SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of
1934
July 1, 2021
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Michigan
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001-15141
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38-0837640
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
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(Commission File Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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855 East Main Avenue, Zeeland, MI 49464
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(616) 654-3000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions:
☒
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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☐
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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☐
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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☐
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Pre-commencement communications
pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section
12(b) of the Act:
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
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Trading Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange on which registered
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Common Stock
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MLHR
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NASDAQ
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company
as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of
this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
☐
If an
emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant
has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided
pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 8.01 Other Events.
As previously disclosed, on April 19, 2021, Herman Miller, Inc., a
Michigan corporation (“Herman Miller”), entered into an Agreement
and Plan of Merger with Heat Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herman Miller (“Merger
Sub”), and Knoll, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Knoll”), providing
for the merger of Merger Sub with and into Knoll, with Knoll
surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Herman Miller (the
“Merger”). On June 11, 2021, in connection with the Merger, each of
Herman Miller and Knoll filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) a definitive proxy statement that also
constitutes a prospectus of Herman Miller (“Definitive Proxy
Statement”) with respect to the respective special meetings of
Herman Miller shareholders and Knoll stockholders, each scheduled
to be held on July 13, 2021.
Litigation Related to the Merger
As previously disclosed in the Definitive Proxy Statement, at that
time, three lawsuits had been filed in connection with the Merger
between May 27, 2021 and June 9, 2021 against one or more of Knoll,
the directors of Knoll, Herman Miller and Merger Sub (the
“Defendants”). Two complaints, Stein v. Knoll, Inc. et
al., C.A. No.
1:21-cv-04759 and Waterman v. Knoll, Inc.
et al., C.A. No. 1:21-cv-05119
(the “Waterman lawsuit”), were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York. One complaint, Gatto v. Knoll, Inc. et
al., C.A. No.
2:21-cv-12287, was filed in the United States District Court for the District of
New Jersey.
Following the filing of the Definitive Proxy Statement with the
SEC, an additional six lawsuits were filed in connection with the
Merger between June 15, 2021 and June 30, 2021 against one or more
of the Defendants. One
complaint, Snitkoff v. Andringa et
al., C.A. No. 21-6529CB (the
“Snitkoff lawsuit”), was filed in the 20th Circuit Court for the
State of Michigan; one complaint, Strickland v. Knoll, Inc. et al., C.A.
No. 1:21-cv-05346, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York; two complaints, O’Neill v. Knoll, Inc. et
al., C.A. No.
1:21-cv-12741 and Martinez
v. Knoll, Inc. et al.,
C.A. No. 2:21-cv-13144, were filed
in the United States District
Court for the District of New Jersey; one complaint,
Coffman v. Knoll,
Inc. et al., C.A. No.
1:21-cv-00873-UNA, was filed in the United States District Court for the District of
Delaware; and one complaint, Whitfield v. Knoll, Inc. et
al., C.A. No. 2:21-cv-02776
(the “Whitfield lawsuit”), was filed in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The complaints filed in federal court generally allege, among other
things, that Knoll and the directors of Knoll, and, in the case of
the Waterman lawsuit and the Whitfield lawsuit, Herman Miller, and
Merger Sub, disseminated or controlled the dissemination of a false
or misleading registration or proxy statement regarding the
proposed Merger in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and SEC Rule
14a-9 promulgated thereunder. Specifically, such complaints allege
that the registration statement filed by Herman Miller on May 24,
2021 in connection with the Merger and/or the Definitive Proxy
Statement were inaccurate or
misleading, including in respect of the disclosures concerning the
parties’ financial projections and the analyses performed by
Knoll’s financial advisor in support of its fairness opinion, and
omitted material information concerning the sales process leading
up to the Merger and potential conflicts of interest involving
Knoll’s financial advisor. The complaints further allege
that the directors of Knoll and, in the case of the Waterman
lawsuit and the Whitfield lawsuit, Herman Miller and Merger Sub,
are liable for these violations as “controlling persons” of Knoll
under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act.
The Snitkoff lawsuit, the sole complaint filed in state court,
alleges, among other things, that the directors of Herman Miller
breached their state law fiduciary duties by approving the Merger
and in disseminating materially incomplete disclosures. The alleged
material misstatements and omissions relate to, among other topics,
the opinion of Herman Miller’s financial advisor, potential conflicts of interest involving the
directors of Herman Miller and Herman Miller’s financial
advisor, and certain background events that occurred in
connection with the Merger.
Among other relief, the complaints seek injunctive relief,
including (1) enjoining the Merger unless and until the
Defendants disclose the allegedly omitted material information, (2)
rescinding the Merger in the event the Defendants consummate the
Merger (or awarding rescissory damages), (3) damages, and (4) an
award of attorneys’ and experts’ fees.
Herman Miller and Knoll believe that the claims in the complaints
are without merit and that no further disclosure is required under
applicable law. However, in order to avoid the risk of the
complaints delaying or adversely affecting the Merger and to
minimize the costs, risks, and uncertainties inherent in
litigation, and without admitting any liability or wrongdoing,
Herman Miller and Knoll have determined to voluntarily supplement
the Definitive Proxy Statement as described in this Current Report
on Form 8-K. Nothing in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall be
deemed an admission of the legal necessity or materiality under
applicable laws of any of the disclosures set forth herein. To the
contrary, Herman Miller and Knoll specifically deny all allegations
in the complaints that any additional disclosure was or is
required.
As a result of supplemental disclosures set forth herein, the
plaintiffs in these actions have agreed to voluntarily dismiss
their actions with prejudice.
Supplemental Disclosures to Definitive Proxy Statement
This supplemental information to the Definitive Proxy Statement
should be read in conjunction with the Definitive Proxy Statement,
which should be read in its entirety. Nothing herein shall be
deemed an admission of the legal necessity or materiality of any of
the disclosures set forth herein. All page references in the
information below are to pages in the Definitive Proxy Statement,
and all terms used but not defined below shall have the meanings
set forth in the Definitive Proxy Statement.
The following underlined language is added to the first full
paragraph on page 48 in the section of the Definitive Proxy
Statement entitled “The Merger—Background of the
Transactions.”
Following further discussions and negotiations between
representatives of Investindustrial and the Knoll Board and their
respective advisors to finalize definitive investment
documentation, and completion of Investindustrial’s due diligence,
Knoll entered into an investment agreement with Investindustrial on
June 22, 2020, pursuant to which Knoll subsequently issued and sold
to Investindustrial 164,000 shares of Knoll’s Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (which we refer to as
the “Knoll preferred stock”) for an aggregate purchase price of
$164 million, which amount was downsized from the initial $175
million proposed. The Knoll Board believed the investment by
Investindustrial fortified Knoll’s balance sheet and enhanced
Knoll’s ability to continue to execute its strategic plan in the
face of an uncertain macroeconomic environment, and also explore
future strategic opportunities should they arise. Pursuant to the
terms of the investment agreement, Knoll increased the size of its
board as of the closing date of the investment by Investindustrial
in order to elect an individual designated by Investindustrial to
fill the resulting vacancy. The investment agreement also
included a “standstill” provision with a “don’t ask, don’t waive”
clause, which provision expires on July 21, 2021. The standstill
provision in the investment agreement does not prohibit
Investindustrial from making a confidential proposal to the Knoll
Board so long as it is not publicly disclosed or announced and
would not require public disclosure by any person. Knoll
and Investindustrial also entered into a registration rights
agreement.
The following underlined language is added to the second full
paragraph on page 65 in the section of the Definitive Proxy
Statement entitled “The Merger—Background of the
Transactions.”
Also on April 17, 2021, BofA Securities delivered an updated draft
disclosure letter regarding certain of its relationships with
Knoll, Herman Miller and Investindustrial to the Knoll Board.
The disclosure letter indicated that from April 1, 2019 through
March 31, 2021, BofA Securities and its affiliates derived
aggregate revenues from Investindustrial and certain of its
affiliates of approximately $4 million for corporate and/or
investment banking services.
The following underlined language is added to, and the crossed out
language is deleted from, the first full paragraph in the section
of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled “The Merger—Opinion of
Goldman Sachs, Herman Miller’s Financial Advisor—Premia Analysis” that appears on page
80.
Goldman Sachs reviewed and analyzed, using publicly available
information, the acquisition premia for all the
530 all-cash and mixed consideration acquisition
transactions announced during the time period from January 1, 2007
through April 16, 2021, involving a US-based public company as the
target where the disclosed enterprise values for the transaction
were between $1 billion and $5 billion.
The following underlined language is added to, and the crossed out
language is deleted from, the second full paragraph in the section
of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled “The Merger—Opinion of
Goldman Sachs, Herman Miller’s Financial Advisor—Selected Precedent Transactions
Analysis” that appears on page 80.
Based on information in public filings, press releases and
financial media reports relating to the applicable transactions,
for each of the selected transactions, Goldman Sachs calculated and
compared the implied enterprise value of the applicable target
company based on the consideration paid in the transaction as a
multiple of the target company’s publicly disclosed EBITDA over the
last four-quarter period ended prior to the announcement of the
applicable transaction (“EV/LTM EBITDA multiple”). This analysis
indicated an illustrative range of EV/LTM EBITDA multiples of 11.5x
to 15.6x and a median of
13.5 14.1x.
The following underlined language is added to the table following
the second full paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy
Statement entitled “The Merger—Opinion of Goldman Sachs, Herman
Miller’s Financial Advisor—Selected Precedent Transactions
Analysis” that appears on page 80.
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Selected Transactions
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Announcement Date
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Target
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Acquirer
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LTM EV/EBITDA
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February 5, 2014
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Poltrona Frau S.p.A.
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Haworth, Inc.*
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15.3x**
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March 30, 2015
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Norcraft Companies, Inc.
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Fortune Brands Home & Security
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11.5x
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October 16, 2016
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Fantastic Holdings
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Steinhoff International
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15.6x
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December 21, 2017
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Muuto
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Knoll, Inc.
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14.3x
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May 23, 2018
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Ekornes ASA
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Qumei Home Furnishing Group
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12.0x
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June 7, 2018
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HAY A/S
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Herman Miller, Inc.
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14.0x
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* |
Acquired
58.6% interest
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** The median EV/LTM EBITDA multiple
disclosed in the prior S-4/A of Herman Miller filed on June 9, 2021
was calculated using a prior multiple for this transaction (13.1x)
that inadvertently excluded cash and debt.
The following underlined language and table are added following the
final three lines of the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement
entitled “The Merger—Opinion of Goldman Sachs, Herman Miller’s
Financial Advisor—Illustrative
Present Value of Future Share Price Analysis of Herman
Miller” that appear on page 82.
The
following tables present the results of this analysis:
Ranges of Implied Present Values as of February 27, 2021 of
Future Stock Prices of Stand-alone Herman Miller
2022E
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2023E
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2024E
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$43.37 - $48.65
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$46.66 - $52.03
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$47.61 - $52.81
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Ranges of Implied Present Values as of February 27, 2021 of
Future Stock Prices of Pro Forma Combined Company*
2022E
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2023E
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2024E
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$42.20 - $49.18
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$47.65 - $54.80
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$50.20 - $57.11
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*
Analysis pro forma
for the transaction (including the Herman Miller synergies) assumes
NTM EBITDA, in all years, includes 100% credit for run-rate
synergies. Further assumes that one-time costs to achieve the
Herman Miller synergies are added back to NTM
EBITDA.
The following underlined language is added to the third full
paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled
“The Merger—Opinion of BofA Securities, Knoll’s Financial
Advisor—Summary of Material
Financial Analyses of Knoll—Selected Publicly Traded Companies
Analysis” that appears on page 87.
The overall low to high 2021E
EV/EBITDA multiples observed for the selected companies were 8.0x
to 22.5x (with a mean of 12.9x and a median of 11.1x). The overall
low to high 2022E EV/EBITDA multiples observed for the selected
companies were 7.5x to 20.2x (with a mean of 10.6x and a median of
8.2x). Based on BofA Securities’ review of the 2021E EV/EBITDA and
2022E EV/EBITDA multiples for the selected companies and on its
professional judgment and experience and taking into
consideration, among other things, the historical trading multiples
of Knoll and the selected companies and certain differences in the
respective financial profiles of Knoll and the selected
companies, BofA Securities
applied a multiple reference range of 8.0x to 13.5x to Knoll
management’s estimated calendar year 2021E Adjusted EBITDA as
reflected in the Knoll forecasts (and burdened for estimated
stock-based compensation expense of $14 million as provided by
the management of Knoll), and a multiple reference range of
7.5x to 10.5x to Knoll management’s estimated calendar year 2022E
Adjusted EBITDA as reflected in the Knoll forecasts (and burdened
for estimated stock-based compensation expense of $14
million as provided by the management of Knoll) to calculate a
range of indicative enterprise values from which BofA Securities subtracted Knoll’s net
debt and tax-effected
pension liability of $290
million as of December 31,
2020, as reflected in Knoll public filings, and dividing the result
by a number of fully-diluted shares of Knoll common stock
outstanding (calculated on a treasury stock method basis, based on
information provided by the management of Knoll, including assumed conversion of Knoll
preferred stock) to arrive
at a range of indicative equity values per share of Knoll common
stock (rounded to the nearest $0.25).
The following underlined language is added to the fourth full
paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled
“The Merger—Opinion of BofA Securities, Knoll’s Financial
Advisor—Summary of Material
Financial Analyses of Knoll—Selected Publicly Traded Companies
Analysis” that appears on pages 87 and 88.
The overall low to high 2021E
Price/EPS multiples observed for the selected companies were 14.4x
to 56.2x (with a mean of 28.8x and median of 22.1x). The overall
low to high 2022E Price/EPS multiples observed for the selected
companies were 13.2x to 27.7x (with a mean of 19.4x and median of
17.2x). Based on BofA Securities’ review of the Price/EPS multiples
for the selected companies and on its professional judgment and
experience and taking into consideration, among other
things, the historical trading multiples of Knoll and the selected
companies and certain differences in the respective financial
profiles of Knoll and the selected companies, BofA Securities applied a 2021E Price/ EPS
multiple reference range of 20.0x to 30.0x to Knoll management’s
estimates of calendar year 2021E Adjusted Diluted EPS as reflected
in the Knoll forecasts, and a 2022E Price/EPS multiple reference
range of 15.0x to 25.0x to Knoll management’s estimates of calendar
year 2022E Adjusted Diluted EPS as reflected in the Knoll forecasts
to calculate implied equity value reference ranges per share of
Knoll common stock (rounded to the nearest $0.25).
The following underlined language is added to the table following
the first full paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy
Statement entitled “The Merger—Opinion of BofA Securities, Knoll’s
Financial Advisor—Summary of
Material Financial Analyses of Knoll—Selected Precedent Transactions
Analysis” that appears on page 88.
BofA Securities reviewed, to the extent publicly available,
financial information relating to the following six selected
transactions involving acquisitions of publicly traded furniture
companies since 2014.
Date Announced
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Target
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Acquiror
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TV/LTM EBITDA
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Transaction
Value (1)(2)
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October
2019
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HAY
A/S
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Herman
Miller, Inc.
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13.8x
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$232
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October
2018
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iGuzzini
Illuminazione S.p.A
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Fagerhult Group
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10.8x
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$429
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May
2018
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Ekornes
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QuMei
Home Furnishings
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11.6x
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$695
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December
2017
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Muuto
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Knoll,
Inc.
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14.5x
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$304
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May
2016
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Generation Brands Holdings, Inc.
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AEA
Investors
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10.5x
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$525
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February
2014
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Poltrana
Frau Group
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Haworth
Inc.
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15.1x
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$654
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________________________
(1) |
Full
transaction value implied when less than 100% stake.
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(2) |
Figures in USD in millions.
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The following underlined language is added to the third full
paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled
“The Merger—Opinion of BofA Securities, Knoll’s Financial
Advisor—Summary of Material
Financial Analyses of Knoll—Selected Precedent Transactions
Analysis” that appears on pages 88 and 89.
Based on BofA Securities’ review of the TV/LTM EBITDA multiples for
the selected transactions and on its professional judgment and
experience, BofA Securities applied a TV/LTM EBITDA multiple
reference range of 10.5x to 15.0x derived from the selected
transactions to Knoll management’s estimate of Knoll’s LTM
Adjusted EBITDA as of March 31, 2021 of approximately $97
million, as reflected in the Knoll forecasts (and burdened for
stock-based compensation), to calculate a range of implied
enterprise values for Knoll. BofA Securities then calculated an
implied equity value reference range per share of Knoll common
stock (rounded to the nearest $0.25) by subtracting from this range
of implied enterprise values Knoll’s net debt and tax-effected
pension liability of $290 million as of December 31, 2020, as
reflected in Knoll public filings and dividing the result by a
number of fully-diluted shares of Knoll common stock outstanding
(calculated on a treasury stock method basis, based on information
provided by the management of Knoll, including assumed
conversion of Knoll preferred stock). This analysis indicated
the following approximate implied equity value reference ranges per
share of Knoll common stock (rounded to the nearest $0.25), as
compared to the implied consideration value:
Implied Equity Value
Reference Range Per Share
of Knoll Common Stock
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Implied
Consideration Value
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$11.75 -
$19.00(1)
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$25.18
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(1)
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In its presentation to the Knoll Board on April 18, 2021, BofA
Securities inadvertently omitted certain shares of Knoll restricted
stock from its calculation when performing this analysis and
derived a range of indicative equity values per share of Knoll
common stock (rounded to the nearest $0.25) of $12.00 to
$19.25.
|
The following underlined language is added to the first full
paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled
“The Merger—Opinion of BofA Securities, Knoll’s Financial
Advisor—Summary of Material
Financial Analyses of Knoll—Discounted Cash Flow Analysis” that
appears on page 89.
BofA Securities performed a
discounted cash flow analysis of Knoll to calculate a range of
implied present values per share of Knoll common stock utilizing
estimates of the standalone, unlevered, after-tax free cash flows
Knoll was expected to generate over the period from December 31,
2020 through December 31, 2025 based on the estimates provided to
BofA Securities by Knoll management as described in the section
entitled “Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial
Information—Certain Knoll
Unaudited Prospective Financial Information.” BofA Securities
calculated a terminal value for Knoll by applying a selected range
of perpetuity growth rates of 2.00% to 2.50%, based on BofA
Securities’ professional judgment and experience
and after taking into
consideration, among other things, the observed data for Knoll and
the selected companies, the historical trading multiples of Knoll
and the selected companies, and certain differences in the
respective financial profiles of Knoll and the selected companies
as described under “—Summary of Material Financial Analyses of
Knoll—Selected Publicly Traded Companies
Analysis”, to Knoll’s
normalized free cash flows in the terminal year of approximately $109 million as derived from
the estimates provided to BofA Securities by Knoll management as
described in the section entitled “Certain Unaudited Prospective
Financial Information—Certain Knoll Unaudited Prospective Financial
Information” and approved by the management of
Knoll. BofA Securities
then calculated implied equity value reference ranges per share of
Knoll common stock (rounded to the nearest $0.25) by deducting from
this range of present values, Knoll’s net debt and tax-effected pension liability of $290
million as of December 31,
2020, as reflected in Knoll public filings and dividing the result
by a number of fully-diluted shares of Knoll common stock
outstanding (calculated on a treasury stock method basis, based on
information provided by the management of Knoll, including assumed conversion of Knoll
preferred stock). The cash
flows were discounted to present value as of December 31, 2020,
utilizing mid-year discounting convention, and using a discount
rate range of 7.50% to 9.75%, which was based on an estimate of
Knoll’s weighted average cost of capital derived using the capital
asset pricing model (which
takes into account the risk free rate, the levered beta and the
applicable equity market risk premium) and the estimated cost of
debt. This analysis
indicated the following approximate implied equity value reference
range per share of Knoll common stock (rounded to the nearest
$0.25), as compared to the implied consideration
value:
Implied Equity Value
Reference Range Per Share
of Knoll Common Stock
|
|
|
Implied
Consideration Value
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$14.75 -
$25.75
|
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$25.18
|
The following underlined language is added to the third full
paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled
“The Merger—Opinion of BofA Securities, Knoll’s Financial
Advisor—Summary of Material
Financial Analyses of Herman Miller—Selected Publicly Traded Companies
Analysis” that appears on page 90.
The overall low to high 2021E EV/EBITDA multiples observed for the
selected companies were 9.6x to 22.5x (with a mean of 14.0x and a
median of 13.1x). The overall low to high 2022E EV/EBITDA multiples
observed for the selected companies were 8.0x to 20.2x (with a mean
of 11.1x and a median of 9.3x). Based on BofA Securities’ review of
the 2021E EV/EBITDA and 2022E EV/EBITDA multiples for the selected
companies and on its professional judgment and experience and
taking into consideration, among other things, the historical
trading multiples of Herman Miller and the selected companies and
certain differences in the respective financial profiles of Herman
Miller and the selected companies, BofA Securities applied
(i) a multiple reference range of 8.0x to 13.5x to Herman
Miller management’s estimated calendar year 2021E Adjusted EBITDA
as reflected in the Herman Miller forecasts (and burdened for
estimated stock-based compensation expense of $10 million
as provided by the management of Knoll) to calculate a range of
indicative enterprise values from which BofA Securities subtracted
Herman Miller’s net debt and non-controlling interest and
tax-effected pension liability of $15 million as of December 31,
2020, as provided by the management of Knoll, and dividing the
result by the number of fully-diluted shares of Herman Miller
common stock outstanding (calculated on a treasury stock method
basis, based on information provided by the management of
Knoll), and (ii) a multiple reference range of 7.5x to
10.5x to Herman Miller management’s estimated calendar year 2022E
Adjusted EBITDA as reflected in the Herman Miller forecasts (and
burdened for estimated stock-based compensation expense
of $12 million as provided by the management of Knoll) to
calculate a range of indicative enterprise values from which BofA
Securities subtracted Herman Miller’s net debt and
non-controlling interest and tax-effected pension liability of $15
million as of December 31, 2020, as provided by the management
of Knoll, and dividing the result by the number of fully-diluted
shares of Herman Miller common stock outstanding (calculated on a
treasury stock method basis, based on information provided by the
management of Knoll), in each case, to arrive at a range of
indicative equity values per share of Herman Miller common stock
(rounded to the nearest $0.25).
The following underlined language is added to the fourth full
paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled
“The Merger—Opinion of BofA Securities, Knoll’s Financial
Advisor—Summary of Material
Financial Analyses of Herman Miller—Selected Publicly Traded Companies
Analysis” that appears on page 90.
The overall low to high 2021E
Price/EPS multiples observed for the selected companies were 20.6x
to 56.2x (with a mean of 31.9x and median of 29.5x). The overall
low to high 2022E Price/EPS multiples observed for the selected
companies were 14.3x to 27.7x (with a mean of 20.0x and median of
17.2x). Based on BofA Securities’ review of the Price/EPS multiples
for the selected companies and on its professional judgment and
experience and taking into
consideration, among other things, the historical trading multiples
of Herman Miller and the selected companies and certain differences
in the respective financial profiles of Herman Miller and the
selected companies, BofA
Securities applied a 2021E Price/ EPS multiple reference range of
20.0x to 30.0x to the estimates of calendar year 2021E Adjusted EPS
provided to BofA Securities by Knoll management as described in the
section entitled “Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial
Information—Certain Herman
Miller Unaudited Prospective Financial Information” and a 2022E
Price/EPS multiple reference range of 15.0x to 25.0x to the
estimates of calendar year 2022E Adjusted EPS provided to BofA
Securities by Knoll management as described in the section entitled
“Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial
Information—Certain Herman
Miller Unaudited Prospective Financial Information” to calculate
implied equity value reference ranges per share of Herman Miller
common stock (rounded to the nearest $0.25).
The following underlined language is added to the first full
paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled
“The Merger—Opinion of BofA Securities, Knoll’s Financial
Advisor—Summary of Material
Financial Analyses of Herman Miller—Discounted Cash Flow Analysis” that
appears on page 91.
BofA Securities performed a
discounted cash flow analysis of Herman Miller to calculate a range
of implied present values per share of Herman Miller common stock
utilizing estimates of the standalone, unlevered, after-tax free
cash flows Herman Miller was expected to generate over the period
from December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2025 based on the
estimates provided to BofA Securities by Knoll management as
described in the section entitled “Certain Unaudited Prospective
Financial Information—Certain
Herman Miller Unaudited Prospective Financial Information.” BofA
Securities calculated a terminal value for Herman Miller by
applying a selected range of perpetuity growth rates of 2.00% to
2.50%, based on BofA Securities’ professional judgment and
experience and taking into
consideration, among other things, the observed data for Herman
Miller and the selected companies, the historical trading multiples
of Herman Miller and the selected companies and certain differences
in the respective financial profiles of Herman Miller and the
selected companies, as described under “—Summary of Material
Financial Analyses of Herman Miller—Selected Publicly Traded
Companies Analysis”, to
Herman Miller’s normalized free cash flows in the terminal
year of approximately $284
million as derived from the estimates provided to BofA Securities
by Knoll management as described in the section entitled “Certain
Unaudited Prospective Financial Information—Certain Herman Miller
Unaudited Prospective Financial Information” and approved by the
management of Knoll. BofA
Securities then calculated implied equity value reference ranges
per share of Herman Miller common stock (rounded to the nearest
$0.25) by deducting from this range of present values Herman
Miller’s net debt and
non-controlling interest and tax-effected pension liability of $15
million as of December 31,
2020, as provided by the management of Knoll, and dividing the
result by a number of fully-diluted shares of Herman Miller common
stock outstanding (calculated on a treasury stock method basis,
based on information provided by the management of Knoll). The cash
flows were discounted to present value as of December 31, 2020,
utilizing mid-year discounting convention, and using a discount
rate range of 8.25% to 10.75%, which was based on an estimate of
Herman Miller’s weighted average cost of capital derived using the
capital asset pricing model (which takes into account the risk free rate,
the levered beta and the applicable equity market risk premium) and
the estimated cost of debt. This analysis indicated the following
approximate implied equity value reference range per share of
Herman Miller common stock (rounded to the nearest $0.25), as
compared to the closing price of the Herman Miller common stock on
April 16, 2021 of $44.30:
Implied Equity Value
Reference Range Per Share
of Herman Miller Common Stock
|
$49.25 - $73.75
|
The following underlined language is added to, and the crossed out
language is deleted from, the second full paragraph in the section
of the Definitive Proxy Statement entitled “The Merger—Opinion of
BofA Securities, Knoll’s Financial Advisor—Summary of Material Pro Forma Financial
Analyses—Has/Gets
Analysis” that appears on page 92.
For purposes of this analysis, BofA
Securities calculated a range of implied values per share of Herman
Miller common stock giving effect to the merger by adding the
ranges of implied equity values derived by BofA Securities for each
of Knoll and Herman Miller on a stand-alone basis as of December
31, 2020, as described under “Summary of Material Financial
Analyses of Knoll—Discounted
Cash Flow Analysis” and under “Summary of Material Financial
Analyses of Herman Miller—Discounted Cash Flow Analysis” and ranges of
implied present values of the estimated cost savings calculated by
BofA Securities as of December 31, 2020 (by applying a discount
rate range of 8.25% to 10.75%, based on BofA Securities’ professional
judgment and experience, to the estimated cost savings (less
$68 million,
the cost estimated total costs to achieve the cost savings and cash taxes
thereon) over the period from December 31, 2020 through December
31, 2025, and a range of terminal values for the cost savings
calculated by applying a perpetuity growth rate of
0%, based on BofA
Securities’ professional judgment and experience,
to the estimated after-tax cost
savings in the terminal year), deducting $868 million, the additional estimated amount of net debt expected to be incurred by Herman Miller in
connection with the merger and dividing the result by
the approximately 78.0 million shares,
the estimated number of
fully diluted shares of Herman Miller common stock expected to be
outstanding after giving effect to the merger.
The following underlined language is added to the table following
the eleventh full paragraph in the section of the Definitive Proxy
Statement entitled “The Merger—Certain Unaudited Prospective
Financial Information—Certain
Knoll Unaudited Prospective Financial Information” that
appears on page 99.
The following table presents a summary of the Knoll forecasts for
the fiscal years ending 2021 through 2025 (amounts may reflect
rounding):
|
|
Fiscal Year
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2022
|
|
2023
|
|
2024
|
|
2025
|
|
Sales(i)
|
|
1,181
|
|
1,326
|
|
1,454
|
|
1,564
|
|
1,614
|
|
Adjusted Gross Profit(ii)
|
|
|
422
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
568
|
|
|
621
|
|
|
647
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA(iii)
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
185
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
228
|
|
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share(iv)
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
|
0.99
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
1.79
|
|
|
1.96
|
|
(i) |
Sales represent sales net of discounts and related items.
|
(ii) |
Adjusted Gross Profit represents Sales less Cost of Goods Sold
excluding restructuring costs and other significant items of a
non-recurring and/or non-operational nature, and is a non-GAAP
financial measure.
|
(iii) |
Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings (burdened for stock-based
compensation expense) before interest expense, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization, excluding restructuring costs and
other significant items of a non-recurring and/or non-operational
nature, and is a non-GAAP financial measure.
|
(iv) |
Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share represents earnings per share,
calculated as net income, excluding restructuring costs and other
significant items of a non-recurring and/or a non-operational
nature, divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding, and
is a non-GAAP financial measure.
|
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication relates to a proposed business combination
transaction between Herman Miller and Knoll. This communication
includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements relate to future
events and anticipated results of operations, business strategies,
the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, the
anticipated impact of the proposed transaction on the combined
company’s business and future financial and operating results, the
expected amount and timing of synergies from the proposed
transaction, the anticipated closing date for the proposed
transaction and other aspects of our operations or operating
results. These forward-looking statements generally can be
identified by phrases such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,”
“foresees,” “forecasts,” “estimates” or other words or phrases of
similar import. It is uncertain whether any of the events
anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or
occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on the
results of operations and financial condition of the combined
companies or the price of Herman Miller’s or Knoll’s stock. These
forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties,
many of which are beyond the parties’ control, that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the
impact of public health crises, such as pandemics (including
coronavirus (COVID-19)) and epidemics, and any related company or
government policies and actions to protect the health and safety of
individuals or government policies or actions to maintain the
functioning of national or global economies and markets; the risk
that the anticipated benefits of the Merger with Knoll will not be
realized on the anticipated timing or at all; the risk that the
conditions to closing of the Merger will not be satisfied on the
anticipated timing or at all; risks arising from litigation
relating to the Merger; risks related to the additional debt
incurred in connection with the Merger; Herman Miller’s ability to
comply with its debt covenants and obligations; the risk that the
anticipated benefits of the Merger will be more costly to realize
than expected; the effect of the announcement of the Merger on the
ability of Herman Miller or Knoll to retain and hire key personnel
and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and others
with whom Herman Miller or Knoll does business, or on Herman
Miller’s or Knoll’s operating results and business generally; risks
that the Merger disrupts current plans and operations and the
potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the
Merger; the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the Merger;
the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction
on a timely basis or at all; the satisfaction of the conditions
precedent to consummation of the proposed transaction, including
the ability to secure regulatory approvals on the terms expected,
at all or in a timely manner; the ability of Herman Miller to
successfully integrate Knoll’s operations; the ability of Herman
Miller to implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations
with respect to Herman Miller’s business after the completion of
the transaction and realize expected synergies; business disruption
following the Merger; general economic conditions; the availability
and pricing of raw materials; the financial strength of our dealers
and the financial strength of our customers; the success of
newly-introduced products; the pace and level of government
procurement; and the outcome of pending litigation or governmental
audits or investigations. These risks, as well as other risks
related to the proposed transaction, are included in the
registration statement on Form S-4 and definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus that were filed with the SEC in connection
with the proposed transaction. While the risks presented
here, and those presented in the registration statement and
definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus, are considered
representative, they should not be considered a complete statement
of all potential risks and uncertainties. For additional
information about other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements, please refer to Herman Miller’s and Knoll’s respective
periodic reports and other filings with the SEC, including the risk
factors identified in Herman Miller’s and Knoll’s most recent
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. The
forward-looking statements included in this communication are made
only as of the date hereof. Neither Herman Miller nor Knoll
undertakes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements
to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required
by law.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an
offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell
any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor
shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which
such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to
registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made, except by
means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the
U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Additional Information about the Merger and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, Herman Miller filed
with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 on May 24, 2021
(as amended on June 9, 2021) that includes a joint proxy statement
of Herman Miller and Knoll and that also constitutes a prospectus
of Herman Miller. On June 11, 2021, the registration statement was
declared effective by the SEC and Herman Miller and Knoll each
filed the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus in connection
with the proposed transaction with the SEC. Herman Miller and
Knoll commenced mailing the definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus to shareholders of Herman Miller and
stockholders of Knoll on or about June 11, 2021. Each of Herman
Miller and Knoll intends to file other relevant documents with the
SEC regarding the proposed transaction. This document is not a
substitute for the definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus or
registration statement or any other document that Herman Miller or
Knoll may file with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE
URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE DEFINITIVE JOINT
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT
MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
TO THESE DOCUMENTS, CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN
THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and
security holders are able to obtain free copies of the registration
statement and definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus and all
other documents containing important information about Herman
Miller, Knoll and the proposed transaction, once such documents are
filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by
Herman Miller may be obtained free of charge on Herman Miller’s
website at https://investors.hermanmiller.com/sec-filings or by
contacting Herman Miller’s Investor Relations department at
investor@hermanmiller.com. Copies of the documents filed with the
SEC by Knoll may be obtained free of charge on Knoll’s website at
https://knoll.gcs-web.com/sec-filings or by contacting Knoll’s
Investor Relations department at
Investor_Relations@knoll.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
Herman Miller, Knoll and certain of their respective directors and
executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the
solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed
transaction. Information about the directors and executive
officers of Herman Miller, including a description of their direct
or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set
forth in Herman Miller’s proxy statement for its 2020 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on September
1, 2020, and Herman Miller’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended May 30, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on
July 28, 2020, as well as in a Form 8-K filed by Herman Miller with
the SEC on July 17, 2020. Information about the directors and
executive officers of Knoll, including a description of their
direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is
set forth in Knoll’s proxy statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 1, 2021, and
Knoll’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021.
Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests
of those persons and other persons who may be deemed participants
in the proposed transaction by reading the definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with
the SEC regarding the proposed transaction when such materials
become available. Investors should read the definitive joint proxy
statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or
investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these
documents from Herman Miller or Knoll using the sources indicated
above.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
|
HERMAN MILLER, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Kevin J. Veltman
|
|
|
Name:
|
Kevin J.
Veltman
|
|
|
Title:
|
Vice
President of Investor Relations &
|
|
|
|
Treasurer (Duly Authorized
|
|
|
|
Signatory for Registrant)
|
Date:
July 1, 2021