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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 (Amendment No. )
| Filed by the Registrant x | |
| Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o | |
| Check the appropriate box: |
| o 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 | |
| x Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(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 statement 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: |
| SEC 1913 (02-02) | Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. |
For Immediate Release
Assisted Living Concepts, Inc.
Signs Definitive Merger Agreement;
Shareholders to Receive $18.50 Per Share in Cash
DALLAS, TEXAS, November 4, 2004 — Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. (OTC.BB: ASLC), a national provider of assisted living services, announced today the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Extendicare Health Services, Inc. and Alpha Acquisition, Inc.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, upon consummation, Assisted Living Concepts’ shareholders will receive $18.50 per share in cash, which represents a premium of more than 23% to the most recent closing price on November 3, 2004 of $14.95, and a premium of more than 110% to the closing price of $8.75 on May 27, 2004, the date immediately prior to the Company’s public announcement of exploration of strategic alternatives. The transaction is valued at approximately $280 million, including consideration for outstanding stock options and the assumption of certain debt obligations of Assisted Living Concepts pursuant to the merger. Upon completion of the merger, Assisted Living Concepts will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Extendicare Health Services, Inc.
The Board of Directors of the Company unanimously approved of the transaction and entered into the merger agreement following the unanimous recommendation by a special committee comprised of independent directors (the “Special Committee”). Assisted Living Concepts has previously announced the formation of the Special Committee to explore strategic alternatives. In considering alternatives and negotiating the merger agreement, the Special Committee was advised by independent legal counsel Andrews Kurth LLP and financial advisor Jefferies & Company, Inc. Jefferies & Company, Inc. delivered to the Company’s Board of Directors its written opinion, dated November 4, 2004, to the effect that, as of that date, based on and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth in its written opinion, the consideration to be received by the shareholders of Assisted Living Concepts pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair to such shareholders from a financial point of view.
The closing of the transaction is subject to certain terms and conditions customary for transactions of this type, including shareholder approval, expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and satisfaction of other customary conditions to closing. Consummation of the merger is not subject to any financing contingency. The Company will solicit shareholder approval by means of a proxy statement, which will be mailed to Assisted Living Concepts’ shareholders upon the completion of the required Securities and Exchange Commission filing and review process. The parties currently anticipate consummating the transaction during the early part of the first calendar quarter of 2005.
Extendicare Health Services, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Extendicare Inc. of Markham, Ontario (TSX: EXE and EXE.A; NYSE: EXE.A). Through its subsidiaries, Extendicare Inc. currently operates 266 long-term care facilities across North America, with capacity for over 27,700 residents. As well, through its operations in the United States, Extendicare offers medical specialty services such as subacute care and rehabilitative
therapy services, while home health care services are provided in Canada. Extendicare employs 34,900 people in the United States and Canada.
Additional Information
Assisted Living Concepts will promptly file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a current report on Form 8-K, which will include the merger agreement and related documents. The proxy statement that Assisted Living Concepts plans to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and mail to its shareholders will contain information about the Company, Extendicare Health Services, Inc. and Alpha Acquisition, Inc., the proposed merger and related matters. Shareholders are urged to read the proxy statement carefully when it is available, as it will contain important information that shareholders should consider before making a decision about the merger. In addition to receiving the proxy statement from the Company by mail, shareholders will also be able to obtain the proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about the Company, without charge, from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (http://www.sec.gov) or, without charge, from the Company. This announcement is neither a solicitation of proxy, an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of Assisted Living Concepts.
Participants in the Solicitation
Assisted Living Concepts and its directors, executive officers, other members of its management, and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Assisted Living’s shareholders in favor of the proposed merger. Information regarding persons who may be deemed participants in the solicitation and any interests that those persons may have in the transaction will be set forth in the proxy statement.
About Assisted Living
Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. operates 177 owned and leased assisted living residences with 6,838 units for older adults who need help with the activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing, dressing and medication management. In addition to housing, the Company provides personal care, support services, and nursing services according to the individual needs of its residents, as permitted by state law. This combination of housing and services provides a home-like setting and cost efficient alternative that encourages independence for individuals who do not require the broader array of medical and health services provided by skilled nursing facilities. The Company currently has residences in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nebraska, Iowa, Arizona, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan and South Carolina.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the proposed transaction between Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. and Extendicare Health Services, Inc. and Alpha Acquisition, Inc. and involving risks and uncertainties related to the occurrence of future events. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about the current economic environment, the Company and its industry. Certain factors that could cause actual events not to occur as expressed in the forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, (i) the failure to obtain the necessary shareholder approval and (ii) satisfaction of various other closing conditions contained in the definitive merger agreement. Other potential risks and uncertainties are discussed in Assisted Living’s reports and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Company
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are based upon many estimates and assumptions and are inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company’s management. Inclusion of such forward-looking statements herein should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the statements will prove to be correct.
Contact Information:
Steven L. Vick, President and Chief Executive Officer
(214) 424-4001
svick@alcco.com
Edward A. Barnes, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
(214) 424-4002
ebarnes@alcco.com
Web address: www.assistedlivingconcepts.com