Filed by Brooks Automation, Inc.
Pursuant to Rule 425 Under the Securities Act of 1933
And Deemed Filed Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Helix Technology Corporation
Commission File No. 0-6866
This filing relates to the proposed merger transaction pursuant to the terms of
that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 11, 2005 (the
"Merger Agreement"), by and among Brooks Automation, Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Brooks"), Helix Technology Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Helix"), and Mt. Hood Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Brooks. The Merger Agreement is on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K
filed by each of Brooks and Helix on July 11, 2005, and is incorporated by
reference into this filing.
The following is the text of a memorandum sent by Brooks to Brooks employees:
[BROOKS AUTOMATION LOGO] Brooks Automation, Inc. Tel (978) 262-2400
15 Elizabeth Drive Fax (978) 262-2500
Chelmsford, MA 01824 www.brooks.com
July 11, 2005
Dear Brooks Automation Employee,
Today we announced very exciting news for Brooks Automation: the signing of a
definitive agreement to acquire Helix Technology of Mansfield, Massachusetts.
This important strategic business combination of two highly complementary
companies will strengthen our position as a premier supplier of integrated
automation systems for the semiconductor industry. By combining with Helix, we
believe we will be able to better serve our current market, increase our
addressable market, reduce the volatility that both businesses have historically
faced and position us to enhance our financial performance. As a result, we will
be well positioned to build greater value for our employees and stockholders as
we leverage our combined products, technology, and global service and
manufacturing expertise to meet the needs of our combined worldwide customer
base.
Attached is a copy of the press release that was issued announcing the news.
By combining with Helix, we are creating a company with a market capitalization
of more than $1.1 billion (based on the closing price of Brooks' stock on July
8, 2005) and trailing 12-month revenues of more than $720 million, making us the
largest subsystems supplier in the semiconductor industry in terms of revenue.
We believe this transaction will also open up new growth prospects and provide
increased stability for the company.
Under the terms of the agreement, Helix stockholders will receive 1.11 shares of
Brooks stock for each Helix share they currently own. There will be no change to
the shareholdings of Brooks shareholders. The combined entity will continue to
be known as Brooks Automation and our headquarters will remain in Chelmsford.
Management of the combined company will include executives from both Brooks and
Helix, with Brooks' CEO, myself, and CFO, Bob Woodbury, continuing in these
current roles. As is customary, the transaction is subject to regulatory
approvals and approval by stockholders of both Brooks and Helix, which we expect
will occur by the calendar fourth quarter of 2005.
Many of you may recognize Helix as a market leader in highly specialized vacuum
technology used in semiconductor and other vacuum-based processes. We view
Helix's products and services as highly complementary and additive to our
existing product offerings. Equally as important, Helix shares many of our core
values and attributes such as operational excellence, technology leadership and
outstanding customer service. By leveraging our strengths as a combined company,
Brooks has a wonderful opportunity to improve our position as a premier supplier
in the attractive growth segments of tool automation and to broaden our markets.
I strongly believe the new organization will be an exciting and satisfying place
to work. It is important to note that the shared culture and strategic vision of
both companies is critical to fully leverage the opportunities this combination
presents and to implement the integration process as smoothly and with as
Innovation Excellence Agility Value [TUV LOGO]
few disruptions as we expect. With these goals in mind, we continue to value
your contributions, and in return we will seek to ensure long-term career
opportunities for you.
In the near-term, the necessary regulatory and shareholder approval processes
must run their course. As a result, until we complete that process, we will
continue to operate Brooks as if the transaction was not pending and continue to
build upon the recent outstanding performance we have demonstrated to our
customers and remain diligently focused on delivering to them world-class
technology, quality and service. Throughout the coming months, we will keep you
informed of the status of the transaction through various forms of
communications, including site meetings with local and corporate management and
frequent emails. As a reminder, please do not discuss the transaction with
customers, suppliers, reporters or other outsiders unless you are specifically
authorized to do so.
This is an exciting time for all of us. I am confident that working as a team
with Helix, we will enter into a new growth phase for our company and will enjoy
professional and personal success for many years to come.
Sincerely,
Edward C. Grady
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC
In connection with the proposed transaction, Brooks plans to file a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 containing a Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Security holders of Brooks are urged
to read the Registration Statement and any other relevant documents filed with
the SEC, including the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus that will be part of the
Registration Statement, when they become available because they will contain
important information about Brooks, Helix, the proposed transaction and related
matters. The final Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be mailed to
stockholders of Brooks. Security holders and investors of Brooks will be able to
obtain free copies of the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, when they become available, as well as other filings with
the SEC that will be incorporated by reference into such documents, containing
information about Brooks, without charge, at the SEC's Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). These documents can also be obtained, without charge, by
directing a request to Brooks Automation, 15 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA
01824, Attention: Investor Relations Dept., telephone: 978-262-2602, or at
mark.chung@brooks.com. In addition, investors and security holders may access
copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Brooks on its Web site at
www.brooks.com.
PARTICIPANTS IN SOLICITATION
Brooks and its directors and executive officers and other members of management
and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies
from Brooks stockholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information
regarding Brooks' participants is available in Brooks' Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004, and the proxy statement, dated
January 10, 2005, for its 2005 annual meeting of stockholders, which are filed
with the SEC. Additional information regarding interests of such participants
will be included in the Registration Statement containing the Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus to be filed with the SEC.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. Statements regarding
the proposed transaction, and the expected timetable for completing the
transaction, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These may include statements
concerning the benefits of the proposed transaction, the combined company's
status as a premier provider of integrated subsystems solutions primarily for
the semiconductor capital equipment market; trends in the semiconductor
manufacturing industry, including the trend among semiconductor capital
equipment manufacturers to outsource production of certain of their systems and
growth trends within the market segments in which the combined company will
compete; the strength, profitability and capabilities of the combined company;
the ability of the combined company to achieve efficiencies, profitability and
growth; the capabilities and market acceptance of the combined company's
products going forward; the impact of the acquisition and merger in mitigating
the volatility of financial performance; and the importance of size and scale as
a factor in competing in the market segments in which the combined company will
operate. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of
Brooks' and Helix's management and are subject to significant risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not statements of historical
fact (including statements containing the words "believes," "plans,"
"anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions) should also be
considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important
factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from
those indicated by such forward-looking statements, including: the ability to
obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on the proposed terms and
schedule; the failure of Brooks and Helix stockholders to approve the
transaction; the ability of Brooks to successfully integrate Helix's operations
and employees; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the
transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than
expected; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain
relationships with customers and employees; and competition and its effect on
pricing, spending, third-party relationships and revenues. Additional factors
that may affect future results are contained in Brooks' and Helix's filings with
the SEC, including Brooks' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
September 30, 2004 and Helix's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, which are available at the SEC's Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). The information set forth herein speaks only as of the
date hereof, and Brooks and Helix disclaim any intention or obligation to update
any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the
date set forth herein.
Innovation Excellence Agility Value