UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]
Check the appropriate box:
[_] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Proxy Statement
[_] Definitive Additional Materials
[X] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 210.14a-12
Filing by:
AMERICAN WATER WORKS COMPANY, INC.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of each Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________________________________________________________________
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
________________________________________________________________________________
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
________________________________________________________________________________
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
________________________________________________________________________________
5) Total fee paid:
________________________________________________________________________________
[_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
________________________________________________________________________________
[_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount previously paid:
________________________________________________________________________________
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
________________________________________________________________________________
3) Filing Party:
________________________________________________________________________________
4) Date Filed:
________________________________________________________________________________
[The following is an excerpt from Illinois-American & Iowa-American Water
Companies' internal newsletter dated Friday, September 28, 2001:]
[Logo]
Jim Barr Holds Open Forum
American Water's Jim Barr, Ellen Wolf and Nancy Macenko were in Champaign
Wednesday for a meeting with managers of Illinois-American, Iowa-American,
Indiana-American and Missouri-American.
Representing Illinois-American were: Terry Gloriod, Doug Mitchem, Fred
Ruckman, Gary Mendenhall, Terry Mackin, Karen Cooper, David Baker, Kevin
Hillen, Randy West, Mike Lawhon, Barry Suits and Connie Reese.
Representing Iowa-American were Brock Earnhardt and Charlie Jones.
As part of a "cascading" communications program, attendees are being asked to
share and communicate their insights from the meeting to their associates.
Some highlights of Wednesday's meeting:
o Barr, Wolf and Macenko were in Charleston, West Virginia on Tuesday and
Hershey, PA on Thursday. They are in Haddon Heights, NJ, today to hold
similar meetings with management associates.
o Barr said American Water Works was not for sale. The company was not
being marketed. He was first approached by RWE AG by phone in May when he
was attending the annual Business Forum in Annapolis, MD. The first
meeting between American Water and RWE AG was the Friday before Memorial
Day (May 25).
o Barr and Wolf were in New York City on Sept. 10. They flew home that
evening. Barr remembers looking at the World Trade Center as he left the
city, not knowing the tragedy that would happen the next morning.
o Barr said there were three key factors that had to be answered before he
would seriously consider discussing a sale: 1) The full value of the
company; 2) A continued commitment to customers and communities served;
3) A commitment to the people of American Water.
o Barr believes there will be four key factors that will be discussed
intensely during the regulatory process: 1) Foreign ownership; 2) Premium
recovery; 3) Communities involvement-customer service; 4) People - what
happens to them? "I believe we can answer those concerns relatively
easy," said Barr. "I can assure you there will not be a rate increase
associated with this acquisition."
o Barr said he and Voorhees staff would work hard to keep everyone informed
during the approval and transition process. "No question should go
unanswered," he said. He mentioned a newsletter would be sent to all
associates. The first issue was received via e-mail Thursday.
[Logo]
RWE Acquisition Update #2
October 2, 2001
This is one in a series of updates on the RWE/Thames acquisition for
Associates of American Water. Frequent updates will be distributed in the
coming weeks via email. They will then be archived, along with other
materials, in the "RWE Acquisition Update" database on Lotus Notes.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:
We've heard so many times over the years that the Company was not for sale.
How could this be true in light of the agreement with RWE?
The fact is, our Company has not been for sale. Even when representatives of
RWE first approached us at the end of May 2001, we were not looking for a
buyer. However, the officers and directors of the Company have an obligation
to act in the best interests of our shareholders. RWE came to us with an
attractive offer and our Board of Directors unanimously agreed to recommend
the transaction to our shareholders.
If the initial contact was made in May, why did it take until September 16 to
arrive at an agreement?
The Company insisted that three equally key elements be addressed before any
agreement could be reached. First, the full value of the company had to be
acknowledged; second the contributions of American Water Associates and
retirees had to be recognized and third, there had to be a continued
commitment to our customers and the communities we serve. Various aspects of
those elements and other important terms, had to be thoroughly explored and
detailed before an agreement could be reached.
What are the most common questions that we have been asked about this
transaction?
The questions fall into four areas: Proposed foreign ownership; the recovery
of the purchase price; commitment to the community and customer service; and
staffing levels upon the completion of the transaction. In the coming days, as
responses are developed, we will pass them along to you.
Continued . . .
When will the offer be presented to shareholders?
Before the shareholders can meet to vote on the transaction, a proxy statement
and other related documents need to be prepared and distributed to all
shareholders. The proxy statement will explain the terms of the merger
agreement that the shareholders are being asked to approve. That process is
expected to take several months to complete. That means the special meeting of
the shareholders on the transaction will probably not be held until early
2002.
What if another company comes along with a better offer. Could we accept it?
The agreement permits the Board of Directors to accept a better agreement, as
part of its fiduciary duties, anytime before the shareholder vote is taken.
There would be a substantial fee payable by the company associated with such a
decision, but it is permitted.
Will the Unions continue to exist after the transaction closes?
Yes. The Unions and all collective bargaining agreements will be recognized
and honored by RWE.
Once the transaction is complete, will my years of service be carried forward?
Yes, your years of service will continue unchanged.
* * *
American Water Works Company, Inc. (the "Company"), RWE
Aktiengesellschaft, a company organized under the laws of the Federal Republic
of Germany ("Guarantor"), Thames Water Aqua Holdings GmbH, a company organized
under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Guarantor ("Parent"), and Apollo Acquisition Company, a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent ("Sub") have entered into
an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 16, 2001, pursuant to
which Sub will be merged with and into the Company with the Company surviving
the merger (the "Merger"). In connection with the Merger, the Company will be
filing a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"). SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT
WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING
THE MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy
statement when it becomes available and other documents filed by the Company
with the SEC in connection with the Merger at the SEC's web site at
www.sec.gov. Security holders of the Company may also obtain for free a copy
of the proxy statement and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company
in connection with the Merger by contacting Nancy A. Macenko, Vice President
External Affairs, at (856) 566-4026.
The Company and its subsidiaries and their respective directors and
executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies from the Company's stockholders in favor of the Merger. These
directors include the following: Marilyn Ware, Gerald C. Smith, J. James Barr,
Henry G. Hager, Ross A. Webber, Frederick S. Kirkpatrick, Paul W. Ware, Nancy
Ware Wainwright, Ray J. Groves, Elizabeth H. Gemmill, William S. White,
Anthony P. Terracciano, William O. Albertini, Rhoda W. Cobb and Horace
Wilkins, Jr. and these officers include Joseph F. Hartnett, Jr., Daniel L.
Kelleher, W. Timothy Pohl, Robert D. Sievers, Ellen C. Wolf, Nancy A. Macenko
and James E. Harrison. Collectively, as of March 5, 2001, the directors and
executive officers of the Company may be deemed to beneficially own
approximately 21.9% of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock
and under 5% of the outstanding shares of the Company's Cumulative Preferred
Stock, 5% Series. Stockholders of the Company may obtain additional
information regarding the interests of the participants by reading the proxy
statement when it becomes available.
Forward looking statements in this report, including, without
limitation, statements relating to the Company's plans, strategies,
objectives, expectations, intentions and adequacy of resources, are made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward looking statements involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
such forward looking statements. These factors include, among others, the
following: the success of pending applications for rate increases, inability
to obtain, or to meet conditions imposed for, regulatory approval of pending
acquisitions, weather conditions that tend to extremes of temperature or
duration; availability, terms and development of capital; business abilities
and judgment of personnel; changes in, or the failure to comply with
governmental regulations, particularly those affecting the environment and
water quality; competition; success of operating initiatives, advertising and
promotional efforts; existence of adverse publicity or litigation; changes in
business strategy or plans; quality of management; general economic and
business conditions; the ability to satisfy the conditions to closing set
forth in the definitive agreement; and other factors described in filings of
the Company with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
update or revise any forward looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.