Filed by Avon Products, Inc.
pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Avon Products, Inc.
Commission File No.: 1-4881
Commission File No. for Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed by
Natura &Co Holding S.A.: 333-233910
The following communication was sent to certain personnel of Avon Products, Inc. (“Avon”) on September 25, 2019.
To: U.S.-Based Associates
From: Jennifer Purcell
Hi U.S. Associates,
Thank you for your patience and hard work as we move forward with Avon’s transformation journey. A big milestone in that journey is bringing Avon and Natura together to create a global beauty leader. As we’ve previously said, we expect the
transaction between Avon and Natura to close in early 2020, and between now and then we continue to operate and compete as separate, independent companies. It’s business as usual for now.
We are aware, however, that while we’re excited to bring Avon and Natura together, an activity like this creates an amount of uncertainty and many of you have specific questions about how this transaction might impact U.S.-based Associate
benefits. We wanted to provide an update on this particular topic to U.S.-based Associates since we’ve received some inquiries. While we can’t answer every question now, we commit to continuing to be accessible to hear your questions and providing
updates as appropriate.
As a U.S.-based Associate, what will happen to my employee benefits now and after closing of the Natura transaction?
As is typical for all companies, Avon continues to review and update its U.S. benefit programs from time to time to ensure programs are being offered that best meet the needs of the company and its employees. Avon Associates in the U.S. may see
some changes in benefits as they do each year, but Avon’s intent is to maintain a competitive U.S. benefits program. We do intend to have a regular open enrollment for eligible U.S.-based Associates in the Fall of this year to elect benefits for
2020.
Regarding the Natura transaction, we can share some terms that might help give some clarity on the situation. Natura has agreed to provide substantially comparable benefits overall for a period of 12 months following the closing of the
transaction (the “Closing”) (excluding certain items such as pension and retiree health and welfare benefits but see below for information regarding protection for accrued pension benefits). The details of U.S. benefit programs post-Closing have not
yet been determined, and you will hear more information about U.S. employee benefits closer to the Closing once those determinations have been made.
Is Natura legally obligated to honor the current retirement plans for U.S.-based Associates? Does this apply to the “old plan” formula under the Avon Products, Inc. Personal Retirement Account Plan
(PRA)?
Natura will be obligated to honor benefits accrued as of the Closing under Avon’s retirement plans for U.S.-based Associates in accordance with their terms and applicable law. With respect to the accrual of additional pension benefits
post-Closing, the details of ongoing U.S. benefit programs (including the PRA) have not yet been determined. However, if the PRA were to be amended or terminated at any time, benefits you have earned prior to the amendment or termination (including
“old plan” benefits) are generally protected and generally cannot be reduced. Benefits under the PRA are supported by the assets held in the PRA’s trust, which is maintained solely for the benefit of plan participants and funded by Avon in
accordance with U.S. law. In the U.S., certain pension benefits (such as those under the PRA) are also insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a federal agency. You can find more information about the PBGC and what it covers in
the pension plan summary plan description (SPD) available on myHR.
I thank you again for your patience and hard work as we move forward with Avon’s transformation journey.
Kind regards,
Jennifer
Avon reserves the right, at its discretion, to amend, change or terminate Avon benefit plans, programs, practices or policies. Nothing contained in this document shall be construed as creating an express
or implied obligation on the part of Avon to maintain benefit plans, programs, practices or policies. The formal documents for benefit plans, programs and policies govern and control in the event of any inconsistency between this document and the
formal documentation.
Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Statements in this communication that are not historical facts or information may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Among other things, these forward
looking statements may include statements regarding the proposed combination of Avon Products, Inc. (“Avon”, “we” or “us”) and Natura &Co Holding S.A. (“Natura & Co Holding” and, together with Natura Cosméticos S.A., “Natura &Co”); our
beliefs relating to value creation as a result of a potential combination with Natura &Co; the expected timetable for completing the transaction; benefits and synergies of the transaction; future opportunities for the combined company; and any
other statements regarding Avon’s and Natura & Co’s future beliefs, expectations, plans, intentions, financial condition or performance. In some cases, words such as “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “believe,” “may,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential,” “can,” “expectation,” “could,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions, or the negative of those expressions, may identify forward looking statements. They include, among other things, statements
regarding our anticipated or expected results, future financial performance, various strategies and initiatives (including our transformation plan, Open Up Avon, stabilization strategies, cost savings initiatives, restructuring and other initiatives
and related actions), costs and cost savings, competitive advantages, impairments, the impact of foreign currency, including devaluations, and other laws and regulations, government investigations, results of litigation, contingencies, taxes and tax
rates, potential alliances or divestitures, liquidity, cash flow, uses of cash and financing, hedging and risk management strategies, pension, postretirement and incentive compensation plans, supply chain and the legal status of the representatives.
Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions, expectations, plans and forecasts regarding our current or future results and future business and economic conditions more generally. Such forward-looking
statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement of Avon to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from management’s expectations. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as predictors of future events. Important factors that
could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, our ability to improve our financial and operational performance and execute fully our global
business strategy, the effect of economic factors, our ability to improve working capital, our ability to reverse declines in active representatives, general economic and business conditions in our markets, our ability to attract and retain key
personnel, competitive uncertainties in our markets, any changes to our credit ratings and the impact of such changes on our financing costs, rates, terms, debt service obligations, access to lending sources and working capital needs, the risk of an
adverse outcome in any material pending and future litigation and those disclosed as risks in other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including those described in Item 1A of our most recently filed Annual Report
on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and those discussed in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus included in the registration statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-233910) filed by Natura &Co Holding with the SEC on
September 24, 2019 and any amendments thereto. Other risks and uncertainties include the timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed combination of Avon and Natura &Co, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any
required governmental and regulatory approvals for the proposed transactions that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transactions; the possibility that Avon’s shareholders may not approve the proposed transactions;
the possibility that Natura &Co’s shareholders may not approve the proposed transactions; the possibility that the expected synergies and value creation from the proposed transactions will not be realized or will not be realized within the
expected time period; the risk that the businesses of Avon and Natura &Co will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the proposed transactions making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the risk that
unexpected costs will be incurred; the possibility that the proposed transactions do not close, including due to the failure to satisfy the closing conditions; the possibility that the intended accounting and tax treatments of the proposed
transactions are not achieved; the effect of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the proposed transactions on customers, employees, representatives, suppliers and partners and operating results; as well as more specific risks and
uncertainties. We caution readers that any such statements are based on currently available operational, financial and competitive information, and they should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s
opinion only as of the date on which they were made. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to review or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances as they occur.
Participants in the Solicitation
Natura &Co, Avon, their respective directors and certain of their respective executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction.
Information about Natura &Co’s directors and executive officers are set forth in the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus included in the registration statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-233910) filed by Natura & Co Holding with the SEC on
September 24, 2019 and any amendments thereto, and information about Avon’s directors and executive officers is set forth in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 2, 2019, which also may be obtained free of charge from the
investor relations page of Avon’s website www.Avonworldwide.com. To the extent holdings of Avon securities have changed since the amounts contained in the proxy statement for Avon’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, such changes have been or will
be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction is included in the preliminary
proxy statement/prospectus included in the registration statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-233910) filed by Natura & Co Holding with the SEC on September 24, 2019 and any amendments thereto and may be included in other relevant materials Natura
&Co and Avon file with the SEC.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
The proposed transaction involving Natura &Co and Avon will be submitted to Avon’s shareholders and Natura &Co’s shareholders for their consideration. In connection with the proposed transaction, Natura
&Co has filed with the SEC on September 24, 2019 a registration statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-233910) that includes a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus for Avon’s shareholders. The registration statement has not yet become effective.
After the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC, Avon will mail the definitive proxy statement/prospectus to its shareholders, and Avon and Natura &Co will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC.
This communication is not intended to be, and is not, a substitute for such filings or for any other document that Natura &Co or Avon may file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ ALL
RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, INCLUDING THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-4 AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY WHEN
THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. The registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and any amendments thereto and other relevant materials and any other documents filed or furnished by
Natura &Co or Avon with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement, the
proxy statement/prospectus and any amendments thereto from Natura &Co by going to www.NaturaeCo.com and from Avon by going to its investor relations page on its corporate website at www.Avonworldwide.com.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is neither an offer to buy, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to or in connection with
the proposed transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the
requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.