ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES OF AMERICA, INC., PITT PENN OIL CO., LLC, FORTCO PITTSBURGH, LLC, and FORTCO PLASTICS, INC. Dated May 12, 2006
Exhibit
2.1
by
and
among
PITT
PENN
OIL CO., LLC,
FORTCO
PITTSBURGH, LLC,
and
FORTCO
PLASTICS, INC.
Dated
May
12, 2006
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
1.1. Definitions
2. SALE
AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS; CLOSING
2.1. Assets
to be Sold
3. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
3.1. Enforceability;
Authority; No Conflict
4. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
4.1. Organization
and Good Standing
5. CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
5.1. Title
Insurance
6. CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO SELLER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
6.1. Employees
7. ADDITIONAL
COVENANTS
7.1. Payment
of All Taxes
8. INDEMNIFICATION;
REMEDIES
8.1. Survival
9. CONFIDENTIALITY
9.1. Definition
of Confidential Information
10. GENERAL
PROVISIONS
10.1. Expenses
This
ASSET
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(“Agreement”), dated May 12, 2006, is by and among FORTCO
PITTSBURGH, LLC,
a
Missouri limited liability company (“Buyer”),
FORTCO
PLASTICS, INC.,
an
Indiana corporation (“Fortco
Plastics”),
INDUSTRIAL
ENTERPRISES OF AMERICA, INC.,
a Nevada
corporation (“IEA”)
and
PITT
PENN OIL CO., LLC,
an Ohio
limited liability company and a subsidiary of IEA (“Seller”).
RECITALS
Pursuant
to that certain Debtors’ Joint Amended Plan of Reorganization dated
January 31, 2003 (In Re: Pitt Penn Oil Co., Pitt Penn Distribution Co. and
Springdale Specialty Plastics, Inc.), Seller acquired, among other things,
the
assets of Springdale Specialty Plastics, Inc. (referred to herein as
“Springdale”). Subsequently, as of January 18, 2006, IEA purchased one hundred
percent (100%) of the membership interests of Spinwell Holding Co., LLC, owner
of 100% of the membership interests of Seller. Now, Seller desires to sell,
and
Buyer desires to purchase, certain assets previously owned by Springdale and
currently owned by Seller, for the consideration and on the terms set forth
in
this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
The
parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
1. |
DEFINITIONS
AND USAGE
|
1.1. Definitions.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms and variations thereof
have
the meanings specified or referred to in this Section 1.1:
“Accounts
Receivable” - (a) all trade accounts receivable and other rights to payment from
customers of Seller and IEA and their Affiliates (as such term is defined
hereinafter) and the full benefit of all security for such accounts or rights
to
payment, including all trade accounts receivable representing amounts receivable
in respect of goods shipped or products sold or services rendered to customers
of Seller and IEA and their Affiliates, (b) all other accounts or notes
receivable of Seller and IEA and their Affiliates and the full benefit of all
security for such accounts or notes, and (c) any claim, remedy or other right
related to any of the foregoing.
“Affiliate”
- with respect to any Person (as such term is hereinafter defined), any
stockholder, member or Person controlling, controlled by or under common control
with such Person, or any director, officer, manager or key employee of such
Person or any of the respective
immediate family members of such Person.
For
purposes of this definition, the term “control”
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by and under common
control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the power, directly or
indirectly, to direct the management and policies
of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract
or otherwise; and in any event and without limitation of the forgoing any Person
owning fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting securities of a second
Person.
“Appurtenances”
- all privileges, rights, easements, hereditaments and appurtenances belonging
to or for the benefit of the Real Property, including all easements appurtenant
to and for the benefit of the Real Property for, and as the primary means of
access between, the Real Property and a public way, or for any other use upon
which lawful use of the Real Property for the purposes for which it is presently
being used is dependent, and all rights existing in and to any streets, alleys,
passages and other rights-of-way included thereon or adjacent thereto (before
or
after vacation thereof) and vaults beneath any such streets.
“Assets”
- as defined in Section 2.1.
“Xxxx
of
Sale” - as defined in Section 2.7(a)(i).
“Breach”
- any breach of, or any material inaccuracy in, any representation or warranty
or any breach of, or failure to perform or comply with, any covenant or material
obligation, in or of this Agreement, or any event which with the passing of
time
or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute such a breach, inaccuracy
or
failure hereunder.
“Bulk
Sales Laws” - Legal Requirements regulating any and all bulk sales.
“Business”
- the production and assembly of various plastic containers used for automobile
fluids such as anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid and oil products. Such
operations which are performed at Seller’s Springdale Facility (the “Springdale
Facility”), which facility is located on the Real Property.
“Business
Day” - any other day other than (a) Saturday or Sunday or (b) any other day on
which banks in the State of New York are permitted or required to be
closed.
“Buyer”
-
as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
“Buyer
Indemnified Persons” - as defined in Section 8.2.
“Closing”
- as defined in Section 2.6.
“Closing
Date” - the date on which the Closing actually takes place.
“Code”
-
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated
from time to time thereunder.
“Confidential
Information” - as defined in Section 9.1(a).
“Consent”
- any approval, consent, ratification, waiver or other
authorization.
“Contemplated
Transactions” - all of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
“Contract”
- any agreement, contract, Lease, consensual obligation, promise or undertaking
(whether written or oral and whether express or implied), related to the Assets
or the Business.
“Customer
Contract” - any Contract by and between Seller and any customer of Seller
existing as of the date of this Agreement, pursuant to which Seller has any
on-going rights, duties or obligations.
“Damages”
- as defined in Section 8.2.
“Effective
Time” - The time at which the Closing is consummated.
“Employee”
- each individual employed at the Springdale Facility by Seller solely in
relation to the operation of the Business to be hired by Buyer, a complete
list
of which individuals is set forth on Schedule 1.1(a).
“Encumbrance”
- any charge, claim, equitable interest, lien, option, pledge, security
interest, mortgage, right of way, easement, encroachment, servitude, right
of
first option, right of first refusal or similar restriction, including any
restriction on use, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other
attribute of ownership.
“Environment”
- soil, land surface or subsurface strata, surface waters (including navigable
waters and ocean waters), groundwaters, drinking water supply, stream sediments,
ambient air (including indoor air), plant and animal life and any other
environmental medium or natural resource.
“Environmental,
Health and Safety Liabilities” - any cost, damages, expense, liability,
obligation or other responsibility arising from or under any Environmental
Law
or Occupational Safety and Health Law, including those consisting of or relating
to:
(a) |
any
environmental, health or safety matter or condition (including on-site
or
off-site contamination, occupational safety and health and regulation
of
any chemical substance or product);
|
(b) |
any
fine, penalty, judgment, award, settlement, legal or administrative
proceeding, damages, loss, claim, demand or response, remedial or
inspection cost or expense arising under any Environmental Law or
Occupational Safety and Health Law;
|
(c) |
financial
responsibility under any Environmental Law or Occupational Safety
and
Health Law for cleanup costs or corrective action, including any
cleanup,
removal, containment or other remediation or response actions (“Cleanup”)
required by any Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health
Law
(whether or not such Cleanup has been required or requested by any
Governmental Body or any other Person) and for any natural resource
damages; or
|
(d) |
any
other compliance, corrective or remedial measure required under any
Environmental Law or Occupational Safety and Health
Law.
|
The
terms
“removal,” “remedial,” and “response action” include the types of activities
covered by the United States Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
“Environmental
Law” - any and all federal, state, local, provincial and foreign, civil and
criminal laws, statutes, ordinances, orders, codes, rules, regulations,
environmental permits, policies, judgments, decrees, injunctions, or agreements
with any Governmental Entity or Regulatory Authority, relating to the protection
of health and the Environment, worker health and safety, and/or governing the
handling, use, generation, treatment, storage, transportation, disposal,
manufacture, distribution, formulation, packaging, labeling, or release of
Hazardous Substance, including, but not limited to: the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.
§7401 et seq.;
the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq.;
the
Federal Water Pollution Xxxxxxx Xxx, 00 X.X.X. §0000 et seq.;
the
Hazardous Material Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxx, 00 X.X.X. §0000 et seq.;
the
Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxx, 0 X.X.X. §000 et seq.;
the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 0000 (“XXXX”), 00 X.X.X. §0000
et seq.;
the
Toxic Substances Xxxxxxx Xxx, 00 X.X.X. §0000 et seq.;
the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 29 U.S.C. §651 et seq.;
the
Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. §2701 et seq.;
and
any state analogies of any of the foregoing.
“Excess
Resins” - as defined in Section 2.8.
“Excluded
Assets” - as defined in Section 2.2.
“GAAP”
-
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States consistently
applied, as in effect as of the date of this Agreement.
“Governing
Documents” - with respect to any particular entity, (a) if a corporation, the
articles or certificate of incorporation and the bylaws; (b) if a limited
liability company, the articles of organization and operating agreement; (c)
if
another type of Person, any other charter or similar document adopted or filed
in connection with the creation, formation or organization of the Person; (d)
any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing.
“Governmental
Authorization” - any Consent, license, registration or permit issued, granted,
given or otherwise made available by or under the authority of any Governmental
Body or pursuant to any Legal Requirement.
“Governmental
Body” - any:
(a) |
nation,
state, county, city, town, borough, village, district or other
jurisdiction;
|
(b) |
federal,
state, local, municipal, or other
government;
|
(c) |
governmental
or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any agency,
branch, department, board, commission, court, tribunal or other entity
exercising governmental or quasi-governmental powers);
or
|
(d) |
body
exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive,
judicial, legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or
power.
|
“Ground
Lease” - that certain Ground Lease Agreement, dated as of March 24, 1990, by and
between The Lane Construction Corp. as successor-in-interest to Waterside
Properties, Inc. and Springdale Specialty Plastics, Inc. (predecessor to Seller
in title to the Real Property).
“Hazardous
Substance” - petroleum, petroleum hydrocarbons or petroleum products, petroleum
by-products, radioactive materials, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials,
gasoline, diesel fuel, pesticides, radon, urea formaldehyde, lead or
lead-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, and any other chemicals,
materials, substances or wastes, in any amount or concentration, which are
now
or hereafter defined or regulated as “hazardous substances”, “hazardous
materials”, “hazardous wastes”, “extremely hazardous wastes”, “restricted
hazardous wastes”, “toxic substances”, “toxic pollutants”, “pollutants”,
“regulated substances”, “solid wastes” or “contaminants” under any Environmental
Law.
“Improvements”
- all buildings, structures, fixtures and improvements located on the Real
Property, including those under construction.
“Indemnified
Person” - as defined in Section 8.7(a).
“Indemnifying
Person” - as defined in Section 8.7(a).
“IRS”
-
the United States Internal Revenue Service and, to the extent relevant, the
United States Department of the Treasury.
“Knowledge”
- an individual will be deemed to have Knowledge of a particular fact or other
matter if that individual is actually aware of that fact or matter. With respect
to the parties hereto, “Knowledge” thereof will be limited to the Knowledge of
management of each such party.
“Lease”
-
any lease or rental agreement, license, right to use or installment and
conditional sale agreement relating directly to the Business or the
Assets.
“Legal
Requirement” - any federal, state, local or municipal law, ordinance, principle
of common law, code, regulation or statute.
“Liability”
- with respect to any Person, any liability or obligation of such Person of
any
kind, character or description, whether known or unknown, absolute or
contingent, accrued or unaccrued, disputed or undisputed, liquidated or
unliquidated, secured or unsecured, joint or several, due or to become due,
vested or unvested, executory, determined, determinable or otherwise, and
whether or not the same is required to be accrued on the financial statements
of
such Person.
“New
Union Contract” - that certain agreement entered into by and between Buyer and
IUE-CWA, Industrial Division of the Communication Workers of America (CWA)
AFL-CIO-CLC, Local 88643, contingent upon the occurrence of the
Closing.
“Note”
-
as defined in Section 2.3.
“Occupational
Safety and Health Law” - any Legal Requirement designed to provide safe and
healthful working conditions and to reduce occupational safety and health
hazards, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act, and any program,
whether governmental or private (such as those promulgated or sponsored by
industry associations and insurance companies), designed to provide safe and
healthful working conditions.
“Order”
-
any order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling, assessment or arbitration
award
of any Governmental Body or arbitrator.
“Permitted
Encumbrances” - those exceptions set forth in the Title Insurance Commitment, a
true and complete copy of which exceptions are set forth on Schedule
1.1(b).
“Person”
- an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust, limited liability
company, limited liability partnership, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity or a Governmental
Body.
“Proceeding”
- any action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation or suit
(whether civil, criminal, administrative, judicial or investigative, whether
public or private) commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or
otherwise involving, any Governmental Body or arbitrator having jurisdiction
over the parties hereto.
“Purchase
Price” - as defined in Section 2.3.
“Real
Property” - as described in Section 3.2, including Improvements and all
Appurtenances thereto.
“Record”
- information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an
electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
“Release”
-any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, dumping, emptying,
injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration on
or
into the Environment or into or out of any property.
“Remedial
Action” - all actions, including any capital expenditures, required (a) to clean
up, remove, treat or in any other way address any Hazardous Substance; (b)
to
prevent the Release or Threat of Release or to minimize the further Release
of
any Hazardous Substance so it does not migrate or endanger or threaten to
endanger public health or welfare or the Environment; or (c) to perform
pre-remedial studies and investigations or post-remedial monitoring and care;
and (d) to bring the Real Property and the operations conducted thereon into
compliance with Environmental Laws and environmental Governmental
Authorizations.
“Representative”
- with respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, manager, agent,
consultant, advisor, accountant, financial advisor, legal counsel or other
individual duly appointed thereby as a representative of such
Person.
“Resins”
- 400,000 pounds of resins currently stored in a silo on the Real
Property.
“Retained
Liabilities” - as defined in Section 2.4.
“Seller”
- as defined in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
“Springdale
Facility” - as defined in the definition of “Business” herein.
“Subsidiary”
- with respect to any Person (the “Owner”), any corporation or other Person of
which securities or other interests having the power to elect a majority of
that
corporation’s or other Person’s board of directors or similar governing body, or
otherwise having the power to direct the business and policies of that
corporation or other Person (other than securities or other interests having
such power only upon the happening of a contingency that has not occurred),
are
held by the Owner or one or more of its Subsidiaries.
“Supply
Agreement” - the supply agreement dated prior to or of even date herewith by and
among Seller, Buyer and Fortco Plastics, a form of which is attached hereto
as
Schedule 1.1(c).
“Tangible
Personal Property” - all items of personal property listed on Schedule 1.1(d),
together with any express or implied warranty by the manufacturers or sellers
or
lessors of any such item or component part thereof and all maintenance records
and other documents relating thereto.
“Tax”
-
any income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance,
stamp, occupation, premium, property, environmental, windfall profit, customs,
vehicle, airplane, boat, vessel or other title or registration, capital stock,
franchise, employees’ income withholding, foreign or domestic withholding,
social security, unemployment, disability, real property, personal property,
sales, use, transfer, value added, alternative, add-on minimum and other tax,
fee, assessment, levy, tariff, charge or duty of any kind whatsoever and any
interest, penalty, addition or additional amount thereon imposed, assessed
or
collected by or under the authority of any Governmental Body or payable under
any tax-sharing agreement or any other Contract.
“Third
Party” - a Person that is not a party to this Agreement, and is not an Affiliate
of a party to this Agreement.
“Third-Party
Claim” - any claim against any Indemnified Person by a Third Party, whether or
not involving a Proceeding.
“Threat
of Release” - a reasonable likelihood of a Release that may require action in
order to prevent or mitigate damage to the Environment that may result from
such
Release.
“Title
Insurance Commitment” - that certain title insurance commitment issued by
Xxxxxxx Title Guaranty Company dated March 24, 2006, title commitment number
AC-06-135, issued in the name of Buyer.
“WARN
Act” - the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
1.2. Usage.
(a) |
Interpretation.
In this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention
appears:
|
(i) |
the
singular number includes the plural number and vice
versa;
|
(ii) |
reference
to any Person includes such Person’s successors and assigns but, if
applicable, only if such successors and assigns are not prohibited
by this
Agreement, and reference to a Person in a particular capacity excludes
such Person in any other capacity or
individually;
|
(iii) |
reference
to any gender includes each other
gender;
|
(iv) |
reference
to any agreement, document or instrument means such agreement, document
or
instrument as amended or modified and in effect from time to time
in
accordance with the terms thereof;
|
(v) |
reference
to any Legal Requirement means such Legal Requirement as amended,
modified, codified, replaced or reenacted, in whole or in part, and
in
effect from time to time, including rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, and reference to any section or other provision of any
Legal
Requirement means that provision of such Legal Requirement from time
to
time in effect and constituting the substantive amendment, modification,
codification, replacement or reenactment of such section or other
provision;
|
(vi) |
“hereunder,”
“hereof,” “hereto,” and words of similar import shall be deemed references
to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section
or
other provision hereof;
|
(vii) |
“including”
(and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting
the generality of any description preceding such
term;
|
(viii) |
“or”
is used in the inclusive sense of
“and/or”;
|
(ix) |
with
respect to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and
including” and “to” means “to but excluding”;
and
|
(x) |
references
to documents, instruments or agreements shall be deemed to refer
as well
to all addenda, exhibits, schedules or amendments
thereto.
|
(b) |
Accounting
Terms and Determinations. Unless otherwise specified herein, all
accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted and all accounting
determinations hereunder shall be made in accordance with
GAAP.
|
(c) |
Legal
Representation of the Parties. This Agreement was negotiated by the
parties with the benefit of legal representation, and any rule of
construction or interpretation otherwise requiring this Agreement
to be
construed or interpreted against any party shall not apply to any
construction or interpretation
hereof.
|
2. |
SALE
AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS; CLOSING
|
2.1. Assets
to
be Sold
Upon
the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing
and effective as of the Effective Time, Seller shall sell, convey, assign,
transfer and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from Seller,
free and clear of any Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances, all
of
Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the property and assets, real,
personal or mixed, tangible and intangible, of every kind and description,
of
Seller and which relate solely to the Business, including the design,
manufacture and sale of the products constituting a part of the Business,
including the following (but excluding the Excluded Assets):
(a) |
the
Real Property;
|
(b) |
the
Ground Lease;
|
(c) |
all
Tangible Personal Property;
|
(d) |
all
Resins;
|
(e) |
with
respect to the Assets, all service and warranty Records, equipment
logs,
and operating guides and manuals;
and
|
(f) |
all
Records, client and customer lists, referral sources, and telephone,
telecopy and e-mail addresses and listings directly related to any
Customer Contract.
|
All
of
the property and assets to be transferred to Buyer hereunder are herein referred
to collectively as the “Assets.”
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the transfer of the Assets pursuant to this Agreement shall
not
include the assumption of any Liability related to the Assets arising prior
to
the Closing.
2.2. Excluded
Assets.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.1 or elsewhere in this
Agreement, the following assets of Seller and IEA (collectively, the “Excluded
Assets”) are not part of the sale and purchase contemplated hereunder, are
excluded from the Assets and shall remain the property of Seller and IEA after
the Closing:
(a) |
all
cash, cash equivalents and
investments;
|
(b) |
all
minute books, equity and tax Records and corporate/company
seals;
|
(c) |
the
shares of capital stock or other equity of Seller or IEA held in
treasury;
|
(d) |
those
rights relating to deposits and prepaid expenses and claims for refunds
and rights to offset in respect
thereof;
|
(e) |
all
insurance policies and rights
thereunder;
|
(f) |
all
personnel Records and other Records that Seller is required by law
to
retain in its possession;
|
(g) |
all
claims for refund of Taxes and other governmental charges of whatever
nature;
|
(h) |
all
rights in connection with and assets of the Employee
plans;
|
(i) |
all
rights of Seller and IEA under this Agreement, the Xxxx of Sale,
the
Supply Agreement, and any other agreement or contract not expressly
assigned to Buyer pursuant hereto;
|
(j) |
all
rights of Seller and IEA under all contracts not being assumed by
Buyer
pursuant hereto;
|
(k) |
all
claims arising prior to Closing with respect to the Business and
the
Assets;
|
(l) |
the
property and assets expressly designated in Schedule 2.2(j);
|
(m) |
all
Accounts Receivable; and
|
(n) |
all
and any other tangible and intangible assets and Records of Seller
and IEA
which do not constitute a part of the
Business.
|
2.3. Consideration.
The
consideration for the Assets will be Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($2,500,000) (the “Purchase Price”), subject to adjustment for payment for the
Excess Resins pursuant to Section 2.8, and subject to adjustment for payment
of
Taxes pursuant to Section 7.1(a). In accordance with Section 2.7(b), at the
Closing, the Purchase Price shall be delivered by Buyer to Seller as follows:
(a) Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), subject to adjustments pursuant to
Sections 2.8 and 7.1(a), by wire transfer, and (b) a note in the principal
amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000), payable in ten (10)
quarterly installments of $50,000, together
with interest on the unpaid principal balance equal to six percent (6.00%)
per
annum, accruing from May 12, 2006,
such
payments to commence on April 1, 2007 (the “Note”).
2.4. Liabilities.
All
liabilities of Seller shall remain the sole responsibility of Seller except
any
liability with respect to the WARN Act (the “Retained
Liabilities”).
2.5. Allocation.
The
Purchase Price shall be allocated as mutually agreed upon by Buyer and Seller
within 90 days after Closing. After the Closing, the parties shall make
consistent use of the allocation and fair market value as mutually agreed for
all Tax purposes and in all filings, declarations and reports with the IRS
in
respect thereof, including the reports required to be filed under Section 1060
of the Code. Buyer shall prepare and deliver IRS Form 8594 to Seller within
90
days after the Closing Date to be filed with the IRS. In any Proceeding related
to the determination of any Tax, neither Buyer nor Seller shall contend or
represent that such allocation is not a correct allocation.
2.6. Closing.
The
purchase and sale provided for in this Agreement (the “Closing”) will occur
simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by all parties
hereto, unless the parties hereto otherwise agree.
2.7. Closing
Obligations.
In
addition to any other documents to be delivered under other provisions of this
Agreement, at the Closing:
(a) |
Seller
shall deliver to Buyer:
|
(i) |
a
xxxx of sale for all of the Assets that are Tangible Personal Property
in
the form of Schedule 2.7(a)(i) (the “Xxxx of Sale”) executed by
Seller;
|
(ii) |
for
the interest in the Real Property, a recordable warranty deed in
form and
substance satisfactory to Buyer and its counsel and executed by
Seller;
|
(iii) |
an
assignment of the Ground Lease in form and substance satisfactory
to Buyer
and its legal counsel and executed by
Seller;
|
(iv) |
an
estoppel certificate from the landlord under the Ground Lease in
form and
substance substantially similar to the estoppel certificate attached
hereto as Schedule 2.7(a)(iv);
|
(v) |
such
other general warranty deed, Seller’s affidavit, bills of sale,
assignments, certificates of title, documents and other instruments
of
transfer and conveyance as reasonably required by the title company
issuing the Title Insurance Commitment and requested by Buyer prior
to the
Closing, each in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer and its
legal
counsel and executed by Seller;
|
(vi) |
certificates,
executed by Seller and IEA, as to the accuracy of their representations
and warranties as of the Closing Date and as to their compliance
with and
performance of their covenants and obligations to be performed or
complied
with at or before the Closing Date;
|
(vii) |
certificates
of authorized officers of Seller and IEA, certifying to the incumbency
and
signatures of the officers of Seller and IEA executing this Agreement
and
any other document relating to the Contemplated Transactions;
|
(viii) |
the
Supply Agreement, duly executed by
Seller;
|
(ix) |
releases
of all Encumbrances on the Assets, including releases of each mortgage
of
record and reconveyances of each deed of trust with respect to the Real
Property other than the Permitted
Encumbrances;
|
(x) |
certificates,
dated as of a date not earlier than the third Business Day prior
to the
Closing, as to the good standing of Seller and IEA, executed by the
appropriate officials of the state of organization and incorporation,
respectively, of Seller and IEA.
|
(b) |
Buyer
shall deliver to Seller:
|
(i) |
Two
Million Dollars ($2,000,000), subject to adjustments pursuant to
Sections
2.8 and 7.1(a), by wire transfer to an account specified by Seller
in a
writing delivered to Buyer and Fortco Plastics (such writing to be
delivered prior to Closing);
|
(ii) |
the
Note, duly executed by Buyer and Fortco
Plastics;
|
(iii) |
the
Supply Agreement, duly executed by Buyer and Fortco Plastics;
and
|
(iv) |
certificates
of authorized officers of Buyer and Fortco Plastics certifying to
the
incumbency and signatures of the officers of Buyer and Fortco Plastics
executing this Agreement, the Note and any other document relating
to the
Contemplated Transactions.
|
2.8. Resins.
If at Closing there is more than 400,000 pounds of Resins stored on the Real
Property, Buyer agrees to purchase at Closing all Resins in excess of 400,000
pounds (the “Excess Resins”) for an amount equal to $0.62 per pound. The amount
of Excess Resins shall be determined by Buyer and Seller on the Closing Date,
and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted accordingly at Closing to reflect
the
cost of the Excess Resins under this Section 2.8.
3. |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
|
Seller
and IEA represent and warrant, jointly and severally, to Buyer as
follows:
3.1. Enforceability;
Authority; No Conflict.
(a) |
This
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
Seller
and IEA, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its
terms.
Seller and IEA each has the requisite power and authority to execute
and
deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder,
and such
action has been duly authorized by all necessary action by Seller’s and
IEA’s shareholders, board of directors, members and/or managers, as
applicable.
|
(b) |
Upon
the execution and delivery by Seller of the Supply Agreement and
each
other agreement to be executed or delivered by Seller at the Closing
(collectively, “Seller’s Closing Documents”), each of Seller’s Closing
Documents will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation
of
Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms.
Seller
has the requisite power and authority to execute and deliver Seller’s
Closing Documents and to perform its obligations thereunder, and
such
action has been duly authorized by all necessary action by Seller’s
members and/or managers.
|
(c) |
The
execution, delivery and performance by Seller and IEA of this Agreement,
the Supply Agreement and Seller’s Closing Documents, as applicable, and
the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions do not and will
not,
directly or indirectly:
|
(i) |
violate
or conflict with any provision of the Governing Documents of Seller
or
IEA;
|
(ii) |
violate,
conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with or without
notice
or lapse of time or both) a default under, give rise to a right of
termination, amendment or cancellation of, accelerate the performance
required by, or result in any payment under, the Ground
Lease;
|
(iii) |
Breach
or give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge
any
of the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain
any
relief under any Legal Requirement or any Order to which any of the
Assets
may be subject; or
|
(iv) |
cause
Buyer to become subject to, or to become liable for the payment of,
any
Tax other than the Taxes for which Buyer is liable pursuant to Section
7.1.
|
(d) |
Other
than the Consent of the landlord under the Ground Lease, Seller is
not
required to give any notice to or obtain any Consent from any Person
in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
|
3.2. Description
of Real Property. Schedule 3.2 contains a correct legal description and tax
parcel identification number of the tract of land to be transferred hereunder
(the “Real Property”).
3.3. Title
to
Assets; Encumbrances.
(a) |
Seller
owns good and marketable fee simple title in the Real Property, free
and
clear of any Encumbrances, other
than:
|
(i) |
liens
for Taxes for the current year which are not yet due and payable;
|
(ii) |
the
Permitted Encumbrances; and
|
(iii) |
certain
liens, mortgages or other financial security documents which shall
be
removed prior to Closing.
|
(b) |
Seller
owns good and transferable title to all of the other Assets. Seller
warrants to Buyer that, at the time of Closing, all of the other
Assets
shall be free and clear of all
Encumbrances.
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3.4. Condition
of Assets. Use of the Real Property for the various purposes for which it is
presently being used in connection with the operation of the Business is
permitted as of right under all applicable zoning legal requirements and is
not
subject to “permitted nonconforming” use or structure classifications. All
Improvements are in material compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements,
including those pertaining to zoning, building and the disabled. No part of
any
Improvement encroaches on any real property not included in the Real Property,
and, to Seller’s Knowledge, there are no buildings, structures, fixtures or
other Improvements primarily situated on adjoining property which encroach
on
any part of the Real Property. The Real Property has access to a public road
via
a permanent, irrevocable, appurtenant easement benefiting the Real Property
and
comprising a part of the Real Property, is supplied with public or quasi-public
utilities and other services appropriate for the operation of the Improvements
located thereon and is not located within any flood plain or area subject to
wetlands regulation or any similar restriction. To Seller’s Knowledge, there is
no existing or proposed plan of any Governmental Body to modify or realign
any
street or highway, or any existing or proposed eminent domain proceeding that
would result in the taking of all or any part of the Real Property or
Improvements or that would prevent or hinder the continued use of the Real
Property, Improvements or any of the Assets heretofore used in the conduct
of
the Business.
3.5. Resins.
The Resins and Excess Resins, if any, are of a quality usable and saleable,
in
the ordinary course of the Business, as conducted by Seller in operating the
Business.
3.6. Bulk
Sales. The purchase and sale of the Assets pursuant to this agreement does
not
amount to the sale or transfer in
bulk of fifty-one per centum (51%) or more of any one of the following
categories of assets owned by Seller and located in the State of Pennsylvania:
stock of goods, wares, or merchandise of any kind, fixtures, machinery,
equipment, buildings, or real estate.
3.7. Legal
Proceedings; Orders.
(a) |
There
is no pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened
Proceeding:
|
(i) |
by
or against Seller that relates to or may affect the Assets;
or
|
(ii) |
that
challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying,
making
illegal or otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
|
To
the
Knowledge of Seller, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that is
reasonably likely to give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement
of
any such Proceeding. There are no Proceedings that could reasonably be deemed
to
have a material adverse effect upon the Assets.
(b) |
There
is no Order to which any of the Assets is
subject.
|
3.8. Environmental
Matters.
(a) |
Use
of the Real Property and the Assets by the Seller has been in full
compliance with, and is not in violation of, any Environmental Law.
Seller
has no basis to expect, nor has Seller or any other Person for whose
conduct Seller may be held to be responsible received, any actual
or
threatened order, notice or other communication from (i) any Governmental
Body or private citizen acting in the public interest or (ii) any
prior
owner or operator of the Business and the Assets, of any actual or
potential violation or failure to comply with any Environmental Law,
or of
any actual or threatened obligation to undertake or bear the cost
of any
Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with respect to the
Business
and the Assets.
|
(b) |
There
are no pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened claims,
Encumbrances, or other restrictions of any nature resulting from
any
Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities or arising under or
pursuant
to any Environmental Law with respect to or affecting the Business
and the
Assets as presently operated.
|
(c) |
Seller
has no Knowledge of, nor has Seller received, any citation, directive,
inquiry, notice, Order, summons, warning or other communication that
relates to Hazardous Substances, or any alleged, actual, or potential
violation or failure to comply with any Environmental Law, or of
any
alleged, actual, or potential obligation to undertake or bear the
cost of
any Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with respect to
the
Business and the Assets.
|
(d) |
Seller
does not have any Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities with
respect to the Business and the Assets or, to the Knowledge of Seller,
with respect to any other property or asset at any property geologically
or hydrologically adjoining the Real
Property.
|
(e) |
There
are no Hazardous Substances present on or in the Environment at the
Real
Property or, to the Knowledge of Seller, at any geologically or
hydrologically adjoining property, including any Hazardous Substances
contained in barrels, aboveground or underground storage tanks, landfills,
land deposits, dumps, equipment (whether movable or fixed) or other
containers, either temporary or permanent, and deposited or located
in
land, water, sumps, or any other part of the Real Property or such
adjoining property, or incorporated into any structure therein or
thereon.
Neither Seller nor any Person for whose conduct Seller is or may
be held
responsible, or to the Knowledge of Seller, any other Person, has
permitted or conducted, or is aware of, any activity involving Hazardous
Substances conducted with respect to the Business or the Assets except
in
full compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws.
|
3.9. Employees.
(a) |
Schedule
1.1(a) contains a complete and accurate list of the following information
for each Employee, including each employee on leave of absence or
layoff
status: name; job title; date of hiring or engagement; and date of
commencement of employment or
engagement.
|
(b) |
To
the Knowledge of Seller, no Employee is bound by any Contract that
purports to limit the ability of such Employee (i) to engage in or
continue or perform any conduct, activity, duties or practice relating
to
the Business or (ii) to assign to Seller or to any other Person any
rights
to any invention, improvement, or discovery which constitutes a work
for
hire for Seller. No former or current Employee is a party to, or
is
otherwise bound by, any Contract that in any way adversely affected,
affects, or will affect the ability of Seller or Buyer to conduct
the
Business as heretofore carried on by
Seller.
|
(c) |
Seller
hereby agrees that Seller shall be responsible for compensating each
Employee for all vacation time and sick leave accrued by each such
Employee while employed by Seller. Prior to Closing, Seller
shall pay to the Employees all amounts due and payable for the accrued
vacation time and sick leave discussed in this Section 3.9(c).
|
3.10. Labor
Disputes; Compliance.
(a) |
Seller
has complied in all respects with all Legal Requirements relating
to
employment practices, terms and conditions of employment, equal employment
opportunity, nondiscrimination, immigration, wages, hours, benefits,
collective bargaining, the payment of social security and similar
Taxes
and occupational safety and health. Seller is not liable for the
payment
of any Taxes, fines, penalties, or other amounts, however designated,
for
failure to comply with any of the Legal Requirements discussed in
this
Section 3.10(a).
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(b) |
Seller
has been a party to a collective bargaining agreement dated November
11,
2002, as extended in writing by the parties thereto on October 19,
2005. There
has not been, there is not presently pending or existing, and to
Seller’s
Knowledge there is not threatened, any strike, slowdown, picketing,
work
stoppage or employee grievance process involving Employees. To Seller’s
Knowledge no event has occurred or circumstance exists that could
provide
the basis for any work stoppage or other labor dispute. There
is not pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened against or affecting
Seller any Proceeding relating to the alleged violation of any Legal
Requirement pertaining to labor relations or employment matters,
including
any charge or complaint filed with the National Labor Relations Board
or
any comparable Governmental Body, and there is no organizational
activity
or other labor dispute against or affecting the Business. No grievance
or
arbitration Proceeding exists that might have an adverse effect upon
Seller or the conduct of the Business. There is no lockout of any
Employees by Seller, and no such action is contemplated by Seller.
To
Seller’s Knowledge there has been no charge of discrimination filed
against or threatened against Seller with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission or similar Governmental Body.
|
3.11. Compliance
with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Export Control and Antiboycott
Laws.
(a) |
Neither
Seller nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, its Representatives have,
to
obtain or retain business, directly or indirectly offered, paid or
promised to pay, or authorized the payment of, any money or other
thing of
value (including any fee, gift, sample, travel expense or entertainment
with a value in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in the aggregate
to any one individual in any year) or any excessive commission payment,
to:
|
(i) |
any
person who is an official, officer, agent, employee or representative
of
any Governmental Body or of any existing or prospective customer
(whether
government owned or nongovernment
owned);
|
(ii) |
any
political party or official
thereof;
|
(iii) |
any
candidate for political or political party office;
or
|
(iv) |
any
other individual or entity;
|
while
knowing or having reason to believe that all or any portion of such money or
thing of value would be offered, given, or promised, directly or indirectly,
to
any such official, officer, agent, employee, representative, political party,
political party official, candidate, individual, or any entity affiliated with
such customer, political party or official or political office.
(b) |
Seller
has made all payments to Third Parties by check mailed to such Third
Parties’ principal place of business or by wire transfer to a bank located
in the same jurisdiction as such party’s principal place of
business.
|
(c) |
Each
transaction is properly and accurately recorded on the books and
Records
of Seller, and each document upon which entries in Seller’s books and
Records are based is complete and accurate in all respects. Seller
maintains a system of internal accounting controls adequate to insure
that
Seller maintains no off-the-books accounts and that the Assets are
used
only in accordance with Seller’s management
directives.
|
(d) |
Seller
has at all times been in compliance with all Legal Requirements relating
to export control and trade embargoes. To Seller’s knowledge, no product
sold or service provided by Seller relating to the Business during
the
last five (5) years has been, directly or indirectly, sold to or
performed
on behalf of Cuba, Iran, or Libya.
|
(e) |
Seller
has not violated the antiboycott prohibitions contained in 50 U.S.C.
§ 2401 et
seq.
or
taken any action that can be penalized under Section 999 of the Code.
During the last five (5) years, Seller has not been a party to, is
not a
beneficiary under and has not performed any service or sold any product
under any Seller Contract under which a product has been sold to
customers
in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Quatar, Saudi Arabia,
Sudan, Syria, United Arab Emirates or the Republic of Yemen.
|
3.12. Brokers
or Finders. Neither Seller nor any of its Representatives have incurred any
obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders’ fees
or agents’ commissions or other similar payments in connection with the sale of
the Assets or the Contemplated Transactions.
3.13. No
Litigation. There is currently no litigation, bankruptcy or other proceeding
that may have a material adverse effect on the Business or the Assets. Further,
there is no pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened condemnation of the
Real Property or any part thereof.
3.14. No
Violation of Laws. There are no violations of any federal, state or local law,
code, ordinance, rules, regulations or requirement affecting the Assets,
including, without limitation, Environmental Laws of the United States or the
State of Pennsylvania. Further, to Seller’s Knowledge, there are no unrecorded
restrictions, contracts or other documents, which could, in any manner, have
a
material adverse effect on the Business or the Assets.
3.15. All
Required Action Taken. All action required pursuant to this Agreement and
necessary to effectuate the Contemplated Transactions has been or will be taken
by Seller on or prior to Closing.
3.16. Section
1445(a) Non-Foreign Person. Seller is not a foreign person for purposes of
and
is not subject to withholding under Internal Revenue Code Section
1445(a).
3.17. Leases.
There are no leases or occupancy agreements affecting all or any portion of
the
Real Property. Seller is entitled to all rights of the tenant as described
in
the Ground Lease.
3.18. Prohibitions.
To Seller’s Knowledge, there are no ordinances in effect or unrecorded
restrictions, contracts or other documents which could materially and adversely
affect or prohibit the use of the Assets for the current uses
thereof.
4. |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER Buyer and Fortco Plastics represent and warrant
to
Seller as follows:
|
4.1. Organization
and Good Standing. Buyer is a limited liability company duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Missouri, with
full
corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now conducted.
Fortco Plastics, Inc. is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
and
in good standing under the laws of the State of Indiana, with full corporate
power and authority to conduct its business as it is now conducted.
4.2. Authority;
No Conflict.
(a) |
This
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
Buyer and
Fortco Plastics, enforceable against each of them in accordance with
its
terms. Buyer and Fortco Plastics each has the requisite power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder, and such action has been duly authorized by
all
necessary action by Buyer’s and Fortco Plastics’ members, managers,
shareholders and board of directors, as
applicable.
|
(b) |
Upon
the execution and delivery by Buyer and Fortco Plastics of the Supply
Agreement and each other agreement to be executed or delivered by
Buyer
and/or Fortco Plastics at Closing (collectively, “Buyer’s Closing
Documents”), each of Buyer’s Closing Documents will constitute the legal,
valid and binding obligation of Buyer and Fortco Plastics, as applicable,
enforceable against Buyer and/or Fortco Plastics in accordance with
its
terms. Buyer and Fortco Plastics have the absolute and unrestricted
right,
power and authority to execute and deliver Buyer’s Closing Documents, as
applicable, and to perform their obligations under Buyer’s Closing
Documents, as applicable, and such action has been duly authorized
by all
necessary corporate action.
|
(c) |
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and Fortco
Plastics
nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions by Buyer and Fortco Plastics will give any Person the
right
to prevent, delay or otherwise interfere with any of the Contemplated
Transactions pursuant to:
|
(i) |
any
provision of Buyer’s or Fortco Plastics’ Governing
Documents;
|
(ii) |
any
resolution adopted by the members, managers, board of directors or
the
shareholders of Buyer or Fortco
Plastics;
|
(iii) |
any
Legal Requirement or Order to which Buyer or Fortco Plastics may
be
subject; or
|
(iv) |
any
Contract to which either Buyer or Fortco Plastics is a party or by
which
Buyer or Fortco Plastics may be
bound.
|
Neither
Buyer nor Fortco Plastics is and will not be required to obtain any
Consent from any Person in connection with the execution and delivery
of
this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the
Contemplated Transactions.
|
4.3. Certain
Proceedings. There is no pending Proceeding that has been commenced against
either Buyer and that challenges, or may have the effect of preventing,
delaying, making illegal or otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions. To Buyer’s Knowledge, no such Proceeding has been
threatened.
4.4. Brokers
or Finders. Neither Buyer nor any of its Representatives have incurred any
obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders’ fees
or agents’ commissions or other similar payment in connection with the
Contemplated Transactions.
5. CONDITION
PRECEDENT TO BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE Buyer’s obligation to purchase the
Assets and to take the other actions required to be taken by Buyer at the
Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of the
following condition (which may be waived by Buyer, in whole or in
part):
5.1. Title
Insurance. Buyer shall have received a binding commitment to issue a policy
of
title insurance on the Real Property in the name of Buyer, dated the Closing
Date, in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of the Purchase Price allocated
to the Real Property, deleting all requirements listed in ALTA Schedule B-1,
amending the effective date to the date and time of recordation of the deed
transferring title to the Real Property to Buyer with no exception for the
gap
between closing and recordation, deleting or insuring over title objections,
attaching all endorsements required by Buyer in order to ensure provision of
all
coverage required by Buyer and otherwise in form satisfactory to Buyer insuring
Buyer’s interest in the Real Property.
6. |
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO SELLER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE Seller’s obligation to sell the
Assets and to take the other actions required to be taken by Seller
at the
Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing,
of
each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by Seller
in
whole or in part):
|
6.1. Employees.
Buyer shall have hired each of the Employees.
6.2. No
Injunction. There shall not be in effect any Legal Requirement or any injunction
or other Order that (a) prohibits the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions, and (b) has been adopted or issued, or has otherwise become
effective.
7. |
ADDITIONAL
COVENANTS
|
7.1. Payment
of All Taxes.
(a)
|
Seller
shall be responsible for paying all Taxes arising under the Assets
during
that portion of calendar year 2006 prior to the Closing. Buyer shall
be
responsible for paying all Taxes arising under the Assets for that
portion
of calendar year 2006 on and after the Closing. To the extent that
Seller
or Buyer has paid, or will pay, any Taxes arising under the Assets
during
calendar year 2006 for which such party is not responsible under
this
Section 7.1(a), the Purchase Price shall be adjusted accordingly
at
Closing to reimburse such party for the amount of such Taxes
paid.
|
(b)
|
Buyer
and Seller shall each pay in a timely manner one half (1/2) of all
transfer, documentary and conveyance stamps or Taxes resulting from
or
payable in connection with the sale of the Assets pursuant to this
Agreement, regardless of the Person on whom such stamps or Taxes
are
imposed by Legal Requirements.
|
7.2. Removing
Excluded Assets. On or before the Closing Date, Seller shall remove all Excluded
Assets from the Real Property and Improvements to be occupied by Buyer. Such
removal shall be done in such manner as to avoid any material damage and any
disruption of the business operations to be conducted by Buyer after the
Closing. Any material damage resulting from such removal shall be paid by
Seller. Should Seller fail to remove the Excluded Assets as required by this
Section, Buyer shall have the right, but not the obligation, (a) to remove
the
Excluded Assets at Seller’s sole cost and expense, (b) to store the Excluded
Assets and to charge Seller all storage costs associated therewith, (c) to
treat
the Excluded Assets as unclaimed and to proceed to dispose of the same under
the
laws governing unclaimed property or (d) to exercise any other right or remedy
conferred by this Agreement or otherwise available at law or in equity. Seller
shall promptly reimburse Buyer for all costs and expenses incurred by Buyer
in
connection with any Excluded Assets not removed by Seller on or before the
Closing Date.
7.3. Noncompetition,
Nonsolicitation and Nondisparagement - Seller and IEA.
(a) |
Noncompetition.
From the Closing and through October 2009, Seller and IEA shall not,
anywhere in North America, directly or indirectly invest in, own,
manage,
operate, finance, control, advise, render services to or guarantee
the
obligations of any Person engaged in or planning to become engaged
in
conduct similar to the Business (“Buyer Competing Business”), provided,
however, that Seller and IEA may purchase or otherwise acquire up
to (but
not more than) five percent (5%) of any class of the securities of
any
Person engaged in a Buyer Competing Business (but may not otherwise
participate in the activities of such Person) if such securities
are
listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been
registered under Section 12(g) of the Security Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended.
|
(b) |
Nonsolicitation.
From the Closing and through October 2009, Seller and IEA shall not,
directly or indirectly:
|
(i) |
solicit
the business of any Person who is a customer of Buyer, for the purpose
of
providing goods or services which are similar to those provided by
Buyer
immediately after Closing;
|
(ii) |
except
as provided in the Supply Agreement, cause, induce or attempt to
cause or
induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee, employee,
consultant or other business relation of Buyer to cease doing business
with Buyer, to deal with any competitor of Buyer or in any way adversely
interfere with its relationship with Buyer, provided that Buyer is
in
material compliance with Buyer’s obligations under the Supply
Agreement;
|
(iii) |
except
as provided in the Supply Agreement, cause, induce or attempt to
cause or
induce any customer, supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee, employee,
consultant or other business relation of Seller, on the Closing Date
or
within the year preceding the Closing Date, to cease doing business
with
Buyer, to deal with any competitor of Buyer, or to interfere with
its
relationship with Buyer in any way, provided that Buyer is in material
compliance with Buyer’s obligations under the Supply Agreement;
or
|
(iv) |
hire,
retain or attempt to hire or retain any employee of Buyer or in any
way
interfere with the relationship between Buyer and any of their employees
or independent contractors.
|
(c) |
Nondisparagement.
After the Closing Date, Seller will not disparage Buyer or any of
Buyer’s
shareholders, directors, members, managers, officers or employees,
except
as may be required in any dispute with respect to an
Employee.
|
(d) |
Modification
of Covenant. If a final judgment of a court or tribunal of competent
jurisdiction determines that any term or provision contained in Section
7.3(a) through (c) is invalid or unenforceable, then the parties
agree
that the court or tribunal will have the power to reduce the scope,
duration or geographic area of the term or provision, to delete specific
words or phrases or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term
or
provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable
and that
comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable
term or provision. This Section 7.3 will be enforceable as so modified
after the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be
appealed. This Section 7.3 is reasonable and necessary to protect
and
preserve Buyer’s legitimate business interests and the value of the Assets
and to prevent any unfair advantage conferred on
Seller.
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7.4. Noncompetition,
Nonsolicitation and Nondisparagement - Buyer and Fortco Plastics.
(a) |
Noncompetition.
From the Closing and through October 2009, Buyer and Fortco Plastics
shall
not, anywhere in North America, directly or indirectly invest in,
own,
manage, operate, finance, control, advise, render services to or
guarantee
the obligations of any Person engaged in or planning to become engaged
in
conduct similar to the business of Seller (“Seller Competing Business”),
provided, however, that Buyer and Fortco Plastics may purchase or
otherwise acquire up to (but not more than) five percent (5%) of
any class
of the securities of any Person engaged in a Seller Competing Business
(but may not otherwise participate in the activities of such Person)
if
such securities are listed on any national or regional securities
exchange
or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Security Exchange
Act
of 1934, as amended.
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(b) |
Nonsolicitation.
From the Closing and through October 2009, Buyer and Fortco Plastics
shall
not, directly or indirectly:
|
(i) |
solicit
the business of any Person who is a customer of Seller, for the purpose
of
providing goods or services which are similar to those provided by
Seller
immediately after Closing;
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(ii) |
cause,
induce or attempt to cause or induce any customer (other than a current
customer of the Business), supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee,
employee other than an Employee, consultant or other business relation
of
Seller to cease doing business with Seller, to deal with any competitor
of
Seller or in any way adversely interfere with its relationship with
Seller;
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(iii) |
cause,
induce or attempt to cause or induce any customer (other than customers
of
the Business), supplier, licensee, licensor, franchisee, employee
other
than an Employee, consultant or other business relation of Buyer,
on the
Closing Date or within the year preceding the Closing Date, to cease
doing
business with Seller, to deal with any competitor of Seller, or to
interfere with its relationship with Seller in any way;
or
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(iv) |
hire,
retain or attempt to hire or retain any employee of Seller, other
than an
Employee, or in any way interfere with the relationship between Buyer
and
any of their employees, other than an Employee, or independent
contractors.
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(c) |
Nondisparagement.
After the Closing Date, Buyer and Fortco Plastics will not disparage
Seller or any of Seller’s shareholders, directors, officers, employees or
agents.
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(d) |
Modification
of Covenant. If a final judgment of a court or tribunal of competent
jurisdiction determines that any term or provision contained in Section
7.4(a) through (c) is invalid or unenforceable, then the parties
agree
that the court or tribunal will have the power to reduce the scope,
duration or geographic area of the term or provision, to delete specific
words or phrases or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term
or
provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable
and that
comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable
term or provision. This Section 7.4 will be enforceable as so modified
after the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be
appealed. This Section 7.4 is reasonable and necessary to protect
and
preserve Seller’s legitimate business interests and the value of the
Assets and to prevent any unfair advantage conferred on
Buyer.
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7.5. Further
Assurances. The parties shall cooperate reasonably with each other and with
their respective Representatives in connection with any steps required to be
taken as part of their respective obligations under this Agreement, and shall
(a) furnish upon request to each other such further information, (b) execute
and
deliver to each other such other documents and (c) do such other acts and
things, all as the other party may reasonably request for the purpose of
carrying out the intent of this Agreement and the Contemplated
Transactions.
7.6. Employees.
Prior to the Closing, Seller shall terminate each of its employees engaged
in
the operation of the Business at the Springdale Facility, and Buyer shall offer
employment to each of the Employees. Buyer shall assume responsibility for
any
and all liabilities, payments and other amounts payable or due to or owing
with
respect to liabilities which might arise under the WARN Act as a result of
the
termination of Seller’s employees and hiring of the Employees as described in
this Section 7.6.
8. |
INDEMNIFICATION;
REMEDIES
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8.1. Survival.
All representations, warranties, covenants and obligations in this Agreement,
the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 2.7 and any other certificate
or
document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing and
the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. The waiver of any condition
based
upon the accuracy of any representation or warranty, or on the performance
of or
compliance with any covenant or obligation, will not affect the right to
indemnification, reimbursement or other remedy based upon such representations,
warranties, covenants and obligations.
8.2. Indemnification
and Reimbursement by Seller and IEA. Seller and IEA, jointly and severally,
will
indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, Fortco Plastics and their Representatives,
members, subsidiaries and Affiliates (collectively, the “Buyer Indemnified
Persons”), and will reimburse the Buyer Indemnified Persons for any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense (including costs of investigation and
defense and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), whether or not involving a
Third-Party Claim (collectively, “Damages”), arising from or in connection
with:
(a) |
any
Breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller or IEA in
(i) this
Agreement, (ii) the certificates delivered pursuant to Section 2.7,
(iii)
any transfer instrument or (iv) any other certificate, document,
writing
or instrument delivered by Seller pursuant to this
Agreement;
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(b) |
any
Breach of any covenant or obligation of Seller or IEA in this Agreement
or
in any other certificate, document, writing or instrument delivered
by
Seller pursuant to this Agreement;
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(c) |
any
Liability arising out of the ownership or operation of the Business
or the
Assets prior to the Effective Time;
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(d) |
any
brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions or similar payments based upon
any agreement or understanding made, or alleged to have been made,
by any
Person with Seller (or any Person acting on their behalf) in connection
with any of the Contemplated
Transactions;
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(e) |
any
product or component thereof manufactured at or shipped from the
Real
Property, or any services related to the Business provided by, Seller,
in
whole or in part, prior to the Closing
Date;
|
(f) |
any
noncompliance with any fraudulent transfer law in respect of the
Contemplated Transactions;
|
(g) |
any
Employee benefit plan established or maintained by Seller;
or
|
(h) |
any
Retained Liabilities.
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8.3. Indemnification
and Reimbursement by Seller and IEA - Environmental Matters. In addition to
the
other indemnification provisions in this Article 8, Seller and IEA, jointly
and
severally, will indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, Fortco Plastics and the
other
Buyer Indemnified Persons, and will reimburse Buyer, Fortco Plastics and the
other Buyer Indemnified Persons, for any Damages (including costs of cleanup,
containment or other remediation) arising from or in connection
with:
(a) |
any
Environmental, Health and Safety Liabilities arising out of or relating
to: (i) the ownership or operation by any Person at any time on or
prior
to the Closing Date of any of the Assets or the Business, or (ii)
any
Hazardous Substances or other contaminants that were present on the
Assets
at any time on or prior to the Closing Date;
or
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(b) |
any
bodily injury (including illness, disability and death, regardless
of when
any such bodily injury occurred, was incurred or manifested itself),
personal injury, property damage (including trespass, nuisance, wrongful
eviction and deprivation of the use of real property) or other damage
of
or to any Person or any Assets in any way arising from or allegedly
arising from any activity involving Hazardous Substances conducted
by any
Person with respect to the Business or the Assets prior to the Closing
Date or from any Hazardous Substance that was (i) present or suspected
to
be present on or before the Closing Date on or at the Assets, as
applicable (or present or suspected to be present on any other property,
if such Hazardous Substance emanated or allegedly emanated from any
Asset
and was present or suspected to be present on any Asset, on or prior
to
the Closing Date) or (ii) Released or allegedly Released by any Person
on
or at any Asset at any time on or prior to the Closing
Date.
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Buyer
will be entitled to control any Remedial Action, any Proceeding relating
to an Environmental Claim and any other Proceeding with respect to
which
indemnity may be sought under this Section 8.3.
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8.4. Indemnification
and Reimbursement by Buyer and Fortco Plastics. Buyer and Fortco Plastics,
jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold harmless Seller, and will
reimburse Seller, for any Damages arising from or in connection
with:
(a) |
any
Breach of any representation or warranty made by Buyer or Fortco
Plastics
in this Agreement or in any certificate, document, writing or instrument
delivered by Buyer or Fortco Plastics pursuant to this
Agreement;
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(b) |
any
Breach of any covenant or obligation of Buyer or Fortco Plastics
in this
Agreement or in any other certificate, document, writing or instrument
delivered by Buyer pursuant to this
Agreement;
|
(c) |
any
claim by any Person for brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions or
similar payments based upon any agreement or understanding alleged
to have
been made by such Person with Buyer (or any Person acting on Buyer’s
behalf) in connection with any of the Contemplated
Transactions;
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(d) |
any
obligations of Buyer with respect to bargaining with the collective
bargaining representatives of the Employees subsequent to the Closing;
or
|
(e) |
any
Liability arising out of Buyer’s operation of the Business after the
Effective Time.
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8.5. Limitations
on Amount - Seller and IEA.
(a) |
If
the Closing occurs, Seller and IEA shall have no liability for
indemnification with respect to any Damages under Section 8.2 and
8.3
hereof until the aggregate of all Damages with respect to the matters
covered thereby exceeds $50,000 (the “Liability Threshold”). After the
Liability Threshold has been exceeded, Seller and IEA, jointly and
severally, shall be responsible for all Damages in excess of the
Liability
Threshold,
provided that the maximum amount of Damages in respect of which Seller
and
IEA, jointly and severally, shall have liability shall be, in the
aggregate, up to $2.5 million (the “Indemnification
Limit”).
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(b) |
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in subsection (a) above, the
Indemnification Limit set forth above shall not apply to any claim
by
Buyer, Fortco Plastics or other Buyer Indemnified Persons with respect
to
any claim for indemnification based upon
fraud.
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8.6. Additional Limitations
on Amount; Time Limitations. Neither Buyer, Fortco Plastics, Seller nor IEA
shall have any liability (for indemnification or otherwise) with respect to
claims of indemnification hereunder for special, incidental, or consequential
damages as those terms are defined in Section 2-715 of the Uniform Commercial
Code. Each party’s liability for any claim of any kind, including any such claim
arising under each party’s negligence, shall in no event exceed the price
allocable to the Asset(s) which gives rise to any such claim, loss or damage.
In
no event shall any action for the Breach of this Agreement or for the Breach
of
any warranty be commenced against any party hereto more than one year after
the
cause of action with respect to which the claim is made has
accrued.
8.7. Third-Party
Claims.
(a) |
Promptly
after receipt by a Person entitled to indemnity under Section 8.2,
8.3 (to
the extent provided in the last sentence of Section 8.3) or 8.4 (an
“Indemnified Person”) of notice of the assertion of a Third-Party Claim
against it, such Indemnified Person shall give notice to the Person
obligated to indemnify under such Section (an “Indemnifying Person”) of
the assertion of such Third-Party Claim, provided that the failure
to
notify the Indemnifying Person will not relieve the Indemnifying
Person of
any liability that it may have to any Indemnified Person, except
to the
extent that the Indemnifying Person demonstrates that the defense
of such
Third-Party Claim is prejudiced by the Indemnified Person’s failure to
give such notice.
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(b) |
If
an Indemnified Person gives notice to the Indemnifying Person pursuant
to
Section 8.7(a) of the assertion of a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying
Person shall be entitled to participate in the defense of such Third-Party
Claim and, to the extent that it wishes (unless (i) the Indemnifying
Person is also a Person against whom the Third-Party Claim is made
and the
Indemnified Person determines in good faith that joint representation
would be in appropriate or (ii) the Indemnifying Person fails to
provide
reasonable assurance to the Indemnified Person of its financial capacity
to defend such Third-Party Claim and provide indemnification with
respect
to such Third-Party Claim), to assume the defense of such Third-Party
Claim with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Person. After
notice
from the Indemnifying Person to the Indemnified Person of its election
to
assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Person
shall not, so long as it diligently conducts such defense, be liable
to
the Indemnified Person under this Article 8 for any fees of other
counsel
or any other expenses with respect to the defense of such Third-Party
Claim, in each case subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Person
in
connection with the defense of such Third-Party Claim, other than
reasonable costs of investigation. If the Indemnifying Person assumes
the
defense of a Third-Party Claim, (i) such assumption will conclusively
establish for purposes of this Agreement that the claims made in
that
Third-Party Claim are within the scope of and subject to indemnification,
and (ii) no compromise or settlement of such Third-Party Claims may
be
effected by the Indemnifying Person without the Indemnified Person’s
Consent unless (A) there is no finding or admission of any violation
of
Legal Requirement or any violation of the rights of any Person, (B)
the
sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by
the
Indemnifying Person, and (C) the Indemnified Person shall have no
liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such Third-Party
Claims effected without its Consent. If notice is given to an Indemnifying
Person of the assertion of any Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying
Person does not, within ten (10) days after the Indemnified Person’s
notice is given, give notice to the Indemnified Person of its election
to
assume the defense of such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying Person
will
be bound by any determination made in such Third-Party Claim or any
compromise or settlement effected by the Indemnified
Person.
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(c) |
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if an Indemnified Person determines in good faith
that
there is a reasonable probability that a Third-Party Claim may adversely
affect it or its Affiliate other than as a result of monetary damages
for
which it would be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement,
the
Indemnified Person may, by notice to the Indemnifying Person, assume
the
exclusive right to defend, compromise or settle such Third-Party
Claim,
but the Indemnifying Person will not be bound by any determination
of any
Third-Party Claim so defended for the purposes of this Agreement
or any
compromise or settlement effected without its Consent (which may
not be
unreasonably withheld).
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(d) |
With
respect to any Third-Party Claim subject to indemnification under
this
Article 8: (i) both the Indemnified Person and the Indemnifying Person,
as
the case may be, shall keep the other Person fully informed of the
status
of such Third-Party Claim and any related Proceedings at all stages
thereof where such Person is not represented by its own counsel,
and (ii)
the parties agree (each at its own expense) to render to each other
such
assistance as they may reasonably require of each other and to cooperate
in good faith with each other in order to ensure the proper and adequate
defense of any Third-Party Claim.
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(e) |
With
respect to any Third-Party Claim subject to indemnification under
this
Article 8, the parties agree to cooperate in such a manner as to
preserve
in full (to the extent possible) the confidentiality of all Confidential
Information and the attorney-client and work-product privileges.
In
connection therewith, each party agrees that: (i) it will use its
best
efforts, in respect of any Third-Party Claim in which it has assumed
or
participated in the defense, to avoid production of Confidential
Information (consistent with applicable law and rules of procedure),
and
(ii) all communications between any party hereto and counsel responsible
for or participating in the defense of any Third-Party Claim shall,
to the
extent possible, be made so as to preserve any applicable attorney-client
or work-product privilege.
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8.8. Other
Claims. A claim for indemnification for any matter not involving a Third-Party
Claim may be asserted by notice to the party from whom indemnification is sought
and shall be paid promptly after such notice.
8.9. Indemnification
in Case of Strict Liability or Indemnitee Negligence. THE INDEMNIFICATION
PROVISIONS IN THIS ARTICLE 8 SHALL BE ENFORCEABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE
LIABILITY IS BASED UPON PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE ACTS, CLAIMS OR LEGAL
REQUIREMENTS (INCLUDING ANY PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE BULK SALES LAW,
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, FRAUDULENT TRANSFER ACT, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
LAW
OR PRODUCTS LIABILITY, SECURITIES OR OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENT) AND REGARDLESS
OF
WHETHER ANY PERSON (INCLUDING THE PERSON FROM WHOM INDEMNIFICATION IS SOUGHT)
ALLEGES OR PROVES THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, CONTRIBUTORY OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE
OF THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION OR THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT STRICT LIABILITY
IMPOSED UPON THE PERSON SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION.
9. |
CONFIDENTIALITY
|
9.1. Definition
of Confidential Information.
(a) |
As
used in this Article 9, the term “Confidential Information” includes any
and all of the following information of the parties hereto that has
been
or hereafter may be disclosed in any form, whether in writing, orally,
electronically or otherwise, or otherwise made available by observation,
inspection or otherwise by any party hereto or its Representatives
(collectively, a “Disclosing Party”) to any other party hereto or its
Representatives (collectively, a “Receiving
Party”):
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(i) |
all
information that is a trade secret under applicable trade secret
or other
law;
|
(ii) |
all
information concerning product specifications, data, know-how, formulae,
compositions, processes, designs, sketches, photographs, graphs,
drawings,
samples, inventions and ideas, past, current and planned research
and
development, current and planned manufacturing or distribution methods
and
processes, customer lists, current and anticipated customer requirements,
price lists, market studies, business plans, computer hardware, Software
and computer software and database technologies, systems, structures
and
architectures;
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(iii) |
all
information concerning the business and affairs of the Disclosing
Party
(which includes historical and current financial statements, financial
projections and budgets, tax returns and accountants’ materials,
historical, current and projected sales, capital spending budgets
and
plans, business plans, strategic plans, marketing and advertising
plans,
publications, client and customer lists and files, contracts, the
names
and backgrounds of key personnel and personnel training techniques
and
materials, however documented), and all information obtained from
review
of the Disclosing Party’s documents or property or discussions with the
Disclosing Party regardless of the form of the communication;
and
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(iv) |
all
notes, analyses, compilations, studies, summaries and other material
prepared by the Receiving Party to the extent containing or based,
in
whole or in part, upon any information included in the
foregoing.
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(b) |
Any
trade secrets of a Disclosing Party shall also be entitled to all
of the
protections and benefits under applicable trade secret law and any
other
applicable law. If any information that a Disclosing Party deems
to be a
trade secret is found by a court of competent jurisdiction not to
be a
trade secret for purposes of this Article 9, such information shall
still
be considered Confidential Information of that Disclosing Party for
purposes of this Article 9 to the extent included within the definition.
In the case of trade secrets, each party hereto hereby waives any
requirement that any other party hereto submit proof of the economic
value
of any trade secret or post a bond or other
security.
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9.2. Restricted
Use of Confidential Information.
(a) |
Each
Receiving Party acknowledges the confidential and proprietary nature
of
the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party and agrees that
such
Confidential Information (i) shall be kept confidential by the Receiving
Party, (ii) shall not be used for any reason or purpose other than
to
evaluate and consummate the Contemplated Transactions and (iii) without
limiting the foregoing, shall not be disclosed by the Receiving Party
to
any Person, except in each case as otherwise expressly permitted
by the
terms of this Agreement or with the prior written consent of an authorized
representative of Seller or IEA with respect to Confidential Information
of Seller or IEA (each, a “Seller Contact”) or an authorized
representative of Buyer or Fortco Plastics with respect to Confidential
Information of Buyer or Fortco Plastics (each, a “Buyer Contact”). Each of
Buyer and Fortco Plastics, on the one hand, and Seller and IEA, on
the
other hand, shall disclose the Confidential Information of the other
only
to its Representatives who require such material for the purpose
of
evaluating the Contemplated Transactions and are informed by Buyer,
Fortco
Plastics, Seller or IEA, as the case may be, of the obligations of
this
Article 9 with respect to such information. Each of Buyer, Fortco
Plastics, Seller and IEA shall (x) enforce the terms of this Article
9 as
to its respective Representatives, (y) take such action to the extent
necessary to cause its Representatives to comply with the terms and
conditions of this Article 9 and (z) be responsible and liable for
any
breach of the provisions of this Article 9 by it or its
Representatives.
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(b) |
Unless
and until this Agreement is terminated, Seller and IEA shall maintain
as
confidential any Confidential Information (including for this purpose
any
information of Seller of the type referred to in Sections 9.1(a)(i),
(ii)
and (iii), whether or not disclosed to Buyer) of the Seller relating
to
any of the Assets.
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(c) |
From
and after the Closing, the provisions of Section 9.2(a) above shall
not
apply to or restrict in any manner Buyer’s use of any Confidential
Information of the Seller relating to any of the
Assets.
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9.3. Exceptions.
Sections 9.2(a) and (b) do not apply to that part of the Confidential
Information of a Disclosing Party that a Receiving Party demonstrates (a) was,
is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a
breach of this Article 9 or the Confidentiality Agreement by the Receiving
Party
or its Representatives, (b) was or is developed by the Receiving Party
independently of and without reference to any Confidential Information of the
Disclosing Party or (c) was, is or becomes available to the Receiving Party
on a
nonconfidential basis from a Third Party not bound by a confidentiality
agreement or any legal, fiduciary or other obligation restricting disclosure.
Seller and IEA shall not disclose any Confidential Information of Seller
relating to any of the Assets in reliance on the exceptions in clauses (b)
or
(c) above.
9.4. Legal
Proceedings. If a Receiving Party becomes compelled in any Proceeding or is
requested by a Governmental Body having regulatory jurisdiction over the
Contemplated Transactions to make any disclosure that is prohibited or otherwise
constrained by this Article 9, that Receiving Party shall provide the Disclosing
Party with prompt notice of such compulsion or request so that it may seek
an
appropriate protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance
with the provisions of this Article 9. In the absence of a protective order
or
other remedy, the Receiving Party may disclose that portion (and only that
portion) of the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party that, based
upon advice of the Receiving Party’s counsel, the Receiving Party is legally
compelled to disclose or that has been requested by such Governmental Body,
provided, however, that the Receiving Party shall use reasonable efforts to
obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded by any
Person to whom any Confidential Information is so disclosed. The provisions
of
this Section 9.4 do not apply to any Proceedings between the parties to this
Agreement.
9.5. Return
or
Destruction of Confidential Information. If this Agreement is terminated, each
Receiving Party shall (a) destroy all Confidential Information of the Disclosing
Party prepared or generated by the Receiving Party without retaining a copy
of
any such material, (b) promptly deliver to the Disclosing Party all other
Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party, together with all copies
thereof, in the possession, custody or control of the Receiving Party with
all
copies thereof, in the possession, custody or control of the Receiving Party
or,
alternatively, with the written consent of a Seller Contact or a Buyer Contact
(whichever represents the Disclosing Party) destroy all such Confidential
Information and (c) certify all such destruction in writing to the Disclosing
Party, provided, however, that the Receiving Party may retain a list that
contains general descriptions of the information it has returned or destroyed
to
facilitate the resolution of any controversies after the Disclosing Party’s
Confidential Information is returned.
9.6. Attorney-Client
Privilege. The Disclosing Party is not waiving, and will not be deemed to have
waived or diminished, any of its attorney work product protections,
attorney-client privileges or similar protections and privileges as a result
of
disclosing its Confidential Information (including Confidential Information
related to pending or threatened litigation) to the Receiving Party, regardless
of whether the Disclosing Party has asserted, or is or may be entitled to
assert, such privileges and protections. The parties (a) share a common legal
and commercial interest in all of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential
Information that is subject to such privileges and protections, (b) are or
may
become joint defendants in Proceedings to which the Disclosing Party’s
Confidential Information covered by such protections and privileges relates,
(c)
intend that such privileges and protections remain intact should either party
become subject to any actual or threatened Proceeding to which the Disclosing
Party’s Confidential Information covered by such protections and privileges
relates and (d) intend that after the Closing the Receiving Party shall have
the
right to assert such protections and privileges. No Receiving Party shall admit,
claim or contend, in Proceedings involving either party or otherwise, that
any
Disclosing Party waived any of its attorney work-product protections,
attorney-client privileges or similar protections and privileges with respect
to
any information, documents or other material not disclosed to a Receiving Party
due to the Disclosing Party disclosing its Confidential Information (including
Confidential Information related to pending or threatened litigation) to the
Receiving Party.
10. |
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
|
10.1. Expenses.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each party to this Agreement
will bear its respective fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation, negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the
Contemplated Transactions, including all fees and expense of its
Representatives. Buyer will pay all amounts payable to the title insurer in
respect of the Title Insurance Commitment and copies of exceptions, including
premiums (including premiums for endorsements), search fees, and amounts payable
to any surveyor, or persons providing originals or copies of surveys, in respect
of all surveys utilized in relation to the Contemplated Transactions.
10.2. Public
Announcements. Except as otherwise may be required by Legal Requirements or
by
stock exchange rule, regulation or listing agreement, Seller and IEA shall
consult with Buyer and Fortco Plastics before issuing, and provide Buyer and
Fortco Plastics the opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release
or
other public statements with respect to the Contemplated Transactions, and
Seller and IEA shall not issue any such press release or make any such public
statement prior to such consultation and the obtaining of the prior written
consent of Buyer and Fortco Plastics, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld. Except with the prior consent of Buyer and Fortco Plastics or as
permitted by this Agreement, neither Seller, IEA nor any of their
Representatives shall disclose to any Person the fact that any Confidential
Information of Seller or IEA has been disclosed to Buyer, Fortco Plastics or
their Representatives, that Buyer, Fortco Plastics and their Representatives
have inspected any portion of the Confidential Information of Seller and IEA,
that any Confidential Information of Buyer or Fortco Plastics has been disclosed
to Seller, IEA or their Representatives, or that Seller, IEA or their
Representatives have inspected any portion of the Confidential Information
of
Buyer and Fortco Plastics. Seller and Buyer will consult with each other
concerning the means by which Seller’s employees, customers, suppliers and
others having dealings with Seller will be informed of the Contemplated
Transactions, and Buyer will have the right to be present for any such
communication.
10.3. Notices.
All notices, Consents, waivers and other communications required or permitted
by
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given to a party when
(a)
delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by nationally recognized
overnight courier service (costs prepaid), (b) sent by facsimile or e-mail
with
confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment or (c) received
or
rejected by the addressee, if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested,
in each case to the following addresses, facsimile numbers or e-mail addresses
and marked to the attention of the person (by name or title) designated below
(or to such other address, facsimile number, e-mail address or person as a
party
may designate by notice to the other parties):
If
to
Buyer: Fortco
Pittsburgh, LLC
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
Fortco
Plastics, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
With
a
copy to: Husch
& Eppenberger, LLC
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xx.
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
If
to
Seller: Pitt
Penn
Oil Co., LLC
X.X.
Xxx
000
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, President
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
000
0xx
Xxx., Xxx 0000
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000-0000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, CEO
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
with
a
copy to: Xxxxx
& XxXxxxxx, LLP
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
10.4. Enforcement
of Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that they would be
irreparably damaged if the provisions of Sections 7.3 and 7.4 of this Agreement
are not performed in accordance with their specific terms and that any Breach
of
Sections 7.3 and 7.4 could not be adequately compensated in all cases by
monetary damages alone. Accordingly, in addition to any other right or remedy
to
which parties hereto may be entitled, at law or in equity, each party hereto
shall be entitled to enforce the provisions of Sections 7.3 and 7.4 by a decree
of specific performance and to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive
relief to prevent Breaches or threatened Breaches of any of such provisions,
without posting any bond or other undertaking.
10.5. Waiver;
Remedies Cumulative. The rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement
are cumulative and not alternative. Neither any failure nor any delay by any
party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any
of
the documents referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such
right, power or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right,
power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
To
the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising
out of this Agreement or any of the documents referred to in this Agreement
can
be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation
of
the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver
that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance
for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be
deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of that party or of the right of the
party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or
demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this
Agreement.
10.6. Entire
Agreement and Modification. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements,
whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to its subject matter
(including any letter of intent and any confidentiality agreement between any
of
the parties hereto) and constitutes (along with Schedules and other documents
delivered pursuant to this Agreement) a complete and exclusive statement of
the
terms of the agreement between the parties with respect to its subject matter.
This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented, or otherwise modified except
by
a written agreement executed by the party to be charged with the
amendment.
10.7. Assignments,
Successors and No Third-Party Rights. No party may assign any of its rights
or
delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the other parties, except that Buyer and Fortco Plastics may assign
any of their rights and delegate any of its obligations under this Agreement
to
any Subsidiary of Buyer or Fortco Plastics and may collaterally assign their
rights hereunder to any financial institution providing financing in connection
with the Contemplated Transactions. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement will apply to, be binding in all respects upon and inure to the
benefit of the successors and permitted assigns of the parties. Nothing
expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person
other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy
or
claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this
Agreement, except such rights as shall inure to a successor or permitted
assignee pursuant to this Section 10.7.
10.8. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any
court
of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement will remain
in
full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to
the
extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
10.9. Construction.
The headings of Articles and Sections in this Agreement are provided for
convenience only and will not affect its construction or interpretation. All
references to “Articles” and “Sections” refer to the corresponding Articles and
Sections of this Agreement.
10.10. Time
of
Essence. With regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to
in
this Agreement, time is of the essence.
10.11. Governing
Law; Arbitration.
(a) |
THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE
PERFORMED
IN THAT STATE, WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY OF ITS PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS
OF
LAWS OR OTHER LAWS WHICH WOULD RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS
OF
ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
|
(b) |
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, any
controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
the
breach thereof or the Contemplated Transactions, shall be resolved
by
binding arbitration in accordance with Commercial Arbitration Rules
of the
American Arbitration Association and administered by the American
Arbitration Association. A judgment upon the award rendered by the
arbitrator may be entered in any federal or state court having
jurisdiction thereof. Any party hereto may, without inconsistency
with
this Agreement, seek from a court any interim or provisional relief
that
may be necessary to protect the rights or property of that Party,
pending
the establishment of the arbitral tribunal (or pending the arbitral
tribunal’s determination of the merits of the controversy). Any
arbitration commenced by either Party shall be held in Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. All aspects of the arbitration shall be treated as,
and
kept, confidential. Neither the parties hereto nor the arbitrator
may
disclose the existence, content, or results of the arbitration to
any
person or entity other than the parties thereto, except as necessary
to
comply with legal or regulatory requirements or to enforce an
award.
|
10.12. Drafting
History. In resolving any dispute or construing any provision in the Agreement,
there shall be no presumption made or inference drawn (a) because the
attorneys for one of the parties drafted such provision of the Agreement,
(b) because of the drafting history of the Agreement, or (c) because
of the inclusion of a provision not contained in a prior draft or the deletion
of a provision contained in a prior draft. The parties acknowledge and agree
that this Agreement was negotiated and drafted with each party being represented
by counsel of its choice and with each party having an equal opportunity to
participate in the drafting of the provisions hereof.
10.13. Execution
of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of
which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same
agreement. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages
by
facsimile transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of
this
Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original Agreement
for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile shall
be
deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
[SIGNATURES
ON FOLLOWING PAGE]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written
above.
BUYERS:
|
SELLERS:
|
FORTCO
PITTSBURGH, LLC
|
INDUSTRIAL
ENTERPRISES OF AMERICA, INC. AMERICA,
INC.
|
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Seal
Name:
Xxxxxxx
X.
Seal
Title:
President
|
By:
/s/ Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Chief
Financial Officer
|
FORTCO
PLASTICS, INC.
|
PITT
PENN OIL CO., LLC
|
By:
/s/
Xxxxxxx X.
Seal
Name:
Xxxxxxx
X.
Seal
Title:
President
|
By:
/s/
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Name:
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
President
|