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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 10,October 11, 2019

Registration No. 333-            333-233699


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO

FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



Hillenbrand, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Indiana
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 3990
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
 26-1342272
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

One Batesville Boulevard
Batesville, Indiana 47006
(812) 934-7500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)



Nicholas R. Farrell
Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary & Chief Compliance Officer
One Batesville Boulevard
Batesville, Indiana 47006
(812) 934-7500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



Copies of all communications, including communications sent to agent for service, should be sent to:

Charles W. Mulaney, Jr.
Richard C. Witzel, Jr.
Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP
155 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 407-0700

 

Hugh O'Donnell
Vice President, General
Counsel & Secretary
Milacron Holdings Corp.
10200 Alliance Road, Suite 200
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
(513) 487-5000

 

David M. Blittner
Paul S. Scrivano
Sarah H. Young
Ropes & Gray LLP
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
(212) 596-9000



Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective and all other conditions to the proposed merger described in the enclosed proxy statement/prospectus have been satisfied or waived.

         If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box.    o

         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(d) 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

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ý Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o

Emerging growth company o

         If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. o

         If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:

         Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer) o

         Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer) o



CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

        
 
Title of Each Class of Securities
to Be Registered

 Amount to Be
Registered

 Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per
Share

 Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price

 Amount of
Registration Fee

 

Common Stock, without par value

 12,192,747(1) N/A $307,087,791.95(2) $37,219.04(3)

 

(1)
Represents the estimated maximum number of shares of the registrant's common stock, without par value, to be issued in connection with the merger described herein.

(2)
Pursuant to Rules 457(c), 457(f)(1) and 457(f)(3) promulgated under the Securities Act and solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price is equal to (1) the product of (a) $15.86, the average of the high and low prices of common stock of Milacron Holdings Corp., par value $0.01, or Milacron common stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on September 3, 2019, and (b) 75,637,387, the estimated maximum number of shares of Milacron common stock, including shares underlying certain Milacron equity awards, that may be exchanged for merger consideration, less (2) $892,521,168.73, the estimated amount of cash consideration to be paid by the registrant in connection with the merger.

(3)
Computed in accordance with Rules 457(c) and 457(f) under the Securities Act to be $37,219.04, which is equal to 0.0001212 multiplied by the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of $307,087,791.95.



         The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

   


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The information in this proxy statement/prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell the securities offered by this proxy statement/prospectus until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction where an offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

PRELIMINARY, SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 10,OCTOBER 11, 2019

LOGO


TRANSACTION PROPOSED—YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

Dear Stockholders:

         On July 12, 2019, Milacron Holdings Corp., or Milacron, Hillenbrand, Inc., or Hillenbrand, and Bengal Delaware Holding Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hillenbrand, or Merger Sub, entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger that provides for the acquisition of Milacron by Hillenbrand. Subject to approval of Milacron stockholders and the satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by law) waiver of certain other closing conditions, Hillenbrand will acquire Milacron through the merger of Merger Sub with and into Milacron, with Milacron surviving the merger and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Hillenbrand.

         If the merger is completed, each share of Milacron common stock (other than shares (1) held by Milacron as treasury stock or owned by Hillenbrand or Merger Sub, which will be canceled, (2) held by any wholly owned subsidiary of either Milacron or Hillenbrand (other than Merger Sub), which will be converted into shares of common stock of the surviving corporation (par value $0.01 per share) and (3) held by a holder who has not voted in favor of adoption of the merger agreement or consented thereto in writing and who has properly exercised appraisal rights in respect of such shares (and has not failed to perfect, withdrawn or otherwise lost such appraisal rights in respect of such shares) in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) will be converted into the right to receive (a) $11.80 in cash, without interest, and (b) 0.1612 shares of Hillenbrand common stock (and, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares), less any applicable withholding taxes. For more details on the merger consideration, see "The Merger Agreement—Merger Consideration; Fractional Shares" beginning on page 101.104.

         Based on Hillenbrand's closing stock price of $27.96$28.40 on September 6,October 9, 2019, the most recent practicable date for which such information was available prior to the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the merger consideration represented approximately $16.31$16.38 in value per share of Milacron common stock, which represents a premium of approximately 20.5%21.1% over Milacron's closing stock price on July 11, 2019, the last trading day before Milacron announced it had entered into the merger agreement with Hillenbrand. The value of the stock portion of the merger consideration to be received in exchange for each share of Milacron common stock will fluctuate with the market value of Hillenbrand common stock until the transaction is complete. As a result, the value of the merger consideration that Milacron stockholders will receive upon completion of the merger could be greater than, less than or the same as the value of the merger consideration on the date of this proxy statement/prospectus or at the time of the Milacron special meeting. Shares of Milacron common stock and Hillenbrand common stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbols "MCRN" and "HI," respectively. We urge you to obtain current market quotations for the shares of common stock of Hillenbrand and Milacron. Upon completion of the merger, Hillenbrand shareholders will own approximately 84% of the combined company, and Milacron stockholders will own approximately 16%.

         Milacron is holding a special meeting of its stockholders to vote on the proposals necessary to complete the merger. Information about this meeting, the merger and the other business to be considered by stockholders at the special meeting is contained in this proxy statement/prospectus. Any stockholder entitled to attend and vote at the special meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on such stockholder's behalf. Such proxy need not be a holder of Milacron common stock. We urge you to read this proxy statement/prospectus and the annexes and documents incorporated by reference carefully. You should also carefully consider the risks that are described in the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 36.

         Your vote is very important regardless of the number of shares of Milacron common stock that you own.The merger cannot be completed without the adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the merger by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Milacron common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. A failure to vote your shares, or to provide instructions to your broker, bank or nominee as to how to vote your shares, is the equivalent of a vote against the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger.

         Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting of stockholders, please submit your proxy as soon as possible to make sure that your shares are represented at the meeting.

 
  
/s/ THOMAS GOEKE

Thomas Goeke
Chief Executive Officer
Milacron Holdings Corp.
  

         Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the merger or the other transactions described in this proxy statement/prospectus or the securities to be issued in connection with the merger or determined if this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

         This proxy statement/prospectus is dated [                ], 2019 and is first being mailed to stockholders of Milacron on or about [                ].


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LOGO

MILACRON HOLDINGS CORP.

10200 Alliance Road, Suite 200
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To be held on [                ]

To the Stockholders of Milacron Holdings Corp.:

        We are pleased to invite you to attend the special meeting of stockholders of Milacron Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation, or Milacron, which will be held at [            ]the offices of Ropes & Gray LLP located at 1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10036, on [            ], at [            ]9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) for the following purposes:

        Milacron will transact no other business at the special meeting except such business as may properly be brought before the special meeting or any adjournment thereof by or at the direction of the Milacron board of directors, which is referred to as the Milacron Board. Please refer to the proxy statement/prospectus of which this notice is a part for further information with respect to the business to be transacted at the special meeting.

        The Milacron Board has fixed the close of business on [            ]October 18, 2019 as the record date for the special meeting. Only Milacron stockholders of record at that time are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting or any adjournment thereof. A complete list of such stockholders will be available for inspection by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the special meeting during ordinary business hours for the 10 days preceding the special meeting at [            ].Milacron's principal place of business. The eligible Milacron stockholder list will also be available at the special meeting for examination by any stockholder of record present at such meeting.

        If you plan to attend the special meeting, admission will be by ticket only. If you are a registered stockholder (your shares are held in your name), you should bring the top portion of the proxy card, which will serve as your admission ticket. If you are a beneficial owner (your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record) and plan to attend the meeting in person, you must obtain an admission ticket in advance by writing to Milacron Holdings Corp., c/o Innisfree M&A


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Incorporated, 501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York, 10022. Please be sure to enclose proof of ownership, such as the voting instruction form from your broker or other nominee or an account statement. You will also be required to present valid, government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport, to be admitted to the special meeting.

        Completion of the merger is conditioned upon adoption of the merger agreement and approval of the merger by the Milacron stockholders, which requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Milacron common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting.

        The Milacron Board has unanimously approved and declared advisable the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, determined that the merger agreement and


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the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are fair to and in the best interest of Milacron and its stockholders, and unanimously recommends that Milacron stockholders vote:

        Your vote is very important regardless of the number of shares of common stock that you own. A failure to vote your shares, or to provide instructions to your broker, bank or nominee as to how to vote your shares, is the equivalent of a vote against the merger proposal. Whether or not you expect to attend the special meeting in person, to ensure your representation at the special meeting, we urge you to submit a proxy to vote your shares as promptly as possible by (1) visiting the Internet site listed on the proxy card, (2) calling the toll-free number listed on the Milacron proxy card or (3) submitting your proxy card by mail by using the provided self-addressed, stamped envelope. Submitting a proxy will not prevent you from voting in person, but it will help to secure a quorum and avoid added solicitation costs. Any eligible holder of Milacron stock who is present at the special meeting may vote in person, thereby revoking any previous proxy. In addition, a proxy may also be revoked in writing before the special meeting in the manner described in the accompanying document. If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished by the broker, bank or other nominee.

        The enclosed proxy statement/prospectus provides a detailed description of the merger and the merger agreement and the other matters to be considered at the special meeting. We urge you to carefully read this proxy statement/prospectus, including any documents incorporated by reference herein, and the annexes in their entirety. If you have any questions concerning the merger or this proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies or need help voting your shares of common stock, please contact Milacron's proxy solicitor:

Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Stockholders may call toll-free: (877) 825-8772
Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833

By Order of the Milacron Holdings Corp. Board of Directors,

 
  
/s/ HUGH O'DONNELL

Hugh O'Donnell
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
  

Cincinnati, Ohio
October [    ]], 2019


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REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

        This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about Hillenbrand and Milacron from other documents that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. For a listing of the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, see "Where You Can Find More Information" beginning on page 177.180.

        You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus by requesting them in writing or by telephone as follows:

For information related to Milacron:
Innisfree M&A Incorporated
501 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor
New York, New York 10022
Stockholders may call toll-free: (877) 825-8772
Banks and brokers may call collect: (212) 750-5833

For information related to Hillenbrand:
Hillenbrand, Inc.
One Batesville Boulevard
Batesville, Indiana 47006
Attention: Investor Relations
(812) 931 6000

        To receive timely delivery of the documents in advance of the special meeting, you should make your request no later than [                        ], which is five business days before the special meeting.

        You may also obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus without charge through the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, website atwww.sec.gov. In addition, you may obtain copies of documents filed by Hillenbrand with the SEC on Hillenbrand's Internet website athttps://www.hillenbrand.com under the tab "Investors," then under the tab "Financial Reports" and subtab "SEC Filings" or by contacting Hillenbrand's Investor Relations at Hillenbrand, Inc., One Batesville Boulevard, Batesville, Indiana 47006 or by calling (812) 931 6000. You may also obtain copies of documents filed by Milacron with the SEC on Milacron's Internet website at https://www.milacron.com under the tab "Investors" and then under the heading "SEC Filings" or by contacting Milacron's Investor Relations at 10200 Alliance Road, Suite 200, Cincinnati, Ohio 45242 Attn: Bruce Chalmers, or by calling (513) 487-5000.

        We are not incorporating the contents of the websites of the SEC, Hillenbrand, Milacron, or any other entity into this proxy statement/prospectus. We are providing the information about how you can obtain certain documents that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus at these websites only for your convenience.

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ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

        This proxy statement/prospectus, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by Hillenbrand (File No. 333-[                ])333-233699), constitutes a prospectus of Hillenbrand under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which is referred to as the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of common stock, no par value, of Hillenbrand to be issued to Milacron stockholders pursuant to the merger agreement. This document also constitutes a proxy statement of Milacron under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which is referred to as the Exchange Act. It also constitutes a notice of meeting with respect to the Milacron stockholders' meeting, at which Milacron stockholders will be asked to consider and vote upon the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger and certain other proposals.

        All references in this proxy statement/prospectus to Hillenbrand refer to Hillenbrand, Inc., an Indiana corporation, and/or its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. All references in this proxy statement/prospectus to Milacron refer to Milacron Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation, and/or its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. All references in this proxy statement/prospectus to Merger Sub refer to Bengal Delaware Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Hillenbrand, unless the context requires otherwise.

        Hillenbrand has supplied all information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus relating to Hillenbrand and Bengal Delaware Holding Corporation, and Milacron has supplied all such information relating to Milacron.

        You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. Hillenbrand and Milacron have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. This proxy statement/prospectus is dated as of the date set forth above on the cover page of this proxy statement/prospectus, and you should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than such date. Further, you should not assume that the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the incorporated document. Neither the mailing of this proxy statement/prospectus to Milacron stockholders nor the issuance by Hillenbrand of shares of common stock pursuant to the merger agreement will create any implication to the contrary.

        This proxy statement/prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy, in any jurisdiction in which or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

 1

SUMMARY

 12

The Parties

 12

The Merger

 14

Merger Consideration

 14

Treatment of Equity Awards

 15

Financing of the Merger and Treatment of Existing Debt

 16

Recommendation of the Milacron Board of Directors

 17

Opinion of Milacron's Financial Advisor

 17

Interests of Milacron's Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger

 18

Information about the Milacron Stockholders' Meeting

 19

Voting by Milacron Directors and Executive Officers

 20

Regulatory Approvals

 20

Litigation Relating to the Merger

21

Conditions to Completion of the Merger

 21

Timing of the Merger

 21

No Solicitation

 21

Termination of the Merger Agreement; Termination Fee

 23

Appraisal Rights of Milacron Stockholders

 25

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 25

Accounting Treatment

 26

Risk Factors

 26

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF HILLENBRAND

 
27

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA OF MILACRON

 28

SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 29

COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL AND UNAUDITED PRO FORMA PER SHARE DATA

 30

COMPARATIVE PER SHARE MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION

 32

Hillenbrand Market Price and Dividend Information

 32

Milacron Market Price and Dividend Information

 32

Comparison of Hillenbrand and Milacron Market Prices and Implied Value of Merger Consideration

 33

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 
34

RISK FACTORS

 36

Risks Related to the Merger

 36

Risks Related to the Combined Company After Completion of the Merger

 4142

Other Risk Factors

 4546

THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER

 
4647

Hillenbrand

 4647

Milacron

 4748

Bengal Delaware Holding Corporation

 4748

THE MERGER

 
4849

Background of the Merger

 4849

Milacron Board of Directors' Recommendation and Reasons for the Merger

 6364

Opinion of Milacron's Financial Advisor

 6667

Certain Unaudited Prospective Financial Information

 7879

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers of Milacron in the Merger

 82

Director and Officer Indemnification

9483

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Director and Officer Indemnification

95

Financing of the Merger and Treatment of Existing Debt

 9495

Regulatory Approvals

 9497

Timing of the Merger

 9597

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 9597

Accounting Treatment

 99102

NYSE Listing; Delisting and Deregistration of Milacron Common Stock

 100102

Litigation Relating to the Merger

102

Hillenbrand's Dividend Policy

 100102

Restrictions on Sales of Shares of Hillenbrand Common Stock Received in the Merger

 100103

THE MERGER AGREEMENT

 
101104

Explanatory Note Regarding the Merger Agreement

 101104

Structure of the Merger

 101104

Merger Consideration; Fractional Shares

 101104

Treatment of Equity Awards

 102105

Closing and Effectiveness of the Merger

 104107

Conversion of Shares; Exchange of Certificates

 104107

Representations and Warranties; Material Adverse Effect

 105108

Covenants and Agreements

 108111

Conditions to the Merger

 121124

Termination

 123126

Effect of Termination

 124127

Termination Fee

 125128

Expenses

 125128

Amendment and Waiver

 125128

Third-Party Beneficiaries

 126129

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial

 126129

Enforcement

 127130

THE SPECIAL MEETING

 
128131

Date, Time and Place

 128131

Purpose of the Special Meeting

 128131

Recommendation of the Milacron Board

 128131

Milacron Record Date; Stockholders Entitled to Vote

 128131

Voting by Milacron's Directors and Executive Officers

 129132

Quorum

 129132

Required Vote

 129132

Voting of Proxies by Holders of Record

 130133

Voting via the Internet or by Telephone

 130133

Voting by Mail. 

 130133

General

 130133

Treatment of Abstentions; Failure to Vote

 130133

Shares Held in Street Name

 131134

Attendance at the Special Meeting and Voting in Person

 131134

Revocability of Proxies

 132135

Solicitation

 132135

Assistance

 132135

Tabulation of Votes

 132136

Adjournments

 133136

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
135

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

140138

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

143

BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP TABLE

 155158

COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS

 157160

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

 170173

VALIDITY OF COMMON SHARES

 175178

EXPERTS

 175178

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

 176179

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

 177180

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 177180

Annex A: Agreement and Plan of Merger

 
A-1

Annex B: Opinion of Barclays Capital Inc. 

 
B-1

Annex C: Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

 
C-1

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER AND THE SPECIAL MEETING

        The following questions and answers briefly address some commonly asked questions about the merger, the merger agreement and the special meeting. They may not include all the information that is important to stockholders of Milacron. Stockholders should carefully read this entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the annexes and the other documents referred to or incorporated by reference herein.

Q:    What is the merger?

A:
Hillenbrand, Milacron and Merger Sub have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 12, 2019, which (as the same may be amended from time to time) is referred to as the merger agreement. A copy of the merger agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus. The merger agreement contains the terms and conditions of the proposed acquisition of Milacron by Hillenbrand. Under the merger agreement, subject to satisfaction or (to the extent permitted by law) waiver of the conditions set forth in the merger agreement and described hereinafter, Merger Sub will merge with and into Milacron, with Milacron continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hillenbrand, in a transaction which is referred to as the merger. As a result of the merger, Milacron will no longer be a publicly-held company. Following the merger, Milacron common stock will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, which is referred to as the NYSE, and deregistered under the Exchange Act.

Q:    Why am I receiving these materials?

A:
Milacron is sending these materials to its stockholders to help them decide how to vote their shares of common stock with respect to the merger and other matters to be considered at the special meeting.

The merger cannot be completed unless Milacron stockholders adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger. Milacron is holding a special meeting of its stockholders to vote on the proposals necessary to complete the merger. Information about the special meeting, the merger, the merger agreement and the other business to be considered by stockholders at the special meeting is contained in this proxy statement/prospectus.

This proxy statement/prospectus constitutes both a proxy statement of Milacron and a prospectus of Hillenbrand. It is a proxy statement because the Milacron board of directors, which is referred to as the Milacron Board, is soliciting proxies from Milacron's stockholders. It is a prospectus because Hillenbrand will issue shares of its common stock in exchange for outstanding shares of Milacron common stock in the merger. This proxy statement/prospectus includes important information about the merger, the merger agreement and the special meeting. Milacron stockholders should read this information carefully and in its entirety. The enclosed voting materials allow stockholders to vote their shares by proxy without attending the special meeting in person.

Q:    What will Milacron stockholders receive in the merger?

A:
If the merger is completed, each share of Milacron common stock (other than shares (1) held by Milacron as treasury stock or owned by Hillenbrand or Merger Sub, which will be canceled, (2) held by any wholly owned subsidiary of either Milacron or Hillenbrand (other than Merger Sub), which will be converted into shares of common stock of the surviving corporation (par value $0.01 per share) or (3) held by a holder who has not voted in favor of adoption of the merger agreement or consented thereto in writing and who has properly exercised appraisal rights in respect of such shares (and has not failed to perfect, withdrawn or otherwise lost such appraisal rights in respect of such shares) in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (which is referred to as the DGCL), all of which are collectively referred to herein as excluded shares) will be converted into (a) $11.80 in cash, without interest, and (b) 0.1612 shares of Hillenbrand common stock (and, if applicable, cash in lieu of fractional shares), less any

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Q:    How will Hillenbrand pay the cash component of the merger consideration?

A:
Hillenbrand's obligation to complete the merger is not conditioned upon its obtaining financing. Hillenbrand estimates that approximately $1.7 billion will be required to pay the aggregate cash portion of the merger consideration, to pay off Milacron's existing debt and to pay fees and expenses relating to the transaction. In connection with the proposed transaction, Hillenbrand entered into a commitment letter on July 12, 2019, pursuant to which JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. committed to fully provide a 364-day senior unsecured bridge facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion. Hillenbrand expects to permanently finance the cash portion of the transaction, pay off Milacron's outstanding debt upon completion of the merger, and pay fees, costs and expenses associated with the transaction with available cash, as well as, subject to market conditions,(i) approximately $500$375 million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured 4.500% senior notes due 2026 issued in an underwritten public offering completed on September 25, 2019 and (ii) borrowings under its third amended and restated credit agreement, as most recently amended on October 8, 2019, in the form of approximately $725 million of new term loan debt approximately $600 million of senior notes and approximately $634.9$638.1 million of borrowings under itsHillenbrand's revolving credit facility. The debt may be incurredcommitments under a new or amended creditthe bridge facility Hillenbrand's entry into one or more senior unsecuredcommitment letter have been reduced to zero with the commitments for such term loan facilities, as well as pursuant to issuance of senior unsecured notes.loans and with the proceeds from such securities offering, and the bridge facility commitment letter has been terminated.

For a more complete description of sources of funding for the merger and related costs, see "The Merger—Financing of the Merger and Treatment of Existing Debt" beginning on page 94.95.


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Q:    What equity stake will Milacron stockholders hold in Hillenbrand immediately following the merger?

A:
Upon the completion of the merger, each Milacron stockholder will receive 0.1612 shares of Hillenbrand common stock in return for each share of Milacron common stock, which will result in former Milacron stockholders holding approximately 16% of the combined company.

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Q:    When do Hillenbrand and Milacron expect to complete the transaction?

A:
Hillenbrand and Milacron are working to complete the transaction as soon as practicable. We currently expect that the transaction will be completed in the firstfourth quarter of 2020.2019. Neither Hillenbrand nor Milacron can predict, however, the actual date on which the transaction will be completed because it is subject to conditions beyond each company's control, including obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.

Q:    What are the conditions to completion of the merger?

A:
In addition to the approval of the merger proposal by Milacron stockholders as described above, completion of the merger is subject to the satisfaction of a number of other conditions, including (1) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, which is referred to as the HSR Act, and any clearance or approval of regulatory authorities in Austria, Germany, Poland, Canada, China and, if applicable, the European Union having been obtained, (2) no governmental authority of any competent jurisdiction having issued or entered any order or enacted or promulgated any applicable law after the date of the merger agreement having the effect of restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the completion of the merger and (3) the absence of a material adverse effect (as defined in the merger agreement) on either Hillenbrand or Milacron. The waiting period under the HSR Act expired at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 26, 2019. The parties received the necessary regulatory approvals in Austria on September 6, 2019, in Germany on August 28, 2019, in Poland on September 27, 2019, in Canada on September 4, 2019, and in China on September 16, 2019.

See "The Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Merger" beginning on page 121.124.

Q:    What am I being asked to vote on, and why is this approval necessary?

A:
Milacron stockholders are being asked to vote on the following proposals:

1.
Adoption of the Merger Agreement.    To vote on a proposal to adopt the merger agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time and approve the merger contemplated thereby, which is further described in the sections titled "The Merger" and "The Merger Agreement," beginning on pages 4849 and 101,104, respectively, and a copy of which is attached as Annex A to the proxy statement/prospectus accompanying this notice, which is referred to as the merger proposal;

2.
Merger-Related Compensation.    To vote on a proposal to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, certain compensation arrangements forthat may be paid or become payable to Milacron's named executive officers in connection with the merger contemplated by the merger agreement, which is referred to as the merger-related compensation proposal; and

3.
Adjournment of the Special Meeting.    To vote on a proposal to approve the adjournment of the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the merger proposal, which is referred to as the adjournment proposal.

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Q:    What vote is required to approve each proposal at the Special Meeting?

A:
The merger proposal:    The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Milacron common stock and entitled to vote (in person or by proxy) at the special meeting is required to approve the merger proposal, which is referred to as the stockholder approval.

The merger-related compensation proposal:    The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Milacron common stock represented (in person or by proxy) at the special meeting and voting on


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Q:    How many votes do I have?

A:
Each Milacron stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of Milacron common stock held of record as of the record date.

As of the close of business on the record date, there were [                        ] shares of Milacron common stock outstanding. As summarized below, there are some important distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially in "street name."

Q:    What constitutes a quorum?

A:
The presence at the special meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of record of a majority in voting power of the shares entitled to vote at the special meeting of stockholders will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the special meeting. Abstentions (shares present at the meeting in person or by proxy that are voted "ABSTAIN") will be counted as present for purposes of determining the establishment of a quorum for the transaction of business at the special meeting.

Q:    How does the Milacron Board recommend that I vote?

A:
The Milacron Board unanimously recommends that Milacron stockholders vote: "FOR" the merger proposal, "FOR" the merger-related compensation proposal, and "FOR" the adjournment proposal.

Q:    Why did the Milacron Board approve the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger?

A:
For additional information regarding the Milacron Board's reasons for approving and recommending the adoption of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, see the section entitled "The Merger—Milacron Board of Directors' Recommendation and Reasons for the Merger" beginning on page 63.64.

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Q:    Do any of Milacron's directors or executive officers have interests in the merger that may differ from those of Milacron stockholders?

A:
Milacron's directors and executive officers have certain interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of Milacron stockholders generally. The Milacron Board was aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating the merger agreement and the merger and in recommending that the stockholders adopt the merger agreement. For more information regarding these interests, see "The Merger—Interests of Directors and Executive Officers of Milacron in the Merger" beginning on page 82.83.

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Q:    Why am I being asked to consider and vote on a proposal to approve, by advisory (non-binding) vote, the merger-related executive compensation?

A:
Under SEC rules, Milacron is required to seek an advisory (non-binding) vote with respect to the compensation that may be paid or become payable to its named executive officers that is based on, or otherwise relates to, the merger.

Q:    What happens if the merger-related compensation proposal is not approved?

A:
Approval of the merger-related compensation proposal is not a condition to completion of the merger, and because the vote on the merger-related compensation proposal is advisory only, it will not be binding on Milacron. Accordingly, if the merger is approved and the other conditions to closing are satisfied or waived, the merger will be completed even if the merger-related compensation proposal is not approved. If the merger proposal is approved and the merger is completed, the merger-related compensation will be payable to Milacron's named executive officers, subject only to the conditions applicable thereto, regardless of the outcome of the vote on the merger-related compensation proposal.

Q:    What do I need to do now?

A:
After carefully reading and considering the information contained in this proxy statement/prospectus, please vote your shares of Milacron common stock as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented at the special meeting. Please follow the instructions set forth on the proxy card or on the voting instruction form provided by the record holder if your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee.

Please do not submit your stock certificates at this time. If the merger is completed, you will receive instructions for surrendering your stock certificates in exchange for the merger consideration.

Q:    Does my vote matter?

A:
Yes. The merger cannot be completed unless the proposal to adopt the merger agreement is approved by holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Milacron common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. If you fail to submit a proxy or to vote in person at the special meeting, or abstain, or you do not provide your bank, brokerage firm or other nominee with instructions, as applicable, this will have the effect of a vote cast "AGAINST" such proposal. The Milacron Board unanimously recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" the proposal to adopt the merger agreement and approve the merger.

Q:    How do I vote?

A:
If you are a stockholder of record of Milacron as of the close of business on [                        ],October 18, 2019, which is referred to as the record date, you are entitled to receive notice of, and cast a vote at, the

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