Prospectus Supplement
Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
File Number 333-151000

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to Be Registered

 

Amount

to Be

Registered(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Unit

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(1)

 

Amount of

Registration

Fee(1)

Common stock, $0.01 par value

  2,845,869   $37.675   $107,218,114.60   $12,449
 
 

 

(1) Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r).


Table of Contents

Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus dated May 19, 2008.

2,845,869 Shares

LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

All of the shares of common stock in the offering are being sold by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement. EnerSys will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the selling stockholders.

The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ENS”. The last reported sale price of the common stock on February 14, 2011 was $37.82 per share.

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended July 4, 2010, October 3, 2010, and January 2, 2011, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of the common stock.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co. has agreed to purchase the shares from the selling stockholders at a price per share of $35.82, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among Goldman, Sachs & Co. , the selling stockholders and us. Goldman, Sachs & Co. proposes to offer the shares for sale from time to time in the over-the-counter market or in one or more negotiated transactions at market prices or negotiated prices.

 

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co. expects to deliver the shares on or about February 18, 2011.

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated February 15, 2011


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Prospectus Supplement   

About This Prospectus Supplement

     S-ii   

Market and Industry Data

     S-ii   

Forward-looking Statements

     S-iii   

Prospectus Supplement Summary

     S-1   

The Offering

     S-3   

Risk Factors

     S-4   

Use of Proceeds

     S-6   

Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy

     S-7   

Selling Stockholders

     S-8   

Underwriting

     S-10   

Where You Can Find More Information

     S-15   

Legal Matters

     S-16   

Experts

     S-16   
Prospectus   

About This Prospectus

     1   

Where You Can Find More Information

     1   

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     1   

EnerSys

     2   

Use of Proceeds

     3   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     3   

Description of Capital Stock

     4   

Description of Debt Securities

     9   

Plan of Distribution

     12   

Legal Matters

     14   

Experts

     14   

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. We urge you to read the entire prospectus and this prospectus supplement, together with the information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus carefully, including the risk factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the risk factors incorporated by reference herein.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriter has not, authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. The selling stockholders are not, and the underwriter is not, making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference is accurate only as of its respective date or on the date which is specified in those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since these dates.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

The market and industry data contained in this prospectus supplement and in documents incorporated herein by reference are based either on management’s own estimates, independent industry publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources, and, in each case, are believed by management to be reasonable estimates.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may contain or incorporate by reference information that includes or is based upon forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or the Reform Act. Generally, you can identify these statements because they use words like “anticipates,” “believes,” “will,” “estimates,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “plans” or the negative of such terms or similar terms. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to sales growth, earnings or earnings per share growth, and market share, as well as statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. The forward-looking statements are and will be based on management’s then-current beliefs and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and on information currently available to our management, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to a number of uncertainties and risks, including the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended July 4, 2010, October 3, 2010, and January 2, 2011, any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and other unforeseen risks. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including the following factors:

 

   

general cyclical patterns of the industries in which our customers operate;

 

   

the extent to which we cannot control our fixed and variable costs;

 

   

the raw material in our products may experience significant fluctuations in market price and availability;

 

   

certain raw materials constitute hazardous materials that may give rise to costly environmental and safety claims;

 

   

legislation regarding the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in our products;

 

   

risks involved in foreign operations such as disruption of markets, changes in import and export laws, currency restrictions and currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

our ability to raise our selling prices to our customers when our product costs increase;

 

   

the extent to which we are able to efficiently utilize our global manufacturing facilities and optimize our capacity;

 

   

general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate;

 

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competitiveness of the battery markets throughout the world;

 

   

our timely development of competitive new products and product enhancements in a changing environment and the acceptance of such products and product enhancements by customers;

 

   

our ability to adequately protect our proprietary intellectual property, technology and brand names;

 

   

unanticipated litigation and regulatory proceedings to which we might be subject;

 

   

changes in our market share in the business segments and regions where we operate;

 

   

our ability to implement our cost reduction initiatives successfully and improve our profitability;

 

   

unanticipated quality problems associated with our products;

 

   

our ability to implement business strategies, including our acquisition strategy, and restructuring plans;

 

   

our acquisition strategy may not be successful in locating advantageous targets;

 

   

our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel we acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames;

 

   

our debt and debt service requirements which may restrict our operational and financial flexibility, as well as imposing unfavorable interest and financing costs;

 

   

our ability to maintain our existing credit facilities or obtain satisfactory new credit facilities;

 

   

adverse changes in our short and long term debt levels under our credit facilities;

 

   

our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on our variable rate debt;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

 

   

our ability to maintain good relations with labor unions;

 

   

credit risk associated with our customers, including risk of insolvency and bankruptcy;

 

   

our ability to successfully recover in the event of a disaster affecting our infrastructure; and

 

   

terrorist acts or acts of war, whether in the United States or abroad, could cause damage or disruption to our operations, our suppliers, channels to market or customers, or could cause costs to increase, or create political or economic instability.

This list includes all material factors of which we are aware. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You are advised to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in the reports we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights selected information from this document and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. We urge you to read this entire document carefully, including the “Risk Factors” included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as those additional documents to which we refer you. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement. The terms “EnerSys,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to EnerSys — which is a holding company — and its consolidated subsidiaries. We use the term “the company” when we wish to refer only to the holding company and not to EnerSys and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Our fiscal year ends on March 31. References in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement to a fiscal year, such as “fiscal 2010,” relate to the fiscal year ended on March 31 of that calendar year. For reading ease, certain financial information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement is presented on a rounded basis, which may cause minor rounding differences.

EnerSys

EnerSys is the world’s largest manufacturer, marketer and distributor of industrial batteries. We also manufacture, market and distribute related products such as chargers, power equipment and battery accessories, and we provide related after-market and customer-support services for industrial batteries. We market and sell our products globally to over 10,000 customers in more than 100 countries through a network of distributors, independent representatives and our internal sales force.

We have two primary industrial battery product lines: reserve power products and motive power products. Net sales classifications by product line are as follows:

 

   

Reserve power products are used for backup power for the continuous operation of critical applications in telecommunications systems, uninterruptible power systems, or UPS, applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, and other specialty power applications, including security systems, for premium starting, lighting and ignition applications, in switchgear and electrical control systems used in electric utilities and energy pipelines, and in commercial aircraft and military aircraft, submarines, ships and tactical vehicles.

 

   

Motive power products are used to provide power for manufacturing, warehousing and other material handling equipment, primarily electric industrial forklift trucks, mining equipment, and for diesel locomotive starting, rail car lighting and rail signaling equipment.

We operate and manage our business in three geographic regions of the world—Americas, Europe and Asia, as described below. Our business is highly decentralized with manufacturing locations throughout the world. More than half of our manufacturing capacity is located outside of the United States, and approximately 60% of our net sales were generated outside of the United States. Under the criteria of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance, the Company has three reportable business segments based on geographic regions, defined as follows:

 

   

Americas, which includes North and South America, with our segment headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA,

 

 

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Europe, which includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with our segment headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, and

 

   

Asia, which includes Asia, Australia and Oceania, with our segment headquarters in Singapore.

***

Our principal executive offices are located at 2366 Bernville Road, Reading, PA 19605. Our telephone number at that address is (610) 208-1991.

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Common stock offered by the selling stockholders

2,845,869 shares.

 

New York Stock Exchange symbol for our common stock

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ENS.”

 

Dividends

We do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and our existing US credit facilities limit our ability to do so. The timing and amount of future cash dividends, if any, would be determined by our board of directors and would depend upon our earnings, financial condition and cash requirements at the time. See “Risk Factors — We have not paid, and may not pay, dividends and therefore, unless our stock appreciates in value, investors in our stock may not benefit from holding our stock” and “Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy” in this prospectus supplement.

 

Use of proceeds

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of common stock by the selling stockholders. See “Use of Proceeds,” “Selling Stockholders” and “Underwriting.”

 

Risk factors

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Potential investors are urged to read and consider the risk factors relating to our business and an investment in our common stock set forth under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement as well as other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the risk factors related to this offering set forth below, please see the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended July 4, 2010, October 3, 2010, and January 2, 2011 each of which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. Such risks are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely effect our business operations. The risks described could affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In such a case, you may lose all or part of your original investment. You should carefully consider the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the risks described below as well as other information and data set forth in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein before making an investment decision with respect to our common stock.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

Our stock price may be volatile, and your investment in our common stock could decline in value.

The price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange constantly changes. In the 12 month period ended February 14, 2011, the price per share of our common stock has ranged from $20.74 to $38.21 per share. We expect that the market price of our common stock will continue to fluctuate. Holders of our common stock will be subject to the risk of volatility and depressed prices. Our common stock price can fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control. The factors described under “Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus supplement and the other risk factors described in this section, among other factors, may cause the market price of our common stock to change. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our revenues and operating results may fluctuate in future periods, and we may fail to meet expectations, which may cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate significantly from period to period. We cannot predict with certainty the timing or level of sales of our products in the future. If our quarterly sales or operating results fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Our operating results may fluctuate due to various factors including, among other things, the continual pricing pressure of our extremely competitive industry, cyclical industry conditions and volatile raw materials costs as well as our exposure to the risk of material environmental, health and safety liabilities as a result of our use of significant amounts of lead and acid in our operations. As a result of these factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results are not a good indication of our future performance.

We have not paid, and may not pay, dividends and therefore, unless our stock appreciates in value, investors in our stock may not benefit from holding our stock.

We have not issued a cash dividend on our common stock since we became a public company and we presently intend to continue this policy. Furthermore, our existing U.S. credit facilities limit our ability to

 

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pay dividends. As a result, investors in our common stock may not be able to benefit from owning our common stock unless the shares that these investors acquire appreciate in value. See “Price Range of Common Stock and Dividend Policy” in this prospectus supplement.

Our corporate documents and Delaware law contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company even if some stockholders might consider such a development favorable, which may adversely affect the price of our common stock.

Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which are described under “Description of Capital Stock” in the accompanying prospectus, may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition involving us that our stockholders may consider favorable. For example, our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock to which special rights may be attached, including voting and dividend rights. With these rights, preferred stockholders could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides for a staggered board of directors, whereby directors serve for three-year terms, with approximately one third of the directors coming up for reelection each year. Having a staggered board of directors makes it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of our board of directors through a proxy contest, which may be a necessary step in an acquisition of us that is not favored by our board of directors.

In addition, certain other provisions of our corporate documents regarding special meetings of stockholders, advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations and amendments of the bylaws and prohibiting stockholder action by written consent and cumulative voting, each of which is described under “Description of Capital Stock — Other Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws” in the accompanying prospectus, may also discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition involving us that our stockholders may consider favorable.

We are also subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under these provisions, if anyone becomes an “interested stockholder,” we may not enter into a “business combination” with that person for three years without special approval, which could discourage a third party from making a takeover offer and could delay or prevent a change of control. For purposes of Section 203, an “interested stockholder” means, generally, someone owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock or an affiliate of ours that owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock during the past three years, subject to certain exceptions as described in Section 203. See “Description of Capital Stock — Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of common stock by the selling stockholders. See “Selling Stockholders” and “Underwriting.”

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDEND POLICY

Our common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ENS” since it began trading on July 30, 2004. Prior to that time, there had been no public market for our common stock. The following table sets forth, on a per share basis for the periods presented, the range of high and low sales prices and closing prices of our common stock. On February 14, 2011, the last reported sale price for our common stock was $37.82 per share.

 

Quarter Ended

   High Price      Low Price      Closing Price  

June 28, 2009

   $ 20.58       $ 11.93       $ 18.83   

September 27, 2009

   $ 23.89       $ 15.97       $ 21.72   

December 27, 2009

   $ 24.57       $ 21.00       $ 22.18   

March 31, 2010

   $ 25.09       $ 19.40       $ 24.66   

July 4, 2010

   $ 27.23       $ 20.74       $ 21.32   

October 3, 2010

   $ 25.50       $ 20.93       $ 25.08   

January 2, 2011

   $ 33.52       $ 24.44       $ 32.12   

through February 14, 2011

   $ 38.21       $ 31.33       $ 37.82   

We have not issued a cash dividend on our common stock since we became a public company and we presently intend to continue this policy. Furthermore, our existing credit facilities (and our new credit facility may) limit our ability to pay dividends. We currently intend to retain any earnings for future growth and, therefore, do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

This prospectus supplement relates to the resale by the selling stockholders identified below of shares of our common stock. We filed the registration statement, of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are a part, pursuant to the provisions of a Securityholder Agreement dated as of July 26, 2004 (referred to herein as the Securityholder Agreement), among Metalmark Capital, LLC, certain institutional stockholders (referred to herein as the Institutional Stockholders), certain members of our senior management and our company, which governs certain relationships among such parties. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Securityholder Agreement” in our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, which is incorporated by reference herein from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, for more information on the terms of, and the parties to, the Securityholder Agreement.

The selling stockholders may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to the prospectus any or all of the shares of common stock owned by them that qualify as “Registrable Securities” under the Securityholder Agreement and registered hereunder, subject to the provisions of the Securityholder Agreement. The selling stockholders, however, make no representations that the shares covered by the prospectus will be offered for sale. We have agreed to keep the registration statement of which the prospectus forms a part effective until the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the date on which the registration statement was declared effective or (ii) the date on which all of the shares covered by the registration statement have been sold to the public.

The table below presents information regarding the selling stockholders and the shares that each such selling stockholder is offering under this prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial ownership is calculated based on 49,990,470 shares of our common stock outstanding as of February 4, 2011. Please carefully read the footnotes located below the selling stockholders table in conjunction with the information presented in the table.

Except as noted in the footnotes to the table below or disclosed under the headings entitled “Board of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Summary Compensation Table — Employment Agreements” or “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, which is incorporated by reference herein from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, no selling stockholder has had, within the past three years, any position, office, or material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates.

 

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     Shares
of
Common
Stock
Beneficially  Owned
Before
Offering(1)(2)
    Shares
of
Common

Stock to
be Sold in
the
Offering
     Shares
of
Common
Stock
Beneficially Owned
After
Offering
 

Name

   Number      Percent     Number      Number      Percent  

MSCP IV, L.P.

     2,557,999 (4)       5.1     2,557,999         0         0.00

c/o Metalmark Capital LLC

1177 Avenue of Americas

New York, NY 10036(3)

             

MSCP IV 892, L.P.

c/o Metalmark Capital LLC

1177 Avenue of Americas

New York, NY 10036(3)

     217,961 (4)       0.4     217,961         0         0.00

MSCI IV, L.P.

     69,909         0.1     69,909         0         0.00

1585 Broadway

New York, NY 10036(3)

             

 

(1) Except as otherwise set forth below, based on 49,990,470 shares of common stock outstanding as of February 4, 2011. In accordance with Rule 13d-3 under Exchange Act, the beneficial ownership with respect to each owner includes options exercisable by such owner within 60 days of December 31, 2010. Information regarding the ownership of our “Institutional Stockholders,” which include Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Partners IV, L.P. (referred to herein as MSCP IV, L.P.), MSDW IV 892 Investors, L.P. (referred to herein as MSCP IV 892, L.P.), and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital Investors IV, L.P. (referred to herein as MSCI IV, L.P.), is derived from a Schedule 13G filed by the beneficial owners with the Commission with respect to the period ended December 31, 2010.
(2) Includes outstanding shares of common stock and shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of fully vested options.
(3) Howard I. Hoffen is a Managing Director of Metalmark and, before giving effect to this offering, exercised sole voting or investment power over 2,820,150 shares, including 12,500 shares subject to options and excluding 5,312 restricted stock units, which are payable in the form of common stock on or after September 16, 2011, beneficially owned by Metalmark. Mr. Hoffen disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares as a result of his employment arrangements with Metalmark, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein ultimately realized.
(4) An affiliate of Metalmark manages MSCP IV, L.P. and MSCP IV 892, L.P. pursuant to a subadvisory agreement (the “Subadvisory Agreement”). For more information on the terms of the Subadvisory Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions — Relationship with Metalmark” in our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, which is incorporated by reference herein from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Under the terms of an underwriting agreement, which we will file as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K and incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, Goldman, Sachs & Co. (or the underwriter) has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 2,845,869 shares of common stock from the selling stockholders.

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriter to purchase shares of common stock depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, including:

 

   

The obligation to purchase all of the shares of common stock offered hereby, if any of the shares are purchased;

 

   

the representations and warranties made by us and the selling stockholders to the underwriter are true;

 

   

there is no material change in our business or in the financial markets; and

 

   

we and the selling stockholders deliver customary closing documents to the underwriter.

The underwriter has agreed to purchase the shares from the selling stockholders at a price per share of $35.82, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement. The underwriter proposes to offer the shares of common stock from time to time for sale in one or more transactions (i) at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, (ii) at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, (iii) at prices related to prevailing market prices, or (iv) at negotiated prices. In connection with the sale of the shares of common stock offered hereby, the underwriter may be deemed to have received compensation in the form of underwriting discounts. The underwriter may effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriter and/or purchasers of shares of common stock for whom they may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principal.

The expenses of the offering that are payable by us are estimated to be approximately $400,000. We have agreed to pay expenses incurred by the selling stockholders in connection with the offering, other than any underwriting discounts and commissions.

Lock-Up Agreements

We and the selling stockholders have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co., subject to certain exceptions, we and they will not directly or indirectly, during the period commencing on the date of this prospectus supplement and ending 14 days thereafter (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock, whether any such transaction described in (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of our common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (3) make any demand for or

 

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exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of our common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock. This restriction will not apply to, among other things:

 

   

transactions relating to shares of common stock or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of this offering,

 

   

the exercise of options to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to the surrender of options to purchase shares of our Common Stock or the payment of cash to satisfy the applicable aggregate exercise price (and applicable withholding taxes, if applicable) required to be paid upon such exercise,

 

   

transactions of shares pursuant to pre-existing plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, and

 

   

transfers of shares of our common stock or common stock equivalents as a bona fide gift or by will or intestacy, including transfers to a trust where the beneficiaries of the trust are drawn solely from a group consisting of the director, officer or significant stockholder and immediate family members thereof, provided that (i) each transferee executes and delivers to the underwriters a lock-up letter and (ii) no party shall be required to, nor shall it voluntarily, file a report under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a filing on Form 5 in certain instances).

Indemnification

We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments that the underwriter may be required to make for these liabilities.

Stabilization and Short Positions

The underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, short sales and purchases to cover positions created by short sales, and purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the common stock, in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

 

   

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

   

A short position involves a sale by the underwriter of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriter is obligated to purchase in the offering, which creates a short position.

 

   

Covering transactions involve purchases of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions.

These stabilizing transactions and covering transactions may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock. As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

Neither we nor the underwriter make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the common

 

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stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriter make any representation that the underwriter will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by the underwriter and one or more of the selling group members participating in this offering, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriter may agree with the selling stockholders to allocate a specific number of shares for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the underwriter on the same basis as other allocations.

Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on the underwriter’s or any selling group member’s web site and any information contained in any other web site maintained by the underwriter or a selling group member is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.

Stamp and Transfer Taxes

If you purchase shares of common stock offered in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp and transfer taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

Relationships

The underwriter has performed and may in the future perform investment banking and advisory services for us or the selling stockholders in the ordinary course of its business, for which it may in the future receive customary fees and expenses.

Foreign Selling Restrictions

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) an offer to the public of any shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this Prospectus (the “Shares”) may not be made in that Relevant Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any Shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

(b) to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriter for any such offer; or

 

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(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of Shares shall result in a requirement for the publication by Issuer or any underwriter of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any Shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any Shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State, and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

United Kingdom

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the Shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Issuer; and

(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Hong Kong

Shares of our common stock may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to shares of our common stock may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares of our common stock which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Singapore

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of shares of our common

 

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stock may not be circulated or distributed, nor may shares of our common stock be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where shares of our common stock are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

Japan

Our common stock has not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law) and the underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports, proxy statements, and other information can be read and copied at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The Securities and Exchange Commission maintains an internet website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC, including EnerSys. These reports, proxy statements and other information can also be read at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 or on our website at www.enersys.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings and is not a part of this prospectus or those filings.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement filed by us with the SEC. The full registration statement can be obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission as indicated above, or from us.

The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with the SEC. This permits us to disclose important information to you by referencing these filed documents. Any information referenced this way is considered part of this prospectus, and any information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to this prospectus and prior to the termination of the particular offering referred to in such prospectus supplement will automatically be deemed to update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents which have been filed with the SEC:

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 (filed on June 1, 2010);

 

   

the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on June 16, 2010 that are incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010;

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended July 4, 2010 (filed August 11, 2010), October 3, 2010 (filed November 9, 2010) and January 2, 2011 (filed February 9, 2011);

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed June 1, 2010 (File No. 10870574), July 1, 2010, July 16, 2010, July 26, 2010 and February 15, 2011; and

 

   

Registration Statements on Form 8-A dated July 26, 2004.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed above and any future filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the exception of any documents deemed not to be filed and any documents filed pursuant to Item 402(a)(8) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

We will provide without charge upon written or oral request to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference to this prospectus (other than exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, EnerSys, 2366 Bernville Road, Reading, Pennsylvania 19605, or by calling EnerSys Investor Relations directly at (610) 236-4040.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement has been passed upon for us by our counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York. Davis Polk  & Wardwell LLP is acting as counsel to the underwriters.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of EnerSys appearing in EnerSys’ Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended March 31, 2010 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of EnerSys’ internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2010, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been incorporated herein by reference, in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

ENERSYS

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

  


EnerSys, from time to time, may offer, issue and sell unsecured debt securities which may be senior or subordinated debt securities, preferred stock and common stock. The debt securities and preferred stock may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock, our preferred stock, our other securities or the debt or equity securities of one or more other entities. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol “ENS.”

We or a selling securityholder may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis.

To the extent that any selling securityholder resells any securities, the selling securityholder may be required to provide you with this prospectus and a prospectus supplement identifying and containing specific information about the selling securityholder and the terms of the securities being offered.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The specific terms of any securities to be offered will be described in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.

Investing in our securities involves risks, including the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and/or any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as discussed on page 2 of this prospectus.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 


Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body 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.

 


Prospectus dated May 19, 2008


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

 

About This Prospectus

     1   

Where You Can Find More Information

     1   

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     1   

EnerSys

     2   

Use of Proceeds

     3   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     3   

Description of Capital Stock

     4   

Description of Debt Securities

     9   

Plan of Distribution

     12   

Legal Matters

     14   

Experts

     14   

In this prospectus, except as otherwise indicated, “EnerSys,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to EnerSys, which is a holding company, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that contains specific information about the terms of that offering, including the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities offered. The prospectus supplement may also add information to this prospectus or update or change information in this prospectus. To the extent that this prospectus is used by any selling securityholder to resell any securities, information with respect to the selling securityholder and the terms of the securities being offered will be contained in a prospectus supplement. 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 carefully this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements, and other information can be read and copied at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains an internet site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC, including EnerSys. These reports, proxy statements and other information can also be read at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 or on our internet site at http://www.enersys.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus and is not a part of this prospectus.

We will provide without charge upon written or oral request to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or all of the documents which are incorporated by reference into this offering (other than exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents). Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, EnerSys, 2366 Bernville Road, Reading, Pennsylvania 19605, or by calling EnerSys Investor Relations directly at (610)  236-4040.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

We have incorporated by reference information into this prospectus. “Incorporate by reference” means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below (excluding any portions of such documents that have been “furnished” but not “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act):

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 (filed on June 13, 2007);

 

   

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended July 1, 2007 (filed August 8, 2007), September 30, 2007 (filed November 7, 2007) and December 30, 2007 (filed on February 7, 2008);

 

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Current Reports on Form 8-K filed April 2, 2007, May 23, 2007 (other than item 7.01 and exhibit 99.2 under item 9.01, which are furnished and not incorporated herein by reference), July 6, 2007, July 20, 2007, August 2, 2007, August 7, 2007 (other than exhibit 99.1 under item 9.01, which is furnished and not incorporated herein by reference), August 31, 2007, December 3, 2007, December 7, 2007, February 28, 2008, February 29, 2008 and May 6, 2008; and

 

   

Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed on July 26, 2004.

We also incorporate by reference all of our filings with the SEC made pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, between the date of this prospectus and the date all of the securities offered hereby are sold or the offering is otherwise terminated, with the exception of any information furnished under Item 2.02 and Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, which is not deemed filed and is not incorporated by reference herein. Any such filings shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference and to be a part of this prospectus from the respective dates of filing of those documents.

ENERSYS

EnerSys is the world’s largest manufacturer, marketer and distributor of industrial batteries. We also manufacture, market and distribute related products such as chargers, power equipment and battery accessories, and we provide related after-market and customer-support services for industrial batteries. Industrial batteries generally are characterized as reserve power batteries or motive power batteries.

Reserve power products are known as network, standby or stationary power batteries and are used primarily for backup power applications to ensure continuous power supply in case of main (primary) power failure or outage. Reserve power batteries are used primarily to supply standby direct current, or DC, operating power for:

 

   

telecommunications systems, such as wireless, wireline and internet access systems, central and local switching systems, satellite stations and radio transmission stations;

 

   

uninterruptible power systems, or UPS, applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, including process control systems;

 

   

specialty power applications, including security systems for premium starting, lighting and ignition applications;

 

   

switchgear and electrical control systems used in electric utilities and energy pipelines; and

 

   

commercial and military aircraft, submarines and tactical military vehicles.

Motive power products are used to provide power for manufacturing, warehousing and other material handling equipment, primarily electric industrial forklift trucks. They compete primarily with propane- and diesel- powered internal combustion engines used principally in the following applications:

 

   

electric industrial forklift trucks in distribution and manufacturing facilities;

 

   

mining equipment, including scoops, coal haulers, shield haulers, underground forklifts, shuttle cars and locomotives; and

 

   

railroad equipment, including diesel locomotive starting, rail car lighting and rail signaling equipment.

Our principal executive offices are located at 2366 Bernville Road, Reading, PA 19605. Our telephone number at that address is (610) 208-1991.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds in the event that the securities are sold by a selling securityholder.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.

 

Nine fiscal

months ended

December 30,

2007(1)


  Fiscal year ended March 31,

 
  2007(2)

    2006(3)

    2005(4)

    2004(5)

    2003

 

2.90

    2.63        2.32        2.59        1.28        2.25   

For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings represent income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of total interest expense and a one-third portion of rental expenses that management believes is representative of interest.

As of the date of this prospectus, we have not issued any shares of preferred stock.

As explained in notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, net income in the above periods included the following pre-tax expenses and income (dollars in thousands):

 

(1) The fiscal nine months ended December 30, 2007 included a pretax charge of $11,402 to facilitate the integration of the recent Energia acquisition into our worldwide operations. The charge is comprised of $6,324 as a restructuring accrual, primarily in Europe, for staff reductions, and $5,078 for a non-cash impairment charge for machinery and equipment.

 

(2) In fiscal 2007, we settled litigation matters that resulted in litigation settlement income, net of related legal fees and expenses, of $3,753 pretax.

 

(3) Pretax restructuring charges recorded in fiscal 2006 were $8,553 which included $6,217 incurred to cover estimated costs in Europe of staff reductions, exiting of a product line, and closing several ancillary locations, $1,063 incurred to cover estimated restructuring programs in Europe related to the newly acquired GAZ facility in Zwickau, Germany, and $1,273 of non-cash write-off of machinery and equipment based on impairment testing.

 

(4) The fiscal 2005 operating results include a pretax charge of $3,622 for the write-off of deferred financing costs, and a pretax charge of $2,400 for a loan prepayment penalty, both of which were incurred as a result of our initial public offering.

 

(5) The fiscal 2004 operating results include a pretax charge of $30,974 that was incurred primarily as a result of a Settlement Agreement, and pretax charges of $21,147 for uncompleted acquisitions (primarily legal and other professional fees), plant closing costs related to the final settlement of labor matters relating to a North American plant closed in fiscal 2002 and a special bonus paid, including related payroll costs, in connection with the March 17, 2004 recapitalization transaction.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General Matters

Our authorized capital stock consists of 135,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which 49,434,419 shares were issued and outstanding as of May 16, 2008 and 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, none of which was outstanding as of May 16, 2008.

The following summary describes the material provisions of our capital stock. This summary is not meant to be a complete description of our capital stock and we urge you to read our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws summarized below may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for shares of common stock.

Common Stock

We have one class of common stock. All holders of shares of common stock are entitled to the same rights and privileges. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on the election or removal of our directors and on all other matters to be voted on by our stockholders.

Holders of shares of common stock are not entitled to any preemptive or preferential rights to subscribe for additional shares of any class of our capital stock. The holders of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, out of funds legally available therefor. Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to share ratably, upon dissolution or liquidation, in the assets available for distribution to holders of shares of common stock after the payment of all prior claims.

Preferred Stock

Our authorized capital stock includes 1,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock, none of which is issued or outstanding. Our board of directors is authorized, without further action by our stockholders, to provide for the issuance of such preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the dividend rate, conversion privileges, voting rights, redemption rights, redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof with respect to each series. Holders of shares of preferred stock may be entitled to receive a preference payment in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our company before any payment is made to the holders of shares of our common stock. In some circumstances, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may render more difficult or tend to discourage a merger, tender offer or proxy contest, the assumption of control by a holder of a large block of our securities or the removal of incumbent management. Upon the affirmative vote of our board of directors, without stockholder approval, we may issue shares of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights that could adversely affect the holders of shares of our common stock. We have no current intention to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control. In general, Section 203 of the Delaware General

 

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Corporation Law prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date such stockholder became an “interested stockholder,” unless:

 

   

prior to such date the board of directors approved either the “business combination” or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an “interested stockholder”;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an “interested stockholder,” the “interested stockholder” owned at least 85% of the voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and certain other stockholders; or

 

   

on or subsequent to such date the “business combination” is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the “interested stockholder.”

A “business combination” includes certain mergers, stock or asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the “interested stockholder.” An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or in the preceding three years, did own) 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock. The statute could prohibit or delay mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire us.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

We have included in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provisions to:

 

   

eliminate the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty, but such provision does not eliminate liability for breaches of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, violations under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; and

 

   

indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, including circumstances in which indemnification is otherwise discretionary.

Acting pursuant to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have entered into agreements with each of our officers and directors to indemnify them to the fullest extent permitted by such provisions and such law. We also are 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 executive officers.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. These provisions also may 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. In addition, investments in our common stock may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions.

 

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors or officers pursuant to the provisions described above, or otherwise, we have been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

Other Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Classified Board of Directors.

Our certificate of incorporation provides for our board of directors to be divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be practicable, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting our entire board of directors. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will be elected each year. Moreover, except as otherwise provided in our Securityholder Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2004 (referred to herein as the Securityholder Agreement), among Metalmark Capital LLC, certain institutional stockholders, certain members of our senior management and our company, stockholders may remove a director only for cause. This provision, when coupled with the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, except as otherwise provided in our Securityholder Agreement, authorizes only our board of directors to fill vacant directorships, preclude a stockholder from removing incumbent directors without cause and simultaneously gaining control of our board of directors by filling the vacancies created by such removal with its own nominees. This provision of our certificate of incorporation may not be amended or repealed by our stockholders except with the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock.

Special Meeting of Stockholders.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by our board of directors or our Chairman of the Board. This provision makes it more difficult for stockholders to take action opposed by our board of directors. This provision of our certificate of incorporation may not be amended or repealed by our stockholders except with the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that no action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of our stockholders may be taken without a meeting, and the power of our stockholders to consent in writing, without a meeting, to the taking of any action is specifically denied. Such provision limits the ability of any stockholder to take action immediately and without prior notice to our board of directors. Such a limitation on a majority stockholder’s ability to act might affect such person’s or entity’s decision to purchase our voting securities. This provision of our certificate of incorporation may not be amended or repealed by the stockholders except with the consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations.

Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice thereof in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, our principal executive offices: in the case of an annual meeting that is called for a date that is within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to such anniversary date or, in the case of a special meeting called for the purpose of electing

 

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directors, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to such special meeting or not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which public disclosure of the date of the meeting is made; and in the case of an annual meeting that is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the date on which public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made. Our bylaws also specify certain requirements for a stockholder’s notice to be in proper written form. These provisions may preclude some stockholders from bringing matters before the stockholders at an annual or special meeting or from making nominations for directors at an annual or special meeting. As set forth below, our bylaws may not be amended or repealed by our stockholders, except with the consent of holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock.

Adjournment of Meetings of Stockholders.

Our bylaws provide that when a meeting of our stockholders is convened, the presiding officer, if directed by our board of directors, may adjourn the meeting if no quorum is present for the transaction of business or if our board of directors determines that adjournment is necessary or appropriate to enable the stockholders to consider fully information that our board of directors determines has not been made sufficiently or timely available to stockholders or to otherwise effectively exercise their voting rights. This provision will, under certain circumstances, make more difficult or delay actions by the stockholders opposed by our board of directors. The effect of such provision could be to delay the timing of a stockholders’ meeting, including in cases where stockholders have brought proposals before the stockholders that are in opposition to those brought by our board of directors and therefore may provide our board of directors with additional flexibility in responding to such stockholder proposals. As set forth below, our bylaws may not be amended or repealed by our stockholders, except with the consent of holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock.

No Cumulative Voting.

The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that stockholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock, and to determine, with respect to any such class or series of preferred stock, the voting powers (if any), designations, powers, preferences, rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferred stock. We have no current intention to issue any shares of preferred stock.

The Delaware General Corporation Law does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of previously authorized shares of our capital stock. However, the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, which will apply so long as our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, require stockholder approval of certain issuances equal to or exceeding 20% of the then outstanding voting power or then outstanding number of shares of our common stock. These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions.

One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of

 

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our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of our management and possibly deprive the stockholders of opportunities to sell their shares of common stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.

Amendment of the Bylaws.

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our bylaws may not be amended or repealed by our stockholders except with the consent of holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock and grants our board of directors the authority to amend and repeal our bylaws without a stockholder vote in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of Delaware or our certificate of incorporation. This provision makes it more difficult for our stockholders to make changes to our bylaws that are opposed by our board of directors. This provision of our certificate of incorporation may not be amended or repealed by our stockholders except with the consent of holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding common stock.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

National City Bank, Cleveland, Ohio, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We may offer senior or subordinated unsecured debt securities, which may be convertible. Our debt securities will be issued under one or more indentures to be entered into between us and a trustee qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

We have summarized certain general features of the debt securities from the indentures. Indenture forms are attached as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The following description of the terms of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions. The particular terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the debt securities, will be described in the related prospectus supplement. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of a particular issue of debt securities, reference must be made to both the related prospectus supplement and to the following description.

General

Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement for the following terms of the debt securities (if applicable):

 

   

title and aggregate principal amount;

 

   

whether the securities will be senior or subordinated;

 

   

applicable subordination provisions, if any;

 

   

conversion or exchange into other securities;

 

   

percentage or percentages of principal amount at which such securities will be issued;

 

   

maturity date(s);

 

   

interest rate(s) or the method for determining the interest rate(s);

 

   

dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable;

 

   

redemption or early repayment provisions;

 

   

authorized denominations;

 

   

form;

 

   

amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such securities will be issued;

 

   

whether such securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities;

 

   

identity of the depositary for global securities;

 

   

whether a temporary security is to be issued with respect to such series and whether any interest payable prior to the issuance of definitive securities of the series will be credited to the account of the persons entitled thereto;

 

   

the terms upon which beneficial interests in a temporary global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for beneficial interests in a definitive global security or for individual definitive securities;

 

   

any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

   

any defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

 

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currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such securities will be payable;

 

   

time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which the purchaser of the securities can select the payment currency;

 

   

securities exchange(s) on which the securities will be listed, if any;

 

   

whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the securities;

 

   

extent to which a secondary market for the securities is expected to develop;

 

   

our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;

 

   

provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

 

   

provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

 

   

provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture; and

 

   

additional terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture.

One or more series of debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. One or more series of debt securities may be variable rate debt securities that may be exchanged for fixed rate debt securities.

United States federal income tax consequences and special considerations, if any, applicable to any such series will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Debt securities may be issued where the amount of principal and/or interest payable is determined by reference to one or more currency exchange rates, commodity prices, equity indices or other factors. Holders of such securities may receive a principal amount or a payment of interest that is greater than or less than the amount of principal or interest otherwise payable on such dates, depending upon the value of the applicable currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors. Information as to the methods for determining the amount of principal or interest, if any, payable on any date, the currencies, commodities, equity indices or other factors to which the amount payable on such date is linked and certain additional United States federal income tax considerations will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The term “debt securities” includes debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars or, if specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in any other freely transferable currency or units based on or relating to foreign currencies.

We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiples thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee identified in the prospectus supplement, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the “depositary”) identified in

 

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the prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon owners of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or a selling securityholder may sell the common stock, preferred stock or any series of debt securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

   

to underwriters or dealers for resale to the public or to institutional investors;

 

   

directly to institutional investors;

 

   

directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser;

 

   

through agents to the public or to institutional investors; or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

The prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

   

the offering terms, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

   

the purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;

 

   

any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

 

   

any public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

If we use underwriters or dealers in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

 

   

privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act;

 

   

at prices related to prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

If underwriters are used in the sale of any securities, the securities may be offered either to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters, or directly by underwriters. Generally, the underwriters’ obligations to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if they purchase any of the securities.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or

 

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to close out any related open borrowings of common shares, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of common shares. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or a post-effective amendment to this registration statement.

If indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, we may sell the securities through agents from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and any commissions we pay to them. Generally, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. We may authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The delayed delivery contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these delayed delivery contracts.

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Agents, underwriters and other third parties described above may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. Agents, underwriters and such other third parties may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Each series of securities will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Any common stock sold will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, upon official notice of issuance. The securities other than the common stock may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York, will provide opinions regarding the authorization and validity of the securities. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP may also provide opinions regarding certain other matters. Any underwriters will also be advised about legal matters by their own counsel, which will be named in the prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of EnerSys appearing in EnerSys’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2007 (including the schedule appearing therein), and EnerSys management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007 included therein, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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