Asserts that the Board’s Dismissal of Failed
CEO Matt Proud is a Delayed Acknowledgment of Long-Term Shareholder
Dissent
Notes that the $10 Million Severance Payment is
the Latest Example of the Board Disregarding Shareholders’ Best
Interests
Believes Mr. Proud Should Not be Allowed to
Stay on as Caretaker CEO and Board Member During the Company’s
All-Important Search for Its New Leader
Underscores Opportunity for Shareholders to
Ensure an Independent and Rigorous CEO Search Process by Electing
Engine’s World-Class Slate at the Upcoming Annual Meeting on
December 17th
Engine Capital LP (together with its affiliates, "Engine" or
"we"), which owns approximately 7.1% of the issued and outstanding
common shares of Dye & Durham Limited (TSX: DND) ("Dye &
Durham" or the "Company"), today issued the following statement in
response to the Company’s announcement that Matt Proud will be
stepping down from his role as CEO:
“Dye & Durham’s Board members have allowed Matt Proud to run
circles around them for years. After months of investor pressure
and three weeks before the Annual Meeting, these directors finally
acknowledged shareholder concerns by dismissing Mr. Proud. But the
Board, led by Chair Colleen Moorehead and Chair of the Compensation
Committee Ted Prittie, grossly mishandled this transition. We were
shocked to learn that the Board approved a $10 million ‘ransom’
payment to Mr. Proud despite having no legal obligation to pay any
severance to him. Apparently, this payment was made by directors to
avoid being personally sued by Mr. Proud. Instead of protecting
shareholders’ capital, the directors put their own interests first.
We also find the Board’s decision to allow Mr. Proud to stay on as
caretaker CEO unacceptable after all the damage he has caused to
the Company, its employees and customers. This is bad for the
business. Finally, we believe Mr. Proud’s continued presence on the
Board will make a CEO search more difficult and will likely deter
some of the best candidates, who will be understandably concerned
about reporting to a Board still dominated by Mr. Proud, Ms.
Moorehead, Mr. Prittie and their handpicked nominees.
The takeaway is that this Board cannot be trusted to act in the
best interests of shareholders – let alone handle the most critical
decision facing the Company today. Thankfully, shareholders have an
opportunity to end the drama by electing Engine’s world-class
slate, which includes directors with experience overseeing
successful CEO searches and business transformations. Adding these
directors is the only way to ensure the Board is best equipped to
identify, attract and supervise Dye & Durham’s next leader on
the path to deliver value for long-suffering shareholders.”
***
As a reminder, Engine is seeking to reconstitute Dye &
Durham’s Board with six highly qualified director
candidates – Arnaud Ajdler, Hans T. Gieskes, Tracey E.
Keates, Ritu Khanna, Anthony P. Kinnear and Sid Singh – at the
Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for
December 17, 2024.
***
Information in Support of Public
Broadcast Exemption under Canadian Law
The information contained in this press release does not and is
not meant to constitute a solicitation of a proxy within the
meaning of applicable corporate and securities laws. Shareholders
of the Company are not being asked at this time to execute a proxy
in favour of Engine’s director nominees or in respect of any other
matter to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. In connection with
the Annual Meeting, Engine intends to file a dissident information
circular in due course in compliance with applicable corporate and
securities laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Engine has
voluntarily provided in, or incorporated by reference into, this
press release the disclosure required under section 9.2(4) of NI
51-102 – Continuous Disclosure Obligations (“NI 51-102”) and has
filed a document (the “Document”) containing disclosure prescribed
by applicable corporate law and disclosure required under section
9.2(6) of NI 51-102 in respect of Engine’s director nominees, in
accordance with corporate and securities laws applicable to public
broadcast solicitations. The Document is hereby incorporated by
reference into this press release and is available under the
Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The registered
office of the Company is 25 York Street, Suite 1100 Toronto,
Ontario M5J 2V5.
None of Engine, any other “dissidents” within the meaning of the
Ont. Reg. 62 of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and any
partner, officer, director and control person of such “dissidents”
(collectively, the “Engine Group”) is requesting that Company
shareholders submit a proxy at this time. Once formal solicitation
of proxies in connection with the Annual Meeting has commenced,
proxies may be revoked in accordance with subsection 110(4) of the
Business Corporations Act (Ontario) by a registered holder of
Company shares: (a) by completing and signing a valid proxy bearing
a later date and returning it in accordance with the instructions
contained in the accompanying form of proxy; (b) by depositing an
instrument in writing that is signed by the shareholder or an
attorney who is authorized by a document that is signed in writing
or by electronic signature; (c) by transmitting by telephonic or
electronic means a revocation that is signed by electronic
signature in accordance with applicable law, as the case may be:
(i) at the registered office of the Company at any time up to and
including the last business day preceding the day the Annual
Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the Annual Meeting is
to be held, or (ii) with the chair of the Annual Meeting on the day
of the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the
Annual Meeting; or (d) in any other manner permitted by law. In
addition, proxies may be revoked by a non-registered holder of
Company shares at any time by written notice to the intermediary in
accordance with the instructions given to the non-registered holder
by its intermediary.
The costs incurred in the preparation and mailing of any
circular or proxy solicitation by Engine and any other participants
named herein will be borne directly and indirectly by the Engine
Group. However, to the extent permitted under applicable law, the
Engine Group intends to seek reimbursement from the Company of all
expenses incurred in connection with the solicitation of proxies
for the election of the Nominees at the Annual Meeting.
This press release and any solicitation made by Engine is, or
will be, as applicable, made by such parties, and not by or on
behalf of the management of the Company. Proxies may be solicited
by proxy circular, mail, telephone, email or other electronic
means, as well as by newspaper or other media advertising and in
person by managers, directors, officers and employees of Engine who
will not be specifically remunerated therefor. In addition, Engine
may solicit proxies by way of public broadcast, including press
release, speech or publication and any other manner permitted under
applicable Canadian laws, and may engage the services of one or
more agents and authorize other persons to assist it in soliciting
proxies on their behalf.
Engine Capital LP has entered into an agreement with Morrow
Sodali (Canada) Ltd. (“Sodali”) for solicitation and advisory
services in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the
Annual Meeting, for which Sodali will receive a fee not to exceed
US$175,000, together with reimbursement for reasonable and
out-of-pocket expenses, and will be indemnified against certain
liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under
securities laws.
No member of the Engine Group nor any of their associates or
affiliates has or has had any material interest, direct or
indirect, in any transaction since the beginning of the Company’s
last completed financial year or in any proposed transaction that
has materially affected or will or would materially affect the
Company or any of the Company’s affiliates. No member of the Engine
Group nor any of their associates or affiliates has any material
interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of
securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the
Annual Meeting, other than the election of directors.
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking
Information
Statements contained herein that are not historical facts
constitute “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking
information” (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the
meaning of applicable securities laws that reflect Engine’s current
expectations, assumptions, and estimates of future events,
performance and economic conditions. Such forward-looking
statements rely on the safe harbor provisions of applicable
securities laws. Because such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and there
can be no assurance that the Company’s securities will trade at the
prices that may be implied herein, and there can be no assurance
that any opinion or assumption herein is, or will be proven,
correct. Words and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,”
“create,” “drive,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “growth,”
“intend,” “hope,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “confident,” “restore,”
“reduce,” “potential,” “proposal,” “unlock,” “upside,” “will,”
“would,” and similar words and phrases are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may
include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: the
anticipated financial and operating performance of Dye &
Durham; anticipated changes to Dye & Durham’s debt levels and
financial ratios; the outcome of the Annual Meeting; the release of
a transition plan and go-forward strategy; anticipated EBITDA; and
achieving organic growth, free cash flow generation and leverage
reduction. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance or actual results, and readers should not place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statement as actual results
may differ materially and adversely from forward-looking
statements. All forward-looking statements contained herein are
made only as of the date hereof, and Engine disclaims any intention
or obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently
occur, or of which Engine hereafter becomes aware, except as
required by applicable law.
About Engine Capital
Engine Capital LP is a value-oriented special situations fund
that invests both actively and passively in companies undergoing
change.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241127103415/en/
For Investors: Engine Capital LP 212-321-0048
info@enginecap.com
For Media: Longacre Square Partners Charlotte Kiaie /
Bela Kirpalani, 646-386-0091 engine-DND@longacresquare.com
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