As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2021

Registration No. 333-               

UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3  

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC. 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

7777 N 73rd Street 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223 

(414) 354-2310

(Address, including zip code, and
telephone number, including area code, of
registrant’s principal executive offices)

Sarah Lauber 

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary  

7777 N 73rd Street 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223 

(414) 354-2310

(Name, address, including zip code,
and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)

with a copy to:

Jay O. Rothman 

Jessica S. Lochmann 

Foley & Lardner LLP 

777 East Wisconsin Avenue 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 

(414) 271-2400

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: ☐

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: ☒

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: ☐

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: ☐

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: ☒

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: ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

PROSPECTUS

DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, INC.

Common Stock 

Preferred Stock 

Depositary Shares 

Debt Securities 

Warrants 

Stock Purchase Contracts 

Equity Units

We may offer these securities in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering.

In addition, selling stockholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell from time to time shares of our common stock in such amounts as set forth in a prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by any selling stockholders.

Each time securities are sold using this prospectus, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus and possibly other offering material containing specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities being sold, including the offering price. The supplement or other offering material may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PLOW.”

We may offer and sell these securities to or through underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to investors, on a continued or a delayed basis. The supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution.

You should read this prospectus, any supplement and any other offering material carefully before you invest.

Investing in our securities involves risks. Please see “Risk Factors” on page 5 for more information.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is May 3, 2021. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise specifically stated, in this prospectus, the “company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “ours” refer to Douglas Dynamics, Inc.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC”, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities or combinations of the securities described in this prospectus, and one or more of our stockholders may sell our common stock, in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of those securities. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making offers to sell or solicitations to buy the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we file or previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus include trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us, including FISHER®, DEJANA®, BLIZZARD®, SNOWEX®, TURFEX®, SWEEPEX®, HENDERSON® and BRINEXTREME®. Each of the trademarks, trade names or service marks in this prospectus or the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is the property of the company. Solely for convenience, from time to time we refer to our trademarks in this prospectus and in the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus without the ® symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights to our trademarks.

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus.

The exhibits to the registration statement contain the full text of certain contracts and other important documents we have summarized in this prospectus. You should review the full text of these documents because these summaries may not contain all the information that you may find important in deciding whether to purchase the securities we offer. The registration statement, including the exhibits, can be read at the SEC’s website mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and any prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, contains “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified because the context of the statement will include words such as the company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “estimates,” “is on-track” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe or refer to future expectations, future plans, strategies, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance, commitments or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, unfavorably or favorably, from those anticipated as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the incorporated document. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described below. Stockholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this prospectus are only made as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the incorporated document, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, weather conditions, particularly lack of or reduced levels of snowfall and the timing of such snowfall, our ability to manage general economic, business and geopolitical conditions, including the impacts of natural disasters, pandemics and outbreaks of contagious diseases and other adverse public health developments, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, our inability to maintain good relationships with our distributors, our inability to maintain good relationships with the original equipment manufacturers with whom we currently do significant business, lack of available or favorable financing options for our end-users, distributors or customers, increases in the price of steel or other materials, including as a result of tariffs, necessary for the production of our products that cannot be passed on to our distributors, increases in the price of fuel or freight, a significant decline in economic conditions, the inability of our suppliers and original equipment manufacturer partners to meet our volume or quality requirements, inaccuracies in our estimates of future demand for our products, our inability to protect or continue to build our intellectual property portfolio, the effects of laws and regulations and their interpretations on our business and financial condition, our inability to develop new products or improve upon existing products in response to end-user needs, losses due to lawsuits arising out of personal injuries associated with our products, factors that could impact the future declaration and payment of dividends, our inability to compete effectively against competition, our inability to achieve the projected financial performance with the assets of Dejana Truck & Utility Equipment Company, Inc., which we acquired in 2016, and unexpected costs or liabilities related to such acquisitions or any future acquisitions, as well as those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and any subsequent Form 10-Q filings. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements in this prospectus speak only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation, except as required by law, to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available in the future. 

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus before you decide to purchase our securities. In particular, you should carefully consider and evaluate the risks and uncertainties described in “Part I — Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our most recent Form 10-K and “Part II — Item 1A. Risk Factors” of any subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, each as updated by the additional risks and uncertainties set forth in other filings we make with the SEC or any accompanying prospectus supplement. Any of the risks and uncertainties set forth therein could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the trading price or value of our securities. As a result, you could lose all or part of your investment.

THE COMPANY

Douglas Dynamics, Inc. is North America’s premier manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment. For more than 70 years, the company has been innovating products that enable end-users to perform their jobs more efficiently and effectively, providing opportunities for businesses to increase profitability. Our commitment to continuous improvement enables us to consistently produce high quality products and drive stockholder value. The Douglas Dynamics portfolio of products and services is separated into two segments: First, the Work Truck Attachments segment, which includes our operations that manufacture and sell snow and ice control attachments and other products sold under the FISHER®, SNOWEX® and WESTERN® brands. Second, the Work Truck Solutions segment, which includes manufactured municipal snow and ice control products under the HENDERSON® brand and the upfit of market leading attachments and storage solutions under the HENDERSON® brand, and the DEJANA® brand and its related sub-brands.

Our headquarters are located at 7777 North 73rd Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223, and our telephone number is (414) 354-2310. We maintain a website at www.douglasdynamics.com. Information contained on our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus.

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

We may register shares of common stock covered by this prospectus for re-offers and resales by any selling stockholders to be named in a prospectus supplement. We may register these shares to permit selling stockholders to resell their shares when they deem appropriate. A selling stockholder may resell all, a portion or none of such stockholder’s shares at any time and from time to time. Selling stockholders may also sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of some or all of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). We do not know when or in what amounts the selling stockholders may offer shares for sale under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of shares by a selling stockholder under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the shares of common stock owned by the selling stockholders, other than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions which will be borne by the selling stockholders. We will provide you with a prospectus supplement naming the selling stockholders, the amount of shares to be registered and sold and any other terms of the shares of common stock being sold by each selling stockholder. 

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, including repaying, repurchasing or redeeming existing debt, expanding existing businesses, acquiring businesses and investing in other business opportunities. Pending such use, we may temporarily invest the net proceeds in short-term investments.

Securities to be Offered

We may offer shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts and equity units. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of the securities that may be offered under this prospectus. The terms of the offering of securities, the initial offering price and the net proceeds to us will be contained in the prospectus supplement and other offering material relating to such offering. 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock summarizes general terms and provisions that apply to our capital stock. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the applicable provisions of Delaware law, our Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (our “Certificate of Incorporation”) and our Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”). Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Authorized Capital

Our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share.

Common Stock

Voting

Except as otherwise required by Delaware law, at every annual or special meeting of stockholders, every holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that holders of common stock are not entitled to vote on any amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock, if the holders of such affected series are entitled to vote thereon pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation or Delaware law. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. In addition, our Bylaws provide that directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at our annual meeting of stockholders each year.

Dividend Rights

Subject to dividend preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that purpose.

Liquidation and Preemptive Rights

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. The holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights or other subscription rights, and no rights to convert their common stock into any other securities. Our common stock is not subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions. The outstanding shares of our common stock are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

Transfer Agent

The transfer agent for our common stock is Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors is authorized to issue not more than an aggregate of 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, without stockholder approval. Our Board of Directors is authorized to establish, from time to time, the number of shares to be included in each series of preferred stock, and to fix the designation, powers, privileges, preferences, and relative participating, optional or other rights, if any, of the shares of each series of preferred stock, and any of its qualifications, limitations or restrictions. Our Board of Directors also is able to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series of preferred stock, but not below the number of shares of that series of preferred stock then outstanding, without any further vote or action by the stockholders. In the event that we issue shares of our preferred stock, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws contain no restrictions on the repurchase or redemption of shares of our preferred stock with regard to any arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments. 

In the future, our Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could harm the voting power or other rights of the holders of our common stock, or that could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of our preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other consequences, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control and might harm the market price of our common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock. We have no current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Anti-takeover Effects of our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws

Some provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might deem to be in his or her best interest. The existence of these provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions include:

Election and Removal of Directors

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides for the division of our Board of Directors into three classes of the same or nearly the same number of directors, with staggered three-year terms. In addition, the holders of our outstanding shares of common stock will not be entitled to cumulative voting in connection with the election of our directors. Our directors will also not be subject to removal, except for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least 66²/₃% of the total voting power of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, prior to the expiration of their term. These provisions on the removal of directors could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, control of us.

Stockholder Action; Special Meeting of Stockholders

Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws provide that all stockholder actions must be effected at a duly called meeting and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. All stockholder action must be properly brought before any stockholder meeting, which requires advance notice pursuant to the provisions of our Bylaws. In addition, special stockholder meetings may only be called by a majority of our Board of Directors. These provisions could have the effect of delaying stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities until a meeting is called. These provisions could also discourage a potential acquiror from making a tender offer for our common stock, because even if it were able to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting securities, a potential acquiror would only be able to take actions such as electing new directors or approving a business combination or merger at a duly called stockholders” meeting, and not by written consent. 

Authorized but Unissued Shares

The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without stockholder approval, subject to any limitations imposed by the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans and could also be issued in order to deter or prevent an attempt to acquire us. The existence of authorized but unissued and unreserved common stock and preferred stock could make it ​more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Super-Majority Voting

Our Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66²/₃% in voting power of our issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, to amend or repeal certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation including provisions which would eliminate or modify the provisions described above, reduce or eliminate the number of authorized common or preferred shares and all indemnification provisions. Our Bylaws may also be amended or repealed by our Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66²/₃% in voting power of our issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Delaware Takeover Statute

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person or entity became an interested stockholder. A “business combination” includes certain mergers, asset sales or other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to various exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with his or her affiliates and associates, owns, or within the past three years has owned, 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. This provision could discourage mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts, including attempts that might result in the payment of a premium over the market price for shares of our common stock.

Limitations of Directors' and Officers' Liability and Indemnification

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties. Our Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions taken as a director to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL.

Our Bylaws provide that we must indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We are also expressly authorized to carry directors' and officers' insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and officers. 

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. These provisions may also have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders.

We also maintain directors’ and officers’ insurance. 

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock rather than a full share of preferred stock. In that event, depositary receipts will be issued for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular class or series of preferred stock, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

Any series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and the depositary. The prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to a series of depositary shares will set forth the name and address of the depositary for the depositary shares and summarize the material provisions of the deposit agreement. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by such depositary share, including dividend and liquidation rights and any right to convert or exchange the preferred stock into other securities.

We will describe the particular terms of any depositary shares we offer in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. You should review the documents pursuant to which the depositary shares will be issued, which will be described in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the debt securities sets forth the material terms and provisions of the debt securities to which any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material may relate. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material and the extent, if any, to which the provisions described in this prospectus may apply to the offered debt securities will be described in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the offered debt securities. As used in the following description, the terms “Douglas Dynamics, Inc.,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Douglas Dynamics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and not any of its subsidiaries, unless the context requires.

Senior debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and a trustee named in the prospectus supplement, a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indenture relating to the senior debt securities, as amended or otherwise supplemented by any supplemental indentures, is referred to in this prospectus as the indenture.

The following summaries of the material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture, including the definitions of specified terms used in the indenture, and the debt securities. Wherever particular articles, sections or defined terms of an indenture are referred to, it is intended that those articles, sections or defined terms will be incorporated herein by reference, and the statement in connection with which reference is made is qualified in its entirety by the article, section or defined term in the indenture.

General

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued under the indenture, and the indenture does not limit the amount of other unsecured debt or securities that we may issue. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities and may be sold at par, a premium or an original issue discount. Some of the debt securities may be issued under the indenture as original issue discount securities to be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Federal income tax and other considerations applicable to any original issue discount securities will be described in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. We have the right to “reopen” a previous issue of a series of debt by issuing additional debt securities of such series.

We conduct a substantial amount of our operations through subsidiaries and expect that we will continue to do so. Our right to participate as a stockholder in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise and the ability of a holder of debt securities to benefit as our creditor from any distribution are subject to prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary. The debt securities will also effectively rank junior in right of payment to any of our secured debt.

The prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the particular series of debt securities offered thereby will describe the following terms of the offered debt securities:

Payments

Unless otherwise indicated in any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the offered debt securities will be payable, and transfers of the offered debt securities will be registrable, at the corporate trust office of the trustee. Alternatively, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the debt security register.

Denominations, Registration and Transfer

Unless otherwise indicated in any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the offered debt securities will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000, or the equivalent in foreign currency. Except as provided in the indenture, pursuant to a Board resolution, an officer’s certificate or a supplemental indenture, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of offered debt securities or conversion or exchange of less than the entire principal amount of a debt security, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with any transfer or exchange.

If the purchase price of any of the offered debt securities is denominated in a foreign currency or currencies or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any series of offered debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies, the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to the issue of offered debt securities and the foreign currency or currencies will be described in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

We will not be required to issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of any series during the period from 15 days prior to the mailing of a notice of redemption of debt securities of that series to the date the notice is mailed. We will also not be required to register the transfer of or exchange any debt security so selected for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part.

Conversion and Exchange

The terms, if any, on which debt securities of any series are convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares, property or cash, or a combination of any of the foregoing, will be set forth in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. Terms may include provisions for conversion or exchange that is either mandatory, at the option of the holder, or at our option. The number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares to be received by the holders of the debt securities will be calculated in the manner, according to the factors and at the time as described in the related prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. 

Merger

The indenture provides that we may, without the consent of the holders of debt securities, consolidate with, or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to, or merge into any other corporation, provided that:

In addition, we must provide to the trustee an opinion of legal counsel that any such transaction and any assumption by a successor corporation complies with the applicable provisions of the indenture and that we have complied with all conditions precedent provided in the indenture relating to such transaction.

Other than the covenants described above, or as set forth in any accompanying prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or a highly leveraged transaction involving us.

Modification of the Indenture

With the consent of the holders of more than 50% in aggregate principal amount of any series of debt securities then outstanding under the applicable indenture, waivers, modifications and alterations of the terms of the indenture may be made which affect the rights of the holders of the series of debt securities. However, no modification or alteration may, without the consent of all holders of any series of debt securities then outstanding affected thereby:

In addition, as described in the description of “Events of Default” set forth below, holders of more than 50% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding may waive past events of default in specified circumstances and may direct the trustee in enforcement of remedies.

We and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders, modify and supplement the applicable indenture:

Covenant Defeasance and Satisfaction and Discharge of a Series

Covenant Defeasance of any Series

If we deposit with the trustee, in trust, at or before maturity or redemption:

in each case in an amount sufficient, after payment of all federal, state and local taxes in respect thereof payable by the trustee, in the opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the trustee, to pay when due the principal, premium, if any, and interest to maturity or to the redemption date, as the case may be, with respect to any series of debt securities then outstanding, and any mandatory sinking fund payments or similar payments or payment pursuant to any call for redemption applicable to such debt securities of such series on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the indenture and such debt securities, then the provisions of the indenture would no longer be effective as to the debt securities to which such deposit relates, including the restrictive covenants described in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities, except as to:

Defeasance of debt securities of any series is subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions, including, among others, the absence of an event of default at the date of the deposit and the perfection of the holders’ security interest in the deposit.

Satisfaction and Discharge of any Series

Upon the deposit of money or securities contemplated above and the satisfaction of specified conditions, the provisions of the indenture (excluding the exceptions discussed above under the heading “Covenant Defeasance of any Series”) would no longer be effective as to the related debt securities, we may cease to comply with our obligation to pay duly and punctually the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on a particular series of debt securities, the events of default in the indenture no longer would be effective as to such debt securities and thereafter the holders of the series of debt securities will be entitled only to payment out of the money or securities deposited with the trustee. 

The specified conditions include, among others, except in limited circumstances involving a deposit made within one year of maturity or redemption:

Events of Default

As to any series of debt securities, an event of default is defined in the indenture as being:

Notice and Declaration of Defaults

So long as the debt securities of any series remain outstanding, we will be required to furnish annually to the trustee a certificate of one of our corporate officers stating whether, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, we are in default under any of the provisions of the applicable indenture, and specifying all defaults, and the nature thereof, of which such officer has knowledge. We will also be required to furnish to the trustee copies of specified reports filed by us with the SEC.

The indenture provides that the trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to any series for which there are debt securities outstanding which is continuing, give to the holders of those debt securities notice of all uncured defaults known to it, including events specified above without grace periods. Except in the case of default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any of the debt securities of any series or the payment of any sinking fund installment on the debt securities of any series, the trustee may withhold notice to the holders if the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of the debt securities. 

If a specified event of bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, or reorganization occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of (or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount debt securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in their terms as due and payable upon acceleration) and any accrued and unpaid interest on that series will immediately become due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder. If any other event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may declare the debt securities of that series immediately due and payable. In some cases, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series then outstanding may waive any past default and its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, including sinking fund payments.

Actions upon Default

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the holders of debt securities outstanding of any series unless the holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. The right of a holder to institute a proceeding with respect to the indenture is subject to conditions precedent including notice and indemnity to the trustee, but the holder has a right to receipt of principal, premium, if any, and interest on their due dates or to institute suit for the enforcement thereof, subject to specified limitations with respect to defaulted interest.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities outstanding of the series in default will have the right to direct the time, method and place for conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power or trust conferred on the trustee. Any direction by the holders will be in accordance with law and the provisions of the related indenture, provided that the trustee may decline to follow any such direction if the trustee determines on the advice of counsel that the proceeding may not be lawfully taken or would be materially or unjustly prejudicial to holders not joining in the direction. The trustee will be under no obligation to act in accordance with the direction unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred thereby.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Concerning the Trustee

We may from time to time maintain lines of credit, and have other customary banking relationships, with the trustee or its affiliates under the indenture.

The indenture and provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 that are incorporated by reference in the indenture contain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become one of our creditors, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with us or any of our affiliates. However, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939), it must eliminate such conflict or resign. 

Book-Entry, Delivery and Settlement

We will issue the debt securities in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates, which we refer to as global securities. We will deposit the global securities with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company, which we refer to as DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Beneficial interests in the global securities may be held through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) (as indirect participants in DTC).

We have provided the following descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and are subject to change by them from time to time. Neither we, any underwriter nor the trustee take any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream directly to discuss these matters.

DTC has advised us that:

Investors in the global securities who are participants in DTC’s system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the global notes who are not participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are participants in such system. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the global securities on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A., as depository of Clearstream. All interests in a securities, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.

The laws of some jurisdictions require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in the form of a certificate. For that reason, it may not be possible to transfer interests in a global security to those persons. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in a global security to pledge or transfer that interest to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of that interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of that interest.

So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global security, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by that global security for all purposes under the indenture and under the debt securities. Except as described below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have debt securities represented by that global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive the debt securities in the form of a physical certificate and will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities under the indenture or under the debt securities, and may not be entitled to give the trustee directions, instructions or approvals. For that reason, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on DTC’s procedures and, if that holder is not a direct or indirect participant in DTC, on the procedures of the DTC participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of debt securities under the indenture or the global security.

Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of DTC’s records relating to the debt securities or relating to payments made by DTC on account of the debt securities, or any responsibility to maintain, supervise or review any of DTC’s records relating to the debt securities.

We will make payments on the debt securities represented by the global securities to DTC or its nominee, as the registered owner of the debt securities. We expect that when DTC or its nominee receives any payment on the debt securities represented by a global security, DTC will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interests in the global security as shown in DTC’s records. We also expect that payments by DTC’s participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. DTC’s participants will be responsible for those payments.

Payments on the debt securities represented by the global securities will be made in immediately available funds. Transfers between participants in DTC will be made in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures. 

Cross-market transfers between the participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by its depository; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its respective depository to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global security in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or Clearstream.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the global securities and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the global securities for certificated notes, and to distribute such notes to its participants.

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global securities among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of the company, the trustee or any of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective direct or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Exchange of Global Securities for Certificated Securities

We will issue certificated debt securities to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of debt securities represented by the global securities upon surrender by DTC of the global securities only if:

Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC, its nominee or any direct or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the related debt securities. We and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from DTC or its nominee, including instructions about the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the debt securities to be issued.

Same Day Settlement and Payment

We will make payments in respect of the notes represented by the global securities (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the global securities holder. We will make all payments of principal, interest and premium, if any, with respect to certificated notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders of the certificated notes or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such holder’s registered address. The notes represented by the global securities are expected to be eligible to trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. The company expects that secondary trading in any certificated notes will also be settled in immediately available funds. 

Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a global security from a participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised us that cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global securities by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date. 

Description of Warrants

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or other securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or depositary shares offered by any prospectus supplement and/or other offering material and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the particular issue of warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants.

The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the warrant agreements.

Reference is made to the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the particular issue of warrants offered pursuant to such prospectus supplement and/or other offering material for the terms of and information relating to such warrants, including, where applicable:

Warrants will be issued in registered form only. The exercise price for warrants will be subject to adjustment in accordance with provisions described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such principal amount of debt securities or such number of shares of preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or other securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to the warrants, which exercise price may be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in such prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. After the close of business on the expiration date, or such later date to which such expiration date may be extended by us, unexercised warrants will become void. The place or places where, and the manner in which, warrants may be exercised shall be specified in the prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to such warrants. 

Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or other securities, holders of such warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares or other securities, as the case may be, purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise or to enforce covenants in the indenture, or to receive payments of dividends, if any, on the preferred stock, or common stock purchasable upon such exercise, or to exercise any applicable right to vote. 

Description of Stock Purchase Contracts and Equity Units

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as “stock purchase contracts.” The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities, warrants, other securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as “equity units.” The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the equity units or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or refunded on some basis.

The stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements, relating to the stock purchase contracts or equity units, will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of stock purchase contracts or equity units. The prospectus supplement and/or other offering material relating to a particular issue of stock purchase contracts or equity units will describe the terms of those stock purchase contracts or equity units, including the following:

Plan of Distribution

We may sell our securities, and any selling stockholder may sell shares of our common stock, in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:  (i) through agents; (ii) to or through underwriters; (iii) through brokers or dealers; (iv) directly by us or any selling stockholders to purchasers, including through a specific bidding, auction or other process; or (v) through a combination of any of these methods of sale. The applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering materials will contain the terms of the transaction, name or names of any underwriters, dealers, agents and the respective amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by them, the initial public offering price of the securities, and the applicable agent’s commission, dealer’s purchase price or underwriter’s discount. Any selling stockholders, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts. Additionally, because selling stockholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, selling stockholders may be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

Any initial offering price, dealer purchase price, discount or commission may be changed from time to time.

The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions, at negotiated prices, at a fixed price or fixed prices (that may be subject to change), at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at various prices determined at the time of sale or at prices related to prevailing market prices.

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us or any selling stockholder or by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold.

If underwriters are utilized in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of securities, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if they purchase any of them.

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities, and any selling stockholder will sell shares of our common stock to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Transactions through brokers or dealers may include block trades in which brokers or dealers will attempt to sell shares as agent but may position and resell as principal to facilitate the transaction or in cross trades, in which the same broker or dealer acts as agent on both sides of the trade. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold. In addition, any selling stockholder may sell shares of our common stock in ordinary brokerage transactions or in transactions in which a broker solicits purchases.

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us or any selling stockholder and the sale thereof may be made by us or any selling stockholder directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. 

Any selling stockholders may also resell all or a portion of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act provided they meet the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule, Section 4(1) of the Securities Act or other applicable exemptions, regardless of whether the securities are covered by the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, we or any selling stockholder may authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us or any selling stockholder at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. Such delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements with us or any selling stockholder to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such agents, underwriters and dealers may be required to make in respect thereof. The terms and conditions of any indemnification or contribution will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material. We may pay all expenses incurred with respect to the registration of the shares of common stock owned by any selling stockholders, other than underwriting fees, discounts or commissions, which will be borne by the selling stockholders.

We or any selling stockholder may also sell shares of our common stock through various arrangements involving mandatorily or optionally exchangeable securities, and this prospectus may be delivered in connection with those sales.

We or any selling stockholder may enter into derivative, sale or forward sale transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material indicates, in connection with those transactions, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, including in short sale transactions and by issuing securities not covered by this prospectus but convertible into, exchangeable for or representing beneficial interests in securities covered by this prospectus, or the return of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of such securities. The third parties may use securities received under derivative, sale or forward sale transactions or securities pledged by us or any selling stockholder or borrowed from us, any selling stockholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us or any selling stockholder in settlement of those transactions to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment) and/or other offering material.

Additionally, any selling stockholder may engage in hedging transactions with broker-dealers in connection with distributions of shares or otherwise. In those transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales of shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with such selling stockholder. Any selling stockholder also may sell shares short and redeliver shares to close out such short positions. Any selling stockholder may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery of shares to the broker-dealer. The broker-dealer may then resell or otherwise transfer such shares pursuant to this prospectus. Any selling stockholder also may loan or pledge shares, and the borrower or pledgee may sell or otherwise transfer the shares so loaned or pledged pursuant to this prospectus. Such borrower or pledgee also may transfer those shares to investors in our securities or the selling stockholder’s securities or in connection with the offering of other securities not covered by this prospectus. 

Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from us or any selling stockholder. Underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of shares for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals, or both. Compensation as to a particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with transactions involving shares and might be in excess of customary commissions. In effecting sales, broker-dealers engaged by us or any selling stockholder may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate in the resales.

Any securities offered other than common stock will be a new issue and, other than the common stock, which is listed on the NYSE, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and in the case of the common stock, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering material, we shall not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries or any selling stockholder in the ordinary course of business.

Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. An underwriter may carry out these transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

The place and time of delivery for securities will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement and/or other offering material for such securities. 

Where You Can Find More Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC (File No. 1- 34728). We also filed a registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, but does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. The SEC maintains a website, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on our website located at www.douglasdynamics.com. However, we are not including the information contained on our website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this prospectus.

We are “incorporating by reference” specified documents that we file with the SEC, which means:

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before the end of the offering of the securities pursuant to this prospectus:

Notwithstanding the foregoing, documents or portions of documents containing information furnished under Items 2.02 and 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, including the related exhibits under Item 9.01, are not incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing to or telephoning us at our principal executive offices:

Douglas Dynamics, Inc. 

Attn: Corporate Secretary 

7777 North 73rd Street 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223 

(414) 354-2310

You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we file or previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. 

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Foley & Lardner LLP. The validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement. The opinions of Foley & Lardner LLP and counsel for any underwriters or agents may be conditioned upon and may be subject to assumptions regarding future action required to be taken by us and any underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the issuance of any securities. The opinions of Foley & Lardner LLP and counsel for any underwriters or agents may be subject to other conditions and assumptions, as indicated in the prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from Douglas Dynamics, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and the effectiveness of Douglas Dynamics, Inc.’s 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. 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

The following table sets forth the estimated costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable by the registrant in connection with the offering of the securities being registered.

(1)       Deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act. 

(2)       The amount of securities and number of offerings are indeterminable, and the expenses cannot be estimated at this time.

Section 102 of the DGCL allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached the duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of the DGCL or obtained an improper personal benefit. The Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions taken as a director to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL.

 Section 145 of the DGCL provides for the indemnification of a corporation’s officers, directors and other corporate agents in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons under circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act. The Bylaws provide for indemnification of its officers and directors to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. The Bylaws also expressly authorize the company to carry directors’ and officers’ insurance providing indemnification to its directors and officers for some liabilities.

 In addition to the indemnification provided by the company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the company carries directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

The following is a list of all exhibits filed as part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3.

EXHIBIT INDEX

¹            If required, to be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. 

²            To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Rule 5b-3 thereunder.

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;

(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 SEC 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 (i), (ii) and (iii) of this section 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 SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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, 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 to any purchaser:

(i)             Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)            Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. 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 effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; 

(5)           That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act 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.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes, that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act 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 Securities 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 Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, 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 Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, on May 3, 2021.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 3, 2021. Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert McCormick and Sarah C. Lauber, and each of them individually, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and revocation, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.