o resales of the warrants;
o resales of the shares of our common stock issuable upon exchange of
the notes;
o resales of the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of
the warrants, but only by the initial holders of the warrants or their
affiliates or in an underwritten public offering; and
o our sale of the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of
the warrants.
In addition, if for any reason we cannot register our sale of the shares
issuable upon exercise of the warrants, we are obligated to register those
shares for resale by the holders of those shares.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed to meet
our obligations under the registration rights agreement.
We are required to use our reasonable best efforts to cause the
registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act by the
date that is 180 days after the date of our issuance of the warrants and the
notes. In addition, we are required to use our reasonable best efforts to
maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement:
o in the case of the securities registered for resale, until four months
after the tenth anniversary of our issuance of the warrants and the
notes, or, if earlier, until there are no outstanding resale
securities; and
o in the case of the registration of the of the shares issuable upon
exercise of the warrants, until the tenth anniversary of the date the
warrants were issued or, if earlier, until all of the warrants have
been exercised.
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Underwritten Public Offerings. We granted rights to effect the disposition
of shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants or exchange
of the notes in an underwritten public offering.
On demand of the holders, we are required to effect up to two underwritten
public offerings of the shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the
warrants. We are not required to effect more than one of these offerings in any
12-month period or unless the aggregate size of the offering is at least
3,000,000 shares. This number is subject to adjustment for stock splits, reverse
splits and similar transactions. Further, in the case of an underwritten public
offering in which the warrants will be exercised in connection with the
offering, we are not required to effect an underwritten offering unless the per
share price of our common stock exceeds a minimum price. This minimum price is
the lesser of $1.00 more than the then exercise price of applicable warrants and
five percent more than the exercise price of applicable warrants. The price must
be exceeded on each of 20 trading days in any thirty 30 trading day period, and
the warrant holders making the demand for the underwritten offering must provide
us with written notice of the demand no later than five business days following
this 30-day trading period.
Similarly, on demand of the holders, we are required to effect up to two
underwritten public offerings of the shares of our common stock issued or
issuable upon exchange of the notes. We are not required to effect more than one
of these offerings in any 12-month period or unless the aggregate size of the
offering is at least 3,000,000 shares. This number is subject to adjustment for
stock splits, reverse splits and similar transactions.
If we effect a spin-off and warrants and notes of the spin-off company are
distributed to the warrant holders and the note holders in partial substitution
of the warrants and the notes, we are required to cause the spin-off company, on
demand, to effect underwritten public offerings of the common stock issued or
issuable on exercise of the spin-off warrants and the spin-off notes. The
spin-off company will not be obligated to effect more than four of these
underwritten offerings in total, of which the holders of spin-off warrants and
the holders of the spin-off notes will each be entitled to two of these
offerings. The spin-off company will not required to effect more than one of
each of these offerings in any 12-month period or unless the offering will
result in gross proceeds of not less than $30,000,000.
If we propose to register any of our securities under the Securities Act,
either for the account of Vishay or for the account of other securityholders,
for sale in an underwritten public offering, we will give each holder of shares
of our common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants and exchange of the
notes notice of the registration. We will include in the registration statement
and the underwritten offering the shares issued or issuable on exercise of the
warrants or issued or issuable on exchange of the notes of holders that request
inclusion. The right of the holders to participate in such an offering does not
apply to an underwritten offering made pursuant to a draw down off of a shelf
registration statement. Also, this right of participation is subject to
customary cutbacks if the managing underwriters for the offering advise us that
the size of the proposed offering is sufficiently large to materially adversely
affect the success of such proposed public offering.
We also have the right to include securities sold for the benefit of
Vishay in an underwritten public offering effected on demand of the warrant
holders or the note holders. This right of participation, and the right of the
warrant holders and the note holders to participate in the offering, is subject
to customary cutbacks if the managing underwriters for the offering advise us
that the size of the proposed offering is sufficiently large to materially
adversely affect the success of such proposed public offering.
Deferral and Holdback Events. We will be permitted to suspend the filing
of any registration statement and/or to request that the holders refrain from
effecting any public sales or distributions of
19
securities under a registration statement that we file in accordance with the
registration rights agreement for a period not to exceed 45 consecutive days or
an aggregate of 90 days during any 12-month period. We are entitled to require
this suspension under circumstances in which our board of directors determines
that either the registration of the securities or the disclosure of a material
event or transaction required to be disclosed would have a material adverse
effect on our business, assets, condition results of operations or prospects or
would jeopardize the success of the transaction.
If we effect a public underwritten offering for the sale of shares for the
benefit of Vishay or for the benefit of the another securityholder and the
managing underwriters for the offering so require, the holders will be
prohibited from effecting any public sale or distribution of securities of
Vishay, except as part of the offering, during the period beginning seven days
prior to the closing date of the offering and ending on the earlier of 90 days
after the closing date and the date such sale or distribution is permitted by
the managing underwriter or underwriters. This limitation will not apply to any
holder who, together with its affiliates and any person with whom it is acting
together, beneficially owns less than 2% of our outstanding common stock.
General. We will give notice of the effectiveness of the registration
statement to all holders who have provided us with the selling securityholder
notice and questionnaire. Each holder must complete the notice and questionnaire
at least five business days before the effective date of the registration
statement in order to be named as a selling securityholder in this prospectus.
If we receive completed questionnaires from holders after the effectiveness of
the registration statement, we will, as promptly as practicable, file amendments
or supplements to the registration statement naming those holders as selling
securityholders, thereby allowing them to sell their securities under the
registration statement.
We will pay all registration expenses, except that the selling
securityholders will pay all underwriting discounts, commissions or fees
attributable to their resale of securities under the registration statement.
The selling securityholders and we have agreed to indemnify each other and
our respective controlling persons against, and in certain circumstances to
provide contribution with respect to, specific liabilities in connection with
the offer and sale of the warrants and the common stock underlying the notes and
the warrants, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion sets forth the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences to holders, and U.S. estate tax consequences to non-U.S. Holders
(defined below), relating to the ownership, exercise and disposition of our
common stock and the warrants described herein to purchase our common stock. The
discussion which follows is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulings and
pronouncements and judicial decisions as of the date hereof, all of which are
subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such change could alter
the tax consequences discussed in this document. We have not sought any ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel with respect to the
federal tax consequences discussed in this prospectus, and there can be no
assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a position contrary to the
federal tax consequences discussed herein or that any contrary position taken by
the IRS or a court would not be sustained.
The discussion below is for general information only and does not address
the effects of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. In addition, the
discussion below relates to persons who hold our common stock and warrants to
purchase our common stock as capital assets. The tax treatment of a holder may
vary depending upon the holder's particular situation, and certain holders may
be subject to special rules
20
not discussed below, including for example, partners of entities classified as
partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes that hold our common stock
and/or warrants, persons who hold our common stock and/or warrants through
entities which are disregarded for U.S. federal income tax purposes, insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations, expatriates, financial institutions,
dealers in securities or foreign currencies, or holders who hold our common
stock and/or warrants as part of a "straddle," "hedge," or conversion
transaction.
Investors considering the purchase of common stock and/or warrants should
consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the U.S.
federal income and estate tax laws to their particular situations as well as any
tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing
jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.
As used in this section, a "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of our
common stock and/or warrants that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
o a citizen or resident of the U.S.;
o a corporation or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes created or organized in or under the laws of the
U.S. or any political subdivision thereof;
o an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax
regardless of its source; or
o a trust if (i) in general, a court within the U.S. is able to exercise
primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S.
persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S.
treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
As used in this section, a non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our
common stock and/or warrants that is not a U.S. Holder.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, income earned through a
partnership or an entity treated as such for U.S. federal income tax purposes
generally is attributed to its owners.
U.S. Holders
Warrants
A U.S. Holder that exercises his, her or its warrants should not recognize
income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such
exercise, except that any cash paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares will be
treated as received in exchange for an applicable number of warrant(s) or
fraction thereof and the holder will recognize gain or loss on such exchange in
the manner discussed below. A U.S. Holder's tax basis in our common stock
acquired upon exercise of his, her or its warrants should equal such holder's
tax basis in his, her or its exercised warrants (which, in the case of initial
holders of warrants, in general should equal their fair market value on the date
of issuance to the initial U.S. Holder) plus the exercise price paid for such
stock. The holding period for the common stock acquired upon exercise of
warrants should begin on the date the warrants are exercised. If a U.S. Holder's
warrants expire unexercised, the holder should have a capital loss equal to his,
her or its tax basis in its unexercised warrants. The deductibility of capital
losses, if any, realized on the expiration of unexercised warrants may be
subject to certain limitations.
21
Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of warrants, a U.S.
Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference
between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any property
received upon the disposition and (ii) the U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in
the warrants. Such gain or loss will be long-term if the U.S. Holder's holding
period is more than one year.
The exercise price of our warrants may be adjusted under certain
circumstances. Section 305 of the Code treats certain actual or constructive
distributions of stock with respect to stock or convertible securities as a
distribution taxable as a dividend (to the extent of the issuer's current and
accumulated earnings and profits as of the end of the taxable year in which the
distribution occurs). Under applicable Treasury regulations, an adjustment to
the exercise price of warrants may, under certain circumstances, be treated as a
constructive dividend under these rules to the extent it increases the
proportional interest of a U.S. Holder in our fully diluted common stock,
whether or not the holder ever exercises the warrants into our common stock.
Generally, a holder's tax basis in a warrant will be increased by the amount of
any constructive dividend. Similarly, a failure to adjust the conversion price
of the warrants to reflect a stock dividend or similar event could in some
circumstances give rise to constructive dividend income to holders of our common
stock.
Stock
If we make distributions on our common stock, those distributions
generally will be treated as a dividend, subject to tax as ordinary income, to
the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits as of the end of
our taxable year in which the distribution occurs. Any excess will be treated as
a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax
basis in our common stock and thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of
that stock. Subject to applicable rules, U.S. Holders that are corporations may
be eligible to claim a deduction equal to a portion of any distributions
received treated as dividends.
Under President Bush's recently proposed Economic Growth Plan, beginning
in 2003, dividends paid to individuals by corporations out of previously taxed
corporate income would be excluded from taxable income. It is not clear at this
time whether, and in what form, this proposal will be enacted. Moreover, it is
not clear at this time if, and to what extent, any corollary changes would be
made that may further affect the tax consequences described herein if this
proposal is enacted. This discussion does not reflect President Bush's recent
proposal.
Upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of our common stock,
a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the
difference between (i) the amount of cash and the fair market value of any
property received upon the disposition and (ii) the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax
basis in the common stock or warrants, as applicable. Such gain or loss will be
long-term if the U.S. Holder's holding period is more than one year.
Non- U.S. Holders
For purposes of the following discussion, dividends on our common stock
and gain from the sale or other disposition of our common stock and/or warrants
will be considered to be "U.S. trade or business income" if such income or gain
is (i) effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business and
(ii) in the case of a treaty resident, attributable to a permanent establishment
in the United States.
Warrants
A non-U.S. Holder that exercises his, her or its warrants should not
recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result
of such exercise (except that any cash paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares
will be treated as received in exchange for an applicable number of warrant(s)
or
22
fraction thereof). A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S.
federal income tax on any gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of
warrants (other than gain that is treated as U.S. trade or business income) for
the same reasons set forth below regarding the sale or disposition of common
stock. See "Non-U.S. Holders--Stock" below. A non-U.S. Holder's bases and
holding periods in the warrants and in common stock received upon exercise of
the warrants are computed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder would compute such
items. See "U.S. Holders--Warrants" above.
As discussed above, an adjustment to the exercise price of the warrants
could potentially give rise to a deemed distribution to holders of the warrants.
See "U.S. Holders--Warrants" above. With respect to non-U.S. Holders, the deemed
distribution would be subject to the rules below regarding withholding of U.S.
federal tax on dividends in respect of common stock. See "Non-U.S.
Holders--Stock" below.
Stock
If we make distributions on our common stock, such distributions will
constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of our
current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, as of the end of our taxable year in which the distribution
occurs.
In general, dividends paid to a non-U.S. Holder that are not U.S. trade or
business income will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a
30% rate unless such rate is reduced by an applicable income tax treaty. In
order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding under an income tax treaty, a
non-U.S. Holder generally will be required to provide a properly completed and
executed IRS Form W-8 BEN (or successor form) to us or our paying agent, or
similar appropriate documentation or substitute form, certifying the non-U.S.
Holder's entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty. A
non-U.S. Holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax
pursuant to an income tax treaty generally may obtain a refund of any excess
amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS.
Dividends that are U.S. trade or business income generally will not be
subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax if the non-U.S. Holder
provides a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8ECI (or successor form)
to us or our paying agent, or similar appropriate documentation or substitute
form, certifying that the dividends are U.S. trade or business income. Instead,
dividends that are U.S. trade or business income generally will be subject to
U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular graduated U.S.
federal income tax rates. Any dividends that are U.S. trade or business income
received by a non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may also, under certain
circumstances, be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate or
such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.
Under President Bush's recently proposed Economic Growth Plan, beginning
in 2003, dividends paid to individuals by corporations out of previously taxed
corporate income would be excluded from taxable income. It is not clear at this
time whether, and in what form, this proposal will be enacted and whether it
would extend to non-U.S. Holders. This discussion does not reflect President
Bush's recent proposal.
A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax
on the sale or other disposition of our common stock unless:
o such gain is U.S. trade or business income, in which case the non-U.S.
Holder would be taxed on the net gain derived from the sale or other
disposition under the regular graduated U.S. federal income tax rates.
In addition, a non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation may be subject
23
to an additional "branch profits tax" at a rate of 30% or a lower rate
as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty;
o the non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien individual who holds the
common stock as a capital asset, is present in the United States for
183 days or more during the taxable year of the disposition, and
certain other conditions are present, in which case such non-U.S.
Holder generally will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived
from the sale or other disposition of the common stock; or
o Vishay is or has been a "United States real property holding
corporation" within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code at
any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date
of the sale or other disposition of the common stock or the period
during which the non-U.S. Holder has held the common stock.
We believe that we have not been, are not currently, and are not likely to
become in the future, a "United States real property holding corporation" within
the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code. However, no assurance can be given
that we will not be a "United States real property holding corporation" when a
non-U.S. Holder sells his, her or its shares of our common stock. If we were to
become a "United States real property holding corporation", a non-U.S. Holder
would still not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the sale or other
disposition of the common stock if the shares of common stock are considered to
be "regularly traded on an established securities market" within the meaning of
Section 897(c)(3) of the Code and the non-U.S. Holder does not own, actually or
constructively, at any time during the shorter of the periods described above,
more than 5 percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
Federal Estate Tax
Our common stock or warrants owned or treated as owned by an individual
who is not a citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal estate
tax purposes at the time of death (or our common stock or warrants previously
held by an individual who transferred the stock or warrants subject to certain
retained rights or powers) will be included in the individual's gross estate for
U.S. federal estate tax purposes, and may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax,
unless otherwise provided by an applicable estate tax treaty.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Non-exempt U.S. Holders may be subject to information reporting with
respect to payments of proceeds from the disposition of our common stock and
dividends on our common stock. Non-exempt U.S. Holders who are subject to
information reporting and who do not provide appropriate information when
requested may be subject to backup withholding. U.S. Holders should consult
their tax advisors.
In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to
the proceeds from the disposition of common stock paid to a non-U.S. Holder if
the holder has provided the required certification that it is not a U.S. person.
If a non-U.S. Holder fails to provide the required certification, proceeds from
the disposition of common stock may be subject to backup withholding and
information reporting in certain circumstances.
Vishay must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. Holder any
dividend income that is subject to withholding, or that is exempt from U.S.
withholding tax pursuant to a tax treaty. Copies of these information returns
may also be made available, under the provisions of a specific treaty or
agreement, to the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. Holder
resides. In general, backup
24
withholding will not apply to dividends on common stock made by us or our paying
agent, in its capacity as such, to a non-U.S. Holder if the holder has provided
the required certification that it is not a U.S. person. If a non-U.S. Holder
fails to provide the required certification, distributions on common stock may
be subject to backup withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under
the backup withholding rules from a payment to any holder will be allowed as a
refund or a credit against such holder's U.S. federal income tax liability
provided the requisite procedures are followed.
SELLING SECURITYHOLDERS
The selling securityholders, including their transferees, pledgees, donees
or successors may, from time to time, offer and sell the warrants or the common
stock issuable upon exchange of the notes pursuant to this prospectus. In
addition, the initial holders of the warrants and their affiliates may sell
shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants pursuant to this prospectus, and
all holders of warrants may sell shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants
pursuant to this prospectus in an underwritten public offering, if the exercise
is in connection with the sale of the shares. Our registration of the warrants
and the common stock underlying the notes and the warrants does not necessarily
mean that the selling securityholders will sell all or any of these securities.
The following table sets forth certain information as of , 2003 concerning
the warrants and common stock of the selling securityholders.
We have assumed for purposes of the table below that the selling
securityholders will exchange all of the notes and exercise all of the warrants
owned and being offered under this prospectus. We have also assumed that the
selling securityholders will sell all of the exchange shares and exercise
shares. In addition, the selling securityholders identified below may have sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of their notes or warrants
since the date on which they provided information regarding their securities in
transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Shares of Common Stock
Shares of Beneficially Owned Upon
Shares Shares Common Stock Completion of the
Issuable on Issuable on Beneficially Offering
Exchange of Exercise of Owned Before --------------------------
Notes Class A Class B Warrants the Offering Number of
Name (1) (2) Warrants Warrants (3) (4) Shares Percentage
-------- ----------- -------- -------- ----------- ------------- --------- ------------
Phoenix Bermuda
L.P.* 237,529 6,540,296 1,703,774 8,244,070
European Private
Equity Investors
L.L.C.* -- 459,704 119,755 579,459
Sankaty High Yield
Asset Partners
L.P.* 531,000 -- -- --
25
Shares of Common Stock
Shares of Beneficially Owned Upon
Shares Shares Common Stock Completion of the
Issuable on Issuable on Beneficially Offering
Exchange of Exercise of Owned Before --------------------------
Notes Class A Class B Warrants the Offering Number of
Name (1) (2) Warrants Warrants (3) (4) Shares Percentage
-------- ----------- -------- -------- ----------- ------------- --------- ------------
BCM Capital
Partners L.P.* 359,588 -- -- --
BCIP Associates II* 2,000 -- -- --
BCIP Trust
Associates II* 9,764 -- -- --
JP Morgan Partners
(BCHA) L.P.* 2,794,588 -- -- --
GarMark Partners
L.P.* 1,747,058 -- -- --
BCIP Trust
Associates II-B* 176 -- -- --
Bain Capital V
Mezzanine Fund L.P.* 494,764 -- -- --
- -------------------------
* Denotes initial holder or its affiliate.
(1) Information concerning any change to the selling securityholders will be
set forth in prospectus supplements or post-effective amendments to the
registration statement from time to time, if required.
(2) Figures in this column assume that the selling securityholder will
exchange in full the notes held by them.
26
(3) Figures in this column assume that the selling securityholder will
exercise in full the warrants held by them and include the total number of
shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the class A warrants and
the class B warrants.
(4) Figures in this column do not include the shares of common stock issuable
upon exchange of the notes or exercise of the warrants.
None of the selling securityholders has had any position, office or other
material relationship with Vishay or any of our predecessors or affiliates
within the past three years.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling securityholders and their successors, which include their
pledgees, donees, partnership distributees and other transferees receiving the
warrants, the notes or common stock underlying the notes from the selling
securityholders in non-sale transfers, may sell the warrants and the common
stock underlying the notes directly to purchasers or through broker-dealers or
agents. The common stock underlying the notes may also be sold to underwriters.
The initial holders of the warrants and their affiliates may sell the warrants
and the common stock underlying the warrants directly to purchasers or through
underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. Other holders of the warrants may only
sell the common stock underlying the warrants pursuant to the prospectus:
o in an underwritten public offering, where the warrants are being
exercised in connection with the offering; or
o if for any reason our registration of the shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants is not effective.
Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the
form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling securityholders
or the purchasers. These discounts, concessions or commissions may be in excess
of those customary in the types of transactions involved.
The warrants and the common stock underlying the notes and the warrants
may be sold in one or more transactions:
o at fixed prices;
o at prevailing market prices at the time of sale;
o at varying prices determined at the time of sale; or
o at negotiated prices.
These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or
block transactions, in the following manner:
o on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which
the warrants or the common stock underlying the notes and the
warrants may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;
o in the over-the-counter market;
27
o in transactions other than on these exchanges or services or in
the over-the-counter market;
o through the writing and exercise of options, whether these
options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; or
o through the settlement of short sales.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities being sold will be
acquired by the underwriters for their own account and distribution of the
securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a
fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at
the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement with
respect of the securities being offered thereby, the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase such securities will be subject to certain conditions
precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities
if any of such securities are purchased. The initial public offering price of
any securities and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to
dealers may be changed from time to time.
If dealers are used in the sale, unless otherwise indicated in the
prospectus supplement with respect to the securities being offered thereby, the
selling securityholder will sell such securities to the dealers as principals.
The dealers may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to
be determined by such dealers at the time of resale.
Securities may also be sold through agents designated by the selling
securityholder from time to time or directly by the selling securityholder. Any
agent involved in the offering and sale of the securities in respect of which
this prospectus is being delivered will be named, and any commission payable by
the selling securityholder to such agent will be set forth, in the prospectus
supplement with respect to such securities. Unless otherwise indicated in the
prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the
period of its appointment.
Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of
the securities may be entitled under agreements entered into with the selling
securityholder to indemnification by the selling securityholder against certain
civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to
contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents
may be required to make in respect thereof.
Selling securityholders may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in
short sales of the warrants or the common stock underlying the notes and the
warrants and deliver these securities to close out short positions, short and
deliver the warrants and common stock underlying the notes and the warrants to
close out short positions, or loan or pledge the warrants or the common stock
underlying the notes and the warrants to broker-dealers that in turn may sell
these securities.
The aggregate proceeds to the selling securityholders from the sale of the
warrants or common stock underlying the notes and the warrants will be the
purchase price of the warrants or common stock less any discounts and
commissions, if applicable. A selling securityholder reserves the right to
accept and, together with their agents, to reject, any proposed purchase of
warrants or common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not
receive any of the proceeds from the resale of these securities by the selling
securityholders. We may, however, receive cash consideration in connection with
the exercise of the warrants for cash.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some jurisdictions, if
applicable, the holders of warrants and the common stock underlying the notes
and the warrants may sell in some jurisdictions through registered or licensed
broker dealers. In addition, under certain circumstances in some jurisdictions,
the warrants may need to be registered or qualified for sale or comply with an
available exemption from the registration and qualification requirements of such
jurisdiction.
Our outstanding common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange. There is no established trading market for the warrants. We do not
intend to list the warrants for trading on any automated interdealer quotation
system or national securities exchange.
The selling securityholders and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents
that participate in the sale of the warrants and common stock underlying the
notes and the warrants may be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11)
of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profits they
earn on any resale of the warrants or the shares of common stock underlying the
notes and the warrants may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the
Securities Act. Selling securityholders who are "underwriters" within the
meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling securityholders have
acknowledged that they understand their obligations to comply with the
provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder relating to stock
manipulation, particularly Regulation M, and have agreed that they will not
engage in any transaction in violation of such provisions.
In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus that qualify for
sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act may be sold
under Rule 144 or Rule 144A rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
28
If required, the warrants or the common stock to be sold, the names of the
selling securityholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering
prices, the names of any agent, dealer or underwriter, and any applicable
commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in
an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We entered into a registration rights agreement for the benefit of the
holders of the notes and the warrants. Pursuant to the registration rights
agreement, we agreed to register the warrants and the common stock underlying
the notes and the warrants with the SEC under specific circumstances and
specific times. In addition, the selling securityholders and we have agreed to
indemnify each other and our respective controlling persons against, and in
certain circumstances to provide contribution with respect to, specific
liabilities in connection with the offer and sale of the warrants and the common
stock underlying the notes and the warrants, including liabilities under the
Securities Act. We will pay the expenses incident to the registration of the
warrants and the common stock underlying the notes and the warrants, except that
the selling securityholders will pay all underwriting discounts, commissions or
fees attributable to the sale of the securities and will pay the costs of their
own counsel.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the warrants and common stock underlying the notes and the
warrants is being passed upon for us by Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, New
York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
appearing in Vishay's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31,
2001, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth
in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference.
Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any public offering document we
file, including a copy of the registration statement on Form S-3 of which this
prospectus is a part, without charge at the SEC's Public Reference Room, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington D.C. 20549.
You can also request copies of all or any portion of these documents by
writing the Public Reference Section and paying certain prescribed fees. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference
Section. Additionally, these documents are available to the public from the
SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You can also inspect reports, proxy
statements and other information about us at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this prospectus the
information we file with the SEC. This means that we are disclosing important
information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated
by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any
information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus.
Information that we file later with the SEC under the Exchange Act will
automatically update information in this prospectus. In all cases, you should
rely on the later information over different information included in this
prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until this offering is completed:
29
o Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001;
o Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2002,
June 30, 2002 and September 30, 2002;
o Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on April 15, 2002, August 14, 2002
and December 23, 2002; and
o The description of our common stock set forth in our Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 27, 1983, including any
amendment or reports filed for the purpose of updating such
description.
You may request a copy of these filings, or any other documents or other
information referred to in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus,
at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address or telephone
number:
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
63 Lincoln Highway
Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355-2120
Attention: Secretary
(610) 644-1300
Exhibits to the documents incorporated by reference will not be sent,
however, unless those exhibits have been specifically referenced in this
prospectus.
30
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses Of Issuance And Distribution
The Registrant is paying all of the expenses related to this offering. The
following table sets forth the approximate amount of fees and expenses payable
by the Registrant in connection with this Registration Statement and the
distribution of the shares of the securities being registered hereby. The
selling securityholders will bear all underwriting discounts, commissions or
fees attributable to the sale of the registrable securities.
SEC registration fee $ 19,710.00
Legal fees and expenses 50,000.00
Accounting fees and expenses 15,000.00
Printing and engraving expenses 25,000.00
Miscellaneous 10,290.00
-----------
Total $120,000.00
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a
corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the
corporation in related capacities against amounts paid and expenses incurred in
connection with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be
made a party by reason of such position, if such person shall have acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of Vishay, and, in any criminal proceeding, if such person had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided that, in the case
of actions brought by or in the right of Vishay, no indemnification shall be
made with respect to any matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged
to be liable to Vishay unless and only to the extent that the adjudicating court
determines that such indemnification is proper under the circumstances.
Vishay's certificate of incorporation provides that every person who is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of Vishay shall be indemnified by
Vishay against all judgments, payments in settlement, fines, penalties, and
other reasonable costs and expenses resulting from any action, proceeding,
investigation or claim which is brought or threatened by or in the right of
Vishay or by anyone else by reason of such person being or having been a
director, officer, employee or agent of Vishay or any act or omission of such
person in such capacity. Such indemnification shall be available either if such
person is wholly successful in defending such action or if, in the judgment of a
court or the Board of Directors of Vishay or in the opinion of independent legal
counsel, such person acted in good faith in what he reasonably believed to be in
the best interests of Vishay and was not adjudged liable to the corporation,
and, in any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to believe that his action
was unlawful. In the case of a derivative action, such indemnification shall not
be made other than in respect of a court approved settlement or if, in the
opinion of independent counsel, the person satisfied the standard of conduct
specified in the prior sentence, the action was without substantial merit, the
settlement was in the best interest of Vishay and the payment is permissible
under applicable law. Directors may authorize the advancement of reasonable
costs and expenses in connection with any such action to the extent permitted
under Delaware law. Vishay's certificate of incorporation further provides that
no director shall have any personal liability to Vishay or to its stockholders
for any monetary
II-1
damages for breach of fiduciary duty, to the extent permitted under the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
Vishay maintains $100 million of insurance to reimburse the directors and
officers of Vishay and its subsidiaries, for charges and expenses incurred by
them for wrongful acts claimed against them by reason of their being or having
been directors or officers of Vishay or any of its subsidiaries. Such insurance
specifically excludes reimbursement of any director or officer for any charge or
expense incurred in connection with various designated matters, including libel
or slander, illegally obtained personal profits, profits recovered by Vishay
pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act and deliberate dishonesty.
Item 16. Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
2.1 Share Sale and Purchase Agreement between Phoenix Acquisition
Company S.ar.l; Other Investors named therein; Mezzanine Lenders
(as defined); Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.; Vishay Europe Gmbh;
and BCcomponents International B.V., dated as of November 10,
2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Form 8-K
filed on December 23, 2002).
2.2 Amendment to the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement between
Phoenix Acquisition Company S.ar.l; Other Investors as named
therein; Mezzanine Lenders (as defined); Vishay Intertechnology,
Inc.; Vishay Europe Gmbh; and BCcomponents International B.V.,
dated as of December 4, 2002 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2.2 to our Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2002).
3.1 Composite Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Vishay dated August 3, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995).
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Composite Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of Vishay (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
1997).
3.3 Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Vishay (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to our Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2001).
3.4 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Vishay (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File
Number 33-13833)).
3.5 Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws of Vishay
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Form 10-K (File
Number 1-7416) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993).
4.1 Warrant Agreement between Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., dated December 31, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed
on December 23, 2002).
4.2 Note Instrument by Vishay Technology, Inc., dated as of December
13, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Form
8-K filed on December 23, 2002).
5.1 Opinion of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP regarding the
legality of the warrants and the shares of Vishay common stock
registered hereunder.*
10.1 Securities Investment and Registration Rights Agreement by and
among Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and the Original Holders (as
defined), dated as of December 13, 2002 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Form 8-K filed on December 23,
2002).
10.2 Note Purchase Agreement between Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and
Subscribers (as defined), dated December 13, 2002 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Form 8-K filed on December
23, 2002).
II-2
10.3 Put and Call Agreement between Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and
the Initial Holders (as defined), dated as of December 13, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to our Form 8-K filed
on December 23, 2002).
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.*
23.2 Consent of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP (included in
Exhibit 5.1).+
24 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page). +
- -----------------------
* Filed herewith.
+ To be filed by amendment.
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum aggregate
offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), if, in the aggregate, the changes in
volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration
Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
of distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or
any material change to such information in this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant, pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Malvern, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 14th
day of January, 2003.
VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY, INC.
By: /S/ FELIX ZANDMAN
-----------------------------------
Felix Zandman
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned constitutes
and appoints FELIX ZANDMAN and AVI D. EDEN, and each of them, his true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign this registration statement (including all pre-effective and
post-effective amendments thereto and all registration statements filed pursuant
to Rule 462(b) which incorporate this registration statement by reference), and
to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons on January 14,
2003 the capacities indicated below.
SIGNATURE TITLE
--------- -----
/S/ FELIX ZANDMAN Director, Chairman of the Board, and Chief
- ---------------------------- Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
FELIX ZANDMAN
/S/ AVI D. EDEN Director, Vice Chairman of the Board, Executive
- ---------------------------- Vice President and General Counsel
AVI D. EDEN
/S/ ELI HURVITZ Director
- ----------------------------
ELI HURVITZ
/S/ GERALD PAUL Director, President and Chief Operating Officer
- ----------------------------
GERALD PAUL
/S/ RICHARD N. GRUBB Director, Executive Vice President, Treasurer
- ---------------------------- and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
RICHARD N. GRUBB and Accounting Officer)
/S/ ROBERT A. FREECE Director, Senior Vice President
- ----------------------------
ROBERT A. FREECE
/S/ DR. EDWARD B. SHILS Director
- ----------------------------
DR. EDWARD B. SHILS
/S/ ZIV SHOSHANI Director
- ----------------------------
ZIV SHOSHANI
/S/ MARK I. SOLOMON Director
- ----------------------------
MARK I. SOLOMON
/S/ JEAN-CLAUDE TINE Director
- ----------------------------
JEAN-CLAUDE TINE
/S/ MARC ZANDMAN Director
- ----------------------------
MARC ZANDMAN
/S/ RUTA ZANDMAN Director
- ----------------------------
RUTA ZANDMAN
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description
------- -----------
2.1 Share Sale and Purchase Agreement between Phoenix Acquisition
Company S.ar.l; Other Investors named therein; Mezzanine Lenders
(as defined); Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.; Vishay Europe Gmbh;
and BCcomponents International B.V., dated as of November 10,
2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to our Form 8-K
filed on December 23, 2002).
2.2 Amendment to the Share Sale and Purchase Agreement between
Phoenix Acquisition Company S.ar.l; Other Investors as named
therein; Mezzanine Lenders (as defined); Vishay Intertechnology,
Inc.; Vishay Europe Gmbh; and BCcomponents International B.V.,
dated as of December 4, 2002 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 2.2 to our Form 8-K filed on December 23, 2002).
3.1 Composite Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Vishay dated August 3, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995).
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Composite Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of Vishay (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.1 to our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
1997).
3.3 Certificate of Amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Vishay (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.1 to our Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2001).
3.4 Amended and Restated Bylaws of Vishay (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File
Number 33-13833)).
3.5 Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws of Vishay
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Form 10-K (File
Number 1-7416) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993).
4.1 Warrant Agreement between Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., dated December 31, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Form 8-K filed
on December 23, 2002).
4.2 Note Instrument by Vishay Technology, Inc., dated as of December
13, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to our Form
8-K filed on December 23, 2002).
5.1 Opinion of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP regarding the
legality of the warrants and the shares of Vishay common stock
registered hereunder.*
10.1 Securities Investment and Registration Rights Agreement by and
among Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and the Original Holders (as
defined), dated as of December 13, 2002 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Form 8-K filed on December 23,
2002).
10.2 Note Purchase Agreement between Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and
Subscribers (as defined), dated December 13, 2002 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Form 8-K filed on December
23, 2002).
10.3 Put and Call Agreement between Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. and
the Initial Holders (as defined), dated as of December 13, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to our Form 8-K filed
on December 23, 2002).
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.*
23.2 Consent of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP (included in
Exhibit 5.1).+
24 Power of Attorney (included on the signature page).+
- ------------------------
* Filed herewith
+ To be filed by amendment.
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-xxxxx) and related Prospectus of Vishay
Intertechnology, Inc. for the registration of Class A Warrants to purchase
7,000,000 shares of its common stock, Class B Warrants to purchase 1,823,529
shares of its common stock, 6,176,467 shares of its common stock issuable upon
exchange of $105,000,000 Floating Rate Unsecured Loan Notes due 2102, and
8,823,529 shares of its common stock issuable upon exercise of Class A Warrants
and Class B Warrants and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report
dated February 6, 2002 (except for Note 17, as to which the date is February 13,
2002), with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Vishay
Intertechnology, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 2001, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 10, 2003