Filed by Medtronic, Inc. (SEC File No.: 001-07707)
pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Covidien plc
Form S-4 File No.: 333-197406
Date: September 18, 2014
Medtronic
Geoff Martha Leadership Profile
Senior V.P. and Chief Integration Officer
Question 2 – Video 3
Blurb accompanying video:
The Integration Management Office (IMO) is striving towards four guiding principles during the acquisition process; preservation, optimization, acceleration and transformation. Watch Geoff Martha, Senior Vice President and Chief Integration Officer, explain how focusing on these principles will allow Medtronic to reach its future goals.
Transcript and Legal Legends:
This is a highly conditional transaction and further details can be found on the transaction website www.globalmedtechleader.com
“The IMO itself and the integration planning leads in the functions and the businesses and the regions have really just started working together over the past couple of weeks. And probably the most important thing that we’ve decided upon at this point is what is our guiding principles. So what are our guiding principles for this integration and how do we keep it simple so that everybody can understand it and clear. And we’ve come up with four really important guiding principles. And they are somewhat in order of importance, especially the first one.
The first one is to preserve. Preserve the momentum that both Covidien and Medtronic have in terms of their existing growth plans or existing strategic plans. Both companies, what’s unique about this transaction is you have two companies that are on a roll. That are highly valued and well thought of by all the different stakeholders and the number one thing we don’t want this merger to do is inhibit those plans, get in the way of those plans in any way. And thus, the integration has to have that first and foremost is that to preserve the plans that each company has. To put it more succinctly, we’ve got to hit our numbers and deliver on our milestones. That’s rule number one.
The second is optimizing. When you bring two big companies like this together, there’s going to be some overlap. In our case, both Covidien and Medtronic are very complimentary in terms of the customers we call on, the products we sell, the markets we serve, and there’s very little overlap in our go to market strategies. So on the front end of the organization, there’s very little overlap, like I said. There may be some change but we don’t think there will be much disruption. But in the back office, if you will, we do have multiple headquarters and in different regions and there’s some functional overlap. That’s where we need to pull out some cost savings. We’ve talked publicly about an $850 million synergy or cost savings number. And that’s what we’re really, we need to achieve to meet the goal that we announced in the transaction. And so that’s what we mean by optimize is optimizing the support, infrastructure to support our growth plans. And we think in doing that, we can provide the same, if not better service levels to our growth plans and still save the $850 million. So that’s the second.
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The third is about accelerating. And this is the one that is one of the more exciting ones. We have accelerating the plans into two companies. So we talked about preserving and if you can preserve, then we can think about accelerating. And there’s all kinds of great ideas that are merging as the two teams talk. And the more we talk, the more growth ideas we have. And the challenge, I think, is going to be which ones. You can’t chase all of these ideas. Which ones, how do we vet these, how do we prioritize these, and then which ones do we invest in. So there’s so many ideas in terms of how the two companies can grow faster together. So that’s the third is accelerate.
And finally, the fourth is transform. The goal of this transaction is nothing short of transforming health care. We believe, not transforming Medtronic and/or Covidien. That’s going to happen. The size of this transaction will change. There will be a new company standing when this is all over. A new Medtronic, if you will. So that’s going to happen. But our goal is to transform health care. We believe that the combination of the breadth that this company offers. We have an opportunity to really meet in a way no other company can, the unit what we call the universal needs of health care in terms of improving outcomes, reducing costs and driving and improving access. And that is the real goal ultimately of this merger.”
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NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION
This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the acquisition, the merger or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Medtronic Holdings Limited, which will be renamed Medtronic plc (“New Medtronic”), has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 that includes the preliminary Joint Proxy Statement of Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) and Covidien plc (“Covidien”) that also constitutes a preliminary Prospectus of New Medtronic. The registration statement is not complete and will be further amended. Medtronic and Covidien plan to make available to their respective shareholders the final Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (including the Scheme) in connection with the transactions. INVESTORS
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AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PRELIMINARY JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING THE SCHEME) AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT MEDTRONIC, COVIDIEN, NEW MEDTRONIC, THE TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the preliminary Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (including the Scheme) and other documents filed with the SEC by New Medtronic, Medtronic and Covidien through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders are able to obtain free copies of the preliminary Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (including the Scheme) and other documents filed by Medtronic and New Medtronic with the SEC by contacting Medtronic Investor Relations at investor.relations@medtronic.com or by calling 763-505-2696, and will be able to obtain free copies of the preliminary Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus (including the Scheme) and other documents filed by Covidien by contacting Covidien Investor Relations at investor.relations@covidien.com or by calling 508-452-4650.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION
Medtronic, New Medtronic and Covidien and certain of their respective directors and executive officers and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies from the respective shareholders of Medtronic and Covidien in respect of the transactions contemplated by the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the respective shareholders of Medtronic and Covidien in connection with the proposed transactions, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the final Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding Medtronic’s directors and executive officers is contained in Medtronic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 25, 2014 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated July 11, 2014, which are filed with the SEC. Information regarding Covidien’s directors and executive officers is contained in Covidien’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2013 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated January 24, 2014, which are filed with the SEC.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this communication that refer to New Medtronic’s, Medtronic’s and/or Covidien’s estimated or anticipated future results, including estimated synergies, or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Medtronic’s and/or
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Covidien’s current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this communication. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “will,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. It is important to note that these goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Actual results may differ materially from current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting New Medtronic’s business, Medtronic’s business, Covidien’s business and risks associated with the proposed transactions. These factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with financial projections; restructuring in connection with, and successful close of, the Covidien acquisition; subsequent integration of the Covidien acquisition and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of the Covidien acquisition; the risk that the required regulatory approvals for the proposed transactions are not obtained, are delayed or are subject to conditions that are not anticipated; the anticipated size of the markets and continued demand for Medtronic’s and Covidien’s products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; access to available financing (including financing for the acquisition or refinancing of Medtronic or Covidien debt) on a timely basis and on reasonable terms; the risks of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the risks and uncertainties normally incident to the medical device industry, including competition in the medical device industry; product liability claims; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of pending or future litigation or government investigations; variability of trade buying patterns; the timing and success of product launches; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts and regulatory agency approvals or actions, if any; potential for adverse pricing movement; costs and efforts to defend or enforce intellectual property rights; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; reduction or interruption in supply; product quality problems; the availability and pricing of third-party sourced products and materials; risks associated with self-insurance and commercial insurance; successful compliance with governmental regulations applicable to New Medtronic’s, Medtronic’s and Covidien’s facilities, products and/or businesses; changes in the laws and regulations, affecting among other things, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; health care policy changes; risks associated with international operations; changes in tax laws or interpretations that could increase New Medtronic’s, Medtronic’s and/or Covidien’s consolidated tax liabilities, including, if the transaction is consummated, changes in tax laws that would result in New Medtronic being treated as a domestic corporation for United States federal tax purposes; the loss of key senior management or scientific staff; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Medtronic’s periodic public filings with the SEC, including but not limited to Medtronic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 25, 2014, in Covidien’s periodic public filings with the SEC, including but not limited to Covidien’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2013, and from time to time in Medtronic’s and Covidien’s other investor communications. Except as expressly required by law, each of New Medtronic and Medtronic disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.
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Statement Required by the Irish Takeover Rules
The directors of Medtronic accept responsibility for the information contained in this video. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the directors of Medtronic (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this video is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
Dealing Disclosure Requirements
Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Panel Act, 1997, Takeover Rules 2013 (the “Irish Takeover Rules”,) if any person is, or becomes ‘interested’ (directly or indirectly) in, 1% or more of any class of ‘relevant securities’ of Covidien or Medtronic, all ‘dealings’ in any ‘relevant securities’ of Covidien or Medtronic (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such ‘relevant securities’) must be publicly disclosed by not later than 3.30 pm (Irish time) on the ‘business’ day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the Scheme becomes effective or on which the ‘offer period’ otherwise ends. If two or more persons co-operate on the basis of any agreement, either express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire an ‘interest’ in ‘relevant securities’ of Covidien or Medtronic, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3 of the Irish Takeover Rules.
Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Irish Takeover Rules, all ‘dealings’ in ‘relevant securities’ of Covidien by Medtronic or ‘relevant securities’ of Medtronic by Covidien, or by any party acting in concert with either of them, must also be disclosed by no later than 12 noon (Irish time), on the ‘business’ day following the date of the relevant transaction.
‘Interests in securities’ arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an ‘interest’ by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Irish Takeover Rules, which can also be found on the Irish Takeover Panels’ website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a dealing under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel’s website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact the Irish Takeover Panel on telephone number +353 1 678 9020 or fax number +353 1 678 9289.
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No Profit Forecast / Asset Valuations
No statement in this video is intended to constitute a profit forecast for any period, nor should any statements be interpreted to mean that earnings or earnings per share will necessarily be greater or lesser than those for the relevant preceding financial periods for Medtronic or Covidien or New Medtronic as appropriate. No statement in this video constitutes an asset valuation.
General
Viewers should read the full text of the Rule 2.5 announcement in relation to the Transaction. Appendix I to the Rule 2.5 announcement contains further details of the sources of information and bases of calculations set out in this video; Appendix II to the Rule 2.5 announcement contains definitions of certain expressions used in this video; Appendix III to the Rule 2.5 announcement contains the Conditions of the Acquisition and the Scheme; Appendix IV to the Rule 2.5 announcement sets out the report from PricewaterhouseCoopers in respect of certain merger benefit statements made in this video; Appendix V to the Rule 2.5 announcement contains the report from Perella Weinberg Partners LP, in respect of certain merger benefit statements made in this video and Appendix VI to the Rule 2.5 announcement sets out the Transaction Agreement.
The release, publication or distribution of this video in or into certain jurisdictions may be restricted by the laws of those jurisdictions. Accordingly, copies of this video and all other documents relating to the Acquisition are not being, and must not be, released, published, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Persons receiving such documents (including, without limitation, nominees, trustees and custodians) should observe these restrictions. Failure to do so may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the companies involved in the proposed Acquisition disclaim any responsibility or liability for the violations of any such restrictions by any person.
Any response in relation to the Acquisition should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the Scheme Circular or any document by which the Acquisition and the Scheme are made. Medtronic Shareholders and Covidien Shareholders are advised to read carefully the formal documentation in relation to the proposed Transaction once the Scheme Circular has been dispatched.
Pursuant to Rule 2.6(c) of the Irish Takeover Rules, this video will be available to Medtronic employees on Medtronic’s website (http://mymedtronic.medtronic.com,).
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.