UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

 

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

TO § 240.13d-1(a) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO

§ 240.13d-2(a)

 

(Amendment No. 25)¹

 

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

 

Common Stock, par value $0.10

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

007800 10 5
(CUSIP Number)

 

Warren G. Lichtenstein

Steel Partners Holdings L.P.

590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

(212) 520-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

January 28, 2022

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

 

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box ☐.

 

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See § 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

 

_______________ 

¹              The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				AF
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							3,949,496
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							3,949,496
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				3,949,496
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				4.9%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				PN

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				SPH GROUP LLC
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				AF
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							3,949,496
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							3,949,496
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				3,949,496
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				4.9%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				PN

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

DELAWARE

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

- 0 -

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

466,924

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

- 0 -

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

466,924

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

466,924

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

LESS THAN 1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

OO

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS GP INC.
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				AF
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							3,949,496
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							3,949,496
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				3,949,496
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				4.9%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				CO

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				WEBFINANCIAL HOLDING CORPORATION
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							3,482,572
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							3,482,572
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				3,482,572
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				4.3%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				CO

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

STEEL EXCEL, INC.

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

OO

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

DELAWARE

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

- 0 -

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

465,427

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

- 0 -

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

465,427

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

465,427

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

LESS THAN 1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

CO

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

STEEL PARTNERS LTD.

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

WC

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

DELAWARE

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

- 0 -

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

60,546

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

- 0 -

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

60,546

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

60,546

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

LESS THAN 1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

CO

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

OO, AF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

USA

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

207,953

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

60,546

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

207,953

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

60,546

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

268,499

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

LESS THAN 1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

James R. Henderson

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

OO

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

USA

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

48,107

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

- 0 -

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

48,107

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

- 0 -

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

48,107

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

LESS THAN 1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Joanne M. Maguire
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				USA
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				- 0 -
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				0%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				IN

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Audrey A. McNiff

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

OO

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

USA

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

4,787

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

- 0 -

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

4,787

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

- 0 -

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

4,787

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

LESS THAN 1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Aimee J. Nelson
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				USA
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				- 0 -
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				0%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				IN

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

Martin Turchin

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

OO, PF

5

CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

USA

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

120,566

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

- 0 -

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

120,566

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

- 0 -

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

120,566

12

CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

LESS THAN 1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

IN

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				Heidi R. Wood
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				USA
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							- 0 -
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				- 0 -
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				0%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				IN

  

 

The following constitutes Amendment No. 25 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (“Amendment No. 25”). This Amendment No. 25 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth herein.

 

Item 2.

Identity and Background.

 

Item 2 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

(a)       This statement is filed by Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Steel Holdings”), SPH Group LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SPHG”), SPH Group Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“SPHG Holdings”), Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Steel Holdings GP”), WebFinancial Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“WebFinancial”), Steel Excel, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Steel Excel”), Steel Partners, Ltd., a Delaware corporation (“SPL”), Warren G. Lichtenstein, James R. Henderson, Joanne M. Maguire, Audrey A. McNiff, Aimee J. Nelson, Martin Turchin and Heidi R. Wood. Each of the foregoing is referred to as a “Reporting Person” and collectively as the “Reporting Persons.”

 

Steel Holdings owns 99% of the membership interests of SPHG. SPHG is the sole member of SPHG Holdings. Steel Holdings GP is the general partner of Steel Holdings, the managing member of SPHG and the manager of SPHG Holdings. SPHG owns 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of WebFinancial. Accordingly, for purposes of this statement, each of Steel Holdings, SPHG and Steel Holdings GP may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by WebFinancial. SPHG Holdings owns 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Steel Excel. Accordingly, for purposes of this statement, each of Steel Holdings, SPHG, SPHG Holdings and Steel Holdings GP may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by Steel Excel. Mr. Lichtenstein is the Chief Executive Officer of SPL. Accordingly, for purposes of this statement, Mr. Lichtenstein may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by SPL.

 

Each Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares owned directly by another Reporting Person.

 

Set forth on Schedule A annexed hereto (“Schedule A”) is the name and present principal business, occupation or employment and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted of (i) the executive officers and directors of Steel Holdings GP, (ii) the executive officers and directors of WebFinancial, (iii) the executive officers and directors of Steel Excel, and (iv) the executive officers and directors of SPL. To the best of the Reporting Persons’ knowledge, except as otherwise set forth herein, none of the persons listed on Schedule A beneficially owns any securities of the Issuer or is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding required to be disclosed herein.

 

 

(b)       The principal business address of Steel Holdings, SPHG, SPHG Holdings, Steel Holdings GP, WebFinancial, Steel Excel, SPL and Mr. Lichtenstein is 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10022. The principal business address of James R. Henderson is 222 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 500, El Segundo, CA 90245. The principal business address of Audrey A. McNiff is 222 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 500, El Segundo, CA 90245. The principal business address of Martin Turchin is 222 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 500, El Segundo, CA 90245. The principal business address of Aimee J. Nelson is 2712 Strongs Dr, #2, Venice, CA 90291. The principal business address of Joanne M. Maguire is 569 Via Almar, Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274. The principal business address of Heidi R. Wood is 9160 Marsh Island Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

 

(c)       Steel Holdings is a global diversified holding company that engages or has interests in a variety of operating businesses through its subsidiary companies. The principal business of SPHG Holdings is holding securities for the account of Steel Holdings. The principal business of SPHG is serving as the sole member of SPHG Holdings and other affiliates. The principal business of Steel Holdings GP is serving as the general partner of Steel Holdings, the managing member of SPHG and the manager of SPHG Holdings. WebFinancial is a holding company. Steel Excel is a global diversified company that engages or has interests in a variety of operating businesses. Warren G. Lichtenstein is Executive Chairman of Steel Holdings GP. James R. Henderson is an independent board member. Audrey A. McNiff is a retired investment banker. Martin Turchin is a non-executive Vice Chairman of CBRE Group, Inc., a commercial real estate services and investment firm. Aimee J. Nelson is a finance professional. Joanne M. Maguire is a retired aerospace executive. Heidi R. Wood is Executive Vice President, Business Development & Growth Initiatives of CAE Inc., a manufacturer of simulation technologies, modelling technologies and training services to airlines, and President of CAE Healthcare, CAE Inc.’s healthcare division. Messrs. Lichtenstein, Henderson and Turchin and Ms. McNiff are also directors of the Issuer.

 

(d)       No Reporting Person nor any person listed on Schedule A has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

 

 

(e)       No Reporting Person nor any person listed on Schedule A has, during the last five years, been party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

(f)       Each of the individuals who are Reporting Persons or listed on Schedule A is a citizen of the United States of America. Each of the entities who are Reporting Persons are organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

 

Item 3 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

The aggregate purchase price of the 3,949,496 Shares owned directly by SPHG Holdings, WebFinancial and Steel Excel is approximately $46,606,260, including brokerage commissions. The Shares owned directly by SPHG Holdings, WebFinancial and Steel Excel were acquired with funds of an entity affiliated with SPHG Holdings that initially purchased the Shares prior to being transferred to SPHG Holdings, WebFinancial and Steel Excel.

 

The aggregate purchase price of the 60,546 Shares owned directly by SPL is approximately $1,081,073, including brokerage commissions. The Shares owned directly by SPL were acquired with the working capital of SPL.

 

Warren G. Lichtenstein owns directly 207,953 Shares, all of which were awarded to him, or issued to him upon exercise of stock options awarded to him, in his capacity as a director of the Issuer.

 

SPL and Mr. Lichtenstein hold their Shares in margin accounts with brokers, which may extend margin credit to them as and when required to open or carry positions in the margin accounts, subject to applicable federal margin regulations, stock exchange rules and the brokers’ credit policies. In such instances, the positions held in the margin accounts are pledged as collateral security for the repayment of debit balances in the accounts.

 

James R. Henderson owns directly 48,107 Shares, all of which were awarded to him in his capacity as a director of the Issuer.

 

Audrey A. McNiff owns directly 4,787 Shares, all of which were awarded to her in her capacity as a director of the Issuer.

 

 

Martin Turchin owns directly 108,066 Shares, consisting of 7,500 Shares that were purchased with personal funds for approximately $27,735 and 100,566 Shares that were awarded to him in his capacity as a director of the Issuer. Additionally, Mr. Turchin beneficially owns indirectly an aggregate of 12,500 Shares held in several trusts of which he is a trustee, all of which were purchased with personal funds for approximately $21,888.

 

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction.

 

Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following:

 

Steel Holdings, a significant stockholder of the Issuer, has been and continues to be supportive of the Issuer’s previously-announced merger with Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed”). However, in light of the recent uncertainty surrounding the prospects of the Lockheed transaction obtaining the requisite governmental approvals, Steel Holdings believes the Issuer needs to focus on ensuring that it is optimally positioned to continue the business as a standalone entity in the event the transaction is not consummated. To that end, on January 28, 2022, Steel Holdings delivered a letter to the Issuer nominating a slate of director candidates for election at the Issuer’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) in order to preserve its rights as a stockholder in the event the Lockheed transaction does not close prior to the meeting. Steel Holdings’ slate of nominees consists of four of the current eight existing Issuer directors – Warren G. Lichtenstein (Executive Chairman), James R. Henderson, Audrey A. McNiff and Martin Turchin – and three new highly-qualified independent candidates – Aimee J. Nelson, Joanne M. Maguire and Heidi R. Wood (collectively, the “Nominees”).

 

The Reporting Persons purchased the Shares based on the Reporting Persons’ belief that the Shares, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity. Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of Shares at prices that would make the purchase or sale of Shares desirable, the Reporting Persons may endeavor to increase or decrease their position in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of Shares on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable.

 

 

Except in Warren G. Lichtenstein’s, James R. Henderson’s, Audrey A. McNiff’s and Martin Turchin’s capacity as a director of the Issuer, no Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D other than as set forth herein or such as would occur upon or in connection with completion of, or following, any of the actions discussed herein. The Reporting Persons intend to review their investment in the Issuer on a continuing basis. Depending on various factors including, without limitation, the Issuer’s financial position and investment strategy, the price levels of the Shares, conditions in the securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, the Reporting Persons may in the future take such actions with respect to their investment in the Issuer as they deem appropriate including, without limitation, engaging in communications with members of management and the Board of Directors of the Issuer (the “Board”), engaging in discussions with stockholders of the Issuer and others about the Issuer and the Reporting Persons’ investment, making recommendations or proposals to the Issuer concerning changes to the capitalization, corporate structure, ownership structure, Board structure (including Board composition) or operations of the Issuer, purchasing additional Shares, selling some or all of their Shares, engaging in short selling of or any hedging or similar transaction with respect to the Shares, or changing their intention with respect to any and all matters referred to in Item 4.

 

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

 

Item 5(a) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

(a)       The aggregate percentage of Shares reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 80,500,624 Shares outstanding, which is the total number of Shares outstanding as of October 18, 2021 as reported in the Issuer’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2021.

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, WebFinancial owned directly 3,482,572 Shares, constituting approximately 4.3% of the Shares outstanding. By virtue of their relationships with WebFinancial, each of Steel Holdings, SPHG and Steel Holdings GP may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by WebFinancial.

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, Steel Excel owned directly 465,427 Shares, constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding. By virtue of their relationships with Steel Excel, each of Steel Holdings, SPHG, SPHG Holdings and Steel Holdings GP may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by Steel Excel.

 

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, SPHG Holdings owned directly 1,497 Shares, constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding. By virtue of their relationships with SPHG Holdings, each of Steel Holdings, SPHG and Steel Holdings GP may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by SPHG Holdings.

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, SPL owned directly 60,546 Shares, constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding. By virtue of his relationship with SPL discussed in further detail in Item 2, Warren G. Lichtenstein may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned directly by SPL.

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, Warren G. Lichtenstein owned directly 207,953 Shares, which, together with the 60,546 Shares owned directly by SPL that Mr. Lichtenstein may also be deemed to beneficially own, constitutes less than 1% of the Shares outstanding. An additional 520,892 Shares are held by a “rabbi trust,” the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Lichtenstein pursuant to the Issuer’s Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors. Such 520,892 Shares are not deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Lichtenstein.

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, James R. Henderson owned directly 48,107 Shares, constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding. An additional 83,259 Shares are held by a “rabbi trust,” the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Henderson pursuant to the Issuer’s Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors. Such 83,259 Shares are not deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Henderson.

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, Audrey A. McNiff owned directly 4,787 Shares, constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding. An additional 3,586 Shares are held by a “rabbi trust,” the receipt of which has been deferred by Ms. McNiff pursuant to the Issuer’s Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors. Such 3,586 Shares are not deemed to be beneficially owned by Ms. McNiff.

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, Martin Turchin owned directly 108,066 Shares, constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding. Additionally, Mr. Turchin beneficially owned indirectly an aggregate of 12,500 Shares held in several trusts of which he is a trustee, constituting less than 1% of the Shares outstanding. An additional 5,159 Shares are held by a “rabbi trust,” the receipt of which has been deferred by Mr. Turchin pursuant to the Issuer’s Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors. Such 5,159 Shares are not deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Turchin.

 

 

As of the close of business on the date hereof, Mmes. Maguire, Nelson and Wood did not beneficially own any securities of the Issuer.

 

Item 5(b) is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

 

(b)       Each of WebFinancial, SPHG, Steel Holdings and Steel Holdings GP is deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose of the Shares owned directly by WebFinancial. Each of Steel Excel, SPHG Holdings, SPHG, Steel Holdings and Steel Holdings GP is deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose of the Shares owned directly by Steel Excel. Each of SPHG Holdings, SPHG, Steel Holdings and Steel Holdings GP is deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose of the Shares owned directly by SPHG Holdings. Each of SPL and Mr. Lichtenstein is deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose of the Shares owned directly by SPL. Mr. Lichtenstein has the sole power to vote and dispose all Shares he directly owns. Mr. Henderson has the sole power to vote and dispose all Shares he directly owns. Ms. McNiff has the sole power to vote and dispose all Shares she directly owns. Mr. Turchin has the sole power to vote and dispose all Shares he directly and indirectly owns.

 

Item 5(c) is hereby amended to add the following:

 

(c)       Effective December 30, 2021, Steel Excel contributed its ownership of 3,482,572 Shares to WebFinancial. There have been no other transactions by the Reporting Persons in the securities of the Issuer during the past 60 days.

 

Item 6.

Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

 

Item 6 is hereby amended to add the following:

 

On January 28, 2022, SPHG Holdings entered into letter agreements (the “Indemnification Agreements”) with each of the Nominees, except Messrs. Henderson, Lichtenstein and Turchin and Ms. McNiff, pursuant to which it and its affiliates have agreed to indemnify such Nominees against certain claims arising from the solicitation of proxies from the Issuer’s stockholders in connection with the Annual Meeting and any related transactions. For the avoidance of doubt, such indemnification does not apply to any claims made against such Nominees in their capacities as directors of the Issuer, if so elected. A form of the Indemnification Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

On January 28, 2022, the Reporting Persons entered into a Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement (the “Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, the parties agreed (a) to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D, and any amendments thereto, with respect to the securities of the Issuer, if applicable, (b) to solicit proxies for the election of the Nominees at the Annual Meeting, (c) that the Nominees would not execute any transactions in securities of the Issuer without the prior written consent of SPHG Holdings and its affiliates, and (d) that SPHG Holdings and its affiliates would bear all expenses incurred in connection with the parties’ activities, including approved expenses incurred by any of the parties in connection with the solicitation, subject to certain limitations. The Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Each of the Nominees, except Messrs. Henderson, Lichtenstein and Turchin and Ms. McNiff, has granted certain representatives of SPHG Holdings powers of attorney (the “POAs”) to execute certain SEC filings and other documents in connection with the solicitation of proxies at the Annual Meeting. A form of POA is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.3 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Mr. Lichtenstein owns Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”) for 200,000 Shares, all of which vest on February 28, 2022. Mr. Lichtenstein owns Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) for 11,606 Shares, which vest in two equal annual installments beginning on March 3, 2022. Mr. Lichtenstein owns RSUs for 71,240 Shares, which vest in three equal installments as follows: 1/3 to vest upon the attainment of a Share price of $57.80, an additional 1/3 to vest upon the attainment of a Share price of $62.83, and an additional 1/3 to vest upon the attainment of a Share price of $67.85, in each case no later than March 3, 2023, with the Share price in all cases being determined on the basis of the 20-day volume weighted average price of the Shares. Such SARs and RSUs were awarded to Mr. Lichtenstein in his capacity as a director of the Issuer.

 

Item 7.

Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

 

Item 7 is hereby amended to add the following exhibits:

 

	Exhibit No.	Description
	99.1	Form of Indemnification Agreement
	99.2	Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreement
	99.3	Form of POA

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of his knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

Dated: February 1, 2022	STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.
	By:	Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	SPH GROUP LLC
	By:	Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. Managing Member
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC
	By:	Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. Manager
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS GP INC.
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	WEBFINANCIAL HOLDING CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, Director

 

	STEEL EXCEL, INC.
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, Director

 

 

	STEEL PARTNERS, LTD.
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	/s/ Jack L. Howard
	JACK L. HOWARD as Attorney-In-Fact for Warren G. Lichtenstein

 

	/s/ Jack L. Howard
	JACK L. HOWARD as Attorney-In-Fact for Joanne M. Maguire

 

	/s/ Jack L. Howard
	JACK L. HOWARD as Attorney-In-Fact for Aimee J. Nelson

 

	/s/ Jack L. Howard
	JACK L. HOWARD as Attorney-In-Fact for Heidi R. Wood

 

	/s/ James R. Henderson
	James R. Henderson

 

	/s/ Audrey A. McNiff
	Audrey A. McNiff

 

	/s/ Martin Turchin
	Martin Turchin

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Executive Officers and Directors of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc.

 

Name and Position		Present Principal Occupation		Business Address
Warren G. Lichtenstein, Executive Chairman and Director		Executive Chairman of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Jack L. Howard, President and Director		President of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Jason Wong, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Lon Rosen, Director		Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Los Angeles Dodgers		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
John P. McNiff, Director		Chairman of Discovery Capital Management, LLC, a multi-strategy hedge fund		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
General Richard I. Neal, Director		Retired		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022

 

 

Name and Position

Present Principal Occupation

Business Address

James Benenson III, Director		Director and Co-President of Summa Holdings, Inc. (“Summa”), a holding company, and director and Co-President of Industrial Manufacturing Company and Industrial Manufacturing Company International, subsidiaries of Summa that own various diversified industrial businesses		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Eric P. Karros, Director		Television analyst for FOX Sports and works for the Los Angeles Dodgers		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Rory H. Tahari, Director		Co-founder, State of Mind Partners, a strategic branding and investment firm		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Gordon A. Walker, Senior Vice President		Senior Vice President of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022

 

 

Executive Officers and Directors of Steel Excel, Inc.

 

Name and Position		Present Principal Occupation		Business Address
Jack L. Howard, Director		President of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Gordon A. Walker, President and Director		Senior Vice President of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Jason Wong, Senior Vice President and Director		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022

 

 

Executive Officers and Directors of WebFinancial Holding Corporation

 

Name and Position		Present Principal Occupation		Business Address
Jack L. Howard, Director		President of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Gordon A. Walker, President and Director		Senior Vice President of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Jason Wong, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Director		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022

 

 

Executive Officers and Directors of Steel Partners, Ltd.

 

Name and Position		Present Principal Occupation		Business Address
Warren G. Lichtenstein, Chief Executive Officer		Executive Chairman of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Jack L. Howard, Director and President		President of Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., the General Partner of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022
Mario Marcon, Chief Financial Officer		Employee of Steel Services, Ltd., a subsidiary of Steel Partners Holdings L.P., a global diversified holding company		c/o Steel Partners Holdings L.P. 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, NY 10022

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor New York, New York 10022

 

 

[Nominee]

[Address]

 

January 28, 2022

 

Re:

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.

 

Dear ______:

 

Thank you for agreeing to serve as a nominee for election to the Board of Directors of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) in connection with the proxy solicitation that SPH Group Holdings LLC and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Steel Group”) is considering undertaking to nominate and elect directors at the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders, or any other meeting of stockholders held in lieu thereof, and any adjournments, postponements, reschedulings or continuations thereof (the “Steel Group Solicitation”). Your outstanding qualifications, we believe, will prove a valuable asset to the Company and all of its stockholders. This letter (this “Agreement”) will set forth the terms of our agreement.

 

The members of the Steel Group agree to jointly and severally indemnify and hold you harmless against any and all claims of any nature, whenever brought, arising from the Steel Group Solicitation and any related transactions, irrespective of the outcome; provided, however, that you will not be entitled to indemnification for claims arising from your gross negligence, willful misconduct, intentional and material violations of law, criminal actions or material breach of the terms of this Agreement; provided further, that upon your becoming a director of the Company, this indemnification shall not apply to any claims made against you in your capacity as a director of the Company. This indemnification will include any and all losses, liabilities, damages, demands, claims, suits, actions, judgments, or causes of action, assessments, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys’ fees, and any and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, any civil, criminal, administrative or arbitration action, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation asserted against, resulting, imposed upon, or incurred or suffered by you, directly or indirectly, as a result of or arising from the Steel Group Solicitation and any related transactions (each, a “Loss”).

 

In the event of a claim against you pursuant to the prior paragraph or the occurrence of a Loss, you shall give the Steel Group prompt written notice of such claim or Loss (provided that failure to promptly notify the Steel Group shall not relieve us from any liability which we may have on account of this Agreement, except to the extent we shall have been materially prejudiced by such failure). Upon receipt of such written notice, the Steel Group will provide you with counsel to represent you. Such counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to you. In addition, you will be reimbursed promptly for all Losses suffered by you and as incurred as provided herein. The Steel Group may not enter into any settlement of loss or claim without your consent unless such settlement includes a release of you from any and all liability in respect of such claim.

 

You hereby agree to keep confidential and not disclose to any party, without the consent of the Steel Group, any confidential, proprietary or non-public information (collectively, “Information”) of the Steel Group, its affiliates or any members of any group formed by the Steel Group pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Schedule 13D Group”) which you have heretofore obtained or may obtain in connection with your service as a nominee hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Information shall not include any information that is publicly disclosed by the Steel Group, its affiliates or any members of any Schedule 13D Group or any information that you can demonstrate is now, or hereafter becomes, through no act or failure to act on your part, otherwise generally known to the public.

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are required by applicable law, rule, regulation or legal process to disclose any Information you may do so provided that you first promptly notify the Steel Group so that the Steel Group or any member thereof may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or, in the Steel Group’s sole discretion, waive compliance with the terms of this Agreement. In the event that no such protective order or other remedy is obtained or the Steel Group does not waive compliance with the terms of this Agreement, you may consult with counsel at the cost of the Steel Group and you may furnish only that portion of the Information which you are advised by counsel is legally required to be so disclosed and you will request that the party(ies) receiving such Information maintain it as confidential.

 

All Information, all copies thereof, and any studies, notes, records, analysis, compilations or other documents prepared by you containing such Information, shall be and remain the property of the Steel Group and, upon the request of a representative of the Steel Group, all such Information shall be returned or, at the Steel Group’s option, destroyed by you, with such destruction confirmed by you to the Steel Group in writing.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of the conflicts of laws thereof.

 

*          *          *

 

 

If you agree to the foregoing terms, please sign below to indicate your acceptance.

 

Very truly yours,

 

	SPH Group Holdings LLC
	By:	Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., its Manager
	By:
		Name:	Warren G. Lichtenstein
		Title:	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:
[NOMINEE]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

JOINT FILING AND SOLICITATION AGREEMENT

 

WHEREAS, certain of the undersigned are stockholders, direct or beneficial, of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”);

 

WHEREAS, SPH Group Holdings LLC, Steel Partners Holdings L.P., SPH Group LLC, Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc., WebFinancial Holding Corporation, Steel Excel, Inc., Steel Partners, Ltd., Warren G. Lichtenstein (collectively, “Steel”), James R. Henderson, Joanne M. Maguire, Audrey A. McNiff, Aimee J. Nelson, Martin Turchin and Heidi R. Wood (collectively, the “Nominees”) wish to form a group for the purpose of seeking representation on the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (including any other meeting of stockholders held in lieu thereof, and any adjournments, postponements, reschedulings or continuations thereof, the “Annual Meeting”) and for the purpose of taking all other action necessary to achieve the foregoing.

 

NOW, IT IS AGREED, this 28th day of January 2022 by the parties hereto:

 

1.       In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), each of the undersigned (collectively, the “Group”) agrees to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D, and any amendments thereto, with respect to the securities of the Company. Each member of the Group shall be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of his, her or its own disclosure therein, and is not responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information concerning the other members, unless such member knows or has reason to know that such information is inaccurate.

 

2.       So long as this agreement is in effect, each of the undersigned shall provide written notice to Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP (“Olshan”) of (i) any of their purchases or sales of securities of the Company; or (ii) any securities of the Company over which they acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership. Notice shall be given no later than 24 hours after each such transaction.

 

3.       So long as this agreement is in effect, each of the Nominees agrees to provide Steel advance written notice prior to effecting any purchase, sale, acquisition or disposal of any securities of the Company which he or she has, or would have, direct or indirect beneficial ownership so that Steel has an opportunity to review the potential implications of any such transaction in the securities of the Company and pre-clear any such potential transaction in the securities of the Company by any such Nominee. Each of the Nominees agrees that he or she shall not undertake or effect any purchase, sale, acquisition or disposal of any securities of the Company without the prior written consent of Steel.

 

4.       Each of the undersigned agrees to form the Group for the purpose of (i) soliciting proxies or written consents for the election of the persons nominated by the Group to the Board at the Annual Meeting, (ii) taking such other actions as the parties deem advisable, and (iii) taking all other action necessary or advisable to achieve the foregoing.

 

5.       Steel shall have the right to pre-approve all expenses incurred in connection with the Group’s activities and agrees to pay directly all such pre-approved expenses.

 

6.       Each of the undersigned agrees that any filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press release or stockholder communication proposed to be made or issued by the Group or any member of the Group in connection with the Group’s activities set forth in Section 4 shall be first approved by Steel, or its representatives, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

 

7.       The relationship of the parties hereto shall be limited to carrying on the business of the Group in accordance with the terms of this agreement. Such relationship shall be construed and deemed to be for the sole and limited purpose of carrying on such business as described herein. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any party to act as an agent for any other party, or to create a joint venture or partnership, or to constitute an indemnification. Nothing herein shall restrict any party’s right to purchase or sell securities of the Company, as he, she or it deems appropriate, in his, her or its sole discretion, respectively, provided that all such transactions are made in compliance with the terms of this agreement and all applicable securities laws.

 

8.       This agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.

 

9.       In the event of any dispute arising out of the provisions of this agreement or their investment in the Company, the parties hereto consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and State Courts in the State of New York.

 

10.       Any party hereto may terminate his, her or its obligations under this agreement on 24 hours’ written notice to all other parties, with a copy by fax to Andrew M. Freedman at Olshan, Fax No. (212) 451-2222.

 

11.       Each party acknowledges that Olshan shall act as counsel for both the Group and Steel and its affiliates relating to their investment in the Company.

 

12.       Each of the undersigned parties hereby agrees that this agreement shall be filed as an exhibit to a Schedule 13D pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Exchange Act.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

	STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.
	By:	Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. General Partner
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	SPH GROUP LLC
	By:	Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. Managing Member
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	SPH GROUP HOLDINGS LLC
	By:	Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. Manager
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS GP INC.
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	WEBFINANCIAL HOLDING CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ Gordon Walker
		Gordon Walker, President

 

	STEEL EXCEL, INC.
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

 

	STEEL PARTNERS, LTD.
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Jack L. Howard, President

 

	/s/ Warren G. Lichtenstein
	WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN

 

	/s/ Joseph Martin
	JOSEPH MARTIN Attorney-In-Fact for Joanne M. Maguire, Aimee J. Nelson and Heidi R. Wood

 

	/s/ James R. Henderson
	JAMES R. HENDERSON

 

	/s/ Audrey A. McNiff
	AUDREY A. MCNIFF

 

	/s/ Martin Turchin
	MARTIN TURCHIN

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Joseph Martin and Jack L. Howard the undersigned’s true and lawful attorneys-in-fact to take any and all action in connection with (i) the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), directly or indirectly beneficially owned by SPH Group Holdings LLC or any of its affiliates (collectively, the “Group”), and (ii) any proxy solicitation of the Group to elect the Group’s slate of director nominees to the board of directors of the Company at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company (the “Solicitation”). Such action shall include, but not be limited to:

 

1.                  if applicable, executing for and on behalf of the undersigned any Schedule 13D, and amendments thereto, filed by the Group that are required to be filed under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules thereunder in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;

 

2.                  if applicable, executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Forms 3, 4 and 5 required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act in connection with the undersigned’s beneficial ownership of, or participation in a group with respect to, securities of the Company or the Solicitation;

 

3.                  executing for and on behalf of the undersigned all Joint Filing and Solicitation Agreements or similar documents pursuant to which the undersigned shall agree to be a member of the Group;

 

4.                  performing any and all acts for and on behalf of the undersigned that may be necessary or desirable to complete and execute any such document, complete and execute any amendment or amendments thereto, and timely file such form with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority; and

 

5.                  taking any other action of any type whatsoever in connection with the Solicitation, including entering into any settlement agreement, that in the opinion of such attorney-in-fact, may be of benefit to, in the best interest of, or legally required by, the undersigned, it being understood that the documents executed by such attorney-in-fact on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to this Power of Attorney shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as such attorney-in-fact may approve in such attorney-in-fact’s discretion.

 

The undersigned hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and thing whatsoever requisite, necessary, or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if personally present, with full power of substitution or revocation, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact, or such attorney-in-fact’s substitutes, shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Power of Attorney and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned acknowledges that the foregoing attorney-in-fact, in serving in such capacity at the request of the undersigned, is not assuming any of the undersigned's responsibilities to comply with Section 13(d), Section 16 or Section 14 of the Exchange Act.

 

This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until the undersigned is no longer a member of the Group unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to the foregoing attorney-in-fact.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of this 28th day of January 2022.

 

	[NOMINEE]