sv4za
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
October 10, 2006.
Registration
No. 333-137780
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
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES,
INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as
specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE
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7350
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81-0553291
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(State or Other Jurisdiction
of
Incorporation or Organization)
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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11100 Mead Road, Suite 200
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
(225) 298-5200
(Address, Including Zip Code,
and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of
Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
See Table of Additional Registrants Below
John M. Engquist
President and Chief Executive Officer
11100 Mead Road, Suite 200
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
(225) 298-5200
(Name, Address, Including Zip
Code, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent
for Service)
With a copy to:
Bonnie A. Barsamian, Esq.
Brian D. Short, Esq.
Dechert LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
(212) 698-3500
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public: As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the securities being registered on this Form are to be
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
The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the Registrants 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 or until this Registration
Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities
and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said
Section 8(a), may determine.
H&E
EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC.
Table of
Additional Registrants
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Primary
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Standard
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Jurisdiction of
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Industrial
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IRS Employer
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Incorporation or
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Classification
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Identification
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Name
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Organization
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Number
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Number
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GNE Investments, Inc.
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Washington
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7350
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41-1561043
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Great Northern Equipment,
Inc.
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Montana
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7350
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81-0448694
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H&E California Holding,
Inc.
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California
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7350
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33-0613371
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H&E Equipment Services
(California), LLC
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Delaware
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7350
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20-1870322
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H&E Finance Corp.
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Delaware
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7350
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02-0602822
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The address, including zip code, telephone number and area code,
of the principal offices of the additional registrants listed
above is: 11100 Mead Road, Suite 200, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana 70816; the telephone number at that address is
(225) 298-5200.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
and the Additional Registrants is filed solely for the purpose of filing Exhibits 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3
thereto.
PART II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
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Item 20.
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Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
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(a) H&E Equipment Services, Inc. is a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or
DGCL, provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and
officers as well as other employees and individuals against
expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by
such person in connection with any threatened, pending or
completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is
made a party by reason of such person being or having been a
director, officer, employee of or agent to the Registrant. The
statute provides that it is not exclusive of other rights to
which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise.
As permitted by the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation
includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of
our directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of
the directors duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
(2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;
(3) under Section 174 of the DGCL regarding unlawful
dividends and stock purchases; or (4) arising as a result
of any transaction from which the director derived an improper
personal benefit.
As permitted by the DGCL, our bylaws provide that (1) we
are required to indemnify our directors and officers to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law; (2) we are
permitted to indemnify our other employees to the extent
permitted by applicable statutory law; (3) we are required
to advance expenses to our directors and officers in connection
with any legal proceeding, subject to the provisions of
applicable statutory law; and (4) the rights conferred in
our bylaws are not exclusive.
Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes a corporation to
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
against any liability asserted against and incurred by such
person in any such capacity, or arising out of such
persons status as such.
We have purchased insurance on behalf of our directors, members,
managers and officers against certain liabilities that may be
asserted against, or incurred by, such persons in their
capacities as directors, members, managers and officers of
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries, or
that may arise out of their status as directors, members,
managers and officers of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. or any
of its subsidiaries, including liabilities under the federal and
state securities laws.
Reference is made to Item 22 for our undertakings with
respect to indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act.
(b) H&E Finance Corp. is a corporation organized under
the laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or
DGCL, provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and
officers as well as other employees and individuals against
expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by
such person in connection with any threatened, pending or
completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is
made a party by reason of such person being or having been a
director, officer, employee of or agent to the Registrant. The
statute provides that it is not exclusive of other rights to
which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any
by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise.
As permitted by the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation
includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of
our directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as a director.
As permitted by the DGCL, H&E Finance Corp.s bylaws
provide that (1) it is required to indemnify our directors
and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law;
(2) it is permitted to indemnify our
II-1
other employees to the extent permitted by applicable statutory
law; (3) it is required to advance expenses to its
directors and officers in connection with any legal proceeding,
subject to the provisions of applicable statutory law; and
(4) the rights conferred in its bylaws are not exclusive.
Section 145 of the DGCL authorizes a corporation to
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation
against any liability asserted against and incurred by such
person in any such capacity, or arising out of such
persons status as such.
(c) GNE Investments, Inc. is a corporation organized under
the laws of the State of Washington.
Sections 23B.08.500 through 23B.08.600 RCW of the
Washington Business Corporations Act, or WBCA, contain specific
provisions relating to indemnification of directors and officers
of Washington corporations. In general, the statute provides
that unless limited by the article of incorporation (i) a
corporation shall indemnify a director or officer who is wholly
successful in his defense of a proceeding to which he is a party
because of his status as such for reasonable expenses incurred
in connection with the proceeding and (ii) a corporation
may indemnify a director or officer for reasonable expenses, if
it is determined as provided in the statute that the
directors or officers actions met a certain standard
of conduct; provided, however that the corporation may not
indemnify a director or officer who is adjudged liable to the
corporation in a proceeding by or in the right of the
corporation, or who is adjudged liable in any other proceeding
on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by
the director or officer. The statute also permits a director or
officer of a corporation who is a party to a proceeding to apply
to the courts for indemnification or advance of expenses, unless
the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, and the court
may order indemnification or advance of expenses under certain
circumstances set forth in the statute. The statute further
provides that a corporation may in its articles of incorporation
or bylaws or by resolution provide indemnification in addition
to that provided by the statute, subject to certain conditions
set forth in the statute.
As permitted by the WBCA, the bylaws of GNE Investments, Inc.
(which we refer to as GNE) provide that (1) GNE is required
to indemnify its officers and directors and directors to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, provided that such
person acted in good faith and in a manner such person
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of GNE; (2) the rights conferred in GNEs
bylaws are not exclusive; and (3) the board of directors of
GNE is authorized to obtain insurance on behalf of any person
who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of GNE
against any liability arising out of such persons status
as such, whether or not GNE would have the power to indemnify
such person against such liability.
(d) Great Northern Equipment, Inc. is a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Montana.
Sections 35-1-451
to 35-1-459 of the Montana Code Annotated, 2005 cover permissive
and mandatory indemnification of corporate directors, officers,
employees and agents.
Section 35-1-452
provides that with certain exceptions a corporation (after an
appropriate determination has been made that such
indemnification is permissible under the indemnification
statutes) may indemnify against liability an individual made a
party to a proceeding because he is or was a director, if the
individual (1) conducted himself in good faith;
(2) reasonably believed (a) that his conduct in his
official capacity was in the corporations best interest,
and (b) that his conduct in other cases was at least not
opposed to the corporations best interests; and
(3) in a criminal proceeding had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful. The corporation may not
indemnify a director under this statute in connection with
(1) a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in
which the director was adjudged liable to the corporation; or
(2) any other proceeding in which the director was adjudged
liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly
received by the director.
Section 35-1-453
provides that unless limited by its articles of incorporation, a
corporation shall indemnify a director who was wholly
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any
proceeding to which the director was a party because he is or
was a director of the corporation, against reasonable expenses
incurred by the director in connection with the proceeding.
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Section 35-1-455
provides that unless a corporations articles of
incorporation provide otherwise, a director (or an officer under
Section 35-1-457)
of a corporation who is a party to a proceeding may apply for
indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to
another court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 35-1-454
also provides that a corporation may in advance of a final
disposition of a proceeding pay or reimburse a directors
reasonable expenses in connection with the proceeding if
(1) the director furnishes a written affirmation of the
directors good faith belief that the director has met the
required statutory standard of conduct; (2) the director
furnishes a written undertaking to repay the expenses if it is
determined he did not meet the standard of conduct; and
(3) those making the determination to advance expenses have
determined the facts do not preclude indemnification under the
indemnification statutes. The corporation may also under
Section 35-1-457
indemnify and advance expenses to an officer, employee, or agent
who is not a director to the extent, consistent with public
policy, that may be provided by its articles of incorporation,
bylaws, general or specific action of its board of directors, or
contract.
Section 35-1-458
authorizes a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of an individual who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent, against liability asserted against or
incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of
such persons status as such.
The articles of incorporation and bylaws of Great Northern
Equipment, Inc. do not specifically address indemnification.
(e) H&E California Holding, Inc. is a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of California.
Section 317 of the California Corporations Code provides
that a corporation shall have the power to indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
proceeding or action by reason of the fact that he or she is or
was a director, officer, employee or other agent of such
corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation or other enterprise. Section 317 also grants
authority to a corporation to include in its articles of
incorporation indemnification provision in excess of that
permitted in Section 317, subject to certain limitations.
H&E California Holding, Inc.s bylaws provides that it
may indemnify any director, officer, agent or employee to those
liabilities and on those terms and conditions as are specified
in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code. H&E
California Holding, Inc. shall have the right to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any such persons whether or not
it would have the power to indemnify such person against the
liability insured against.
(f) H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC is a
limited liability company organized under the laws of the State
of Delaware.
Section 18-108
of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, or the DLLCA,
provides that a limited liability company may, and shall have
the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager
or other person from and against any and all claims and demands
whatsoever, subject to the standards and restrictions, if any,
set forth in its limited liability company agreement.
H&E Equipment Services (California), LLCs limited
liability company agreement provides that, except as limited by
law, each manager and officer shall be entitled to be
indemnified and held harmless by H&E Equipment Services
(California), LLC to the full extent permitted under the DLLCA,
as in effect from time to time, against all losses, claims,
damages, expenses and liabilities that such person may at any
time become subject to or liable for by reason of the formation,
operation or termination of H&E Equipment Services
(California), LLC or such persons acting as a manager or
officer or the authorized actions of such person in connection
with the conduct of the affairs of H&E Equipment Services
(California), LLC , provided that no such person shall be
indemnified for results from any act or omission of such person
that involves actual fraud or willful misconduct or any
transaction from which such person derived improper personal
benefit. The rights of indemnification are in addition to any
rights to which such manager or officer may otherwise be
entitled by contract or as a matter of law. Each managers
and officers right to indemnification for costs and
expenses
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shall be conditioned upon the delivery by such manager or
officer to H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC of a
written undertaking to reimburse H&E Equipment Services
(California), LLC for all amounts so advanced if it is
ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to
indemnification. H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC is
permitted to indemnify other employees and agents and shall
maintain insurance to protect any manager, officer, employee or
agent against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not it
would have the power to indemnify such person against such
expense, liability or loss.
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Item 21.
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Exhibits
and Financial Statement Schedules
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(a) Exhibits.
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description
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2
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.1
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Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated February 2, 2006, among the Company, H&E LLC and
Holdings (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
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2
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.2
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Acquisition Agreement, dated as of
January 4, 2005, among H&E Equipment Services, L.L.C.,
Eagle Merger Corp., Eagle High Reach Equipment, LLC, Eagle High
Reach Equipment, Inc., SBN Eagle LLC, SummitBridge National
Investments, LLC and the shareholders of Eagle High Reach
Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1
to
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File Nos.
333-99587
and
333-99589),
filed January 5, 2006).
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3
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.1
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Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Registration
Statement on
Form S-1
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 333-128996),
filed January 20, 2006).
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3
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.2
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Amended and Restated Bylaws of
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.5 to Registration Statement on
Form S-1
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
(File No. 333-128996),
filed January 20, 2006).
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3
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.3
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Amended and Restated Articles of
Organization of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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3
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.4
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Amended Articles of Organization
of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C., Changing Its Name To H&E
Equipment Services L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.3 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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3
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.5
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Amended and Restated Operating
Agreement of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.8 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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3
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.6
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Certificate of Incorporation of
H&E Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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3
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.7
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Certificate of Incorporation of
Great Northern Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.5 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.
(File No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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3
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.8
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Articles of Incorporation of
Williams Bros. Construction, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.6 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.
(File No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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3
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.9
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Articles of Amendment to Articles
of Incorporation of Williams Bros. Construction, Inc. Changing
its Name to GNE Investments, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.7 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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3
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.10
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Bylaws of H&E Finance Corp.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to Registration
Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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3
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.11
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Bylaws of Great Northern
Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10
to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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II-4
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description
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3
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.12
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Bylaws of Williams Bros.
Construction, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.11 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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4
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.1
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Indenture, among H&E Equipment
Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp., the guarantors party
thereto and The Bank of New York, dated as of June 17, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration
Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99587),
filed on September 13, 2002).
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4
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.2
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Registration Rights Agreement,
among H&E Equipment Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp.,
the guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, dated as of June 17, 2002 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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4
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.3
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Form of H&E Equipment
Services, Inc. common stock certificate (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on
Form S-1
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
(File No. 333-128996),
filed January 5, 2006).
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4
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.4
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Amended and Restated Security
Holders Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the
Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No.
000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
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4
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.5
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Amended and Restated Investor
Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the
Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No.
000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
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4
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.6
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Amended and Restated Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the
Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No.
000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
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4
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.7
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Supplemental Indenture, dated as
of February 3, 2006, among the Company, H&E LLC,
H&E Finance Corp. and The Bank of New York (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
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4
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.8
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Supplemental Indenture, dated as
of June 6, 2006, among H&E Equipment Services, Inc.,
H&E Finance Corp., the Guarantors and The Bank of New York
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed June 7, 2006).
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4
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.9
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Indenture, among H&E Equipment
Services, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of
New York Trust Company, N.A., dated as of August 4,
2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current
Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No.
000-51759),
filed on August 8, 2006).
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4
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.10
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Registration Rights Agreement,
among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., the guarantors party
thereto, Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC and UBS Securities,
LLC, dated as of August 4, 2006 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed on August 8, 2006).
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5
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.1
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Opinion of Dechert LLP regarding
legality.*
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5
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.2
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Opinion of Garlington,
Lohn & Robinson, PLLP regarding legality.*
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5
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.3
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Opinion of Ryan,
Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC regarding legality.*
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10
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.1
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Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., Great Northern
Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC,
H&E Finance Corp., H&E California Holding, Inc., General
Electric Capital Corporation, as agent and the other lenders
party thereto, dated as of August 4, 2006 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed on August 8, 2006).
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II-5
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Exhibit
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Number
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Description
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10
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.2
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Contribution Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization, dated as of June 14, 2002, by and among
H&E Holdings L.L.C., BRSEC Co-Investment II, LLC
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registration
Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
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10
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.3
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Securityholders Agreement, dated
as of June 17, 2002, by and among H&E Holdings L.L.C.,
BRSEC Co-Investment, LLC, BRSEC Co-Investment II, LLC,
certain members of management and other members of H&E
Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.4
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of June 17, 2002, by and among H&E Holdings
L.L.C., BRSEC Co-Investment, LLC, BRSEC Co-Investment II,
LLC, certain members of management and other members of H&E
Holdings L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.7
|
|
First Amended and Restated
Management Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2002, Bruckmann,
Rosser, Sherrill & Co., Inc., Bruckmann, Rosser,
Sherrill & Co., L.L.C., H&E Holdings L.L.C. and
H&E Equipment Services, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.8
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of
June 29, 1999, by and between Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C.,
and John M. Engquist (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.8 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.9
|
|
First Amendment to the Employment
Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2001, by and among Gulf
Wide Industries, L.L.C. and John M. Engquist (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.10
|
|
Consulting and Noncompetition
Agreement, dated as of June 29, 1999, between
Head & Engquist Equipment, L.L.C. and Thomas R.
Engquist (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to
Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.11
|
|
Purchase Agreement by and among
H&E Equipment Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp., the
guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, dated June 3, 2002 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.21 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99587),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.12
|
|
Purchase Agreement, among H&E
Equipment Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp., H&E
Holdings L.L.C., the guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation, dated June 17, 2002 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.13
|
|
Investor Rights Agreement by and
among H&E Holdings, L.L.C., BRSEC Co-Investment, LLC, BRSEC
Co-Investment II, LLC and Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, dated as of June 17, 2002 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.14
|
|
Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.
and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.24 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.15
|
|
Pledge Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.
and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.25 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.16
|
|
Trademark Security Agreement,
dated June 17, 2002, between H&E Equipment Services
L.L.C. and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.26 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
II-6
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.17
|
|
Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between H&E Finance Corp. and The Bank
of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.18
|
|
Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between GNE Investments, Inc. and The Bank
of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.28 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.19
|
|
Pledge Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between GNE Investments, Inc. and The Bank
of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.20
|
|
Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between Great Northern Equipment, Inc. and
The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.30 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.21
|
|
Trademark Security Agreement,
dated June 17, 2002, between Great Northern Equipment, Inc.
and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.31 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.22
|
|
Patent Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between Great Northern Equipment, Inc. and
The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.32 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.23
|
|
Severance and Consulting
Agreement, dated March 1, 2004, between H&E Equipment
Services, L.L.C. and Robert W. Hepler (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.33 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2004
(File No. 333-99587),
filed September 29, 2005).
|
|
10
|
.24
|
|
Consulting and Noncompetition
Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2004, between H&E
Equipment Services L.L.C. and Gary W. Bagley (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2004
(File Nos. 333-99587
and
333-99589),
filed September 29, 2005).
|
|
10
|
.25
|
|
Stipulation of Settlement dated
November 23, 2005 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99587),
filed November 29, 2005).
|
|
10
|
.26
|
|
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
2006 Stock-Based Compensation Incentive Plan, as amended and
restated, effective June 6, 2006 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.1 to
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed June 8, 2006).
|
|
12
|
.1
|
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges.
|
|
21
|
.1
|
|
Subsidiaries of H&E Equipment
Services, Inc.
|
|
23
|
.1
|
|
Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP.
|
|
23
|
.2
|
|
Consent of Perry-Smith, LLP.
|
|
23
|
.3
|
|
Consent of Dechert LLP (Included
in Exhibit 5.1). *
|
|
23
|
.4
|
|
Consent of Garlington,
Lohn & Robinson, PLLP, Montana local counsel (Included
in Exhibit 5.2).*
|
|
23
|
.5
|
|
Consent of Ryan,
Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC, Washington local counsel
(Included in Exhibit 5.3).*
|
|
24
|
.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (included on
signature page).
|
|
99
|
.1
|
|
Form of Letter of Transmittal.
|
|
99
|
.2
|
|
Form of Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
|
|
99
|
.3
|
|
Form of Letter to Holders.
|
|
99
|
.4
|
|
Form of Letter to Brokers,
Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
|
|
99
|
.5
|
|
Form of Letter to Clients.
|
|
99
|
.6
|
|
Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9.
|
II-7
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules not listed above are omitted because of the absence of
the conditions under which they are required or because the
information required by such omitted schedules is set forth in
the financial statements or the notes thereto.
(a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(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
(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;
(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; and
(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.
(b) 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 registrants have
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrants 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 registrants will, unless in the
opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(c) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond
to requests for information that is incorporated by reference
into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of
this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request,
and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained
in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the
registration statement through the date of responding to the
request.
II-8
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrants have duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on
Form S-4
to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana on
October 10, 2006.
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
John M. Engquist
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
*
Gary
W. Bagley
|
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ LESLIE
S. MAGEE
Leslie
S. Magee
|
|
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Keith
E. Alessi
|
|
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Bruce
C. Bruckmann
|
|
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lawrence
C. Karlson
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
John
T. Sawyer
|
|
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*By:
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
Attorney-in-fact
|
|
|
|
|
II-9
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrants have duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on their behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana on October 10, 2006.
GNE Investments, Inc.
John M. Engquist
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ LESLIE
S. MAGEE
Leslie
S. Magee
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Gary
W. Bagley
|
|
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*By:
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
Attorney-in-Fact
|
|
|
|
|
II-10
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrants have duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on
Form S-4
to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana on
October 10, 2006.
Great Northern Equipment, Inc.
John M. Engquist
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ LESLIE
S. MAGEE
Leslie
S. Magee
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Gary
W. Bagley
|
|
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*By:
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
Attorney-in-Fact
|
|
|
|
|
II-11
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrants have duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on
Form S-4
to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana on
October 10, 2006.
H&E Finance Corp.
John M. Engquist
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ LESLIE
S. MAGEE
Leslie
S. Magee
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Gary
W. Bagley
|
|
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*By:
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
Attorney-in-fact
|
|
|
|
|
II-12
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrants have duly caused this Amendment No. to the
Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on their behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of
Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana on October 10, 2006.
H&E California Holding, Inc.
John M. Engquist
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ LESLIE
S. MAGEE
Leslie
S. Magee
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Gary
W. Bagley
|
|
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*By:
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
Attorney-in-Fact
|
|
|
|
|
II-13
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrants have duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on
Form S-4
to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana on
October 10, 2006.
H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC
John M. Engquist
President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal
Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and
on the date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ LESLIE
S. MAGEE
Leslie
S. Magee
|
|
Chief Financial Officer and
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Gary
W. Bagley
|
|
Director
|
|
October 10, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*By:
|
|
/s/ JOHN
M. ENGQUIST
John
M. Engquist
Attorney-in-Fact
|
|
|
|
|
II-14
Exhibit
Index
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
2
|
.1
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated February 2, 2006, among the Company, H&E LLC and
Holdings (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
|
|
2
|
.2
|
|
Acquisition Agreement, dated as of
January 4, 2005, among H&E Equipment Services, L.L.C.,
Eagle Merger Corp., Eagle High Reach Equipment, LLC, Eagle High
Reach Equipment, Inc., SBN Eagle LLC, SummitBridge National
Investments, LLC and the shareholders of Eagle High Reach
Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1
to
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File Nos.
333-99587
and
333-99589),
filed January 5, 2006).
|
|
3
|
.1
|
|
Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Registration
Statement on
Form S-1
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 333-128996),
filed January 20, 2006).
|
|
3
|
.2
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.5 to Registration Statement on
Form S-1
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
(File No. 333-128996),
filed January 20, 2006).
|
|
3
|
.3
|
|
Amended and Restated Articles of
Organization of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.4
|
|
Amended Articles of Organization
of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C., Changing Its Name To H&E
Equipment Services L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.3 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.5
|
|
Amended and Restated Operating
Agreement of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.8 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.6
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation of
H&E Finance Corp. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.7
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation of
Great Northern Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.5 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.
(File No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.8
|
|
Articles of Incorporation of
Williams Bros. Construction, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.6 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.
(File No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.9
|
|
Articles of Amendment to Articles
of Incorporation of Williams Bros. Construction, Inc. Changing
its Name to GNE Investments, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.7 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.10
|
|
Bylaws of H&E Finance Corp.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to Registration
Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.11
|
|
Bylaws of Great Northern
Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.10
to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
3
|
.12
|
|
Bylaws of Williams Bros.
Construction, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.11 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.1
|
|
Indenture, among H&E Equipment
Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp., the guarantors party
thereto and The Bank of New York, dated as of June 17, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration
Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99587),
filed on September 13, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.2
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
among H&E Equipment Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp.,
the guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, dated as of June 17, 2002 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
4
|
.3
|
|
Form of H&E Equipment
Services, Inc. common stock certificate (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on
Form S-1
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
(File No. 333-128996),
filed January 5, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.4
|
|
Amended and Restated Security
Holders Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the
Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No.
000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.5
|
|
Amended and Restated Investor
Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the
Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No.
000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.6
|
|
Amended and Restated Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the
Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No.
000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.7
|
|
Supplemental Indenture, dated as
of February 3, 2006, among the Company, H&E LLC,
H&E Finance Corp. and The Bank of New York (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed February 3, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.8
|
|
Supplemental Indenture, dated as
of June 6, 2006, among H&E Equipment Services, Inc.,
H&E Finance Corp., the Guarantors and The Bank of New York
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed June 7, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.9
|
|
Indenture, among H&E Equipment
Services, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of
New York Trust Company, N.A., dated as of August 4,
2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current
Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No.
000-51759),
filed on August 8, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.10
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., the guarantors party
thereto, Credit Suisse Securities (USA), LLC and UBS Securities,
LLC, dated as of August 4, 2006 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed on August 8, 2006).
|
|
5
|
.1
|
|
Opinion of Dechert LLP regarding
legality.*
|
|
5
|
.2
|
|
Opinion of Garlington,
Lohn & Robinson, PLLP regarding legality.*
|
|
5
|
.3
|
|
Opinion of Ryan,
Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC regarding legality.*
|
|
10
|
.1
|
|
Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., Great Northern
Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC,
H&E Finance Corp., H&E California Holding, Inc., General
Electric Capital Corporation, as agent and the other lenders
party thereto, dated as of August 4, 2006 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed on August 8, 2006).
|
|
10
|
.2
|
|
Contribution Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization, dated as of June 14, 2002, by and among
H&E Holdings L.L.C., BRSEC Co-Investment II, LLC
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Registration
Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.3
|
|
Securityholders Agreement, dated
as of June 17, 2002, by and among H&E Holdings L.L.C.,
BRSEC Co-Investment, LLC, BRSEC Co-Investment II, LLC,
certain members of management and other members of H&E
Holdings LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.4
|
|
Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of June 17, 2002, by and among H&E Holdings
L.L.C., BRSEC Co-Investment, LLC, BRSEC Co-Investment II,
LLC, certain members of management and other members of H&E
Holdings L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.7
|
|
First Amended and Restated
Management Agreement, dated as of June 17, 2002, Bruckmann,
Rosser, Sherrill & Co., Inc., Bruckmann, Rosser,
Sherrill & Co., L.L.C., H&E Holdings L.L.C. and
H&E Equipment Services, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.8
|
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of
June 29, 1999, by and between Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C.,
and John M. Engquist (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.8 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.9
|
|
First Amendment to the Employment
Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2001, by and among Gulf
Wide Industries, L.L.C. and John M. Engquist (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.10
|
|
Consulting and Noncompetition
Agreement, dated as of June 29, 1999, between
Head & Engquist Equipment, L.L.C. and Thomas R.
Engquist (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to
Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.11
|
|
Purchase Agreement by and among
H&E Equipment Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp., the
guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, dated June 3, 2002 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.21 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99587),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.12
|
|
Purchase Agreement, among H&E
Equipment Services L.L.C., H&E Finance Corp., H&E
Holdings L.L.C., the guarantors party thereto and Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation, dated June 17, 2002 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.13
|
|
Investor Rights Agreement by and
among H&E Holdings, L.L.C., BRSEC Co-Investment, LLC, BRSEC
Co-Investment II, LLC and Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, dated as of June 17, 2002 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Registration Statement on
Form S-4
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99589),
filed September 13, 2002).
|
|
10
|
.14
|
|
Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.
and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.24 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.15
|
|
Pledge Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between H&E Equipment Services L.L.C.
and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.25 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.16
|
|
Trademark Security Agreement,
dated June 17, 2002, between H&E Equipment Services
L.L.C. and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.26 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.17
|
|
Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between H&E Finance Corp. and The Bank
of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.18
|
|
Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between GNE Investments, Inc. and The Bank
of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.28 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.19
|
|
Pledge Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between GNE Investments, Inc. and The Bank
of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to
Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.20
|
|
Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between Great Northern Equipment, Inc. and
The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.30 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
10
|
.21
|
|
Trademark Security Agreement,
dated June 17, 2002, between Great Northern Equipment, Inc.
and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.31 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.22
|
|
Patent Security Agreement, dated
June 17, 2002, between Great Northern Equipment, Inc. and
The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.32 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2002 (File
No. 333-99587),
filed April 14, 2003).
|
|
10
|
.23
|
|
Severance and Consulting
Agreement, dated March 1, 2004, between H&E Equipment
Services, L.L.C. and Robert W. Hepler (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.33 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2004
(File No. 333-99587),
filed September 29, 2005).
|
|
10
|
.24
|
|
Consulting and Noncompetition
Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2004, between H&E
Equipment Services L.L.C. and Gary W. Bagley (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.34 to Annual Report on
Form 10-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. for the year ended
December 31, 2004
(File Nos. 333-99587
and
333-99589),
filed September 29, 2005).
|
|
10
|
.25
|
|
Stipulation of Settlement dated
November 23, 2005 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File
No. 333-99587),
filed November 29, 2005).
|
|
10
|
.26
|
|
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
2006 Stock-Based Compensation Incentive Plan, as amended and
restated, effective June 6, 2006 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.1 to
Form 8-K
of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File
No. 000-51759),
filed June 8, 2006).
|
|
12
|
.1
|
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges.
|
|
21
|
.1
|
|
Subsidiaries of H&E Equipment
Services, Inc.
|
|
23
|
.1
|
|
Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP.
|
|
23
|
.2
|
|
Consent of Perry-Smith, LLP.
|
|
23
|
.3
|
|
Consent of Dechert LLP (Included
in Exhibit 5.1).*
|
|
23
|
.4
|
|
Consent of Garlington,
Lohn & Robinson, PLLP, Montana local counsel (Included
in Exhibit 5.2).*
|
|
23
|
.5
|
|
Consent of Ryan,
Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC, Washington local counsel
(Included in Exhibit 5.3).*
|
|
24
|
.1
|
|
Power of Attorney (included on
signature page).
|
|
99
|
.1
|
|
Form of Letter of Transmittal.
|
|
99
|
.2
|
|
Form of Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery.
|
|
99
|
.3
|
|
Form of Letter to Holders.
|
|
99
|
.4
|
|
Form of Letter to Brokers,
Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees.
|
|
99
|
.5
|
|
Form of Letter to Clients.
|
|
99
|
.6
|
|
Guidelines for Certification of
Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute
Form W-9.
|
exv5w1
Exhibit 5.1
Dechert LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
+1 212 698-3500 Main
+1 212 698-3599 Fax
www.dechert.com
October 10, 2006
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
11100 Mead Road, Suite 200
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
|
|
|
Re: |
|
Form S-4 Registration Statement
Registration No. 333- 137780 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to H&E Equipment Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
Company), H&E Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation (H&E Finance), H&E Equipment Services
(California), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (H&E California), H&E California Holding,
Inc., a California corporation (California Holding and together with H&E Finance and H&E
California, the Identified Guarantors), Great Northern Equipment, Inc., a Montana corporation
(Great Northern), and GNE Investments, Inc., a Washington corporation (GNE Investments and
together with the Identified Guarantors and Great Northern, the Guarantors) in connection with
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-137780) originally filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on October 3, 2006, and as amended on October
10, 2006 (the Registration Statement), of the proposed offer by the Company to exchange (the
Exchange Offer) up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 8 3/8% Senior Notes
due 2016 of the Company (the Outstanding Notes) and the guarantees of the Outstanding Notes by
the Guarantors (the Outstanding Guarantees) for an equal aggregate principal amount of 8 3/8 %
Senior Notes due 2016 of the Company (the Exchange Notes) and guarantees of the Exchange Notes by
the Guarantors (the Exchange Guarantees) on the terms set forth in the prospectus contained in
the Registration Statement (the Prospectus) and the letter of transmittal filed as an exhibit
thereto. The Exchange Notes and Exchange Guarantees will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated
as of August 4, 2006 (the Indenture) by and among the Company, the Guarantors and The Bank of New
York, as trustee (the Trustee), which
October 10, 2006
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
Page 2
Indenture is filed as exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement. This opinion letter is being
furnished to the Company in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K of
the Securities Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents
of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, other than as to the enforceability of the
Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records, documents, agreements, certificates,
corporate and other instruments, and examined such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of rendering this opinion letter, including the Registration
Statement, the Indenture, the form of Exchange Note and the form of notation of Exchange Guarantee.
As to the facts on which this opinion is based, we have relied upon certificates of public
officials, certificates and written statements of officers and representatives of the Company and
the Guarantors.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as original documents, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as copies, the legal capacity of natural persons, and the legal power and
authority of all persons signing on behalf of the parties to all documents (other than the Company
and the Identified Guarantors). In addition, we have assumed that (i) each party (other than the
Company and the Identified Guarantors) to the Indenture, the Outstanding Notes, the Outstanding
Guarantees, the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees is duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) each party (other than
the Company and the Identified Guarantors) to the Indenture, the Outstanding Notes, the Outstanding
Guarantees the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees has the legal power and authority to
enter into and perform its respective obligations thereunder, (iii) the Indenture, the Outstanding
Notes and the Outstanding Guarantees have been, and the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees
will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto (other than the
Company and the Identified Guarantors) and constitute, and in the case of the Exchange Notes and
the Exchange Guarantees, will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of such parties,
enforceable against such parties in accordance with their respective terms, (iv) the Outstanding
Notes have been, and the Exchange Notes will have been, duly authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, (v) the Exchange Notes will conform to the
specimens thereof examined by us, (vi) the Indenture will have been qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and (vii) the Registration Statement will have been declared
effective by the Commission. We have also assumed that there will be no changes in applicable law
between the date of this opinion and the date of issuance and delivery of the Exchange Notes and
the Exchange Guarantees.
October 10, 2006
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
Page 3
The opinions expressed herein are limited to the internal laws of the State of New York, the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of
Delaware and the Corporations Code of the State of California and we express no opinion concerning
the laws of any other jurisdiction.
On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth in this
letter, we are of the opinion that:
(1) The Exchange Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate actions of the Company
and, when the Exchange Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by or on
behalf of the Company in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus against the due tender and
delivery to the Trustee of Outstanding Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Notes will be the legally valid and
binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with their terms.
(2) The Exchange Guarantees of each of the Identified Guarantors have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate or limited liability company action, as the case may be, of each Identified
Guarantor. When the Exchange Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by
or on behalf of the Company in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus against the due tender and
delivery to the Trustee of Outstanding Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes, each of the Exchange Guarantees will be the
legally valid and binding obligation of the respective Identified Guarantor, enforceable against
such Identified Guarantor in accordance with its terms.
Our opinions as expressed herein are subject to and qualified and limited by (i) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws now or
hereafter in effect of or relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, and (ii) general
principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and the discretion of
the court or other body before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
This opinion letter has been prepared for your use solely in connection with the Registration
Statement. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to
the reference to this firm under the caption Legal Matters in the Prospectus. In giving such
consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Dechert LLP
exv5w2
Exhibit 5.2
Garlington, Lohn & Robinson, PLLP
199 West Pine Street P.O. Box 7909
Missoula, Montana 59807
+1 406 523-2500 Main
+1 406 523-2595 Fax
www.garlington.com
October 10, 2006
H & E Equipment Services, Inc.
11100 Mead Road, Suite 200
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
|
|
|
RE: |
|
Form S-4 Registration Statement
Registration No. 333-137780 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Great Northern Equipment, Inc., a Montana corporation (Great
Northern), as a Guarantor (and together with H & E Finance Corp., a Delaware corporation, H & E
Equipment Services (California), LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, H & E California
Holding, Inc., a California corporation, and GNE Investments, Inc., a Washington corporation, the
Guarantors), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the Securities Act) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.
333-137780) originally filed by H & E Equipment Services, Inc. (the Company) with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on October 3, 2006, and as amended on October 10, 2006
(the Registration Statement), of the proposed offer by the Company to exchange (the Exchange
Offer) up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 8-3/8% Senior Notes due 2016
of the Company (the Outstanding Notes) and the guarantees of the Outstanding Notes by the
Guarantors (the Outstanding Guarantees) for an equal aggregate principal amount of 8 3/8% Senior
Notes due 2016 of the Company (the Exchange Notes) and guarantees of the Exchange Notes by the
Guarantors (the Exchange Guarantees) on the terms set forth in the prospectus contained in the
Registration Statement (the Prospectus) and the letter of transmittal filed as an exhibit
thereto. The Exchange Notes and Exchange Guarantees will be issued pursuant to an indenture, dated
as of August 4, 2006 (the Indenture) by and among the Company, the Guarantors and The Bank of New
York, as trustee (the Trustee), which Indenture is filed as exhibit 4.9 to the Registration
Statement. This opinion letter is being furnished to the Company in accordance with the
requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, and no opinion is expressed
herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, other than as to the
enforceability of the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees.
H & E Equipment Services, Inc.
RE: Form S-4 Registration Statement
October 10, 2006
Page 2
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records, documents, agreements, certificates,
corporate and other instruments, and examined such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of rendering this opinion letter, including the Registration
Statement, the Indenture, the form of Exchange Note and the form of notation of Exchange Guarantee.
As to the facts on which this opinion is based, we have relied upon certificates of public
officials, certificates and written statements of officers and representatives of Great Northern.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as original documents, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as copies, the legal capacity of natural persons, and the legal power and
authority of all persons signing on behalf of the parties to all documents (other than Great
Northern). In addition, we have assumed that (i) each party (other than Great Northern) to the
Indenture, the Outstanding Notes, the Outstanding Guarantees, the Exchange Notes and the Exchange
Guarantees is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of organization, (ii) each party (other than Great Northern) to the Indenture, the
Outstanding Notes, the Outstanding Guarantees the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees has
the legal power and authority to enter into and perform its respective obligations thereunder,
(iii) the Indenture, the Outstanding Notes and the Outstanding Guarantees have been, and the
Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered
by the parties thereto (other than Great Northern) and constitute, and in the case of the Exchange
Notes and the Exchange Guarantees, will constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of such
parties, enforceable against such parties in accordance with their respective terms, (iv) the
Outstanding Notes have been, and the Exchange Notes will have been, duly authenticated and
delivered by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, (v) the Exchange Notes will
conform to the specimens thereof examined by us, (vi) the Indenture will have been qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and (vii) the Registration Statement will have been
declared effective by the Commission. We have also assumed that there will be no changes in
applicable law between the date of this opinion and the date of issuance and delivery of the
Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees.
The opinions expressed herein are limited to the internal laws of the state of Montana and we
express no opinion concerning the laws of any other jurisdiction.
On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth in this
letter, we are of the opinion that:
H & E Equipment Services, Inc.
RE: Form S-4 Registration Statement
October 10, 2006
Page 3
The Exchange Guarantee of Great Northern has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
of Great Northern. When the Exchange Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered by or on behalf of the Company in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus against the
due tender and delivery to the Trustee of Outstanding Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal
to the aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Guarantee of Great Northern
will be the legally valid and binding obligation of Great Northern, enforceable against Great
Northern in accordance with its terms.
Our opinions as expressed herein are subject to and qualified and limited by (i) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws now or
hereafter in effect of or relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, and (ii) general
principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and the discretion of
the court or other body before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. This opinion letter has been prepared for your use solely in connection with the Registration
Statement. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to
the reference to this firm under the caption Legal Matters in the Prospectus. In giving such
consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required
under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
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Very truly yours,
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/s/ GARLINGTON, LOHN & ROBINSON, pllp
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exv5w3
Exhibit 5.3
Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400
Seattle, Washington 98101
+1 206 464-4224 Main
+1 206 621-7568 Fax
www.ryanlaw.com
October 10, 2006
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
11100 Mead Road, Suite 200
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70816
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to GNE Investments, Inc., a Washington corporation (GNE),
as a Guarantor, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the Securities Act) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No.
333-137780) originally filed by H & E Equipment Services, Inc. (the Company) with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on October 3, 2006, and as amended on October 10, 2006
(the Registration Statement), of the proposed offer by the Company to exchange (the Exchange
Offer) up to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of outstanding 8-3/8% Senior Notes due 2016
of the Company (the Outstanding Notes) and the guarantees (the Outstanding Guarantees) of the
Outstanding Notes by GNE, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H & E Finance Corp., H & E Equipment
Services (California), LLC, and H & E California Holding, Inc. (the Guarantors) for an equal
aggregate principal amount of 8-3/8% Senior Notes due 2016 of the Company (the Exchange Notes)
and guarantees of the Exchange Notes by the Guarantors (the Exchange Guarantees) on the terms set
forth in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the Prospectus) and the letter
of transmittal filed as an exhibit thereto. The Exchange Notes and Exchange Guarantees will be
issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of August 4, 2006 (the Indenture) by and among the
Company, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the Trustee), which Indenture is
filed as exhibit 4.9 to the Registration Statement. This opinion letter is being furnished to the
Company in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K of the Securities
Act, and no opinion
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
October 10, 2006
Page 2
is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus, other than as to the enforceability of the Exchange Notes and the Exchange
Guarantees.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records, documents, agreements, certificates,
corporate and other instruments, and examined such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of rendering this opinion letter, including the Registration
Statement, the Indenture, the form of Exchange Note and the form of notation of Exchange Guarantee.
As to the facts on which this opinion is based, we have relied upon certificates of public
officials, certificates and written statements of officers and representatives of GNE.
In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all
documents submitted to us as original documents, the conformity to original documents of all
documents submitted to us as copies, the legal capacity of natural persons, and the legal power and
authority of all persons signing on behalf of the parties to all documents (other than GNE). In
addition, we have assumed that (i) each party (other than GNE) to the Indenture, the Outstanding
Notes, the Outstanding Guarantees, the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization, (ii) each party (other than GNE) to the Indenture, the Outstanding Notes, the
Outstanding Guarantees the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees has the legal power and
authority to enter into and perform its respective obligations thereunder, (iii) the Indenture, the
Outstanding Notes and the Outstanding Guarantees have been, and the Exchange Notes and the Exchange
Guarantees will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto (other
than GNE) and constitute, and in the case of the Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees, will
constitute, legal, valid and binding obligations of such parties, enforceable against such parties
in accordance with their respective terms, (iv) the Outstanding Notes have been, and the Exchange
Notes will have been, duly authenticated and delivered by
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
October 10, 2006
Page 3
the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, (v) the Exchange Notes will conform
to the specimens thereof examined by us, (vi) the Indenture will have been qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and (vii) the Registration Statement will have been
declared effective by the Commission. We have also assumed that there will be no changes in
applicable law between the date of this opinion and the date of issuance and delivery of the
Exchange Notes and the Exchange Guarantees.
The opinions expressed herein are limited to the internal laws of the state of Washington and
we express no opinion concerning the laws of any other jurisdiction.
On the basis of the foregoing and subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth in
this letter, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Exchange Guaranty of GNE has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of
GNE. When the Exchange Notes have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered by or on
behalf of H&E Equipment Services, Inc., the Company in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus
against the due tender and delivery to the Trustee of Outstanding Notes in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Exchange Notes, the Exchange Guaranty of GNE
will be the legally valid and binding obligation of GNE, enforceable against GNE in accordance with
its terms.
Our opinions as expressed herein are subject to and qualified and limited by (i) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws now or
hereafter in effect of or relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, and (ii) general
principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and the discretion of
the court or other body before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
This opinion letter has been prepared for your use solely in connection with the Registration
Statement. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
October 10, 2006
Page 4
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement
and to the reference to this firm under the caption Legal Matters in the Prospectus. In giving
such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is
required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder.
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Very truly yours,
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/s/ RYAN, SWANSON & CLEVELAND, PLLC
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