Sec Form 13D Filing - Steel Partners Ltd. filing for STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P. (SPLP) - 2023-03-23

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Rule 13d-101)

INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT

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

§ 240.13d-2(a)

(Amendment No. 16)¹

Steel Partners Holdings L.P.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Units, no par value

(Title of Class of Securities)

85814R107

(CUSIP Number)

WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN

Steel Partners, Ltd.

590 Madison Avenue, 32^nd Floor

New York, New York 10022

(212) 520-2300

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person

Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

March 21, 2023

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)

 

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

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

 

 

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

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

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				WGL CAPITAL LLC
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				COLORADO
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							970,000
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							970,000
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				970,000
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				4.5%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				OO

  

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				STEEL PARTNERS, LTD.
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO, WC
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							6,764,428
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							6,764,428
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				6,764,428
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				31.2%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				CO

  

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				SPH SPV-I LLC
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				DELAWARE
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							- 0 -
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							2,059,779 (1)
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							- 0 -
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							2,059,779 (1)
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				2,059,779 (1)
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				9.5%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				OO

  

(1) Includes 200,253 Class C Units.

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO, AF
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				USA
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							2,017,953
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							8,824,207 (1)
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							2,017,953
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							8,824,207 (1)
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				10,842,160 (1)
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				50.0%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				IN

  

(1) Includes 200,253 Class C Units.

 

	1		NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
				JACK L. HOWARD
	2		CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP															(a) ☐
																		(b) ☐
	3		SEC USE ONLY
	4		SOURCE OF FUNDS
				OO, AF
	5		CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEM 2(d) OR 2(e)															☐
	6		CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
				USA
NUMBER OF				7		SOLE VOTING POWER
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY							4,811,131
OWNED BY				8		SHARED VOTING POWER
EACH
REPORTING							114,794
PERSON WITH				9		SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
							4,811,131
				10		SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
							114,794
	11		AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
				4,925,925
	12		CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES															☐
	13		PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
				22.7%
	14		TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
				IN

  

 

1

NAME OF REPORTING PERSON

EMH HOWARD LLC

2

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

(a) ☐

(b) ☐

3

SEC USE ONLY

4

SOURCE OF FUNDS

OO, AF

5

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

☐

6

CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

NEW YORK

NUMBER OF

7

SOLE VOTING POWER

SHARES

BENEFICIALLY

- 0 -

OWNED BY

8

SHARED VOTING POWER

EACH

REPORTING

114,794

PERSON WITH

9

SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

- 0 -

10

SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

114,794

11

AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

114,794

12

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

☐

13

PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

LESS THAN 1%

14

TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

OO

  

The following constitutes Amendment No. 16 to the Schedule 13D filed by the undersigned (“Amendment No. 16”). This Amendment No. 16 amends the Schedule 13D as specifically set forth herein.

Item 1.

Security and Issuer.

Item 1 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

This statement relates to the Common Units, no par value, including Class C Common Units (the “Class C Units”), of Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (the “Issuer”). The Class C Units have the same rights as the Common Units, except that a Class C Unit will not be saleable in the public market until the capital account allocable to such Class C Unit is equal to the capital account allocable to a Common Unit (“Capital Account Alignment”), determined as if a Class C Unit and a Common Unit were separate partnership interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes. At such time that Capital Account Alignment is achieved, a Class C Unit will convert automatically into a Common Unit. Class C Units (including Class C Units received in respect of a year) will be allocated their share of taxable income based on their percentage interests, except as otherwise determined by the Issuer. Hereinafter, the Common Units, including the Class C Units, are collectively referred to herein as the “Common Units”. The address of the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, New York 10022.

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

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

The 5,794,428 Common Units owned directly by SPL were acquired as follows: (i) 386,658 Common Units were acquired by SPL with its working capital in open market and private transactions for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $3,180,514, (ii) 14,850 Common Units were acquired by SPL in connection with a settlement agreement with a former investor in an affiliated entity for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $111,375, and (iii) 5,392,920 Common Units were distributed to SPL from WGL.

The 970,000 Common Units owned directly by WGL were acquired pursuant to the arrangements discussed in Item 4.

The 2,059,779 Common Units (including 200,253 Class C Units) owned directly by SPH SPV were acquired pursuant to the arrangements discussed in Item 4.

The 2,017,953 Common Units owned directly, and indirectly through grantor retained annuity trusts, by Warren G. Lichtenstein were initially acquired by Mr. Lichtenstein or his affiliates in connection with various previously-disclosed transactions relating to the restructuring of certain predecessors of the Issuer and pursuant to the arrangements involving SPH SPV discussed in Item 4.

Of the 4,925,925 Common Units owned directly, and indirectly through EMH and trusts, by Jack L. Howard, 3,147,185 Common Units were initially acquired by Mr. Howard or his affiliates in connection with various previously-disclosed transactions relating to the restructuring of certain predecessors of the Issuer, 706,991 Common Units were acquired by Mr. Howard in a private transaction in exchange for equity in a private corporation, 474,842 Common Units were acquired by Mr. Howard pursuant to the arrangements involving SPH SPV discussed in Item 4, 99,553 Common Units were acquired by Mr. Howard and EMH directly from the Issuer pursuant to purchase agreements whereby the Issuer issued the Common Units in exchange for common stock and preferred stock of WebFinancial Holding Corporation, 40,000 Common Units were acquired by Mr. Howard with personal funds in open market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $364,829, 40,100 Common Units were acquired by trusts of which Mr. Howard is a trustee with trust funds in open market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $947,873 and 397,253 Common Units were gifted to such trusts, 20,000 Common Units were acquired by EMH with its working capital in open market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $182,836 and one Common Unit was gifted to Mr. Howard and held in his sub-account with SPH SPV.

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction.

Item 4 is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

On April 11, 2012, as a result of the termination of that certain Investor Services Agreement by and between the Issuer and WGL, and pursuant to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Deferred Fee Agreement by and between the Issuer and WGL (the “Deferred Fee Agreement”), 6,403,002 Class B Units were issued to WGL by the Issuer, subject to adjustment as of March 31, 2012. On May 11, 2012, an additional 536,645 Class B Units were issued to WGL by the Issuer reflecting an adjustment based on the deferred fee liability as of March 31, 2012. On May 1, 2014, the capital account allocable to a Class B Unit equaled the capital account allocable to a regular Common Unit and, therefore, all then outstanding Class B Units converted automatically into regular Common Units. Subsequent to the May 1, 2014 conversion, 706,991 Common Units were sold in a private transaction on November 4, 2015.

On January 7, 2015, pursuant to the terms of the Deferred Fee Agreement, 130,264 Class B Units were issued to WGL by the Issuer. On May 16, 2016, the capital account allocable to a Class B Unit equaled the capital account allocable to a regular Common Unit and, therefore, all then outstanding Class B Units converted automatically into regular Common Units.

On May 1, 2014, SPH SPV was issued 1,542,073 Class C Units with respect to the Incentive Units received pursuant to that certain Fifth Amended and Restated Management Agreement effective as of May 11, 2012 (the “Management Agreement”), by and among the Issuer, SPH Group LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer, and SP General Services, LLC, the manager of the Issuer (“SP General Services”). The right to receive such Class C Units was previously assigned to SPH SPV by SP General Services. On May 1, 2014, the capital account allocable to a Class C Unit equaled the capital account allocable to a regular Common Unit and, therefore, all then outstanding Class C Units converted automatically into regular Common Units. Subsequent to the May 1, 2014 conversion, 340,926 Common Units were withdrawn from SPH SPV.

On January 7, 2015, the Issuer and SPH SPV entered into that certain Incentive Unit Agreement (the “Incentive Unit Agreement”), effective as of May 11, 2012, to restate the provisions related to the Incentive Units from the Management Agreement without substantive change.

On February 13, 2018, SPH SPV was issued 461,442 Class C Units with respect to the Incentive Units received pursuant to the Incentive Unit Agreement. The right to receive such Class C Units was previously assigned to SPH SPV by SP General Services. In June 2018, the capital account allocable to a Class C Unit equaled the capital account allocable to a regular Common Unit and, therefore, all then outstanding Class C Units converted automatically into regular Common Units. Subsequent to the June 2018 conversion, 1,121,883 Common Units were withdrawn from SPH SPV.

On April 13, 2022, SPH SPV was issued 1,702,059 Class C Units with respect to the Incentive Units received pursuant to the Incentive Unit Agreement. Mr. Lichtenstein and Steel Holdings previously made their respective filings to the Premerger Notification Office of the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice as required by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 to acquire the Class C Units. The statutory waiting period required by Section 7A(b)(1) of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 18a(b)(1), expired on April 6, 2022. The Issuer then issued the Class C Units following the receipt of approval of a supplemental listing application to the New York Stock Exchange. The Class C Units have converted into regular Common Units and on September 19, 2022, 383,239 of such Common Units were distributed to Jack L. Howard who is a member of SPH SPV.

On March 21, 2023, SPH SPV was issued 200,253 Class C Units with respect to the Incentive Units received pursuant to the Incentive Unit Agreement following the receipt of approval of a supplemental listing application to the New York Stock Exchange.

Depending upon overall market conditions, other investment opportunities available to the Reporting Persons, and the availability of Common Units at prices that would make the purchase or sale of Common Units desirable, the Reporting Persons may endeavor to increase or decrease their respective positions in the Issuer through, among other things, the purchase or sale of Common Units on the open market or in private transactions or otherwise, on such terms and at such times as the Reporting Persons may deem advisable to the extent permitted by the limited partnership agreement of the Issuer or applicable law.

No Reporting Person has any present plan or proposal which would relate to or result in any of the matters set forth in subparagraphs (a) - (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D except as set forth herein or such as would occur upon completion of any of the actions discussed herein or in Mr. Lichtenstein’s or Mr. Howard’s capacities as executive officers and directors of the general partner of the Issuer.

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

Items 5(a) - (c) are hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

(a)       The aggregate percentage of Common Units reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 21,667,429 Common Units outstanding as of the date hereof according to information provided by the Issuer.

As of the close of business on March 23, 2023, WGL owned directly 970,000 Common Units, constituting approximately 4.5% of the Common Units outstanding. By virtue of their relationship with WGL discussed in further detail in Item 2, each of SPL and Warren G. Lichtenstein may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Units owned directly by WGL.

As of the close of business on March 23, 2023, SPL owned directly 5,794,428 Common Units, constituting approximately 26.7% of the Common Units outstanding. By virtue of his relationship with SPL discussed in further detail in Item 2, Warren G. Lichtenstein may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Units owned directly by SPL.

As of the close of business on March 23, 2023, SPH SPV owned directly 2,059,779 Common Units (including 200,253 Class C Units), constituting approximately 9.5% of the Common Units outstanding. By virtue of his relationship with SPH SPV discussed in further detail in Item 2, Warren G. Lichtenstein may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Units owned directly by SPH SPV.

As of the close of business on March 23, 2023, Warren G. Lichtenstein owned: (i) directly 711,964 Common Units, constituting approximately 3.3% of the Common Units outstanding, and (ii) indirectly, through grantor retained annuity trusts of which Mr. Lichtenstein is trustee, 1,305,989 Common Units, constituting approximately 6.0% of the Common Units outstanding, which, together with the Common Units owned directly by WGL, SPL and SPH SPV that Mr. Lichtenstein may also be deemed to beneficially own, constitute approximately 50.0% of the Common Units outstanding.

As of the close of business on March 23, 2023, EMH owned directly 114,794 Common Units, constituting less than 1% of the Common Units outstanding. By virtue of his relationship with EMH discussed in further detail in Item 2, Jack L. Howard may be deemed to beneficially own the Common Units owned directly by EMH.

As of the close of business on March 23, 2023, Jack L. Howard owned: (i) directly 2,044,930 Common Units, constituting approximately 9.4% of the Common Units outstanding, and (ii) indirectly, through trusts of which Mr. Howard is trustee, 2,766,201 Common Units, constituting approximately 12.8% of the Common Units outstanding, which, together with the Common Units owned directly by EMH that Mr. Howard may also be deemed to beneficially own, constitute approximately 22.7% of the Common Units outstanding. Mr. Howard’s direct ownership of securities of the Issuer reported herein includes securities held by an entity that is 100% owned by him.

Absent banking regulatory approval, voting rights are forfeited with respect to all Common Units in excess of 9.9%, and such Common Units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes.

Mr. Lichtenstein holds directly 416,948 6.0% Series A Preferred Units of the Issuer (the “Preferred Units”), Mr. Howard holds directly 186,375 Preferred Units and EMH holds directly 87,649 Preferred Units. The Preferred Units currently do not have voting rights and may only be converted to Common Units in the Issuer’s discretion. Accordingly, Mr. Lichtenstein, Mr. Howard and EMH are not deemed to beneficially own the Common Units underlying their Preferred Units.

(b)       Each of WGL, SPL and Warren G. Lichtenstein may be deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose of the Common Units reported in this Schedule 13D owned directly by WGL. Each of SPL and Mr. Lichtenstein may be deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose of the Common Units reported in this Schedule 13D owned directly by SPL. Each of SPH SPV and Mr. Lichtenstein may be deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose of the Common Units reported in this Schedule 13D owned directly by SPH SPV. Mr. Lichtenstein has the sole power to vote and dispose of the Common Units reported in this Schedule 13D owned directly by him. As trustee of the grantor retained annuity trusts, Mr. Lichtenstein has the sole power to vote and dispose of the Common Units reported in this Schedule 13D owned indirectly by him through the grantor retained annuity trusts.

Each of EMH and Jack L. Howard may be deemed to have shared power to vote and dispose of the Common Units reported in this Schedule 13D owned directly by EMH. Mr. Howard has the sole power to vote and dispose of the Common Units reported in this Schedule 13D owned directly by him. As trustee of the trusts, Mr. Howard has the sole power to vote and dispose of the Common Units reported in this Schedule 13D owned indirectly by him through the trusts.

The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Persons are, for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, the beneficial owners of any Common Units he or it does not directly own. Each of the Reporting Persons specifically disclaims beneficial ownership of the Common Units reported herein that he or it does not directly own.

(c)       On March 21, 2023, SPH SPV was issued 200,253 Class C Units as described in further detail in Item 4. On March 23, 2023, Mr. Howard sold 10,000 Preferred Units at a price of $22.9095 per unit in the open market. There were no other transactions in securities of the Issuer by the Reporting Persons during the past 60 days.

SIGNATURES

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

Dated: March 23, 2023

	WGL CAPITAL LLC
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Name:	Jack L. Howard
		Title:	President

 

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

 

	SPH SPV-I LLC
	By:	Warren G. Lichtenstein, Managing Member
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Name:	Jack L. Howard
		Title:	Attorney-in-Fact for Warren G. Lichtenstein

 

	WARREN G. LICHTENSTEIN
	/s/ Jack L. Howard
	Jack L. Howard as Attorney-in-Fact for Warren G. Lichtenstein

 

	EMH HOWARD, LLC
	By:	/s/ Jack L. Howard
		Name:	Jack L. Howard
		Title:	Managing Member

 

	/s/ Jack L. Howard
	JACK L. HOWARD