S-3ASR
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2008
Registration No. 333-      
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, DC 20549
 
 
 
 
Form S-3
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
 
 
 
DOVER CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   53-0257888
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 922-1640
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
 
 
 
 
Joseph W. Schmidt, Esq.
Dover Corporation
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 922-1640
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 
 
 
 
Copies to:
 
Carol B. Stubblefield, Esq.
Baker & McKenzie LLP
1114 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
(212) 626-4100
 
 
 
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined by the Registrant.
 
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  o
 
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: þ
 
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  o
 
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box: þ
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer þ
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)          
  Smaller reporting company o
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
                         
            Proposed Maximum
    Proposed Maximum
     
Title of Each Class of
    Amount to
    Offering Price
    Aggregate
    Amount of
Securities to be Registered     be Registered     per Unit     Offering Price     Registration Fee
Debt Securities
    $1,200,000,000(1)     100%(2)     $1,200,000,000(2)     (2)
                         
 
(1) If any Debt Securities are issued at an original issue discount, such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate offering price equal to $1,200,000,000.
 
(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the Registration Fee. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the Registrant is deferring payment of all of the Registration Fee.
 


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PROSPECTUS
 
(COMPANY LOGO)
 
DOVER CORPORATION
 
DEBT SECURITIES
 
 
This prospectus contains a general description of the debt securities that Dover Corporation may offer for sale from time to time in one or more offerings. We will describe the specific terms of the debt securities that we offer, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, in one or more prospectus supplements at the time of each offering.
 
We may sell the debt securities on a continuous or delayed basis directly to investors or through underwriters, dealers or agents, or through a combination of these methods. If any offering involves underwriters, dealers or agents, we will describe our arrangements with them in the prospectus supplement that relates to that offering.
 
This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell the debt securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before you invest in any debt securities, you should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements, as well as the documents incorporated and deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
Investing in our debt securities involves risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus.
 
The date of this prospectus is March 11, 2008.


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
         
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 EX-5: OPINION OF JOSEPH W. SCHMIDT ESQ
 EX-12: STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 EX-23.1: CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 EX-25: FORM T-1
 
 
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement or supplements. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information with respect to this offering. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. You should only assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or supplements is accurate as of the date on the front of the respective document. Our business, properties, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date. We are not, and no underwriter is, making an offer of these debt securities in any state where the offer is not permitted.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended). By using an automatic shelf registration statement, we may, at any time and from time to time, sell debt securities under this prospectus in one or more offerings in an unlimited amount. As allowed by the SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For further information, we refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC’s rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.
 
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer debt securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement or supplements that will describe the specific terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
 
To understand the terms of our debt securities, you should carefully read this document and the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements. Together they provide the specific terms of the debt securities we are offering. You should also read the documents we have referred you to under “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on our company and our business, properties, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The registration statement and exhibits can be read at the SEC’s website or at the SEC as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
 
References in this prospectus to “Dover,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Dover Corporation and its subsidiaries.


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DOVER CORPORATION
 
Dover Corporation, incorporated in 1947 in the State of Delaware, became a publicly traded company in 1955. Dover owns and operates a global portfolio of manufacturing companies providing innovative components and equipment, specialty systems and support services for a variety of applications in the industrial products, engineered systems, fluid management and electronic technologies markets.
 
Dover reports its results in four reportable business segments — Industrial Products, Engineered Systems, Fluid Management and Electronic Technologies.
 
Our corporate headquarters are located at Dover Corporation, 280 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, and our telephone number is (212) 922-1640.
 
Our website is www.dovercorporation.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of this prospectus.
 
RISK FACTORS
 
Our business is subject to risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other SEC filings. It is possible that our business, properties, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks and uncertainties.


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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. In addition, we have filed a registration statement and related exhibits with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or at our website at www.dovercorporation.com. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. In addition, you can inspect reports and other information we file at the office of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. For further information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the New York Stock Exchange, you should call (212) 656-3000.
 
You may also obtain copies of this information at prescribed rates by writing to the public reference section of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room.
 
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus information which we file with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede any inconsistent information in this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC.
 
We incorporate by reference the following documents that we previously filed with the SEC (other than information in such documents that is deemed not to be filed):
 
  •  our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2008 (SEC File No. 001-04018);
 
  •  our current reports on (i) Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2008 (SEC File No. 001-04018) and August 3, 2007 (SEC File No. 001-04018); and (ii) Form 8-K/A filed on November 14, 2007 (SEC File No. 001-04018); and
 
  •  our Proxy Statement for the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders, filed with the SEC on March 6, 2007 (SEC File No. 001-04018).
 
These documents contain important information about our business and our financial performance.
 
We also incorporate by reference any future filings we make with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on or after the date of the filing of the registration statement and prior to the termination of the offering; provided, however, that we are not incorporating by reference any information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K, unless, and to the extent, specified in any such Current Report on Form 8-K. Our future filings with the SEC will automatically update and supersede any inconsistent information in this prospectus.
 
You may obtain a free copy of these filings from us by telephoning or writing to us at the following address and telephone number:
 
Dover Corporation
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (212) 922-1640


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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Statements included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference may constitute “forward-looking statements’’ within the meaning of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this prospectus that are not historical are hereby identified as “forward-looking statements” and may be indicated by words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “supports,” “plans,” “projects,” “expects,” “believes,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “hope,” “forecast,” “management is of the opinion” and similar words or phrases. These statements relate to, among other things, income, earnings, cash flows, changes in operations, operating improvements, industries in which Dover companies operate and the U.S. and global economies. We cannot assure you that any forward-looking statement will be realized, although we believe that we have been prudent in our plans and assumptions. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties, and the possibility of inaccurate assumptions, including the factors discussed under “Risk factors” in our filings with the SEC incorporated by reference. Other important factors to consider in evaluating forward-looking statements include:
 
  •  increasing price and product/service competition by international and domestic competitors, including new entrants;
 
  •  the impact of technological developments and changes on Dover companies, particularly companies in the Electronic Technologies segment;
 
  •  the ability to continue to introduce competitive new products and services on a timely, cost-effective basis;
 
  •  changes in the cost or availability of energy or raw materials;
 
  •  changes in customer demand for Dover products and services;
 
  •  the extent to which Dover companies are successful in expanding into new geographic markets, particularly outside North America;
 
  •  the relative mix of products and services, which impacts margins and operating efficiencies;
 
  •  short-term capacity restraints;
 
  •  the achievement of lower costs and expenses;
 
  •  domestic and foreign governmental and public policy changes including environmental regulations and tax policies (including domestic and international export subsidy programs, research and experimentation credits and other similar programs);
 
  •  unforeseen developments in contingencies such as litigation;
 
  •  protection and validity of patent and other intellectual property rights;
 
  •  the success of the Company’s acquisition program;
 
  •  the cyclical nature of some of Dover’s companies;
 
  •  the impact of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, and their effect on global energy markets;
 
  •  domestic housing industry weakness and related credit market challenges; and
 
  •  geopolitical developments, including possible future terrorist threats, and their effect on the worldwide economy.
 
In addition, forward-looking statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. It is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors and uncertainties.
 
If known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from anticipated, estimated or projected results. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of the document in which they appear. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that we may make from time to time, except as required by law.


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USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include repayment of debt, additions to working capital, capital expenditures, investments in our subsidiaries, possible acquisitions and the repurchase, redemption or retirement of securities, including shares of our common stock. The net proceeds may be temporarily invested or applied to repay short-term or revolving debt prior to use.
 
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
The following table sets forth our historical ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
 
                                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  
 
Ratios of earnings to fixed charges
    7.53       8.30       6.93       7.05       5.29  
 
We have computed these ratios by dividing earnings available for fixed charges for each period by fixed charges for that period. We calculated earnings available for fixed charges by adding pre-tax income from continuing operations and fixed charges. Fixed charges represent the sum of interest expense, including the amount we amortize for debt financing costs, and our estimate of the amount of interest within our rental expense.


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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
The following is a general description of the debt securities that we may offer from time to time. We will issue the debt securities under an indenture between us and a trustee whom we will select, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series. We will describe in a prospectus supplement the particular terms of each series, or of debt securities forming a part of a series, which are offered by that prospectus supplement. If any information in the prospectus supplement differs from the general terms described below, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement with respect to the particular debt securities being offered.
 
The following description of the debt securities summarizes certain of the material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities. This summary is not intended to be a full restatement of all of the terms of the debt securities. We urge you to read the indenture and, with respect to any particular debt securities, the indenture supplement related to such debt securities which will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements, because they, and not this description, will define your rights as a holder of the debt securities.
 
The numerical references in parentheses below are to sections of the indenture. Unless otherwise indicated, terms used in the following summary that are defined in the indenture have the meanings used in the indenture.
 
We conduct substantially all our business through subsidiaries. Although the debt securities are our senior obligations, they are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries. The indenture does not restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to incur indebtedness. Because we are a holding company, our ability to service our indebtedness is dependent on dividends and other payments made to us on our investments in our subsidiaries.
 
General
 
The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities in separate series from time to time without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series. (Section 301) The debt securities will be our unsecured obligations and will rank on parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.
 
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements the price or prices at which the debt securities we will offer will be issued. We will also describe the following terms of such debt securities:
 
  •  the title of the debt securities;
 
  •  any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities or the series of which they are a part;
 
  •  the date or dates on which the principal of any of the debt securities will be payable;
 
  •  the person to whom any interest on any of the debt securities of the series shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name that debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest;
 
  •  the rate or rates at which any of the debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which any interest will be payable and the regular record date for any such interest payable on any interest payment date;
 
  •  the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any of the debt securities will be payable;
 
  •  the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which we may redeem any of the debt securities in whole or in part, at our option;
 
  •  our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase any of the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of the holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the


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  price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which we will redeem or purchase any of the debt securities in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation;
 
  •  the denominations in which any of the debt securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000;
 
  •  if other than the currency of the United States of America, (a) the currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the debt securities will be payable, and (b) the manner in which the equivalent of the principal amount thereof in the currency of the United States of America will be determined for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining the principal amount deemed to be outstanding at any time;
 
  •  if other than the entire principal amount of the debt securities, the portion of the principal amount of any of the debt securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;
 
  •  if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any of the debt securities will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be the principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as of any such date, or, in any such case, the manner in which the deemed principal amount is to be determined;
 
  •  if applicable, that the debt securities, in whole or any specified part, are defeasible pursuant to certain provisions of the indenture and, if other than by a board resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease such securities shall be evidenced;
 
  •  whether any of the debt securities will be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities and, if so, the respective depositaries for the global securities and the form of any legend or legends any such global security will bear in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in the indenture;
 
  •  if different from those described in the indenture, any circumstances under which any global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and any transfer of a global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the names of persons other than the depositary for such global security or its nominee;
 
  •  any addition to or change in the events of default applicable to any of the debt securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal amount of any of the debt securities due and payable;
 
  •  any addition to or change in the covenants in the indenture applicable to any of the debt securities; and
 
  •  any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture. (Section 301)
 
We may sell debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at a substantial discount below their principal amount. We may describe in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements certain special United States federal income tax considerations, if any, applicable to debt securities sold at an original issue discount. In addition, we may describe in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements certain special United States federal income tax or other considerations, if any, applicable to any debt securities which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars.
 
Form, Exchange and Transfer
 
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. (Section 302)


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At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities, debt securities of each series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount. (Section 305)
 
Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities, holders may present debt securities for exchange as provided above or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for such purpose. Holders will not incur any service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities. We may require, however, payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with such registration. Such transfer or exchange will occur at such time as the security registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We have appointed the trustee as security registrar. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements any transfer agent, in addition to the security registrar, we initially designate for any debt securities. (Section 305) We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series. (Section 1002)
 
If the debt securities of any series, or of any series and specified terms, are to be redeemed in part, we will not be required to:
 
  •  issue, register the transfer of or exchange any security of that series, or of that series and specified terms, as the case may be, during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such security that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing; or
 
  •  register the transfer of or exchange any security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such security being redeemed in part. (Section 305)
 
Global Securities
 
Some or all of the debt securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more global securities which will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the debt securities represented thereby. Each global security (a) will be registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee of such depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements, (b) will be deposited with such depositary or nominee or a custodian, and (c) will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer of such security referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the indenture.
 
Notwithstanding any provision of the indenture or any security described here, no global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities registered, and no transfer of a global security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any person other than the depositary for such global security or any nominee of such depositary unless:
 
  •  the depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global security or has ceased to be qualified to act as a depositary as required by the indenture;
 
  •  there has occurred and is continuing an event of default with respect to the debt securities represented by such global security; or
 
  •  there exist such circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of those described above as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
All securities issued in exchange for a global security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the depositary may direct. (Sections 204 and 305)
 
As long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a global security, we will consider the depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, to be the sole owner and holder of such global security


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and the debt securities represented thereby for all purposes under the debt securities and the indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not:
 
  •  be entitled to have such global security or any debt securities represented thereby registered in their names;
 
  •  receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated debt securities in exchange therefor; or
 
  •  be considered to be the owners or holders of such global security or any debt securities represented thereby for any purpose under the debt securities or the indenture.
 
We will make all payments of principal of and any premium and interest on a global security to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the holder of such security. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
 
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to institutions that have accounts with the depositary or its nominee, and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through these institutions. These institutions are called participants. In connection with the issuance of any global security, the depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by (a) the depositary, with respect to participants’ interests, or (b) any such participant, with respect to interests of persons held by such participant on their behalf. Payments, transfers, exchanges and others matters relating to beneficial interests in a global security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the depositary from time to time. We, the trustee and any of our agents will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.
 
Payment and Paying Agents
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name such security, or one or more predecessor securities, is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest. (Section 307)
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at our option payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to such payment as such address appears in the security register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements the corporate trust office of the trustee in The City of New York will be designated as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. Any other paying agents we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series. (Section 1002)
 
All moneys we pay to a paying agent for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of such security after such time may look only to us for payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on the security. (Section 1003)


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Covenants
 
The indenture contains the following covenants:
 
Limitation on Secured Debt
 
We may not, and may not permit any restricted subsidiary to, incur or guarantee any evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed secured by a lien on any (a) principal property or any part thereof, (b) capital stock of a restricted subsidiary we or any restricted subsidiary now own or hereafter acquire or (c) debt of a restricted subsidiary owed to us or any of our restricted subsidiaries, except if:
 
  •  we effectively provide that the debt securities are secured equally and ratably with, or, at our option, prior to, such secured debt; and
 
  •  any other debt required to be so secured, unless the aggregate amount of all such secured debt, plus all our and our restricted subsidiaries’ attributable debt with respect to sale and leaseback transactions involving principal properties (with the exception of such transactions which are excluded under the indenture), would not exceed 10% of our consolidated net tangible assets.
 
The foregoing restriction will not apply to, and we will exclude from debt in any computation under such restriction, the following items:
 
  •  debt secured by a lien in our favor or in favor of a restricted subsidiary;
 
  •  debt secured by a lien in favor of governmental bodies to secure progress or advance payments or payments pursuant to contracts or statute;
 
  •  debt secured by a lien on property, capital stock or debt existing at the time of acquisition thereof, including acquisition through merger, consolidation or otherwise;
 
  •  debt incurred or guaranteed to finance the acquisition of property, capital stock or debt, or to finance construction on, or improvement or expansion of, property, which debt is incurred within 180 days of such acquisition or completion of construction, improvement or expansion, and is secured solely by a lien on the property, capital stock or debt acquired, constructed, improved or expanded;
 
  •  debt consisting of industrial revenue or pollution control bonds or similar financing secured solely by a lien on the property the subject thereof; or
 
  •  any extension, renewal or replacement of any debt referred to in the third and fourth clauses above. (Section 1008)
 
Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
 
Neither we nor any restricted subsidiary may enter into any sale and leaseback transaction involving any principal property or any part thereof after the date of the indenture unless the aggregate amount of all our attributable debt and that of our restricted subsidiaries with respect to such transactions plus all secured debt to which the restrictions described above apply would not exceed 10% of our consolidated net tangible assets.
 
The foregoing restriction will not apply to any sale and leaseback transaction, and we will exclude any sale and leaseback transaction from attributable debt in any computation under such restriction, if:
 
  •  the lease is for a period of three years or less, including renewal rights;
 
  •  the lease secures or relates to industrial revenue or pollution control bonds or similar financing;
 
  •  the transaction is between us and a restricted subsidiary or between restricted subsidiaries; or
 
  •  we or such restricted subsidiary, within 180 days after the sale is completed, applies an amount equal to the greater of (A) the net proceeds of the sale of the principal property leased or (B) the fair market value of the principal property leased either to (1) the retirement of debt securities, other of our funded debt ranking on a parity with the debt securities, or funded debt of a restricted subsidiary or (2) the purchase of other property which will constitute a principal property having a value at least equal to the value of the principal property leased. (Section 1009)


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Mergers, Consolidations and Certain Sales of Assets
 
We will not, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other person or sell, assign, convey, transfer or lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person or group of affiliated persons or permit any of our restricted subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or transactions if such transaction or transactions, in the aggregate, would result in a sale, assignment, transfer, lease or disposal of all or substantially all of our and our restricted subsidiaries’ properties and assets on a consolidated basis to any other person or group of affiliated persons, unless the following conditions, among others, are met. In a transaction in which we do not survive or in which we sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, our successor entity must be organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia and must expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the trustee in form satisfactory to the trustee, all of our obligations under the indenture. Immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction and treating any debt which becomes our or our restricted subsidiary’s obligation as a result of such transaction as if incurred at the time of the transaction, no event of default or event that with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an event of default can have occurred and be continuing. If, as a result of any such transaction, our property or assets or that of any restricted subsidiary would become subject to a lien prohibited by the provisions of the indenture, we or our successor entity must have secured the debt securities as required by the indenture.
 
Events of Default
 
Each of the following will constitute an event of default under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series:
 
  •  failure to pay principal of or any premium on any security of that series when due;
 
  •  failure to pay any interest on any debt securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days;
 
  •  failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any security of that series;
 
  •  failure to perform any other of our covenants in the indenture, other than a covenant included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series, continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the trustee, or the holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, as provided in the indenture; and
 
  •  certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization involving us or any restricted subsidiary. (Section 501)
 
If an event of default, other than the last event of default described in the paragraph above, with respect to the debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series by notice as provided in the indenture may declare the principal amount of the debt securities of that series, or, in the case of any security that is an original issue discount security or the principal amount of which is not then determinable, such portion of the principal amount of such security, or such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as may be specified in the terms of such security, to be due and payable immediately. If the last event of default described in the paragraph above with respect to the debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series, or, in the case of any such original issue discount security or other security, such specified amount, will automatically, and without any action by the trustee or any holder, become immediately due and payable. After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, or other specified amount, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 502)
 
Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee in case an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under


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the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603) Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 512)
 
No holder of a security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:
 
  •  such holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series;
 
  •  the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holder or holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and
 
  •  the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer. (Section 507)
 
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of a security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such security on or after the applicable due date specified in such security. (Section 508)
 
We will furnish to the trustee annually a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults. (Section 1004)
 
Modification and Waiver
 
Supplemental Indentures Requiring Consent of Holders
 
We (with the authorization of our board of directors) and the trustee may make modifications and amendments to the indenture with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment, provided that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding security affected by such modification or amendment:
 
  •  change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any security;
 
  •  reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any security;
 
  •  reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any other security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;
 
  •  change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any security;
 
  •  impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any security;
 
  •  reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indenture;
 
  •  reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or
 
  •  modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver except to increase percentages or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of each holder affected thereby. (Section 902)


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Supplemental Indentures Not Requiring Consent of Holders
 
Without the consent of any holders of debt securities, we and the trustee may supplement the indenture, among other things, to:
 
  •  evidence that another entity has succeeded us and assumed the covenants and obligations of us under the debt securities and the indenture;
 
  •  add covenants for the benefit of the holders of debt securities, or to surrender any right or power conferred to us under the indenture;
 
  •  add additional events of default for the benefit of holders of debt securities;
 
  •  add to or change any provision in the indenture to the extent necessary for the debt securities to be issued in bearer form, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit the issuance of debt securities in uncertificated form; or
 
  •  modify or eliminate any provision of the indenture in respect of the debt securities; provided that such modification (A) will not apply to any debt security created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of the existing provision, nor modify the rights of the holder of any debt securities with respect to the existing provision or (B) will only become effective with there is no such debt security outstanding.
 
  •  pledge property to the trustee as security for the debt securities;
 
  •  establish the form and terms of any series of debt securities as permitted by in the indenture;
 
  •  evidence any change of the trustee with respect to any series of debt securities, or provide for the administration of the trusts under the indenture by an additional trustee; or
 
  •  cure any ambiguity, correct or supplement any provision in the indenture that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision in the indenture or make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture; provided that the interests of the holders of the debt securities are not adversely affected. (Section 901)
 
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive our compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. (Section 1010) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions of the indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding security of such series affected. (Section 513)
 
The indenture provides that in determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have given or taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the indenture as of any date:
 
  •  the principal amount of an original issue discount security that will be deemed to be outstanding will be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the maturity thereof to such date;
 
  •  if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of a security is not determinable, for example, because it is based on an index, the principal amount of such security deemed to be outstanding as of such date will be an amount determined in the manner prescribed for such security; and
 
  •  the principal amount of a security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be outstanding will be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for such security, of the principal amount of such security, or, in the case of a security described in either of the first two clauses above, of the amount described in that clause. Certain debt securities, including those for whose payment or redemption money has been deposited or


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  set aside in trust for the holders and those that have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1302 of the indenture, will not be deemed to be outstanding. (Section 101)
 
Except in certain limited circumstances, we will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by holders of a particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding debt securities of that series on the record date. Holders of the requisite principal amount of such debt securities within a specified period following the record date must take such action for it to be effective. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such period as we may specify, or as the trustee may specify, if it set the record date, and may be shortened or lengthened, but not beyond 180 days, from time to time. (Section 104)
 
Redemption
 
The specific terms of any redemption of a series of debt securities will be contained in the prospectus supplement or supplements for that series. Generally, we must send notice of redemption to the holders at least 30 days but not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. The notice will specify:
 
  •  the principal amount being redeemed;
 
  •  the redemption date;
 
  •  the redemption price;
 
  •  the place or places of payment;
 
  •  the CUSIP number of the debt securities being redeemed;
 
  •  whether the redemption is pursuant to a sinking fund;
 
  •  that on the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue; and
 
  •  if bearer debt securities are being redeemed, that those bearer debt securities must be accompanied by all coupons maturing after the redemption date or the amount of the missing coupons will be deducted from the redemption price, or indemnity must be furnished, and whether those bearer debt securities may be exchanged for registered debt securities not being redeemed. (Section 1104)
 
On or before any redemption date, we will deposit an amount of money with the trustee or with a paying agent sufficient to pay the redemption price. (Section 1105)
 
If less than all the debt securities are being redeemed, the trustee shall select the debt securities to be redeemed using a method it considers fair. (Section 1103) After the redemption date, such securities shall cease to bear interest, and holders of debt securities which were redeemed will have no rights with respect to the debt securities except the right to receive the redemption price and any unpaid interest to the redemption date. (Section 1106)
 
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
 
If and to the extent indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements, we may elect, at our option at any time, to have certain provisions of the indenture relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness or defeasance of certain restrictive covenants in the indenture, applied to the debt securities of any series, or to any specified part of a series. (Section 1301)
 
Defeasance and Discharge
 
The indenture provides that, upon our exercise of our option, if any, to have Section 1302 of the indenture applied to any debt securities, we will be discharged from all our obligations with respect to such debt securities, except for certain obligations to exchange or register the transfer of debt securities, to replace


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stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust, upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities of money or U.S. Government obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such debt securities on the respective stated maturities in accordance with the terms of the indenture and such debt securities. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things:
 
  •  we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
 
  •  there has been a change in tax law;
 
in either case to the effect that holders of such debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur. (Sections 1302 and 1304)
 
Defeasance of Certain Covenants
 
The indenture provides that, upon our exercise of our option, if any, to have Section 1303 of the indenture applied to any debt securities, we may omit to comply with certain restrictive covenants, including any that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements, and the occurrence of certain events of default, including any that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements, will be deemed not to be or result in an event of default, in each case with respect to such debt securities. We, in order to exercise such option, will be required to deposit, in trust for the benefit of the holders of such debt securities, money or U.S. Government obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such debt securities on the respective stated maturities in accordance with the terms of the indenture and such debt securities. We will also be required, among other things, to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders of such debt securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In the event we exercised this option with respect to any debt securities and such debt securities were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, the amount of money and U.S. Government obligations so deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of their respective stated maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities upon any acceleration resulting from such event of default. In such case, we would remain liable for such payments. (Sections 1303 and 1304)
 
Notices
 
We will provide notices to holders of debt securities by mail to the addresses of such holders as they may appear in the security register. (Sections 101 and 106)
 
Title
 
We, the trustee and any of our agents or those of the trustee may treat the person in whose name a security is registered as the absolute owner of such security, whether or not such security may be overdue, for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308)
 
Governing Law
 
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112)


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Certain Definitions
 
Set forth below is a summary of certain defined terms used in the indenture. Reference is made to the indenture for the full definition of all such terms, as well as any other terms used herein for which no definition is provided. (Section 101)
 
“Attributable Debt” means, with respect to a lease in a sale and leaseback transaction, the total net amount of rent required to be paid during the remaining primary term of such lease, discounted at a rate per annum equal to 6.45% calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices. The net amount of rent required to be paid under any such lease for any such period will be the aggregate amount of rent payable by the lessee with respect to such period after excluding amounts required to be paid on account of maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, utility, operating and labor costs and similar charges.
 
“Capital Stock” of any person means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or other equity participation, including partnership interests, whether general or limited, of such person.
 
“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the aggregate amount of our assets and that of our subsidiaries after deducting (a) all liabilities other than deferred income taxes, commercial paper, short-term bank debt, funded debt and shareholders’ equity, and (b) all goodwill and other intangibles.
 
“Funded Debt” means (a) all debt having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date as of which the determination is made or having a maturity of 12 months or less but by its terms being renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower and (b) rental obligations payable more than 12 months from such date under leases which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, such rental obligations to be included as funded debt at the amount so capitalized at the date of such computation and to be included for the purposes of the definition of consolidated net tangible assets both as an asset and as funded debt at the amount so capitalized.
 
“Lien” means, with respect to any property or assets, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement, other than any easement not materially impairing usefulness or marketability, encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement, or any equivalent of any of the foregoing under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction, on or with respect to such property or assets, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing.
 
“Principal Property” means any facility we or any restricted subsidiary owns the gross book value of which, including related land, improvements, machinery and equipment so owned, without deduction of any depreciation reserves, on the date as of which the determination is being made exceeds 1% of consolidated net tangible assets.
 
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any subsidiary which owns a principal property.
 
“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement with any lender or investor or to which such lender or investor is a party providing for the leasing by such person of any property or asset of such person which has been or is being sold or transferred by such person more than 180 days after the acquisition thereof or the completion of construction or commencement of operation thereof to such lender or investor or to any person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such property or asset. The stated maturity of such arrangement will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such arrangement prior to the first date on which such arrangement may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.
 
“Subsidiary” means (a) a corporation more than 50% of the voting stock of which we and/or one or more subsidiaries owns or (b) any other person (other than a corporation) of which we and/or one or more subsidiaries has at least a majority ownership and power to direct the policies, management and affairs.


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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We may sell the debt securities offered pursuant to this prospectus in any of the following ways:
 
  •  directly to one or more purchasers;
 
  •  through agents;
 
  •  through underwriters, brokers or dealers; or
 
  •  through a combination of any of these methods of sale.
 
We will identify the specific plan of distribution, including any underwriters, brokers, dealers, agents or direct purchasers and their compensation in a prospectus supplement.


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LEGAL MATTERS
 
The validity of the debt securities offered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or supplements will be passed upon for us by Joseph W. Schmidt, Esq., our Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.
 
EXPERTS
 
The financial statements, financial statement schedule, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of that firm as experts in auditing and accounting.


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PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
Item 14   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
 
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred by the Registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of debt securities registered under this registration statement. All amounts shown are estimates, except the registration fee.
 
         
Item
  Amount  
 
SEC registration fee
    (1 )
Printing expenses
  $ 100,000  
Legal fees and expenses
    150,000  
Accounting fees and expenses
    30,000  
Trustee fees and expenses
    25,000  
Rating agency fees
    450,000  
Miscellaneous expenses
    40,000  
         
Total
  $ 795,000  
         
 
 
(1) In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), we are deferring payment of all of the Registration Fee.
 
Item 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
 
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally provides that a corporation is empowered to indemnify any person who is or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the company or is or was serving, at the request of the company, in any of such capacities of another corporation or other enterprise, if such director, officer, employee or agent acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The statute describes in detail the right of the company to indemnify any such person. Article XII of the Registrant’s by-laws provides for indemnification of the Registrant’s directors, officers, employees and agents for expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement with respect to threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings to the full extent permitted under the laws of the state of Delaware. Article SEVENTEENTH of the Registrant’s restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, eliminates the liability of directors to the fullest extent permitted under the above-referenced Delaware statute.
 
The Registrant has in effect a policy insuring itself, its subsidiaries and their respective directors and officers, to the extent they may be required or permitted to indemnify such officers or directors, against certain liabilities arising from acts or omissions in the discharge of their duties that they become legally obligated to pay.


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Item 16.   Exhibits.
 
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.
 
         
Exhibit
   
No.
 
Description
 
  1 .1   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities. (1)
  3(i)(a)     Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1998 (SEC File No. 001-04018), is incorporated by reference.
  3(i)(b)     Certificate of Correction to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of January 24, 2002, filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2002 (SEC File No. 001-04018), is incorporated by reference.
  3(ii)     By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended and restated as of February 14, 2008, filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 19, 2008 (SEC File No. 001-04018), are incorporated by reference.
  4 .1   Indenture between the Registrant and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of February 8, 2001, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2001 (SEC File No. 001-04018), is incorporated by reference.
  4 .2   First Supplemental Indenture between the Registrant and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (formerly known as Bank One Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee, and The Bank of New York, as Series Trustee, dated as of October 13, 2005, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2005 (SEC File No. 001-04018), is incorporated by reference.
  4 .3   Form of Debt Securities. (1)
  5     Opinion of Joseph W. Schmidt, Esq., Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Registrant, with respect to legality.
  12     Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
  23 .1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  23 .2   Consent of Joseph W. Schmidt, Esq., Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Registrant (set forth in Exhibit 5).
  24     Power of attorney (included on the signature page of the Registration Statement).
  25     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee.
 
 
(1) To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference or by post-effective amendment.
 
Item 17.   Undertakings.
 
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and


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(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
Provided, however, That paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 (§ 239.13 of this chapter) or Form F-3 (§ 239.33 of this chapter) and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) (§ 230.424(b) of this chapter) that is part of the registration statement.
 
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
 
(i) If the Registrant is relying on Rule 430B (§ 230.430B of this chapter):
 
(A) Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) (§ 230.424(b)(3) of this chapter) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
 
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) (§ 230.424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) of this chapter) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) (§ 230.415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) of this chapter) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
 
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
 
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (§ 230.424 of this chapter);
 
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned Registrant;


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(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
 
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
 
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
(d) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in New York, New York, on March 11, 2008.
 
DOVER CORPORATION
 
  By: 
/s/  Ronald L. Hoffman
Ronald L. Hoffman
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitute and appoint Ronald L. Hoffman, Robert G. Kuhbach and Joseph W. Schmidt, or each one of them, as such person’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for such person and in such person’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments and post-effective amendments to this registration statement and any related registration statement filed pursuant to rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as that person might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent or any substitute therefore may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on March 11, 2008.
 
         
Signatures
 
Title
 
     
/s/  Ronald L. Hoffman

Ronald L. Hoffman
  Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/  Robert G. Kuhbach

Robert G. Kuhbach
  Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
     
/s/  Raymond T. McKay, Jr.

Raymond T. McKay, Jr.
  Vice President, Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
     
/s/  Thomas L. Reece

Thomas L. Reece
  Chairman, Board of Directors
     
/s/  David H. Benson

David H. Benson
  Director
     
/s/  Robert W. Cremin

Robert W. Cremin
  Director
     
/s/  Thomas J. Derosa

Thomas J. Derosa
  Director


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Signatures
 
Title
 
     
/s/  Jean Pierre M. Ergas

Jean Pierre M. Ergas
  Director
     
/s/  Peter T. Francis

Peter T. Francis
  Director
     
/s/  Kristiane C. Graham

Kristiane C. Graham
  Director
     
/s/  James L. Koley

James L. Koley
  Director
     
/s/  Richard K. Lochridge

Richard K. Lochridge
  Director
     
/s/  Bernard G. Rethore

Bernard G. Rethore
  Director
     
/s/  Michael B. Stubbs

Michael B. Stubbs
  Director
     
/s/  Mary A. Winston

Mary A. Winston
  Director

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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
Exhibit
   
No.
 
Description
 
  1 .1   Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities.(1)
  3(i)(a)     Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1998 (SEC File No. 001-04018), is incorporated by reference.
  3(i)(b)     Certificate of Correction to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of January 24, 2002, filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2002 (SEC File No. 001-04018), is incorporated by reference.
  3(ii)     By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended and restated as of February 14, 2008, filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 19, 2008 (SEC File No. 001-04018), are incorporated by reference.
  4 .1   Indenture between the Registrant and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of February 8, 2001, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2001 (SEC File No. 001-04018), is incorporated by reference.
  4 .2   First Supplemental Indenture between the Registrant and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association (formerly known as Bank One Trust Company, N.A.), as Trustee, and The Bank of New York, as Series Trustee, dated as of October 13, 2005, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s current report on Form 8-K filed October 18, 2005 (SEC File No. 001-04018), is incorporated by reference.
  4 .3   Form of Debt Securities.(1)
  5     Opinion of Joseph W. Schmidt, Esq., Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Registrant, with respect to legality.
  12     Statement regarding computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
  23 .1   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
  23 .2   Consent of Joseph W. Schmidt, Esq., Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Registrant (set forth in Exhibit 5).
  24     Power of attorney (included on the signature page of the Registration Statement).
  25     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee.
 
 
(1) To be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference or by post-effective amendment.