mm11-0810_pre14a.htm
UNITED STATES
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 

 
SCHEDULE 14A
 

 
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF
 
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
Filed by Registrant  x
 
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  o
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
x
Preliminary Proxy Statement
 
o
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
 
o
Definitive Proxy Statement
 
o
Definitive Additional Materials
 
o
Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
 
 DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
 
(Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
NOT APPLICABLE
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant) 
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
 
x
No fee required.
 
 
o
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
 
1)  
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
2)  
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
3)  
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
4)  
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
5)  
Total fee paid:
 
 
o
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
 
o
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
1)  
Amount Previously Paid:
 
2)  
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
3)  
Filing Party:
 
4)  
Date Filed:
 
 
 

 
 

 

 
 
251 O’Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
 
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD [              ] [   ], 2010
 
To the stockholders of Darling International Inc.:
 
A special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) of Darling International Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on  [              ], [    ], 2010, at [           ], local time, at [                                               ], for the following purposes (which are more fully described in the accompanying Proxy Statement):
 
1.            
To approve an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, to increase the total number of authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.01, from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000 (the “Proposal”); and
 
2.            
To transact such other business as may properly come before the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in accordance with the provisions of the Company’s bylaws.
 
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that you vote to approve the Proposal.
 
The Board has fixed the close of business on November 19, 2010 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof.
 
You are cordially invited to attend the Special Meeting.  However, whether or not you expect to attend the Special Meeting, to assure your shares are represented at the Special Meeting, please date, execute and mail promptly, but in no event later than [              ], [    ], 2010, the enclosed proxy in the enclosed envelope, for which no additional postage is required.
 
By Order of the Board,
 
 
/s/ John F. Sterling
 
John F. Sterling
Secretary
 
Irving, Texas
[                 ] [   ], 2010
 
Your vote is important.
Please execute and return promptly the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided.
 

 
 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
 


 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING
1
   
PROPOSAL – APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
5
   
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
7
   
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
7
   
Security Ownership of Management
7
   
OTHER MATTERS
9
   
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIAL
9
   
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
9
   
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
10
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


i
 

 

 
 

 
251 O’Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
 
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR A SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD  [              ] [   ], 2010
 
This proxy statement (“Proxy Statement”) is provided to the stockholders of Darling International Inc. (“Darling,” “we,” “our” or “our company”) in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) to be voted at a special meeting of Stockholders to be held at [                                   ], at [__], local time, on  [              ] [   ], 2010 (the “Special Meeting”), and at any adjournment or postponement thereof.  This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy are first being sent or given to stockholders on or about [              ] [   ], 2010.  This Proxy Statement provides information that should be helpful to you in deciding how to vote on the matter to be voted on at the Special Meeting.
 
We are asking you to approve an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, to increase the total number of authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.01 (the “Common Stock”), from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000.
 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT VOTING
 
Why am I receiving these materials?
 
Our records indicate that you owned your shares of Common Stock at the close of business on November 19, 2010 (the “Record Date”).  You have been sent this Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card because Darling is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares of Common Stock at the Special Meeting on the proposal described in this Proxy Statement.
 
What am I voting on?
 
There is one matter scheduled for a vote: to approve an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, to increase the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000 (the “Proposal”).
 
Who is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?
 
All owners of our Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to vote their shares of Common Stock at the Special Meeting, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.  As of the Record Date, a total of [  ] shares of Common Stock are outstanding and eligible to vote at the Special Meeting.  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter properly brought before the Special Meeting.  The enclosed proxy card shows the number of shares you are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.
 
Stockholder of Record: Shares Registered in Your Name
 
If on the Record Date your shares were registered directly in your name with Darling, then you are a stockholder of record.  As a stockholder of record, you may vote in person at the Special Meeting or vote by proxy.  Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, Darling encourages you to fill out and return the enclosed proxy card to ensure your vote is counted.
 
 
 
 
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Beneficial Owner: Shares Registered in the Name of a Broker or Bank
 
If on the Record Date your shares were held in an account at a brokerage firm, bank, dealer, or other similar organization, then you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by that organization.  The organization holding your account is considered the stockholder of record for purposes of voting at the Special Meeting.  As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker or other agent on how to vote the shares in your account.
 
How do I vote?
 
Your shares may only be voted at the Special Meeting if you are present in person or are represented by proxy.  Whether or not you plan to attend the Special Meeting, we encourage you to vote by proxy to assure that your shares will be represented.  To vote by proxy, complete the enclosed proxy card and mail it in the postage-paid envelope provided, or you may vote by using the telephone or the Internet in accordance with the instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card.
 
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is exercised by timely submission of a written revocation to our Secretary, by timely submission of a properly executed later-dated proxy or by timely voting by ballot at the Special Meeting.  Voting by proxy will in no way limit your right to vote at the Special Meeting if you later decide to attend in person.  Attendance at the Special Meeting will not by itself constitute a revocation of your proxy – you must vote at the Special Meeting.
 
If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record (i.e., a “street name”), you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order for your shares to be voted.
 
All shares that you are entitled to vote and that are represented by a properly-completed proxy received prior to the Special Meeting and not revoked will be voted at the Special Meeting in accordance with the instructions on the proxy.  If you properly deliver your proxy but fail to indicate how your shares should be voted, the shares represented by your proxy will be voted “FOR” the Proposal and in the discretion of the persons named in the proxy as proxy appointees as to any other matter that may properly come before the Special Meeting.
 
Who may attend the Special Meeting?
 
All stockholders that were stockholders of Darling as of the Record Date, or their authorized representatives, may attend the Special Meeting.  Admission to the Special Meeting will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record and you plan to attend the Special Meeting, you should bring proof of ownership to the Special Meeting, such as a bank or brokerage account statement, to ensure your admission.
 
How will votes be counted?
 
The Special Meeting will be held if a quorum, consisting of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, is represented in person or by proxy.  Abstentions and broker “non-votes” will be counted as present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining a quorum.  A broker “non-vote” occurs when a nominee, such as a bank or broker, holding shares for a beneficial owner, does not vote on a particular proposal because the nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to that proposal and has not received instructions from the beneficial owner.  Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), absent instructions from the beneficial owners, banks and brokers who hold shares in street name for beneficial owners only have the authority to vote on routine corporate matters.  We consider the approval of an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, to increase the total number of authorized shares of Common Stock as described herein to be a non-routine matter and, thus, banks and brokers who hold shares in street name for beneficial owners do not have the authority to vote the shares of beneficial owners absent direction from the beneficial owners to the banks or brokers on how to vote the shares in such beneficial owners’ accounts.
 
With respect to the Proposal — Approval of an Amendment to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, voting as a class, entitled to vote thereon at the Special Meeting is required
 
 
 
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for approval of such item.  For this item, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.”  If you abstain from voting, it will have the same effect as a vote against this item.  If you hold your shares through a broker and you do not instruct the broker on how to vote on this item, your broker will not be able to vote your shares in favor of or against this item.
 
Who will count the votes?
 
Our transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services, will tally the votes and will serve as inspector at the Special Meeting.
 
How are proxies being solicited and who will pay for the solicitation of proxies?
 
We will bear the expense of the solicitation of proxies.  In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, solicitation may be made by our directors, officers and employees by other means, including telephone, over the Internet or in person.  No special compensation will be paid to our directors, officers or employees for the solicitation of proxies.  To solicit proxies, we will also request the assistance of banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees or fiduciaries, and, upon request, will reimburse these organizations or individuals for their reasonable expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to beneficial owners and in obtaining authorization for the execution of proxies.  We will also use the services of the proxy solicitation firm of Georgeson Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies.  For these services, we will pay a fee that is not expected to exceed approximately $7,500, plus out-of-pocket expenses.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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Who can help answer my other questions and to whom should I send a request for copies of certain material?
 
If you have more questions about voting or wish to obtain another proxy card, you should contact:
 
John F. Sterling
General Counsel and Secretary
Darling International Inc.
251 O’Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 300
Irving, Texas  75038
Telephone: (972) 717-0300   Fax: (972) 281-4475
E-mail: corporatesecretary@darlingii.com
 
 
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for
the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on [              ] [  ], 2010
 
The Proxy Statement is available at
www.edocumentview.com/DAR
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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PROPOSAL – APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
 
On November 8, 2010, the Board unanimously approved, and recommends that our stockholders approve, an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of shares of Common Stock Darling is authorized to issue from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000 shares.  The Board has adopted resolutions setting forth the proposed amendment in the form of an amendment to Article Four of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and recommends that the stockholders approve (and vote “for”) such amendment.  The resolutions also provide that the amendment be submitted to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon for consideration at the Special Meeting in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law.  The following is the text of the proposed amendment to Article Four of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended:
 
“The aggregate number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is one hundred fifty one million (151,000,000) shares, consisting of one hundred fifty million (150,000,000) shares of common stock having a par value of $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), and one million (1,000,000) shares of preferred stock, having a par value of $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).”
 
If approved, the amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, will become effective upon the filing of the amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which will occur as soon as reasonably practicable following the Special Meeting.
 
As of the Record Date, the following shares of Common Stock were outstanding or reserved for issuance:
 
 
Shares issued and outstanding
     [                                                                   ]
 
 
Shares issuable upon exercise of options
     [                                                                   ]
 
 
Shares reserved for issuance under employee benefit plans
     [                                                                   ]
 
       
 
TOTAL
     [                                                                   ]
 
 
The Board believes that it is in Darling’s best interests to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock in order to have additional authorized but unissued shares available for issuance to meet business needs as they arise, including the repayment of certain of our existing or future indebtedness (as described below).
 
As of the Record Date, we currently have [              ] shares of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, of which [            ] shares of Common Stock are reserved for issuance under employee benefit plans or issuable upon the exercise of options.  The Board believes that the availability of such additional shares will provide our company with the flexibility to (i) issue Common Stock for possible future financings, stock dividends or distributions, acquisitions, repayment of indebtedness or stock option plans, (ii) provide liquidity for funding possible acquisitions or other strategic investments or (iii) issue Common Stock for other general corporate purposes that may be identified in the future by the Board.  The issuance of additional shares of Common Stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and, for persons who do not purchase additional shares to maintain their pro rata interest in our company, on such stockholders’ percentage voting power.
 
On November 9, 2010, we announced the signing of an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which we will acquire Griffin Industries, Inc. (“Griffin”), one of North America’s leading independent providers of value-added rendering, bakery feed and cooking oil recycling services, by merging a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling with and into Griffin with Griffin surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling (the “Merger”).  We anticipate that the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including, without limitation, the Merger, will be consummated on or about [              ] [  ], 2010.
 
Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and subject to certain adjustments as provided therein, Darling will pay Griffin’s stockholders an aggregate purchase price of $840.0 million, of which $740 million is payable in cash and approximately $100.0 million is payable in currently authorized but unissued Common Stock. We expect to finance the cash portion of the Merger consideration through a combination of borrowings under a senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) to be entered into in connection with the
 
 
 
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closing of the Merger, the proceeds from issuing and selling senior unsecured notes in a public offering or in a Rule 144A or other private placement on or prior to the closing date of the Merger (the “Senior Unsecured Notes Offering”) and cash on hand.  If and to the extent we do not, or are unable to, complete the Senior Unsecured Notes Offering yielding sufficient proceeds on or prior to the proposed closing date of the Merger, we anticipate obtaining a senior unsecured bridge facility (the “Bridge Facility”) in an amount (less the amount of proceeds from the Senior Unsecured Notes Offering, if any) sufficient to pay the balance of the aggregate purchase price under the Merger Agreement.
 
On or about November 12, 2010, we intend to file a shelf registration statement (the “Universal Shelf Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form S-3 for the Company’s debt and equity, which may be offered from time to time.  If you approve the amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock as described herein, after the closing of the Merger, we anticipate conducting, pursuant to the Universal Shelf Registration Statement, a public offering of a portion of our authorized but unissued Common Stock (the “Common Stock Offering”), the proceeds of which will be used to pay down existing indebtedness, including all or a portion of the Bridge Facility, if any, and/or a portion of the Credit Facility.  The amount of Common Stock that may be offered in the Common Stock Offering, as well as the approximate proceeds that may be received from such offering, have not been determined and will not be known until the completion of the Common Stock Offering; provided, however, there can be no assurance that if commenced, the Common Stock Offering will be successfully completed.  The securities described in such Universal Shelf Registration Statement may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the Universal Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective.  This Proxy Statement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities described in the Universal Shelf Registration Statement in any state or jurisdiction which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
 
The transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including, without limitation, the Merger, are anticipated to close prior to the commencement of the Common Stock Offering and, as such, the increase in the amount of authorized Common Stock, to be effectuated by the amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation to be voted on at the Special Meeting, and the subsequent proceeds from the Common Stock Offering are not a prerequisite to, or necessary for, the completion of the transactions contemplated by Merger Agreement.
 
The authorized shares of Common Stock in excess of those currently issued and those anticipated to be issued in connection with the Common Stock Offering will be available for issuance at such times and for such corporate purposes as the Board may deem advisable, without further action by our stockholders, except as may be required by applicable law or by the rules and regulations of the NYSE.  Upon any such issuance, such shares will have the same rights as the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
Other than as described above in connection with the Common Stock Offering, we have no arrangements, agreements, understandings or plans at the current time for the issuance or use of the additional shares of Common Stock proposed to be authorized.  The terms upon which any securities may be issued will be determined by the Board.  The Board does not intend to issue any Common Stock except on terms which the Board deems to be in the best interests of our company and its then existing stockholders.  The Board could use the additional shares of Common Stock to discourage an attempt to change control of our company.  However, the proposed amendment is not in response to any effort of which we are aware to obtain control by accumulating shares of Common Stock or otherwise.
 
Vote Required
 
Adoption of an amendment to our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, voting as a class, entitled to vote thereon at the Special Meeting.
 
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSAL.
 

 
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
 
The following table and notes set forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock based on Schedule 13G or Schedule 13F filings, as the case may be, as of the date indicated below, by each person or group within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), who is known to our management to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our outstanding Common Stock and is based upon information provided to us by those persons.
 
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner of Common Stock
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership
Percent of Class
Michael W. Cook Asset Management Inc.
d/b/a SouthernSun Asset Management Inc.
6000 Poplar Ave., Suite 220, Memphis, TN 38119
7,800,291 (1)
9.5%
Blackrock Inc.
40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022
6,332,068 (2)
7.7%
FMR LLC
82 Devonshire Street, Boston, MA 02109
4,354,800 (3)
5.3%
Thomson Horstmann & Bryant Inc.
Park 80 West, Plaza One, Saddle Brook, NJ  07663
4,140,787 (4)
5.0%
 
(1)
As reported on Schedule 13F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 13, 2010 by SouthernSun Asset Management Inc.
   
(2)
Based on information contained in the Schedule 13G filed by Blackrock Inc. on January 29, 2010.  Blackrock Inc. is a holding company in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G) of the Exchange Act and has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all of the above shares.  Since there may have been subsequent purchases or sales of securities, this information may not reflect the current holdings by this stockholder.
   
(3)
As reported on Schedule 13F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2010 by FMR LLC.
   
(4)
As reported on Schedule 13F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2010 by Thomson Horstmann & Bryant Inc.
   
 
Security Ownership of Management
 
The following table and notes set forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock, as of November 5, 2010, by each director, each named executive officer and by all directors and executive officers as a group:
 
Name of Beneficial Owner of Common Stock
Common Stock Owned
Unexercised
Plan
Options  (1)
Common Stock
Beneficially
Owned (2)
Percent of
Common Stock Owned
Randall C. Stuewe
503,808
365,095
868,903
1.05%
         
O. Thomas Albrecht
28,434
22,000
50,434
*
         
C. Dean Carlson
255,427
10,000
265,427
*
         
Marlyn Jorgensen
27,595
10,000
37,595
*
         
Neil Katchen
180,693
69,183
249,876
*
 
 
 
 
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Charles Macaluso
18,434
22,000
40,434
*
         
John D. March
10,748
6,000
16,748
*
         
John O. Muse
161,820
48,119
209,939
*
         
John F. Sterling
48,871
1,326
50,197
*
         
Michael Urbut
68,434
10,000
78,434
*
         
All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)
1,346,423
579,006
1,925,429
2.32%
   
_____________________________
*
Represents less than one percent of Common Stock outstanding.
(1)
Represents options that are or will be vested and exercisable within 60 days of November 5, 2010.
(2)
Except as otherwise indicated in the column “Unexercised Plan Options” and footnote 1, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of capital stock shown as beneficially owned by them.
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
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OTHER MATTERS
 
Our management is not aware of any matters other than the Proposal to be presented for action at the Special Meeting; however, if any matters are properly presented for action, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote in accordance with their best judgment on these matters.
 
HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIAL
 
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., banks, brokers, trustees or other nominees) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. Each stockholder who participates in householding will continue to receive a separate proxy card.
 
A number of brokers with account holders who are our stockholders will be “householding” our proxy materials. A single proxy statement report will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker that they will be “householding” communications to your address, “householding” will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in “householding” and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify your bank, broker, trustee or other nominee and direct a written request to Investor Relations, 251 O’Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 300, Irving, Texas 75038 or an oral request by telephone at (972) 717-0300. If any stockholders in your household wish to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement, they may call or write to Investor Relations and we will promptly provide additional copies. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request “householding” of their communications should contact their bank, broker, trustee or other nominee.
 
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 document we file at the SEC public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC website at www.sec.gov. You also may obtain free copies of the documents we file with the SEC, including this Proxy Statement, by going to the Investors page of our corporate website at www.darlingii.com. Our website address is provided as an inactive textual reference only. The information provided on our website is not part of this Proxy Statement, and therefore is not incorporated herein by reference.
 
Any person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this Proxy Statement is delivered may request copies of proxy statements or other information concerning us, without charge, by written or telephonic request directed to Darling International, Inc., 251 O’Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 300 Irving, Texas 75038, Attn: Corporate Secretary or by telephone at (972) 717-0300, on the Investors page of our corporate website at www.darlingii.com; or from our proxy solicitor, Georgeson Inc., by telephone toll-free at 1-800-790-6795; or from the SEC through the SEC website at the address provided above.
 
THIS PROXY STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE SOLICITATION OF A PROXY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO OR FROM ANY PERSON TO WHOM OR FROM WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE A PROXY SOLICITATION IN THAT JURISDICTION. YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO VOTE YOUR SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK AT THE SPECIAL MEETING. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT. THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS DATED [                 ] [   ], 2010. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THAT DATE, AND THE MAILING OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT TO STOCKHOLDERS DOES NOT CREATE ANY IMPLICATION TO THE CONTRARY.
 

 
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
Stockholder Proposals for Inclusion in Our 2011 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement and Proxy Card
 
Any stockholder proposal to be considered by us for inclusion in our 2011 proxy statement and form of proxy card for next year’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders, expected to be held in May 2011, must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices located at 251 O’Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 300, Irving, Texas 75038, no earlier than January 11, 2011 (120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the 2010 Annual Meeting) and no later than February 10, 2011 (90 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the 2010 Annual Meeting).  To submit a stockholder proposal, a stockholder must be a stockholder of record of our company at the time of the above notice of proposal, must be entitled to vote at the 2011 Annual Meeting and must comply with the notice procedures set forth in our company’s bylaws.  The SEC rules set forth standards as to what stockholder proposals are required to be included in a proxy statement.
 
By Order of the Board,
 
 
/s/ John F. Sterling
 
John F. Sterling
General Counsel and Secretary
 
Irving, Texas
[                 ] [   ], 2010
 

 
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