NEW YORK, May 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Starboard Value LP (together with its affiliates, "Starboard"), one of the largest shareholders of GCP Applied Technologies Inc. ("GCP" or the "Company")(NYSE: GCP), with an ownership interest of approximately 9% of the Company's outstanding shares, today delivered an open letter to GCP shareholders in connection with the Company's upcoming Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The full text of Starboard's open letter to GCP shareholders follows:
May 26, 2020
Dear Fellow Shareholders,
We are just two days away from the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of GCP Applied Technologies Inc. ("GCP" or the "Company"). As we have previously highlighted, we believe there is a tremendous opportunity to drive operational, strategic, and financial improvements at GCP that will position it to be best-in-class in its industry. In order to achieve this goal, we have nominated a highly qualified slate of director nominees with diverse and relevant experience. We appreciate the strong support we have received thus far and ask all shareholders to support positive change at GCP by voting on our WHITE proxy card to elect an enhanced Board of Directors (the "Board"). With your support, we look forward to representing the best interests of all GCP shareholders and will work tirelessly to drive significant value creation. As one of the largest shareholders of GCP, our interests are directly aligned with yours.
Our goal throughout this campaign has been to (i) focus on why we believe change is needed, (ii) outline our views on what must be done to improve performance, and (iii) demonstrate how our nominees are best positioned to oversee and govern GCP going forward. We are always open to active dialogue, alternative views, and vigorous debate – in our experience this process yields the best outcome for all shareholders. Unfortunately, the Company has taken a different approach using scare tactics and misinformation. Please do not be misled.
We assure our fellow shareholders our intentions are sound. Starboard has a 17-year record of driving positive change inside portfolio companies and our goals and ambitions with GCP are no different. We simply want to see GCP be the best it can be. Our nominees are committed to providing sound independent governance, having an open-mind to all ideas and opportunities, and working constructively with the many talented executives and employees at GCP to drive a great outcome for all constituents – employees, partners, customers, and, of course, shareholders.
We are extremely grateful for the significant support we have received thus far from our fellow shareholders and are also appreciative of the significant validation of our campaign for change at GCP by all three of the independent proxy voting advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS"), Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC ("Glass Lewis"), and Egan-Jones Proxy Services ("Egan-Jones").
ISS recommended that shareholders vote to elect six (6) of Starboard's nominees on our WHITE proxy card, concluding that "providing the dissident with a majority of seats appears to be necessary to ensure that its nominees will be able to assess potential missteps by the incumbent board and properly oversee a revised turnaround plan."
Glass Lewis recommended that shareholders vote to change "the entirety of the Board's current leadership" given GCP's "long-term underperformance and governance concerns."
Egan-Jones recommended the election of all eight (8) of Starboard's nominees on our WHITE proxy card, noting that "we commend the qualifications and track record of the Starboard nominees."
In the reports published by all three proxy voting advisory firms, there is significant support for change at GCP; there is unanimity around the need to change out the entire leadership structure of the current Board; and there is significant validation of the issues and opportunities we have highlighted at GCP.
With the right Board in place, we truly believe that GCP has the ability to become an industry leader by leveraging its best-in-class assets and executing on a well-thought out and articulated turnaround plan.
We look forward to moving past this election contest and working constructively with members of management and the Board to effect positive change at GCP on behalf of all shareholders.
We remain open and available to speak with any of our fellow shareholders as you make this crucial decision and, again, thank you for your support.
For those of you who have not yet voted, please vote the WHITEproxy card to help us drive much needed change at GCP.
Best Regards,
Peter A. Feld
Managing Member
Starboard Value LP
VOTE YOUR SHARES TODAY ON THE WHITE PROXY CARD FOR BOARD CHANGE
Since GCP's Annual Meeting is just two days away and will be held in virtual format, we encourage shareholders to submit proxies online or via telephone. Information related to GCP's Annual Meeting and instructions on how to vote are included in the materials you have received and available at www.shareholdersforgcp.com.
To vote online, simply access www.proxyvote.com and reference the Control Number on your WHITE proxy card.
If you have questions or need assistance:
Okapi Partners
Shareholders may call toll-free (from the U.S. and Canada): +1 888-785-6673
Banks, Brokers, and International Shareholders: +1 212-297-0720
Email: info@okapipartners.com
About Starboard Value LP
Starboard Value LP is a New York-based investment adviser with a focused and fundamental approach to investing in publicly traded U.S. companies. Starboard seeks to invest in deeply undervalued companies and actively engage with management teams and boards of directors to identify and execute on opportunities to unlock value for the benefit of all shareholders.
Investor contacts:
Peter Feld, (212) 201-4878
Patrick Sullivan, (212) 845-7947
www.starboardvalue.com
Okapi Partners
Bruce H. Goldfarb/Patrick McHugh
(212) 297-0720
(888) 785-6673 (Toll-Free)
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SOURCE Starboard Value LP