Filed by OfficeMax Incorporated
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: OfficeMax Incorporated
Commission File No.: 1-5057
Date: February 20, 2013
February 20, 2013
Dear Valued Customer,
I am very pleased to share with you the exciting news that OfficeMax and Office Depot have agreed to combine our two companies in a merger of equals. The Boards of Directors of both companies unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement yesterday. The transaction is expected to close by the end of calendar year 2013, subject to stockholder approval from both companies, the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. For a copy of the news release, visit the “Investors” section of our website at investor.officemax.com.
As a combined company, OfficeMax and Office Depot will be better positioned to meet the needs of business customers ranging from the sole proprietor and small business owner to multinational businesses. We expect to have the opportunity to build on our strong digital platforms and to expand our multichannel capabilities to better serve our customers. By combining customer insights and learnings from innovative pilot programs underway, we will be better able to identify and fulfill evolving customer needs.
Until the transaction closes, OfficeMax and Office Depot will continue to compete as two separate companies. Nothing about our relationship or the way you do business with OfficeMax will change before that time. During the transition period between now and close, decisions will be made about the combined company’s executive management team, headquarters location and brand, and we will do our best to keep you updated.
Should you have any questions about this process, please contact your local sales representative.
We value your business and we are committed to continuing to provide the excellent products, services and relationships that you have come to expect from OfficeMax. I am very proud to be part of OfficeMax today and I look forward to building an exciting future with our customers.
Sincerely,
Ravi Saligram
President and CEO
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 in connection with the transaction 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.
Page 1 of 2
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC
Office Depot will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include the Joint Proxy Statement of Office Depot and OfficeMax that also constitutes a prospectus of Office Depot. Office Depot and OfficeMax plan to mail the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to their respective shareholders in connection with the transaction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OFFICE DEPOT, OFFICEMAX, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Office Depot and OfficeMax through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed by Office Depot with the SEC by contacting Office Depot Investor Relations at 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33496 or by calling 561-438-3657 and will be able to obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed by OfficeMax by contacting OfficeMax Investor Relations at 263 Shuman Blvd., Naperville, Illinois, 60563 or by calling 630-864-6800.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION
Office Depot and OfficeMax and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the respective shareholders of Office Depot and OfficeMax in respect of the transaction described 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 Office Depot and OfficeMax in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding Office Depot’s directors and executive officers is contained in Office Depot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 15, 2012, which are filed with the SEC. Information regarding OfficeMax’s directors and executive officers is contained in OfficeMax’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 20, 2012, which are filed with the SEC.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made in this document and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of OfficeMax constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding OfficeMax’s future performance, as well as management’s expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future. OfficeMax cannot guarantee that the macroeconomy will perform within the assumptions underlying its projected outlook; that its initiatives will be successfully executed and produce the results underlying its expectations, due to the uncertainties inherent in new initiatives, including customer acceptance, unexpected expenses or challenges, or slower-than-expected results from initiatives; or that its actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on them. In addition, forward-looking statements could be affected by the following additional factors, among others, related to the business combination: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement or the failure to satisfy closing conditions; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals for the transaction and the timing and conditions for such approvals; the ability to obtain approval of the merger by the stockholders of OfficeMax and Office Depot; the risk that the synergies from the transaction may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the ability to successfully integrate the businesses, unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities that may arise from the transaction, whether or not consummated; the inability to retain key personnel; future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely affect OfficeMax and Office Depot; and business plans of the customers and suppliers of OfficeMax and Office Depot. The forward-looking statements made herein are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date they are made. OfficeMax undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise. Important factors regarding OfficeMax that may cause results to differ from expectations are included in OfficeMax’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, under 1A “Risk Factors”, and in OfficeMax’s other filings with the SEC.
Page 2 of 2
February 20, 2013
Dear MaxPerks Customer,
Today, OfficeMax announced plans to join with Office Depot to create a stronger, combined global company with a wide array of services and solutions that enable you, our valued MaxPerks customer, to work more efficiently and productively.
The combined company will build on the best of both organizations to give you even more product choices, advanced technology and printing services, and new innovations to help you work better in business and at home every day. By integrating our network of retail stores, direct sales, telesales and online environments, we’ll provide you multiple ways to connect with us.
Over the last six months, OfficeMax has added new technology support, cloud and website services. Recognizing the impact of economic and tax changes to the bottom line, we want to help make every dollar you spend work even harder by providing more everyday MaxPerks and weekly promotion value. We’ve expanded private brand products that offer strong performance at great value. Our commitment is to continue building this value as we serve you.
We expect the merger transaction to close by the end of calendar year 2013, subject to customary closing conditions. Until then, OfficeMax and Office Depot will remain separate companies, and each company will maintain its current rewards program. I want to assure you that your MaxPerks rewards are secure, and as a MaxPerks customer, you will continue to:
| • | Earn 5% back when you spend $500 on qualifying purchases including ink, toner, paper and printing services between January 1 and December 31 each year; |
| • | Receive a $2 recycling reward on qualifying ink and toner cartridges, and; |
| • | Earn extra bonus rewards every month on featured items |
I invite you to visit www.officemaxperks.com for the latest MaxPerks program information. Thank you for your continued loyalty, and we look forward to serving you with the same exceptional service you’ve come to expect from OfficeMax.
Sincerely,
Ravi Saligram
President and CEO
Page 1 of 3
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 in connection with the transaction 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 WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC
Office Depot will file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 that will include the Joint Proxy Statement of Office Depot and OfficeMax that also constitutes a prospectus of Office Depot. Office Depot and OfficeMax plan to mail the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus to their respective shareholders in connection with the transaction. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT OFFICE DEPOT, OFFICEMAX, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by Office Depot and OfficeMax through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed by Office Depot with the SEC by contacting Office Depot Investor Relations at 6600 North Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33496 or by calling 561-438-3657 and will be able to obtain free copies of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed by OfficeMax by contacting OfficeMax Investor Relations at 263 Shuman Blvd., Naperville, Illinois, 60563 or by calling 630-864-6800.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION
Office Depot and OfficeMax and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the respective shareholders of Office Depot and OfficeMax in respect of the transaction described 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 Office Depot and OfficeMax in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. Information regarding Office Depot’s directors and executive officers is contained in Office Depot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 15, 2012, which are filed with the SEC. Information regarding OfficeMax’s directors and executive officers is contained in OfficeMax’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and its Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated March 20, 2012, which are filed with the SEC.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made in this document and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of OfficeMax constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding OfficeMax’s future performance, as well as management’s expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future. OfficeMax cannot guarantee that the macroeconomy will perform within the assumptions underlying its projected outlook; that its initiatives will be successfully executed and produce the results underlying its expectations, due to the uncertainties inherent in new initiatives, including customer acceptance, unexpected expenses or challenges, or slower-than-expected results from initiatives; or that its actual results will be consistent with the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on them. In addition, forward-looking statements could be affected by the following additional factors, among others, related to the business combination: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement or the failure to satisfy closing conditions; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals for the transaction and the timing and conditions for such approvals; the ability to obtain approval of the merger by the stockholders of OfficeMax and Office Depot; the risk that the synergies from the transaction may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to
Page 2 of 3
maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the ability to successfully integrate the businesses, unexpected costs or unexpected liabilities that may arise from the transaction, whether or not consummated; the inability to retain key personnel; future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely affect OfficeMax and Office Depot; and business plans of the customers and suppliers of OfficeMax and Office Depot. The forward-looking statements made herein are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date they are made. OfficeMax undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise. Important factors regarding OfficeMax that may cause results to differ from expectations are included in OfficeMax’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, under 1A “Risk Factors”, and in OfficeMax’s other filings with the SEC.
Page 3 of 3