Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1)
Registration No. 333-87194
BROOKS-PRI AUTOMATION, INC.
COMMON STOCK
153,625 SHARES
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We are offering shares of common stock to the holders of exchangeable
shares of Brooks-PRI Automation (Canada), Inc., our Canadian subsidiary formerly
known as PRI Automation (Canada), Inc. and, prior to that, as Promis Systems
Corporation Ltd. Subject to the overriding call right of 1325949 Ontario Inc.,
our Ontario subsidiary, holders of exchangeable shares may exchange their
exchangeable shares for shares of our common stock at any time by requiring
Brooks-PRI Canada to redeem each exchangeable share tendered to Brooks-PRI
Canada for 0.52 shares of our common stock. Alternatively, holders of
exchangeable shares may exchange each of their exchangeable shares for 0.52
shares of our common stock by requiring our Ontario subsidiary to purchase each
exchangeable share tendered to our Ontario subsidiary for 0.52 shares of our
common stock. Brooks-PRI Canada will automatically redeem all of the outstanding
exchangeable shares for shares of our common stock on March 2, 2006, or earlier
in some cases. This automatic redemption will pre-empt the rights of holders of
exchangeable shares to exchange those shares. 1325949 Ontario Inc. may exercise
certain overriding call rights to purchase exchangeable shares for 0.52 shares
of our common stock, instead of such exchangeable shares being redeemed by
Brooks-PRI Canada. See "The Overriding Call Rights of Our Ontario Subsidiary."
We describe the process by which exchangeable shares may be exchanged for common
stock beginning on page 15 of this prospectus under the heading "Plan of
Distribution."
We are conducting this offering on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415
under the Securities Act of 1933 only during the period when the registration
statement relating to this prospectus is effective. We will bear the
registration costs incurred in connection with this offering.
Our common stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"BRKS". On May 13, 2002, the last reported sale price of the common stock on the
Nasdaq National Market was $34.65 per share.
INVESTING IN THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 4.
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND STATE SECURITIES REGULATORS HAVE
NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS
IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
This prospectus is dated May 14, 2002.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY...................................................... 3
RISK FACTORS............................................................ 4
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS....................... 14
USE OF PROCEEDS......................................................... 15
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.................................................... 15
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS............................................... 18
LEGAL MATTERS........................................................... 26
EXPERTS................................................................. 26
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION..................................... 27
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YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT OR TO
WHICH WE HAVE REFERRED YOU. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT. THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE USED ONLY WHERE IT IS LEGAL
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES. THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT MAY ONLY BE ACCURATE
ON THE DATE OF THIS DOCUMENT.
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2
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary provides an overview of selected information and may not
contain all of the information that is important to you. You should read the
entire prospectus carefully, including the financial data, related notes and the
information we have incorporated by reference before making an investment
decision.
ABOUT BROOKS-PRI
Brooks-PRI Automation,Inc. ("Brooks") is a leading supplier of
integrated factory automation solutions for the global semiconductor
manufacturing and related industries. We have distinguished ourselves as a
technology and market leader, particularly in the demanding cluster-tool
vacuum-processing environment and in integrated factory automation software
applications. Our automation solutions are designed to optimize equipment and
factory productivity. These solutions include tool automation modules, complete
semiconductor wafer handling systems, factory interface solutions and
automation software and integration services.
We are a Delaware corporation and were incorporated in 1989. Our principal
offices are located at 15 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824 and
our telephone number is (978) 262-2400. Our corporate website is www.brooks.com.
The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.
THE OFFERING
In May 2002, PRI Automation, Inc. was merged with and into Brooks. As part
of this transaction, we indirectly acquired common shares of PRI Automation
(Canada), Inc. ("PRI Canada"), a controlled subsidiary of PRI, and renamed it
Brooks-PRI Automation (Canada), Inc. ("Brooks-PRI Canada"). PRI Canada was
formerly named Promis Systems Corporation Ltd. ("Promis"). We are offering
shares of Brooks common stock to the holders of exchangeable shares of
Brooks-PRI Canada. The exchangeable shares were issued in connection with the
March 1999 combination transaction between PRI and Promis. Subject to the
overriding call rights of our Ontario subsidiary, holders of Brooks-PRI Canada
exchangeable shares may exchange their exchangeable shares for shares of Brooks
common stock at any time by requiring Brooks-PRI Canada to redeem each
exchangeable share for 0.52 shares of Brooks common stock. Alternatively,
holders of exchangeable shares may exchange their shares by requiring 1325949
Ontario Inc., our Ontario subsidiary, to purchase each exchangeable share
tendered to it for 0.52 shares of Brooks common stock. 1325949 Ontario Inc.,
which we also acquired through the PRI merger, was a party to the original
combination arrangement with Promis.
Along with a copy of this prospectus, registered holders of exchangeable
shares have been sent a letter of transmittal for the purpose of exchanging
their existing exchangeable share certificates issued by Promis or PRI Canada
for replacement share certificates evidencing the same number of exchangeable
shares that reflect the change of the name of the corporation to Brooks-PRI
Canada.
3
RISK FACTORS
This offering involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully
consider the risks described below and the other information in this prospectus
before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock. While these are the
risks and uncertainties we believe are most important for you to consider, you
should know that they are not the only risks or uncertainties facing us or which
may adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks or
uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition and operating
results would likely suffer. In that event, the market price of our common stock
could decline and you could lose all or part of the value of your investment in
our common stock.
This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve
risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors,
including the risks faced by us described below and elsewhere in this
prospectus.
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE OFFERING
YOU MAY HAVE TO PAY TAXES WHEN YOU ACQUIRE BROOKS COMMON STOCK.
If you exchange your exchangeable shares for shares of Brooks common
stock, you may be required to pay tax on any gain you have under the laws of
Canada and the US. WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CONSULT WITH YOUR TAX ADVISOR WITH
RESPECT TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE EXCHANGE OF YOUR EXCHANGEABLE SHARES FOR
SHARES OF BROOKS COMMON STOCK. See "Income Tax Considerations."
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BROOKS COMMON STOCK MAY TRADE AT DIFFERENT PRICES THAN THE EXCHANGEABLE SHARES.
The market price for Brooks common stock may not be the same as, or
even similar to, the market price for the exchangeable shares. The exchangeable
shares are listed only on the Toronto Stock Exchange, and Brooks common stock is
traded only on the Nasdaq National Market. Brooks does not intend to list either
the exchangeable shares or its common stock on any other stock exchange or
market in the US or Canada. Accordingly, the trading price of the exchangeable
shares will be based only upon the market for that stock on the Toronto Stock
Exchange, and the trading price for Brooks common stock will be based only upon
the market for that stock on the Nasdaq National Market.
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO BROOKS' INDUSTRY
THE CYCLICAL DEMAND OF SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURERS AFFECTS BROOKS' OPERATING
RESULTS AND THE ONGOING DOWNTURN IN THE INDUSTRY COULD SERIOUSLY HARM BROOKS'
OPERATING RESULTS.
Brooks' business is significantly dependent on capital expenditures by
semiconductor manufacturers. The level of semiconductor manufacturers' capital
expenditures is dependent on the current and anticipated market demand for
semiconductors. The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical and is currently
experiencing a downturn. Brooks anticipates the downturn will continue during
the next few quarters. Despite these industry conditions, Brooks plans to
continue to invest in those areas which Brooks believes are important to its
long-term growth, such as its infrastructure and information technology systems,
customer support, supply chain management and new products. As a result,
consistent with its experience in downturns in the past, Brooks believes the
current industry downturn will lead to reduced revenues for it and may cause it
to incur losses.
INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION AND OUTSOURCING OF THE MANUFACTURE OF SEMICONDUCTORS TO
FOUNDRIES COULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE CUSTOMERS.
The substantial expense of building or expanding a semiconductor
fabrication facility is leading increasing numbers of semiconductor companies to
contract with foundries, which manufacture semiconductors designed by others. As
manufacturing is shifted to foundries, the number of Brooks' potential customers
could decrease, which would increase its dependence on its remaining customers.
Recently, consolidation within the semiconductor manufacturing industry has
increased. If semiconductor manufacturing is consolidated into a small number of
foundries and other large companies, Brooks' failure to win any significant bid
to supply equipment to those customers could seriously harm its reputation and
materially and adversely affect its revenue and operating results.
BROOKS' FUTURE OPERATIONS COULD BE HARMED IF THE COMMERCIAL ADOPTION OF 300MM
WAFER TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO PROGRESS SLOWLY OR IS HALTED.
Brooks' future operations depend in part on the adoption of new systems
and technologies to automate the processing of 300mm wafers. However, the
industry transition from the current, widely used 200mm manufacturing technology
to 300mm manufacturing technology is occurring more slowly than expected. A
significant delay in the adoption of 300mm manufacturing technology, or the
failure of the industry to adopt 300mm manufacturing technology, could
significantly impair Brooks' operations. Moreover, continued delay in transition
to 300mm technology could permit Brooks' competitors to introduce competing or
superior 300mm products at more competitive prices. As a result of these
factors, competition for 300mm orders could become vigorous and could harm
Brooks' results of operations. Brooks' merger with PRI does not mitigate this
risk. Manufacturers implementing factory automation in 300mm pilot projects
typically seek to purchase systems from multiple vendors. To date, nearly all
manufacturers with pilot projects have selected PRI's competitors' systems for
these projects. Manufacturers' awards to PRI's competitors of early 300mm orders
could make it more difficult for Brooks to win orders from those manufacturers
for their full-scale 300mm production facilities.
PRI'S DIFFICULTIES WITH PRODUCTION OF ITS TURBOSTOCKER PRODUCT COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT BROOKS' ABILITY TO COMPETE IN THE 300MM WAFER TECHNOLOGY MARKETPLACE.
In late fiscal 2000 and early fiscal 2001, PRI encountered
manufacturing and supply chain problems related to its recently introduced
TurboStocker product, which PRI had planned to begin manufacturing in high
volume in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000 in response to increased customer
demand at the time. These problems caused delays in shipments and in customer
acceptance of these systems, and in some cases required repair or retrofit of
TurboStockers already installed in the field. PRI's TurboStocker manufacturing
problems, to the extent they have undermined or may undermine potential 300mm
customers' confidence in PRI's ability to manufacture and deliver complex
factory automation systems in a timely manner and at acceptable quality levels,
have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, PRI's reputation
and, as a result, the competitive position of Brooks in the market for 300mm
products.
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO BROOKS' ACQUISITIONS
FAILURE OF THE MERGER OF PRI INTO BROOKS TO ACHIEVE POTENTIAL BENEFITS COULD
HARM THE BUSINESS AND OPERATING RESULTS OF THE COMBINED COMPANY.
Brooks acquired PRI in May 2002. Brooks expects that the combination of
Brooks and PRI will result in potential benefits for the combined company. The
merger will not achieve its anticipated benefits unless Brooks successfully
combines its operations with those of PRI and integrates the two companies'
products in a timely manner. Integrating Brooks and PRI will be a complex, time
consuming and expensive process and may result in revenue disruption if not
completed in a timely and efficient manner. The companies must operate as a
combined organization using common:
o sales, marketing, service and support organizations;
o information communication systems;
o operating procedures;
o financial controls; and
o human resource practices, including benefit, training and
professional development programs.
There may be substantial difficulties, costs and delays involved in
integrating Brooks and PRI. These could include:
o distracting management from the business of the combined
company;
o supply chain coordination;
o problems with compatibility of business cultures;
o customer perception of an adverse change in service standards,
business focus, billing practices or product and service
offerings;
o costs and inefficiencies in delivering products and services
to the customers of the combined company;
o problems in successfully coordinating the research and
development efforts of the combined company;
o integrated sales, support and product marketing;
o costs and delays in implementing common systems and
procedures, including financial accounting and enterprise
resource planning systems; and
o the inability to retain and integrate key management, research
and development, technical sales and customer support
personnel.
Further, we cannot assure you that the combined company will realize
any of the anticipated benefits and synergies of the merger. Any one or all of
the factors identified above or identified in "Risk Factors Relating to Brooks'
Industry" and "Risk Factors Relating to Brooks' Operations," identified below,
could cause increased operating costs, lower than anticipated financial
performance, or the loss of customers, employees or business partners. The
failure to integrate Brooks and PRI successfully will have a material adverse
effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations of the
combined company.
BROOKS' BUSINESS COULD BE HARMED IF BROOKS FAILS TO ADEQUATELY INTEGRATE THE
OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESSES IT HAS ACQUIRED.
Brooks recently merged with PRI, and has completed a number of other
acquisitions in a short period of time. Brooks' management must devote
substantial time and resources to the integration of the operations of its
acquired businesses with its core business and its other acquired businesses. If
Brooks fails to accomplish this integration efficiently, Brooks may not realize
the anticipated benefits of its acquisitions. The process of integrating supply
and distribution channels, research and development initiatives, computer and
accounting systems and other aspects of the operation of its acquired
businesses, presents a significant challenge to Brooks' management. This is
compounded by the challenge of simultaneously managing a larger entity. These
businesses have operations and personnel located in Asia, Europe and the United
States and present a number of additional difficulties of integration,
including:
o assimilating products and designs into integrated solutions;
o informing customers, suppliers and distributors of the effects
of the acquisitions and integrating them into Brooks' overall
operations;
o integrating personnel with disparate business backgrounds and
cultures;
o defining and executing a comprehensive product strategy;
o managing geographically remote units;
o managing the risks of entering markets or types of businesses
in which Brooks has limited or no direct experience; and
o minimizing the loss of key employees of the acquired
businesses.
If Brooks delays the integration or fails to integrate an acquired
business or experiences other unforeseen difficulties, the integration process
may require a disproportionate amount of Brooks management's attention and
financial and other resources. Brooks' failure to adequately address these
difficulties could harm its business and financial results.
BROOKS' BUSINESS MAY BE HARMED BY ACQUISITIONS BROOKS COMPLETES IN THE FUTURE.
Brooks plans to continue to pursue additional acquisitions of related
businesses. Brooks' identification of suitable acquisition candidates involves
risks inherent in assessing the values, strengths, weaknesses, risks and
profitability of acquisition candidates, including the effects of the possible
acquisition on Brooks' business, diversion of Brooks management's attention and
risks associated with unanticipated problems or latent liabilities. If Brooks is
successful in pursuing future acquisitions, Brooks may be required to expend
significant funds, incur additional debt or issue additional securities, which
may negatively affect Brooks' results of operations and be dilutive to its
stockholders. If Brooks spends significant funds or incurs additional debt,
Brooks' ability to obtain financing for working capital or other purposes could
decline, and Brooks may be more vulnerable to economic downturns and competitive
pressures. Brooks cannot guarantee that it will be able to finance additional
acquisitions or that it will realize any anticipated benefits from acquisitions
that Brooks completes. Should Brooks successfully acquire another business, the
process of integrating acquired operations into Brooks' existing operations may
result in unforeseen operating difficulties and may require significant
financial resources that would otherwise be available for the ongoing
development or expansion of Brooks' existing business.
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO BROOKS' OPERATIONS
BROOKS' SALES VOLUME SUBSTANTIALLY DEPENDS ON THE SALES VOLUME OF BROOKS'
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER CUSTOMERS AND ON INVESTMENT IN MAJOR CAPITAL
EXPANSION PROGRAMS BY END-USER SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANIES.
Brooks sells a majority of its tool automation products to original
equipment manufacturers that incorporate Brooks' products into their equipment.
Therefore, Brooks' revenues depend on the ability of these customers to develop,
market and sell their equipment in a timely, cost-effective manner.
Approximately 40% of Brooks' total revenue for the quarter ended December 31,
2001 and approximately 56% of Brooks' total revenue in fiscal 2001 comes from
sales to original equipment manufacturers. Almost all of PRI's revenue from its
OEM Systems division, which accounted for approximately 17% of PRI's total net
revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 and approximately 39% of PRI's
total net revenue in fiscal 2001, comes from sales to original equipment
manufacturers. Approximately 29% and 51% of the combined revenue of Brooks and
PRI came from sales to these customers in the quarter ended December 31, 2001
and fiscal 2001, respectively.
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Brooks also generates significant revenues from large orders from
semiconductor manufacturing companies that build new plants or invest in major
automation retrofits. Brooks' revenues depend, in part, on continued capital
investment by semiconductor manufacturing companies. Approximately 60% of
Brooks' total revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 and approximately
44% of Brooks' total revenue in fiscal 2001, comes from sales to semiconductor
manufacturing companies. Almost all of PRI's revenue from its Factory Systems
and Software Systems divisions, which accounted for approximately 83% of PRI's
total net revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2001 and approximately 61%
of PRI's total net revenue in fiscal 2001, comes from sales to semiconductor
manufacturing companies. Approximately 71% and 49% of the combined revenue of
Brooks and PRI came from sales to these customers in the quarter ended December
31, 2001 and fiscal 2001, respectively.
DEMAND FOR BROOKS' PRODUCTS FLUCTUATES RAPIDLY AND UNPREDICTABLY, WHICH MAKES IT
DIFFICULT TO MANAGE ITS BUSINESS EFFICIENTLY AND CAN REDUCE ITS GROSS MARGINS
AND PROFITABILITY.
Brooks' expense levels are based in part on its expectations for future
demand. Many expenses, particularly those relating to capital equipment and
manufacturing overhead, are relatively fixed. The rapid and unpredictable shifts
in demand for Brooks' products make it difficult to plan manufacturing capacity
and business operations efficiently. If demand is significantly below
expectations, Brooks may be unable to rapidly reduce these fixed costs, which
can diminish gross margins and cause losses. A sudden downturn may also leave
Brooks with excess inventory, which may be rendered obsolete as products evolve
during the downturn and demand shifts to newer products. For example, as a
result of the current industry downturn, PRI recorded special charges in the
second and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2001 in the aggregate amount of $9.7
million relating to inventory write-downs and costs associated with order
cancellations. Brooks' ability to reduce expenses is further constrained because
it must continue to invest in research and development to maintain its
competitive position and to maintain service and support for its existing global
customer base. Conversely, in sudden upturns, Brooks sometimes incurs
significant expenses to rapidly expedite delivery of components, procure scarce
components and outsource additional manufacturing processes. These expenses
could reduce its gross margins and overall profitability. Any of these results
could seriously harm Brooks' business.
BROOKS RELIES ON A RELATIVELY LIMITED NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS FOR A LARGE PORTION OF
ITS REVENUES AND BUSINESS.
Brooks receives a significant portion of its revenues in each fiscal
period from a relatively limited number of customers. The loss of one or more of
these major customers, or a decrease in orders by one or more customers, could
adversely affect Brooks' revenue, business and reputation. Sales to Brooks' ten
largest customers accounted for approximately 39% of total revenues in the
quarter ended December 31, 2001, 37% of total revenues in fiscal 2001 and 40% of
total revenues in fiscal 2000. Sales to PRI's top ten customers accounted for
61% of PRI's total net revenue in fiscal 2001 and 54% in fiscal 2000. In fiscal
2001, sales to Intel accounted for 21% and sales to KLA-Tencor accounted for 11%
of PRI's total net revenue.
DELAYS IN OR CANCELLATION OF SHIPMENTS OR CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE OF A FEW OF
BROOKS' LARGE ORDERS COULD SUBSTANTIALLY DECREASE ITS REVENUES OR REDUCE ITS
STOCK PRICE.
Historically, a substantial portion of Brooks' quarterly and annual
revenues has come from sales of a small number of large orders. Some of Brooks'
products have high selling prices compared to Brooks' other products. As a
result, the timing of when Brooks recognizes revenue from one of these large
orders can have a significant impact on its total revenues and operating results
for a particular period because its sales in that fiscal period could fall
significantly below the expectations of financial analysts and investors. This
could cause the value of its common stock to fall. Brooks' operating results
could be harmed if a small number of large orders are canceled or rescheduled by
customers or cannot be filled due to delays in manufacturing, testing, shipping
or product acceptance.
BROOKS DOES NOT HAVE LONG-TERM CONTRACTS WITH ITS CUSTOMERS AND BROOKS'
CUSTOMERS MAY CEASE PURCHASING BROOKS' PRODUCTS AT ANY TIME.
Brooks generally does not have long-term contracts with its customers.
As a result, Brooks' agreements with its customers do not provide any assurance
of future sales. Accordingly:
o Brooks' customers can cease purchasing its products at any
time without penalty;
o Brooks' customers are free to purchase products from Brooks'
competitors;
o Brooks is exposed to competitive price pressure on each order;
and
o Brooks' customers are not required to make minimum purchases.
BROOKS' SYSTEMS INTEGRATION SERVICES BUSINESS HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY RECENTLY
AND POOR EXECUTION OF THOSE SERVICES COULD ADVERSELY IMPACT BROOKS' OPERATING
RESULTS.
The number of projects Brooks is pursuing for its systems integration
services business has grown significantly recently. This business consists of
integrating combinations of Brooks software and hardware products to provide
more comprehensive solutions for Brooks' end-user customers. The delivery of
these services typically is complex, requiring that Brooks coordinate personnel
with varying technical backgrounds in performing substantial amounts of services
in accordance with timetables. Brooks is in the early stages of
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developing this business and it is subject to the risks attendant to entering a
business in which it has limited direct experience. In addition, Brooks' ability
to supply these services and increase its revenues is limited by its ability to
retain, hire and train systems integration personnel. Brooks believes that there
is significant competition for personnel with the advanced skills and technical
knowledge that it needs. Some of Brooks' competitors may have greater resources
to hire personnel with those skills and knowledge. Brooks' operating margins
could be adversely impacted if it does not effectively hire and train additional
personnel or deliver systems integration services to its customers on a
satisfactory and timely basis consistent with its budgets.
BROOKS' LENGTHY SALES CYCLE REQUIRES IT TO INCUR SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES WITH NO
ASSURANCE THAT BROOKS WILL GENERATE REVENUE.
Brooks' tool automation products are generally incorporated into
original equipment manufacturer equipment at the design stage. To obtain new
business from its original equipment manufacturer customers, Brooks must develop
products for selection by a potential customer at the design stage. This often
requires Brooks to make significant expenditures without any assurance of
success. The original equipment manufacturer's design decisions often precede
the generation of volume sales, if any, by a year or more. Brooks cannot
guarantee that the equipment manufactured by its original equipment
manufacturing customers will be commercially successful. If Brooks or its
original equipment manufacturing customers fails to develop and introduce new
products successfully and in a timely manner, Brooks' business and financial
results will suffer.
Brooks also must complete successfully a costly evaluation and proposal
process before Brooks can achieve volume sales of Brooks factory automation
software and systems to customers. These undertakings are major decisions for
most prospective customers and typically involve significant capital commitments
and lengthy evaluation and approval processes. Brooks cannot guarantee that it
will continue to satisfy evaluations by its end-user customers.
BROOKS' OPERATING RESULTS WOULD BE HARMED IF ONE OF ITS KEY SUPPLIERS FAILS TO
DELIVER COMPONENTS FOR BROOKS' PRODUCTS.
Brooks currently obtains many of its components on an as needed,
purchase order basis. Generally, Brooks does not have any long-term supply
contracts with its vendors and believes many of its vendors have been taking
cost containment measures in response to the industry downturn. When demand for
semiconductor manufacturing equipment increases, Brooks' suppliers face
significant challenges in delivering components on a timely basis. Brooks'
inability to obtain components in required quantities or of acceptable quality
could result in significant delays or reductions in product shipments. This
could create customer dissatisfaction, cause lost revenue and otherwise
materially and adversely affect Brooks' operating results. Delays on Brooks'
part could also cause it to incur contractual penalties for late delivery.
PRI IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DEPENDENT ON SUBCONTRACTORS AND ONE OR A FEW
SUPPLIERS FOR SOME COMPONENTS AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
For some products, or components or specialized processes that PRI uses
in its products, PRI depends on subcontractors or has available only one or a
few suppliers. For example, PRI's TurboStocker, AeroLoader, AeroTrak and
Guardian products each include components and assemblies for which PRI has
qualified, or for which there exists, only one supplier or a small number of
suppliers. In general, PRI does not have long-term agreements with these
suppliers, or agreements that obligate them to supply all of PRI's requirements
for such components or assemblies. Also, PRI relies on Shinsung Engineering Co.
Ltd. to manufacture its TurboStocker product for delivery in the Asian market
and to provide related customer support. PRI has a Master Engineering Services
Agreement with Shinsung, which provides the general terms and conditions under
which PRI may from time to time request that Shinsung perform engineering
projects to PRI. The scope of each project and the related price and other terms
are defined in separate statements of work to be agreed upon by PRI and
Shinsung. The agreement provides that all intellectual property created by
Shinsung in the course of any such project will belong to PRI. PRI also has a
Master Manufacturing Services Agreement with Shinsung, which provides the
general terms and conditions under which PRI may from time to time request that
Shinsung manufacture products for PRI. The specifications for any products to be
manufactured, and related price and other terms, are to be defined in one or
more separate purchase orders to be issued by PRI to Shinsung. These agreements
with Shinsung are non-exclusive, contain customary provisions entitling either
party to terminate the agreement in the event of a material breach of the
agreement by, or the insolvency of, the other party, and also may be terminated
by PRI at any time for its convenience. The agreements both expire in October
2004. PRI's reliance on subcontractors gives PRI less control over the
manufacturing process and exposes PRI to significant risks, especially
inadequate capacity, late delivery, substandard quality and high costs. PRI
intends to outsource additional aspects of its manufacturing operations to
subcontractors and suppliers. PRI could experience disruption in obtaining
products or needed components and may be unable to develop alternatives in a
timely manner. If PRI is unable to obtain adequate deliveries of products or
components for an extended period of time, PRI may have to pay more for
inventory, parts and other supplies, seek alternative sources of supply or delay
shipping products to its customers. These outcomes could damage PRI's
relationships with customers. Any such increased costs, delays in shipping or
damage to customer relationships could seriously harm Brooks' business.
PRI's dependence on third-party suppliers could harm its ability to
negotiate the terms of its future business relationships with these parties, and
PRI may be unable to replace any of them on terms favorable to it. In addition,
outsourcing PRI's manufacturing to third parties may require PRI to share its
proprietary information with these suppliers. Although PRI enters into
confidentiality agreements with these third parties, these agreements may not
adequately protect PRI's proprietary information.
BROOKS MAY EXPERIENCE DELAYS AND TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES IN NEW PRODUCT
INTRODUCTIONS AND MANUFACTURING, WHICH CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT ITS REVENUES, GROSS
MARGINS AND NET INCOME.
Because Brooks' systems are complex, there can be a significant lag
between the time Brooks introduces a system and the time it begins to produce
that system in volume. As technology in the semiconductor industry becomes more
sophisticated, Brooks is finding it increasingly difficult to design and
integrate complex technologies into its systems, to procure adequate supplies of
specialized components, to train its technical and manufacturing personnel and
to make timely transitions to high-volume manufacturing. Many customers also
require customized systems, which compound these difficulties. Brooks sometimes
incurs substantial unanticipated costs to ensure that its new products function
properly and reliably early in their life cycle. These costs could include
greater than expected installation and support costs or increased materials
costs as a result of expedited changes. Brooks may not be able to pass these
costs on to its customers. In addition, Brooks has experienced, and may continue
to experience, difficulties in both low and high volume manufacturing. Any of
these results could seriously harm Brooks' business.
For example, beginning late in the third quarter of fiscal 2000, PRI
encountered manufacturing and supply chain problems relating to its TurboStocker
product, which PRI had planned to begin manufacturing in high volume in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2000 in response to increased customer demand at that
time. These problems have delayed shipments and customer acceptance, which
caused PRI's revenues for fiscal 2000 and 2001 to be lower than expected and
also contributed to its net losses for these periods. Since PRI discovered these
problems, it has incurred expenditures of $15.4 million to address them,
consisting of approximately $3.4 million for associated engineering costs, $5.7
million of additional warranty costs, and $6.3 million to repair or retrofit
TurboStockers already installed in the field where necessary. These costs also
contributed to PRI's losses for these periods. Of these costs, the $6.3 million
reserve for repairs and retrofits was recorded as a special charge in the fourth
quarter of PRI's fiscal year 2001. The balance of the costs were recorded in
PRI's results of operations during the period beginning with the fourth quarter
of its fiscal year 2000 and ending with the last quarter of its fiscal year
2001. PRI has also consolidated its TurboStocker manufacturing operations into a
single location, upgraded its enterprise resource planning system and outsourced
additional manufacturing of components and subassemblies. PRI's efforts to date
may be insufficient to resolve its manufacturing problems with its TurboStocker,
and PRI may encounter similar difficulties and delays in the future.
Moreover, on occasion Brooks has failed to meet its customers' delivery
or performance criteria, and as a result Brooks has deferred revenue recognition
and incurred late delivery penalties and had higher warranty and service costs.
These failures could continue and could also cause Brooks to lose business from
those customers and suffer long-term damage to its reputation.
BROOKS MAY BE UNABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN NECESSARY PERSONNEL BECAUSE OF
INTENSE COMPETITION FOR HIGHLY SKILLED PERSONNEL.
Brooks needs to retain a substantial number of employees with technical
backgrounds for both its hardware and software engineering, manufacturing, sales
and support staffs. The market for these employees is intensively competitive,
and Brooks has occasionally experienced delays in hiring qualified personnel.
Due to the cyclical nature of the demand for its products and the current
downturn in the semiconductor market, Brooks recently reduced its workforce as a
cost reduction measure. If the semiconductor market experiences an upturn,
Brooks may need to rebuild its workforce. Due to the competitive nature of the
labor markets in which Brooks
7
operates, this type of employment cycle increases Brooks' risk of being unable
to retain and recruit key personnel. Brooks' inability to recruit, retain and
train adequate numbers of qualified personnel on a timely basis could adversely
affect its ability to develop, manufacture, install and support its products and
may result in lost revenue and market share if customers seek alternative
solutions.
BROOKS' INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS EXPOSE IT TO A NUMBER OF DIFFICULTIES
IN COORDINATING ITS ACTIVITIES ABROAD AND IN DEALING WITH MULTIPLE REGULATORY
ENVIRONMENTS.
Sales to customers outside North America accounted for approximately
61% of Brooks' total revenues in the quarter ended December 31, 2001, 50% in
fiscal 2001, 48% in fiscal 2000, and 43% in fiscal 1999. Sales to customers
outside the United States accounted for approximately 32% of PRI's total
revenues in the quarter ended December 31, 2001, 38% in fiscal 2001, 36% in
fiscal 2000 and 33% in fiscal 1999. Brooks anticipates that international sales
will continue to account for a significant portion of its revenues. Many of
Brooks' vendors are located in foreign countries. As a result of its
international business operations, Brooks is subject to various risks,
including:
o difficulties in staffing and managing operations in multiple
locations in many countries;
o difficulties in managing distributors, representatives and
third party systems integrators;
o challenges presented by collecting trade accounts receivable
in foreign jurisdictions;
o longer sales-cycles;
o possible adverse tax consequences;
o fewer legal protections for intellectual property;
o governmental currency controls and restrictions on
repatriation of earnings;
o changes in various regulatory requirements;
o political and economic changes and disruptions; and
o export/import controls, trading policies and tariff
regulations.
To support its international customers, Brooks maintains locations in
several countries, including Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan,
Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
Brooks cannot guarantee that it will be able to manage these operations
effectively. Brooks cannot assure you that its investment in these international
operations will enable it to compete successfully in international markets or to
meet the service and support needs of its customers, some of whom are located in
countries where Brooks has no infrastructure.
Although Brooks' international sales are primarily denominated in U.S.
dollars, changes in currency exchange rates can make it more difficult for
Brooks to compete with foreign manufacturers on price. If Brooks' international
sales increase relative to its total revenues, these factors could have a more
pronounced effect on Brooks' operating results.
BROOKS MUST CONTINUALLY IMPROVE ITS TECHNOLOGY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.
Technology changes rapidly in the semiconductor, data storage and flat
panel display manufacturing industries. Brooks believes its success depends in
part upon its ability to enhance its existing products and to develop and market
new products to meet customer needs, even in industry downturns. For example, as
the semiconductor industry transitions from 200mm manufacturing technology to
300mm technology, Brooks believes it is important to its future success to
develop and sell new products that are compatible with 300mm technology. If
competitors introduce new technologies or new products, Brooks' sales could
decline and its existing products could lose market acceptance. Brooks cannot
guarantee that it will identify and adjust to changing market conditions or
succeed in introducing commercially rewarding products or product enhancements.
The success of Brooks' product development and introduction depends on a number
of factors, including:
o accurately identifying and defining new market opportunities
and products;
o completing and introducing new product designs in a timely
manner;
8
o market acceptance of Brooks' products and its customers'
products;
o timely and efficient software development, testing and
process;
o timely and efficient implementation of manufacturing and
assembly processes;
o product performance in the field;
o development of a comprehensive, integrated product strategy;
and
o efficient implementation and installation and technical
support services.
Because Brooks must commit resources to product development well in
advance of sales, its product development decisions must anticipate
technological advances by leading semiconductor manufacturers. Brooks may not
succeed in that effort. Its inability to select, develop, manufacture and market
new products or enhance its existing products could cause it to lose its
competitive position and could seriously harm its business.
BROOKS FACES SIGNIFICANT COMPETITION WHICH COULD RESULT IN DECREASED DEMAND FOR
BROOKS' PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.
The markets for Brooks' products are intensely competitive. Brooks may
be unable to compete successfully.
Brooks believes the primary competitive factors in the tool automation
systems segment are throughput, reliability, contamination control, accuracy and
price/performance. Brooks believes that its primary competition in the tool
automation market is from integrated original equipment manufacturers that
satisfy their semiconductor and flat panel display handling needs internally
rather than by purchasing systems or modules from an independent supplier like
Brooks. Many of these original equipment manufacturers have substantially
greater resources than Brooks does. Applied Materials, Inc., the leading process
equipment original equipment manufacturer, develops and manufactures its own
central wafer handling systems and modules. Brooks may not be successful in
selling its products to original equipment manufacturers that internally satisfy
their wafer or substrate handling needs, regardless of the performance or the
price of Brooks products. Moreover, integrated original equipment manufacturers
may begin to commercialize their handling capabilities and become Brooks
competitors.
Brooks believes that the primary competitive factors in the factory
interface market are technical and technological capabilities, reliability,
price/performance, ease of integration and global sales and support capability.
In this market, Brooks competes directly with Asyst, Rorze, Fortrend, Newport,
TDK, Yasakawa and Hirata. Some of these competitors have substantial financial
resources and extensive engineering, manufacturing and marketing capabilities.
Brooks believes that the primary competitive factors in the end-user
semiconductor manufacturer market for factory automation and process control
solutions are product functionality, price/performance, ease of use, ease of
integration and installation, hardware and software platform compatibility,
costs to support and maintain, vendor reputation and financial stability. The
relative importance of these competitive factors may change over time. Brooks
directly competes in this market with various competitors, including Applied
Materials-Consilium, IBM, Si-view, Compaq, TRW, Camstar and numerous small,
independent software companies. Brooks also competes with the in-house software
staffs of semiconductor manufacturers like NEC, Texas Instruments and Intel.
Most of those manufacturers have substantially greater resources than Brooks
does.
Brooks' factory automation systems division competes with Daifuku,
Murata Machinery, Shinko Electric and a number of other smaller foreign and
domestic manufacturers of automated machinery used in semiconductor fabrication
facilities. The primary competitive factors in the market are quality,
robustness and performance, price, ease of integration, vendor reputation,
financial stability, support and on-time delivery.
BROOKS' RECENT RAPID GROWTH IS STRAINING ITS OPERATIONS AND REQUIRING IT TO
INCUR COSTS TO UPGRADE ITS INFRASTRUCTURE.
During fiscal 2000 and 2001, Brooks experienced extremely rapid growth
in its operations, its product offerings and the geographic area of its
operations. The merger with PRI will continue this trend. Brooks' growth has
placed a significant strain on its management, operations and financial systems.
Brooks' future operating results will depend in part on its ability to continue
to implement and improve its operating and financial controls and management
information systems. If Brooks fails to manage its growth effectively, its
financial condition, results of operations and business could be harmed.
MUCH OF BROOKS' SUCCESS AND VALUE LIES IN ITS OWNERSHIP AND USE OF INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY, AND BROOKS' FAILURE TO PROTECT THAT PROPERTY COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT
ITS FUTURE OPERATIONS.
9
Brooks' ability to compete is heavily affected by its ability to
protect its intellectual property. Brooks relies primarily on trade secret laws,
confidentiality procedures, patents, copyrights, trademarks and licensing
arrangements to protect its intellectual property. The steps Brooks has taken to
protect its technology may be inadequate. Existing trade secret, trademark and
copyright laws offer only limited protection. Brooks' patents could be
invalidated or circumvented. The laws of certain foreign countries in which
Brooks products are or may be developed, manufactured or sold may not fully
protect Brooks' products. This may make the possibility of piracy of Brooks'
technology and products more likely. Brooks cannot guarantee that the steps
Brooks has taken to protect its intellectual property will be adequate to
prevent misappropriation of its technology. Other companies could independently
develop similar or superior technology without violating Brooks' proprietary
rights. There has been substantial litigation regarding patent and other
intellectual property rights in semiconductor-related industries. Brooks may
engage in litigation to:
o enforce its patents;
o protect its trade secrets or know-how;
o defend itself against claims alleging it infringes the rights
of others; or
o determine the scope and validity of the patents or
intellectual property rights of others.
Any litigation could result in substantial cost to Brooks and divert
the attention of Brooks' management, which could harm its operating results and
its future operations.
BROOKS' OPERATIONS COULD INFRINGE ON THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF OTHERS.
Particular aspects of Brooks' technology could be found to infringe on
the intellectual property rights or patents of others. Other companies may hold
or obtain patents on inventions or may otherwise claim proprietary rights to
technology necessary to Brooks' business. Brooks cannot predict the extent to
which it may be required to seek licenses or alter its products so that they no
longer infringe the rights of others. Brooks cannot guarantee that the terms of
any licenses it may be required to seek will be reasonable. Similarly, changing
Brooks' products or processes to avoid infringing the rights of others may be
costly or impractical or could detract from the value of its products. A party
making a claim of infringement could secure a judgment against Brooks that
requires it to pay substantial damages. A judgment could also include an
injunction or other court order that could prevent Brooks from selling its
products. Any claim of infringement by a third party also could cause Brooks to
incur substantial costs defending against the claim, even if the claim is
invalid, and could distract the attention of Brooks' management. Any of these
events could seriously harm Brooks' business.
BROOKS' BUSINESS MAY BE HARMED BY INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS OF GENERAL SIGNAL OR
APPLIED MATERIALS.
Brooks received notice from General Signal Corporation twice in 1992
and once in 1994 alleging certain of Brooks' tool automation systems products
that Brooks sells to semiconductor process tool manufacturers infringed General
Signal's patent rights. The notification advised Brooks that General Signal was
attempting to enforce its rights to those patents in litigation against Applied
Materials, and that, at the conclusion of that litigation, General Signal
intended to enforce its rights against Brooks and others. According to a press
release issued by Applied Materials in November 1997, Applied Materials settled
its litigation with General Signal by acquiring ownership of five General Signal
patents. Although not verified by Brooks, these five patents would appear to be
the patents referred to by General Signal in its prior notice to Brooks. Applied
Materials has not contacted Brooks regarding these patents. Brooks cannot
guarantee that it would prevail in any litigation by Applied Materials seeking
damages or expenses from Brooks or to enjoin Brooks from selling its products on
the basis of the alleged patent infringement, or that a license for any of the
alleged infringed patents will be available to Brooks on reasonable terms, if at
all. A material portion of Brooks' revenues for the quarter ended December 31,
2001 and fiscal 2001 derive from the products that General Signal originally
alleged to infringe its patents.
BROOKS' BUSINESS MAY BE HARMED BY INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS OF ASYST TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Brooks acquired certain assets, including a transport system known as
IridNet, from the Infab division of Jenoptik AG on September 30, 1999. Asyst
Technologies, Inc. had previously filed suit against Jenoptik AG and other
defendants, claiming that products of the defendants, including IridNet,
infringe Asyst's patents. This ongoing litigation may ultimately affect certain
products sold by Brooks. Brooks has received notice that Asyst may amend its
complaint to name Brooks as an additional defendant. Based on Brooks'
investigation of Asyst's allegations, Brooks does not believe it is infringing
any claims of Asyst's patents. Brooks intends to continue to support Jenoptik to
argue vigorously, among other things, the position that the IridNet system does
not infringe the Asyst patents. If Asyst
10
prevails in prosecuting its case, Asyst may seek to prohibit Brooks from
developing, marketing and using the IridNet product without a license. Because
patent litigation can be extremely expensive, time-consuming, and its outcome
uncertain, Brooks may seek to obtain licenses to the disputed patents. Brooks
cannot guarantee that licenses will be available to it on reasonable terms, if
at all. If a license from Asyst is not available, Brooks could be forced to
incur substantial costs to reengineer the IridNet system, which could diminish
its value. In any case, Brooks may face litigation with Asyst. Such litigation
could be costly and would divert Brooks management's attention and resources. In
addition, even though sales of IridNet comprised less than 1% of Brooks' total
revenues for fiscal year 2001, if Brooks does not prevail in such litigation,
Brooks could be forced to pay significant damages or amounts in settlement.
Jenoptik has indemnified Brooks for losses Brooks may incur in this action.
BROOKS' SOFTWARE PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN ERRORS OR DEFECTS THAT COULD RESULT IN
LOST REVENUE, DELAYED OR LIMITED MARKET ACCEPTANCE OR PRODUCT LIABILITY CLAIMS
WITH SUBSTANTIAL LITIGATION COSTS.
Complex software products like Brooks' can contain errors or defects,
particularly when Brooks first introduces new products or when it releases new
versions or enhancements. Any defects or errors could result in lost revenue or
a delay in market acceptance, which would seriously harm Brooks' business and
operating results. Brooks has occasionally discovered software errors in its new
software products and new releases after their introduction, and Brooks expects
that this will continue. Despite internal testing and testing by current and
potential customers, Brooks' current and future products may contain serious
defects.
Because many of Brooks' customers use their products for
business-critical applications, any errors, defects or other performance
problems could result in financial or other damage to Brooks' customers and
could significantly impair their operations. Brooks' customers could seek to
recover damages from Brooks for losses related to any of these issues. A product
liability claim brought against Brooks, even if not successful, would likely be
time-consuming and costly to defend and could adversely affect Brooks' marketing
efforts.
THE IMPACT OF TERRORIST THREATS ON THE GENERAL ECONOMY COULD DECREASE BROOKS'
REVENUES.
On September 11, 2001, the United States was subject to terrorist
attacks at the World Trade Center buildings in New York City and the Pentagon in
Washington, D.C. The potential near- and long-term impact these attacks may have
in regards to Brooks' suppliers and customers, markets for their products and
the U.S. economy are uncertain. There may be other potential adverse effects on
Brooks' operating results due to this significant event that Brooks cannot
foresee.
11
RISK FACTORS RELATING TO THE BROOKS COMMON STOCK
BROOKS' OPERATING RESULTS FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY, WHICH COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT
ITS BUSINESS AND ITS STOCK PRICE.
Brooks' revenues, margins and other operating results can fluctuate
significantly from quarter to quarter depending upon a variety of factors,
including:
o the level of demand for semiconductors in general;
o cycles in the market for semiconductor manufacturing equipment
and automation software;
o the timing, rescheduling, cancellation and size of orders from
Brooks' customer base;
o Brooks' ability to manufacture, test and deliver products in a
timely and cost-effective manner;
o Brooks' success in winning competitions for orders;
o the timing of Brooks' new product announcements and releases
and those of its competitors;
o the mix of products it sells;
o the timing of any acquisitions and related costs;
o competitive pricing pressures; and
o the level of automation required in fab extensions, upgrades
and new facilities.
Brooks entered the factory automation software business in fiscal 1999.
A portion of Brooks' revenues from this business will depend on achieving
project milestones. As a result, Brooks' revenue from this business will be
subject to fluctuations depending upon a number of factors, including whether
Brooks can achieve project milestones on a timely basis, if at all, as well as
the timing and size of projects.
BROOKS' STOCK PRICE IS VOLATILE.
The market price of the Brooks common stock has fluctuated widely. For
example, between April 4, 2001 and April 30, 2001, the closing price of Brooks'
common stock rose from approximately $35.45 to $62.61 per share and between
August 28, 2001 and
12
September 28, 2001, the price of the Brooks common stock dropped from
approximately $48.15 to $26.59 per share. Consequently, the current market price
of the Brooks common stock may not be indicative of future market prices, and
Brooks may be unable to sustain or increase the value of an investment in its
common stock. Factors affecting Brooks' stock price may include:
o variations in operating results from quarter to quarter;
o changes in earnings estimates by analysts or Brooks' failure
to meet analysts' or investors' expectations;
o changes in the market price per share of Brooks' public
company customers;
o market conditions in the industry;
o general economic conditions;
o low trading volume of Brooks common stock; and
o the number of firms making a market in Brooks common stock.
In addition, the stock market has recently experienced extreme price
and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have particularly affected the
market prices of the securities of high technology companies like Brooks. These
market fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of the Brooks common
stock.
BECAUSE A LIMITED NUMBER OF STOCKHOLDERS, INCLUDING A MEMBER OF BROOKS'
MANAGEMENT TEAM, OWNS A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SHARES OF BROOKS COMMON STOCK AND
ARE PARTIES TO A VOTING AGREEMENT, THEIR DECISIONS MAY BE DETRIMENTAL TO YOUR
INTERESTS.
By virtue of their stock ownership and voting agreement, Robert J.
Therrien, Brooks' president and chief executive officer, and Jenoptik AG have
the power to significantly influence Brooks' affairs and are able to influence
the outcome of matters required to be submitted to stockholders for approval,
including the election of Brooks' directors, amendments to Brooks' certificate
of incorporation, mergers, sales of assets and other acquisitions or sales.
These stockholders may exercise their influence over Brooks in a manner
detrimental to your interests. As of March 31, 2002, Mr. Therrien and M+W Zander
Holding GmbH, a subsidiary of Jenoptik AG, beneficially owned approximately 8.9%
of the Brooks common stock.
Brooks has a stockholders agreement with Mr. Therrien, M+W Zander
Holding GmbH and Jenoptik AG under which M+W Zander Holding GmbH agreed to vote
all of its shares on all matters in accordance with the recommendation of a
majority of Brooks' board of directors.
PROVISIONS OF BROOKS' CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS, CONTRACTS AND 4.75%
CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008 MAY DISCOURAGE TAKEOVER OFFERS AND MAY
LIMIT THE PRICE INVESTORS WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY FOR BROOKS' COMMON STOCK.
Brooks' certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that
may make an acquisition of Brooks more difficult and discourage changes in
Brooks' management. These provisions could limit the price that investors might
be willing to pay for shares of Brooks' common stock. In addition, Brooks has
adopted a shareholder rights plan. In many potential takeover situations, rights
issued under the plan become exercisable to purchase Brooks common stock at a
price substantially discounted from the then applicable market price of Brooks
common stock. Because of its possible dilutive effect to a potential acquirer,
the rights plan would generally discourage third parties from proposing a merger
with or initiating a tender offer for Brooks that is not approved by Brooks'
board of directors. Accordingly, the rights plan could have an adverse impact on
Brooks' stockholders who might want to vote in favor of a merger or participate
in a tender offer. In addition, Brooks may issue shares of preferred stock upon
terms the board of directors deems appropriate without stockholder approval.
Brooks' ability to issue preferred stock in such a manner could enable its board
of directors to prevent changes in its management or control. Finally, upon a
change of control of Brooks, Brooks may be required to repurchase convertible
subordinated notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal outstanding amount
thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of the
repurchase. Such a repurchase of the notes would represent a substantial cash
outflow; accordingly, the repayment of the notes upon a change of control of
Brooks could discourage third parties from proposing a merger with, initiating a
tender offer for or otherwise attempting to gain control of Brooks.
13
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus includes and incorporates by reference "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 with respect to the financial
condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and
business of Brooks, which are usually identified by the use of words such as
"will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects,"
"plans," "predicts," "continues," "intends," "should," "would," or similar
expressions. We intend for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the
safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are including this statement for
purposes of complying with these safe harbor provisions.
These forward-looking statements reflect our current views and expectations
about Brooks' plans, strategies and prospects, which are based on the
information currently available and on current assumptions.
We cannot give any guarantee that these plans, intentions or expectations
will be achieved. Holders of exchangeable shares of Brooks-PRI Canada are
cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those
factors described in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 4 of this
prospectus. Listed below and discussed elsewhere in this prospectus are some
important risks, uncertainties and contingencies that could cause actual
results, performances or achievements of Brooks to be materially different from
the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. These risks, uncertainties and contingencies include, but are not
limited to, the following:
o market acceptance of new products;
o competition in the industry;
o the ability to satisfy demand for our products;
o exchange rate fluctuations;
o the availability of debt and equity financing;
o the development of new competitive technologies;
o the availability of key components for our products;
o future acquisitions;
o the availability of qualified personnel;
o international, national, regional and local economic and political
changes;
o general economic conditions; and
o trends affecting the semiconductor industry, our financial
conditions or results of operations.
You should read this prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by
reference in this prospectus completely and with the understanding that our
actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We may
not update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may
change in the future. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these
cautionary statements.
14
USE OF PROCEEDS
Because we will issue the shares of common stock offered hereby upon
exchange or redemption of the exchangeable shares, we will not receive any cash
proceeds upon the issuance of such shares.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
You should consult your own tax advisors with respect to the United
States, Canadian and other tax consequences of exchanging your exchangeable
shares for shares of Brooks common stock as described below. For more
information, see "Income Tax Considerations."
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 with
respect to our common stock being offered under this prospectus. This prospectus
forms a part of the registration statement. We have agreed to use our reasonable
best efforts to keep the registration statement effective until there are no
exchangeable shares outstanding (other than exchangeable shares held by us or
our Ontario subsidiary). We have not engaged a broker, dealer or underwriter in
connection with offering of our common stock described in this prospectus.
EXCHANGING YOUR EXCHANGEABLE SHARES FOR BROOKS COMMON STOCK
You may obtain our common stock in exchange for your exchangeable shares in
the following ways:
o You may require Brooks-PRI Canada or our Ontario subsidiary to
redeem or exchange each of your exchangeable shares for 0.52 shares
of our common stock. For more information, see "--How You May
Exchange or Redeem Your Exchangeable Shares."
o Subject to the overriding call right of our Ontario subsidiary,
Brooks-PRI Canada will automatically redeem each of your
exchangeable shares for 0.52 shares of our common stock upon the
occurrence of certain events. For more information, see "--Automatic
Redemption of Your Exchangeable Shares."
o Upon the liquidation of Brooks or of Brooks-PRI Canada, you may be
required to, or may choose to, exchange each of your exchangeable
shares for 0.52 shares of our common stock. For more information,
see "--Exchange of Your Exchangeable Shares Upon Our Liquidation or
the Liquidation of Brooks-PRI Canada."
We will bear all of the expenses of this distribution. We estimate that
these expenses will total approximately $10,000.
HOW YOU MAY EXCHANGE OR REDEEM YOUR EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
By exercising your exchange put right. You may exercise your exchange
put right to require our Ontario subsidiary to purchase all or any of your
exchangeable shares in exchange for 0.52 shares of our common stock for each
exchangeable share, plus any dividends due to you upon the exchangeable shares
that you elect to exchange. To exercise your exchange put right you must give
written notice to the trustee (Computershare Trust Company of Canada) at its
principal transfer office in Toronto, Ontario or at such other office of the
trustee as the trustee may specify from time to time. You may give this notice
by completing and delivering to the trustee the exchange put right request
contained in the letter of transmittal which was distributed by Promis to
holders of Promis common shares in connection with the combination transaction
between PRI and Promis or by delivering to the trustee another form of notice
satisfactory to the trustee. In addition to the notice, you must also deliver
the certificates for the exchangeable shares you wish to exchange and any other
documents that may be required to transfer your exchangeable shares by the
Canada Business Corporations Act, Brooks-PRI Canada's by-laws and the trustee.
The exchange will be completed no later than the close of business on the third
business day after the trustee receives your notice, your exchangeable share
certificates and any other required documents.
By exercising your retraction right. You may exercise your retraction
right to require Brooks-PRI Canada to redeem (or retract) all or any of your
exchangeable shares in exchange for 0.52 shares of our common stock for each
exchangeable share, plus any dividends due on the exchangeable shares that you
elect to redeem. This retraction right will be subject to the exercise by our
Ontario subsidiary of its overriding right in such circumstances to purchase the
exchangeable shares you wish to exchange. For more information, see "The
Overriding Call Rights of Our Ontario Subsidiary--Retraction Call Right." To
exercise your retraction right, you must complete the retraction request on the
reverse side of the certificates of the exchangeable shares you wish to redeem
or provide
15
such other form of notice acceptable to Brooks-PRI Canada and deliver the
exchangeable share certificates to Brooks-PRI Canada or the trustee. In the
request or notice, you will be required to specify the number of exchangeable
shares you wish Brooks-PRI Canada to redeem and the date upon which you wish to
receive the shares of our common stock, plus any dividends due to you in
exchange for your exchangeable shares. The date you request for delivery must be
a business day not less than five nor more than ten business days after the date
on which Brooks-PRI Canada receives your retraction request and any other
documents that may be required to effect the redemption by the Canada Business
Corporations Act, Brooks-PRI Canada's by-laws and the trustee.
Upon receiving the completed retraction request or notice, exchangeable
share certificates and any other required documents, Brooks-PRI Canada will
immediately notify us and our Ontario subsidiary of your request. Our Ontario
subsidiary will thereafter have two business days in which to exercise its
overriding right in such circumstances to purchase the exchangeable shares you
wish to redeem. If it determines not to exercise this right and you do not
revoke your request for Brooks-PRI Canada to redeem your exchangeable shares in
accordance with the terms of your exchangeable shares, Brooks-PRI Canada will
deliver to you not later than your requested delivery date the number of shares
of our common stock equal to 0.52 times the number of exchangeable shares you
have delivered for redemption, plus any dividends due on the exchangeable
shares.
AUTOMATIC REDEMPTION OF YOUR EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
Subject to compliance with applicable law, and subject to the overriding
call right of our Ontario subsidiary, Brooks-PRI Canada will automatically
redeem your exchangeable shares in exchange for 0.52 shares of our common stock
for each exchangeable share, plus any dividends due on your exchangeable shares,
on the following dates:
o March 2, 2006;
o an earlier date determined by the Brooks-PRI Canada board of
directors in two circumstances. The Brooks-PRI Canada board
may accelerate the date of redemption if there are outstanding
less than 15% of the exchangeable shares issued by Brooks-PRI
Canada on the closing of PRI's combination with Promis (other
than shares held by us and our subsidiaries). The Brooks-PRI
Canada board may adjust this threshold as it deems appropriate
in order to give effect to:
(a) any subdivision or consolidation of or stock dividend on
the exchangeable shares;
(b) any issuance or distribution of rights to acquire
exchangeable shares or securities exchangeable for or
convertible into or carrying rights to acquire exchangeable
shares;
(c) any issuance or distribution of other securities or rights
or evidences of indebtedness or assets; or
(d) any other capital reorganization or other transaction
involving or affecting the exchangeable shares.
The Brooks-PRI Canada board may also elect to accelerate the
date for redemption if:
(i) we are involved in a proposed merger, amalgamation, tender
offer, material sale or capital distribution of shares or
assets or rights or interests in such assets or rights or any
similar transaction; or
(ii) we, our Ontario subsidiary or any of our other affiliates
are selling a majority of the outstanding shares of Brooks-PRI
Canada to an arm's-length third party,
and the Brooks-PRI Canada board determines, in good faith and
in its sole discretion, that it is not reasonably practicable
to substantially replicate the terms and conditions of the
exchangeable shares in connection with such transaction and
that the redemption of all exchangeable shares is necessary to
enable the completion of such transaction;
o the business day following the day on which the holders of
exchangeable shares fail to approve, or disapprove, any change
in the rights of the exchangeable shares which will maintain
the economic and legal equivalence of our common stock and the
exchangeable shares; or
o the business day prior to the record date for any meeting or
vote of Brooks-PRI Canada's shareholders in which holders of
exchangeable shares would be entitled to vote as Brooks-PRI
Canada shareholders other than any meeting or vote to
16
approve or disapprove any change in the rights of the
exchangeable shares to maintain the economic and legal
equivalence of our common stock and the exchangeable shares.
Brooks-PRI Canada will notify you in writing of the proposed automatic
redemption of your exchangeable shares, at least 45 days before the date of
automatic redemption, in the case of an automatic redemption on March 2, 2006
or an automatic redemption if there are outstanding less than 15% of the
exchangeable shares issued by Brooks-PRI Canada on the closing of PRI's
combination with Promis (other than shares held by us and our subsidiaries), or
such number of days before the date of automatic redemption that the Brooks-PRI
Canada board determines to be reasonably practicable under the circumstances, in
the case of other automatic redemptions. The automatic redemption by Brooks-PRI
Canada of your exchangeable shares will be subject to the overriding right of
our Ontario subsidiary to purchase your exchangeable shares on the occurrence of
the circumstances triggering automatic redemption. For more information, see
"The Overriding Call Rights of Our Ontario Subsidiary--Redemption Call Right."
EXCHANGE OF YOUR EXCHANGEABLE SHARES UPON OUR LIQUIDATION OR THE LIQUIDATION OF
BROOKS-PRI CANADA
Your right to redeem your exchangeable shares upon the liquidation of
Brooks-PRI Canada. Subject to any restrictions imposed by applicable law, if
Brooks-PRI Canada dissolves, liquidates or otherwise distributes its assets
among its shareholders to wind up its affairs, the holders of exchangeable
shares will have the right to receive from Brooks-PRI Canada, prior to any
distribution to any other Brooks-PRI Canada shareholders, 0.52 shares of our
common stock for each exchangeable share held, plus any dividends due on the
exchangeable shares. This right will be subject to the overriding right of our
Ontario subsidiary in these circumstances to purchase all of your exchangeable
shares. For more information, see "The Overriding Call Rights of Our Ontario
Subsidiary--Liquidation Call Right."
In addition, you will be entitled to require our Ontario subsidiary to
purchase all or any of your exchangeable shares if:
o Brooks-PRI Canada institutes any proceeding to be adjudicated
a bankrupt or insolvent or to be dissolved or wound-up;
o Brooks-PRI Canada consents to the institution of bankruptcy,
insolvency, dissolution or winding-up proceedings against it,
or the filing of a petition or proceedings seeking its
dissolution or winding-up under any bankruptcy, insolvency or
similar laws;
o Brooks-PRI Canada fails to contest in good faith any
proceedings seeking its dissolution or winding-up under any
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws within 30 days of
becoming aware of such proceedings;
o Brooks-PRI Canada consents to the appointment of a receiver;
o Brooks-PRI Canada makes a general assignment for the benefit
of its creditors; or
o Brooks-PRI Canada admits in writing its inability to pay its
debts generally as they become due.
Brooks-PRI Canada and our Ontario subsidiary will notify the trustee in
writing as soon as practicable if any of these events occurs. The trustee will
then notify you of such event and will advise you of your right to require our
Ontario subsidiary to purchase all or any of your exchangeable shares in such
circumstances. Should you choose to exercise this right, you will receive in
consideration for your exchangeable shares 0.52 shares of our common stock for
each exchangeable share, plus any dividends due on the exchangeable shares
exchanged.
If as a result of liquidity or solvency requirements of applicable law
Brooks-PRI Canada is unable to redeem all of your exchangeable shares which you
have delivered to Brooks-PRI Canada for redemption, you will be deemed to have
exercised your right to require our Ontario subsidiary to purchase the
exchangeable shares not redeemed by Brooks-PRI Canada.
Your right to redeem your exchangeable shares upon our liquidation. In
order for you to participate on a pro rata basis with the holders of our common
stock, immediately prior to our liquidation, we will automatically exchange your
exchangeable shares for 0.52 shares of our common stock for each exchangeable
share, plus any dividends due to you on your exchangeable shares. We will be
deemed to have liquidated when either of the following occur:
17
o our board of directors decides to institute proceedings to
liquidate or dissolve us or to effect any other distribution
of our assets among our stockholders for the purpose of
winding up our affairs; or
o we receive notice of or otherwise become aware of any
threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition or other
proceedings with respect to our involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up or to effect any other distribution
of our assets among our stockholders for the purposes of
winding up our affairs, and we fail to contest in good faith
any such proceeding within 30 days.
In order to exchange your exchangeable shares, you must deliver to us
your exchangeable share certificates, duly endorsed in blank, and any
instruments of transfer that we may reasonably require. Upon receipt of your
exchangeable share certificates and required transfer documentation, we or our
Ontario subsidiary will deliver to you certificates representing 0.52 shares of
our common stock for each exchangeable share, plus any dividends due on your
exchangeable shares.
THE OVERRIDING CALL RIGHTS OF OUR ONTARIO SUBSIDIARY
In the circumstances described below, our Ontario subsidiary will have
certain overriding rights to acquire your exchangeable shares by delivering to
you in exchange for each of your exchangeable shares 0.52 shares of our common
stock, plus any dividends due on the exchangeable shares. Our Ontario subsidiary
may exercise these rights even though you have requested Brooks-PRI Canada to
exchange or redeem your exchangeable shares.
Retraction call right. If you request Brooks-PRI Canada to redeem your
exchangeable shares, you will be deemed to offer such shares to our Ontario
subsidiary. Our Ontario subsidiary will have an overriding right in these
circumstances to acquire all of the exchangeable shares which you wish
Brooks-PRI Canada to redeem. If our Ontario subsidiary elects to exercise this
right, you will be required to transfer these exchangeable shares to our Ontario
subsidiary.
Liquidation call right. Our Ontario subsidiary will have an overriding
right to acquire all of your exchangeable shares upon the liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of Brooks-PRI Canada or any other distribution of the
assets of Brooks-PRI Canada among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up
its affairs. If our Ontario subsidiary elects to exercise this right, you will
be required to transfer your exchangeable shares to our Ontario subsidiary. The
transfer of your exchangeable shares will occur on the effective date of the
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Brooks-PRI Canada.
Redemption call right. Our Ontario subsidiary will have the overriding
right to acquire all of your exchangeable shares on the proposed date for their
automatic redemption. If our Ontario subsidiary elects to exercise this right,
you will be required to transfer your exchangeable shares to our Ontario
subsidiary.
Effect of call right exercise. If our Ontario subsidiary exercises one
or more of its call rights described above and acquires exchangeable shares, it
will not be entitled to exercise any voting rights attaching to those
exchangeable shares. We anticipate that our Ontario subsidiary will exercise its
call rights when they are available, and we currently foresee no circumstances
under which our Ontario subsidiary would not exercise these rights. In addition,
we do not anticipate any restriction or limitation on the number of exchangeable
shares our Ontario subsidiary would acquire upon exercise of these rights.
TREATMENT OF FRACTIONAL INTERESTS
No certificates will be issued representing fractional interests in our
common stock upon the exchange, redemption or retraction of exchangeable shares
and any such fractional interests shall not entitle the holder to any rights of
a holder of our common stock. Instead, each such holder will receive an amount
of cash (rounded down to the nearest whole cent), without interest, equal to the
product of such fraction multiplied by the price of our common stock (rounded
down to the nearest whole cent) on the Nasdaq National Market on the day the
exchangeable share is exchanged, redeemed or retracted.
INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
You should consider the following discussion of Canadian federal income
taxes before you acquire exchangeable shares or exchange exchangeable shares for
our common stock. In the opinion of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, the following
accurately
18
summarizes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations that
generally apply to you if, under Canadian federal income tax law, you are
considered to
o hold as capital property (a) your exchangeable shares, (b) the
voting rights attached to those shares, (c) the right to
require our Ontario subsidiary to purchase those shares and
deliver shares of common stock and additional amounts, (d) the
other ancillary rights attached to those shares, and (e) your
shares of Brooks common stock;
o deal at arm's length with Brooks, Brooks-PRI Canada, and our
Ontario subsidiary; and
o not be affiliated with Brooks, Brooks-PRI Canada, or our
Ontario subsidiary.
If Brooks is or will be a foreign affiliate of you under the Canadian
federal income tax laws, this summary will not apply to you. This summary
assumes that at all times the exchangeable shares will be listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange or another prescribed stock exchange in Canada. This summary does
not address the tax consequences of the transactions, including the arrangement,
in which you may have acquired the exchangeable shares.
Under Canadian federal income tax laws, your exchangeable shares will
generally be considered to be capital property to you unless you are considered
to hold your exchangeable shares
o in the course of carrying on a business,
o in an adventure in the nature of trade, or
o as "mark-to-market property."
If you are resident in Canada but your shares might not otherwise
qualify as capital property, you may be entitled to make an irrevocable election
to qualify those shares as capital property. If you do not hold your
exchangeable shares as capital property, you should consult your own advisers
regarding your particular circumstances. If you are a "financial institution"
under the Canadian federal income tax laws applicable to securities held by
financial institutions, the summary does not apply to you; instead, you should
consult your own advisers regarding the application to you of the
"mark-to-market" rules.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Income Tax Act
(Canada) and regulations, the current provisions of the income tax treaty
between Canada and the United States and counsel's understanding of the current
administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Customs and
Revenue Agency ("CCRA"). This summary also takes into account the proposed
amendments to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and regulations that the Minister of
Finance has publicly announced prior to the date of this prospectus and assumes
that those proposed amendments will be enacted in their present form. Counsel
can give no assurances, however, that the proposed amendments will be enacted in
the form proposed, or at all.
Except for such proposed amendments, this summary does not take into
account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, administrative
or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account provincial,
territorial or foreign income tax legislation or considerations, which may
differ from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein. We
have neither sought nor obtained an advance tax ruling from CCRA to confirm the
tax consequences of any of the transactions we describe.
WHILE THIS SUMMARY ADDRESSES THE MATERIAL CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS GENERALLY APPLICABLE TO YOU, IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, NOR SHOULD
IT BE CONSTRUED TO BE, LEGAL, BUSINESS OR TAX ADVICE TO YOU. FURTHERMORE, AS
REQUIRED BY THE "PLAIN ENGLISH" REQUIREMENTS OF THE SEC, THIS SUMMARY MAKES
MINIMAL USE OF DEFINED TERMS. YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT MANY OF THE WORDS AND PHRASES
USED IN THIS SUMMARY HAVE VERY SPECIFIC MEANINGS UNDER CANADIAN INCOME TAX LAW.
THEREFORE, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE TAX
CONSEQUENCES APPLICABLE TO YOU IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
For Canadian tax purposes, you must express all amounts, including
dividends, adjusted cost base and proceeds of disposition, in Canadian dollars,
and you must convert amounts denominated in United States dollars into Canadian
dollars based on the United States dollar exchange rate generally prevailing
when those amounts arise.
19
SHAREHOLDERS RESIDENT IN CANADA
If you are resident or deemed to be resident in Canada under Canadian
federal income tax laws, the following portion of the summary applies to you.
DIVIDENDS
Exchangeable shares. If you are an individual, the dividends that you
receive or are deemed to receive on your exchangeable shares will be included in
computing your income. Generally, such dividends will be subject to the gross-up
and dividend tax credit rules that normally apply to taxable dividends received
from taxable Canadian corporations. If you are a corporation, the dividends that
you receive or are deemed to receive on your exchangeable shares will be
included in computing your income.
Subject to the discussion set out below, if you are a corporation,
other than a "specified financial institution," you must include dividends that
you receive or are deemed to receive on the exchangeable shares in your income
and these dividends will normally be deductible in computing your taxable
income.
If you are a specified financial institution, you will only be able to
deduct from your taxable income a dividend that is otherwise deductible if
either:
o you did not acquire your exchangeable shares in the ordinary
course of your business; or
o at the time you receive the dividend, the exchangeable shares
are listed on a prescribed stock exchange in Canada (which
currently includes the Toronto Stock Exchange) and you, either
alone or together with persons not dealing at arm's length
with you for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada), do not
receive (and are not deemed to receive) dividends in respect
of more than 10 percent of the issued and outstanding
exchangeable shares.
If you are a private corporation or any other corporation resident in
Canada controlled or deemed to be controlled by or for the benefit of an
individual (other than a trust) or a related group of individuals (other than
trusts), you may be liable to pay a refundable tax of 33 1/3 percent on
dividends that you receive or are deemed to receive on the exchangeable shares
that are deductible in computing your taxable income. If you are a
"Canadian-controlled private corporation," you may be liable to pay an
additional refundable tax of 6 2/3 percent on dividends you receive or are
deemed to receive that are not deductible in computing your taxable income.
Under Canadian federal income tax laws, the exchangeable shares will be
taxable preferred shares and short-term preferred shares and, subject to the
discussion above, term preferred shares. Accordingly, Brooks-PRI Canada will be
subject to a 66 2/3 percent tax on dividends (other than excluded dividends)
that it pays or is deemed to pay on the exchangeable shares. In certain
circumstances, Brooks-PRI Canada may be entitled to deductions that will
substantially offset the impact of this tax. If you are a corporation, dividends
that you receive or are deemed to receive on the exchangeable shares will not be
subject to the 10 percent tax under Part IV.1 of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
If Brooks or any person with whom Brooks does not deal at arm's length
for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) is a "specified financial
institution" at the time a dividend is paid on an exchangeable share and you are
a corporation, then, subject to the exemption described below, the dividends
that you receive or are deemed to receive will not be deductible in computing
your taxable income. However, as discussed above, those dividends will be fully
includible in computing your income. Generally, we will be a specified financial
institution for these purposes if
o Brooks is, or is related to, an entity or corporation that is
a bank, a trust company, a credit union, or an insurance
corporation, or
o Brooks' principal business, or the principal business of an
entity or corporation to which Brooks is related, is (a) the
lending of money to persons with whom Brooks deals at arm's
length, (b) the purchasing of debt obligations issued by
persons with whom Brooks deals at arm's length, or (c)
combination of both (a) and (b).
The same rules will apply to determine whether a person with whom
Brooks does not deal at arm's length is a specified financial institution for
these purposes.
Nonetheless, if you are a corporation, you will not be denied the
dividend deduction if at the time you receive a dividend or are deemed to
receive a dividend
20
o the exchangeable shares are listed on a prescribed stock
exchange (which currently includes the Toronto Stock
Exchange),
o Brooks controls Brooks-PRI Canada, and
o you (together with any person with whom you do not deal at
arm's length, any partnership of which you or that person is a
member, and any trust of which you or that person is a
beneficiary) do not receive dividends on more than 10 percent
of the issued and outstanding exchangeable shares.
REDEMPTION OR EXCHANGE OF EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
If Brooks-PRI Canada redeems (or you retract) your exchangeable shares,
you will generally be deemed to have received a dividend equal to the amount, if
any, by which
(a) the fair market value of the consideration you receive as
part of the redemption or retraction
exceeds
(b) the aggregate of
o the paid-up capital (as determined under Canadian
federal income tax laws) at the time Brooks-PRI Canada
redeems or you retract your exchangeable shares and
o any amount allocated to the cancellation of (i) the
voting rights attached to those shares, (ii) the right
to require our Ontario subsidiary to purchase those
shares and deliver shares of common stock and certain
additional amounts, and (iii) the other ancillary rights
attached to those shares.
The amount of any deemed dividend will generally be subject to the tax
treatment described above under "Dividends-Exchangeable Shares." On the
redemption of your exchangeable shares, you will also be considered to have
disposed of your exchangeable shares for proceeds of disposition equal to (a)
the redemption proceeds less (b) the amount of the deemed dividend. You will
also be considered to have disposed of the rights attached to your exchangeable
shares in exchange for the amount allocated to the cancellation of the rights
attached to those shares. Brooks is of the view that the fair market value of
those rights is nominal. Counsel, however, can provide no opinion on this
factual matter. In general, you will realize a capital gain (or a capital loss)
equal to the amount by which (a) the proceeds of disposition of the exchangeable
shares (net of reasonable costs of disposition) exceed (b) the adjusted cost
base of such shares (see "--Taxation of Capital Gain or Capital Loss" below). If
you are a corporation, in some circumstances, the amount of any dividend you are
deemed to have received may be treated as proceeds of disposition and not as a
dividend.
If you exchange exchangeable shares (including any related rights) with
our Ontario subsidiary for shares of Brooks common stock, other than on the
redemption or retraction of exchangeable shares, in general, you will realize a
capital gain (or a capital loss) to the extent (a) the proceeds of disposition
of the exchangeable shares, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed
(or are less than) (b) the adjusted cost base of such shares to you. For these
purposes, the proceeds of disposition will be the aggregate fair market value,
at the time of the exchange, of the consideration you receive (less any amount
allocated to the cancellation of the rights attached to the exchangeable shares)
(see "--Taxation of Capital Gain or Capital Loss" below).
Because of the rights attached to the exchangeable shares, you cannot
control whether you will receive shares of common stock upon Brooks-PRI Canada
redemption of your exchangeable shares or upon our Ontario subsidiary's purchase
of your exchangeable shares, unless you exercise your right to require our
Ontario subsidiary to purchase your exchangeable shares. As described above, the
tax consequences to you of a redemption differ from those of an exchange.
TAXATION OF CAPITAL GAIN OR CAPITAL LOSS
You must include in your income for the year of disposition the taxable
portion of any capital gain you realize. The taxable portion of any capital gain
you realize (the "taxable capital gain") will be one-half of that amount. You
must deduct against such taxable capital gains for the year of disposition
one-half of any capital loss you
21
realize in that year. If one-half of any capital loss you realize in a taxation
year exceeds your taxable capital gains in that year, you may carry back the
excess up to three taxation years or forward indefinitely and deduct those
excess amounts against net taxable capital gains in those other years, subject
to certain limitations (including certain transitional rules related to changes
in the capital gains inclusion rate) and in certain circumstances.
If you are an individual or trust, other than certain trusts, capital
gains that you realize may give rise to alternative minimum tax. If you are a
Canadian-controlled private corporation, you may be liable to pay an additional
refundable tax of 6 2/3 percent on taxable capital gains.
If you are a corporation, subject to certain limitations and under
certain circumstances, you may be required to reduce the amount of any capital
loss arising when you dispose or are deemed to dispose of any exchangeable
shares by the amount of dividends you received or are deemed to have received on
those shares. Similar rules may apply to you if you are:
o a corporation that is a member of a partnership that owns
exchangeable shares;
o a corporation that is a beneficiary of a trust that owns
exchangeable shares;
o a member of a partnership that is a member of another
partnership that owns exchangeable shares;
o a member of a partnership that is a beneficiary of a trust
that owns exchangeable shares;
o a beneficiary of a trust that is a member of a partnership
that owns exchangeable shares; or
o a beneficiary of a trust that is the beneficiary of another
trust that owns exchangeable shares.
TAXATION OF BROOKS COMMON STOCK
Acquisition and disposition of shares of Brooks common stock. The cost
amount of shares of common stock that you receive on the retraction, redemption
or exchange of exchangeable shares will in general be equal to the fair market
value of those shares at that time.
If you dispose or are deemed to have disposed of shares of common
stock, generally, you will have a capital gain (or capital loss) to the extent
that (a) the proceeds of disposition, net of any reasonable costs of
disposition, exceed (or are less than) (b) the adjusted cost base to you of such
shares immediately before the disposition. In computing the adjusted cost base
of a share of our common stock, you must average the cost of the share with the
adjusted cost base of any other shares of our common stock that you hold as
capital property at that time.
Dividends on shares of common stock. In computing your income, you must
include dividends that you receive or are deemed to receive on shares of common
stock. If you are an individual, these dividends will not be subject to the
gross-up and the dividend tax credit rules that normally apply to taxable
dividends received from taxable Canadian corporations. If you are a corporation,
these dividends will not be deductible in computing your taxable income. In
certain circumstances, you may be entitled to a foreign tax credit in respect of
any U.S. withholding tax payable in connection with these dividends.
Foreign property information reporting. If you are a "specified
Canadian entity" for a taxation year or a fiscal period and your total cost
amounts of "specified foreign property," including the shares of common stock,
at any time in the year or fiscal period exceed Cdn. $100,000, you must file an
information return for the year or period disclosing prescribed information,
including
o your cost amount,
o any dividends you received in the year, and
o any gains or losses you realized in the year,
in respect of that property.
22
With some exceptions, generally, if you are a taxpayer resident in
Canada in the year, you will be a specified Canadian entity. You should consult
your own advisors about whether you must comply with these rules.
ELIGIBILITY FOR INVESTMENT IN CANADA
Qualified investments. In the opinion of counsel, the exchangeable
shares, if issued on the date of this prospectus, and the shares of common
stock, if issued on the date of this prospectus and if listed on a prescribed
stock exchange (which currently includes the Toronto Stock Exchange and the
Nasdaq National Market), would be qualified investments for trusts governed by
registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds and
deferred profit sharing plans. The rights attached to the exchangeable shares
will generally not be qualified investments. However, as indicated above, Brooks
is of the view that the fair market value of these rights is nominal. However,
counsel can express no opinion on matters of factual determination such as this.
Exchangeable shares are not an appropriate investment for registered education
savings plans, as such plans may have their registration revoked if they hold
non-qualified investments such as the ancillary rights.
Foreign property. In the opinion of counsel, based in part on a
certificate of an officer of Brooks-PRI Canada, the exchangeable shares, if
issued on the date of this prospectus and listed on a prescribed stock exchange
in Canada (which currently includes the Toronto Stock Exchange) would not be
foreign property for purposes of Part XI of the Income Tax Act (Canada) which
generally applies to registered deferred income plans, registered pension plans,
registered investments and certain other entities. Such entities may be subject
to a penalty tax if the cost amount of their investment in foreign property
exceeds the statutory limit. The shares of common stock and the ancillary rights
attached to the exchangeable shares will be foreign property.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS RELATING TO FOREIGN INVESTMENT ENTITIES
On August 2, 2001, the Canadian Minister of Finance introduced revised
draft legislation (the "FIE Rules") concerning the income tax treatment of
investments by Canadian residents in "foreign investment entities" ("FIEs"). In
general terms, the FIE Rules define a FIE as any non-resident entity where the
carrying value of the entity's investment property is more than one-half the
carrying value of all of the entity's property, but does not include a
non-resident entity whose principal business is not an "investment business".
The determination as to whether an entity is a FIE is made on an annual basis,
at the entity's taxation year-end.
If Brooks is a FIE (and certain exceptions do not apply) and you are a
Canadian resident under Canadian federal income tax laws, you will generally be
required to take into account in computing your income, on an annual basis, any
increase (or decrease) in the value of your exchangeable shares or your shares
of Brooks common stock (i.e., on a "mark-to-market" basis). In addition, if you
disposed of your exchangeable shares or shares of Brooks common stock, you would
be required to recognize as ordinary or income or loss, rather than as a capital
gain or loss, any gain or loss realized on the disposition of such exchangeable
shares or common stock. In certain limited circumstances, your shares of Brooks
common stock (but not your exchangeable shares) may be entitled to alternative
treatment under the FIE Rules if you have access to certain information provided
by Brooks. In general, Brooks does not intend to provide this information so you
should not expect to be in a position to take advantage of such alternative
treatment.
In general, if Brooks is a FIE subject to the FIE Rules and all or
substantially all of an amount required to be added or deducted in computing
your income can be attributed to (i) capital gains and losses of Brooks from
dispositions of its capital property, and/or (ii) increases or decreases in the
fair market value of Brooks' property, such amount will not be included or
deducted in computing your income but will instead be treated as a capital gain
or loss, as the case may be.
In any event, these rules will not apply to you if your exchangeable
shares and/or shares of Brooks common stock constitute an "exempt interest."
Your exchangeable shares or shares of common stock will constitute an exempt
interest provided Brooks is a resident of the United States and the exchangeable
shares and shares of its common stock are widely held (within the meaning of the
draft legislation), actively traded (within the meaning of the draft
legislation) and listed on a prescribed stock exchange (which currently includes
The Toronto Stock Exchange and Nasdaq) throughout the period during which you
hold such shares, unless it is reasonable to conclude that you had a tax
avoidance motive in acquiring the exchangeable shares and/or shares of Brooks
common stock. Brooks has advised counsel that it is of the view that, as of the
date hereof, Brooks is a resident of the United States and the exchangeable
shares and shares of its common stock are widely held and actively traded
(within the meaning of the draft legislation). For these purposes, you will
generally be considered to have a tax avoidance motive in acquiring either
exchangeable shares or shares of Brooks common stock if it is reasonable to
conclude that the main reasons for acquiring such shares include deriving a
benefit attributable to income derived from investment property, to profits or
gains from the disposition of investment property or to an increase in value of
investment property and the deferral or reduction of Canadian income tax that
would have been payable by you had you realized such income, profits or gains at
the time such income, profit or gains were realized by Brooks.
Counsel has not been advised by Brooks as to whether it believes it
would, as of today's date, be a FIE, nor has counsel been provided with
information necessary to make that determination. Counsel expresses no opinion
as to whether Brooks is or would at any time be a FIE. The draft legislation is
complex and if applicable may affect both the timing and, in certain cases, the
character of amounts included in income in respect of your exchangeable shares
or shares of Brooks common stock. In addition, there is considerable uncertainty
as to whether the draft legislation will be implemented in its current form.
Accordingly, if you are a Canadian resident you should consult your tax advisors
regarding the possible application of the FIE Rules.
On December 17, 2001, the Canadian Minister of Finance announced a
one-year delay of the effective date of the FIE Rules such that the new rules
are proposed to apply to taxation years beginning after 2002. The Minister
indicated that this delay will allow for full consideration of submissions that
have been received concerning the FIE Rules. It is impossible to accurately
predict what changes, if any, may be made to the FIE Rules prior to enactment.
Again, you should contact your own tax advisors for advice concerning the
effect, if any, of the FIE Rules in your own circumstances.
SHAREHOLDERS NOT RESIDENT IN CANADA
If you have not been and will not be resident or deemed to be resident
in Canada at any time while you held Promis common shares or will hold
exchangeable shares or shares of our common stock, or any other shares for which
such shares are exchanged, and those shares are not "taxable Canadian property"
to you, then the following portion of this summary applies to you. This summary
does not apply to a holder that carries on an insurance business in Canada and
elsewhere.
The exchangeable shares will generally not be taxable Canadian property
to you provided that
o those shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange (which
currently includes the Toronto Stock Exchange);
o you do not use or hold, and are not deemed to use or hold, the
exchangeable shares, in carrying on a business in Canada;
o you, persons with whom you do not deal at arm's length, or you
and persons with whom you do not deal at arm's length under
the Canadian federal income tax law, have not owned (or had
rights to acquire) 25 percent or more of the issued shares of
any class or series of the capital stock of Brooks-PRI Canada
at any time within the 60 months preceding the date you
dispose of the exchangeable shares; and
o you did not acquire the exchangeable shares in a transaction
where the exchangeable shares were deemed to be taxable
Canadian property, such as where you disposed of taxable
Canadian property and deferred the resulting gain.
Even if an exchangeable share is considered to be taxable Canadian
property, you may be entitled to relief under an applicable tax convention. You
should consult your own tax advisors to determine the tax consequences in your
own situation.
In general, you will not be subject to any tax on a capital gain you
realize or are deemed to have realized when you dispose of an exchangeable
share.
When you exchange an exchangeable share for common stock, you may be
deemed to have received a dividend subject to withholding tax (discussed below)
and realized a capital gain or loss (generally tax-free as discussed above).
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You will be subject to non-resident withholding tax at the rate of 25
percent on the gross amount of any dividends paid to you on the exchangeable
shares. An applicable income tax treaty, however, may reduce that rate. For
example, if you qualify as a resident of the United States for purposes of the
Canada-United States tax treaty, the rate is generally reduced to 15 percent.
If you redeem your exchangeable shares (either under Brooks-PRI
Canada's redemption right or pursuant to your retraction rights), you will be
deemed to receive a dividend as and to the extent described above under the
heading "Shareholders Resident in Canada." That deemed dividend will be subject
to withholding tax as described in the preceding paragraph.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of certain United States federal income
tax considerations that may be relevant to holders of exchangeable shares. This
discussion does not address all the United States federal income tax
considerations that may be relevant to you in light of your particular
circumstances. It does not address considerations that may be relevant to
shareholders subject to special rules, such as partnerships, banks, thrifts,
regulated investment companies, insurance companies or other financial
institutions, tax-exempt organizations, S corporations, dealers in securities,
persons who hold stock as part of a hedge, conversion or constructive sale
transaction, or straddle or other risk reduction transaction, or corporations
owning 10% or more by vote or value of Brooks-PRI Canada or of us. It also
assumes that you hold the exchangeable shares, and any of our common stock that
you receive in exchange for the exchangeable shares, as capital assets. In
addition, this discussion does not address the tax consequences to you of the
transaction in which you acquired your exchangeable shares or of the acquisition
of PRI by Brooks. Furthermore, this discussion does not address any United
States state, local or other tax consequences or any foreign tax consequences
relating to the exchangeable shares.
WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE
SPECIFIC TAX CONSIDERATIONS THAT APPLY TO YOU.
The laws, regulations, court decisions, and IRS rulings and regulations
effective on the date of this registration statement form the basis of this
discussion. This discussion is for general information only. No law, court
decision, ruling or regulation directly addresses certain of the tax
consequences of the ownership of instruments and rights comparable to the
exchangeable shares and the rights attached to those shares. Consequently,
significant aspects of the tax treatment of such shares, including whether the
shares are considered interests in us or in Brooks-PRI Canada, are uncertain. We
have neither sought nor obtained any advance income tax ruling regarding the tax
consequences of any of the transactions we describe. We and Brooks-PRI Canada
intend to treat the exchangeable shares as stock in Brooks-PRI Canada for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. However, we cannot assure you that the IRS or a
court would agree that our intended treatment is correct, and you should
therefore consult your own tax advisor regarding the tax treatment of the
exchangeable shares. The discussion below assumes that such treatment is proper.
If such treatment is determined not to be correct, significantly different tax
consequences could result.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS THAT APPLY TO U.S. HOLDERS
If you are
- an individual citizen or resident of the United States,
- a corporation (or entity treated as a corporation for United
States federal income tax purposes) or partnership created in
the United States or under the laws of the United States, any
state thereof or the District of Columbia,
- an estate, the income of which is subject to United States
federal income taxation regardless of its source, or
- a trust, if a United States court is able to exercise primary
supervision over the trust's administration and one or more
United States persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust (or if the trust has
elected to be treated as a United States person),
the following tax considerations will generally apply to you. If a partnership
holds exchangeable shares, the partnership and the partners in the partnership
will be subject to special rules and should consult their
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own tax advisers regarding the United States federal income tax consequences to
them of holding and exchanging the exchangeable shares.
Exchange of exchangeable shares. Generally, when you exchange your
exchangeable shares for shares of our common stock, you will recognize taxable
gain or loss, unless the exchange is characterized as a tax-free reorganization
(as described further below). Your gain or loss will equal the difference
between (a) the fair market value of the shares of our common stock at the time
you exchange your exchangeable shares and (b) your tax basis in the exchangeable
shares you exchange. Your gain or loss will generally be a capital gain or loss.
You may, however, recognize ordinary income with respect to any declared but
unpaid dividends on the exchangeable shares. A capital gain or loss will be
long-term capital gain or loss if your holding period for the exchangeable
shares is more than one year. Your tax basis in the shares of common stock will
be their fair market value at the time of the exchange. Your holding period for
the shares of common stock that you receive will begin on the day after the
exchange.
The gain you recognize when you exchange your exchangeable shares for
shares of common stock generally will be treated as United States source gain
for United States foreign tax credit purposes. Under the terms of the United
States - Canada income tax treaty, assuming certain conditions apply, your gain
may be treated as sourced in Canada. Subject to certain limitations, you may be
entitled to either credit your United States income tax liability with, or
deduct in computing your United States taxable income, any Canadian taxes that
you pay.
The above discussion assumes that Brooks-PRI Canada is not a "passive
foreign investment company" ("PFIC") under United States federal income tax law.
If Brooks-PRI Canada were a PFIC, any gain recognized on the disposition or
exchange of the exchangeable shares, as well as income realized on certain
"excess distributions" of Brooks-PRI Canada, would be treated as though it were
realized ratably over your holding period for the exchangeable shares. Such gain
or income would be taxed as ordinary income. In addition, an interest charge
would be imposed based on tax deferred from prior years. Alternatively, if
Brooks-PRI Canada provided certain information, you might be able to elect to
treat your interest in Brooks-PRI Canada under the "qualified electing fund"
("QEF") rules, in which case you would be required to include in income each
year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of Brooks-PRI
Canada. Brooks-PRI Canada has not committed to provide the necessary information
to permit you to make a QEF election. If the exchangeable shares constitute
"marketable" stock for purposes of the PFIC rules, you could avoid the general
PFIC rules and the QEF regime by electing to include in your income each year an
amount representing the unrealized appreciation with respect to such stock.
The exchange of exchangeable shares for shares of our common stock may
qualify as a tax-free reorganization, in which case you would not be subject to
tax on the exchange (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional
shares). In particular, the exchange may qualify as tax free if our Ontario
subsidiary acquires the exchangeable shares in the exchange and, immediately
after the exchange, holds at least 80 percent of the then-outstanding
exchangeable shares, including if you receive shares of our common stock from
our Ontario subsidiary when it automatically redeems the exchangeable shares or
exercises its rights to acquire the exchangeable shares on the proposed
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Brooks-PRI Canada. However, even if
that condition is met, the exchange would be tax-free only if certain other
conditions were met.
Distributions on the exchangeable shares. If any distributions are paid
to you as a holder of exchangeable shares, such distributions (including amounts
withheld to pay Canadian withholding taxes) will be treated as dividends and
will be taxable to you as ordinary income to the extent of the current or
accumulated earnings and profits of Brooks-PRI Canada, determined using United
States federal income tax principles. Distributions that exceed the current and
accumulated earnings and profits of Brooks-PRI Canada will be treated as a
return of capital to you to the extent of your tax basis in the exchangeable
shares and thereafter as taxable gain. Distributions treated as dividends
generally will be treated as foreign source passive income for foreign tax
credit limitation purposes. Subject to certain limitations, you should generally
be entitled to either credit your United States income tax liability with, or
deduct in computing your United States taxable income, any Canadian income taxes
withheld from these distributions.
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Distributions on shares of our common stock. If any distributions are
paid to you as a holder of our common stock, you generally will be required to
include in gross income as ordinary dividend income the amount of the
distribution to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits,
determined under United States federal income tax principles. Distributions that
exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a
return of capital to you to the extent of your tax basis in the common stock and
thereafter as taxable gain.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS THAT APPLY TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS
If you are not a U.S. person described in the preceding section, the
following tax considerations will generally apply to you.
Exchange of exchangeable shares; Gain on sale or exchange of
exchangeable shares or common stock. Generally, you will not be subject to
United States federal income tax when you exchange your exchangeable shares for
shares of our common stock, when you sell or otherwise exchange your shares of
exchangeable stock, or when you sell or exchange our common stock, unless:
- the gain is effectively connected with a United States trade
or business;
- you are an individual, you are present in the United States
for 183 days or more, and you satisfy certain other
conditions; or
- our stock is a United States real property interest.
We believe that our stock does not constitute a United States real
property interest. Although we consider it unlikely that our stock will become a
United States real property interest, we can provide no assurance as to this
issue. A non-United States person who sells a United States real property
interest is subject to special rules which can subject the seller to United
States federal income tax and require withholding on the gross proceeds of the
sale.
Distributions on the exchangeable shares. You should not be subject to
U.S. tax on dividends that you receive on the exchangeable shares. Therefore, we
and Brooks-PRI Canada do not intend to withhold any taxes from those dividends.
The IRS, however, may assert that dividends paid to you on the exchangeable
shares are subject to U.S. tax. As a result, you could be subject to tax at a
rate of 30 percent (and we could be required to withhold at that rate). An
applicable treaty in effect between the United States and your country of
residence may reduce the rate. A rate of 15 percent applies to dividends paid to
residents of Canada under the current income tax treaty between the United
States and Canada.
Distributions on shares of our common stock. Dividends that you receive
on the common stock of Brooks generally will be subject to withholding tax at a
rate of 30 percent, unless the rate is reduced by an applicable income tax
treaty. A rate of 15 percent applies to dividends paid to residents of Canada
under the current income tax treaty between the United States and Canada.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock to be sold in this offering
will be passed upon for us by Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP, Boston,
Massachusetts. Members of Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels LLP are the secretary
and assistant secretaries of Brooks. Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada, acted as counsel for PRI in connection with matters of Canadian
law related to the merger of PRI with and into Brooks.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by
reference to the annual report on Form 10-K/A of Brooks Automation, Inc. for the
year ended September 30, 2001, except as they relate to Irvine Optical Company,
LLC for the year ended December 31, 1999, have been so incorporated in reliance
on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on
the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The audited financial statements of General Precision, Inc.,
incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Brooks Automation, Inc.'s
current report on Form 8-K/A dated October 5, 2001, have been so incorporated
in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited the financial
statements of Irvine Optical Company, LLC as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and
for the years then ended, as set forth in their report (which contains an
explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about
Irvine Optical Company, LLC's ability to continue as a going concern as
described in Note 1 to those financial statements). Brooks has incorporated by
reference Ernst & Young LLP's report with respect to Irvine Optical Company,
LLC's financial statements in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration
statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's report, given on their authority as
experts in accounting and auditing.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports,
proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy these
reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC's public reference
rooms at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C., and in New York, NY and
Chicago, IL. You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and
paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
more information about the operation of the public reference rooms. Our SEC
filings are also available at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act with respect to common stock offered in connection with this
prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in
the registration statement. We have omitted certain parts of the registration
statement in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further
information with respect to us and the common stock, you should refer to the
registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete and, in
each instance, you should refer to the copy of such contract or document filed
as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
Each statement as to the contents of such contract or document is qualified in
all respects by such reference. You may obtain copies of the registration
statement from the SEC's principal office in Washington, D.C. upon payment of
the fees prescribed by the SEC, or you may examine the registration statement
without charge at the offices of the SEC described above.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file
with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with
the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate
by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with
the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until there
are no exchangeable shares outstanding (other than exchangeable shares held by
us or our Ontario subsidiary):
o Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended September 30, 2001;
o Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 19, 2001;
o Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2001;
o Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 26, 2001;
o Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 7, 2002;
o Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2002;
o Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on April 4, 2002;
o Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended December 31, 2001;
o The description of our common stock that is contained in our
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on January 27, 1995; and
o The description of our preferred share rights that is contained in our
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 7, 1997.
You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning
us at the following address:
Brooks-PRI Automation, Inc.
15 Elizabeth Drive
Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824
Attention: Investor Relations
(978) 262-5799
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You should rely only on the information or representations provided in this
prospectus. We have authorized no one to provide you with different information.
We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is
not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
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