POSASR
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 1, 2009
Registration No. 333-155747
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Otter Tail Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Minnesota |
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27-0383995 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) |
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Identification No.) |
215 South Cascade Street, Box 496
Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538-0496
(866) 410-8780
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
George A. Koeck, Esq.
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
215 South Cascade Street, Box 496
Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538-0496
(866) 410-8780
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Gary L. Tygesson, Esq.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1500
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
(612) 340-8753
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following
box. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to
Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. þ
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer o |
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 (this Amendment) to that certain Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (Reg. No. 333-155747) (the Registration Statement) is being filed pursuant to Rule 414
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) by Otter Tail Corporation, a
Minnesota corporation (Otter Tail Holding), as the successor registrant to Otter Tail
Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (Predecessor Registrant), to reflect a reorganization of the
Predecessor Registrant into a holding company structure.
The new holding company structure was effected on July 1, 2009 pursuant to a merger (the Merger)
implemented pursuant to Section 302A.626 of the Minnesota Business Corporation Act and a Plan of
Merger among the Predecessor Registrant, Otter Tail Holding (formerly Otter Tail Holding Company, a
Minnesota corporation and direct subsidiary of the Predecessor Registrant) and Otter Tail Merger
Sub Inc., a Minnesota corporation and indirect subsidiary of the Predecessor Registrant and direct
subsidiary of Otter Tail Holding (Merger Sub) whereby, among other things, the Predecessor
Registrant was merged with Merger Sub and the Predecessor Registrant was the surviving corporation
under the name Otter Tail Power Company.
As a result of the Merger, the Predecessor Registrant became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of
Otter Tail Holding and Otter Tail Holding is the successor issuer to the Predecessor Registrant
pursuant to Rule 414 under the Securities Act. Immediately following the Merger, Otter Tail
Holding changed its name to Otter Tail Corporation.
In the Merger, each issued and outstanding common share of the Predecessor Registrant was converted
into one common share of Otter Tail Holding, par value $5 per share, and each issued and
outstanding cumulative preferred share of the Predecessor Registrant was converted into one
cumulative preferred share of Otter Tail Holding having the same designations, rights, powers and
preferences. In connection with the Merger, each person that held rights to purchase, or other
rights to or interests in, common shares of the Predecessor Registrant under any stock option,
stock purchase or compensation plan or arrangement of the Predecessor Registrant immediately prior
to the Merger holds a corresponding number of rights to purchase, and other rights to or interests
in, common shares of Otter Tail Holding, par value $5 per share, immediately following the Merger.
In accordance with paragraph (d) of Rule 414 under the Securities Act, Otter Tail Holding hereby
expressly adopts the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus contained in Part I thereof,
as its own registration statement except as amended by this Amendment, for all purposes of the
Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
PROSPECTUS
AUTOMATIC DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT AND SHARE PURCHASE PLAN
COMMON SHARES ($5 PAR VALUE)
Otter Tail Corporations Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan provides the
corporations common and preferred shareholders, residents of the States of Arizona, Florida,
Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas (defined in this prospectus as qualifying
residents), and retail customers of Otter Tail Power Company with a convenient method of
purchasing Otter Tail common shares, $5 par value, without paying any brokerage fees or service
charges. Current record holders of common and preferred shares can purchase additional common
shares by reinvesting all or a portion of their dividends and/or making optional cash investments.
Qualifying residents and customers of Otter Tail Power Company who are not Otter Tail Corporation
shareholders can purchase common shares and thereafter participate in the plan by enrolling with a
minimum initial investment of $250 (for qualifying residents) or $100 (for customers of Otter Tail
Power Company). Individuals who are not Otter Tail Corporation shareholders, qualifying residents
or customers of Otter Tail Power Company may participate in the plan only after becoming a
shareholder of record by purchasing common or preferred shares through an independent broker.
The shares purchased under the plan may be new issue common shares or common shares purchased on
the open market. New issue common shares will be purchased from the corporation at the current
market price of common shares as determined by the corporation on the basis of the average of the
high and low sales prices of common shares on the applicable investment date as reported on the
NASDAQ Global Select Market. The price of common shares purchased on the open market will be the
weighted average price per share at which shares are purchased on the open market for the relevant
period.
Otter Tail Corporation is offering a total of 1,000,000 common shares under the plan.
Otter Tail Corporations common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the
symbol OTTR.
Otter Tail Corporations principal executive offices are located at 215 South Cascade Street, P.O.
Box 496, Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538-0496 and 4334 18th Avenue SW, Suite 200, P.O. Box
9156, Fargo, North Dakota 58106-9156. Otter Tail Corporations telephone number for shareholder
inquiries is 800-664-1259. Inquiries may also be sent by electronic mail at sharesvc@ottertail.com.
Investing in Otter Tail Corporations common shares involves risks. See Risk factors beginning
on page 3.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these common shares or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is July 1, 2009
Where you can find more information
Otter Tail Corporation files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). These SEC filings are
available to the public through the Internet at the SECs web site at http://www.sec.gov. You may
also read and copy any document Otter Tail Corporation files with the SEC at the SECs public
reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 800-SEC-0330
for further information about its public reference facilities and their copy charges.
The SEC allows Otter Tail Corporation to incorporate by reference the information Otter Tail
Corporation files with them. This allows Otter Tail Corporation to disclose important information
to you by referencing those filed documents. Otter Tail Corporation has previously filed the
following documents with the SEC and is incorporating them by reference into this prospectus (other
than any portions of any such documents that are not deemed filed under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), in accordance with the Exchange Act and applicable
SEC rules):
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Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008; |
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Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009; |
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Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2009, May 5, 2009, June 26, 2009 and July
1, 2009; and |
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The description of Otter Tail Corporations common shares contained in any registration
statement or report filed under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed
for the purpose of updating such description. |
Otter Tail Corporation also is incorporating by reference any future filings made by it with the
SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the offering is completed.
The most recent information that Otter Tail Corporation files with the SEC automatically updates
and supersedes more dated information.
You can obtain a copy of any documents which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus,
except for exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents, at no
cost, by writing or telephoning:
Otter Tail Corporation
Shareholder Services Department
215 South Cascade Street, Box 496
Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538-0496
(800) 664-1259 (toll free)
(218) 739-8479 (locally)
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Otter Tail Corporation has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. Otter
Tail Corporation is not offering to sell the common shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or
sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any document
incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of the applicable
document. Otter Tail Corporations business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects may have changed since those dates.
About Otter Tail Corporation
Otter Tail Corporation and its subsidiaries reach customers in all 50 states and international
markets. The businesses of the corporation have been classified into six segments based on products
and services: Electric, Plastics, Manufacturing, Health Services, Food Ingredient Processing and
Other Business Operations.
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Electric includes the production, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy
in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota under the name Otter Tail Power Company (the
electric utility). In addition, the electric utility is an active wholesale participant
in the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) markets. The electric
utility operations have been the corporations primary business since 1907. |
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Plastics consists of businesses producing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe in the Upper
Midwest and Southwest regions of the United States. |
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Manufacturing consists of businesses in the following manufacturing activities:
production of wind towers, contract machining, metal parts stamping and fabrication, and
production of waterfront equipment, material and handling trays and horticultural
containers. These businesses have manufacturing facilities in Florida, Illinois,
Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Ontario, Canada and sell products primarily
in the United States. |
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Health Services consists of businesses involved in the sale of diagnostic medical
equipment, patient monitoring equipment and related supplies and accessories. These
businesses also provide equipment maintenance, diagnostic imaging services and rental of
diagnostic medical imaging equipment to various medical institutions located throughout the
United States. |
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Food Ingredient Processing consists of Idaho Pacific Holdings, Inc. (IPH), which owns
and operates potato dehydration plants in Ririe, Idaho; Center, Colorado; and Souris,
Prince Edward Island, Canada. IPH produces dehydrated potato products that are sold in the
United States, Canada and other countries. |
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Other Business Operations consists of businesses in residential, commercial and
industrial electric contracting industries, fiber optic and electric distribution systems,
wastewater and HVAC systems construction, transportation and energy services. These
businesses operate primarily in the Central United States, except for the transportation
company which operates in 48 states and four Canadian provinces. |
Otter Tail Corporations electric operations, including wholesale power sales, are operated by its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Otter Tail Power Company, and the energy services operation is operated as
a separate wholly-owned subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation. Substantially all of the other
businesses are owned by Otter Tail Corporations wholly-owned subsidiary, Varistar Corporation.
Otter Tail Corporation was incorporated in June 2009 under the laws of the State of Minnesota in
connection with Otter Tail Corporations holding company reorganization on July 1, 2009. As a
result of the reorganization, Otter Tail Power Company, which had previously been operated as a
division of Otter Tail Corporation, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the new parent holding
company named Otter Tail Corporation. References in this prospectus to Otter Tail and corporation
refer to Otter Tail Corporation including its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated
or the context otherwise requires.
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Risk factors
An investment in Otter Tail Corporations common shares involves risks. You should carefully
consider the risks described below as well as the other information included or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus before making an investment decision with respect to Otter Tail
Corporations common shares. Additional risks not presently known to the corporation or that the
corporation currently deems immaterial may also impair the corporations business operations.
Risks Related to the Business
General
Federal and state environmental regulation could require Otter Tail Corporation to incur
substantial capital expenditures and increased operating costs.
Otter Tail Corporation is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations
relating to air quality, water quality, waste management, natural resources and health safety.
These laws and regulations regulate the modification and operation of existing facilities, the
construction and operation of new facilities and the proper storage, handling, cleanup and disposal
of hazardous waste and toxic substances. Compliance with these legal requirements requires
the corporation to commit significant resources and funds toward environmental monitoring,
installation and operation of pollution control equipment, payment of emission fees and securing
environmental permits. Obtaining environmental permits can entail significant expense and cause
substantial construction delays. Failure to comply with environmental laws and regulations, even if
caused by factors beyond the corporations control, may result in civil or criminal liabilities,
penalties and fines.
Existing environmental laws or regulations may be revised and new laws or regulations may be
adopted or become applicable to the corporation. Revised or additional regulations, which
result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, particularly if those
costs are not fully recoverable from customers, could have a material effect on the corporations
results of operations.
Volatile financial markets and changes in Otter Tail Corporations debt ratings could restrict its
ability to access capital and increase borrowing costs and pension plan expenses.
Otter Tail Corporation relies on access to both short- and long-term capital markets as a source of
liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by cash flows from operations. If it is not able
to access capital at competitive rates, the corporations ability to implement its business plans
may be adversely affected. Market disruptions or a downgrade of the corporations credit ratings
may increase the cost of borrowing or adversely affect its ability to access one or more financial
markets.
Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the financial markets can also adversely impact
the corporations results of operations, the ability of customers to finance purchases of goods
and services, and the corporations financial condition as well as exert downward pressure on stock
prices and/or limit the corporations ability to sustain its current common stock dividend level.
Changes in
the U.S. capital markets could also have significant effects on the corporations
pension plan. The corporations pension income or expense is affected by factors including the
market performance of the assets in the master pension trust maintained for the pension plan for
some of the corporations employees, the weighted average asset allocation and long-term rate of
return of the corporations pension plan assets, the discount rate used to determine the service
and interest cost components of the corporations net periodic pension cost and assumed rates of
increase in its employees future compensation. If the corporations pension plan assets do not
achieve positive rates of return, or if the corporations estimates and assumed rates are not
accurate, the corporations
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earnings may decrease because net periodic pension costs would rise and
the corporation could be required to provide additional funds to cover the corporations
obligations to employees under the pension plan.
As of December 31, 2008, the corporations defined benefit pension plan assets had declined
significantly since December 31, 2007. The corporation is not required to make a mandatory
contribution to the pension plan in 2009. However, if the market value of pension plan assets
continues to decline and relief under the Pension Protection Act is no longer granted, the
corporation could be required to contribute additional capital to the pension plan.
Any significant impairment of Otter Tail Corporations goodwill would cause a decrease in its
assets and a reduction in its net operating performance.
Otter Tail Corporation had approximately $106.8 million of goodwill recorded on its consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 2008. The corporation has recorded goodwill for businesses
in each of its business segments, except for the electric utility. If the corporation makes changes
in its business strategy or if market or other conditions adversely affect operations in any of
these businesses, the corporation may be forced to record an impairment charge, which would lead to
decreased assets and a reduction in net operating performance. Goodwill is tested for impairment
annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. If
the testing performed indicates that impairment has occurred, the corporation is required to record
an impairment charge for the difference between the carrying value of the goodwill and the implied
fair value of the goodwill in the period the determination is made. The testing of goodwill for
impairment requires the corporation to make significant estimates about its future performance and
cash flows, as well as other assumptions. These estimates can be affected by numerous factors,
including changes in economic, industry or market conditions, changes in business operations,
future business operating performance, changes in competition or changes in technologies. Any
changes in key assumptions, or actual performance compared with key assumptions, about the
corporations business and its future prospects or other assumptions could affect the fair value of
one or more business segments, which may result in an impairment charge.
The corporation currently has $24.3 million of goodwill and a $3.3 million nonamortizable
trade name recorded on its balance sheet related to the acquisition of IPH in 2004. If conditions
of low sales prices, high energy and raw material costs and a shortage of raw potato supplies
return, as experienced in 2006, or operating margins do not improve according to the corporations
projections, the reductions in anticipated cash flows from this business may indicate that its fair
value is less than its book value resulting in an impairment of some or all of the goodwill and
nonamortizable intangible assets associated with IPH and a corresponding charge against earnings.
The corporation currently has $12.3 million of goodwill and $4.9 million in nonamortizable
trade names recorded on its balance sheet related to the acquisition of ShoreMaster, Inc.
(ShoreMaster) and its subsidiary companies. If current economic conditions continue to impact the
amount of sales of waterfront products and ShoreMaster is not successful with reorganizing and
streamlining its business to improve operating margins according to the corporations projections,
the reductions in anticipated cash flows from this business may indicate that its fair value is
less than its book value resulting in an impairment of some or all of the goodwill and
nonamortizable intangible assets associated with ShoreMaster and a corresponding charge against
earnings.
A sustained decline in the corporations common stock price below book value may result in goodwill
impairments that could adversely affect its results of operations and financial position, as well
as its credit facility covenants.
Economic
conditions could negatively impact Otter Tail Corporations businesses.
Otter Tail Corporations businesses are affected by local, national and worldwide economic conditions. The
current tightening of credit in financial markets could continue to adversely affect the ability of
customers to finance purchases of the corporations goods and services, resulting in decreased
orders, cancelled or deferred orders, slower payment cycles, and increased bad debt and customer
bankruptcies. The corporations businesses may also be adversely affected by decreases in the
general level of economic activity, such as decreases in business and
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consumer spending. A decline
in the level of economic activity and uncertainty regarding energy and commodity prices could
adversely affect its results of operations and its future growth.
If Otter Tail Corporation is unable to achieve the organic growth it expects, its financial
performance may be adversely affected.
Otter Tail Corporation expects much of its growth in the next few years will come from major
capital investment at existing companies. To achieve the organic growth the corporation expects it
will have to have access to the capital markets, be successful with capital expansion programs
related to organic growth, develop new products and services, expand its markets and increase
efficiencies in its businesses. Competitive and economic factors could adversely affect the
corporations ability to do this. If the corporation is unable to achieve and sustain consistent
organic growth, it will be less likely to meet its revenue growth targets, which together with any
resulting impact on its net income growth, may adversely affect the market price of the
corporations common shares.
Otter Tail Corporations plans to grow and diversify through acquisitions may not be successful,
which could result in poor financial performance.
As part of Otter Tail Corporations business strategy, it intends to acquire new businesses. The
corporation may not be able to identify appropriate acquisition candidates or successfully
negotiate, finance or integrate acquisitions. If it is unable to make acquisitions, it may be
unable to realize the growth it anticipates. Future acquisitions could involve numerous risks
including: difficulties in integrating the operations, services, products and personnel of the
acquired business; and the potential loss of key employees, customers and suppliers of the acquired
business. If the corporation is unable to successfully manage these risks of an acquisition, it
could face reductions in net income in future periods.
Otter Tail Corporations plans to acquire, grow and operate its nonelectric businesses could be limited by
state law.
Otter Tail Corporations plans to acquire, grow and operate its nonelectric businesses could be adversely
affected by legislation in one or more states that may attempt to limit the amount of
diversification permitted in a holding company structure that includes a regulated utility company
or affiliated nonelectric companies.
The
terms of some of Otter Tail Corporations contracts could expose it to unforeseen costs and costs not
within its control, which may not be recoverable and could adversely affect its results of
operations and financial condition.
DMI Industries, Inc. and ShoreMaster, two businesses in Otter Tail Corporations manufacturing segment,
and its construction companies frequently provide products and services pursuant to fixed-price
contracts. Revenues recognized on jobs in progress under fixed-price contracts for the year ended
December 31, 2008 were $425 million. Under those contracts, the corporation agreed to perform the
contract for a fixed price and, as a result, can improve its expected profit by superior contract
performance, productivity, worker safety and other factors resulting in cost savings. However, the
corporation could incur cost overruns above the approved contract price, which may not be
recoverable.
Fixed-price contract prices are established based largely upon estimates and assumptions relating
to project scope and specifications, personnel and material needs. These estimates and assumptions
may prove inaccurate or conditions may change due to factors out of the corporations control,
resulting in cost overruns, which the corporation may be required to absorb and that could have a
material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of its operations. In
addition, the corporations profits from these contracts could decrease and the corporation could
experience losses if it incurs difficulties in performing the contracts or is unable to secure
fixed-pricing commitments from its manufacturers, suppliers and subcontractors at the time it
enters into fixed-price contracts with its customers.
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Otter Tail Corporation is subject to risks associated with energy markets.
Otter Tail Corporations businesses are subject to the risks associated with energy markets, including
market supply and increasing energy prices. If the corporation is faced with shortages in market
supply, it may be unable to fulfill its contractual obligations to its retail, wholesale and other
customers at previously anticipated costs. This could force the corporation to obtain alternative
energy or fuel supplies at higher costs or suffer increased liability for unfulfilled contractual
obligations. Any significantly higher than expected energy or fuel costs would negatively affect
the corporations financial performance.
Certain of Otter Tail Corporations operating companies sell products to consumers that could be subject
to recall.
Certain of Otter Tail Corporations operating companies sell products to consumers that could be subject
to recall due to product defect or other safety concerns. If such a recall were to occur, it could
have a negative impact on the corporations consolidated results of operations and financial
position.
Electric
Otter Tail Corporation may experience fluctuations in revenues and expenses related to the
corporations electric operations, which may cause its financial results to fluctuate and could
impair its ability to make distributions to shareholders or scheduled payments on its debt
obligations.
A number of factors, many of which are beyond Otter Tail Corporations control, may contribute to
fluctuations in the corporations revenues and expenses from electric operations, causing the
corporations net income to fluctuate from period to period. These risks include fluctuations in
the volume and price of sales of electricity to customers or other utilities, which may be affected
by factors such as mergers and acquisitions of other utilities, geographic location of other
utilities, transmission costs (including increased costs related to operations of regional
transmission organizations), changes in the manner in which wholesale power is sold and purchased,
unplanned interruptions at the electric utilitys generating plants, the effects of regulation and
legislation, demographic changes in the electric utilitys customer base and changes in the
electric utilitys customer demand or load growth. Electric wholesale margins have been
significantly and adversely affected by increased efficiencies in the MISO market. Electric
wholesale trading margins could also be adversely affected by losses due to trading activities.
Other risks include weather conditions or changes in weather patterns (including severe weather
that could result in damage to the electric utilitys assets), fuel and purchased power costs and
the rate of economic growth or decline in the electric utilitys service areas. A decrease in
revenues or an increase in expenses related to the corporations electric operations may reduce the
amount of funds available for its existing and future businesses, which could result in increased
financing requirements, impair its ability to make expected distributions to shareholders or impair
its ability to make scheduled payments on its debt obligations.
As of December 31, 2008 the electric utility had capitalized $11.6 million in costs related to the
planned construction of a second electric generating unit at the electric utilitys Big Stone Plant
site. If the project is abandoned for permitting or other reasons, a portion of these capitalized
costs and others incurred in future periods may be subject to expense and may not be recoverable.
Additionally, if the electric utility is unable to complete the construction of Big Stone II and
commence operations or find other alternatives to meet generation needs, it may be forced to
purchase power in order to meet customer needs. There is no guarantee that in such a case the
electric utility would be able to obtain sufficient supplies of power at reasonable costs. If the
electric utility is forced to pay higher than normal prices for power, the increase in costs could
reduce the corporations earnings if the electric utility is not able to recover the increased
costs from its electric customers through the fuel clause adjustment.
Actions by the regulators of Otter Tail Corporations electric operations could result in rate reductions,
lower revenues and earnings or delays in recovering capital expenditures.
Otter Tail Corporation is subject to federal and state legislation, government regulations and
regulatory actions that may have a negative impact on its business and results of operations. The
electric rates that the electric utility is
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allowed to charge for its electric services are one of
the most important items influencing the corporations financial position, results of operations
and liquidity. The rates that the electric utility charges its electric customers are subject to
review and determination by state public utility commissions in Minnesota, North Dakota and South
Dakota. The electric utility is also regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC). An adverse decision by one or more regulatory commissions concerning the level or method
of determining electric utility rates, the authorized returns on equity, implementation of
enforceable federal reliability standards or other regulatory matters, permitted business
activities (such as ownership or operation of nonelectric businesses) or any prolonged delay in
rendering a decision in a rate or other proceeding (including with respect to the recovery of
capital expenditures in rates) could result in lower revenues and net income.
Future operating results of the corporations electric segment will be impacted by the outcome of a
rate case filed in North Dakota on November 3, 2008 requesting an overall increase in North Dakota
retail rates of 5.14%. The filing
included a request for an interim rate increase of 4.07%, which went into effect on January 1,
2009. Interim rates will remain in effect for all North Dakota customers until the North Dakota
Public Service Commission makes a final determination on the electric utilitys request, which is
expected by August 1, 2009. If final rates are lower than interim rates, the electric utility will
refund North Dakota customers the difference with interest.
Otter Tail Corporation may not be able to respond effectively to deregulation initiatives in the electric
industry, which could result in reduced revenues and earnings.
Otter Tail Corporation may not be able to respond in a timely or effective manner to the changes in the
electric industry that may occur as a result of regulatory initiatives to increase wholesale
competition. These regulatory initiatives may include further deregulation of the electric utility
industry in wholesale markets. Although the corporation does not expect retail competition to come
to the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota in the foreseeable future, it expects
competitive forces in the electric supply segment of the electric business to continue to increase,
which could reduce its revenues and earnings.
The electric utilitys electric generating facilities are subject to operational risks that could
result in unscheduled plant outages, unanticipated operation and maintenance expenses and increased
power purchase costs.
Operation of electric generating facilities involves risks which can adversely affect energy output
and efficiency levels. Most of the electric utilitys generating capacity is coal-fired. The
electric utility relies on a limited number of suppliers of coal, making it vulnerable to increased
prices for fuel as existing contracts expire or in the event of unanticipated interruptions in fuel
supply. The electric utility is a captive rail shipper of the BNSF Railway for shipments of coal to
its Big Stone and Hoot Lake plants, making it vulnerable to increased prices for coal
transportation from a sole supplier. Higher fuel prices result in higher electric rates for the
electric utilitys retail customers through fuel clause adjustments and could make it less
competitive in wholesale electric markets. Operational risks also include facility shutdowns due to
breakdown or failure of equipment or processes, labor disputes, operator error and catastrophic
events such as fires, explosions, floods, intentional acts of destruction or other similar
occurrences affecting the electric utilitys electric generating facilities. The loss of a major
generating facility would require the electric utility to find other sources of supply, if
available, and expose it to higher purchased power costs.
Changes to regulation of generating plant emissions, including but not limited to carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions, could affect the electric utilitys operating costs and the costs of
supplying electricity to its customers.
Existing or new laws or regulations passed or issued by federal or state authorities addressing
climate change or reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, such as mandated levels of renewable
generation, mandatory reductions in CO2 emission levels, taxes on CO2
emissions or cap and trade regimes, that result in increases in electric service costs could
negatively impact the corporations net income, financial position and operating cash flows if such
costs
7
cannot be recovered through rates granted by ratemaking authorities in the states where the
electric utility provides service or through increased market prices for electricity.
Plastics
Otter Tail Corporations plastics operations are highly dependent on a limited number of vendors
for PVC resin and a limited supply of PVC resin. The loss of a key vendor, or any interruption or
delay in the supply of PVC resin, could result in reduced sales or increased costs for the
corporations plastics business.
Otter Tail Corporation relies on a limited number of vendors to supply the PVC resin used in its plastics
business. Two vendors accounted for approximately 94% of the corporations total purchases of PVC
resin in 2008 and approximately 95% of the corporations total purchases of PVC resin in 2007. In
addition, the supply of PVC resin may be limited primarily due to manufacturing capacity and the
limited availability of raw material components. A majority of U.S. resin production plants are
located in the Gulf Coast region, which may increase the risk of a shortage of resin in the event
of a hurricane or other natural disaster in that region. The loss of a key vendor or any
interruption or delay in the availability or supply of PVC resin could disrupt the corporations
ability to deliver its
plastic products, cause customers to cancel orders or require the corporation to incur additional
expenses to obtain PVC resin from alternative sources, if such sources are available.
Otter Tail Corporation competes against a large number of other manufacturers of PVC pipe and
manufacturers of alternative products. Customers may not distinguish the corporations products
from those of its competitors.
The plastic pipe industry is highly fragmented and competitive due to the large number of producers
and the fungible nature of the product. Otter Tail Corporation competes not only against other PVC
pipe manufacturers, but also against ductile iron, steel, concrete and clay pipe manufacturers. Due
to shipping costs, competition is usually regional instead of national in scope, and the principal
areas of competition are a combination of price, service, warranty and product performance. The
corporations inability to compete effectively in each of these areas and to distinguish the
corporations plastic pipe products from competing products may adversely affect the financial
performance of the corporations plastics business.
Reductions in PVC resin prices can negatively affect Otter Tail Corporations plastics business.
The PVC pipe industry is highly sensitive to commodity raw material pricing volatility.
Historically, when resin prices are rising or stable, margins and sales volume have been higher and
when resin prices are falling, sales volumes and margins have been lower. Reductions in PVC resin
prices could negatively affect PVC pipe prices, profit margins on PVC pipe sales and the value of
the corporations finished goods inventory.
Manufacturing
Competition from foreign and domestic manufacturers, the price and availability of raw materials,
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and general economic conditions could affect the
revenues and earnings of Otter Tail Corporations manufacturing businesses.
Otter Tail Corporations manufacturing businesses are subject to intense risks associated with
competition from foreign and domestic manufacturers, many of whom have broader product lines,
greater distribution capabilities, greater capital resources, larger marketing, research and
development staffs and facilities and other capabilities that may place downward pressure on
margins and profitability. The companies in the corporations manufacturing segment use a
variety of raw materials in the products they manufacture, including steel, lumber, concrete,
aluminum and resin. Costs for these items have increased significantly and may continue to
increase. If the corporations manufacturing businesses are not able to pass on cost
increases to their customers, it could have a negative effect on profit margins in the
corporations manufacturing segment.
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Each of the corporations manufacturing companies has significant customers and concentrated sales
to such customers. If the corporations relationships with significant customers should change
materially, it would be difficult to immediately and profitably replace lost sales. Fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates could have a negative impact on the net income and competitive
position of the corporations wind tower manufacturing operations in Ft. Erie, Ontario because the
plant pays its operating expenses in Canadian dollars.
Health Services
Changes in the rates or methods of third-party reimbursements for Otter Tail Corporations diagnostic
imaging services could result in reduced demand for those services or create downward pricing
pressure, which would decrease the corporations revenues and earnings.
Otter Tail Corporations health services businesses derive significant revenue from direct billings
to customers and third-party payors such as Medicare, Medicaid, managed care and private health
insurance companies for the corporations diagnostic imaging services. Moreover, customers who use
the corporations diagnostic imaging services generally rely on reimbursement from third-party
payors. Adverse changes in the rates or methods of third-party reimbursements could reduce the
number of procedures for which the corporation or its customers can obtain reimbursement or the
amounts reimbursed to the corporation or its customers.
Otter Tail Corporations health services businesses may be unable to continue to maintain
agreements with Philips Medical from which the corporation derives significant revenues from the
sale and service of Philips Medical diagnostic imaging equipment.
Otter Tail Corporations health services business agreement with Philips Medical expires on
December 31, 2013. This agreement can be terminated on 180 days written notice by either party for
any reason. It also includes other compliance requirements. If this agreement is terminated under
the existing termination provisions or the corporation was not able to comply with the agreement,
the financial results of the corporations health services operations would be adversely affected.
Technological change in the diagnostic imaging industry could reduce the demand for diagnostic
imaging services and require Otter Tail Corporations health services operations to incur significant
costs to upgrade its equipment.
Although Otter Tail Corporation believes substantially all of its diagnostic imaging systems can be
upgraded to maintain their state-of-the-art character, the development of new technologies or
refinements of existing technologies might make Otter Tail Corporations existing systems technologically
or economically obsolete, or cause a reduction in the value of, or reduce the need for, the
corporations systems.
Actions
by regulators of Otter Tail Corporations health services operations could result in monetary
penalties or restrictions in the corporations health services operations.
Otter Tail Corporations health services operations are subject to federal and state regulations
relating to licensure, conduct of operations, ownership of facilities, addition of facilities and
services and payment of services. The corporations failure to comply with these regulations,
including new regulations released October 30, 2008 by the Center for Medicare & Medical Services,
or the corporations inability to obtain and maintain necessary regulatory approvals, may result in
adverse actions by regulators with respect to the corporations health services operations, which
may include civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, injunctions, operating restrictions or
suspension of operations. Any such action could adversely affect the corporations financial
results. Courts and regulatory authorities have not fully interpreted a significant number of these
laws and regulations, and this uncertainty in interpretation increases the risk that the
corporation may be found to be in violation. Any action brought against the corporation for
violation of these laws or regulations, even if successfully defended, may result in significant
legal expenses and divert managements attention from the operation of the corporations
businesses.
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Food Ingredient Processing
Otter Tail Corporations company that processes dehydrated potato flakes, flour and granules, IPH,
competes in a highly competitive market and is dependent on adequate sources of potatoes for
processing.
The market for processed, dehydrated potato flakes, flour and granules is highly competitive. The
profitability and success of Otter Tail Corporations potato processing company is dependent on superior
product quality, competitive product pricing, strong customer relationships, raw material costs,
fuel prices and availability and customer demand for finished goods. In most product categories,
the corporations company competes with numerous manufacturers of varying sizes in the
United States.
The principal raw material used by the corporations potato processing company is washed
process-grade potatoes from growers. These potatoes are unsuitable for use in other markets due to
imperfections. They are not subject to the United States Department of Agricultures general
requirements and expectations for size, shape or color. While the corporations food ingredient
processing company has processing capabilities in three geographically distinct growing regions,
there can be no assurance it will be able to obtain raw materials due to poor growing conditions, a
loss of key growers and other factors. A loss or shortage of raw materials or the necessity of
paying much higher prices for raw materials or fuel could adversely affect the financial
performance of this company. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could have a negative
impact on the corporations potato processing companys net income and competitive position because
approximately 25% of IPH sales in 2008 were outside the United States and the Canadian plant pays
its operating expenses in Canadian dollars.
Other Business Operations
Otter Tail Corporations construction companies may be unable to properly bid and perform on
projects.
The profitability and success of Otter Tail Corporations construction companies require it to identify,
estimate and timely bid on profitable projects. The quantity and quality of projects up for bids at
any time is uncertain. Additionally, once a project is awarded, the corporation must be able to
perform within cost estimates that were set when the bid was submitted and accepted. A significant
failure or an inability to properly bid or perform on projects could lead to adverse financial
results for the corporations construction companies.
Risks Related to the Securities
Otter Tail Corporations board of directors has the power to issue series of cumulative preferred
shares and cumulative preference shares and to designate the rights and preferences of those
series, which could adversely affect the voting power, dividend, liquidation and other rights of
holders of the corporations common shares.
Under Otter Tail Corporations articles of incorporation, its board of directors has the power to
issue series of cumulative preferred shares and cumulative preference shares and to designate the
rights and preferences of those series. Therefore, the corporations board of directors may
designate a new series of cumulative preferred shares or cumulative preference shares with the
rights, preferences and privileges that the board of directors deems appropriate, including special
dividend, liquidation and voting rights. The creation and designation of a new series of cumulative
preferred shares or cumulative preference shares could adversely affect the voting power, dividend,
liquidation and other rights of holders of the corporations common shares and, possibly, any other
class or series of stock that is then in existence.
The market price of Otter Tail Corporations common shares may be volatile.
The market price of Otter Tail Corporations common shares may fluctuate significantly in response
to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond the corporations control. These factors
include the perceived prospects or actual operating results of the corporations electric and
nonelectric businesses; changes in estimates of the
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corporations operating results by analysts,
investors or the corporation; the corporations actual operating results relative to such estimates
or expectations; actions or announcements by the corporation or its competitors; litigation and
judicial decisions; legislative or regulatory actions; and changes in general economic or market
conditions. In addition, the stock market in general has from time to time experienced extreme
price and volume fluctuations. These market fluctuations could reduce the market price of the
corporations common shares for reasons unrelated to its operating performance.
Otter Tail Corporations charter documents and Minnesota law contain provisions that could delay or
prevent an acquisition of the corporation, which could inhibit the ability of holders of the
corporations common shares to receive a premium on their investment from a possible sale of the
corporation.
Otter Tail Corporations charter documents contain provisions that may discourage third parties
from seeking to acquire the corporation. These provisions and specific provisions of Minnesota law
relating to business combinations with interested shareholders may have the effect of delaying,
deterring or preventing a merger or change in control of the corporation. Some of these provisions
may discourage a future acquisition of the corporation even if shareholders would receive an
attractive value for their shares or if a significant number of the corporations shareholders
believed such a proposed transaction to be in their best interests. As a result, shareholders who
desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.
The payment of future dividends on Otter Tail Corporations common shares will be subject to the
discretion of its board of directors.
Otter Tail Corporation has historically paid quarterly dividends on its common shares. Any
determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the corporations board
of directors and will depend on the
corporations earnings, financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements,
regulatory restrictions, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may
deem relevant.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference may contain forward-looking statements
with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future
performance and business of Otter Tail Corporation and its subsidiaries. Statements preceded by,
followed by or that include the words such as may, will, expect, anticipate, continue,
estimate, project, believes or similar expressions are intended to identify some of the
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 and are included, along with this statement, for purposes of complying with the safe harbor
provisions of that Act. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to,
among others, the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus, including under Risk
factors, and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Any forward-looking
statement contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference speaks only as
of the date on which the statement is made, and Otter Tail Corporation undertakes no obligation to
update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur
after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Otter Tail Corporation to predict
all of the factors, nor can Otter Tail Corporation assess the effect of each factor on its business
or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.
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Use of proceeds
Otter Tail Corporation will receive no proceeds from the offering of common shares through the plan
unless common shares are purchased directly from the corporation. To the extent shares are
purchased from Otter Tail Corporation, the net proceeds from the sale of such shares will be added
to the corporations general funds and used for general corporate purposes. Otter Tail Corporation
has no basis for estimating either the number of common shares that ultimately will be sold
pursuant to the plan or the prices at which such shares will be sold.
Description of the plan
The following question and answer statements constitute the full provisions of Otter Tail
Corporations Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan (the plan).
Purpose
1. |
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What is the purpose of the plan? |
The purpose of the plan is to provide Otter Tail Corporation shareholders, as well as qualifying
residents and Otter Tail Power Company customers, with an economical and convenient method of
purchasing Otter Tail Corporation common shares without paying brokerage fees or service charges.
The terms and conditions of the plan are set forth below.
Advantages
2. |
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What are some of the advantages of participating in the plan? |
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Participation provides an economical and convenient way of automatically investing
all or a portion of your cash dividend in, as well as the ability to make optional cash
investments to purchase, Otter Tail Corporation common shares. |
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All shares are held in book-entry form in your plan account, which means you do not
have to worry about safekeeping your stock certificates. You may obtain stock
certificates out of your plan account without charge at any time, upon request. |
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You pay no brokerage fees on shares purchased for your plan account, and you can
also sell up to 30 shares per month without incurring any brokerage fees. |
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Regular statements of account provide simplified recordkeeping. |
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Full investment of funds is possible under the plan since the plan permits
fractions, up to four decimal places, of shares to be credited to your account. |
Disadvantages
3. |
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What are some of the disadvantages of participating in the plan? |
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You are not able to precisely time your purchases or sales through the plan and will
bear the market risk associated with the fluctuations in the price of the corporations
common shares pending the investment of funds under the plan. |
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You will not earn interest on funds held pending their investment. |
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You may not pledge the shares credited to your plan account until you withdraw the
shares from the plan. |
Enrollment
Eligible persons may enroll in the plan at any time by completing the appropriate authorization
form and returning it to Otter Tail Corporation. You can obtain an authorization form by sending a
written request to Otter Tail Corporation, Shareholder Services Department, 215 South Cascade
Street, Box 496, Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538-0496, or by calling the corporation at (800)
664-1259 or (218) 739-8479 (locally). You can also obtain the appropriate authorization form from
the corporations web site which is at www.ottertail.com/investors/forms.cfm.
Participation
Any holder of Otter Tail Corporations common or preferred shares, any qualifying resident and any
Otter Tail Power Company retail customer is eligible to participate in the plan. If you are
already a participant in the plan, you are not required to re-enroll.
If you are already a holder of record of OTTR shares, you must complete the appropriate
authorization form to become a participant in the plan. If you are a beneficial owner of OTTR
shares held by a broker or other custodial institution that has established procedures that permit
their customers to participate in the plan, please contact such broker or institution for the
appropriate authorization form.
Qualifying residents and retail customers of Otter Tail Power Company who are not already holders
of common or preferred shares may join the plan by completing the appropriate authorization form
and returning it to the Otter Tail Corporation Shareholder Services Department along with an
initial cash investment of at least $250 (for qualifying
residents) or $100 (for customers of Otter Tail Power Company). The maximum permitted initial cash
investment for both qualifying residents and customers of Otter Tail Power Company is $10,000.
Payments must be made by check or money order (made payable in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank)
payable to Otter Tail Corporation D.R. Agent.
Plan Procedures
6. |
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How does the plan work? |
Participants can reinvest all dividends paid on full and fractional common and preferred shares to
acquire additional common shares under the plan. Participants can elect to receive a cash dividend
for shares held in certificate form. All dividends earned on shares held in book-entry form must
be reinvested.
Once enrolled in the plan, participants also may make optional cash payments of a minimum of $10
and a maximum of $10,000 per month to purchase common shares.
Shares purchased with reinvested dividends and optional cash payments are held by the plan in
book-entry form until the participant requests issuance of a stock certificate. A participant may
instruct the corporation to sell up to, but not more than, 30 common shares credited to the
participants plan account once during any calendar month.
Participants pay no brokerage fees or service charges in connection with the plan. Otter Tail
Corporation will bear all administrative service fees.
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All dividends earned on shares held in the plan in book-entry form will be automatically
reinvested. Participants can reinvest all or none of the dividends earned on common or preferred
shares held in certificate form. Fractions of shares, computed to four decimal places, as well as
full shares, are credited to participants accounts. Regular Statements of Account will provide
simplified record keeping.
Participants can deposit common share certificates for shares acquired through the plan or
otherwise under the share deposit feature of the plan. (See Stock Certificates below.) Please
note that preferred shares are not eligible for this service.
Investments
7. |
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How are investments made? |
Shares for the plan may come either from authorized but unissued common shares (new issue common
shares) or from purchases of common shares of Otter Tail Corporation made on any securities
exchange where the shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions.
The corporation will decide when the plan will purchase new issue common shares or when common
shares will be purchased on the open market. For open market purchases, U.S. Bank (the agent)
will act as purchasing agent. The agent may purchase shares on such terms as to price, delivery,
and otherwise as the agent may determine, subject to any restrictions imposed by federal or state
securities laws.
Below are the various ways you can acquire shares:
Dividend Reinvestment
Dividends may be reinvested to purchase either new issue common shares or common shares purchased
on the open market, as determined by the corporation. Common and/or preferred share dividends used
to purchase new issue common shares will be invested on the dividend payment date (which is
typically the tenth or first day, respectively, of each March, June, September and December) or, if
that date is not a trading day, the preceding trading day. Common and/or preferred share dividends
will normally be used by the agent to purchase common shares on the open market within 10 business
days of the dividend payment date, depending on market conditions.
Participants can authorize full reinvestment of dividends on all shares. Participants can also
authorize cash dividends to be paid on all common and/or preferred shares held in certificate form.
Dividends on shares held in the plan in book-entry form will always be automatically reinvested.
To change participation to allow receipt of dividends in cash for all shares or just shares held in
certificate form, the corporations Shareholder Services Department must receive a written request
for such change on or before the record date established for the particular dividend. If the
request is received after the record date, the change will begin with the next dividend.
Cash Investment OptionOptional Cash Payments for Participants Enrolled in the Plan
Participants may, at any time, send checks or money orders only (made payable in U.S. dollars drawn
on a U.S. bank) to make cash investments in the plan. Checks and money orders must be made payable
to Otter Tail CorporationDR Agent and sent with the authorization form or the detachable stub
provided as part of the account statements participants receive. Otter Tail Corporation will
process all payments on the date they are received. Payments post-dated and received on or before
that date will be accepted as of the date received. Participants may vary cash investments from a
minimum of $10 to a maximum of $10,000 per month.
For your convenience, automatic withdrawal from your checking or savings account is available.
Funds are drawn from your account on or about the 15th of each month. To be eligible for this
service, an authorization form must be completed at least 30 days in advance of the next purchase
date. Please contact the Shareholder Services Department to obtain an authorization form.
14
Cash payments are invested monthly on the first day of each month or, if that date is not a trading
day, the next trading day. In order to be invested in a particular month, cash payments must be
received on or before the last business day of the preceding month. No interest will be paid on
funds being held by Otter Tail Corporation or its agent.
Cash payments will be used to purchase either new issue common shares or common shares purchased on
the open market, as determined by Otter Tail Corporation. Cash payments used to purchase new issue
common shares will be invested on the investment date each month. Cash payments used to purchase
common shares on the open market will normally be purchased by the agent on the first business day
of each month.
Participants can request a refund of the current months cash payment by sending a written request
to the Otter Tail Corporation Shareholder Services Department. The request must be received at
least two business days prior to the investment date. Payments that are rejected by Otter Tail
Corporation will be refunded to participants as promptly as practicable.
Pricing
8. |
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What is the price for shares acquired under the plan? |
The price per share of new issue common shares will be the current market price of common shares as
determined by Otter Tail Corporation on the basis of the average of the high and low sales prices
of common shares on the applicable investment date as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
The price per share of shares purchased for the plan on the open market will be the weighted
average price per share at which common shares of the corporation are actually purchased on the
open market for the relevant period by the agent on behalf of all participants in the plan.
Otter Tail Corporation has no basis for estimating either the number or price of shares that will
be purchased under the plan. Participants should be aware that since investment prices are
determined as of specified dates, they may lose any advantages otherwise available from being able
to select the timing of their investment. Neither Otter Tail Corporation nor the agent shall have
any responsibility for the value of the common shares acquired for participants accounts.
Statements
9. |
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Are statements showing account records available and when are they sent? |
The corporation will maintain an account for each plan participant and will send account statements
to each participant as soon as practicable after each quarterly dividend reinvestment and each
monthly cash investment. The statements include the participants current share balance and
valuation as well as all year-to-date transactions. The statements are a participants continuing
record of the cost of the participants purchases and should be retained for tax purposes (in
particular, the statement issued in December of each year which summarizes account activity for the
entire year). Included as a part of the statements is a form for making optional cash payments,
selling shares, requesting certificates, depositing certificates, or withdrawing from the plan.
Stock Certificates
10. |
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How do I request a stock certificate for shares available in my plan account? |
Normally, certificates for plan shares are not issued to participants unless requested. Instead,
the shares are credited to plan accounts and are listed on account statements. This protects
against loss, theft or destruction of stock certificates, and reduces Otter Tail Corporations
administrative costs.
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Participants can, however, request stock certificates for any number of full shares credited to
their plan accounts. There is no charge for this service. A written request must be made to the
Otter Tail Corporation Shareholder Services Department by completing the form provided as part of
the account statements or by submitting a written request. A separate request must be made for
each certificate requested specifying the number of full shares to be issued. Requests are
processed as soon as practicable after receipt. Generally, the certificates are issued within five
business days after Otter Tail Corporation receives the request. Any remaining full and fractional
shares will continue to be credited to participants accounts. Certificates for fractional shares
will not be issued under any conditions.
Otter Tail Corporation reserves the right to suspend its policy of issuing certificates, other than
upon termination or withdrawal from the plan, at any time.
Registration of Share Certificates
Certificates can be registered and issued in names other than participants names subject to
compliance with any applicable laws. To do this participants must complete a stock transfer form
and return it to the Otter Tail Corporation Shareholder Services Department. This form must bear
the signature of the registered holder(s) with the signature guaranteed by an eligible financial
institution which is a member of a signature medallion program. These forms can be obtained from
the Otter Tail Corporation Shareholder Services Department or at the corporate web site which is
www.ottertail.com/investors/forms.cfm.
There will be a fee assessed to reregister shares to accommodate a brokerage or street-named
account.
If a participant wants shares issued or a transfer to be effective for a particular dividend
payment, the appropriate form must be received at least five days before the record date
established for that dividend.
Shares credited to participants accounts may not be pledged and may not be assigned, except to
another plan account. To pledge or assign shares participants must make a written request for
certificates to be issued.
Safekeeping of Common Share Certificates
11. Can I deposit Common Share certificates I currently hold into the plan?
Participants can deposit any certificates for common shares of Otter Tail Corporation into the
plan, whether such certificates were issued under the plan or otherwise, at no cost. To take
advantage of this feature, participants must send certificates for common shares to the Otter Tail
Corporation Shareholder Services Department together with the appropriate information on the form
provided as part of the account statements or with a separate written request. Common shares
represented by such certificates are credited to the appropriate participant account under the
plan. If you are receiving a cash dividend for shares held in certificate form, you must continue
to hold a certificate representing those shares. Once shares are deposited into the plan,
dividends on such shares will be automatically reinvested.
Certificates for preferred shares of Otter Tail Corporation are not eligible for deposit.
Should participants choose to deposit certificates, Otter Tail Corporation recommends that
registered or certified mail be used. The method used to submit certificates to Otter Tail
Corporation is at the option and risk of the participant. Participants should submit their
certificates without endorsement.
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Terminating Participation
12. How do I terminate my participation in the plan?
Participation in the plan is voluntary, and a participant may terminate participation at any time
by submitting the appropriate information on the form provided as part of account statements or by
submitting a separate written request to the Otter Tail Corporation Shareholder Services
Department.
The request for termination will be processed as soon as practicable after receipt. A stock
certificate for full shares will normally be mailed within five business days after receipt of the
request, unless the request is received between a dividend record date and a dividend payment date.
If the request is received during this period, a certificate will generally not be sent out until
the dividends paid for the quarter have been credited to your account. The fractional shares will
normally be sold on the first trading day of each month. A check for the fractional share will be
sent promptly. For income tax purposes the amount of the fractional share check is taxable and is
reported accordingly. If the request to terminate has been received at least two business days
prior to the investment date, any cash payments waiting for investment will be returned, without
interest, as soon as practicable. Any subsequent dividends, if applicable, will be paid in cash.
Participants wishing to terminate with 30 or less shares credited under the plan may sell all but
not less than all plan shares through Otter Tail Corporation, without the issuance of a certificate
and without payment of a brokerage fee. (See Selling Shares below.)
After termination, previous participants can re-enroll in the plan by completing the appropriate
authorization form. However, Otter Tail Corporation reserves the right to reject any authorization
forms from previous participants on the grounds of excessive joining and termination. Such
reservation is intended to minimize unnecessary administrative expense and to encourage use of the
plan as a long-term investment service.
Selling Shares
13. Can I sell shares through the plan?
A participant may instruct Otter Tail Corporation to sell up to, but not more than, 30 common
shares credited to the participants account by completing the information on the form provided as
part of the account statements or by submitting a separate written request to the Otter Tail
Corporation Shareholder Services Department. A participant may submit only one such request during
a calendar month.
Shares are normally sold on the first trading day of each month. If a request to sell all shares
in the account is received between the record date and payable date, the shares will not be sold
until the dividends paid for the quarter have been credited to the participants account. In the
event that shares being sold by terminating participants are needed to meet plan requirements,
those shares will be purchased by the plan. In either case, the participant will normally receive
the proceeds of the sale, less any backup withholding tax, within 10 days after the sale. The
price of the plan shares sold on the open market will be the actual sale price of such shares. The
price of shares purchased by the plan to meet plan requirements will be the average of the high and
low sales prices of common shares on the date of purchase as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market.
Other Information
Stock Dividends and Stock Splits
Should Otter Tail Corporation declare a stock dividend or a stock split, the number of additional
shares participants receive will be based on the number of shares in their account as of the record
date for such stock dividend or stock split. Additional full and fractional shares that result
from a stock dividend or a stock split will be credited to participants accounts. Stock dividend
or stock split shares issued with respect to certificated shares held by participants will be
mailed directly to the participants in the same manner as to shareholders who are not participating
in the plan.
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Rights to Purchase
In the event that Otter Tail Corporation makes available to its shareholders rights to purchase
additional shares or other securities, the agent will sell such rights accruing to shares
participating in the plan for the participant and will combine the funds from such sale with the
next regular dividend or optional cash investment for reinvestment at that time. If a participant
desires to exercise these rights, the participant should request that certificates be issued for
full shares as provided herein.
Voting at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Otter Tail Corporation will vote all shares held in a participants account in the same way in
which the participant votes common shares registered in the participants name by the regular proxy
returned by the participant to the corporation. If Otter Tail Corporation sends participants a
separate proxy covering the shares credited to their accounts, then such shares will be voted as
designated in such separate proxy. In the event participants do not direct the voting of their
shares by either such regular or separate proxy, the shares credited to their account will not be
voted.
Company Responsibility in Administering the Plan
Otter Tail Corporation and the agent will have no responsibility beyond the exercise of ordinary
care for any action taken or omitted pursuant to the plan nor will they have any duties,
responsibilities or liabilities except such as are expressly set forth herein. In administering
the plan, neither Otter Tail Corporation nor the agent will be liable for any act done in good
faith or for any good faith omission to act, including, without limitation, any claim of liability
(a) arising out of failure to terminate a participants account upon death prior to receipt of
notice in writing of such death; (b) with respect to the prices at which the shares are purchased
or sold, the time such purchases or sales are made or any fluctuation in the market value before or
after purchases or sales of shares; or (c) as to the value of the shares acquired for participants.
Participants should recognize that neither Otter Tail Corporation nor the agent can assure them of
a profit or protect them against a loss on shares purchased or sold by them under the plan. Otter
Tail Corporation believes that its serving as administrator, rather than a registered broker-dealer
or a federally insured banking institution, poses no material risks to participants.
Otter Tail Corporation reserves the right to interpret and regulate the plan as may be necessary or
desirable in connection with the operation of the plan. The terms and conditions of the plan and
any authorization forms shall be governed by Minnesota law.
Companys Right to Amend or Terminate the Plan
While Otter Tail Corporation expects to continue the plan indefinitely, it reserves the right to
amend, modify, suspend or terminate the plan or participation therein, in whole or in part, at any
time. Any such amendment, modification, suspension or termination will be announced to
participants in advance.
Federal income tax information
The information set forth below is only a summary and does not claim to be a complete description
of all tax consequences of participation in the plan. The description may be affected by future
legislation, IRS rulings and regulations, or court decisions. Accordingly, participants should
consult with their own tax advisors with respect to the federal, state, local and foreign tax
consequences of participation in the plan.
18
What are the federal income tax consequences of participation in the plan?
For tax purposes, participants reinvested dividends are treated in the same manner they would have
been treated had the participants received the dividends in cash on the applicable dividend payment
date. Generally, the full amount of a dividend is taxable at a 15% rate at the time of payment.
Participants will not recognize any taxable income when stock certificates for full shares are
issued from plan accounts. However, participants will recognize gain or loss when the shares are
sold either at their request through Otter Tail Corporation or by the participant through the use
of a broker. In addition, terminating participants will recognize gain or loss with respect to
fractional shares sold. The amount of gain or loss in each case is the difference between the
amount the participant receives for the shares or fractional shares sold and the participants cost
basis in those shares. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss provided the participant
holds the shares as a capital asset, which is usually the case. Any capital gain will be taxed at
long-term rates if the shares are held for more than one year and at short-term rates if held for
one year or less.
How will participants be notified of their taxable dividend income?
Otter Tail Corporation will report the dividend income to participants and to the IRS on Form
1099-DIV. When shares are sold through Otter Tail Corporation, the corporation will report the
proceeds from the sale to participants and to the IRS on Form 1099-B.
What is the federal tax basis of plan shares?
The tax basis of participants plan shares acquired is equal to their purchase price as indicated
on account statements. Please be sure to retain your account statement (in particular, the
statement issued for December of each year, which summarizes account activity for the entire year).
How does Otter Tail Corporation invest and report dividends subject to federal backup withholding
or foreign tax withholding?
Otter Tail Corporation will invest an amount equal to the dividends less the amount of tax
withheld. The net dividend will be used to purchase shares. The account statements and the Form
1099-DIV sent to participants subject to tax withholding will indicate the amount of tax withheld
and will show the net dividend reinvested by Otter Tail Corporation. For federal income tax
reporting purposes, the full amount of the dividend, including any amounts withheld under
applicable backup withholding rules or withholding rules applicable to foreign participants, will
be taxable dividend income to the participant.
Otter Tail Corporation notes that (i) the tax advice set forth herein was not intended or written
to be used, and cannot be used by you or anyone else, for the purpose of avoiding federal income
tax penalties that may be imposed; (ii) the advice was written to support the promotion or
marketing of the transactions described herein; and (iii) Otter Tail Corporation urges you to
consult your own tax advisor to determine your tax liability in connection with your participation
in the plan or the subsequent disposition of shares received in connection with the plan.
Description of common shares
Otter Tail Corporations restated articles of incorporation, as amended (the articles) currently
authorize the issuance of three classes of shares:
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cumulative preferred shares, without par value (1,500,000 shares authorized), |
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cumulative preference shares, without par value (1,000,000 shares authorized), and |
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common shares, par value $5 per share (50,000,000 shares authorized). |
As of March 31, 2009, there were outstanding 35,409,133 common shares, 155,000 cumulative preferred
shares and no cumulative preference shares.
The Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issue from time to time of cumulative
preferred shares and cumulative preference shares in series and, as to each series, to fix the
designation, annual dividend rate, quarterly dividend payment dates, redemption price or prices,
voluntary and involuntary liquidation prices, conversion provisions, if any, and sinking fund
provisions, if any, applicable to the shares of such series. As a result, the Board of Directors
could, without shareholder approval, authorize the issuance of cumulative preferred shares or
cumulative preference shares with dividend, redemption or conversion provisions that could have an
adverse effect on the availability of earnings for distribution to the holders of common shares, or
with voting, conversion or other rights that could proportionately reduce, minimize or otherwise
adversely affect the voting power and other rights of holders of common shares.
The common shares are not entitled to any conversion or redemption rights. Holders of common shares
do not have any preemptive right to subscribe for additional securities Otter Tail Corporation may
issue. Otter Tail Corporations outstanding common shares are, and any newly issued common shares
will be, fully paid and non-assessable. The transfer agents and registrars for the common shares
are Otter Tail Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.
The following statements with respect to Otter Tail Corporations articles are brief summaries of
certain provisions of the articles, do not purport to be complete and are subject to the detailed
provisions of the articles, a copy of which is filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration
statement and is incorporated in this section by reference. Terms in italics are defined in the
articles and are used herein as so defined.
Dividend Rights
Subject to the prior dividend rights of the holders of the cumulative preferred shares and the
cumulative preference shares and the other limitations set forth in the following two paragraphs,
dividends may be declared by the Board of Directors and paid from time to time upon the outstanding
common shares from any funds legally available therefor.
Otter Tail Corporation and its subsidiaries are parties to agreements pursuant to which they borrow
money, and certain covenants in these agreements may limit their ability to pay dividends or other
distributions with respect to the common shares or to repurchase common shares. In addition, Otter
Tail Corporation and its subsidiaries may become parties to future agreements that contain such
restrictions.
So long as any cumulative preferred shares remain outstanding, Otter Tail Corporation shall not,
without the consent of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of the cumulative
preferred shares of all series then outstanding (two-thirds if more than one-fourth vote
negatively), declare, pay or set apart for payment any dividend on or purchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire any common shares of Otter Tail Corporation unless, after giving effect thereto (a) common
share equity shall equal at least 25% of total capitalization and (b) the earned surplus of Otter
Tail Corporation shall not be less than $831,398. Moreover, no dividend shall be declared, paid or
set apart for payment on the common shares (other than a dividend or distribution payable solely in
common shares) nor shall any common shares be purchased or acquired by Otter Tail Corporation at
any time while there is a default or deficiency with respect to a sinking or purchase fund
established for the benefit of any series of the cumulative preferred shares or the cumulative
preference shares. None of the outstanding series of Otter Tail Corporations cumulative preferred
shares has a sinking or purchase fund.
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Voting Rights
Subject to the rights of the holders of the cumulative preferred shares and the cumulative
preference shares described below, only the holders of common shares have voting rights and are
entitled to one vote for each share held.
In the event that four full quarterly dividend payments on the cumulative preference shares of any
series shall be in default, the holders of the cumulative preference shares of all series at the
time outstanding, voting as a class, shall thereafter elect two members of an eleven member Board
of Directors. After any such default shall have been cured, the cumulative preference shares, as
the case may be, shall be divested of such voting rights, subject to being revested in the event of
subsequent such defaults.
The consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the aggregate voting power of the cumulative
preference shares of all series then outstanding is required to (a) create or authorize any shares
of any class (other than the cumulative preferred shares, whether now or hereafter authorized)
ranking prior to the cumulative preference shares as to dividends or assets, or (b) amend Otter
Tail Corporations articles of incorporation so as to affect adversely any of the preferences or
other rights of the cumulative preference shares, provided that if less than all series of
cumulative preference shares are so affected, only the consent of the holders of at least
two-thirds of the aggregate voting power of the affected series shall be required.
A majority (two-thirds if more than one-fourth vote negatively) of the aggregate voting power of
the cumulative preference shares of all series then outstanding is required to (a) increase the
number of authorized cumulative preference shares or create or authorize any shares of any class
ranking on a parity with the cumulative preference shares as to dividends or assets, or (b)
consolidate or merge into or with any other corporation or corporations or sell, lease or exchange
all or substantially all of Otter Tail Corporations property and assets unless specified
conditions are met.
Liquidation Rights
Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Otter Tail Corporation, the holders of common
shares shall be entitled to receive pro rata all assets of Otter Tail Corporation distributable to
shareholders after the payment of the respective liquidation preferences to the holders of the
cumulative preferred shares and the cumulative preference shares.
Certain Provisions of Articles and Bylaws
Except at such times when holders of cumulative preferred shares and/or cumulative preference
shares have special voting rights for the election of directors as described above, Otter Tail
Corporations directors are elected for three-year, staggered terms by the holders of the common
shares. Cumulative voting of the common shares in the election of directors is prohibited. In
addition, Otter Tail Corporations bylaws provide that a vote of 75% of the common shares is
required to remove directors who have been elected by the holders of common shares. The
affirmative vote of 75% of the common shares is required to amend provisions of the articles and
bylaws relating to the staggered terms and the removal of directors, unless approved by all of the
continuing directors as specified therein.
The articles contain fair price provisions which require the affirmative vote of 75% of the
voting power of the common shares to approve business combinations, including mergers,
consolidations and sales of a substantial part of Otter Tail Corporations assets, with an
interested shareholder or its affiliates or associates, unless specified price criteria and
procedural requirements are met or unless the transaction is approved by the majority of the
continuing directors. The articles also contain anti-greenmail provisions which preclude Otter
Tail Corporation from making certain purchases of common shares at a price per share in excess of
the fair market price from a substantial shareholder unless approved by the affirmative vote of 66
2/3% of the voting power of the common shares held by the disinterested shareholders. The fair
price and anti-greenmail provisions of the articles may not be amended
21
without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting power of the common
shares, unless approved by all of the continuing directors as specified therein.
The overall effect of the foregoing provisions of Otter Tail Corporations articles and bylaws,
together with the ability of the Board of Directors to issue additional common shares, cumulative
preferred shares and cumulative preference shares, may be to delay or prevent attempts by other
persons or entities to acquire control of Otter Tail Corporation without negotiations with its
Board of Directors.
Experts
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Otter Tail
Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K and the effectiveness of Otter Tail Corporations internal
control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the
report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Validity of common shares
The validity of the issuance of the new issue common shares has been passed upon for Otter Tail
Corporation by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Other information
For further information and assistance, please contact:
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Otter Tail Corporation |
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Shareholder Services Department |
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215 South Cascade Street, Box 496 |
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Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56538-0496 |
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Phone:
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(800) 664-1259 (toll free) |
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(218) 739-8479 (locally) |
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Fax:
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(218) 998-3165 |
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sharesvc@ottertail.com (email) |
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www.ottertail.com |
The information contained on the corporations web site is not part of this prospectus.
22
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Otter Tail Corporation has not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. Otter
Tail Corporation is not offering to sell the common shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or
sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any document
incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of the applicable
document. Otter Tail Corporations business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects may have changed since those dates.
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment
and Share Purchase Plan
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Minnesota Statutes Section 302A.521 contains detailed provisions for indemnification of
directors and officers of domestic or foreign corporations under certain circumstances and subject
to certain limitations.
Article VIII of the Bylaws of Otter Tail Corporation (the Registrant) contains provisions
for indemnification of its directors and officers consistent with the provisions of Minnesota
Statutes, Section 302A.521.
Article X of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant provides that a director
shall not be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the directors duty of
loyalty to the Registrant or its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Sections 302A.559
or 80A.23 of the Minnesota Statutes, (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit, or (v) for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when said
Article X became effective.
The Registrant has obtained insurance policies indemnifying the Registrant and the
Registrants directors and officers against certain civil liabilities and related expenses.
Item 16. Exhibits
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Number |
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Description |
2.1 |
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Plan of Merger, dated as of June 30, 2009, by and among Otter Tail
Corporation, Otter Tail Holding Company and Otter Tail Merger Sub
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of Otter Tail Corporation, the predecessor
company, filed with the Commission on July 1, 2009). |
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3.1 |
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Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (including
resolutions creating outstanding series of Cumulative Preferred
Shares) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current
Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed with the Commission on
July 1, 2009). |
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3.2 |
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Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2
of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed with the
Commission on July 1, 2009). |
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5.1* |
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Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP. |
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23.1* |
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Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
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23.2* |
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Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
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24.1* |
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Power of Attorney. |
II-1
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of
the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not
exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained
in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or
section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that
is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any
purchaser, if the Registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)
as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements
relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to
be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after
effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus
that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed
incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first
use, supercede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
II-2
prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document
immediately prior to such date of first use.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act
of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the
undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting
method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to
such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will
be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such
purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the
offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the
undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing
material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on
behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
Registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrants annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to this registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fergus Falls, State of
Minnesota, on July 1, 2009.
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OTTER TAIL CORPORATION
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By: |
/s/ Kevin G. Moug
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Kevin G. Moug |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No.
1 to this registration statement has been signed on July 1, 2009 by the following persons in the
capacities indicated.
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Signature |
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President and Chief Executive Officer and Director |
John D. Erickson |
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(principal executive officer) |
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Chief Financial Officer |
Kevin G. Moug |
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(principal financial and accounting officer) |
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Chairman of the Board and Director |
John C. MacFarlane |
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Director |
Karen M. Bohn |
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Director |
Arvid R. Liebe |
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Director |
Edward J. McIntyre |
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Director |
Nathan I. Partain |
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Director |
Joyce Nelson Schuette |
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Director |
Gary J. Spies |
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Director |
James B. Stake |
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* By: |
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/s/ Kevin G. Moug
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Attorney-in-fact for the persons indicated above with an * |
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Kevin G. Moug |
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Pro Se and Attorney-in-Fact |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
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Number |
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Description |
2.1 |
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Plan of Merger, dated as of June 30, 2009, by and among Otter Tail
Corporation, Otter Tail Holding Company and Otter Tail Merger Sub
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of Otter Tail Corporation, the predecessor
company, filed with the Commission on July 1, 2009). |
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3.1 |
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Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (including
resolutions creating outstanding series of Cumulative Preferred
Shares) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current
Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed with the Commission on
July 1, 2009). |
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3.2 |
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Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2
of the Current Report on Form 8-K of the Registrant filed with the
Commission on July 1, 2009). |
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5.1* |
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Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP. |
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23.1* |
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Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
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23.2* |
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Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
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24.1* |
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Power of Attorney. |