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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 17, 2010

Registration No. 333-165182

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

MANPOWER INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Wisconsin		7363		39-1672779
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

100 Manpower Place

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212

(414) 961-1000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Kenneth C. Hunt

Senior Vice President, General

Counsel and Secretary

Manpower Inc.

100 Manpower Place

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212

(414) 961-1000

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies of communications to:

 

Dennis F. Connolly Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. 780 North Water Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202		Ken R. Bramlett, Jr. Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary COMSYS IT Partners, Inc. 4400 Post Oak Parkway Houston, Texas 77027		J. Norfleet Pruden, III K&L Gates LLP 214 North Tryon Street, 47th Floor Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective and upon consummation of the transactions described in the enclosed prospectus.

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

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.  ¨

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.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  x		Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨		Smaller reporting company  ¨
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

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

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

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THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS MAY CHANGE. WE MAY NOT COMPLETE THIS EXCHANGE OFFER AND ISSUE THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.

 

Preliminary Prospectus of Manpower Inc.

 

 

MANPOWER INC.

OFFER TO EXCHANGE EACH OUTSTANDING SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

OF

COMSYS IT PARTNERS, INC.

FOR

$17.65 IN CASH OR $17.65 IN FAIR MARKET VALUE OF MANPOWER INC. COMMON STOCK

SUBJECT TO PRORATION AND SUBJECT TO MANPOWER INC.’S RIGHT TO ELECT TO

PAY $17.65 IN CASH FOR ALL SHARES TENDERED AS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS

 

 

THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK TIME, ON THE EVENING OF APRIL 2, 2010, UNLESS EXTENDED. SHARES TENDERED PURSUANT TO THIS EXCHANGE OFFER MAY BE WITHDRAWN AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER.

On February 1, 2010, Manpower Inc., Taurus Merger Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Manpower, and COMSYS IT Partners, Inc. entered into an agreement and plan of merger providing for Taurus to acquire all of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock by means of an exchange offer and a subsequent merger. COMSYS’s board of directors unanimously approved the merger agreement, determined that the exchange offer and the merger are fair to, and in the best interests of, COMSYS and recommends that COMSYS stockholders accept the exchange offer and tender their shares pursuant to the exchange offer.

In the exchange offer, Manpower, through Taurus, is offering to exchange for each share of COMSYS common stock accepted by Taurus either $17.65 in cash or $17.65 in fair market value of Manpower common stock. COMSYS stockholders may elect to receive either cash, which we refer to as a cash election, or Manpower common stock, which we refer to as a stock election, for all of their shares of COMSYS common stock tendered in the exchange offer. The fraction of a share or number of shares of Manpower common stock to be exchanged for each share of COMSYS common stock for which a stock election has been made, which we refer to as the exchange rate, will be equal to $17.65 divided by the average trading price of Manpower’s common stock during the ten trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the final expiration date of the offer. If completed, the exchange offer will be followed by a merger of Taurus with and into COMSYS in which any remaining shares of COMSYS common stock not tendered in the exchange offer, will be converted into the right to receive $17.65 in cash or a fraction of a share or number of shares of Manpower common stock equal to the exchange rate, unless appraisal rights under Delaware law are properly exercised. As in the exchange offer, COMSYS stockholders may make a cash election or a stock election. Cash elections and stock elections made in the exchange offer and the merger will be subject to proration and Manpower’s right to make the all cash election as described below. In no event will the number of shares of Manpower common stock to be issued in the exchange offer and the merger exceed 19.9% of common stock outstanding on the date on which shares of COMSYS common stock are first accepted for payment under the exchange offer. Cash elections and stock elections made in the merger will also be subject to adjustment in the event the exchange offer and the merger collectively would not qualify as a tax-free reorganization.

The aggregate amount of cash and of Manpower common stock available to be paid and issued in the exchange offer and in the merger will be determined on a 50/50 basis, such that if the holders of more than 50% of the shares of COMSYS common stock tendered in the exchange offer, or more than 50% of the shares of COMSYS common stock converted in the merger, elect more than the cash or Manpower common stock available in either case, COMSYS stockholders will receive on a pro rata basis the other kind of consideration to the extent the kind of consideration they elect to receive is oversubscribed. For example, if the holders of more than 50% of COMSYS common stock who tendered in the exchange offer make cash elections then such holders in the aggregate will receive all of the cash available for payment in the exchange offer (50% of the total consideration payable to all stockholders who tender in the exchange offer) but also will receive some Manpower common stock on a pro rata basis, since there would have been an oversubscription for cash. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Manpower has the right to elect, at any time not less than two business days prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, to pay $17.65 in cash for each share of COMSYS common stock tendered in the exchange offer and converted in the merger. In the event that Manpower makes the all-cash election, Manpower will make an announcement via press release, and the offer will be extended for up to ten business days from the date that materials disclosing that Manpower has made the all-cash election are disseminated to COMSYS stockholders, but no less than five business days from dissemination of such materials.

With respect to the number of shares of Manpower common stock, if any, to be received by COMSYS stockholders in exchange for such stockholders’ shares of COMSYS common stock, the exchange rate will be determined in advance of the expiration of the exchange offer based on the final expiration of the exchange offer. Manpower will announce the exchange rate by issuing a press release no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the trading day prior to the expected final expiration date. For example, Manpower will announce an exchange rate by issuing a press release no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on April 1, 2010 that will apply if the exchange offer expires at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on the evening of April 2, 2010, the initial expiration date of the exchange offer. If the exchange offer is extended, Manpower will recalculate the exchange rate based on the later expected final expiration date and announce the exchange rate in a similar manner.

Manpower’s obligation to exchange its common stock for COMSYS common stock in the exchange offer is subject to the conditions listed in the section entitled “Terms of the Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Exchange Offer” on page 62. Manpower common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “MAN.” COMSYS common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CITP.”

The merger will entitle COMSYS stockholders to appraisal rights under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. To exercise appraisal rights, a COMSYS stockholder must strictly comply with all of the procedures under the DGCL, including delivering a written demand for appraisal within 20 days after the mailing date of this prospectus. These procedures are described more fully in the section entitled “The Transaction—Appraisal Rights” on page 41.

See “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 14, for a description of certain factors that you should consider in connection with the exchange offer, as well as related matters described in this document.

MANPOWER IS NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND MANPOWER A PROXY. Any request for proxies will be made only pursuant to separate proxy solicitation materials complying with the requirements of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued pursuant to the exchange offer or the merger or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is March 17, 2010

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This document incorporates by reference important business information and financial information about Manpower and COMSYS that is not included in or delivered with this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 92 of this prospectus for a list of documents that Manpower and COMSYS have incorporated by reference into this document. These documents are available to you without charge upon written or oral request. To obtain timely delivery, this information must be requested no later than March 26, 2010 or five business days prior to the expiration of any extension of the exchange offer, from:

 

Shareholder/Investor Relations Manpower Inc. 100 Manpower Place Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 (414) 961-1000 www.manpower.com		COMSYS IT Partners, Inc. 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 1800 Houston, Texas 77027 (713) 386-1400 www.comsys.com

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		Page
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION		i
SUMMARY		1
The Companies		1
The Transaction		1
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences		2
Manpower’s Reasons for the Exchange Offer and the Merger		3
Recommendation of COMSYS’s Board of Directors; COMSYS’s Reasons for the Exchange Offer and the Merger		3
Market Price and Dividend Information		4
Timing of the Exchange Offer		4
Extension; Termination and Amendment		4
Withdrawal Rights		4
Exchange of Shares of COMSYS Common Stock; Delivery of Shares of Manpower Common Stock		4
Procedure for Tendering and Making Elections		4
A Stockholder Vote May Be Required to Approve the Merger		5
Tender and Voting Agreement		5
Interests of COMSYS’s Officers and Directors in the Transaction		5
Conditions to the Exchange Offer and the Merger		5
No Solicitation of Transactions		5
Termination of the Merger Agreement		6
Termination Fee and Expense Reimbursement		6
Accounting Treatment		6
Appraisal Rights		6
Regulatory Approval		6
Share Information and Market Prices for Manpower Common Stock		7
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends		8
Comparison of Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Per Share Data		9
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Manpower		11
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of COMSYS		12
Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information		13
RISK FACTORS		14
Risks Relating to the Transaction		14
Post-Merger Risks		17
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		23
THE TRANSACTION		23
General Description of the Exchange Offer		23
Purpose of the Exchange Offer		24
Timing of the Exchange Offer		25
Extension; Termination and Amendment		25
Designation of COMSYS’s Directors after the Exchange Offer		26
Elections and Prorations		26
Exchange of Shares of COMSYS Common Stock; Delivery of Cash and Shares of Manpower Common Stock		27
Cash Instead of Fractional Shares of Manpower Common Stock		27
Withdrawal Rights		28
Procedure for Tendering		28
Background of the Transaction		30
Manpower’s Reasons for the Exchange Offer and the Merger		33

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		Page
Recommendation of COMSYS’s Board of Directors; COMSYS’s Reasons for the Exchange Offer and the Merger		34
Interests of COMSYS’s Officers and Directors in the Transaction		34
The Exchange Offer—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences		36
Accounting Treatment		39
Resales of Manpower Common Stock		40
Regulatory Approval		40
Approval of the Merger		40
Appraisal Rights		41
Possible Effects of the Exchange Offer		44
Relationships between Manpower and COMSYS		45
Source and Amount of Funds		45
Fees and Expenses		45
TERMS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT		47
The Exchange Offer		47
Generally		47
Consideration; Elections and Proration		47
Over Subscription of Cash		48
Over Subscription of Manpower Common Stock		49
Consequences of Tendering with No Election		49
All-Cash Election by Manpower		50
Expiration of the Exchange Offer		50
Extensions of the Exchange Offer		50
Top Up Option		50
Prompt Exchange of Shares of COMSYS Common Stock in the Exchange Offer		51
Composition of COMSYS’s Board of Directors after the Exchange Offer		51
The Merger		52
Generally		52
The Completion of the Merger		52
Manner and Basis of Converting Shares of COMSYS Common Stock in the Merger		52
Subscriptions and Proration		53
Over Subscription of Cash		53
Over Subscription of Manpower Common Stock		54
Adjustment to Prevent Inadequate Continuity of Interest		55
Treatment of COMSYS Equity Awards and Warrants		55
Representations and Warranties		55
Conduct of Business Pending the Appointment Time		57
No Solicitation of Transactions		60
Employee Benefit Matters		61
Conditions to the Exchange Offer		62
The Minimum Condition		62
Other Conditions to the Exchange Offer		63
Conditions to the Merger		64
Termination of the Merger Agreement		64
Termination by Mutual Agreement		64
Termination by Manpower or COMSYS		65
Termination by Manpower		65
Termination by COMSYS		65
Termination Fee and Expense Reimbursement		66
Amendment of the Merger Agreement and Waiver of Rights		66
Tender and Voting Agreement		67

 

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		Page
MANPOWER INC.		68
Description of Business		68
Additional Information		69
COMSYS IT PARTNERS, INC.		69
Description of Business		69
Additional Information		71
COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS		71
LEGAL MATTERS		91
EXPERTS		91
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		92
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION		94
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK		104
Authorized Capital Stock		104
Common Stock		104
Preferred Stock		104

APPENDIX A		Agreement and Plan of Merger
APPENDIX B		Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
Schedule I		Information Concerning Directors and Executive Officers of Manpower Inc. and Taurus Merger Sub, Inc.

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

In considering whether to tender your shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer, you should consider the following factors:

Risks Relating to the Transaction

The market price of Manpower common stock may decline as a result of its acquisition of COMSYS.

The market price of Manpower common stock may decline after the transaction is completed if:

 

•

the integration of COMSYS’s business is unsuccessful or takes longer or is more disruptive than anticipated;

 

•

Manpower does not achieve the expected synergies or other benefits of the COMSYS acquisition as rapidly or to the extent anticipated, if at all;

 

•

the effect of Manpower’s acquisition of COMSYS on its financial results does not meet our expectations or those of our financial analysts or investors;

 

•

after Manpower acquires COMSYS, COMSYS’s business does not perform as anticipated.

As of December 31, 2009 there were 78,576,560 shares of Manpower common stock outstanding, options outstanding to purchase an additional 5,858,118 shares, and 5,229,721 additional shares available for issuance pursuant to awards granted in the future under Manpower’s equity incentive plans. In connection with the transaction, Manpower estimates that it could issue up to 15,636,735 additional shares of Manpower common stock based on the shares outstanding as of December 31, 2009. The increase in the number of outstanding shares of Manpower common stock may lead to sales of such shares or the perception that such sales may occur, either of which may adversely affect the market price of Manpower’s common stock.

The failure to complete the transaction could negatively impact the stock prices and future business and financial results of Manpower and COMSYS.

If the transaction is not completed, the ongoing business of Manpower and COMSYS may be adversely affected and Manpower and COMSYS may be subject to several risks and consequences, including the following:

 

•

COMSYS may be required, under certain circumstances, to pay Manpower a termination fee under the merger agreement of $15.2 million and/or reimburse Manpower for its out-of-pocket transaction-related expenses up to $2.5 million;

 

•

Manpower and COMSYS may be required to pay certain costs relating to the transaction, whether or not the transaction is completed, such as legal, accounting and printing fees;

 

•

under the merger agreement, each of Manpower and COMSYS is subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of its business prior to completing the transaction which may adversely affect its ability to execute certain of its business strategies; and

 

•

matters relating to the transaction may require substantial commitments of time and resources by Manpower and COMSYS management, which would otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that may have been beneficial to Manpower and COMSYS as independent companies.

In addition, if the transaction is not completed, Manpower and/or COMSYS may experience negative reactions from the financial markets and from their respective clients and employees. Manpower and/or COMSYS also could be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the transaction or to enforcement proceedings commenced against Manpower or COMSYS to perform their respective obligations under the merger agreement. If the transaction is not completed, Manpower and COMSYS cannot be certain that the risks described above will not materialize and will not materially affect the business, financial operations and stock prices of Manpower and/or COMSYS.

 

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The merger agreement limits COMSYS’s ability to pursue alternative transactions, and in certain instances requires payment of a termination fee, which could deter a third party from proposing an alternative transaction.

The merger agreement has terms and conditions that make it more difficult for COMSYS to enter into an alternative transaction. These “no shop” provisions impose restrictions on COMSYS and, subject to limited exceptions, limit COMSYS’s ability to discuss, facilitate or commit to an alternative transaction. See “Terms of the Merger Agreement—No Solicitation of Transactions” beginning on page 60 of this prospectus. In addition, under specified circumstances, COMSYS is required to pay a termination fee as described above if the merger agreement is terminated. See “Terms of the Merger Agreement—Termination Fee and Expense Reimbursement” beginning on page 66 of this prospectus.

These provisions might discourage a potential competing acquiror that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of COMSYS from considering or proposing an acquisition even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per share price than that proposed in the offer, or might result in a potential competing acquiror proposing to pay a lower per share price to acquire COMSYS than it might otherwise have proposed to pay.

Even if the offer is completed, full integration of COMSYS’s operations with Manpower may be delayed if Manpower does not acquire at least 90 percent of the issued and outstanding COMSYS shares pursuant to the offer.

The offer is subject to a condition that, before the expiration date, there shall have been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn at least a majority of COMSYS’s shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis. If Manpower acquires at least 90 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock, the merger will be able to be effected as a “short-form” merger under Delaware law. A short-form merger would enable Manpower to complete the acquisition of COMSYS without any action on the part of the other holders of COMSYS’s common stock. If Manpower does not acquire 90 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of COMSYS’s common stock in the exchange offer or upon exercise of the top-up option, Manpower will be required to obtain the approval of COMSYS stockholders to consummate the merger. Although this will not prevent the merger from occurring, as Manpower will hold a sufficient number of shares of COMSYS common stock to approve the merger, it would delay Manpower from completing the merger and could delay the realization of some or all of the anticipated benefits from integrating COMSYS’s operations with its operations.

COMSYS stockholders who receive Manpower common stock in the offer become shareholders of Manpower. Manpower’s common stock may be affected by different factors and holders will have different rights than those as COMSYS stockholders.

Upon completion of the transaction, COMSYS stockholders receiving shares of Manpower common stock will become shareholders of Manpower. Manpower’s business differs from that of COMSYS, and its results of operations and the trading price of Manpower common stock may be adversely affected by factors different from those that would affect COMSYS’s results of operations and stock price. In addition, holders of shares of Manpower common stock will have different rights as shareholders of a Wisconsin corporation than those rights they had as stockholders of a Delaware corporation before the transaction. For a detailed comparison of the rights of Manpower shareholders compared to the rights of COMSYS stockholders, see “Comparative Rights of Shareholders” beginning on page 71.

COMSYS stockholders may not receive all consideration in the form elected.

At the time COMSYS stockholders tender their shares of COMSYS common stock and make an election, they will not know exactly what form of consideration they will receive because it will also depend upon the elections made by other tendering COMSYS stockholders. Each tendering COMSYS stockholder will receive either cash, shares of Manpower common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of Manpower common stock, based

 

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upon such stockholder’s election and the elections of other tendering stockholders. To the extent that the demand for either cash or stock consideration exceeds the aggregate amount of cash or Manpower common stock available in the offer, Manpower will prorate the total cash or stock, as the case may be, proportionally among the COMSYS stockholders who elect the form of consideration for which elections exceed availability.

Required regulatory approvals may not be obtained on a timely basis or at all, which could delay or prevent completion of the transaction.

The transaction is subject to antitrust laws. Completion of the transaction is conditioned upon the applicable waiting period having expired under the HSR Act. The requirement that this approval be obtained could delay the completing of the transaction for a significant period of time. Manpower and COMSYS filed notification and report forms under the HSR Act with the FTC and the Antitrust Division on February 12, 2010 and the waiting period under the HSR Act expired on March 15, 2010. At any time before the effective time of the merger, the Antitrust Division, the FTC or others could take action under the antitrust laws with respect to the merger including seeking to enjoin the consummation of the merger, to rescind the merger or to require the divestiture of certain assets of Manpower or COMSYS. There can be no assurance that a challenge to the merger on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if such a challenge is made, that it would not be successful.

COMSYS’s executive officers and directors have financial interests in the transaction that may be different from, or in addition to, the interest of COMSYS stockholders.

Executive officers of COMSYS negotiated the terms of the merger agreement with their counterparts at Manpower, and the board of directors of COMSYS approved the merger agreement and recommended that COMSYS stockholders vote in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. In considering these facts and the other information contained herein, COMSYS stockholders should be aware that some of COMSYS’s executive officers and directors have financial interests in the transaction that may be different from, or in addition to, the interest of COMSYS stockholders. These differences include, among others, the executive officers’ interests stemming from severance benefits. For a detailed discussion of the special interests that COMSYS’s executive officers and directors may have in the transaction, please see “The Transaction—Interests of COMSYS’s Officers and Directors in the Transaction” beginning on page 34.

Manpower will incur significant transaction costs in connection with the transaction.

Manpower expects to incur significant transaction costs in connection with the transaction, which it currently estimates to be approximately $4.0 million. The substantial majority of these costs will be non-recurring expenses related to the transaction, including professional fees and other non-recurring expenses. Additional costs may be incurred in the integration of the COMSYS business. Although Manpower expects that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the business, should allow it to more than offset the incremental costs of the transaction over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included in this document may not be indicative of what Manpower’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information in this document is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what Manpower’s actual financial position or results of operations would have been had the merger been completed on the date indicated. The unaudited pro forma financial information reflects preliminary adjustments determined by Manpower management to allocate the purchase price of COMSYS’s net assets. The final adjustment to the allocation of the consideration transferred to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed may differ materially from the pro forma adjustments reflected in this document. See “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” on page 94 for more information.

 

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You may be taxed on the value of Manpower common stock received.

As described under the heading “The Exchange Offer—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” there can be no assurance that the acquisition of COMSYS stock will be treated as a reorganization for federal income tax purposes. The treatment of the transaction for federal income tax purposes will not be known until after your election to exchange your COMSYS shares has been effected. Accordingly, your receipt of Manpower stock in exchange of your COMSYS common stock could be a taxable exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Post-Merger Risks

Any significant economic downturn could result in Manpower’s clients using fewer temporary employees, which would materially adversely affect Manpower’s business.

Because demand for temporary personnel services is sensitive to changes in the level of economic activity, Manpower’s business may suffer during economic downturns. As economic activity begins to slow down, companies tend to reduce their use of temporary employees before undertaking layoffs of their regular employees, resulting in decreased demand for temporary personnel. Significant declines in demand, and thus in revenues, can result in expense de-leveraging, which would result in lower profit levels.

In addition, during economic downturns companies may slow the rate at which they pay their vendors or become unable to pay their debts as they become due. If any of Manpower’s significant clients does not pay amounts owed to Manpower in a timely manner or becomes unable to pay such amounts to Manpower at a time when Manpower has substantial amounts receivable from such client, Manpower’s cash flow and profitability may suffer.

The worldwide employment services industry is highly competitive with limited barriers to entry, which could limit Manpower’s ability to maintain or increase its market share or profitability.

The worldwide employment services market is highly competitive with limited barriers to entry, and in recent years has been undergoing significant consolidation. Manpower competes in markets throughout North America, South America, Europe, Australia and Asia with full-service and specialized employment service agencies. Several of Manpower’s competitors, including Adecco S.A., Randstad Holding N.V. and Kelly Services, Inc., have very substantial marketing and financial resources. Price competition in the employment industry is intense and pricing pressures from competitors and customers are increasing. Manpower expects that the level of competition will remain high in the future, which could limit its ability to maintain or increase its market share or profitability.

Government regulations may result in prohibition or restriction of certain types of employment services or the imposition of additional licensing or tax requirements that may reduce Manpower’s future earnings.

In many jurisdictions in which Manpower operates, such as France and Germany, the employment industry is heavily regulated. For example, governmental regulations in Germany restrict the length of contracts and the industries in which temporary employees may be used. In some countries, special taxes, fees or costs are imposed in connection with the use of Manpower’s associates. For example, Manpower’s associates in France are entitled to a 10 percent allowance for the uncertain duration of employment, which is eliminated if a full-time position is offered to them within three days. The countries in which Manpower operates may, among other things:

 

•

create additional regulations that prohibit or restrict the types of employment services that Manpower currently provides;

 

•

require new or additional benefits to be paid to Manpower’s associates;

 

•

require Manpower to obtain additional licensing to provide employment services; or

 

•

increase taxes, such as sales or value-added taxes, payable by the providers of temporary and contract recruitment centers.

 

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Any future regulations may have a material adverse effect on Manpower’s financial condition, results of operations and liquidity because they may make it more difficult or expensive for Manpower to continue to provide employment services.

Manpower’s acquisition strategy may have a material adverse effect on its business due to unexpected or underestimated costs.

From time to time, Manpower acquires and invests in companies throughout the world, including franchises. The total cash consideration paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was $21.6 million and $242.0 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Manpower may make additional acquisitions in the future. Manpower’s acquisition strategy involves significant risks, including:

 

•

difficulties in the assimilation of the operations, services and corporate culture of acquired companies;

 

•

over-valuation by Manpower of acquired companies;

 

•

insufficient indemnification from the selling parties for legal liabilities incurred by the acquired companies prior to the acquisitions; and

 

•

diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns.

These risks could have a material adverse effect on Manpower’s business because they may result in substantial costs to Manpower and disrupt Manpower’s business. In addition, future acquisitions could materially adversely affect Manpower’s business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity because they would likely result in the incurrence of additional debt or dilution, contingent liabilities, an increase in interest expense and amortization expenses related to separately identified intangible assets. Possible impairment losses on goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite life, or restructuring charges could also occur. For example, Manpower recorded a goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge of $61.0 million in 2009 and $163.1 million in 2008 related to Manpower’s acquisition of Jefferson Wells and Right Management, respectively.

Intense competition may limit Manpower’s ability to attract, train and retain the qualified personnel necessary for Manpower to meet its client’s staffing needs.

Manpower depends on its ability to attract and retain qualified associates who possess the skills and experience necessary to meet the requirements of its clients. Manpower must continually evaluate and upgrade its base of available qualified personnel through recruiting and training programs to keep pace with changing client needs and emerging technologies. Competition for individuals with proven professional skills, particularly employees with accounting and technological skills, is intense, and Manpower expects demand for such individuals to remain very strong for the foreseeable future. Qualified personnel may not be available to Manpower in sufficient numbers and on terms of employment acceptable to Manpower. Developing and implementing training programs require significant expenditures and may not result in the trainees developing effective or adequate skills. Manpower may not be able to develop training programs to respond to its clients’ changing needs or retain associates whom it has trained. The failure to recruit, train and retain qualified associates could materially adversely affect Manpower’s business because it may result in an inability to meet its client’s needs.

Manpower may be exposed to employment-related claims and costs from clients or third parties that could materially adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Manpower is in the business of employing people and placing them in the workplaces of other businesses. Risks relating to these activities include:

 

•

claims arising out of the actions or inactions of Manpower’s associates, including matters for which Manpower may have indemnified a client;

 

•

claims by Manpower’s associates of discrimination or harassment directed at them, including claims relating to actions of its clients;

 

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•

claims related to the employment of illegal aliens or unlicensed personnel;

 

•

payment of workers’ compensation claims and other similar claims;

 

•

violations of wage and hour requirements;

 

•

retroactive entitlement to employee benefits;

 

•

errors and omissions of Manpower’s associates, particularly in the case of professionals, such as accountants; and

 

•

claims by Manpower’s clients relating to its associates’ misuse of client’s proprietary information, misappropriation of funds, other criminal activity or torts or other similar claims.

Manpower may incur fines and other losses or negative publicity with respect to these problems. In addition, some or all of these claims may give rise to litigation, which could be time-consuming to its management team and costly and could have a negative impact on its business. Manpower cannot be certain that it will not experience these problems in the future.

Manpower cannot be certain that its insurance will be sufficient in amount to or scope to cover all claims that may be asserted against it. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements exceed its insurance coverage, they could have a material effect on Manpower’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Manpower cannot be certain that it will be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future, that adequate replacement policies will be available on acceptable terms, if at all, or that the companies from which it has obtained insurance will be able to pay claims that Manpower makes under such policies.

If Manpower loses its key personnel, then its business may suffer.

Manpower’s operations are dependent on the continued efforts of its officers and executive management and the performance and productivity of its local managers and field personnel. Manpower’s ability to attract and retain business is significantly affected by local relationships and the quality of service rendered. The loss of those key officers and members of management who have acquired significant experience in operating an employment services company on an international level may cause a significant disruption to Manpower’s business. Moreover, the loss of Manpower’s key managers and field personnel may jeopardize existing client relationships with businesses that continue to use its services based upon past relationships with these local managers and field personnel. The loss of such key personnel could materially adversely affect Manpower’s operations, because it may result in an inability to establish and maintain client relationships and otherwise operate its business.

Foreign currency fluctuations may have a material adverse effect on Manpower’s operating results.

Manpower conducts operations in 82 countries and territories and the results of its local operations are reported in the applicable foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. Dollars at the applicable foreign currency exchange rates for inclusion in Manpower’s consolidated financial statements. During 2009, approximately 87 percent of Manpower’s revenues were generated outside of the United States, the majority of which were generated in Europe. Furthermore, approximately $756.9 million of Manpower’s outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2009 was denominated in foreign currencies. Because of devaluations and fluctuations in currency exchange rates or the imposition of limitations on conversion of foreign currencies into U.S. Dollars, Manpower is subject to currency translation exposure on the profits of its operations, in addition to economic exposure. This exposure could have a material adverse effect on Manpower’s business, financial condition, cash flow and results of operations in the future because, among other things, it could cause Manpower’s reported revenues and profitability to decline or debt levels and interest expense to increase.

 

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As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, Manpower had approximately $757.3 million and $952.9 million of total debt, respectively. This level of debt could adversely affect Manpower’s operating flexibility and put Manpower at a competitive disadvantage.

Manpower’s level of debt and the limitations imposed on it by its credit agreements could have important consequences for investors, including the following:

 

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Manpower will have to use a portion of its cash flow from operations for debt service rather than for its operations;

 

•

Manpower may not be able to obtain additional debt financing for future working capital, capital expenditures or other corporate purposes or may have to pay more for such financing;

 

•

some or all of the debt under Manpower’s current or future revolving credit facilities may be at a variable interest rate, making Manpower more vulnerable to increases in interest rates;

 

•

Manpower could be less able to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities, and to react to changes in market or industry conditions;

 

•

Manpower will be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions; and

 

•

Manpower may be disadvantaged compared to competitors with less leverage.

The terms of Manpower’s revolving credit facilities permit additional borrowings, subject to certain conditions. If new debt is added to Manpower’s current debt levels, the related risks Manpower now faces could intensify.

Manpower expects to obtain the money to pay its expenses, to repay borrowings under its credit facility and to repay its other debt primarily from its operations. Manpower’s ability to meet its expenses thus depends on its future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors. Manpower is not able to control many of these factors, such as economic conditions in the markets where it operates and pressure from competitors. The money Manpower earns may not be sufficient to allow it to pay principal and interest on its debt and to meet its other debt obligations. If Manpower does not have enough money, it may be required to refinance all or part of its existing debt, sell assets or borrow additional funds. Manpower may not be able to take such actions on terms that are acceptable to it, if at all. In addition, the terms of Manpower’s existing or future debt agreements, including the revolving credit facilities and its indentures, may restrict Manpower from adopting any of these alternatives.

Manpower’s failure to comply with restrictive covenants under its revolving credit facilities and other debt instruments could trigger prepayment obligations.

Manpower’s failure to comply with the restrictive covenants under its revolving credit facilities and other debt instruments could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in Manpower being required to repay these borrowings before their due date. If Manpower is forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms, its results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by increased costs and rates.

The lenders under Manpower’s and its subsidiaries’ credit facilities may be unwilling or unable to extend credit on acceptable terms or at all.

Manpower’s liquidity is dependent in part on its revolving credit facility, which is provided by a syndicate of banks. Each bank in the syndicate is responsible on a several, but not a joint, basis for providing a portion of the loans under the facility. If any of the participants in the syndicate fails to satisfy its obligations to extend credit under the facility, the other participants refuse or are unable to assume its obligations and Manpower is unable to find an alternative source of funding at comparable rates, Manpower’s liquidity may be adversely affected or its interest expense may increase substantially.

 

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Furthermore, a number of Manpower’s subsidiaries maintain uncommitted lines of credit with various banks. Under the terms of these lines of credit, the bank is not obligated to make loans to the subsidiary or to make loans to the subsidiary at a particular interest rate. If any of these banks cancel these lines of credit or otherwise refuse to extend credit on acceptable terms, Manpower may need to extend credit to those subsidiaries or the liquidity of its subsidiaries may be adversely affected.

The performance of Manpower’s subsidiaries and their ability to distribute cash to Manpower may vary, negatively affecting Manpower’s ability to service its debt at the parent company level or in other subsidiaries.

Since Manpower conducts a significant portion of its operations through its subsidiaries, its cash flow and its consequent ability to service its debt depends in part upon the earnings of its subsidiaries and the distribution of those earnings, or upon loans or other payments of funds by those subsidiaries, to Manpower or to other subsidiaries. The payment of dividends and the making of loans and advances to Manpower by its subsidiaries may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions, depend upon the earnings of those subsidiaries and be subject to various business considerations, including the ability of such subsidiaries to pay such dividends or make such loans and advances in a manner that does not result in substantial tax liability.

Manpower is exposed to counterparty risk in its hedging arrangements.

From time to time Manpower enters into arrangements with other parties to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in currency and interest rates, including forward contracts and swap agreements. Recently, a number of financial institutions similar to those that serve as counterparties to Manpower’s hedging arrangements have been adversely affected by the global credit crisis and in some cases have been unable to fulfill their debts and other obligations. If any of the counterparties to Manpower’s hedging arrangements become unable to fulfill their obligations to Manpower, Manpower may lose the financial benefits of these arrangements. The fair value of Manpower’s derivative financial instruments related to foreign currency forward exchange contracts reflected in its consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 were assets of $0.4 million and liabilities of $0.9 million. Manpower had no swap agreements outstanding as of December 31, 2009.

Manpower’s inability to secure letters of credit on acceptable terms may substantially increase its cost of doing business in various countries.

In a number of countries in which Manpower conducts business Manpower is obligated to provide guarantees or letters of credit to secure licenses, lease space or for insurance coverage. Manpower typically receives these guarantees and letters of credit from a number of financial institutions around the world. In the event that Manpower is unable to secure these arrangements from a bank, lender or other third party on acceptable terms, Manpower’s liquidity may be adversely affected, there could be a disruption to its business or there could be a substantial increase in cost for its business.

The price of Manpower’s common stock may fluctuate significantly, which may result in losses for investors.

The market price for Manpower’s common stock has been and may continue to be volatile. For example, during 2009, the prices of Manpower’s common stock as reported on the NYSE ranged from a high of $61.48 to a low of $23.75. Manpower’s stock price can fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors, including factors listed in these “Risk Factors” and others, many of which are beyond Manpower’s control. These factors include:

 

•

actual or anticipated variations in Manpower’s quarterly operating results;

 

•

announcement of new services by Manpower or Manpower’s competitors;

 

•

announcements relating to strategic relationships or acquisitions;

 

•

changes in financial estimates or other statements by securities analysts; and

 

•

changes in general economic conditions such as the current credit environment.

 

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Because of this volatility, Manpower may fail to meet the expectations of its shareholders or of securities analysts, and its stock price could decline as a result.

Wisconsin law and Manpower’s articles of incorporation and by-laws contain provisions that could make the takeover of Manpower more difficult.

Certain provisions of Wisconsin law and Manpower’s articles of incorporation and by-laws could have the effect of delaying or preventing a third party from acquiring Manpower, even if a change in control would be beneficial to its shareholders. These provisions of Manpower’s articles of incorporation and by-laws include:

 

•

providing for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms;

 

•

permitting removal of directors only for cause;

 

•

providing that vacancies on the board of directors will be filled by the remaining directors then in office; and

 

•

requiring advance notice for shareholder proposals and director nominees.

In addition, the Wisconsin control share acquisition statute and Wisconsin’s “fair price” and “business combination” provisions limit the ability of an acquiring person to engage in certain transactions or to exercise the full voting power of acquired shares under certain circumstances. These provisions and other provisions of Wisconsin law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire Manpower, even if doing so would benefit its shareholders. As a result, offers to acquire Manpower, which represent a premium over the available market price of Manpower common stock, may be withdrawn or otherwise fail to be realized. The provisions described above could cause Manpower’s stock price to decline.

Improper disclosure of employee and client data could result in liability and harm to Manpower’s reputation.

Manpower’s business involves the use, storage and transmission of information about its employees, its clients and employees of its clients. Manpower and its third party service providers have established policies and procedures to help protect the security and privacy of this information. It is possible that Manpower’s security controls over personal and other data and other practices that Manpower and its third party service providers follow may not prevent the improper access to or disclosure of personally identifiable or otherwise confidential information. Such disclosure could harm Manpower’s reputation and subject Manpower to liability under its contracts and laws that protect personal data and confidential information, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenue. Further, data privacy is subject to frequently changing rules and regulations, which sometimes conflict among the various jurisdictions and countries in which Manpower provides services. Manpower’s failure to adhere to or successfully implement processes in response to changing regulatory requirements in this area could result in legal liability or impairment to its reputation in the marketplace.

Outsourcing certain aspects of Manpower’s business could result in disruption and increased costs.

Manpower has outsourced certain aspects of its business to third party vendors that subject Manpower to risks, including disruptions in its business and increased costs. For example, Manpower has engaged a third party to host and manage certain aspects of its data center information and technology infrastructure. Accordingly, Manpower is subject to the risks associated with the vendor’s ability to provide information technology services to meet its needs. Manpower’s operations will depend significantly upon the vendor’s and Manpower’s ability to make Manpower’s servers, software applications and websites available and to protect Manpower’s data from damage or interruption from human error, computer viruses, intentional acts of vandalism, labor disputes, natural disasters and similar events. If the cost of hosting and managing certain aspects of Manpower’s data center information technology structure is more than expected, or if the vendor or Manpower is unable to adequately protect Manpower’s data and information is lost or Manpower’s ability to deliver its services is interrupted, then Manpower’s business and results of operations may be negatively impacted.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document, including information incorporated by reference into this document, contains or may contain forward-looking statements about the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Manpower and COMSYS, including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, those risks discussed above. Further information on other factors which could affect the financial results of Manpower after the merger is included in the SEC filings incorporated by reference into this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 92.

THE TRANSACTION

General Description of the Exchange Offer

Manpower is offering to exchange, as each holder of COMSYS common stock may elect, either:

 

•

cash in the amount of $17.65, without interest, or

 

•

a fraction of a share or number of shares of Manpower common stock having a value equal to $17.65 divided by the Manpower average trading price,

for each outstanding share of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, subject to the terms and conditions described in this prospectus/offer to exchange and the related letter of election and transmittal. COMSYS stockholders may elect to receive either cash, which we refer to as a cash election, or Manpower common stock, which we refer to as a stock election, for all of their shares of COMSYS common stock tendered in the exchange offer. Stockholders that do not elect to receive cash or to receive Manpower common stock for their COMSYS common stock will be treated as if they had made a stock election. The elected consideration to be exchanged for each validly tendered and not withdrawn share of COMSYS common stock consideration is subject to adjustment and proration in certain circumstances. For a discussion of these circumstances, see “The Exchange Offer—Consideration; Elections and Proration.”

The expiration time and date of the exchange offer is 12:00 midnight, New York time, on the evening of April 2, 2010, unless Manpower extends the period of time for which the exchange offer is open, in which case the term “expiration date” means the latest time and date on which the exchange offer, as so extended, expires.

The exact fraction of a share or number of shares of Manpower common stock that constitutes the exchange rate will be determined on the second trading day preceding the final expiration date of the exchange offer by dividing $17.65 by the average of the daily closing sale prices per share of Manpower common stock on the NYSE for the ten trading days ending on and including the second trading day preceding the final expiration date (rounded to the third decimal place). We refer to this average as the Manpower average trading price.

Manpower may exercise an option to pay only cash in the amount of $17.65 for all shares of COMSYS common stock being acquired in the offer. In the event that Manpower exercises this option, Manpower will make an announcement via press release that the exchange offer is changing to a cash tender offer and the offer will be extended for up to ten business days from the date that materials disclosing that Manpower has made the all-cash election are disseminated to COMSYS stockholders, but no less than five business days from the dissemination of such materials.

We will not acquire any shares of COMSYS common stock in the offer unless COMSYS stockholders have validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer that number of shares which, together with the shares then owned directly or indirectly by COMSYS, represents as least a majority of the shares of COMSYS outstanding on a fully diluted basis. We refer to this condition as the minimum condition.

 

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If you are the record owner of your shares of COMSYS common stock and you tender those shares directly to BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, the exchange agent, you will not incur any brokerage fees or commissions. If you own your shares of COMSYS common stock through a broker or other nominee, and your broker tenders those shares on your behalf, your broker may charge you a commission for doing so. You should consult with your broker or nominee to determine whether any charges will apply. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Manpower is required to be responsible for any transfer taxes on the exchange of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer that are imposed on the acquiror of the shares of COMSYS common stock. You will be responsible for any transfer taxes that are imposed on the transferor.

Manpower’s obligation to deliver shares of Manpower common stock in exchange for shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer is subject to several conditions, including the minimum condition, referred to below in the section entitled “Terms of the Merger Agreement—Conditions to the Exchange Offer” on page 62.

Purpose of the Exchange Offer

Manpower is making the exchange offer in order to acquire all of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock. Manpower intends, as soon as practicable after completion of the exchange offer, to have its wholly owned subsidiary, Taurus, the purchaser in the exchange offer, merge with and into COMSYS. The purpose of the merger is to acquire all shares of COMSYS common stock not tendered and exchanged in connection with the exchange offer. In the merger, each then outstanding share of COMSYS common stock, except for treasury shares and shares that Manpower or Taurus holds for its own account and certain unvested restricted stock subject to equity awards from COMSYS, will be converted into the right to receive, as the holder may elect and subject to the availability and proper exercise of appraisal rights under Delaware law, the same amount of cash or the same fraction of a share or number of shares of Manpower common stock being paid or issued in the exchange offer for each share of COMSYS common stock accepted for exchange in the exchange offer, subject to adjustment and proration in certain circumstances. For a discussion of these circumstances, see “The Merger–Manner and Basis of Converting COMSYS Common Stock in the Merger” on page 52.

If after completion of the offer, either as a result of the offer alone or in conjunction with the exercise of our option to purchase shares directly from COMSYS, we beneficially own more than 90 percent of the outstanding shares of COMSYS, we may effect the merger without the approval of COMSYS stockholders as permitted under Delaware law. If, on the other hand, we beneficially own more than 50 percent, but less than 90 percent, of the outstanding shares of COMSYS, a meeting of COMSYS stockholders and the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding on the record date for such meeting will be needed to complete the merger. Because Manpower will own a majority of the shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding on the record date, approval of the merger by COMSYS stockholders will be assured. See “Approval of the Merger” on page 40.

If the minimum condition is satisfied and we consummate the offer, we have the option to purchase from COMSYS additional shares of common stock equal to the lowest number of shares that, when added to the number of shares of COMSYS common stock already owned by Manpower at the time of exercise of such option, constitutes one share more than 90 percent of the number of shares of COMSYS common stock that would be outstanding immediately after the issuance of all shares of COMSYS common stock that are subject to such option. We refer to this option as the top-up option. We may exercise the top-up option only if we have acquired at least 70 percent of the shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding immediately prior to our exercise of this option. At Manpower’s option, the purchase price for shares purchased upon exercise of the top-up option may be satisfied with a promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate. In no event will the top-up option be exercised for a number of shares of COMSYS common stock (i) that would require COMSYS to obtain stockholder approval under applicable law or the NASDAQ listing standards or (ii) in excess of COMSYS’s then authorized and unissued shares of common stock.

 

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Timing of the Exchange Offer

The exchange offer commenced on the date of this prospectus and is currently scheduled to expire on April 2, 2010 pursuant to the merger agreement and the letter agreement between Manpower and COMSYS, dated March 3, 2010. However, if any condition to the exchange offer is not satisfied, or, where permissible, waived, Manpower is obligated, under the terms of the merger agreement, to extend the exchange offer until all of the conditions have been satisfied or, where permissible, waived, or until the merger agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms.

Extension; Termination and Amendment

Subject to the terms of the merger agreement, the exchange offer:

 

•

may be extended by Manpower if any of the conditions to the exchange offer shall not have been satisfied or waived,

 

•

shall be extended once by Manpower if requested by COMSYS in the event that any of the conditions to the exchange offer, except as specified in the merger agreement, shall not have been satisfied or waived,

 

•

may be extended by Manpower if and to the extent required by the SEC, NASDAQ or the NYSE,

 

•

shall be extended if Manpower makes the all-cash election, and

 

•

may be extended once by Manpower if all of the conditions to the exchange offer shall have been satisfied or waived, but less than 90 percent of the shares of COMSYS common stock on a fully diluted basis have been tendered in the exchange offer.

During an extension, all shares of COMSYS common stock previously tendered and not properly withdrawn will remain subject to the exchange offer, subject to your right to withdraw your shares of COMSYS common stock. If the exchange offer has not been consummated by June 30, 2010, COMSYS or Manpower may terminate the merger agreement. You should read the discussion below in the section entitled “The Transaction—Withdrawal Rights” on page 28 for more details.

Manpower reserves the right to make any changes in the terms and conditions of the exchange offer by giving oral or written notice of the change to the exchange agent and by making a public announcement thereof. However, without the prior written consent of COMSYS, Manpower cannot make any changes which:

 

•

decrease the number of shares of COMSYS common stock sought in the exchange offer;

 

•

change the form or amount of consideration to be paid for shares of COMSYS common stock in the exchange offer (provided that an election by Manpower to pay all cash for all shares of COMSYS common stock will not be considered such a change);

 

•

impose conditions to the exchange offer in addition to those set forth in the merger agreement;

 

•

change or waive the minimum condition;

 

•

modify certain other specified conditions to the exchange offer as described in the merger agreement;

 

•

change the expiration date of the exchange offer, except under the circumstances described in the merger agreement; or

 

•

make any other change to any of the terms and conditions to the exchange offer which is adverse in any material respect to the holders of shares of COMSYS common stock.

Manpower is required to follow any extension, termination, amendment or delay, as promptly as practicable, with a public announcement. In the case of an extension, the announcement is required to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. Subject to applicable law, including Rules 14d-4(d) and 14d-6(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which, in the case of the exchange offer will require

 

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that any material change in the information published, sent or given to COMSYS stockholders in connection with the exchange offer be promptly sent to COMSYS stockholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform COMSYS stockholders of the change, and without limiting the manner in which Manpower may choose to make any public announcement, Manpower assumes no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any public announcement other than by making a release through PR Newswire.

If Manpower makes a material change in the terms of the exchange offer or the information concerning the exchange offer, or if it waives a material condition of the exchange offer, Manpower will extend the exchange offer to the extent required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If, prior to the expiration date and after obtaining COMSYS’s prior written consent, Manpower changes the percentage of shares of COMSYS common stock being sought or the consideration offered to you, that change will apply to all stockholders whose shares of COMSYS common stock are accepted for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer. If at the time notice of that change is first published, sent or given to you, the exchange offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier than the tenth business day from and including the date that the notice is first so published, sent or given, Manpower is required to extend the exchange offer until the expiration of that ten business day period. In the event that Manpower makes the all-cash election, Manpower will make an announcement via press release that the exchange offer is changing to a cash tender offer, and the offer will be extended for up to ten business days from the date that materials disclosing that Manpower has made the all-cash election are disseminated to COMSYS stockholders, but no less than five business days from the dissemination of such materials. For purposes of the exchange offer, a “business day” means any day other than a day on which the SEC is closed.

Designation of COMSYS’s Directors after the Exchange Offer

Upon the first acceptance of payment of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer, Manpower will be entitled to designate a majority of the directors on COMSYS’s board, the exact number to be determined in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement. If Manpower’s designees are elected to COMSYS’s board prior to the completion of the merger, the affirmative vote of a majority of the continuing directors will be required for COMSYS to, among other things, amend or terminate the merger agreement. For more information, see “Terms of the Merger Agreement—The Exchange Offer—Composition of COMSYS’s Board of Directors after the Exchange Offer” on page 51 of this prospectus.

Elections and Prorations

The cash elections and stock elections made by tendering COMSYS stockholders whose shares are accepted by Manpower in the exchange offer will be subject to adjustment and proration. If more than 50 percent of the total shares of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and accepted by Manpower in the exchange offer are represented by cash elections and you have made a cash election, you will receive your pro rata share of the available cash. If more than 50 percent of the total shares of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and accepted by Manpower in the exchange offer are represented by stock elections and you have made or are treated as having made a stock election, you will receive your pro rata share of the available shares of Manpower common stock. The available Manpower common stock is subject to the limitation that the aggregate number of shares of Manpower common stock to be paid in the offer may not exceed 19.9 percent of the number of shares of Manpower common stock outstanding on date on which shares of COMSYS common stock are first accepted for payment under the exchange offer.

The merger cash elections and merger stock elections made by COMSYS stockholders whose shares are canceled in the merger also will be subject to adjustment and proration. If more than 50 percent of the total shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger are represented by merger cash elections and you have made a merger cash election, you will receive your pro rata share of the available cash. If more than 50 percent of the total shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger are represented by stock elections and you have made or are treated as having made a stock election, you will receive your pro rata share of the available shares of Manpower common stock. If you attempt to but fail to properly exercise and perfect appraisal rights, you will receive your pro rata share of the available shares of Manpower common stock after the available shares of Manpower common stock are first allocated to COMSYS stockholders whose COMSYS common stock is canceled in the merger and who did not attempt to exercise appraisal rights. The available Manpower common

 

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stock is subject to the limitation that the aggregate number of shares of Manpower common stock to be paid in the offer and the merger and issuable pursuant to securities exercisable for or convertible into Manpower common stock assumed by Manpower in the merger may not exceed 19.9 percent of the number of shares of Manpower common stock outstanding on the date on which shares of COMSYS common stock are first accepted for payment under the exchange offer. The available cash is subject to adjustment whereby the aggregate cash consideration to be paid in the merger would be decreased and the aggregate shares of Manpower common stock to be issued in the merger would be increased, but not in excess of the limitation described in the preceding sentence, in order that the offer, the merger and the subsequent second merger may qualify as a tax-free reorganization.

Exchange of Shares of COMSYS Common Stock; Delivery of Cash and Shares of Manpower Common Stock

Upon the terms of, and subject to the conditions to, the exchange offer including, if the exchange offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of the extension or amendment, Manpower is required to accept for exchange, and to deliver cash and shares of Manpower common stock in exchange for, shares of COMSYS common stock that are validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, promptly after the expiration date. In all cases, exchange of shares of COMSYS common stock tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer will be made only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of:

 

•

certificates for the shares of COMSYS common stock or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of the shares of COMSYS common stock in the exchange agent’s account at The Depository Trust Company, which is referred to in this prospectus as “DTC”; and

 

•

a properly completed and duly executed letter of election and transmittal or a manually signed facsimile of that document, and any other required documents.

For purposes of the exchange offer, Manpower will be deemed to have accepted for exchange shares of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and not properly withdrawn as, if and when Manpower notifies the exchange agent of its acceptance of the tenders of those shares of COMSYS common stock. The exchange agent is required to then deliver cash, shares of Manpower common stock and cash instead of fractional shares of Manpower common stock in exchange for the shares of COMSYS common stock promptly after receipt of the notice referred to in the preceding sentence. The exchange agent will act as agent for Manpower for the purpose of receiving cash, shares of Manpower common stock and any cash to be paid instead of any fractional shares of Manpower common stock and transmitting a certificate or certificates for Manpower common stock or cash, or a combination thereof, to you. You will not receive any interest on any cash that Manpower pays to you, even if there is a delay in making the exchange.

If Manpower does not accept any tendered shares of COMSYS common stock for exchange pursuant to the terms and conditions of the exchange offer for any reason, Manpower is required to return certificates for the unexchanged shares of COMSYS common stock to the tendering stockholder or, in the case of shares of COMSYS common stock tendered by book-entry transfer of unexchanged shares of COMSYS common stock into the exchange agent’s account at P.O. Box 3301, South Hackensack, NJ 07606-3301 (post office mailing address), or, to Attn: Corporate Actions Dept., 27th Floor, 480 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310 (overnight/express mail/hand delivery), pursuant to the procedures described below in the section entitled “The Transaction—Procedure for Tendering” on page 28, the shares of COMSYS common stock will be credited to an account maintained within DTC, as soon as practicable following expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

Cash Instead of Fractional Shares of Manpower Common Stock

Manpower will not issue certificates representing fractional shares of its common stock in the exchange offer. Instead, each tendering stockholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share (after aggregating all fractional shares of Manpower common stock that otherwise would be received by the holder) will receive cash from Manpower (rounded up to the nearest whole cent), without interest, equal to the product obtained by multiplying such fraction by the Manpower average trading price.

 

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Withdrawal Rights

Your tender of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer is irrevocable, except that shares of COMSYS common stock tendered pursuant to the exchange offer may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the expiration date, and, unless Manpower previously accepted them for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after May 2, 2010. In the event that Manpower makes the all-cash election, COMSYS stockholders will have the right to withdraw shares of common stock tendered pursuant to the exchange offer until the extended expiration date of the exchange offer.

For your withdrawal to be effective, the exchange agent must receive from you a written, telex or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal at its address on the back cover of this prospectus, and your notice must include your name, address, social security number, the certificate number(s) and the number of shares of COMSYS common stock to be withdrawn as well as the name of the registered holder, if it is different from that of the person who tendered the shares of COMSYS common stock.

A financial institution must guarantee all signatures on the notice of withdrawal unless the shares of COMSYS common stock have been tendered for the account of any eligible institution. Most banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses are able to provide these signature guarantees for you. The financial institution must be an “eligible institution,” which means it is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program. If shares of COMSYS common stock have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry tender discussed under the caption below entitled “The Transaction—Procedure for Tendering,” any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn shares of COMSYS common stock and must otherwise comply with the DTC procedures. If certificates have been delivered to the exchange agent, the name of the registered stockholder and the serial numbers of the particular certificates evidencing the shares of COMSYS common stock withdrawn must also be furnished to the exchange agent, as stated above, prior to the physical release of the certificates. Manpower will decide all questions regarding the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal, in its sole discretion, and Manpower’s decision shall be final and binding.

Neither Manpower, the exchange agent, Georgeson Inc. (the information agent), nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or will incur any liability for failure to give proper notification. Any shares of COMSYS common stock properly withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offer. However, you may re-tender withdrawn shares of COMSYS common stock by following one of the procedures discussed below in the section entitled “The Transaction—Procedure for Tendering” at any time on or prior to the expiration date.

Procedure for Tendering

For you to validly tender shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer, (a) the enclosed letter of election and transmittal, properly completed and duly executed or a manually executed facsimile of that document, along with any required signature guarantees, or an agent’s message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents, must be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at P.O. Box 3301, South Hackensack, NJ 07606-3301 (post office mailing address), or, to Attn: Corporate Actions Dept., 27th Floor, 480 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310 (overnight/express mail/hand delivery), and certificates for tendered shares of COMSYS common stock must be received by the exchange agent at that address or the shares of COMSYS common stock must be tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry tender described below (and a confirmation of receipt of the tender received, which confirmation Manpower refers to below as a “book-entry confirmation”), in each case before the expiration date, or (b) you must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

The term “agent’s message” means a message, transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the exchange agent and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the shares of COMSYS common stock which are the subject of the book-entry confirmation, that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of election and transmittal and that Manpower may enforce that agreement against the participant.

 

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The exchange agent is required to establish accounts with respect to the shares of COMSYS common stock at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer within 3 business days of the date of this prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in DTC may make book-entry delivery of the shares of COMSYS common stock by causing DTC to transfer tendered shares of COMSYS common stock into the exchange agent’s account in accordance with DTC’s procedure for the transfer. However, although delivery of shares of COMSYS common stock may be effected through book-entry at DTC, the letter of election and transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees, or an agent’s message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at the address on the back cover of this prospectus prior to the expiration date, or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be followed.

Signatures on all letters of election and transmittal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution, except in cases in which shares of COMSYS common stock are tendered either by a registered holder of shares of COMSYS common stock who has not completed the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” on the letter of election and transmittal or for the account of an eligible institution. If the certificates for shares of COMSYS common stock are registered in the name of a person other than the person who signs the letter of election and transmittal, or if certificates for unexchanged shares of COMSYS common stock are to be issued to a person other than the registered holder(s), the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner or owners appear on the certificates, with the signature(s) on the certificates or stock powers guaranteed in the manner Manpower has described above.

The method of delivery of COMSYS stock certificates and all other required documents, including delivery through DTC, is at your option and risk, and the delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the exchange agent. If delivery is by mail, Manpower recommends registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured. In all cases, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery.

If you wish to tender shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer and your certificates are not immediately available or you cannot deliver the certificates and all other required documents to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date or cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, your shares of COMSYS common stock may nevertheless be tendered, so long as all of the following conditions are satisfied:

 

•

you make your tender by or through an eligible institution;

 

•

the enclosed notice of guaranteed delivery, properly completed and duly executed, substantially in the form enclosed with this prospectus, is received by the exchange agent as provided below on or prior to the expiration date; and

 

•

the certificates for all tendered shares of COMSYS common stock or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of tendered securities into the exchange agent’s account at DTC as described above, in proper form for transfer, together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of election and transmittal or a manually signed facsimile thereof, with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an agent’s message) and all other documents required by the letter of election and transmittal are received by the exchange agent within three NYSE trading days, after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery.

You may deliver the notice of guaranteed delivery by hand or transmit it by facsimile transmission or mail to the exchange agent and you must include a signature guarantee by an eligible institution in the form provided in that notice. In all cases, Manpower is required to exchange shares of COMSYS common stock tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of certificates for shares of COMSYS common stock (or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of tendered securities into the exchange agent’s account at DTC as described above), properly completed and duly executed letter(s) of election and transmittal or manually signed facsimile(s) thereof, or an agent’s message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents.

 

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Manpower will also make special arrangements with COMSYS for the delivery of restricted shares owned by COMSYS employees that will vest upon completion of the exchange offer.

By executing a letter of election and transmittal as described above, you irrevocably appoint Manpower’s designees as your attorneys-in-fact and proxies, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of your rights with respect to your shares of COMSYS common stock tendered and accepted for exchange by Manpower and with respect to any and all other shares of COMSYS common stock and other securities (other than the shares of Manpower common stock) issued or issuable in respect of the shares of COMSYS common stock on or after February 1, 2010. That appointment is effective if and when, and only to the extent that, Manpower accepts the shares of COMSYS common stock for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer. All of these proxies shall be considered coupled with an interest in the tendered shares of COMSYS common stock and therefore shall not be revocable. Upon the effectiveness of the appointment, all prior proxies that you have given will be revoked, and you may not give any subsequent proxies (and, if given, they will not be deemed effective). Manpower’s designees will, with respect to the shares of COMSYS common stock for which the appointment is effective, be empowered, among other things, to exercise all of your voting and other rights as they, in their sole discretion, deem proper at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of COMSYS stockholders or otherwise. Manpower reserves the right to require that, in order for shares of COMSYS common stock to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon Manpower’s exchange of the shares, Manpower must be able to exercise full voting rights with respect to the tendered shares of COMSYS common stock.

Manpower will determine questions regarding the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of shares of COMSYS common stock, in its sole discretion, and its determination shall be final and binding. Manpower reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders of shares of COMSYS common stock that it determines are not in proper form or the acceptance of or exchange for which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be unlawful. Manpower also reserves the absolute right to waive any defect or irregularity in the tender of any shares of COMSYS common stock. No tender of shares of COMSYS common stock will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities in tenders of shares of COMSYS common stock have been cured or waived. Neither Manpower, the exchange agent, the information agent nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the tender of any shares of COMSYS common stock or will incur any liability for failure to give notification. Manpower’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer (including the letter of election and transmittal and instructions thereto) will be final and binding.

The tender of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between Manpower and you upon the terms and subject to the conditions to the exchange offer.

Background of the Transaction

In late February 2008, a breakfast meeting between Jeffrey A. Joerres, the chairman and chief executive officer of Manpower, Mr. Michael J. Van Handel, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Manpower, and Mr. Jonas Prising, executive vice president and president – The Americas, and Larry L. Enterline, chief executive officer of COMSYS and David L. Kerr, senior vice president – corporate development of COMSYS was arranged through representatives of Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, which we refer to as Baird, to be held on February 27, 2008 during an industry conference in Boston, Massachusetts regarding a potential acquisition of COMSYS by Manpower.

On March 28, 2008, Manpower executed a confidentiality agreement with COMSYS to enable it to obtain further information regarding COMSYS’s business.

On April 1, 2008, Mr. Prising met with senior management of COMSYS in Houston to discuss the possibility of an acquisition and on April 8, 2008, expressed an interest in pursuing a transaction.

 

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On June 5, 2008, senior management of Manpower met with senior management of COMSYS in Chicago, Illinois and reviewed COMSYS’s business, financial condition, results of operations, prospects and strategy.

On or about July 17, 2008, Mr. Prising and Mr. Enterline had a conversation to discuss follow-up items from the previous meeting. They also had further discussions regarding valuation and consideration. Mr. Prising advised Mr. Enterline that Manpower would be interested in a stock-for-stock transaction with COMSYS at a valuation in the range of $12.00 to $13.00 per share of COMSYS common stock.

On August 1, 2008, Mr. Prising and Mr. Van Handel had a conversation with Mr. Enterline to discuss the findings of the business review of COMSYS performed in June. Mr. Van Handel also informed Mr. Enterline that Manpower would not be able to move forward quickly with a transaction with COMSYS, but was still interested in pursuing an acquisition of COMSYS at a valuation in the range of $12.50 to $14.50 per share of COMSYS common stock.

On September 8, 2008, Mr. Prising and Mr. Enterline had discussions regarding a potential acquisition of COMSYS and agreed not to pursue a transaction at that time but agreed to keep in touch.

On October 7, 2008, Mr. Prising and Mr. Enterline had a phone conversation during which Mr. Prising expressed Manpower’s continued interest in pursuing an acquisition of COMSYS.

On January 27, 2009, Mr. Van Handel had a conversation with representatives of Baird to discuss resuming acquisition discussions and it was decided not to pursue a transaction at that time.

On March 3, 2009, Mr. Prising met with Mr. Enterline in Dallas, Texas to discuss Manpower’s ongoing interest in an acquisition of COMSYS.

On July 20, 2009, Mr. Van Handel had another conversation with representatives of Baird to discuss a potential acquisition of COMSYS.

On August 27, 2009, Mr. Prising, Mr.Van Handel, and Mr. Enterline met in Chicago, Illinois, to discuss resuming acquisition discussions.

On October 16, 2009, Mr. Prising, Mr. Van Handel and Mr. Enterline had further conversations regarding a potential acquisition of COMSYS. Mr. Enterline expressed his continued interest in a transaction with Manpower and informed Mr. Van Handel that Manpower should have in mind a valuation of more than $15.00 per share of COMSYS common stock in order for there to be interest by COMSYS in a potential transaction.

On October 20, 2009, Mr. Van Handel contacted Mr. Enterline and had further discussions regarding a potential acquisition of COMSYS. Mr. Van Handel expressed Manpower’s interest in acquiring a professional staffing company such as COMSYS and indicated that if COMSYS was not interested, Manpower would pursue other options.

On October 22, 2009, Mr. Van Handel and Mr. Enterline had discussions regarding the valuation of COMSYS in a potential acquisition. Mr. Van Handel informed Mr. Enterline that Manpower’s current valuation of COMSYS was $15.00 per share of COMSYS common stock, but that Manpower might be able to increase its valuation after performing further due diligence. The parties then agreed that Manpower should conduct further due diligence after entering into a new confidentiality agreement. Subsequently, Manpower informed COMSYS that it would wait until after COMSYS released its third quarter results in November before requesting any confidential information.

On October 27, 2009, the Manpower board of directors held a regular meeting in Boston, Massachusetts where Manpower’s management gave a presentation regarding a potential acquisition of COMSYS.

 

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On November 6, 2009, Mr. Van Handel and Mr. Enterline had a conversation during which Mr. Van Handel expressed his interest in acquiring a company in the professional staffing sector and that COMSYS was the preferred target, but indicated that Manpower was prepared to pursue a transaction with another party if it could not engage in a transaction with COMSYS.

On November 12, 2009, Mr. Enterline called Mr. Van Handel and informed him that the minimum consideration the COMSYS board would consider in a transaction would have to be in the range of $17.00 to $20.00 per share of COMSYS common stock. Mr. Enterline suggested to Mr. Van Handel that Manpower should be able to increase its valuation within that range with additional due diligence. At the end of this conversation, Mr. Van Handel expressed Manpower’s interest in pursuing a transaction.

On November 18, 2009, Mr. Prising and Mr. Enterline agreed that Manpower and COMSYS should continue to pursue a transaction.

On November 19, 2009, Manpower executed a confidentiality agreement with COMSYS, which superseded the agreement previously executed on March 28, 2008.

On November 20, 2009, representatives of senior management of Manpower met with representatives of senior management of COMSYS and representatives of Baird, during which the representatives of senior management of COMSYS presented company information to Manpower and responded to questions.

From November 20, 2009 through January 15, 2010, Manpower, its legal advisor, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., and other advisors conducted due diligence and held meetings with senior officers of COMSYS.

On December 15, 2009, Manpower’s board of directors held a regular meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during which management gave a further presentation about a potential acquisition of COMSYS. On or about the same date, Mr. Van Handel participated in a conference call with representatives of Baird to discuss the preliminary terms of a proposed offer including a proposal to pay $17.50 per share of COMSYS common stock in a combination of cash and Manpower common stock.

On December 21, 2009, Mr. Van Handel participated in a conference call with representatives of Baird and increased Manpower’s proposal to a value of $17.65 per share of COMSYS common stock. He also stated that this was Manpower’s “best and final offer.”

On December 24, 2009, Manpower sent representatives of Baird a term sheet outlining the proposed terms of the transaction, which included a proposal to pay $17.65 per share of COMSYS common stock in a combination of cash and Manpower common stock.

On or about January 5, 2010, Manpower sent representatives of Baird a revised term sheet for the proposed transaction which included an additional provision giving Manpower the option to pay all cash for the COMSYS common stock at a price of $17.65 per share.

On or about January 7, 2010, representatives of Manpower met with representatives of COMSYS and Baird to discuss integration, due diligence and other issues relating to the possible acquisition of COMSYS by Manpower.

On January 25 and 26, 2010, Mr. Van Handel and representatives of Baird had further discussions regarding the due diligence performed in connection with the proposed transaction.

On January 28, 2010, Mr. Van Handel attended a meeting of COMSYS’s board of directors by telephone during which he provided background on Manpower’s strategy and how COMSYS’s organization aligned with that strategy. He also discussed and responded to questions from the board members regarding Manpower and the details of Manpower’s proposal.

 

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On February 1, 2010, Manpower’s board of directors held a special meeting by phone regarding the proposed acquisition of COMSYS, during which Mr. Van Handel gave a presentation on the financial aspects of the proposed transaction, Mr. Kenneth C. Hunt, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of Manpower, gave a presentation on the terms of the proposed transaction, including the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, and related legal issues. Following the presentations, Manpower’s board discussed the proposed transaction. Messrs. Joerres, Hunt and Van Handel responded to questions from board members about the proposed transaction. At the conclusion of the meeting, the members of Manpower’s board participating on the call unanimously approved the merger agreement, the exchange offer, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Following the meeting, Manpower and COMSYS executed the merger agreement and Manpower issued a press release announcing the transaction.

On February 2, 2010, during the regularly scheduled quarterly earnings conference call, representatives of Manpower discussed the transaction.

Manpower’s Reasons for the Exchange Offer and the Merger

Manpower decided to proceed with the exchange offer and the merger for a variety of reasons, including:

 

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The transaction will allow Manpower to expand the range of services that it provides to its clients in a manner consistent with Manpower’s long-term strategic plan;

 

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Manpower’s belief that the transaction will be accretive to Manpower’s earnings per share;

 

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The professional IT staffing services provided by COMSYS will strengthen Manpower Professional’s ability to service client’s IT requirements and will improve Manpower’s position in a higher growth market; and

 

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That Manpower will be able to add strength to the outcome-based solutions services provided by Manpower Business Solutions by integrating COMSYS’s managed service program and recruitment process outsourcing offerings.

In reaching its decision to approve the merger agreement, the Manpower board of directors considered the reasons discussed above and a variety of other factors, including the following:

 

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Manpower’s familiarity with and review of the business, operations, management, markets, competitors, financial condition, earnings and prospects of COMSYS;

 

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COMSYS’s compatible culture, focus on clients and consultants and operating philosophy;

 

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the national footprint achieved by COMSYS’s branches in the United States;

 

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COMSYS’s diversified client base; and

 

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That the transaction is intended to qualify as a transaction of a type that is generally tax-free for federal income tax purposes, unless the all-cash election is made by Manpower.

Manpower’s board of directors also considered potential negative factors, including the following:

 

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The potential dilution that Manpower shareholders may experience in the value of their shares following the exchange offer and the merger;

 

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The risk that Manpower may not be able to achieve the projected growth of the COMSYS business over the long term;

 

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The risk that the potential benefits and synergies sought in the transaction may not be fully realized, if at all;

 

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The risk that key management personnel of COMSYS may not choose to remain employed by Manpower or that consultant and/or employee attrition might occur following the completion of the transaction; and

 

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other matters described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14.

 

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In the judgment of the Manpower board of directors, the potential benefits of the combination outweighed these negative factors. The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by Manpower’s board of directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material factors considered by the Manpower board in approving the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement. Manpower’s board of directors did not assign any relative or specific weights to the foregoing factors in reaching its determination. Instead, the board members made their respective determinations based on the totality of the information presented to them, including the recommendation by Manpower management, and the judgments of individual members of the board may have been influenced to a greater or lesser degree by different factors.

Recommendation of COMSYS’s Board of Directors; COMSYS’s Reasons for the Exchange Offer and the Merger

COMSYS’s board of directors unanimously approved the exchange offer and the merger and recommends that you tender your shares of COMSYS common stock in the exchange offer. Information about the recommendation of COMSYS’s board of directors is described in COMSYS’s Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, which is being mailed to you together with this prospectus.

Interests of COMSYS’s Officers and Directors in the Transaction

Certain members of COMSYS’s management and board of directors may be deemed to have interests in the exchange offer and merger that are in addition to their interests as shareholders of COMSYS. COMSYS’s board was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving the merger agreement.

Pre-Existing Employment Agreements. COMSYS has pre-existing employment agreements with its executive officers, including Mr. Enterline, Mr. Kerr, Ms. Bobbitt, Mr. Bramlett and Mr. Barker, entitling them to severance payments (which include a prorated bonus for the year of termination) upon an involuntary termination of their employment or a termination for good reason, including a special severance payment upon such a termination within two years following a change of control. The closing of the offer will constitute a change of control for purposes of these agreements.

After the closing of the offer, under their employment agreements four of the five executive officers (excluding Mr. Barker, who will receive a new employment agreement, discussed below) will be entitled to receive severance payments upon their involuntary termination of employment totaling, in the aggregate, $3,842,026. In addition, under their employment agreements, each of these four executive officers is entitled to receive continuation of health benefits for 42 months after the date of termination and continuation of life, accident and disability insurance for 24 months. Under the terms of their agreements, all five of the executive officers are entitled to receive a gross-up payment for any excise taxes owed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code as a result of the transaction.

Treatment of Restricted Stock

Pursuant to the existing employment agreements, all outstanding restricted and performance-based stock awards immediately vest upon a change of control. The closing of the offer will constitute a change of control under these agreements. The following table sets forth the number of shares of restricted stock held by each executive officer as of the date of this prospectus that will vest upon the closing of the offer.

 

Employee		Number of Outstanding Restricted and Performance- Based Stock Awards
Mr. Enterline		275,639
Mr. Kerr		89,651
Ms. Bobbitt		60,255
Mr. Bramlett		89,651
Mr. Barker		162,701

 

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New Employment Agreement with Mr. Barker. Concurrent with the execution of the merger agreement, Manpower and Mr. Barker entered into an employment agreement regarding his employment as Vice President of Manpower Professional—North America. As of the date of the merger, and contingent on the completion of the merger, this new employment agreement will replace his current employment agreement with COMSYS and will have a term of two years. Mr. Barker will receive a base salary of $350,000 per year and will participate in the annual incentive plan with his target annual incentive equal to 70 percent of his base salary. Effective as of the date of the merger, Mr. Barker will receive (a) a grant of restricted stock units under Manpower’s 2003 Equity Incentive Plan with an aggregate market price of $250,000 on the date of grant that shall vest on the second annual anniversary of the effective date of the agreement, provided Mr. Barker is still employed by Manpower, and (b) a grant of performance share units with an aggregate market price of $450,000 on the date of grant that shall vest over the applicable performance period upon the achievement of certain performance goals. Furthermore, under the agreement, if Mr. Barker is still employed by Manpower two years after the date of the merger, he will earn a retention incentive equal to $857,500. If Mr. Barker is terminated without cause by Manpower or he terminates his employment for good reason during the two-year term of the agreement, he shall be entitled to receive continuation of health benefits for up to 42 months, continuation of life and disability insurance for up to 24 months and the retention incentive described above. Under the new agreement, Mr. Barker also will be entitled to receive a gross-up payment for any excise taxes that may be owed if any of the benefits under his agreement are subject to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Treatment of Outstanding Stock Options. All outstanding stock options to acquire COMSYS common stock under its 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and its 2003 Equity Incentive Plan, including options held by executive officers and directors, will be cancelled upon the merger in exchange for a lump-sum cash payment. The lump-sum cash payment will be equal to the product of the number of shares of COMSYS common stock subject to such stock option immediately prior to the merger, and the excess, if any, of the cash consideration paid for COMSYS common stock over the exercise price for such stock option. The total number of outstanding stock options to acquire COMSYS common stock that are held by executive officers and directors of COMSYS as of the date of this prospectus is 510,226.

The following table sets forth the number of outstanding stock options held by each executive officer and director of COMSYS as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are vested, that will be cancelled in exchange for the above-described payment at the time of the merger.

 

Person		Number of Outstanding Stock Options
Mr. Enterline		236,000
Mr. Barker		137,226
Mr. Bramlett		130,000
Mr. Mandel		7,000

Indemnification and Insurance. The merger agreement provides that the indemnification obligations set forth in COMSYS’s articles of incorporation and by-laws will survive the merger and will not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for six years after the effective time of the merger in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of anyone who was a director, officer, trustee, partner, fiduciary, employee or agent of right at or prior to the effective time of the merger. The merger agreement also provides that for six years after the effective time of the merger, COMSYS shall purchase prepaid liability insurance coverage for acts or omissions occurring prior to the effective time of the merger for those persons who were covered by COMSYS’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy on terms and in amounts no less favorable than those in effect on the date of the merger agreement.

Tender and Voting Agreement. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the merger agreement, Manpower entered into a tender and voting agreement with each of the executive officers and certain of the

 

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directors of COMSYS. For more information, see “Terms of the Merger Agreement—Tender and Voting Agreement” on page 67.

The Exchange Offer—Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

Subject to the assumptions and limitations discussed below, including the assumption that the supporting conditions are complied with, the following discussion constitutes the opinion of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., counsel to Manpower, and K&L Gates LLP, counsel to COMSYS, as to the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the transaction to holders of shares of COMSYS common stock who exchange their shares of COMSYS common stock for cash and/or Manpower common stock in the exchange offer or the merger. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, applicable Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions in effect as of the date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, all of which may change, possibly with retroactive effect. Any such changes could alter the tax consequences described in this summary.

If any of the representations or covenants of the parties as described herein is inaccurate, the tax consequences of the transaction could differ materially from those summarized herein. Furthermore, the description of the tax consequences set forth herein will neither bind the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, nor preclude the IRS or the courts from adopting a contrary position. No assurance can be given that contrary positions will not successfully be asserted by the IRS or adopted by a court if the issues are litigated. No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS in connection with this transaction. No assurance can be given that future legislative, judicial or administrative changes, on either a prospective or retroactive basis, or future factual developments, would not adversely affect the accuracy of the conclusions stated herein.

This discussion of material federal income tax consequences of the transaction does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that may be important to a holder of shares of COMSYS common stock in light of that shareholder’s particular circumstances or to a shareholder subject to special rules. Without limiting the foregoing, this discussion does not address:

 

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a foreign entity or an individual shareholder who is not a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

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a shareholder who has a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar;

 

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a financial institution or insurance company;

 

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a tax-exempt organization;

 

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a dealer or broker in securities;

 

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the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code;

 

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a shareholder who holds shares of COMSYS common stock as part of a hedge, appreciated financial position, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction;

 

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a shareholder who holds shares of COMSYS common stock indirectly through partnerships, trusts or other entities that may be subject to special treatment;

 

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a shareholder who acquired shares of COMSYS common stock through stock option, stock purchase programs, restricted stock grants, or otherwise as compensation; or

 

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a shareholder who does not hold shares of COMSYS common stock as capital assets.

In addition, this discussion does not address any state, local or foreign income tax or non-income tax consequences of the exchange offer and the merger or of any transactions other than the exchange offer and the merger. MANPOWER AND COMSYS URGE HOLDERS OF SHARES OF COMSYS COMMON STOCK TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR FEDERAL INCOME TAX OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF PARTICIPATION IN THE TRANSACTION.

 

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Qualification of the Exchange Offer and Merger as a Reorganization

The exchange offer and the merger, together with the second merger (assuming the second merger occurs pursuant to the conditions set forth in the merger agreement), should be treated as a single integrated transaction that qualifies as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. This conclusion is based upon certain assumptions as well as representations and covenants made by Manpower, Taurus, and COMSYS, including representations in certificates of officers of Manpower, Taurus, and COMSYS, that are customary for transactions of this type.

One of the requirements for a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes is that the shareholders of the entity that is acquired receive a substantial amount of stock in the acquiring entity. There is no specific controlling authority that establishes the minimum amount of stock necessary to meet this requirement, but the requirement is generally viewed as satisfied if at least 40 percent of the aggregate consideration paid in the transaction on the applicable valuation date is stock of the acquiring entity. Aggregate consideration for these purposes generally equals the sum of the cash consideration and the stock consideration. The proration mechanisms in the merger agreement would increase the percentage of stock consideration in the merger in order to satisfy this 40-percent threshold. Despite these mechanisms, however, there can be no assurance that the Manpower common stock will constitute at least 40 percent of the aggregate consideration. If the value of the stock consideration on the applicable valuation date is not at least 40 percent of the aggregate consideration, Manpower is not required to complete the second merger. If the second merger does not occur, the transaction would not be treated as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Both Manpower and COMSYS believe that the continuity of interest requirement will be met provided that (1) the value of Manpower common stock on the effective date of the exchange offer is not significantly lower than the value of such stock as calculated for purposes of the Merger Agreement, and/or (2) there are not significant dissenters to the transaction. Upon completion of the merger, Manpower plans to issue a press release as to whether the exchange offer and merger should qualify as part of a tax-free reorganization.

Consequences to COMSYS Stockholders if the Transaction Constitutes a Reorganization

The following are the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to COMSYS stockholders provided that the transaction constitutes a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. If the exchange offer and the mergers do not qualify as a reorganization, the tax consequences of the transaction to COMSYS stockholders who receive any shares of Manpower would differ materially from those summarized below. See the subsections below entitled “Consequences to COMSYS Stockholders if the Second Merger is Not Required to be Completed” and “Consequences to COMSYS Stockholders if Manpower Makes the All-Cash Election.”

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the exchange offer and the mergers to each COMSYS stockholder will vary depending on whether the COMSYS stockholder receives cash, Manpower common stock, or a combination of cash and Manpower common stock in exchange for the stockholder’s shares of COMSYS common stock. At the time that a COMSYS stockholder makes an election to receive cash or Manpower common stock, the stockholder will not know if, and to what extent, the proration procedures will alter the mix of consideration to be received. As a result, the tax consequences to each stockholder will not be ascertainable with certainty until the stockholder knows the amount of cash and/or Manpower common stock that will be received as a result of the transaction.

Holders who Exchange COMSYS Common Stock Solely for Cash

Holders of COMSYS common stock whose COMSYS common stock is exchanged for or converted into solely cash in the transaction will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and the tax basis of the COMSYS common stock exchanged. The amount and character of gain or loss will be computed separately for each block of COMSYS common stock that was purchased by the holder in the same transaction. Any recognized gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and any such capital gain or loss will be long term if, as of the date of sale or exchange, such stockholder has held the COMSYS common stock for more

 

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than one year or will be short term if, as of such date, such stockholder has held the COMSYS common stock for one year or less.

Holders who Exchange COMSYS Common Stock Solely for Manpower Common Stock

Holders of COMSYS common stock whose COMSYS common stock is exchanged for or converted into solely shares of Manpower common stock in the transaction will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes, except with respect to cash, if any, they receive in lieu of a fractional share of Manpower common stock. Each holder’s aggregate tax basis in the Manpower common stock received in the transaction will be the same as his or her aggregate tax basis in the COMSYS common stock surrendered in the transaction, decreased by the amount of any tax basis allocable to any fractional share interest for which cash is received. The holding period of the Manpower common stock received in the transaction by a holder of COMSYS common stock will include the holding period of the COMSYS common stock that he or she surrendered. If a COMSYS stockholder has differing tax bases and/or holding periods in respect of the stockholder’s COMSYS common stock, the stockholder should consult with a tax advisor in order to identify the tax bases and/or holding periods of the particular shares of Manpower common stock that the stockholder receives.

Holders who Exchange COMSYS Common Stock for Manpower Common Stock and Cash

Holders of COMSYS common stock whose COMSYS common stock is exchanged for or converted into a combination of Manpower common stock and cash pursuant to the transaction will recognize gain, but not loss, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The gain recognized, if any, will equal the lesser of (a) the amount of cash received in the transaction, or (b) the amount of gain realized in the transaction. The amount of gain that is realized in the transaction will equal the excess of (i) the sum of the cash plus the fair market value of the Manpower common stock received in the exchange over (ii) the tax basis of the COMSYS common stock surrendered in the transaction. For this purpose, a COMSYS stockholder must calculate gain or loss separately for each identifiable block of COMSYS common stock that such stockholder surrenders pursuant to the transaction, and a COMSYS stockholder cannot offset a loss realized on one block of such shares against a gain realized on another block of such shares. Any gain recognized generally will be treated as capital gain, except that the stockholder’s gain could be treated as a dividend if the receipt of the cash has the effect of the distribution of a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Sections 302 and 356 of the Code. These rules are complex in their application to transactions such as the exchange offer and mergers. The ultimate determination of whether a shareholder will recognize capital gain or dividend income is dependent upon the specific factual circumstances particular to each U.S. holder and the transaction.

A COMSYS holder’s aggregate tax basis in the Manpower common stock received pursuant to the transaction, including the basis in any fractional share for which cash is received, will be equal to the aggregate tax basis in the COMSYS common stock surrendered in the transactions, decreased by the amount of cash received and increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized or any amount treated as dividend income. The holding period of the Manpower common stock received in the transaction by a holder of COMSYS common stock will include the holding period of the COMSYS common stock surrendered by the holder in exchange therefor. Cash received and gain realized in connection with the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share of Manpower common stock are not taken into account in making the computations of gain realized or recognized and basis in the shares received. Rather, such cash and gain are treated as described below.

COMSYS stockholders who exchange their COMSYS common stock for Manpower common stock and cash should consult with a tax advisor in order to determine their U.S. federal income tax treatment.

The Receipt of Cash in Lieu of a Fractional Share

A holder of COMSYS common stock who receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of Manpower common stock will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received and his or her

 

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tax basis in the Manpower common stock that is allocable to the fractional share. That gain or loss generally will constitute capital gain or loss.

Consequences to Manpower and COMSYS

Neither Manpower nor COMSYS will recognize taxable gain or loss as a result of the exchange offer and mergers.

Consequences to COMSYS Stockholders if the Second Merger is Not Required to be Completed

If the value of the Manpower common stock issued in the transaction on the applicable valuation date is not at least 40 percent of the aggregate consideration, Manpower is not required to complete the second merger. If the second merger does not occur, the transaction would be treated as a taxable sale of COMSYS stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the transaction is a taxable sale of COMSYS common stock, each COMSYS stockholder participating in the transaction would recognize capital gain or loss, measured by the difference between the cash and fair market value of the Manpower common stock received by the stockholder less the stockholder’s tax basis in the shares of COMSYS common stock surrendered. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder had held the shares of COMSYS common stock for more than one year at the time the shares of COMSYS common stock are exchanged or converted in the transaction.

Consequences to COMSYS Stockholders if Manpower Makes the All-Cash Election

If Manpower makes the all-cash election such that all of the consideration for the COMSYS common stock is cash, the transaction would be treated as a taxable sale of COMSYS stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the transaction is a taxable sale of COMSYS stock, each COMSYS stockholder participating in the transaction would recognize capital gain or loss, measured by the difference between the cash received by the stockholder less the stockholder’s tax basis in the shares of COMSYS common stock surrendered. This gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder had held the shares of COMSYS common stock for more than one year at the time the shares of COMSYS common stock are exchanged in the transaction.

MANPOWER URGES EACH HOLDER OF SHARES OF COMSYS COMMON STOCK TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL OR FOREIGN INCOME OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PARTICIPATION IN THE TRANSACTION.

Federal Backup Withholding; Information Reporting.

To prevent backup federal income tax withholding with respect to cash, if any, received pursuant to the transaction you must either provide the exchange agent with your correct taxpayer identification number and certify that you are not subject to backup withholding of federal income tax by completing the substitute

Form W-9 included in the letter of election and transmittal or establish a basis for exemption from backup withholding. Some stockholders (including, among others, corporations) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. COMSYS stockholders who fail to provide their correct taxpayer identification numbers and the appropriate certifications as described above may be subject to backup withholding of 28 percent on cash received in the transaction and may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the IRS. If withholding is made and results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Cash and Manpower common stock paid and issued pursuant to the transaction will be reported to the extent required by the Code to COMSYS stockholders and the IRS.

Accounting Treatment

The transaction described in this prospectus will be accounted for as an acquisition of a business in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, commonly referred to as “GAAP,” for

 

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accounting and financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, Manpower will determine the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed and any excess purchase price will be assigned to goodwill. Manpower expects to allocate a portion of the purchase price to identifiable intangible assets to be amortized against the combined company’s earnings following completion of the transaction.

Resales of Manpower Common Stock

The shares of Manpower common stock to be issued in exchange for shares of COMSYS common stock will be freely transferable under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act of 1933.

Regulatory Approval

Other than clearance under the antitrust laws applicable to the transaction which are described below, the SEC declaring the registration statement on Form S-4 relating to this transaction effective and the filing of articles of merger under Delaware law with respect to the merger, Manpower does not believe that any additional material governmental filings are required with respect to the transaction.

Under the HSR Act, the transaction may not be completed until Manpower and COMSYS each notify and furnish information to the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice and specified waiting period requirements have been satisfied. Manpower and COMSYS agreed, pursuant to the merger agreement, to use commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary to obtain any clearance, waiver, approval or authorization relating to the HSR Act that is necessary to enable Manpower and COMSYS to complete the transaction. The notifications required under the HSR Act to the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice were filed on February 12, 2010 and the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act expired on March 15, 2010.

At any time before or after the completion of the exchange offer or the merger, either the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission could take any action under United States antitrust laws that it deems necessary or desirable, including seeking to enjoin the completion of the exchange offer or the merger or seeking the divestiture of substantial assets of Manpower or COMSYS. Private parties and state attorneys general may also bring actions under United States antitrust laws depending on the circumstances. Although we believe that neither the exchange offer nor the merger raises concerns under U.S. antitrust laws, we can give no assurance that a challenge to the exchange offer or the merger on antitrust grounds will not be made or, if a challenge is made, that it would not be successful. Manpower does not expect to make premerger filings in any additional jurisdictions.

Approval of the Merger

Under Section 251 of the DGCL, the approval of the board of directors of a company and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of outstanding stock entitled to vote are required to approve a merger and adopt a plan of merger. The boards of directors of COMSYS and Taurus have previously approved the merger.

If, after completion of the exchange offer, Manpower owns more than 50 percent but less than 90 percent of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock, it would complete the acquisition of the remaining outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock through a vote of COMSYS stockholders with respect to the merger. Because Manpower will own a majority of the shares of COMSYS common stock on the record date, it would have a sufficient number of shares of COMSYS common stock to approve the merger without the affirmative vote of any other holder of shares of COMSYS common stock and, therefore, approval of the merger by COMSYS stockholders will be assured. Completion of the transaction in this manner is referred to in this prospectus as a “long-form” merger.

 

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Under Section 253 of the DGCL, a merger can occur without a vote of COMSYS stockholders, referred to as a “short-form” merger, if, after completion of the exchange offer, as it may be extended, or after any exercise by Manpower of its option to purchase additional shares of common stock directly from COMSYS, Manpower were to own at least 90 percent of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock. If, after completion of the exchange offer, as it may be extended, or after any exercise by Manpower of its option to purchase additional shares of common stock directly from COMSYS, Manpower owns at least 90 percent of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock, Manpower would complete the acquisition of the remaining outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock by completing a short-form merger.

Appraisal Rights

COMSYS stockholders are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the exchange offer. However, the merger will entitle COMSYS stockholders to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL.

Under Section 262 of the DGCL, any holder of COMSYS common stock as of the effective time of the merger who does not wish to accept the merger consideration may dissent from the merger and elect to exercise appraisal rights. A stockholder who exercises appraisal rights may ask the Delaware Court of Chancery to determine the fair value of his or her shares (exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger), and receive payment of fair value in cash, together with interest, if any, provided that the stockholder complies with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL.

The following discussion is a summary of the law pertaining to appraisal rights under the DGCL. The full text of Section 262 of the DGCL is attached to this prospectus as Appendix B. All references in Section 262 of the DGCL to a “stockholder” and in this summary to a “stockholder” are to the record holder of the shares of COMSYS common stock who asserts appraisal rights.

Under Section 262 of the DGCL, when a merger is submitted for approval at a meeting or when stockholders are not entitled under the DGCL to vote on a merger, the corporation must notify each of its stockholders entitled to appraisal rights that appraisal rights are available and include in the notice a copy of Section 262 of the DGCL. This prospectus constitutes such notice, and the applicable statutory provisions are attached to this prospectus as Appendix B. In the event that, after completion of the exchange offer, as it may be extended, Manpower beneficially owns 90 percent or more of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock, the merger can be accomplished without a vote of COMSYS stockholders. This summary of appraisal rights is not a complete summary of the law pertaining to appraisal rights under the DGCL and is qualified in its entirety by the text of Section 262 of the DGCL attached as Appendix B. Any holder of COMSYS common stock, who wishes to exercise appraisal rights or who wishes to preserve the right to do so, should review the following discussion and Appendix B carefully. Failure to comply with the procedures of Section 262 of the DGCL, in a timely and proper manner, will result in the loss of appraisal rights. If you lose your appraisal rights, you will be entitled to receive the consideration described in the merger agreement as if you had made a stock election in connection with the merger.

Stockholders wishing to exercise the right to dissent from the merger and seek an appraisal of their shares must do ALL of the following:

 

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The stockholder must not tender his or her shares in the exchange offer. This means that the stockholder must not submit a letter of election and transmittal for the exchange offer.

 

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The stockholder must deliver to COMSYS a written demand for appraisal as provided in Section 262 of the DGCL within 20 days after the mailing date of this prospectus.

 

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The stockholder must not submit a letter of election and transmittal for the merger.

 

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The stockholder must continuously hold the shares from the date of making the demand through the effective time of the merger. A stockholder will lose appraisal rights if the stockholder transfers the shares before the effective time of the merger.

 

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•

The stockholder must file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the fair value of the shares within 120 days after the effective time of the merger. The surviving corporation is under no obligation, and has no intention, to file any petition.

Only a holder of record of shares of COMSYS common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger may assert appraisal rights for the shares of stock registered in that holder’s name. A demand for appraisal must be executed by or on behalf of the stockholder of record, fully and correctly, as the stockholder’s name appears on the stock certificates. The demand must reasonably inform COMSYS of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends to demand appraisal of his or her common stock.

STOCKHOLDERS WHO HOLD THEIR SHARES IN BROKERAGE ACCOUNTS OR OTHER NOMINEE FORMS, AND WHO WISH TO EXERCISE APPRAISAL RIGHTS, SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR BROKERS TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES FOR THE NOMINEE HOLDER TO MAKE A DEMAND FOR APPRAISAL OF THOSE SHARES. A PERSON HAVING A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN SHARES HELD OF RECORD IN THE NAME OF ANOTHER PERSON, SUCH AS A BROKER OR NOMINEE, MUST ACT PROMPTLY TO CAUSE THE RECORD HOLDER TO FOLLOW PROPERLY AND IN A TIMELY MANNER THE STEPS NECESSARY TO PERFECT APPRAISAL RIGHTS.

A stockholder who elects to exercise appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL should mail or deliver a written demand to:

COMSYS IT PARTNERS, INC.

4400 POST OAK PARKWAY

SUITE 1800

HOUSTON, TX 77027

ATTENTION: CORPORATE SECRETARY

If the merger is completed, COMSYS will give written notice of the effective time of the merger within 10 days after such effective time to each former COMSYS stockholder who made a written demand for appraisal in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL. Within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, but not later, either the surviving corporation or any dissenting stockholder who has complied with the requirements of Section 262 of the DGCL may file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the shares of COMSYS common stock held by all dissenting stockholders. The surviving corporation is under no obligation, and has no intention, to file any petition. Stockholders who desire to have their shares appraised should initiate any petitions necessary for the perfection of their appraisal rights within the time periods and in the manner prescribed in Section 262 of the DGCL.

Within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, any stockholder who has complied with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL to that point in time may receive from the surviving corporation, upon written request, a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares with respect to which COMSYS has received demands for appraisal, and the aggregate number of holders of those shares. The surviving corporation must mail this statement to the stockholder within 10 days of receipt of the request.

If any party files a petition for appraisal in a timely manner, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine which stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights and may require the stockholders demanding appraisal who hold certificated shares to submit their stock certificates to the court for notation of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings and any stockholder who fails to comply with such direction may be dismissed from such proceedings. If the stockholder fails to comply with the court’s direction, the court may dismiss the proceeding against the stockholder. The Delaware Court of Chancery will thereafter determine the fair value of the shares of COMSYS common stock held by dissenting stockholders, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, but together with interest, if any, to be paid on the amount

 

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determined to be fair value. Unless the court determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest from the effective date of the merger through the date of payment of the judgment shall be compounded quarterly and shall accrue at 5 percent over the Federal Reserve discount rate, including any surcharge, as established from time to time during the period between the effective date of the merger and the date of payment of the judgment.

In determining the fair value, the Delaware Court of Chancery will take into account all relevant factors. The Delaware Supreme Court has stated that “proof of value by any techniques or methods that are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court” should be considered in the appraisal proceedings. In addition, Delaware courts have decided that the statutory appraisal remedy, in cases of unfair dealing, may or may not be a dissenter’s exclusive remedy. The Delaware Court of Chancery may determine the fair value to be more than, less than or equal to the consideration that the dissenting stockholder would otherwise receive under the merger agreement. If no party files a petition for appraisal in a timely manner, then stockholders will lose the right to an appraisal, and will instead receive the consideration described in the merger agreement as if they had made a stock election in connection with the merger.

The Delaware Court of Chancery will determine the costs of the appraisal proceeding and will allocate those costs to the parties as the Delaware Court of Chancery determines to be equitable under the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Delaware Court of Chancery may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all shares entitled to appraisal.

A fairness opinion of an investment banking firm does not in any manner address fair value under Section 262 of the DGCL.

Any stockholder who has duly demanded an appraisal in compliance with Section 262 of the DGCL may not, after the effective time of the merger, vote the shares subject to the demand for any purpose or receive any dividends or other distributions on those shares, except dividends or other distributions payable to holders of record of shares as of a record date prior to the effective time of the merger.

Any stockholder may withdraw a demand for appraisal and accept the consideration as provided in the merger agreement as if they had made a stock election in connection with the merger by delivering to the surviving corporation a written withdrawal of the demand for appraisal, except that (1) any attempt to withdraw made more than 60 days after the effective time of the merger will require written approval of the surviving corporation, and (2) no appraisal proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery will be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and may be conditioned on such terms as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems just. If a stockholder fails to perfect, successfully withdraws or loses the appraisal right, the stockholder’s shares will be converted into the right to receive the consideration as provided in the merger agreement as if they had made a stock election in connection with the merger.

In the event that, after completion of the exchange offer, as it may be extended, Manpower does not own 90 percent or more of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock, and thereafter does not exercise the top-up option to acquire stock directly from COMSYS to achieve such 90 percent ownership of COMSYS, the merger will require the approval of COMSYS stockholders. If a stockholder vote is required, COMSYS stockholders may elect to exercise appraisal rights by delivering a written demand for appraisal within the meaning of Section 262 of the DGCL before the vote on the merger agreement at the stockholder meeting. However, COMSYS stockholders will not know if Manpower will reach the 90 percent ownership threshold before the expiration of the time period established under the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL concerning appraisal rights in situations where stockholder vote is not required. Accordingly, COMSYS stockholders wishing to exercise appraisal rights in connection with the merger should comply with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL concerning appraisal rights if a stockholder vote is not required.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE STEPS REQUIRED BY SECTION 262 OF THE DGCL FOR PERFECTING APPRAISAL RIGHTS MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF APPRAISAL RIGHTS, IN

 

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WHICH EVENT YOU WILL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE STOCK CONSIDERATION WITH RESPECT TO YOUR DISSENTING SHARES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MERGER AGREEMENT. IN VIEW OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 262 OF THE DGCL, IF YOU ARE AN COMSYS STOCKHOLDER AND ARE CONSIDERING EXERCISING YOUR APPRAISAL RIGHTS UNDER THE DGCL, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR OWN LEGAL ADVISOR.

Holders of Manpower common stock are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the exchange offer or the merger.

Possible Effects of the Exchange Offer

Reduced Liquidity of COMSYS Common Stock; Possibly No Longer Included for Quotation. The tender and exchange of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer will reduce the number of holders of shares of COMSYS common stock and the number of shares of COMSYS common stock that might otherwise trade publicly and could adversely affect the liquidity and market value of the remaining shares of COMSYS common stock held by the public. Shares of COMSYS common stock are included for listing and principally traded on the NASDAQ Global Market. Depending on the number of shares of COMSYS common stock acquired pursuant to the exchange offer, following completion of the exchange offer, shares of COMSYS common stock may no longer meet the requirements of the NASDAQ for continued listing.

If, following the completion of the exchange offer, the shares of COMSYS no longer meet the requirements for continued listing on the NASDAQ Global Market, the market for shares of COMSYS common stock could be adversely affected. If the shares of COMSYS common stock no longer meet the requirements for continued listing on the NASDAQ Global Market, it is possible that the shares would continue to trade in the over-the-counter market and that price quotations would be reported by other sources. The extent of the public market for the shares of COMSYS common stock and the availability of quotations for shares of COMSYS common stock would, however, depend upon the number of holders of shares remaining at that time, the interest in maintaining a market in shares of COMSYS common stock on the part of securities firms, the possible termination of registration of the shares under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as described below, and other factors. Manpower cannot predict whether the reduction in the number of shares of COMSYS common stock that might otherwise trade publicly would have an adverse or beneficial effect on the market price for, or marketability of, the shares of COMSYS common stock.

According to COMSYS, there were 21,293,875 shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding as of March 1, 2010.

Status as “Margin Securities.” The shares of COMSYS common stock are presently “margin securities” under the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, which has the effect, among other things, of allowing brokers to extend credit on the collateral of shares of COMSYS common stock. Depending on factors similar to those described above with respect to market listing, following completion of the exchange offer, the shares of COMSYS common stock may no longer constitute “margin securities” for the purposes of the Federal Reserve Board’s margin regulations, in which event the shares of COMSYS common stock would not be eligible as collateral for margin loans made by brokers.

Registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Shares of COMSYS common stock are currently registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. COMSYS can terminate that registration upon application to the SEC if the outstanding shares are not listed on a national securities exchange or listed on an automated inter-dealer quotation system, or if there are fewer than 300 holders of record of shares of COMSYS common stock. Termination of registration of the shares of COMSYS common stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 would reduce the information that COMSYS must furnish to its stockholders and to the SEC and would

 

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make certain provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b) and the requirement of furnishing a proxy statement in connection with stockholders meetings pursuant to Section 14(a) and the related requirement of furnishing an annual report to shareholders, no longer applicable with respect to shares of COMSYS common stock. In addition, if shares of COMSYS common stock are no longer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the requirements of Rule 13e-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to “going-private” transactions would no longer be applicable to COMSYS. Furthermore, the ability of “affiliates” of COMSYS and persons holding “restricted securities” of COMSYS to dispose of these securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 may be impaired or eliminated. If registration of the shares under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 were terminated, they would no longer be eligible for listing on the NASDAQ Global Market or for continued inclusion on the Federal Reserve Board’s list of “margin securities.”

Relationships between Manpower and COMSYS

Except for the merger agreement, tender and voting agreement or as otherwise described in this prospectus, neither Manpower nor, to the best of Manpower’s knowledge, any of its directors, executive officers or other affiliates has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with any other person with respect to any securities of COMSYS, including, but not limited to, any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or the voting of any securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guaranties of loans, guaranties against loss or the giving or withholding of proxies. Except as described in this prospectus and in COMSYS’s Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, there have been no contacts, negotiations or transactions between Manpower or, to the best of Manpower’s knowledge, any of its directors, executive officers or other affiliates on the one hand, and COMSYS or its affiliates, on the other hand, concerning a merger, consolidation or acquisition, a tender offer or other acquisition of securities, an election of directors, or a sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets. Neither Manpower nor, to the best of Manpower’s knowledge, any of its directors, executive officers or other affiliates has had any transaction with COMSYS or any of its officers, directors or affiliates that would require disclosure under the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to the exchange offer.

Source and Amount of Funds

The exchange offer and the merger are not conditioned upon any financing arrangements or contingencies. The amount of cash required to purchase the number of issued and outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock as of March 1, 2010 and to make cash payments for options and warrants to be canceled pursuant to the exchange offer and to fund transaction-related fees and expenses will be approximately $192.4 million, or approximately $376.4 million if Manpower makes the all-cash election. Manpower has sufficient cash on hand to pay such consideration, if necessary.

Fees and Expenses

COMSYS retained Baird to provide certain financial advisory services in connection with the offer and the merger. Baird will receive a customary fee for providing the financial advisory services to COMSYS.

Manpower has retained Georgeson Inc. to act as information agent in connection with the exchange offer. The information agent may contact holders of shares of COMSYS common stock by mail, telephone, telex, telegraph, e-mail and personal interview and may request brokers, dealers and other nominee shareholders to forward material relating to the exchange offer to beneficial owners of shares of COMSYS common stock. Manpower has agreed to pay the information agent reasonable and customary compensation for these services in addition to reimbursing the information agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Manpower has agreed to indemnify the information agent against certain liabilities and expenses in connection with the exchange offer, including certain liabilities under the U.S. federal securities laws.

 

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Manpower has agreed to pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary compensation for its services in connection with the exchange offer, has agreed to reimburse the exchange agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and has agreed to indemnify the exchange agent against certain liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the U.S. federal securities laws. Except as described above, Manpower has not agreed to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer or other person for soliciting tenders of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer. Manpower has agreed to reimburse brokers, dealers, commercial banks and trust companies and other nominees, upon request, for customary clerical and mailing expenses incurred by them in forwarding offering materials to their customers.

 

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TERMS OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of various provisions of the merger agreement, a copy of which is included in this document as Appendix A. The merger agreement is incorporated by reference into this document. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the merger agreement. You are encouraged to read the merger agreement carefully and in its entirety.

The merger agreement has been included to provide you with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about Manpower or COMSYS. Such information can be found elsewhere in this prospectus and in the public filings each of Manpower and COMSYS makes with the SEC, which are available without charge at www.sec.gov.

The Exchange Offer

Generally

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Manpower, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Taurus Merger Sub, Inc., has commenced an exchange offer for all outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock. In the exchange offer, Manpower is offering to exchange cash or Manpower common stock for each share of COMSYS common stock that is validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, as you may elect, subject to the conditions described in this prospectus/offer to exchange and the accompanying letter of election and transmittal. As of March 1, 2010, COMSYS had 21,293,875 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which Manpower seeks to acquire in the exchange offer. In addition, as of March 1, 2010, there were 719,790 shares of COMSYS common stock subject to options outstanding some of which are exercisable or may become exercisable prior to the expiration of the exchange offer and 248,654.14 shares of COMSYS common stock subject to warrants outstanding all of which are exercisable prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. To the extent these options or warrants are exercised prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, Manpower would also seek to acquire the shares issued upon such exercise in the exchange offer. Options to purchase shares of COMSYS common stock are not subject to the exchange offer, but will be canceled in connection with the merger in exchange for which certain cash payments may be made to the holders of the canceled options.

The exchange offer is the first step in Manpower’s acquisition of COMSYS and is intended to facilitate the acquisition of all COMSYS common stock. Manpower intends to complete the second step of its acquisition of COMSYS, the merger, as soon as possible after completion of the exchange offer.

Consideration; Elections and Proration

Under the terms of the exchange offer, you will have the opportunity to elect to receive, for each share of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, either:

 

•

$17.65 in cash, without interest; or

 

•

a fraction of a share or shares of Manpower common stock equal to the exchange rate, which is $17.65 divided by the Manpower average trading price,

subject to adjustment and proration, and subject to Manpower’s right to elect to pay all cash for all shares of COMSYS common stock in the exchange offer, as described in this prospectus/offer to exchange and the related letter of election and transmittal.

You will be entitled to elect to receive either cash in the amount of $17.65 or the exchange rate for each share of COMSYS common stock that you validly tender and do not withdraw. We refer to an election to receive cash as a cash election and an election to receive Manpower common stock that you affirmatively make or are treated as having made as a stock election. If you do not elect to receive cash or to receive Manpower common stock for your COMSYS common stock, you will be treated as if you had made a stock election.

The aggregate amount of cash and number of shares of Manpower common stock payable in the exchange offer are subject to the following limits:

 

•

The maximum amount of cash payable in the exchange offer is $17.65 multiplied by 50 percent of the aggregate number of shares of COMSYS common stock tendered and accepted by Manpower in

 

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the exchange offer. Thus, 50 percent of the shares of COMSYS common stock tendered in the exchange offer will be exchanged for cash.

 

•

The maximum number of shares of Manpower common stock payable in the exchange offer is the exchange rate multiplied by 50 percent of the aggregate number of shares of COMSYS common stock tendered and accepted by Manpower in the exchange offer. Thus, 50 percent of the shares of COMSYS common stock tendered in the exchange offer will be exchanged for shares of Manpower common stock. In no event will the number of shares of Manpower common stock to be paid in the exchange offer exceed 19.9 percent of shares of Manpower common stock outstanding on the date on which shares of COMSYS common stock are first accepted for payment under the exchange offer.

Thus, elections will be subject to proration if tendering holders of shares of COMSYS common stock, in the aggregate, elect to receive more than the maximum amount of consideration to be paid as cash or shares of Manpower common stock.

If more than 50 percent of the total shares of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and not withdrawn are represented by cash elections and you have made a cash election, you will receive your pro rata share of the available cash. If more than 50 percent of the total shares of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and not withdrawn are represented by stock elections and you have made or are treated as having made a stock election, you will receive your pro rata share of the available shares of Manpower common stock. If the limitation that the aggregate number of shares of Manpower common stock to be paid in the offer may not exceed 19.9 percent of the number of shares of Manpower common stock outstanding on date on which shares of COMSYS common stock are first accepted for payment under the exchange offer applies, then you will receive your pro rata share of the available shares of Manpower common stock.

If COMSYS stockholders elect to receive more than the aggregate amount of cash or shares of Manpower common stock available in the exchange offer, the aggregate cash or stock, as the case may be, will be prorated among the stockholders who elect each form of consideration as follows:

Over Subscription of Cash

The maximum aggregate amount of cash payable pursuant to the exchange offer will be $17.65 multiplied by 50 percent of the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock tendered and accepted by Manpower in the exchange offer.

If holders of COMSYS common stock elect to receive cash in excess of the maximum aggregate amount of cash payable in the exchange offer, then:

 

•

each share of COMSYS common stock covered by an election to receive Manpower common stock and each share of COMSYS common stock for which no election was made will be exchanged for a fraction of a share or shares of Manpower common stock equal to the exchange rate; and

 

•

each share of COMSYS common stock covered by an election to receive cash will be exchanged for:

 

•

cash in an amount equal to a fraction:

 

•

the numerator of which will be the maximum aggregate cash payable in the exchange offer, and

 

•

the denominator of which will be the aggregate number of shares of COMSYS common stock subject to all elections to receive cash; and

 

•

a fraction of a share or shares of Manpower common stock equal to a fraction:

 

•

the numerator of which will be the amount equal to $17.65 minus the amount of cash payable for such share of COMSYS common stock, and

 

•

the denominator of which will be the Manpower average trading price.

 

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Thus, all prorations will be applied on a pro rata basis, such that each COMSYS stockholder who tenders shares of COMSYS common stock subject to an election to receive cash bears such stockholder’s proportionate share of the proration.

Over Subscription of Manpower Common Stock

The maximum aggregate number of shares of Manpower common stock issuable pursuant to the exchange offer will be the exchange rate multiplied by 50 percent of the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock tendered and accepted by Manpower in the exchange offer.

If holders of COMSYS common stock elect or deemed to have elected to receive shares of Manpower common stock in excess of the maximum aggregate shares of Manpower common stock issuable pursuant to the exchange offer, then:

 

•

each share of COMSYS common stock covered by an election to receive cash will be exchanged for cash in an amount equal to $17.65; and

 

•

each share of COMSYS common stock covered by an election to receive Manpower common stock and each share of COMSYS common stock for which no election was made will be exchanged for:

 

•

a fraction of a share of Manpower common stock equal to a fraction:

 

•

the numerator of which will be the maximum aggregate shares of Manpower common stock issuable pursuant to the exchange offer, and

 

•

the denominator of which will be the sum of the aggregate number of shares of COMSYS common stock subject to all elections to receive Manpower common stock and the aggregate number of shares of COMSYS common stock for which no elections were made; and

 

•

cash in an amount equal to:

 

•

the exchange rate minus the fraction of a share of Manpower common stock payable for such share of COMSYS common stock, multiplied by

 

•

the Manpower average trading price.

Thus, all prorations will be applied on a pro rata basis, such that each COMSYS stockholder who tenders shares of COMSYS common stock subject to an election to receive Manpower common stock or for which no election was made bears such stockholder’s proportionate share of the proration.

Because the mix of cash elections and stock elections (including deemed stock elections) made in connection with the exchange offer may differ from the mix of cash elections and stock elections (including deemed stock elections) made in connection with the merger, the amount and type of consideration a COMSYS stockholder who makes a cash election or who makes or is treated as having made a stock election in the exchange offer may differ from the amount and type of consideration received by a COMSYS stockholder who makes who makes or is treated as having made the same election in connection with the merger.

Consequences of Tendering with No Election

If you tender but do not make a valid election, then you will be treated as if you had made an election to receive shares of Manpower common stock. You will receive a fraction of a share or shares of Manpower common stock equal to the exchange rate, which is $17.65 divided by the Manpower average trading price, subject to adjustment and proration in the event of an over subscription of Manpower common stock.

 

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All-Cash Election by Manpower

Manpower may elect to pay only cash in the exchange offer. Manpower may make such election, no later than two business days prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, by issuing a press release disclosing that the exchange offer is changing from an exchange offer to a cash tender offer. In the event that the all-cash election is made, Manpower will extend the offering period for up to ten business days from the date that materials disclosing that Manpower has made the all-cash election are disseminated to COMSYS stockholders, but no less than five business days from the dissemination of such materials. In such event, the final expiration date will be the end of such period, unless extended. If Manpower makes such election, you will be entitled to receive cash in the amount of $17.65 for each share of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and not withdrawn. In deciding whether to make the all-cash election, there are a number of factors Manpower will consider. These factors include the price of Manpower’s common stock, the level of dilution that would result if Manpower issued its common stock in the exchange offer following a significant decline in price, Manpower’s current liquidity forecast and general economic factors.

Expiration of the Exchange Offer

Pursuant to the merger agreement and the letter agreement between Manpower and COMSYS, dated March 3, 2010, the initial expiration date of the exchange offer is April 2, 2010.

Extensions of the Exchange Offer

If any condition to the exchange offer is not satisfied or, if permissible, waived on any scheduled expiration date of the exchange offer, Manpower may extend the expiration date of the exchange offer for successive extension periods of not more than 10 business days per extension, until all conditions to the exchange offer are satisfied or, if permissible, waived, or until the merger agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. Manpower also is required to extend the exchange offer one time for 10 business days if requested by COMSYS to do so if the conditions to the exchange offer have not been satisfied or waived other than in circumstances involving a breach by COMSYS of its covenants or obligations under the merger agreement that is willful or that would not reasonably be expected to be cured by the extended offer expiration date.

Manpower is entitled to extend the exchange offer if required by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC or the NYSE.

Under the merger agreement, Manpower is entitled to extend the exchange offer if Manpower elects to pay only cash for shares of COMSYS common stock. In the event that the all-cash election is made, Manpower will announce via press release that it is changing the exchange offer to a cash tender offer, and the offer will be extended for up to ten business days, but no less than five business days, from the date on which materials disclosing this are disseminated to COMSYS stockholders.

No extension of the expiration date of the exchange offer beyond June 30, 2010 may be made without the consent of COMSYS.

If Manpower extends the exchange offer beyond the initial expiration date, other than to change the exchange offer to a cash tender offer, then the exchange rate will be recalculated assuming a new final expiration date of the exchange offer and will be announced as described above.

Top Up Option

Under the merger agreement, if the minimum condition is satisfied and we consummate the exchange offer, we have the option to purchase from COMSYS additional shares of its common stock equal to the lowest number of shares that, when added to the number of shares of COMSYS common stock already owned by Manpower at the time of exercise of such option, constitutes one share more than 90 percent of the number of shares of COMSYS common stock that would be outstanding immediately after the issuance of all shares of COMSYS common stock that are subject to such option. Manpower or Taurus may exercise this option only if we have acquired 70 percent of the shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding immediately prior to our exercise of this option. At

 

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Manpower’s option, the purchase price for such shares may be satisfied with a promissory note bearing interest at the prime rate. In no event will this option be exercised for a number of shares of COMSYS common stock (i) that would require COMSYS to obtain stockholder approval under applicable law or the NASDAQ listing standards or (ii) in excess of COMSYS’s then authorized and unissued shares of common stock.

Prompt Exchange of Shares of COMSYS Common Stock in the Exchange Offer

Subject to the terms of the exchange offer and the merger agreement and the satisfaction (or waiver to the extent permitted) of the conditions to the exchange offer, Manpower is required to accept for exchange all shares of COMSYS common stock validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the exchange offer promptly after the applicable expiration date of the exchange offer, as it may be extended pursuant to the merger agreement, and is required to exchange all accepted shares of COMSYS common stock promptly after acceptance. Manpower will not issue certificates representing fractional shares of its common stock in the exchange offer. Instead, each tendering shareholder who would otherwise be entitled to a fractional share, after aggregating all fractional shares of Manpower common stock that otherwise would be received by the shareholder, will receive cash, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, without interest, in an amount equal to the Manpower average trading price multiplied by the fraction of a Manpower share which such shareholder would have otherwise received.

Composition of COMSYS’s Board of Directors after the Exchange Offer

At the time Manpower accepts and pays for the COMSYS common stock tendered in the exchange offer, Manpower will be entitled to designate the number of directors, rounded up to the next whole number, on COMSYS’s board of directors that equals:

 

•

the total number of directors on COMSYS’s board of directors, after giving effect to the election of any additional directors pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement;

multiplied by,

 

•

the percentage that the number of shares of COMSYS common stock owned by Manpower, including shares of COMSYS common stock accepted for payment, bears to the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding.

According to the terms of the merger agreement, COMSYS has agreed to take all action reasonably necessary to cause Manpower’s designees to be elected or appointed to COMSYS’s board of directors, including, at Manpower’s option, increasing the number of directors, or seeking and accepting resignations of incumbent directors, or both. Until the completion of the merger, COMSYS’s board of directors is required to include at least two members, who we refer to as the continuing directors, who were directors of COMSYS prior to the completion of the exchange offer. If, at any time prior to the completion of the merger, the number of continuing directors is reduced to fewer than two for any reason, the remaining and departing continuing directors will be entitled to designate a person to fill the vacancy. The directors designated to fill such a vacancy will be deemed to be continuing directors or, if no continuing directors remain, the other directors will designate two persons to fill such vacancies who are not officers or affiliates of Manpower or any of its subsidiaries, and those persons will be deemed to be continuing directors for purposes of the merger agreement.

If Manpower’s designees are appointed or elected to COMSYS’s board of directors prior to the completion of the merger, the affirmative vote of a majority of the continuing directors will be required for COMSYS to:

 

•

amend or terminate the merger agreement or agree or consent to any amendment or termination of the merger agreement;

 

•

waive any of COMSYS’s rights, benefits or remedies under the merger agreement;

 

•

extend the time for performance of Manpower’s obligations under the merger agreement; or

 

•

approve any other action by COMSYS which is reasonably likely to adversely affect the interests of COMSYS’s shareholders, other than Manpower, Taurus and their affiliates (other than COMSYS and its subsidiaries), with respect to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

 

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The Merger

Generally

The merger agreement provides that following completion of the exchange offer, Taurus will be merged into COMSYS. Upon completion of the merger, COMSYS will continue as the surviving corporation and will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Manpower.

The Completion of the Merger

The merger will be completed and become effective when the certificate of merger is filed with the Secretary of the State of Delaware. Manpower and COMSYS anticipate that the merger will be completed as soon as practicable after the expiration of the exchange offer and Manpower’s acceptance of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer.

Manner and Basis of Converting Shares of COMSYS Common Stock in the Merger

Under the terms of the merger agreement, upon completion of the merger, each share of COMSYS common stock will be converted into the right to receive, at the election of the holder thereof, either:

 

•

$17.65 in cash, without interest, or

 

•

a fraction of a share or shares of Manpower common stock equal to the exchange rate, which is $17.65 divided by the Manpower average trading price,

subject to adjustment and proration as described in this prospectus/offer to exchange and the related letter of election and transmittal to be sent following the merger.

You will be entitled to elect to receive either cash in the amount of $17.65 or the exchange rate for each share of COMSYS common stock that you hold as of the effective time of the merger and that is canceled in the merger. If you do not submit, within 30 days after the letters of election and transmittal are sent to former COMSYS stockholders, a letter of election and transmittal or you have not properly elected in your letter of election and transmittal to receive cash or to receive Manpower common stock for your COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger, you will be treated as if you had elected to receive Manpower common stock for your COMSYS common stock. We refer to an election to receive cash in the merger as a merger cash election and an election to receive Manpower common stock in the merger that you affirmatively make or are treated as having made as a merger stock election. In addition, COMSYS stockholders who attempt to exercise appraisal rights but fail to properly do so or to properly perfect the rights will be deemed to have made a merger stock election. Shares of COMSYS common stock held by stockholders who validly exercise and perfect appraisal rights will be subject to appraisal in accordance with Delaware law as described above under “The Transaction—Appraisal Rights” on page 41.

The merger consideration will not be payable in respect of shares of COMSYS common stock held by COMSYS or any of its subsidiaries as treasury stock immediately prior to completion of the merger or shares of COMSYS common stock owned by Manpower or any of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the completion of the merger nor will the merger consideration be payable in respect of certain unvested restricted stock subject to equity awards from COMSYS. We exclude such shares when we refer below in this section to shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger.

The aggregate amounts of cash and shares of Manpower common stock payable in the merger are subject to the following limits:

 

•

The maximum amount of cash payable in the merger is $17.65 multiplied by 50 percent of the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger. Thus, up to 50 percent of the shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger will be exchanged for cash. However, in certain circumstances, the aggregate amount of cash payable in the merger will be reduced, and the aggregate shares of Manpower common stock will be increased. For a discussion of these circumstances, see “Adjustment to Prevent Inadequate Continuity of Interest” on page 55.

 

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•

The maximum number of shares of Manpower common stock payable in the merger is the exchange rate multiplied by 50 percent of the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger. Thus, up to 50 percent of the shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger will be exchanged for shares of Manpower common stock. In no event will the number of shares of Manpower common stock to be paid in the exchange offer and the merger and issuable upon exercise or conversion of convertible securities assumed by Manpower in the merger exceed 19.9 percent of the shares of Manpower common stock outstanding on date on which shares of COMSYS common stock are first accepted for payment in the exchange offer. We refer to this limitation as the merger stock consideration cap.

Thus, elections will be subject to proration if holders of shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger, in the aggregate, elect to receive more than the maximum amount of consideration to be paid in the merger as cash or shares of Manpower common stock.

If more than 50 percent of the total shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger are represented by merger cash elections and you have made a merger cash election, you will receive your pro rata share of the available cash. If more than 50 percent of the total shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger are represented by merger stock elections and you have made or are treated as having made a merger stock election, you will receive your pro rata share of the available shares of Manpower common stock. If the limitation that the aggregate the number of shares of Manpower common stock to be paid in the exchange offer and the merger and issuable upon exercise or conversion of convertible securities assumed by Manpower in the merger may not exceed 19.9 percent of the number of shares of Manpower common stock outstanding on date on which shares of COMSYS common stock are first accepted for payment in the exchange offer applies, then you will receive your pro rata share of the available shares of Manpower common stock.

Subscriptions and Proration

If COMSYS stockholders elect to receive more than the aggregate amount of cash or shares of Manpower common stock payable in the merger, the total cash or stock, as the case may be, will be prorated among the stockholders who elect each form of consideration as follows:

Over Subscription of Cash

The maximum aggregate amount of cash payable in the merger will be $17.65 multiplied by 50 percent of the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger.

If holders of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger elect to receive cash in excess of the maximum aggregate amount of cash payable in the merger, then:

 

•

each share of COMSYS common stock covered by an election to receive Manpower common stock and each share of COMSYS common stock for which no election was made will be exchanged for a fraction of a share of Manpower common stock equal to the exchange rate; and

 

•

each share of COMSYS common stock covered by an election to receive cash will be exchanged for:

 

•

cash in an amount equal to a fraction:

 

•

the numerator of which will be the maximum aggregate cash payable in the merger, and

 

•

the denominator of which will be the aggregate number of shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger subject to elections to receive cash; and

 

•

a fraction of a share of Manpower common stock equal to a fraction:

 

•

the numerator of which will be the amount equal to $17.65 minus the amount of cash payable for such share of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger, and

 

•

the denominator of which will be the Manpower average trading price.

 

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Thus, all prorations will be applied on a pro rata basis, such that each COMSYS stockholder whose shares of COMSYS common stock are canceled in the merger subject to an election to receive cash bears such stockholder’s proportionate share of the proration.

Over Subscription of Manpower Common Stock

The maximum aggregate number of shares of Manpower common stock payable in the merger will be the exchange rate multiplied by 50 percent of the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger.

If holders of COMSYS common stock canceled in the merger elect to receive shares of Manpower common stock in excess of the maximum aggregate shares of Manpower common stock payable pursuant to the merger, then:

 

•

each share of COMSYS common stock covered by an election to receive cash will be exchanged for cash in an amount equal to $17.65; and

 

•

each share of COMSYS common stock covered by an election to receive Manpower common stock and each share of COMSYS common stock for which no election was made will be exchanged for:

 

•

a fraction of a share of Manpower common stock equal to a fraction:

 

•

the numerator of which will be the maximum aggregate shares of Manpower common stock payable in the merger, and

 

•

the denominator of which will be the sum of the aggregate number of shares of COMSYS common stock subject to all elections to receive Manpower common stock and the aggregate number of shares of COMSYS common stock for which no elections were made; and

 

•

cash in an amount equal to:

 

•

the exchange rate minus the fraction of a share of Manpower common stock payable for such share of COMSYS common stock, multiplied by

 

•

the Manpower average trading price.

Thus, all prorations will be applied on a pro rata basis, such that each COMSYS stockholder whose shares of COMSYS common stock are canceled in the merger subject to an election to receive Manpower common stock or for which no election was made bears such stockholder’s proportionate share of the proration.

The letter of election and transmittal sent following the merger to former COMSYS stockholders whose COMSYS common stock is canceled in the merger will specify a deadline by which merger cash elections and merger stock elections being affirmatively made by such former COMSYS stockholders must be submitted to COMSYS. We refer to this deadline as the election date. Such former COMSYS stockholders who attempt to exercise appraisal rights but who fail to properly exercise or perfect or otherwise lose appraisal rights before the election date will be treated as having made merger stock elections. If the shares of Manpower common stock are oversubscribed based on merger stock elections (including deemed merger stock elections) of such former COMSYS stockholders who did not attempt to exercise appraisal rights, then the available shares of Manpower common stock will be prorated and allocated first to and among such former COMSYS stockholders. Then, any remaining available shares of Manpower common stock will be prorated and allocated to and among such former COMSYS stockholders who attempt to but before the election date fail to properly exercise or perfect appraisal rights or otherwise lose appraisal rights. Such former COMSYS stockholders who attempt to exercise but after the election date fail to properly perfect appraisal rights or otherwise lose appraisal rights will be treated as having made merger stock elections. If, however, based on all other merger stock elections (including deemed merger stock elections), stock is oversubscribed, such former COMSYS stockholders instead will be deemed to have made cash elections.

 

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Because the mix of cash elections and stock elections (including deemed stock elections) made in connection with the exchange offer may differ from the mix of merger cash elections and merger stock elections (including deemed merger stock elections) made in connection with the merger, the amount and type of consideration a COMSYS stockholder who makes a cash election or who makes or is treated as having made a stock election in the exchange offer may differ from the amount and type of consideration received by a COMSYS stockholder who makes or is treated as having made the same election in connection with the merger.

Adjustment to Prevent Inadequate Continuity of Interest

If the aggregate value of the stock consideration, as described below, would be less than 40 percent of the sum of the aggregate amount of cash payable and Manpower common stock issuable in the merger, then, subject to the merger stock consideration cap, the aggregate amount of cash payable in the merger will be reduced, and the aggregate number of shares of Manpower common stock issuable in the merger will be increased, so that the aggregate value of the Manpower common stock issuable in the merger, equals 40 percent of the aggregate value of the stock and non-stock consideration payable in the merger. When we refer to the aggregate value of the stock consideration, we mean the aggregate value of the aggregate number of shares of Manpower common stock issuable in the merger determined based on the average of the high and low price per share of Manpower common on the NYSE on the date of the closing of the merger. Any such adjustment will be applied on a pro rata basis, such that each COMSYS stockholder whose shares of COMSYS common stock are canceled in the merger subject to an election to receive cash bears such stockholder’s proportionate share of the adjustment.

Treatment of COMSYS Equity Awards and Warrants

At the effective time of the merger and subject to any required consent being obtained from the holder, each option to purchase COMSYS common stock then outstanding under any employee stock option or compensation plan or arrangement of COMSYS, whether or not vested or exercisable, shall be canceled in consideration for which the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive, promptly after the effective time of the merger, cash, without interest, in an amount equal to the difference of (i) the product of (A) the number of shares of COMSYS common stock subject to such option immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, and (B) the excess, if any, of $17.65 over the exercise price per share of COMSYS common stock subject to such option, minus (ii) all applicable federal, state and local taxes required to be withheld, if any.

As of the effective time of the merger and subject to any required consent being obtained from the holder, each warrant to purchase COMSYS common stock then outstanding, whether or not then exercisable or vested, shall be canceled in consideration for which the holder thereof shall thereupon be entitled to receive, promptly after the effective time of the merger, cash, without interest, in an amount (if any) equal to the difference of (i) the product of (A) the number of shares of COMSYS common stock subject to such warrant, and (B) the excess, if any, of $17.65 over the exercise price per share of COMSYS common stock subject to such warrant, minus (ii) all applicable federal, state and local taxes required to be withheld, if any.

As of the effective time of the merger, each outstanding award of unvested restricted stock shall be terminated in exchange for a right to receive a lump-sum payment from Manpower equal to the product of: the number of outstanding shares of unvested restricted common stock under the award immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, and the cash consideration to be paid to former COMSYS stockholders in the merger. Such lump sum payment will be made only upon satisfaction of the applicable vesting conditions to the award in effect as of the date of the merger agreement.

Representations and Warranties

The merger agreement contains representations and warranties of COMSYS, Manpower and Taurus, to each other, as to, among other things:

 

•

the corporate organization, existence and power of each party and its subsidiaries;

 

•

the authority of each party to enter into the merger agreement and make it valid and binding;

 

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•

the approval and adoption of merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby by each party’s board of directors;

 

•

required governmental approvals;

 

•

no contravention by the execution, delivery and performance of the merger agreement of:

 

•

the organizational documents of each party and its subsidiaries,

 

•

applicable law, or

 

•

agreements, instruments and obligations;

 

•

the capitalization of each party;

 

•

subsidiaries;

 

•

the completeness and accuracy of each party’s filings with the SEC and financial statements and;

 

•

the absence of material undisclosed liabilities;

 

•

the conduct of each party’s business in the ordinary course since the end of each party’s fiscal third quarter for 2009;

 

•

the absence of changes in each party’s business since the end of each party’s fiscal third quarter for 2009 which would have a material adverse effect on the party making the representation;

 

•

the absence of any pending or threatened litigation, action, suit, claim, governmental or regulatory investigation, arbitration or proceeding or inquiry of any nature, whether civil, criminal or administrative, that would have a material adverse effect on the party making the representation or of any pending or threatened claims challenging the validity of the merger agreement or the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

 

•

the timely filing of any material tax returns, statements, reports and forms, the timely payment of taxes due and discharge of tax liabilities by the party making the representation and the lack of any claim against such party in respect of any tax matters that would have a material adverse effect on such party;

 

•

compliance with applicable law, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and possession of applicable licenses and permits;

 

•

the tax treatment of the merger;

 

•

the absence of untrue statements of material fact or omissions of material fact in the representations and warranties made by each party in the merger agreement; and

 

•

the completeness and accuracy of all disclosure documents and information supplied for inclusion in any disclosure documents by each party in connection with the transaction.

The merger agreement contains additional representations and warranties of COMSYS to Manpower as to, among other things:

 

•

the absence of any material revaluation of any of its assets, any declaration or payment of dividends or any redemption, purchase, purchase or acquisition of its securities;

 

•

the absence of any increase in compensation payable to any employee, officer or director from the amount in effect as of January 1, 2009;

 

•

COMSYS’s employee benefit plans and related matters;

 

•

the absence of any infringement of intellectual property rights of any third party and COMSYS’s ownership of or right to use and continued use of its intellectual property;

 

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•

fees and the opinion of the financial advisor to the COMSYS board of directors;

 

•

certain labor matters;

 

•

COMSYS material contracts;

 

•

the stockholder vote that may be required to approve the merger;

 

•

the intent of the COMSYS directors and officers to tender into the exchange offer;

 

•

the inapplicability to the merger agreement, the exchange offer and the merger of the anti-takeover provision of the DGCL, any anti-takeover laws or regulations of any other jurisdiction or any anti-takeover provisions in the COMSYS certificate of incorporation or by-laws;

 

•

COMSYS’s title to its property;

 

•

the absence of undisclosed environmental liabilities which would have a material adverse effect on COMSYS;

 

•

the absence of agreements which materially restrict the conduct of COMSYS’s business;

 

•

COMSYS’s material policies of insurance;

 

•

the absence of any discussions by COMSYS relating to an acquisition proposal other than the proposal for the exchange offer and the merger;

 

•

the absence of certain business practices involving unlawful payments, including payments in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;

 

•

the absence of transactions between COMSYS and its affiliates since the date of COMSYS’s 2009 proxy statement; and

 

•

COMSYS’s estimated expenses incurred in connection with or related to the transaction.

The merger agreement contains additional representations and warranties of Manpower to COMSYS as to, among other things:

 

•

the required approval of Manpower as sole stockholder of Taurus of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby;

 

•

Manpower’s ownership of the common stock of Taurus and the fact that Taurus has not incurred any obligations or liabilities, engaged in any business activities or entered into any agreements other than those contemplated by the merger agreement;

 

•

the availability of funds to complete the transaction; and

 

•

the approval of an employment agreement by the independent directors of Manpower in accordance with the requirements of Rule 14d-10(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.

The representations and warranties given in the merger agreement will not survive the merger. The assertions embodied in the representations and warranties are qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules that Manpower and COMSYS have exchanged in connection with signing the merger agreement. While neither Manpower nor COMSYS believe that the disclosure schedules contain information that the securities laws require to be publicly disclosed, the disclosure schedules do contain information that modifies, qualifies and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties of the parties. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts. These disclosure schedules contain information that has been included in Manpower or COMSYS’s prior public disclosures, as well as potential additional non-public information.

Conduct of Business Pending the Appointment Time

COMSYS has agreed, unless Manpower’s prior written consent is obtained or except as disclosed prior to the signing of the merger agreement or expressly contemplated by the merger agreement, that from the date of the merger agreement until the appointment time it will, and it will cause each of its subsidiaries to:

 

•

conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice;

 

•

use all commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its present business organization and assets;

 

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•

maintain in effect all material permits that are required to carry on its business;

 

•

use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep available the services of its present officers, key employees and independent contractors;

 

•

use all commercially reasonable efforts to preserve existing relationships with its material customers, lenders, suppliers and other persons having material business relationships with it;

 

•

use all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and keep its properties in as good repair and condition as at the date of the merger agreement, ordinary wear and tear excepted;

 

•

use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep in full force and effect insurance and bonds comparable in amount and scope of coverage to that now maintained by it, with certain exceptions;

 

•

perform in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under all material contracts, leases, and documents relating to or affecting its assets, properties, and business;

 

•

comply with and perform in all material respects all obligations and duties imposed upon it by all applicable laws; and

 

•

not take any action or fail to take any action which individually or in the aggregate would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on it and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Except as disclosed prior to the signing of the merger agreement or as expressly contemplated by the merger agreement, COMSYS has further agreed that without the prior written consent of Manpower, from the date of the merger agreement until the appointment time, it and each of its subsidiaries will not, among other things:

 

•

amend their respective organizational documents;

 

•

split, combine or reclassify any of its equity interests or amend the terms of any rights, warrants or options to acquire their securities, declare any dividends, except for ordinary course dividends payable by a COMSYS subsidiary to COMSYS or another subsidiary, or redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any of its outstanding securities or other rights, warrants or options to acquire its securities;

 

•

issue any shares of their capital stock or any rights, warrants or options to acquire shares of its capital stock or other equity interests, subject to certain exceptions, including the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of options granted prior to the date of the merger agreement;

 

•

acquire any equity interest in, any division or business of, or substantially all of the assets of, any other person, whether pursuant to merger, stock or asset purchase, joint venture or otherwise;

 

•

dispose of assets, other than sales of immaterial assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or of obsolete assets;

 

•

incur any indebtedness except under the terms of the existing COMSYS credit agreement in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, issue or sell any debt securities, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to or investments in any other person, or become responsible for the obligations of any other person, with certain exceptions, enter into any “keep well” or other agreement to maintain any financial statement condition of another person other than COMSYS or a subsidiary of COMSYS, or enter into or materially amend any contract to effect any such transactions;

 

•

enter into any material contract, amend or modify in any material respect any material contract or waive, release or assign any material rights, claims or benefits under any material contract;

 

•

increase the number of COMSYS employees, other than hiring in the ordinary course of business or enter into an employment agreement or otherwise agree to provide annual cash compensation to any person in excess of $500,000, subject to certain exceptions;

 

•

change any of their methods of accounting in effect at December 28, 2008, except as required by changes in GAAP or by applicable securities regulations;

 

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•

settle, pay, compromise or discharge any claim that is material to the business, financial condition or results of operations of COMSYS and its subsidiaries, or with respect to or arising out of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

 

•

make any material tax election or take any position in any tax return filed on or after the date of the merger agreement or adopt any method in a tax return that is inconsistent with elections made, positions taken or methods used in preparing or filing similar returns in prior periods, enter into any settlement or compromise of any material tax liability, file any amended return with respect to any material tax, change any annual tax accounting period, enter into any closing arrangement relating to any material tax, or surrender any right to claim a material tax refund;

 

•

adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization, other than in connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; or

 

•

willfully take any action that would result in a material breach of the merger agreement or a failure to satisfy the conditions precedent to the exchange offer.

Manpower has agreed, except as disclosed prior to the signing of the merger agreement or as expressly contemplated by the merger agreement, that from the date of the merger agreement until the appointment time it will, and it will cause each of its subsidiaries to:

 

•

use all commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its present business organization and assets;

 

•

maintain in effect all material permits that are required to carry on its business;

 

•

use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep available the services of its present officers, key employees and independent contractors;

 

•

use all commercially reasonable efforts to preserve existing relationships with its material customers, lenders, suppliers and other persons having material business relationships with it;

 

•

comply with and perform in all material respects all obligations and duties imposed on it by all applicable laws; and

 

•

not take any action or fail to take any action that would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect.

Except as disclosed prior to the signing of the merger agreement or as expressly contemplated by the merger agreement, Manpower has further agreed that from the date of the merger agreement until the appointment time it and each of its subsidiaries will not:

 

•

amend their respective organizational documents;

 

•

split, combine or reclassify their common stock without appropriately adjusting the stock consideration payable in the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

 

•

declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution of its common stock, other than the declaration and payment of regular semi-annual dividends consistent with past practice;

 

•

adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization, other than in connection with the transactions; or

 

•

willfully take any action that would result in a material breach of the merger agreement or failure to satisfy any of the conditions precedent to the exchange offer.

 

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No Solicitation of Transactions

COMSYS has agreed to cease immediately any existing discussions or negotiations relating to an acquisition proposal. The merger agreement further provides that, except in the circumstances described below, neither COMSYS nor its representatives will:

 

•

encourage, solicit, initiate or facilitate any inquiries or proposals with respect to an acquisition proposal;

 

•

enter into any agreement with respect to any acquisition proposal or any agreement requiring COMSYS to terminate the merger agreement or fail to consummate the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; or

 

•

enter into or participate in any discussions or negotiations with any person or take any action to facilitate any inquiries or proposals with respect to an acquisition proposal.

For purposes of the merger agreement, an “acquisition proposal” is any inquiry, offer or proposal from any person concerning any of the following, other than the transaction:

 

•

a merger, consolidation, business combination, share exchange, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving COMSYS or any of its subsidiaries;

 

•

a sale, lease or other disposition, directly or indirectly, by merger, consolidation, business combination, share exchange, joint venture, or otherwise of 10 percent or more of the consolidated assets of COMSYS and its subsidiaries or operations which produce 10 percent or more of the consolidated revenues or consolidated net income of COMSYS and its subsidiaries;

 

•

an issuance, sale, or other disposition of securities representing 10 percent or more of any class of equity interests of COMSYS or any of its subsidiaries;

 

•

a transaction that if consummated would result in any person acquiring beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, or any group having been formed which beneficially owns or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of 10 percent or more of any class of equity securities of COMSYS or any of its subsidiaries; or

 

•

any combination of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, if prior to the appointment time COMSYS receives a written acquisition proposal that was not solicited after the date of the merger agreement and that does not breach the non-solicitation provisions of the merger agreement, which the COMSYS board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with its legal and financial advisors, is or is likely to become a superior proposal, then COMSYS may:

 

•

furnish information about COMSYS to the person making the acquisition proposal; and

 

•

participate in discussions and negotiations with respect to the acquisition proposal.

Prior to taking any of these actions with respect to a superior proposal, the COMSYS board of directors must determine in good faith, after consulting with and taking into consideration the advice of independent legal counsel, that such actions are required to comply with its fiduciary duties to COMSYS under the DGCL. COMSYS must also notify Manpower before it takes any such action with respect to a superior proposal, provide Manpower with copies of any information provided, enter into a confidentiality and standstill agreement with the person making the acquisition proposal and keep Manpower informed of the status of such discussions.

For purposes of the merger agreement, a “superior proposal” means an acquisition proposal that was not solicited, directly or indirectly, after the date of the merger agreement to acquire directly or indirectly all of COMSYS’s equity interests or all or substantially all of COMSYS’s consolidated assets for consideration

 

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consisting of cash and/or securities and which, after receipt of advice of a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation, in the good faith determination of the COMSYS board of directors:

 

•

if accepted, is highly likely to be consummated;

 

•

if consummated, would result in a transaction that is more favorable to COMSYS and its stockholders than the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; and

 

•

has financing committed, if required, or capable of being obtained.

The merger agreement also provides that that the COMSYS board of directors will not, directly or indirectly:

 

•

withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Manpower, any of their recommendations relating to the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, or propose publicly to do so;

 

•

approve, endorse or recommend any acquisition proposal, or propose publicly to do so;

 

•

cause COMSYS to enter into any letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or similar agreement relating to any acquisition proposal; or

 

•

release any person from or fail to enforce any confidentiality or standstill agreement.

Notwithstanding the restrictions described above, the COMSYS board of directors may adversely change any of its recommendations or recommend any acquisition proposal if it determines in good faith, after taking into consideration the advice of independent legal counsel, that such action is required for the board to comply with its fiduciary duties under the DGCL. Prior to taking such action, the COMSYS board must negotiate with Manpower for not less than five business days to revise the merger agreement so that the adverse change in recommendation does not need to be made.

In addition, the merger agreement provides that the COMSYS board of directors may adversely change any of its recommendations or recommend an acquisition proposal if it determines in good faith, after taking into consideration the advice of independent legal counsel, that a superior proposal is still a superior proposal after the COMSYS board negotiates with Manpower for not less than five business days to revise the merger agreement.

COMSYS has also agreed to advise Manpower within 24 hours of any acquisition proposal or inquiry relating to a potential acquisition proposal and of the material terms of any such acquisition proposal and to keep Manpower informed of the status of such developments.

As discussed below, Manpower and COMSYS have the right to terminate the merger agreement if the COMSYS board of directors adversely changes its recommendations or takes or fails to take certain actions with respect to an acquisition proposal and under certain other circumstances. In such situations, COMSYS may be required to pay Manpower a termination fee and to reimburse Manpower for expenses relating to these transactions.

Employee Benefit Matters

After the merger, COMSYS employees who become Manpower employees, whom we refer to as transferred employees, will be integrated into Manpower’s qualified retirement plans, health and dental plans and other employee welfare benefit plans subject to the terms and conditions of such plans, except as otherwise provided in the merger agreement. If integration of transferred employees into Manpower’s employee welfare benefit plans occurs during a plan year, such employees will receive credit for co-pays, deductibles and similar limits incurred under COMSYS’s plans during such plan year.

Manpower has agreed that it will give transferred employees full credit for their prior service with COMSYS and its subsidiaries for purposes of eligibility and vesting under any qualified plans or welfare benefit plans, “cafeteria” plans, vacation plans and similar arrangements maintained by Manpower in which the transferred employees may be eligible to participate. However, Manpower will not give prior service credit in connection with the Manpower retiree health plan.

 

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Manpower has also agreed to waive all limitations relating to preexisting conditions and waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to transferred employees under any welfare benefit plans maintained by Manpower in which transferred employees may be eligible to participate, subject to meeting the service requirements and other eligibility criteria under Manpower’s plans. Manpower is not required to waive limitations or waiting periods that are currently in effect under the COMSYS welfare plans that have not been satisfied as of the effective time of the merger.

Prior to the merger, COMSYS will not make any matching contributions to any 401(k) plans. Manpower may require COMSYS to take the necessary steps to amend, terminate, and/or discontinue further benefit accruals or terminate the COMSYS 401(k) plan and Pure Solutions, Inc. 401(k) plan prior to the merger.

Unvested shares of restricted stock held by employees who are members of COMSYS’s senior staff will vest upon the closing of the offer. As of March 1, 2010, the total number of shares of restricted stock that will vest upon the closing of the offer is 677,897, including restricted stock held by executive officers as described in the section entitled “Interests of COMSYS’s Officers and Directors in the Transaction” located on page 34.

Pursuant to the merger agreement, each award of restricted stock that does not vest in connection with the transaction shall be terminated in exchange for a right to receive a lump-sum cash payment equal to the product of: the number of outstanding shares of unvested restricted stock held immediately prior to the offer, and the cash consideration paid for COMSYS common stock. The lump-sum cash payment shall only be paid to the employee holder of such award upon satisfaction of the original vesting conditions applicable to the restricted stock. Furthermore, if an employee is involuntarily terminated without cause within 12 months after the offer, all vesting conditions shall immediately lapse and the employee shall be entitled to receive the lump-sum cash payment. In the merger, Manpower will assume the obligation to make any such cash payments. The total number of shares of unvested restricted stock as of the closing of the offer is expected to be 440,077 as of March 1, 2010.

For persons who hold outstanding stock options at the time of the offer, all outstanding stock options to acquire COMSYS common stock under the stock option plans of COMSYS will be cancelled in exchange for a lump-sum cash payment. The lump-sum cash payment will be equal to the product of: the number of COMSYS common stock subject to such stock option immediately prior to the transaction, and the excess, if any, of the cash consideration paid for COMSYS common stock over the exercise price for such stock option. As of March 1, 2010, the total number of outstanding stock options to acquire COMSYS common stock as of the date of the merger is expected to be 719,790, including stock options held by executive officers and directors as described in the section entitled “Interests of COMSYS’s Officers and Directors in the Transaction” located on page 42.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

The obligation of Manpower to accept for exchange, and to deliver cash and/or shares of Manpower common stock in exchange for, shares of COMSYS common stock that are validly tendered and not withdrawn, is subject to the satisfaction or, where permissible, the waiver of the conditions described in the merger agreement, including the following conditions:

The Minimum Condition

Prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer, as it may be extended pursuant to the merger agreement, there must be validly tendered in accordance with the terms of the exchange offer prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer and not withdrawn a number of shares of COMSYS common stock, including shares of COMSYS common stock tendered pursuant to the tender and voting agreement, that, when added to any shares of COMSYS common stock then owned by Manpower, if any, immediately prior to acceptance for exchange of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer, represents at least a majority of the sum of:

 

•

the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding; and

 

•

the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all options, warrants, rights and convertible securities outstanding.

 

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The minimum condition will be a majority of 22,262,319 shares of COMSYS common stock, which is equal to the sum of the total number of outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock and the total number of shares of COMSYS common stock issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding options and warrants to purchase COMSYS common stock. There are no rights or other securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding. As a result, there must be validly tendered and not withdrawn 11,131,161 shares of COMSYS common stock in the exchange offer to satisfy the minimum condition. Assuming that the officers, directors and stockholders of COMSYS who have entered into the tender and voting agreement tender or cause to be tendered all of the shares beneficially owned by such stockholders as of February 1, 2010 (5,675,789 shares, which excludes shares subject to options and warrants held by them), an additional 5,455,372 shares of COMSYS common stock, representing approximately 24.5 percent of the sum of outstanding shares and shares issuable upon exercise of options and warrants, or 25.6 percent of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock (excluding shares issuable upon exercise of options and warrants) as of March 1, 2010, must be tendered into the exchange offer to satisfy the minimum condition.

Other Conditions to the Exchange Offer

The exchange offer is also subject to conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, including the following:

 

•

the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act must have expired or been terminated, which expiration occurred on March 15, 2010;

 

•

unless the all-cash election has been made by Manpower, the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part must have been declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, and must not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order;

 

•

unless the all-cash election has been made by Manpower, the shares of Manpower common stock that are to be issued in the transaction must have been approved for listing on the NYSE;

 

•

there must not have been any action taken, or any statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, injunction, judgment, order or decree proposed, entered, enacted, enforced, promulgated, issued or deemed applicable to the transaction by any governmental entity, other than the application of the waiting period provisions of the HSR Act to the transaction that seeks to:

 

•

prohibit the acceptance for payment of or payment for shares of COMSYS common stock or the consummation of the exchange offer or the merger;

 

•

render Manpower unable to accept for payment or pay for some or all of the shares of COMSYS common stock;

 

•

impose material limitations on Manpower’s ability to effectively exercise full rights of ownership of the shares of COMSYS common stock, including the right to vote the shares of COMSYS common stock Manpower purchases;

 

•

imposes material limitations on Manpower’s direct or indirect ownership or operation of all or a material portion of their or COMSYS’s businesses or assets;

 

•

compels Manpower or its affiliates to dispose of or hold separate any portion of the business or assets of COMSYS or Manpower and their respective subsidiaries which would be material in the context of either COMSYS and its subsidiaries, or Manpower and its subsidiaries, each taken as a whole;

 

•

oblige COMSYS, Manpower or any of their subsidiaries to pay material damages or otherwise become subject to materially adverse consequences in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; or

 

•

otherwise result in a material adverse effect for COMSYS or Manpower;

 

•

COMSYS must have not have materially breached any of its covenants, obligations or agreements under the merger agreement;

 

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the representations and warranties of COMSYS contained in the merger agreement must have been true and correct as of the date of the merger agreement and must be true and correct on and as of the final expiration date of the offer, subject to applicable materiality qualifications;

 

•

except as disclosed to Manpower by COMSYS, since September 27, 2009, there must not have been any material adverse effect on COMSYS and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the occurrence of any event or circumstance that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on COMSYS and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and

 

•

the merger agreement must not have been terminated in accordance with its terms.

If any one of the above conditions is not met, and, in the good faith judgment of Manpower, it is inadvisable to proceed with the exchange offer or the acceptance for payment of or payment for the shares of COMSYS common stock, then Manpower will not be required to accept for exchange or exchange or deliver any shares of Manpower common stock in exchange for, any shares of COMSYS common stock tendered. Manpower reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, subject to terms of the merger agreement, to waive, in whole or in part, any of the conditions to the exchange offer.

Conditions to the Merger

Manpower’s and COMSYS’s obligations to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, where permissible, of a number of conditions, including the following:

 

•

unless the all-cash election has been made by Manpower, the registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC and is not the subject of any stop order or proceedings seeking a stop order;

 

•

the merger agreement has been approved at a special meeting of COMSYS stockholders by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding, except to the extent that the merger can be authorized and approved without stockholder approval in accordance with the DGCL;

 

•

no governmental entity or arbitrator has enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, order or other measure that restricts consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement;

 

•

any applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act and the applicable antitrust laws or competition laws of any other jurisdiction has been expired or terminated (the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act expired on March 15, 2010);

 

•

unless the all-cash election has been made by Manpower, the Manpower common stock that is to be issued in the merger has been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;

 

•

no action or claim by any governmental entity is pending or threatened wherein an injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge would prevent consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, cause any of the transactions to be rescinded following consummation thereof, or adversely affect the right or powers of Manpower to own, operate or control COMSYS, and no such unfavorable injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge shall be in effect; and

 

•

Manpower has accepted for exchange and exchanged all of the shares of COMSYS common stock tendered pursuant to the exchange offer.

As discussed below, if the exchange offer has not been consummated prior to June 30, 2010, either Manpower or COMSYS may terminate the merger agreement, unless the failure to consummate the exchange offer by that date is due to the failure of the party seeking termination to comply with its obligations under the merger agreement.

Termination of the Merger Agreement

Termination by Mutual Agreement

The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the effective time of the merger by mutual consent of the parties taken by each party’s board of directors.

 

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Termination by Manpower or COMSYS

The merger agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the effective time of the merger by either Manpower or COMSYS if:

 

•

the exchange offer has not been consummated by June 30, 2010, unless the failure to consummate the exchange offer by that date is due to the failure of the party seeking termination to comply with its obligations under the merger agreement;

 

•

a final and nonappealable order, decree, ruling or other action has been issued permanently prohibiting the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement; or

 

•

the exchange offer has expired or been terminated without Manpower having accepted for exchange any shares of COMSYS common stock, except where such termination or expiration has been caused by the failure to fulfill any obligation under the merger agreement by the party seeking termination.

Termination by Manpower

Manpower may terminate the merger agreement at any time prior to the acceptance for exchange of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer if:

 

•

the COMSYS board of directors has withdrawn, adversely modified or failed upon Manpower’s request to reconfirm any of their recommendations to COMSYS stockholders, has determined to recommend an acquisition proposal to the COMSYS stockholders other than the proposal contemplated by the merger agreement, has determined to accept a superior proposal, or fails to recommend that the COMSYS stockholders not tender their COMSYS common stock in any other tender or exchange offer;

 

•

there is any event, development or change of circumstances since the date of the merger agreement that constitutes, has had or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on COMSYS and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which material adverse effect is incapable of being cured by June 30, 2010, or if curable, is not cured by COMSYS within 15 days after written notice thereof by Manpower;

 

•

there has been a material breach by COMSYS of any of its representations or warranties contained in the merger agreement, subject to applicable materiality qualifications; or

 

•

there has been a breach by COMSYS of any of its covenants or agreements set forth in the merger agreement that would result in the failure of a condition to the exchange offer or the merger, which breach is incapable of being cured by June 30, 2010, or if curable, is not cured by COMSYS within 15 days after written notice thereof by Manpower.

Termination by COMSYS

COMSYS may terminate the merger agreement at any time prior to the acceptance for exchange of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer if:

 

•

the COMSYS board of directors determines to accept a superior proposal, but only after COMSYS fulfills its obligations applicable under the merger agreement, and subject to COMSYS paying Manpower a termination fee and reimbursing Manpower for its transaction expenses;

 

•

there is any event, development or change of circumstances since the date of the merger agreement that constitutes, has had or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Manpower and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, which material adverse effect is incapable of being cured by June 30, 2010, or if curable, is not cured by Manpower within 15 days after written notice thereof by COMSYS;

 

•

there has been a material breach by Manpower of any of its representations or warranties contained in the merger agreement, subject to applicable materiality qualifications;

 

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there has been a breach by Manpower of any of its covenants or agreements set forth in the merger agreement that would result in the failure of a condition to the exchange offer or the merger, which breach is incapable of being cured by June 30, 2010, or if curable, is not cured by Manpower within 15 days after written notice thereof by COMSYS.

Termination Fee and Expense Reimbursement

COMSYS has agreed to pay Manpower a termination fee of $15.2 million and to reimburse Manpower for expenses relating to these transactions, up to an amount equal to $2.5 million, if the merger agreement is terminated:

 

•

by Manpower, if prior to the acceptance for exchange of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer, the COMSYS board of directors (i) has withdrawn, adversely modified or failed upon Manpower’s request to reconfirm any of their recommendations to COMSYS stockholders, (ii) has determined to recommend an acquisition proposal to the COMSYS stockholders other than the proposal contemplated by the merger agreement or has determined to accept a superior proposal, (iii) fails to recommend that the COMSYS stockholders not tender their COMSYS common stock in any other tender or exchange offer; or

 

•

by COMSYS, if prior to the acceptance for exchange of shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer, the COMSYS board of directors determines to accept a superior proposal.

COMSYS has agreed to pay Manpower a termination fee of $15.2 million if the merger agreement is terminated:

 

•

by either party, because the exchange offer has not been consummated by June 30, 2010, and an acquisition proposal has been publicly announced and an agreement relating to such acquisition proposal is entered into by COMSYS or one of its subsidiaries concurrently with or within 12 months after termination.

The parties have agreed to reimburse each other for expenses relating to these transactions, up to an amount equal to $2.5 million if the merger agreement is terminated because:

 

•

there has been a material breach of the non-terminating party’s representations or warranties contained in the merger agreement based on a representation or warranty that was untrue as of the date of the agreement; or

 

•

there has been a breach of the non-terminating party’s covenants or agreements set forth in the merger agreement that would result in the failure of a condition to the exchange offer or the merger, which breach is incapable of being cured by June 30, 2010, or if curable, is not cured within 15 days after written notice thereof.

Amendment of the Merger Agreement and Waiver of Rights

Manpower or COMSYS may amend the merger agreement by action taken by or on behalf of their respective boards of directors at any time prior to the effective time of the merger. However, after the COMSYS stockholders have approved the merger, if required, no amendment may be made without further stockholder approval except as permitted by applicable law or stock exchange rule.

Manpower or COMSYS may, at any time prior to the effective time of the merger, extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other party, waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party or in any document delivered pursuant the merger agreement, and waive compliance by the other party with any of the agreements or conditions of the merger agreement. However, after the COMSYS stockholders have approved the merger, if required, no extension or waiver may be made without further shareholder approval except as permitted by applicable law by applicable law or stock exchange rule.

 

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Tender and Voting Agreement

In order to induce Manpower to enter into the merger agreement, the executive officers, directors and certain stockholders of COMSYS entered into a tender and voting agreement with Manpower. Pursuant to the tender and voting agreement, such persons have agreed, in their capacity as stockholders to tender into the exchange offer shares that represent approximately 26.6 percent of the shares of COMSYS common stock outstanding as of February 1, 2010 and, at any meeting of the stockholders of COMSYS or in connection with any written consent of the stockholders of COMSYS, to vote such shares:

 

•

in favor of the merger, the execution and delivery by COMSYS of the merger agreement, the adoption and approval of the merger agreement and the terms thereof and each of the other actions contemplated by the merger agreement and the tender and voting agreement; and

 

•

against approval of any proposal relating to a competing proposal and against any action or agreement that would impede, frustrate, prevent or nullify the tender and voting agreement or result in a breach in any respect of any obligation or agreement of COMSYS under the merger agreement or which would delay or otherwise adversely affect the merger or the exchange offer.

In addition, as of February 1, 2010, these executive officers, directors and other stockholders held options and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 595,468 shares of COMSYS common stock, some of which are exercisable or may become exercisable prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. To the extent these options or warrants are exercised prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, the shares issued upon exercise will be subject to the terms of the tender and voting agreement. If these options or warrants are not exercised prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, they will be cancelled and settled for cash upon the closing of the merger.

Each stockholder who is party to the tender and voting agreement also agreed that, except as provided by the merger agreement and the tender and voting agreement, such stockholder will not:

 

•

offer to transfer, transfer or consent to any transfer of, any or all shares or interest in shares of COMSYS common stock beneficially owned by such stockholder;

 

•

enter into any contract, option or other agreement or understanding with respect to any transfer of any or all shares or interest in shares of COMSYS common stock beneficially owned by such stockholder;

 

•

take any action that would reduce such stockholder’s beneficial ownership of, interest in or risk relating to any shares of COMSYS common stock;

 

•

grant any proxy, power-of-attorney or other authorization or consent in or with respect to any or all shares of COMSYS common stock beneficially owned by such stockholder;

 

•

deposit any shares of COMSYS common stock into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement with respect to shares of COMSYS common stock beneficially owned by such stockholder; or

 

•

take any other action that would make any representation or warranty of such stockholder contained in the tender and voting agreement untrue or incorrect in any material respect or in any way restrict, limit or interfere in any material respect with the performance of the stockholder’s obligations under the tender and voting agreement or the transactions contemplated by the tender and voting agreement or the merger agreement.

In addition, each stockholder who is party to the tender and voting agreement has agreed that such stockholder will not and will not permit any of its representatives or affiliates to, directly or indirectly, encourage, solicit, initiate or participate in any way in any discussions or negotiations with, or provide information or otherwise take any action to assist or facilitate, any person concerning any acquisition proposal.

Each stockholder also has agreed to use all reasonable efforts to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by the tender and voting agreement; however, the tender and voting agreement specifically

 

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provides that it shall not be construed to prohibit any stockholder who is a director of COMSYS, in his or her capacity as such, from taking any action consistent with his or her fiduciary duties, or any stockholder who is a director, officer, employee or agent of COMSYS from taking any action on behalf of COMSYS that COMSYS is permitted to take.

The tender and voting agreement with respect to each stockholder will terminate upon the earliest of the effective time of the merger, the termination of the merger agreement, June 30, 2010, or such time as the merger agreement is amended unless such amendment does not adversely affect the rights and interests of any stockholder under the tender and voting agreement or such stockholder consents to such amendment.

MANPOWER INC.

Description of Business

Manpower Inc. is a world leader in the employment services industry. Manpower’s global network of nearly 4,000 offices in 82 countries and territories allows it to meet the needs of its clients in all industry segments, whether they are global, multinational or local companies. By offering a complete range of services, Manpower can help any company—no matter where they are in their business evolution—raise productivity through improved strategy, quality, efficiency and cost reduction across their total workforce.

Manpower Inc.’s five major brands—Manpower, Manpower Professional, Elan, Jefferson Wells and Right Management—provide a comprehensive range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including:

 

•

Permanent, temporary and contract recruitment—Manpower finds the best people for all types of jobs and industries at both the staff and professional levels under the Manpower, Manpower Professional and Elan brands.

 

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Employee assessment and selection—Manpower provides a wide array of assessments to validate candidate skills and ensures a good fit between the client and the employee, which leads to higher employee retention rates.

 

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Training—Manpower offers an extensive choice of training and development solutions that help its employees, associates and clients’ workforces to improve their skills and gain qualifications that will help them to succeed in the ever-changing world of work.

 

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Outplacement—Manpower’s Right Management brand is the world’s leading outplacement provider, helping Manpower’s clients to better manage the human side of change by providing a positive way for employees who are transitioning out to make the right choice for the next step in their career. The countercyclical nature of the outplacement industry helps strengthen Manpower’s portfolio during down economic cycles.

 

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Outsourcing—Under Manpower Business Solutions (MBS), Manpower provides clients with outsourcing services related to human resources functions primarily in the areas of large-scale recruiting and workforce-intensive initiatives that are outcome based, thereby sharing in the risk and reward with its clients. Manpower’s solutions include: task outsourcing, vendor management, onsite HR services and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), where Manpower is one of the largest providers of permanent and contingent recruitment in the world.

 

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Consulting—Manpower is a leading global provider of integrated consulting solutions across the employment lifecycle. Manpower helps clients maximize the return on their human capital investments while assisting individuals to achieve their full potential. Manpower’s Right Management brand helps clients attract and assess top talent; develop and grow leaders; and engage and align people with strategy.

 

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Professional Services—Manpower’s Jefferson Wells brand is a high-value alternative to public accounting firms and other consulting groups, delivering professional services in the areas of risk advisory, tax, and finance and accounting.

 

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This comprehensive and diverse business mix allows Manpower to mitigate the cyclical effects of the national economies in which it operates.

Manpower’s leadership position also allows it to be a center for quality employment opportunities for people at all points in their career paths. In 2009, Manpower found permanent and temporary jobs for three million people who work to help its more than 400,000 clients meet their business objectives. Seasoned professionals, skilled laborers, mothers returning to work, elderly persons wanting to supplement pensions and disabled individuals—all turn to the Manpower group of companies for employment. Similarly, governments of the nations in which Manpower operates look to Manpower to help reduce unemployment and train the unemployed with skills they need to enter the workforce. In this way, Manpower’s company is a bridge to permanent employment for those who desire it.

Manpower, and its predecessors, have been in business since 1948, with shares listed on the NYSE since 1967.

Additional Information

Information concerning executive compensation, the principal holders of voting securities, certain relationships and related transactions, and other related matters concerning Manpower is included or incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. Manpower’s Annual Report on

Form 10-K is incorporated by reference into this document. COMSYS stockholders who would like a copy of this annual report or any document incorporated by reference into the report may contact Manpower at the address or telephone number provided under “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 92.

COMSYS IT PARTNERS, INC.

Description of Business

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references to “COMSYS” are to COMSYS IT Partners, Inc., a Delaware corporation formed in July 1995, and its consolidated subsidiaries. Except as otherwise specified, references to “Old COMSYS” are to COMSYS Holding, Inc., its subsidiaries and their respective predecessors prior to its merger with VTP, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Venturi Partners, Inc., on September 30, 2004, which we refer to as the “COMSYS/Venturi merger.” Venturi Partners, Inc. was the surviving entity in the COMSYS/Venturi merger and changed its name to “COMSYS IT Partners, Inc.” References to “Venturi” are to Venturi Partners, Inc., its subsidiaries and their respective predecessors prior to the COMSYS/Venturi merger, except those subsidiaries relating to Venturi’s commercial staffing business, which were sold simultaneously with the COMSYS/Venturi merger on September 30, 2004.

Company Overview

COMSYS was incorporated in Delaware in 1995 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. COMSYS completed the COMSYS/Venturi merger of Venturi and Old COMSYS on September 30, 2004, and created one of the leading IT staffing and consulting companies in the United States. In connection with the COMSYS/Venturi merger, COMSYS changed the name of its corporation from “Venturi Partners, Inc.” to “COMSYS IT Partners, Inc.” Concurrent with the COMSYS/Venturi merger, COMSYS also completed the sale of Venturi’s commercial staffing services division, Venturi Staffing Partners, Inc., to CBS Personnel Services, Inc. (formerly known as Compass CS Inc.).

COMSYS is a leading information technology (“IT”) services company and provide a full range of specialized IT staffing and project implementation services, including website development and integration, application programming and development, client/server development, systems software architecture and design, systems engineering and systems integration. COMSYS also provides services that complement its core IT staffing services, such as vendor management, process solutions and permanent placement of IT professionals. COMSYS’s TAPFIN Process Solutions division offers total human capital fulfillment and management solutions

 

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within three core service areas: vendor management services, services procurement management and recruitment process outsourcing. These additional services provide COMSYS opportunities to build relationships with new clients and enhance its service offerings to its existing clients. COMSYS operates through the following wholly-owned subsidiaries:

 

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COMSYS Services, LLC, an IT staffing services provider;

 

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COMSYS Information Technology Services, Inc., an IT staffing services provider;

 

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Pure Solutions, Inc., an information technology services company;

 

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Econometrix, LLC, a vendor management systems software provider;

 

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Plum Rhino Consulting LLC, a specialty staffing services provider to the financial services industry;

 

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TAPFIN, LLC, a provider of vendor management services, recruitment process outsourcing services and human resources consulting; and

 

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ASET International Services, LLC, a globalization, localization and interactive language services provider.

COMSYS’s comprehensive service offerings allow its clients to focus their resources on their core businesses rather than on recruiting, training and managing IT professionals. In using COMSYS’s staffing services, its clients benefit from:

 

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COMSYS’s extensive recruiting channels, providing its clients ready access to highly-skilled and specialized IT professionals, often within 48 hours of submitting a request;

 

•

access to a flexible workforce, allowing COMSYS’s clients to manage their labor costs more effectively without compromising their IT goals; and

 

•

COMSYS’S knowledge of the market for IT resources, providing its clients with qualified candidates at competitive prices.

COMSYS contracts with its customers to provide both short- and long-term IT staffing services primarily at client locations throughout the United States. COMSYS’s consultants possess a wide range of skills and experience, including website development and integration, application programming and development, client/server development, systems software architecture and design, systems engineering and systems integration.

COMSYS had 4,596 consultants on assignment as of January 3, 2010. COMSYS recruits its consultants through its internal proprietary database that contains information about more than one million candidates, and also through the Internet, local and national advertising and trade shows, as well as through sub-contractors. COMSYS has a specialized selection, review and reference process for its IT consultant candidates. This process is an integral part of maintaining the delivery of high quality service to its clients.

COMSYS serves a broad and diversified customer base with nearly 1,000 corporate and government clients, including some of the largest users of IT services in the United States. These clients operate across a wide range of industry sectors, including financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, information technology, government, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and transportation. COMSYS’s customer base includes approximately 29 percent of the Fortune 500 companies and approximately 60 percent of the Fortune 50 companies. COMSYS has long-standing relationships with many of its clients, including relationships of more than a decade with many of its large customers. In 2009, none of COMSYS’s customers represented more than 5 percent of its revenues and its 15 largest customers represented approximately 39 percent of its revenues.

COMSYS’s operations have a coast-to-coast presence in the United States, with 52 offices across the country as well as offices in Puerto Rico, Canada and the United Kingdom. This coverage allows COMSYS to meet the needs of its clients on a national basis and provides COMSYS with a competitive advantage over certain regional and local IT staffing providers.

 

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Additional Information

Information concerning executive compensation, the principal holders of voting securities, certain relationships and related transactions, and other related matters concerning COMSYS is included or incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2010. COMSYS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference into this document. COMSYS stockholders who would like a copy of this annual report or any document incorporated by reference into the report may contact COMSYS at the address or telephone number provided under “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 92.

COMPARATIVE RIGHTS OF SHAREHOLDERS

The rights of COMSYS stockholders are currently governed by the DGCL, COMSYS’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and COMSYS’s amended and restated bylaws. At the time of the completion of the exchange offer, as to the tendering stockholders of COMSYS, and at the time of the merger, as to the non-tendering stockholders of COMSYS, all of the COMSYS stockholders will become Manpower shareholders and their rights will be determined by the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law, or the WBCL, Manpower’s amended and restated articles of incorporation and Manpower’s amended and restated by-laws. The following is a summary of the material differences between the rights of COMSYS common stockholders and the rights of Manpower shareholders.

Authorized Capital Stock

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Authorized:		Authorized:
95,000,000 shares of common stock. 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock.		125,000,000 shares of common stock. 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock.
Outstanding as of January 3, 2010:		Outstanding as of December 31, 2009:
21,061,592 shares of common stock. No shares of preferred stock.		78,576,560 shares of common stock. No shares of preferred stock.

Size of Board of Directors

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL provides that the board of directors of a business corporation shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person, and that the number of directors shall be fixed by, or in the manner provided in, the bylaws, unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, in which case a change shall be made only by amendment.   COMSYS’s certificate of incorporation provides that the number of directors shall not be less than nine not more than 13. There are currently seven members on COMSYS’s board and two vacancies.		The WBCL provides that the board of directors of a business corporation shall consist of one or more natural persons, with the numbers specified or fixed in accordance with the articles of incorporation or by-laws.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation provide that the number of directors constituting the board of directors shall be determined by resolutions adopted by majority vote of the board of directors, but shall not be less than three nor more than 15. By resolution of Manpower’s board of directors, there are currently 11 members on Manpower’s board.

 

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Cumulative Voting

Cumulative voting entitles each shareholder to cast an aggregate number of votes equal to the number of voting shares held, multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Each shareholder may cast all of his or her votes for one nominee or distribute them among two or more nominees. The candidates, up to the number of directors to be elected, receiving the highest number of votes are elected.

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL provides that a corporation’s certificate of incorporation may provide for cumulative voting.   COMSYS’s certificate of incorporation states that stockholders shall not have the right to cumulate their shares in voting for the election of directors.		Under the WBCL, shareholders do not have the right to cumulate their votes for directors, unless the articles of incorporation provide for cumulative voting.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation do not provide for cumulative voting.

Class of Directors

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL provides that, pursuant to a Delaware corporation’s certificate of incorporation, an initial bylaw or a bylaw adopted by the stockholders, a classified board of directions with staggered terms can be created. A maximum of three classes of directors is allowed with expiring terms in one-year intervals. There is no statutory requirement as to the number of directors in each class or that the number in each class be equal.   COMSYS’s board of directors is not classified. Each director serves for a one year term.		The WBCL provides that directors of a Wisconsin corporation may be divided into two or three classes if provided by the articles of incorporation.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation and by-laws provide that the board of directors is divided into three classes and each director serves for a three-year term or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

Qualifications of Directors

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under the DGCL, unless otherwise restricted in the bylaws, a director is not required to be a stockholder of the corporation, and that other qualifications of directors may be prescribed in the bylaws.   The COMSYS bylaws provide that directors need not be residents of Delaware or stockholders of the corporation, nor do they prescribe any other qualifications for directors.		Under the WBCL, a director is not required to be a resident of the state of Wisconsin or a shareholder of the corporation.   Manpower’s by-laws provide that Manpower directors need not be a resident of Wisconsin or a shareholder of Manpower. The by-laws provide that the board, at its discretion, may establish any qualifications for directors.

 

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Voting for Directors

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of any corporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.   COMSYS’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws have no contrary applicable provisions.		Under the WBCL, unless otherwise provided in the company’s articles of incorporation, directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.   Subject to shareholder approval at the 2010 annual shareholder meeting, Manpower’s by-laws will provide for majority voting in uncontested elections and plurality voting in contested elections.

Filling Vacancies on the Board

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL provides that, unless the certificate of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, the board of directors may fill any vacancy on the board of directors including newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors.   COMSYS’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws have no contrary applicable provisions.		The WBCL provides that unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, if a vacancy occurs on the board of directors it may filled by any of the following: (i) the shareholders; (ii) the board of directors; or (iii) if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board, the directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all directors remaining in office. If the vacant office was held by a director elected by a voting group of shareholders, only the holders of shares of that voting group may vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by shareholders, and only the remaining directors elected by that voting group may vote to fill the vacancy if it is filled by the directors. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date may be filled before the vacancy occurs, but the new directors may not take office until the vacancy occurs.   The Manpower by-laws provide that any vacancy on the board of directors, however caused, including without limitation, any vacancy resulting from an increase in the number of directors, shall be filled by the vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date may be filled before the vacancy occurs, but the new director will not take office until the vacancy occurs.

 

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Removal of Directors

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under the DGCL, directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on their election.		Under the WBCL, shareholders of a corporation may remove a director with or without cause, unless the corporation’s articles of incorporation or by-laws provide that a director may only be removed for cause.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation and by-laws provide that a director may only be removed for cause and by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders called for such purpose. “Cause” means solely malfeasance arising from the performance of a director’s duties which has a material adverse effect on Manpower’s business. Directors, if any, elected by the holders of Manpower preferred stock may be removed only in accordance with the terms of the preferred stock.

Nomination of Directors for Election

 

COMSYS		Manpower
COMSYS’s bylaws provide that nominations of persons for election to the board of directors may be made by (i) on behalf of the board, by the nominating committee of the board (ii) pursuant to a contractual nomination or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record on the date of the notice and the record date.   If a stockholder wishes to nominate a person for election as director, the stockholder must give timely notice in proper written from to the Secretary of COMSYS. To be timely, such stockholder notice must be received by the Secretary at COMSYS’s principal executive offices (1) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 45 days before or after such anniversary date, notice must be received not earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by COMSYS; (2) in the case of a special		Manpower’s articles of incorporation and by-laws provide that nominations of persons for election to the board of directors may be made by or at the direction of the board, by any nominating committee or persons appointed by the board, or by any shareholder of Manpower entitled to vote for election of directors at the meeting who complies with specified notice procedures. If a shareholder wishes to nominate a person for election as a director, then the shareholder must give timely notice in proper written form to the Secretary of Manpower. To be timely, such shareholder’s notice must be received by the Secretary of Manpower at Manpower’s principal office: (i) with respect to an election held at an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 150 days prior to the meeting date; or (ii) with respect to an election held of a special meeting of shareholders for the election of directors, not less than the close of business on the eighth day following the date on which notice of such meeting is given to shareholders.   To be in proper written form, such shareholder’s notice must be in writing and contain information regarding the nominee to the board of directors, the shareholder bringing the nomination and other information specified in Manpower’s by-laws.

 

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meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by COMSYS.

Fiduciary Duty of Directors

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Directors of corporations incorporated or organized under Delaware law have fiduciary obligations to the corporation and its stockholders. Pursuant to these fiduciary obligations, the directors must act in accordance with the so-called duties of “due care” and “loyalty.” Under Delaware law, the duty of care requires that the directors act in an informed and deliberative manner and to inform themselves, prior to making a business decision, of all material information reasonably available to them. The duty of loyalty may be summarized as the duty to act in good faith, not out of self-interest and in a manner that the directors reasonably believe to be in the best interests of the corporation.		The WBCL permits directors to consider the interests of constituencies other than the corporation and its shareholders in discharging their fiduciary duties.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL generally prohibits certain Delaware corporations from engaging in any “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:   •   before that time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;   •   upon completion of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85 percent of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by persons who are directors or officers and by employee stock		The WBCL protects domestic corporations from hostile takeovers and abusive takeover tactics by preventing a person from engaging in specified transactions with the corporation or from taking specific actions after that person has acquired a significant portion of the corporation’s shares. These protections fall into three categories:   •   the business combination statute, which regulates specified types of transactions with interested stockholders;   •   the fair price statute, which regulates the price at which significant shareholders may acquire the remaining shares of the corporation; and   •   the control share statute, which regulates the voting power of shares held by specified large shareholders.   The following section summarizes each of these statutes.   Business combination statute. The WBCL prohibits business combinations between Wisconsin

 

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plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentiality whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or   •   at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.   The DGCL generally defines “business combination” as:   •   any merger or consolidation of the corporation with the interested stockholder;   •   any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of 10 percent or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;   •   subject to specified exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;   •   any transaction involving the corporation that increases the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation owned by the interested stockholder; or   •   any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.   Generally, the DGCL defines and “interested stockholder” as any entity or person owning 15 percent or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by that entity or person.   As permitted by the DGCL, COMSYS has elected, in its amended and restated certificate of incorporation, not to be subject to the foregoing provisions.		corporations and a person who is an interested shareholder. This prohibition lasts for three years after the date on which that person became an interested shareholder. Business combinations include mergers, consolidations, share exchanges, sales of assets, liquidations, dissolutions, and specified types of stock transactions and stock issuances. An interested shareholder is a person who is the beneficial owner of at least 10 percent of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock or who is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and is the beneficial owner of at least 10 percent of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock at any time within the prior three-year period. The prohibition on business combinations does not apply if the corporation’s board of directors has approved, before the interested shareholder’s stock acquisition, that business combination or the purchase of stock made by the interested shareholder on that stock acquisition date.   The prohibition on business combinations continues after the initial three-year period unless:   •   the corporation’s board of directors has approved, before the interested shareholder’s stock acquisition date, the purchase of stock made by the interested shareholder on that stock acquisition date;   •   the business combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting stock not beneficially owned by the interested shareholder at a meeting called for that purpose;   •   the interested shareholder pays a fair price, as defined in the statute, for the shares it acquires in the business combination; or   •   the business combination is a business combination specifically excluded from the prohibition on business combinations by the WBCL.   Fair price statute. The WBCL provides that a business combination must be approved by the affirmative vote of at least all of the following: (i) 80 percent of the votes entitled to be case by outstanding voting shares of the corporation, voting together as a single voting group; and (ii) two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting shares other than voting shares beneficially owned by a significant shareholder who is a party to the business combination or an affiliate or associate of a

 

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		significant shareholder who is a party to the business combination, voting together as a single voting group. This voting requirement does not apply to a business combination if the corporation’s shareholders receive a fair price, as defined in the statute, for their shares from the significant shareholder in the business combination. A significant shareholder is a person who is the beneficial owner of at least 10 percent of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock or who is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and is the beneficial owner of at least 10 percent of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock at any time within the prior three-year period.   Control share statute. Under the WBCL, unless otherwise provided in a corporation’s articles of incorporation, the voting power of shares of a corporation held by any person, including shares issuable upon conversion of convertible securities or upon exercise of options or warrants, in excess of 20 percent of the voting power in the election of directors shall be limited to 10 percent of the full voting power of those shares. The full voting power of the excess shares may be restored by a vote of a majority of the corporation’s shares. The person seeking restoration of full voting power may vote on this resolution. The Wisconsin anti-takeover provisions are not applicable to the transaction.

Shareholder Rights Plan

 

COMSYS		Manpower
COMSYS does not have a shareholder rights plan.		Manpower does not have a shareholder rights plan.

Shareholders Meeting

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Annual Meetings. Under the DGCL, a corporation shall hold a meeting of stockholders either within or without Delaware, as may be designated by the bylaws or certificate of incorporation.   COMSYS’s bylaws provide that the annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as the board of directors may determine, and as stated in the notice of meeting.		Annual Meetings. Under the WBCL, a corporation shall hold a meeting of shareholders annually at a time stated in or fixed in accordance with the by-laws.   Manpower’s by-laws provide for an annual meeting to be held on the third Tuesday in the month of April for each year or at such other date and time as shall be fixed by, or at the direction of, the board of directors.

 

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Special Meetings. Under the DGCL, a special meeting may be called by the board of directors or such person or persons as may be authorized by the bylaws.   COMSYS’s bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the chairman of the board, the chief executive officer, the board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the whole board, or the secretary at the written request of stockholders representing a majority of shares entitled to vote on the matter for which the meeting is being called.   Place of Meeting. The DGCL provides that meetings of stockholders may be held at such geographic location within or without Delaware as may be provided in or fixed pursuant to the certificate of incorporation or the bylaws, or, if no place is designated as determined by the board of directors.   The COMSYS bylaws provide that meetings of stockholders shall be held at such time and place as fixed by the board of directors. The board may also decide to hold the meeting by means of remote communication.   Attendance and Voting. The DGCL provides that every stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person to act for him by proxy. Every proxy shall be executed or authenticated by the stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact and filed with or transmitted to the secretary of the corporation or its designated agent. A stockholder may execute or authenticate a writing or transmit an electronic message authorizing another person to act for the stockholder by proxy. The DGCL provides that, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, every stockholder of a business corporation shall be entitled to one vote for every share of capital stock held by such stockholder.   COMSYS’s certificate of incorporation provides that the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share of common stock owned for each matter which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote. The bylaws provide that each stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy.   Quorum. The DGCL provides that unless the certificate of incorporation or bylaws provide otherwise, a majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or		Special Meeting. Under the WBCL, the board of directors, any person authorized by the articles of incorporation or by-laws, and holders of at least 10 percent of all votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed special meeting, may hold a special meeting of shareholders.   Manpower’s by-laws provide that special meetings of shareholders of Manpower may only be called by the chairman of the board or the president and chief executive officer pursuant to a resolution approved by not less than three-quarters of the board of directors; provided, however, that Manpower shall hold a special meeting of shareholders if a signed and dated written demand or demands by the holders of at least 10 percent of all the votes entitled to be cast on any issue proposed to be considered at the proposed special meeting.   Place of Meeting. The WBCL provides that a corporation may hold the annual shareholders meeting or special shareholders meeting in or outside Wisconsin at the place stated in or fixed in accordance with the by-laws, or, if no place is stated or fixed in accordance with the by-laws, the corporation shall hold the annual meeting at the principal office.   Manpower’s by-laws provide that the board of directors, the chairman of the board, or the president and chief executive officer may designate any place, within or outside of the state of Wisconsin, as the place of meeting for the annual meeting or for any special meeting, or, if no designation is made the place of the meeting shall be the principle office of the corporation.   Attendance and Voting. The WBCL provides that a shareholder may vote his or her shares in person or by proxy. A shareholder may appoint a proxy in writing or by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission of the appointment. The WBCL provides that unless the articles of incorporation provides otherwise, each outstanding share, regardless of class, is entitled to one vote on each matter voted on at a shareholders meeting.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation and by-laws provide that each holder of common stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record by such shareholder. The board of

 

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represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by law.   The COMSYS bylaws provide that, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at such meeting, shall constitute a quorum.		directors shall fix the term of voting rights for each holder of preferred stock. Manpower’s by-laws provide that a shareholder may appoint a proxy to vote or otherwise act for the shareholder by signing an appointment form, either personally or by a duly authorized attorney-in-fact.   Quorum. The WBCL provides that unless the articles of incorporation or by-laws provide otherwise, a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter by the voting group constitutes a quorum of the voting group for action on that matter.   Under Manpower’s by-laws, a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter by a voting group constitutes a quorum of that voting group for action on that matter.

Shareholder Action Without a Meeting

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Unless prohibited by the certificate of incorporation, the DGCL provides that stockholders may take action by written consent in lieu of a stockholders meeting if signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would have been required to be taken at a meeting of stockholders.		Under the WBCL, action required or permitted to be taken at a shareholders’ meeting may be taken without a meeting: (i) without action by the board of directors, by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action; or (ii) if the articles of incorporation so provide, by shareholders who would be entitled to vote at a meeting those shares with voting power to cast not less than the minimum number or, in the cast of voting by voting groups, numbers of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voted.   Manpower’s by-laws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders may be taken without a meeting only by unanimous written consent or consents signed by all of the shareholders of Manpower and delivered to Manpower for inclusion in Manpower’s records.

 

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Submission of Shareholder Proposals

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The COMSYS bylaws provide that if a stockholder wishes to bring business before an annual meeting, then the stockholder must have given timely notice to the secretary of COMSYS and such business must be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, the notice must be received by the secretary not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the preceding annual meeting. However, if the annual meeting is not within 45 days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received not earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or the 10th day following the day on which the public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the corporation.   The stockholder’s notice must set forth (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the stockholder, (iii) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock owned, (iv) description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is being made, (v) any material interest of the stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is being made, and (vi) representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy.		Manpower’s by-laws provide that if a shareholder wishes to bring business before an annual meeting, then the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of Manpower. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal office of Manpower, not less than 90 days prior to the meeting date. The shareholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (ii) the name and record address of the shareholder proposing such business; (iii) (A) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned of record and shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially but not of record by such shareholder as well as by any Associated Person (as defined below), (B) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right is subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such shareholder as well as by any Associated Person and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation, (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such shareholder as well as any Associated Person has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation, (D) the extent to which the shareholder providing the notice, or any Associated Person, has entered into any transaction or series of transactions, including hedging, short selling, borrowing shares, or lending shares, with the effect or intent to mitigate loss or manage the risks of changes in share price or to profit or share in profit from any decrease in share price, or to increase or decrease the voting power of such shareholder or any Associated Person with respect to any shares of capital stock of the Corporation, (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation

 

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		owned beneficially by such shareholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (F) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such shareholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, and (G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such shareholder is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including without limitation any such interests held by members of such shareholder’s immediate family sharing the same household (which information shall be supplemented by such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, not later than ten days after the record date for the meeting to disclose such ownership as of the record date); (iv) any other information relating to such shareholder and beneficial owner, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings that would be required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the proposal pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (v) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to present the proposed business specified in the notice; and] the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the shareholder; and (iv) any interest of the shareholder in such business. In addition, any such shareholder shall be required to provide such further information as may be requested by Manpower in order to comply with federal securities laws, rules and regulations. Manpower may require evidence by any person giving notice that such person is a bona fide beneficial owner of Manpower’s shares.

Notice of Shareholder Meetings

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under DGCL, written notice of any stockholders’ meeting must be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, subject to other provisions in the DGCL setting forth specific notice requirements for actions on particular matters.		Under the WBCL, a corporation shall notify shareholders of the date, time and place of each annual and special shareholders’ meeting not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the meeting date, unless a different time is provided by the articles of incorporation or the by-laws.

 

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The COMSYS bylaws provide that it shall notify those stockholders of the place, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication for each meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting. If the notice is for a meeting other than the annual meeting, the notice shall also specify the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.		Manpower’s by-laws provide that it shall notify those shareholders entitled to vote of the date, time and place of each annual and special shareholders meeting not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting date. Notice of a special meeting shall include a description of each purpose for which the meeting is called. Manpower may give notice in person, by mail or other method of delivery, by telephone, including voicemail, answering machine or answering service or by any other electronic means, and if these forms of personal notice are impracticable, notice may be communicated by a newspaper of general circulation in the area where published, or by radio, television or other form of public broadcast communication.

Shareholder Vote Required for Mergers

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL generally requires that a merger or consolidation or sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of a corporation’s property and assets be approved by the directors and by a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote thereon. Under the DGCL, a surviving corporation need not obtain stockholder approval for a merger if:   •   the merger agreement does not amend the certificate of incorporation of the surviving corporation;   •   each share of the surviving corporation’s stock outstanding prior to the merger remains outstanding in identical form after the merger; or   •   either no shares of common stock of the surviving corporation are to be issued or delivered in the merger, or, if common stock will be issued or delivered, it will not increase the number of shares of common stock outstanding prior to the merger by more than 20 percent.   In addition, the DGCL permits the merger of one corporation, of which at least 90 percent of the outstanding shares of each class is owned by another corporation, with or into the other corporation, without shareholder approval of either corporation.		The WBCL provides that a merger to which a Wisconsin corporation is a party must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the merger and the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of each class or series entitled to vote separately on the merger, if any.   Approval of a plan of merger by the shareholders of the surviving corporation is not required if: (i) the articles of incorporation of the surviving corporation will not differ, except for limited changes; (ii) the number of shares and the rights and preferences of the shares held by the surviving corporation’s shareholders prior to the merger will not change immediately after the merger; and (iii) the number of shares of stock of the surviving corporation outstanding immediately after the merger plus the number of shares issuable as a result of the merger will not be greater than 20 percent of the total number of shares of stock of the surviving corporation outstanding immediately before the merger. Approval by Manpower shareholders of the merger will not be required because each of the requirements set forth above will have been satisfied.

 

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Distributions

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL allows the board of directors to authorize a corporation to declare and pay dividends and other distributions to its stockholders, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation, either out of surplus, or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the current or preceding fiscal year in which the dividend is declared. However, a distribution out of net profits is not permitted if a corporation’s capital is less than the amount of capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets, until the deficiency has been repaired.		Under the WBCL, a corporation may issue share dividends unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise. The board of directors may authorize and the corporation may make distributions to its shareholders, including in connection with the repurchase of the corporation’s shares, in amounts determined by the board, unless: (i) after the distribution the corporation would not be able to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business; or (ii) the corporation’s total assets after the distribution would be less than the sum of its total liabilities, plus, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise, the amount that would be needed to satisfy the preferential rights upon dissolution of shareholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution, if the corporation were to be dissolved at the time of distribution.   Holders of Manpower common stock, subject to the rights of holders of Manpower preferred stock, are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared thereon from time to time by the board of directors, in its discretion, out of any funds of the corporation at the time legally available for dividends on common stock. Holders of Manpower preferred stock, shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the board of directors, out of funds legally available therefor, dividends at the annual rate fixed by the board of directors with respect to each series of shares and no more. Such dividends shall be paid or declared and set apart for payment for each dividend period before any dividend for the same period shall be paid or set apart for payment on the common stock. The holders of preferred stock shall not, however, be entitled to participate in any other or additional earnings or profits of the corporation, except for such premiums, if any, as may be payable in case of redemption, liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under the DGCL, stockholders have appraisal rights in connection with mergers and consolidations, provided the stockholder complies with certain procedural requirements of the DGCL. However, this right to demand appraisal does not apply for shares of any class or series of stock, which stock or depository receipt in		Under the WBCL, a shareholder may dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of his or her shares in the event of specified mergers, share exchanges and transactions involving the sale of all or substantially all of the corporation’s property other than in the usual and regular course of business.

 

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respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, if:   •   the shares are listed on a national securities exchange; or   •   the shares are held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders;   further no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation.   Notwithstanding the above, appraisal rights are available for the shares of any class or series of stock if the holders are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation to accept for their stock anything except:   •   shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from the merger or consolidation;   •   shares of stock of any other corporation which, at the effective date of the merger or consolidation, will be listed on a national securities exchange, designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders;   •   cash in lieu of fractional shares of the corporations described in either of the above; or   •   any combination of the shares of stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares described in any of the three above.   A Delaware corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as the result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation to which the corporation is a party, or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation. COMSYS’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not address appraisal rights; provided, however, the stockholders of COMSYS have appraisal rights with respect to the merger pursuant to DGCL.		However, dissenters’ rights generally are not available to holders of shares, such as Manpower shares, that are listed on a national securities exchange, unless the transaction is a business combination involving a significant shareholder or the corporation’s articles of incorporation provide otherwise.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation do not otherwise provide for dissenters’ rights.

 

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Shareholder Preemptive Rights

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL provides that no stockholder shall have any preemptive rights to purchase additional securities of the corporation unless the certificate of incorporation expressly grants these rights. COMSYS’s certificate of incorporation states there shall be no preemptive rights.		Under the WBCL, subject to specified limitations, holders of shares of a class authorized before January 1, 1991 have preemptive rights to acquire a corporation’s unissued shares or other securities convertible into unissued shares, unless the articles of incorporation provide otherwise. Subject to specified limitations, holders of shares of a class authorized after January 1, 1991 do not have a preemptive right to acquire the corporation’s unissued shares or other securities except to the extent provided in the articles of incorporation.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation provide that no holder of any stock of the corporation shall have any preemptive or subscription rights nor be entitled, as of right, to purchase or subscribe for any part of the unissued stock of the corporation or of any additional stock issued by reason of any increase of authorized capital stock of the corporation or other securities whether or not convertible into stock of the corporation.

Shareholder Class Voting Rights

 

COMSYS		Manpower
The DGCL provides that unless otherwise provided in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.		Under the WBCL, holders of a particular class of shares are entitled to vote as a separate class if the rights of that class are affected in various respects by mergers, consolidations or amendments to the articles of incorporation. The WBCL provides that the presence or absence of dissenters’ rights for a voting group affects the right of that group to vote on amendments to a corporation’s articles of incorporation. If a voting group would have dissenters’ rights as a result of the amendment, then a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by that voting group is required for adoption of the amendment.

Indemnification

 

COMSYS		Manpower
A Delaware corporation is required to indemnify a present or former director or officer against expenses actually and reasonably incurred in an action that such person successfully defended on the merits or otherwise.		The WBCL requires a corporation to indemnify a director or officer, to the extent that he or she has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of a proceeding, for all reasonable expenses incurred in the proceeding if the director or officer was a party because he or she is or was a director or

 

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Under the DGCL, in non-derivative third-party proceedings, a corporation may indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent who is or is threatened to be made a party to the proceeding against expenses, judgments and settlements actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a civil proceeding, provided such person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. Further, in actions brought on behalf of the corporation, any director, officer, employee or agent who is or is threatened to be made a party can be indemnified for expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of the action if the person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; however, indemnification is not permitted with respect to any claims in which such person has been adjudged liable to the corporation unless the appropriate court determines such person is entitled to indemnity for expenses.   Any permissive indemnification of a present or former director, officer, employee or agent, unless ordered by a court, shall be made by the corporation upon a determination by: (i) a majority vote of the disinterested directors even though less than a quorum; (ii) a committee of disinterested directors, designated by a majority vote of such directors even though less than a quorum; (iii) independent legal counsel in a written opinion; or (iv) the stockholders. The statutory rights regarding indemnification are not exclusive.   The certificate of incorporation and bylaws of COMSYS provide for indemnification of COMSYS’s directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. In addition, COMSYS has individual agreements with its directors and executive officers providing for such indemnification.		officer of the corporation. Indemnification is also required in other instances, unless the director or officer is personally liable because the director or officer breached or failed to perform a duty that he or she owes to the corporation and the breach or failure to perform constitutes any of the following:   •   a willful failure to deal fairly with the corporation or its shareholders in connection with a matter in which the director or officer has a material conflict of interest;   •   a violation of the criminal law, unless the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful;   •   a transaction from which the director or officer derived an improper personal benefit; or   •   willful misconduct.   The WBCL provides that reasonable expenses incurred by a director or officer who is a party to a proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by a corporation at such time as the director of officer furnishes to the corporation a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has not breached or failed to perform his or her duties to the corporation and a written undertaking to repay any amounts advanced if it is determined that indemnification by the corporation is not required.   The indemnification provisions of the WBCL are not exclusive. A corporation may provide directors and officers additional rights to indemnification, except for conduct described above, in (i) the articles of incorporation or by-laws; (ii) by a written agreement between the director or officer and the corporation; (iii) by a resolution adopted by the board of directors; or (iv) by a resolution that is adopted, after notice, by a majority vote of all of the corporation’s voting shares then issued and outstanding.   Manpower’s by-laws provide that Manpower shall indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent to the extent permitted by the WBCL and specify procedural requirements for requesting indemnification. Manpower’s by-laws provide that an individual shall be indemnified unless it is proven by a final judicial adjudication that indemnification is prohibited.

 

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		Payment or reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by a director, officer, employee or agent is mandatory provided he or she provides Manpower with a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she is entitled to indemnification and a written undertaking, executed personally or on his or her behalf, to repay all amounts advanced without interest to the extent that it is ultimately determined that indemnification is prohibited.   The WBCL allows a corporation to limit its obligation to indemnify directors and officers. Manpower’s by-laws provide that the right to indemnification may be limited or reduced only by subsequent affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of Manpower’s outstanding capital stock entitled to vote on such matters. Any limitation or reduction in the right to indemnification may only be prospective from the date of such vote.   In addition, the non-employee directors are also parties to an indemnification agreement with Manpower.

Limitations on Directors’ Liability

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under the DGCL, a Delaware corporation’s certificate of incorporation may eliminate director liability for all acts except: (i) an act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or knowing violation of the law; (ii) a breach of the duty of loyalty; (iii) improper personal benefits; or (iv) certain unlawful distributions.   COMSYS’s certificate of incorporation contains such an exculpatory provision.		Under the WBCL, a director is not liable to the corporation, its shareholders, or any person asserting rights on behalf of the corporation or its shareholders for damages, settlements, fees, fines, penalties or other monetary liabilities arising from a breach of, or failure to perform, any duty resulting solely from his or her status as a director, unless the person asserting liability proves that the breach or failure to perform constitutes:   •   a willful failure to deal fairly with the corporation or its shareholders in connection with a matter in which the director has a material conflict of interest;   •   a violation of criminal law, unless the director had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful;   •   a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal profit; or   •   willful misconduct.

 

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		The Manpower by-laws provide that a director shall be indemnified unless it is proven by a final adjudication that indemnification is prohibited.   Under the WBCL, a director or officer, in discharging his or her duties to the corporation and determining what he or she believes to be in the best interests of the corporation may, in addition to considering the effects of any action on shareholders, consider:   •   the effects of the action on employees, suppliers and customers of the corporation;   •   the effects of the action on the communities in which the corporation operates; and   •   any other factors that the director or officer considers pertinent.

Amendment of Certificate or Articles of Incorporation

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under the DGCL, under the following circumstances, a class of stockholders has the right to vote separately on an amendment to a Delaware corporation’s certificate of incorporation even if the certificate does not include such a right: (i) increasing or decreasing the aggregate number of authorized shares of the class (the right to a class vote under this circumstance may be eliminated by a provision in the certificate of incorporation); (ii) increasing or decreasing the par value of the shares of the class; or (iii) changing the powers, preferences, or special rights of the shares of the class in a way that would affect them adversely. Approval by outstanding shares entitled to vote is also required. Further, a separate series vote is not required unless a series is adversely affected by an amendment in a manner different from other shares in the same class. Under the DGCL, a corporation’s certificate of incorporation also may require, for action by the board of directors or by the holders of any class or series of voting securities, the vote of a greater number or proportion than is required by the DGCL, and the provision of the certificate of incorporation requiring such greater vote may also provide that such provision cannot be altered, amended or repealed except by such greater vote.   The COMSYS certificate of incorporation does not impose any greater voting requirements that are now applicable.		Under the WBCL, a corporation’s board of directors may adopt one or more amendments to the corporation’s articles of incorporation without shareholder action in a limited number of specified circumstances. The WBCL also provides that the board of directors of a corporation may propose one or more amendments to the articles of incorporation for submission to shareholders. The board of directors may condition its submission of the proposed amendment on any basis. Unless the articles of incorporation or by-laws require a greater vote or a vote by voting groups, the amendment is adopted if approved by all of the following: (i) a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the amendment by each voting group with respect to which the amendment would create dissenters’ rights; and (ii) the votes required by every other voting group entitled to vote on the amendment.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation provide that the articles of incorporation may be amended, altered or repealed, and new articles of incorporation may be enacted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding total shares of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders duly called for such purpose and by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares of each class or series, if any, entitled to vote thereon at such meeting; provided, however, that the board may adopt one or more proposed amendments without shareholder approval as specified in the WBCL.

 

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Amendment of By-Laws

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under the DGCL, stockholders entitled to vote have the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws. In addition, a corporation may, in its certificate of incorporation, confer such power upon the board of directors. However, the stockholders always retain the power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws, even though the board of directors may also be delegated such power.   The COMSYS bylaws provide that the board has the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the bylaws with the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole board. The bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders.		Under the WBCL, a corporation’s board of directors may amend or repeal the corporation’s by-laws or adopt new by-laws except to the extent that the articles of incorporation or the WBCL reserve that power exclusively to the shareholders or the shareholders in adopting, amending or repealing a particular by-law provide within the by-laws that the board of directors may not amend, repeal or adopt that by-law. A corporation’s shareholders may amend or repeal the corporation’s by-laws or adopt new by-laws even though the board of directors may also amend or repeal the corporation’s by-laws or adopt new by-laws.   Manpower’s articles of incorporation provide that Manpower’s by-laws may be amended, altered or repealed, and new by-laws may be enacted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding shares of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders duly called for such purpose and by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares of each class or series, if any, entitled to vote thereon at such meeting or by a vote of not less than three-quarters of the board of directors then in office.   Manpower’s by-laws further provide that the by-laws of the corporation may be amended or repealed by the board of directors unless any of the following apply: (i) the articles of incorporation, the particular by-law or the WBCL reserve this power exclusively to the shareholders in whole or part; (ii) the shareholders in adopting, amending, or repealing a particular by-law provide expressly within the by-law that the board of directors may not amend, repeal or readopt that by-law; or (iii) the by-law fixes a greater or lower quorum requirement or greater voting requirement for shareholders. Action by the board of directors to adopt or amend a by-law that changes the quorum or voting requirement for the board of directors must meet the same quorum requirement and be adopted by the same vote required to take action under the quorum and voting requirement then in effect. Manpower’s shareholders may amend or repeal the corporation’s by-laws or adopt new by-laws even though the board of directors may also amend or repeal the corporation’s by-laws or adopt new by-

 

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		-laws. The adoption or amendment of a by-law that adds, changes or deletes a greater or lower quorum requirement or a greater voting requirement for shareholders or the board of directors must meet the same quorum and voting requirement then in effect.

Shareholder Inspection Rights

 

COMSYS		Manpower
Under the DGCL, every stockholder of record has the right to inspect, upon written demand under oath stating the stockholder’s purpose for inspection, in person or by agent or attorney, the corporation’s stock ledger, stockholder list, its other books and records and, subject to certain restrictions, the books and records of a subsidiary of the corporation.		Under the WBCL, each shareholder and his or her agent or attorney has the right to inspect and copy subject to specified requirements (including having a proper purpose) the list of shareholders entitled to notice of a shareholder’s meeting. The list shall be arranged by class or series of shares and show the address of and number of shares held by each shareholder. Inspections must be conducted during regular business hours at the shareholder’s expense. This right of inspection begins two business days after notice of the shareholders’ meeting is given and continues through the meeting. This right of inspection may be exercised upon written demand.   The WBCL further provides that both shareholders of record and beneficial shareholders of a corporation who satisfy specified requirements, and their attorneys and agents, have the right to inspect and copy the corporation’s by-laws and, subject to the requirements discussed below, minutes of meetings and consent actions of the board of directors and shareholders, records of actions taken by a committee of the board of directors on behalf of the corporation, accounting records and the record of shareholders. Inspections must be conducted during regular business hours and are conducted at the shareholder’s expense. Notice of a demand must be given five business days before the date on which the shareholder wants to inspect and copy the records. For records other than the by-laws, the demand must be made in good faith and for proper purpose, and the person must have been a shareholder for at least six months before his or her demand or hold at least five percent of the outstanding shares of the corporation.
		The WBCL also requires corporation to mail a copy of its latest financial statements to any shareholder who requests a copy in writing.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the Manpower common stock to be issued in connection with the transaction will be passed upon by Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the transaction will be passed upon by Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. and K&L Gates LLP.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, and the related consolidated financial statement schedule, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to Manpower’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and the effectiveness of Manpower’s internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of COMSYS IT Partners at January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008 and for the three years ended January 3, 2010, December 28, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and the effectiveness of COMSYS IT Partners’ internal control over financial reporting at January 3, 2010, incorporated by reference in this prospectus and registration statement, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Manpower has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to our common stock to be issued to COMSYS stockholders in the exchange offer and merger. This prospectus is filed as part of the registration statement. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedule, contains additional relevant information about Manpower and Manpower’s common stock. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit some information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

In addition, Manpower (File No. 001-10686) and COMSYS (File No. 000-27792) file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy these materials at the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, like Manpower and COMSYS, that file information electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov.

You can also request copies of this information from Manpower by making a request to:

Georgeson Inc.

199 Water Street—26th Floor

New York, NY 10038-3560

Banks and Brokers Call: (212) 440-9800

All Others Call Toll Free: (866) 316-3688

Manpower’s website is located at http://www.manpower.com, and information regarding COMSYS may be found at http://www.comsys.com. The information on the websites is not a part of this document.

You can also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about Manpower at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

The SEC allows Manpower and COMSYS to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this document, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document.

This document incorporates by reference the documents listed below that Manpower and COMSYS have previously filed with the SEC. They contain important information about Manpower and COMSYS and the companies’ financial condition.

 

Manpower Inc. SEC Filings (SEC File No. 001-10686)		Period
Annual Report on Form 10-K		Year ended December 31, 2009, as filed on February 19, 2010
Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K		Year ended December 31, 2009, as filed on March 3, 2010
Current Reports on Form 8-K		Filed on February 2, 2010
The description of Manpower common stock set forth in the registration statement on Form 8-A filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating this description		Filed on January 22, 1991

 

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COMSYS SEC Filings (SEC File No. 000-27792)		Period
Annual Report on Form 10-K		Year ended January 3, 2010, as filed on March 2, 2010
Current Reports on Form 8-K		Filed January 7, 2010, February 2, 2010, February 18, 2010 and February 22, 2010
The description of COMSYS common stock set forth in the registration statement on Form 8-A/A filed pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including any amendment or report filed with the SEC for the purpose of updating this description		Filed on November 2, 2004

Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part hereof.

Additional documents that Manpower and COMSYS may file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus and before the earliest of the date of the merger following completion of the offer of the earliest of the termination of the merger agreement, will be deemed incorporated into this prospectus by reference and will constitute a part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of that information.

In considering whether to tender your shares of COMSYS common stock pursuant to the exchange offer, you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this document. Neither Manpower nor COMSYS has authorized any person to provide you with any information that is different from what is contained in this document. This document is dated March 17, 2010. You should not assume that the information contained in this document is accurate as of any date other than such date, and neither the mailing to you of this document nor the issuance to you of shares of Manpower common stock will create any implication to the contrary. This document does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, any securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not lawful to make any such offer to any person to whom it is not lawful to make any such offer or solicitation.

 

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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 assumes that the merger, as well as the repayment of COMSYS’s senior credit facility, occurred on January 1, 2009. The audited consolidated statement of operations of Manpower for the year ended December 31, 2009 has been combined with the audited consolidated statement of operations of COMSYS for the year ended January 3, 2010.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet assumes that the merger, as well as the repayment of COMSYS’s senior credit facility, occurred on December 31, 2009, and combines the audited consolidated balance sheet of Manpower as of December 31, 2009 with the audited consolidated balance sheet of COMSYS as of January 3, 2010.

The historical consolidated financial statements have been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to give effect to pro forma events that are (i) directly attributable to the merger, (ii) factually supportable, and (iii) with respect to the statement of operations, expected to have continuing impact on the combined results. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information were based on, and should be read in conjunction with, the historical consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto of Manpower and COMSYS, which were previously reported in Manpower’s and COMSYS’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and January 3, 2010, respectively, and are both incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations or financial position for future periods or the results that actually would have been realized had Manpower and COMSYS been a combined company during the period and as of the date presented.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet includes certain non-recurring merger costs that Manpower expects to incur as a result of this transaction. These costs include professional services fees, such as the fee for financial advisory services to COMSYS, as well as compensation costs associated with COMSYS’s change in control agreements and other contractual severance arrangements. In addition, Manpower expects to incur integration costs as a result of the merger. However, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not include these integration costs and, accordingly, does not attempt to predict or suggest any future operating results.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Manpower has been treated as the acquirer for accounting purposes. For purposes of calculating the consideration expected to be paid to COMSYS stockholders, option holders and warrant holders in connection with the merger, the closing price of Manpower common stock as of December 31, 2009 was used to give effect of the transaction closing as of Manpower’s fiscal year-end. The acquisition accounting is dependent upon certain valuations and other studies that have yet to commence or progress to a stage where there is sufficient information for a definitive measurement. Accordingly, the pro forma adjustments are preliminary and have been made solely for the purpose of providing unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Differences between the preliminary estimates and the final acquisition accounting will occur, and these differences could have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and the combined company’s future results of operations and financial position.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information assumes that Manpower does not make the all-cash election, as described on page 50 of this prospectus. Under the merger agreement between Manpower and COMSYS, Manpower is offering to exchange for each share of COMSYS common stock either $17.65 in cash or $17.65 in fair value of Manpower common stock. The fraction or number of shares of Manpower

 

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common stock to be exchanged for each share of COMSYS common stock will be equal to $17.65 divided by the average trading price of Manpower’s common stock during the ten trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the expiration date of the offer. The aggregate amount of cash and of Manpower common stock tendered in the transaction will be determined on a 50/50 basis, the effect of which has been reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and notes thereto between cash, equity and interest expense. Notwithstanding this pro forma presentation, Manpower has the right up to two business days prior to the expiration date of its exchange offer to elect to pay $17.65 in cash for each share of COMSYS common stock.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2009

(In millions, except per share data)

 

		Historical							Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined
		Manpower				COMSYS
Revenues from services		$	16,038.7			$	649.3		$	—			$	16,688.0
Cost of services			13,220.5				490.9			—				13,711.4
Gross profit			2,818.2				158.4			—				2,976.6
Selling and Administrative expenses			2,715.5				144.1			(3.3	)A			2,881.3
										25.0	B
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges			61.0				—			—				61.0
Selling and administrative expenses			2,776.5				144.1			21.7				2,942.3
Operating profit			41.7				14.3			(21.7	)			34.3
Interest and other Expenses			64.6				4.0			1.2	C			71.2
										1.4	D
(Loss) earnings before income taxes			(22.9	)			10.3			(24.3	)			(36.9	)
Provision for income taxes			(13.7	)			0.9			0.3	E			(12.5	)
Net (loss) earnings		$	(9.2	)		$	9.4		$	(24.6	)		$	(24.4	)
Net loss per share—basic		$	(0.12	)									$	(0.30	)
Net loss per share—diluted		$	(0.12	)									$	(0.30	)
Weighted average shares—basic			78.3							3.3	F			81.6
Weighted average shares—diluted			78.3							3.3	F			81.6

The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this unaudited condensed combined statement of operations.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

December 31, 2009

(In millions)

 

		Historical								Pro Forma Adjustments				Pro Forma Combined
		Manpower				COMSYS
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,014.6			$	0.7			$	(38.1	)G		$	787.7
											(189.5	)H
Accounts receivable, net			3,070.8				197.5				—				3,268.3
Prepaid expenses and other assets			179.6				5.2				3.2	I			188.0
Future income tax benefits			67.4				—				—				67.4
Total current assets			4,332.4				203.4				(224.4	)			4,311.4
Other Assets:
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net			1,357.5				98.2				(98.2	)J			1,776.2
											418.7	K
Other assets			347.5				3.8				(2.5	)G			348.8
Total other assets			1,705.0				102.0				318.0				2,125.0
Property and equipment:
Land, buildings, leasehold improvements and equipment			703.6				48.6				(35.6	)L			716.6
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization			527.2				35.6				(35.6	)L			527.2
Net property and equipment			176.4				13.0				—				189.4
Total assets		$	6,213.8			$	318.4			$	93.6			$	6,625.8
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	944.4			$	137.4			$	29.4	M		$	1,111.2
Employee compensation payable			187.8				32.7				—				220.5
Accrued liabilities			465.9				9.2				—				475.1
Accrued payroll taxes and insurance			572.0				—				—				572.0
Value added taxes payable			391.2				—				—				391.2
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt			41.7				—				—				41.7
Total current liabilities			2,603.0				179.3				29.4				2,811.7
Other liabilities:
Long-term debt			715.6				38.1				(38.1	)G			715.6
Other long-term liabilities			358.7				4.7				31.6	N			395.0
Total other liabilities			1,074.3				42.8				(6.5	)			1,110.6
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock			1.0				1.9				(1.9	)O			1.0
Capital in excess of par value			2,544.2				230.8				(230.8	)O			2,722.4
											178.2	H
Retained earnings			1,109.6				(136.3	)			136.3	O			1,098.5
											(11.1	)P
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			106.9				(0.1	)			—				106.8
Treasury stock, at cost			(1,225.2	)			—				—				(1,225.2	)
Total shareholders’ equity			2,536.5				96.3				70.7				2,703.5
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	6,213.8			$	318.4			$	93.6			$	6,625.8

The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information are an integral part of this unaudited condensed combined balance sheet.

 

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NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED

COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Description of Transaction

On February 1, 2010, Manpower entered into an agreement and plan of merger to acquire all of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock by means of an exchange offer and a subsequent merger. COMSYS will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Manpower. Upon completion of the merger, each share of COMSYS will be converted into the right to either $17.65 in cash or $17.65 in fair market value of Manpower common stock. The fraction or number of shares of Manpower common stock to be exchanged for each share of COMSYS common stock will be equal to $17.65 divided by the average trading price of Manpower’s common stock during the ten trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer. The aggregate amount of cash and Manpower common stock tendered in the transaction will be determined on a 50/50 basis. However, Manpower has the right up to two business days prior to the expiration date of its exchange offer to elect to pay $17.65 in cash for each share of COMSYS common stock. The accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information assumes Manpower does not make the all-cash election. Accordingly, such pro forma information gives effect to the estimated amount of cash and common stock that will be tendered in the transaction on the combined cash, equity and interest expense balances, as further described in Note 6.

Each outstanding vested and unvested COMSYS stock option and warrant will be cancelled at the effective date of the merger. The holders of such options and warrants that are in the money will receive $17.65 per stock-based award less the award’s exercise price.

The merger is subject to COMSYS stockholder approval, governmental and regulatory approvals, and other usual closing conditions. The merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2010.

Note 2—Basis of Presentation

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and the historical consolidated financial statements of Manpower and COMSYS. Manpower’s 2009 fiscal year ended on December 31, 2009, while COMSYS’s 2009 fiscal year ended on January 3, 2010.

In addition, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented based on Manpower’s 2009 fiscal year end. Accordingly, we combined certain accounts in the historical consolidated financial statements of COMSYS to conform to Manpower’s presentation, as follows:

 

•

Restructuring costs and depreciation and amortization expense have been combined with selling, general and administrative expense in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations.

 

•

Current restricted cash has been combined with prepaid expenses and other assets; deferred financing costs and long-term restricted cash have been combined with other long-term assets; and other liabilities and interest payable have been combined with accrued liabilities in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet.

Note 3—Accounting Policies

At this time, Manpower is not aware of any accounting policy differences that would have a material impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Accordingly, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information do not assume any differences in accounting policies.

On a combined basis, there were no transactions between Manpower and COMSYS during the periods presented.

 

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The pro forma combined provision for income taxes and the pro forma combined balances of deferred income taxes may not represent the amounts that would have resulted had Manpower and COMSYS filed consolidated income tax returns during the periods presented.

Note 4—Estimate of Consideration Expected to be Transferred

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects an estimate of the expected consideration that Manpower would transfer to consummate the merger of approximately $367.7 million, which is comprised of approximately $189.5 million in cash and $178.2 million in Manpower common stock. This preliminary fair value of the Manpower common stock to be transferred is based on a share price of $54.58 per share, which represents the closing price of Manpower common stock as of December 31, 2009, multiplied by 3.3 million shares estimated to be issued. The estimated total consideration assumes that Manpower will issue 0.3181 of a share of Manpower common stock for each of the outstanding shares of COMSYS common stock. This exchange ratio has been estimated by utilizing the average share price of Manpower common stock for the ten trading days from December 15, 2009 through December 29, 2009, and assumes that the expiration date of the exchange offer was December 31, 2009.

 

Cash Consideration:
COMSYS’s shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2009			21,061,592
Less: Restricted stock not expected to vest			538,572
			20,523,020
Value to be exchanged for each share of COMSYS’s common stock		$	17.65
Percentage to be paid in cash			50.0	%
Value to be exchanged in cash for each share of COMSYS’s common stock		$	8.825
Cash consideration for COMSYS’s common stock		$	181,115,652
COMSYS’s stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2009			726,790
COMSYS’s stock options considered out-of-money			334
			726,456
Estimated intrinsic value per stock option ($17.65 less $9.47)		$	8.18
Cash consideration for COMSYS’s stock options		$	5,942,410
COMSYS’s stock warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2009			248,654.14
Estimated intrinsic value per stock warrant ($17.65 less $7.8025)		$	9.8475
Cash consideration for COMSYS’s stock warrants		$	2,448,622
Total cash consideration		$	189,506,684
Consideration in Manpower Common Stock:
Consideration required to be provided in shares of Manpower common stock		$	181,115,652
Average share price of Manpower common stock during the ten trading days ending on and including the second trading day prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer (December 15, 2009 through December 29, 2009)		$	55.485
Estimated number of shares of Manpower common stock to be issued			3,264,227
Closing price of Manpower common stock as of December 31, 2009		$	54.58
Consideration in Manpower common stock		$	178,161,526
Total consideration		$	367,668,210

The actual determination of the consideration that Manpower will transfer to consummate the merger will be determined based on the number of shares of COMSYS common stock presented to Manpower on the closing date. Each holder of COMSYS common stock may elect to exchange each share for either $17.65 in cash or a

 

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fraction of a share or number of shares of Manpower common stock having a value equal to $17.65 divided by the Manpower average trading price over ten trading days up to two business days prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer. If the closing date of the merger were March 1, 2010, the estimated consideration transferred would be $378.2 million.

Note 5—Estimate of Assets to be Acquired and Liabilities to be Assumed

The acquisition method of accounting requires, among other things, that most assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair value as of the acquisition date. The fair value of such items and the proper useful lives will be determined at or near the time of closing and will be based on an independent valuation. The consolidated financial statements of Manpower issued after completion of the merger will reflect such fair values, measured as of the acquisition date, which may be different than the estimated fair values included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The consolidated financial statements of Manpower issued after the completion of the merger will not be retroactively restated to reflect the historical financial position or results of operations of COMSYS. In addition, the acquisition method of accounting establishes that the consideration transferred be measured at the closing date of the merger at the then-current market price, which will likely result in a per share equity component that is different from the amount assumed in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

Existing accounting guidance define the term “fair value” and set forth the valuation requirements for any asset or liability measured at fair value, expand related disclosure requirements and specify a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the nature of the inputs used to develop the fair value measures. Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” Many fair value measurements can be highly subjective, and it is also possible that others, applying reasonable judgment to the same facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of alternative estimated amounts.

Under the acquisition method of accounting, non-recurring merger costs (i.e., advisory, legal, valuation, other professional fees, etc.) impacting the target company are not included as a component of consideration transferred, but are accounted for as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred. Total advisory, legal, regulatory and valuation costs expected to be incurred by Manpower are estimated to be approximately $4.0 million. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet also reflects anticipated acquisition-related transaction costs to be incurred by COMSYS, which are estimated to be approximately $5.0 million.

The allocation of the consideration transferred for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was primarily limited to the identification and valuation of intangible assets. Manpower believes this was an appropriate approach based on a review of similar acquisition transactions that appeared to indicate that the most significant portion of the purchase price would be allocated to identifiable intangible assets and goodwill. The pro forma adjustments associated with the identification and valuation of intangible assets and goodwill in connection with the preparation of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, are summarized as follows:

Intangible assets: As of the effective date, identifiable intangible assets are required to be measured at fair value and these acquired assets could include assets that are not intended to be used or sold or that are intended to be used in a manner other than their highest and best use. For purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, it is assumed that all assets will be used and be used in a manner that represents their highest and best use. Based on our internal assessments of similar transactions, Manpower has preliminarily identified one significant intangible asset, customer relationships, and other insignificant intangible assets.

The fair value of these intangible assets is normally determined primarily through the use of the “income approach,” which requires an estimate or forecast of all the expected future cash flows either through the use of either the multi-period excess earnings method or the relief-from-royalty method.

 

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At this time, Manpower does not have sufficient information as to the amount, timing and risk of the estimated future cash flows needed to value the customer relationships and the other insignificant intangible assets. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in the development of estimated cash flows, from the perspective of a market participant, include: the amount and timing of projected future cash flows (including revenues from services, cost of services, selling and administrative expenses and working capital/contributory asset charges) and the discount rate selected to measure the risks inherent in the future cash flows. However, for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, using information from similar transactions, the fair value of the customer relationships and the other insignificant intangible assets was prepared and determined by Manpower management, based upon estimates deemed reasonable by Manpower management.

These preliminary estimates of fair value and useful lives will likely be different from the final acquisition accounting, and the difference could have a material impact on the accompanying unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Once Manpower has full access to the specific details of COMSYS’s intangible assets, additional insight will be gained that could impact: (i) the estimated total value assigned to intangible assets, (ii) the estimated allocation of value between finite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets and/or (iii) the estimated weighted-average useful life of each category of intangible assets. The estimated intangible asset values and their useful lives could be impacted by a variety of factors that may become known to us only upon access to additional information and/or by changes in such factors that may occur prior to the effective time.

Goodwill: Goodwill is calculated as the difference between the acquisition date fair value of the consideration expected to be transferred and the values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized but rather subject to an annual fair value impairment test.

Based upon the foregoing, the total consideration to be transferred has been allocated to COMSYS’s net tangible and identifiable intangible assets based upon their fair value as of December 31, 2009 for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The excess of the consideration expected to be transferred over the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets has been reflected as goodwill. The following represents the allocation of the total expected consideration to the fair value of the assets to be acquired and liabilities to be assumed as of December 31, 2009:

 

(in millions)
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets		$	418.7
COMSYS’s senior credit facility			(38.1	)
Deferred financing cost, net			(2.5	)
Deferred taxes on acquired identifiable intangible assets			(31.6	)
Net tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed			21.2
		$	367.7

Goodwill of $339.7 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is required to be tested for impairment, which may result in a significant impairment charge in the future. The identified intangible assets of $79.0 million include customer relationships and other insignificant intangible assets.

Net tangible assets and liabilities assumed were valued at their respective carrying amounts as Manpower’s management believes that these approximate their current fair values.

Note 6—Pro Forma Adjustments

A—To eliminate COMSYS’s historical amortization of identifiable intangible assets.

 

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B—To recognize the estimated amortization of identifiable intangible assets resulting from the merger, which was primarily based upon an accelerating method, using an 8 year estimated customer churn rate.

C—To recognize the write-off of the unamortized net deferred financing costs associated with the termination of COMSYS’s senior credit facility. As of January 1, 2009, COMSYS had $1.2 million recognized as net deferred financing costs on their consolidated balance sheet. During 2009, COMSYS refinanced their senior credit facility, deferring additional financing costs and, as such, had aggregate net deferred financing costs of $2.5 million as of December 31, 2009.

D—To eliminate interest income foregone as a result of the estimated cash payment made for the merger ($189.5 million) and to repay amounts borrowed under COMSYS’s senior credit facility ($38.1 million). An interest rate of 0.6 percent was utilized to calculate the interest cost, which was estimated based on current cash earnings. If Manpower were to elect to pay all cash for each share of COMSYS common stock, the amount of interest income foregone would have increased by approximately $1.1 million, totaling $2.5 million for 2009.

E—To recognize the income tax effect associated with the pro forma adjustments using an estimated effective tax rate of 40 percent, excluding amortization of identifiable intangible assets, the effect of which is recognized as an income tax liability as of the closing date. See deferred income tax pro forma adjustment in Note N. See the table below for the calculation of this pro forma adjustment:

 

(in millions)
Elimination of COMSYS’s historical amortization expense		$	(3.3	)
Recognition of the write-off of unamortized net deferred financing costs			1.2
Elimination of interest income foregone			1.4
		$	(0.7	)
Estimated effective tax rate			40.0	%
		$	(0.3	)

F—To recognize the estimated number of Manpower shares of common stock issued as a result of the merger. The issuance of 3.3 million shares of Manpower common stock was based on an exchange ratio of 0.3181 per share of Manpower common stock for each share of COMSYS’s common stock outstanding. The exchange ratio was determined utilizing the average share price for the ten trading days from December 15, 2009 through December 29, 2009, assuming that the expiration date of the off