SC 13D/A 1 ert13d-10txt.txt SCHEDULE 13D AMENDMENT NO. 10 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 13D (Amendment No. 10) Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ERESEARCH TECHNOLOGY, INC. ----------------- (Name of Issuer) Common Stock ----------------------------- (Title of Class of Securities) 29481V108 --------- (CUSIP Number) Gwen G. Reinke Blum Capital Partners, L.P. 909 Montgomery Street, Suite 400 San Francisco, CA 94133 (415) 434-1111 -------------- (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications) April 10, 2012 -------------- (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 Section 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box [ ]. *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). Page 1 of 12 CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 2 of 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BLUM CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON 94-3205364 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. SEC USE ONLY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 4,550,901** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ----------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 4,550,901** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 4,550,901** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.2%** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN, IA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** See Item 5 below * * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 3 of 12 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, INC. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON 94-2967812 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3. SEC USE ONLY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION California ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ----------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 4,550,901** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ----------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ----------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 4,550,901** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 4,550,901** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.2%** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON CO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** See Item 5 below * * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 4 of 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BLUM STRATEGIC GP II, L.L.C. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON 94-3395150 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 4,550,901** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.2%** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO (Limited Liability Company) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** See Item 5 below * * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 5 of 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BLUM STRATEGIC GP III, L.L.C. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON 04-3809436 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 4,550,901** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.2%** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO (Limited Liability Company) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** See Item 5 * * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 6 of 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BLUM STRATEGIC GP III, L.P. S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON 02-0742606 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 4,550,901** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.2%** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** See Item 5 * * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 7 of 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BLUM STRATEGIC GP IV, L.L.C. I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (ENTITIES ONLY) 26-0588693 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 4,550,901** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.2%** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON OO (Limited Liability Company) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** See Item 5 * * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 8 of 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON BLUM STRATEGIC GP IV, L.P. I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON (ENTITIES ONLY) 26-0588732 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [x] (b) [x] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. SEC USE ONLY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. SOURCE OF FUNDS* See Item 3 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5. CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7. SOLE VOTING POWER -0- NUMBER OF ---------------------------------------------------------- SHARES 8. SHARED VOTING POWER 4,550,901** BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH ---------------------------------------------------------- PERSON WITH 9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER -0- ---------------------------------------------------------- 10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON 4,550,901** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11) 9.2%** ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON PN ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** See Item 5 * * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 9 of 12 Item 1. Security and Issuer ---------------------------- This Amendment No. 10 amends the Statement on Schedule 13D (the "Schedule 13D") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on January 3, 2012 by Blum Capital Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership ("Blum LP"); Richard C. Blum & Associates, Inc., a California corporation ("RCBA Inc."); Blum Strategic GP II, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Blum GP II"); Blum Strategic GP III, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Blum GP III"); and Blum Strategic GP III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Blum GP III LP"); Blum Strategic GP IV, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Blum GP IV"); and Blum Strategic GP IV, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("Blum GP IV LP") (collectively, the "Reporting Persons"). This amendment relates to shares of common stock, $.01 par value (the "Common Stock") of eResearch Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Issuer"). The principal executive office and mailing address of the Issuer is 1818 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. The following amendments to the Schedule 13D are hereby made. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Schedule 13D as previously amended. Item 2. Identity and Background --------------------------------- There have been no changes to Item 2 since the Schedule 13D Amendment filed on January 3, 2012. Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Considerations ------------------------------------------------------------ There have been no changes to Item 3 since the Schedule 13D Amendment filed on August 25, 2008. Item 4. Purpose of Transaction ------------------------------- Item 4 is hereby amended to add the following: The Reporting Persons acquired the Common Stock for investment purposes in the ordinary course of business. * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 10 of 12 The Reporting Persons intend to review their investment in the Issuer continuously. On April 10, 2012, the Issuer filed a Form 8-K announcing that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Genstar Capital, LLC for $8.00 per share in cash in a transaction valued at approximately $400 million. While they have not entered into any agreements or arrangements, the Reporting Persons are holders of approximately 9% of the shares of common stock of the Issuer and have publically stated that they believe the transaction represents a fair price and that they support the proposed transaction. Except to the extent the foregoing may be deemed a plan or proposal, none of the Reporting Persons has any current plans or proposals which relate to, or could result in, any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, of the instructions to Item 4 of Schedule 13D; provided that the Reporting Persons may, at any time and from time to time, review or reconsider their position and/or change their purpose and/or formulate plans or proposals with respect thereto. Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer --------------------------------------------- (a), (b) According to the Issuer's Form DEFA14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2012, there were 49,383,891 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of April 5, 2012. Based on such information, the Reporting Persons report beneficial ownership of the following shares of Common Stock: (i) 1,048,456 shares of Common Stock held by Blum L.P. and RCBA Inc. on behalf of the limited partnerships for which Blum L.P. serves as the general partner, which represents 2.1% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock; (ii) 2,924 shares of Common Stock held by RCBA Inc. directly, which represents 0.0% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock; (iii) 1,555,600 shares of the Common Stock held by Blum GP II on behalf of the limited partnership for which it serves as the general partner and on behalf of the limited partnership for which it serves as the managing limited partner, which represents 3.2% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock; (iv) 1,103,821 shares of the Common Stock held by Blum GP III which serves as general partner of Blum GP III LP which, in turn, serves as the general partner of Blum Strategic III, which represents 2.2% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock; and (v) 840,100 shares of the Common Stock held by Blum GP IV which serves as general partner of Blum GP IV LP which, in turn, serves as the general partner of Blum Strategic IV, which represents 1.7% of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock. * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 11 of 12 Voting and investment power concerning the above shares are held solely by Blum L.P., Blum GP II, Blum GP III and Blum GP IV. The Reporting Persons therefore may be deemed to be members in a group, in which case the group would be deemed to have beneficial ownership of an aggregate of 4,550,901 shares of the Common Stock, which is 9.2% of the outstanding Common Stock. As the sole general partner of Blum L.P., RCBA Inc. is deemed the beneficial owner of the securities over which Blum L.P. has voting and investment power. The filing of this Schedule shall not be construed as an admission that any of the officers, managing members and members of Blum L.P., Blum GP II, Blum GP III LP, Blum GP III, Blum GP IV LP and Blum GP IV, is, for any purpose, the beneficial owner of any of the securities that are beneficially owned by Blum L.P., Blum GP II, Blum GP III LP, Blum GP III, Blum GP IV LP or Blum GP IV. (c) During the last 60 days, the Reporting Persons have made the following transactions in the Common Stock of the Issuer: On March 30, 2012, the Reporting Persons distributed, on a pro rata basis, 2,275 shares of Common Stock to a limited partner in one of the limited partnerships for which Blum LP serves as the general partner and 225 shares to Blum LP in a liquidating distribution On April 2, 2012, the Reporting Persons distributed, on a pro rata basis, 31,342 shares to the limited partners of Blum LP, 2,924 of which were distributed to RCBA, Inc. (d) Not applicable. (e) Not applicable. Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer ---------------------------------------------------------------------- There have been no changes to Item 6 since the Schedule 13D Amendment filed on August 22, 2005. Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits ----------------------------------------- Exhibit A - Joint Filing Undertaking * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 12 of 12 SIGNATURES After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and belief, the undersigned certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Dated: April 11, 2012 RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, INC. BLUM CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P. By: Richard C. Blum & Associates, Inc. its General Partner By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Gwen G. Reinke Gwen G. Reinke General Counsel and Chief General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Compliance Officer BLUM STRATEGIC GP II, L.L.C. BLUM STRATEGIC GP III, L.L.C. By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Gwen G. Reinke Gwen G. Reinke Member Member BLUM STRATEGIC GP III, L.P. BLUM STRATEGIC GP IV, L.L.C. By: Blum Strategic GP III, L.L.C. its General Partner By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Gwen G. Reinke Gwen G. Reinke Member Member BLUM STRATEGIC GP IV, L.P. By: Blum Strategic GP IV, L.L.C. its General Partner By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke ------------------------------- Gwen G. Reinke Member * * * * * CUSIP NO. 29481V108 SCHEDULE 13D Page 1 of 1 Exhibit A JOINT FILING UNDERTAKING The undersigned, being duly authorized thereunto, hereby execute this agreement as an exhibit to this Schedule 13D to evidence the agreement of the below-named parties, in accordance with the rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to file this Schedule jointly on behalf of each such party. Dated: April 11, 2012 RICHARD C. BLUM & ASSOCIATES, INC. BLUM CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P. By: Richard C. Blum & Associates, Inc. its General Partner By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Gwen G. Reinke Gwen G. Reinke General Counsel and Chief General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Compliance Officer BLUM STRATEGIC GP II, L.L.C. BLUM STRATEGIC GP III, L.L.C. By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Gwen G. Reinke Gwen G. Reinke Member Member BLUM STRATEGIC GP III, L.P. BLUM STRATEGIC GP IV, L.L.C. By: Blum Strategic GP III, L.L.C. its General Partner By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke ------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Gwen G. Reinke Gwen G. Reinke Member Member BLUM STRATEGIC GP IV, L.P. By: Blum Strategic GP IV, L.L.C. its General Partner By: /s/ Gwen G. Reinke ------------------------------- Gwen G. Reinke Member