ASSET SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY, BETWEEN AND AMONG SMALL TUBE MANUFACTURING, LLC and WOLVERINE TUBE, INC. AND ST PRODUCTS, LLC DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 29, 2008
BY,
BETWEEN AND AMONG
SMALL
TUBE MANUFACTURING, LLC
and
WOLVERINE
TUBE, INC.
AND
ST
PRODUCTS, LLC
DATED
AS
OF FEBRUARY 29, 2008
Table
of Contents
Page
|
|||
I.
|
DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
|
II.
|
SALE
AND PURCHASE
|
11
|
|
2.1
|
Sale
and Purchase of Assets
|
11
|
|
2.2
|
Excluded
Assets
|
12
|
|
2.3
|
Purchase
Price; Adjustment
|
13
|
|
2.4
|
Assumed
Liabilities
|
17
|
|
2.5
|
Retained
Liabilities
|
17
|
|
2.6
|
Closing
|
17
|
|
2.7
|
Nonassignable
Contracts and Leases
|
19
|
|
2.8
|
Hedging
Agreement
|
20
|
|
III.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND PARENT
|
20
|
|
3.1
|
Corporate
Existence; Subsidiaries and Affiliates
|
20
|
|
3.2
|
Authorization
and Validity of Agreement
|
21
|
|
3.3
|
No
Contravention
|
21
|
|
3.4
|
Transferred
Assets
|
21
|
|
3.5
|
Material
Contracts
|
22
|
|
3.6
|
Inventories
|
22
|
|
3.7
|
Real
Property
|
23
|
|
3.8
|
Permits
|
23
|
|
3.9
|
Litigation
|
23
|
|
3.10
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
23
|
|
3.11
|
Consents
|
23
|
|
3.12
|
Financial
Statements
|
24
|
|
3.13
|
Intellectual
Property
|
24
|
|
3.14
|
Employee
Matters
|
24
|
|
3.15
|
Brokerage
|
26
|
|
3.16
|
Environmental
Matters
|
26
|
|
3.17
|
Customers,
Distributors, and Suppliers
|
27
|
|
3.18
|
Product
Warranties; Product Liability
|
28
|
|
3.19
|
Accounts
Receivable
|
29
|
|
3.20
|
No
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
29
|
|
3.21
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
29
|
|
3.22
|
Taxes.
|
29
|
|
3.23
|
Disclosure
|
30
|
i
IV.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
|
30
|
|
4.1
|
Organization
|
30
|
|
4.2
|
Authorization
and Validity of Agreement
|
30
|
|
4.3
|
No
Contravention
|
30
|
|
|
4.4
|
Consents
|
31
|
4.5
|
Brokerage
|
31
|
|
4.6
|
Litigation
|
31
|
|
4.7
|
Financing
|
31
|
|
4.8
|
Disclosure
|
||
V.
|
CERTAIN
AGREEMENTS
|
31
|
|
5.1
|
Buyer’s
Due Diligence
|
31
|
|
5.2
|
Employees
|
32
|
|
5.3
|
Cooperation;
Third Party Consents
|
32
|
|
5.4
|
Taxes
|
32
|
|
5.5
|
Name
|
33
|
|
5.6
|
No
Dissolution
|
33
|
|
5.7
|
Special
Covenants of Seller and Parent
|
33
|
|
VI.
|
CLOSING
CONDITIONS
|
35
|
|
VII.
|
INDEMNIFICATION
AND SURVIVAL
|
36
|
|
7.1
|
Indemnification
by Seller
|
36
|
|
7.2
|
Indemnification
by Buyer
|
36
|
|
7.3
|
Limitations
on Liability
|
37
|
|
7.4
|
Indemnification
Procedure
|
38
|
|
VIII.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
39
|
|
8.1
|
Entire
Agreement
|
39
|
|
|
8.2
|
Waiver
of Bulk Transfer Requirements
|
39
|
8.3
|
Successors
and Assigns; Assignment
|
39
|
|
8.4
|
Counterparts
|
40
|
|
8.5
|
Headings
|
40
|
|
8.6
|
Modification
and Waiver
|
40
|
|
8.7
|
No
Third-Party Beneficiary Rights
|
40
|
|
8.8
|
Expenses
|
40
|
|
8.9
|
Notices
|
41
|
|
8.10
|
Governing
Law
|
42
|
|
8.11
|
Waiver
of Jury Trial
|
42
|
|
8.12
|
Announcements
|
42
|
|
8.13
|
Severability
|
42
|
|
8.14
|
Remedies;
Arbitration
|
42
|
ii
ASSET
SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of
February
29, 2008, by, between and among (i) SMALL TUBE MANUFACTURING, LLC, a limited
liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("Seller"),
and WOLVERINE TUBE, INC., a corporation organized under the laws of the State
of
Delaware ("Parent"), and (ii) ST PRODUCTS, LLC, a limited liability company
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware ("Buyer").
BACKGROUND
A. Seller
is
a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
B. Seller
is
currently engaged in the manufacture and sale of precision drawn and cut
tubular
products and other value added commercial tube products (the "Business");
and
C. Seller
desires to sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver to Buyer, and Buyer
desires to purchase from Seller, the Transferred Assets (as defined hereinafter)
and to assume the Assumed Liabilities (as defined hereinafter), all on the
terms
and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.
D. Concurrently
with the Closing (as defined hereinafter), Seller, Parent and Buyer are
executing and delivering this Agreement.
TERMS
NOW,
THEREFORE, intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as
follows:
I. DEFINITIONS
The
capitalized terms set forth below in this Article I have the following
meanings:
“Accounts
Receivable” means, at the relevant time, (i) all amounts receivable from
customers in respect of the sale or leasing of products and services by Seller
in the ordinary course of the Business, and (ii) all amounts receivable from
parties other than customers that are identified on the Financial Statements
as
non-trade receivables, but excluding inter-company Accounts Receivable owing
from Seller’s Affiliates.
1
“Affiliate”
means, when used with respect to a specified Person, another Person that,
either
directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with the Person specified.
“Agreement”
has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Applicable
Legal Requirements” means, with respect to any Person, any federal, state or
local law (whether statutory or common law), rule, regulation, code or
ordinance, and any administrative, judicial or arbitral decision, order,
ruling,
judgment, award, writ or decree to which such Person and/or all or a portion
of
the business or assets of such Person is subject.
“Assumed
Contracts” means all customer and vendor purchase orders, sale orders and
similar arrangements of Seller made in the ordinary course of the Business;
and
those other Contracts listed on Schedule
1.1(a)
hereto.
“Assumed
Liabilities” means the following liabilities and obligations of
Seller:
(a) all
liabilities and obligations under the Assumed Contracts which remain unsatisfied
as of the Closing Date, including amounts payable to a third party for the
assignment of those Assumed Contracts, identified on Schedule 1.1(a) as
requiring an “Assignment Fee,” but specifically excluding Twelve Thousand Five
Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($12,500.00) of the total amounts payable to the
Landlord under the Lease in respect of the Lease Assignment which is to be
paid
by Seller (with Buyer to pay all other amounts in respect of the Lease
Assignment);
(b) all
trade
accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of the Business prior to
the
Closing Date;
(c) all
obligations for warranty claims or for repair or replacement of products
shipped
or services provided in the ordinary course of the Business prior to the
Closing
Date and which are included in the aggregate amount of claims disclosed in
Section 3.18
of the
Disclosure Schedule;
(d) all
liabilities and obligations arising from Buyer’s use and operation of the
Transferred Assets and Buyer’s operation of the Business on and after the
Closing Date; and
(e) those
obligations for Seller-Related Compensatory Arrangements specified on
Schedule
5.2
hereto
as the responsibility of Buyer.
“Books
and Records” means (in whatever form or medium) all of the following items that
are owned by Seller or in which Seller otherwise has a transferable user
interest, and that pertain to the Business:
2
(a) books,
accounts, records, journals, ledgers, files, documents, correspondence and
lists;
(b) creative
materials, advertising and promotional materials, studies and
reports;
(c) computer
files and programs, to the extent Seller owns such computer files and programs
or has a user interest in such files and programs that may be transferred,
retrieval programs, operating data and plans;
(d) production
records, item specifications, product literature, sales records and pricing
models and schedules;
(e) customer
and supplier lists and records (including billing and payment records) and
correspondence;
(f) inventory
records; and
(g) schematics,
drawings, blueprints, plans, specifications and similar
documentation.
“Business”
has the meaning specified in Paragraph B of the Background hereto.
“Business
Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which
commercial banks located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania are permitted or required
by law to be closed.
“Buyer”
has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.
“Buyer
Loss” and “Buyer Losses” have the meanings specified in Section
7.1.
“Buyer
Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.
“Claim
Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 7.4.
“Closing"
and "Closing Date” have the meanings specified in Section 2.6.1.
“Closing
Balance Sheet” means the balance sheet of Seller as of a date which is three
Business Days prior to the Closing Date, prepared on a basis consistent with
the
balance sheets included in the Annual Financial Statements and the Interim
Financial Statements.
“Closing
Date Cash Purchase Price” has the meaning specified in Section
2.3.1.
“Closing
Date Working Capital” has the meaning specified in Section
2.3.4(c).
“Closing
Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.4(c).
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Confidentiality
Agreement” means the Confidentiality Agreement dated
September
27, 2007 between Seller and Xxxxxxxx Capital, LLC and “Confidentiality
Agreements” means the Confidentiality Agreement and all similar agreements
between Seller and parties other than Xxxxxxxx Capital, LLC.
3
“Contracts”
means all of Seller’s contracts, commitments and agreements (including purchase
orders and sale orders), whether written or oral, relating to the Business,
including (a) all orders and other agreements for the sale of products or
services of the Business, (b) all orders and other agreements for the purchase
or delivery of utilities, inventories, supplies, parts or maintenance services,
(c) all orders and other agreements for the purchase or leasing of equipment
(including capital leases) and other personal property, and (d) all leases
of
real property.
“Current
Assets” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.4(a).
“Current
Liabilities” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.4(a).
“Current
Period” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.5.
“Disclosure
Schedule” means the attached Schedule of disclosures and exceptions relating to
the representations and warranties of Seller and Parent contained in Article
III
hereof.
“Encumbrance”
means any lien, adverse claim, charge or other encumbrance on property, and
includes any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, retention
of
title, option, right of first refusal, right of first offer or right to
purchase.
“Environment”
means any ambient air, surface water, drinking water, groundwater, land surface,
subsurface strata, river sediment, natural resources, and real property and
the
physical buildings, structures and fixtures thereon, including without
limitation the sewer, septic and waste treatment, storage or disposal systems
servicing any Transferred Assets.
“Environmental
Claim” means any claim, including, but not limited to, any written or oral
notice, claim, proceeding, effort, endeavor or appeal, made, asserted, alleged,
brought, or prosecuted by or on behalf of any third party or governmental
authority, including any employee, former employee or their respective legal
representatives, heirs, beneficiaries and estates (whether based on negligent
acts or omissions, statutory liability, or strict liability without fault
or
otherwise) arising or alleged to arise from or relating to (i) the presence,
emission, discharge, disposal, Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous
Material in or into the Environment, or (ii) any Environmental
Law.
4
“Environmental
Law” means any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, ordinance,
regulation, rule, code, ordinance, administrative interpretation, order,
writ,
injunction, decree, demand, judgment, ruling, award, or other requirement
of any
government authority legally binding on or with respect to a Person or its
respective properties, assets, officers, directors, employees, consultants,
or
agents, relating to (a) the Environment, including, without limitation,
pollution, contamination, cleanup, preservation, protection, and reclamation
of
the Environment or natural resources; (b) the Release or threatened Release
of
any Hazardous Material; or (c) the management of any Hazardous Material,
including without limitation the manufacture, generation, formulation,
processing, labeling, distribution, introduction into commerce, use, treatment,
handling, storage, disposal, transportation, re-use, recycling or reclamation
of
any Hazardous Material. Environmental Laws shall include, without limitation,
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. §1251 et seq., as amended),
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
(42
X.X.X. §0000 et seq., as amended), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(42 U.S.C. §6901 et seq., as amended), the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. §11001 et seq., as amended), the Toxic Substances
Control Act (15 U.S.C. §2601 et seq., as amended), the Endangered Species Act
(16 X.X.X. §0000 et seq., as amended), the Clean Air Act (42 X.X.X. §0000 et
seq., as amended), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C.
§5101
et seq., as amended), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. 651
§
651 et seq., as amended) and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 X.X.X. §0000 et
seq., as amended).
“Environmental
Permit” means any Permit required under or issued pursuant to any Environmental
Law.
“ERISA”
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
“Estimated
Closing Date Cash Purchase Price” has the meaning specified in Section
2.3.4(b).
“Estimated
Closing Date Working Capital” has the meaning specified in Section
2.3.4(b).
“Estimated
Closing Date Working Capital Statement” has the meaning specified in Section
2.3.4(b).
“Excluded
Assets” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2.
5
“Facility”
means Seller’s production facility located on Spring Xxxxxxx Road, Duncansville,
Xxxxx County, Pennsylvania, the land and a portion of the building being
the
subject of the Lease.
“Financial
Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 3.12.
“GAAP”
has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.4(a).
“Hazardous
Material” means any substance, including without limitation any pollutant;
contaminant; chemical; raw material; product, intermediate product or
by-product; industrial, solid, toxic or hazardous substance, material or
waste;
petroleum or any fraction thereof; asbestos or asbestos-containing-material;
polychlorinated biphenyls; and any other substances, materials or wastes
which
are identified or regulated under any Environmental Law.
“Intellectual
Property” means all of the following, owned, used or licensed by the Seller as
licensee or licensor (other than licensed software or computer programs which
were not designed specifically for the Seller and are commercially available
to
the public “Commercial Software”): (i) all fictional business names, trademarks
and service marks (registered or unregistered), trade dress, trade names
and
other names and slogans embodying business or product goodwill or indications
of
origin, all applications or registrations in any jurisdiction pertaining
to the
foregoing and all goodwill associated therewith (collectively “Marks”); (ii)
patents, patentable inventions, discoveries, improvements, ideas, and all
applications or registrations in any jurisdiction pertaining to the foregoing,
including all reissues, continuations, divisions, continuations-in-part,
renewals or extensions thereof (collectively “Patents”); (iii) trade secrets,
processes, technology and computer programs, software and databases, know-how,
including confidential and other non-public information, and the right in
any
jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure thereof (collectively, “Trade
Secrets”), (iv) copyrights in writings, designs, mask works or other works, and
registrations or applications for registration of copyrights in any jurisdiction
(collectively “Copyrights”); (v) licenses relating to any of the foregoing; (vi)
Internet Web sites, domain names and registrations or applications for
registration thereof; and (vii) claims or causes of action arising out of
or
related to infringement or misappropriation of any of the foregoing.
Intellectual Property does not include any Marks, Copyrights, Internet Websites,
domain names and registrations or applications for registrations thereof
that
use or employ the name “Wolverine” or “Wolverine Tube” or any variation
thereof.
6
“Inventory”
means all of Seller’s supplies consumed in the production process, raw
materials, work in process and finished goods, and all other items of a kind
and
character customarily carried as inventory in Seller’s accounts, including such
items as are in transit, held at premises of others, on order or paid for
and
not delivered. Inventory includes scrap, obsolete and slow moving items,
whether
or not expensed or written off, but excludes inventory of others, including
Parent, held on consignment.
“Knowledge”
means, and words of similar import mean, (a) with respect to Seller or Parent,
the actual knowledge of Seller’s General Manager, Controller and/or Marketing
Manager, and/or Parent’s Chief Financial Officer and/or Vice
President-Fabricated Products, after a review by such individuals of the
representations and warranties contained in Article III hereof (with the
advice
of legal counsel) and reasonable inquiry of the individuals who report directly
to any of the officers mentioned above regarding the subject matter of the
applicable representation and warranty, and (b) with respect to Buyer, the
actual knowledge of Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx and/or Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, after a
review
by such individuals of the representations and warranties contained in Article
III and Article IV hereof (with the advice of legal counsel).
“Lease”
means (i) the Indenture dated July 1, 1957 between Altoona Enterprises, Inc.,
a
Pennsylvania non-profit corporation (“AEI”), and Small Tube Products, Inc., a
Connecticut business corporation (“STPI”), (ii) the Indenture of Lease
Supplement dated March 11, 1958 between AEI and STPI, (iii) the Assignment
of
Lease dated November 14, 1969 from STPI to Tube Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, (iv) the Second Indenture of Lease Agreement dated May 16, 1984
between AEI and Small Tube Manufacturing Corporation, a Delaware corporation,
the successor in interest to Tube Corporation and the Seller’s predecessor in
interest (“STMC”), and (v) the Memorandum of Lease, Landlord’s Consent and
Agreement dated April 6, 1989 by and between AEI and STMC.
“Lease
Assignment” means the Assignment and Acceptance of Lease effective the Closing
Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit
C.
“Leased
Real Property” means all real property occupied by Seller and used in the
Business under a lease or similar arrangement.
“Litigation”
has the meaning specified in Section 3.9.
“Loss
Threshold Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 7.3.2.
7
“Material
Adverse Effect” means any change in, or effect on, the Transferred Assets or the
Business as currently operated by Seller that is or could reasonably be expected
to be materially adverse to the Business taken as a whole or the results
of
operations or financial condition of the Transferred Assets or the Business
taken as a whole, except for any such changes or effects resulting from (i)
changes in general economic, regulatory or political conditions or changes
that
affect the commercial tube industry in general, (ii) changes in laws, rules
or
regulations that affect the commercial tube industry in general, (iii) this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or the announcement hereof,
or
(iv) changes solely due to or solely resulting from or arising out of any
action
or inaction by Buyer.
“Material
Contract” has the meaning specified in Section 3.5.
“Natural
Resource Claim” means all claims asserted by a trustee of natural resources
under CERCLA.
“Non-Assigned
Contracts” has the meaning specified in Section 2.7.
“Non-limited
Claims” has the meaning specified in Section 7.3.2.
“Owned
Real Property” means all real property owned by Seller.
“Permit”
means any permit, approval, identification number, license, or other
authorization required under or issued pursuant to any Applicable Legal
Requirement.
“Permitted
Encumbrances” means (i) inchoate liens for Taxes not yet due, (ii) Encumbrances
created by Buyer, (iii) interests of licensors or lessors of Intellectual
Property or Personal Property licensed or leased to Seller, (iv) Encumbrances
set forth on Schedule
1.1(b)
hereto,
and (v) such minor imperfections of title which individually or in the aggregate
are not substantial and do not materially detract from the value or impair
the
use of the Transferred Assets, or the operation of the Business as currently
operated.
“Person”
means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, trust,
limited liability company, unincorporated organization, governmental authority
or other entity.
“Personal
Property” means all machinery, equipment, vehicles, computer hardware, tools,
dies, furniture, fixtures, supplies, product displays and other tangible
personal property (other than Inventory) owned or held under lease or other
consensual arrangement by Seller.
“Plan”
and “Plans” have the meanings specified in Section 3.14.2.
“Preliminary
Price Adjustment Amount” has the meaning specified in Section
2.3.4(b).
8
“Purchased
Accounts Receivable” means all Accounts Receivable arising as of or prior to the
Closing Date that remain unpaid in whole or in part as of the Closing
Date.
“Purchase
Price” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.1.
“Receivables
Agreement” means (i) the Release and Reconveyance of Specific Receivables and
(ii) the related Agreement Relating to Receivables Sale Agreement and
Receivables Purchase Agreement between Buyer and Wachovia Bank, National
Association, in the forms attached hereto as Exhibit
E.
“Related
Agreements” means this Agreement and any and all documents and agreements
entered into in connection herewith, including, without limitation, the Lease
Assignment, the Receivables Agreement and the Transition Services
Agreement.
“Release”
means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, depositing, escaping,
leaching, dumping or other releasing into the Environment, whether intentional
or unintentional.
“Remedial
Action” means (a) any investigation, prevention, containment, removal, response,
monitoring, treatment, neutralizing, isolation, remediation, or abatement
of any
Hazardous Materials or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials into the
Environment and the assessment and mitigation of risks and/or restoration
of any
harm arising therefrom, including, but not limited to, harm to natural
resources, (b) claims and litigation related to the conduct of the remediation
and (c) claims for contribution or cost recovery in connection with any
remediation.
“Retained
Liabilities” means all liabilities and obligations of Seller and/or Parent that
are not Assumed Liabilities and include:
(a) all
indebtedness for borrowed money and all other indebtedness of Seller not
specifically included in the Assumed Contracts, but excluding trade accounts
payable arising in the ordinary course of the Business prior to the Closing
Date;
(b) all
Taxes
relating to the conduct of the Business prior to the Closing Date and, except
as
provided in Section 5.4, Taxes payable in respect of the sale of the Transferred
Assets pursuant to this Agreement;
(c) all
wages
and salaries of Employees due and payable as of the Closing Date, or in respect
of periods prior to the Closing Date whether or not due and payable as of
the
Closing Date, and, except for those obligations for Seller-Related Compensatory
Arrangements specified on Schedule
5.2
hereto
as the responsibility of Buyer, any bonus, incentive, severance or similar
obligations with respect to Employees, including, without limitation, the
Seller-Related Compensatory Arrangements that are not specified on Schedule
5.2
hereto
as the responsibility of Buyer;
9
(d) all
self-insured obligations, including, without limitation, obligations with
respect to workers’ compensation and medical or health benefits, except for
those obligations specified on Schedule
5.2
hereto
as the responsibility of Buyer;
(e) all
payroll Taxes, social security taxes and disability and unemployment Taxes
in
respect of periods prior to the Closing Date;
(f) all
obligations to make contributions to or to make payments from or provide
benefits under any Plan or Plans;
(g) all
amounts payable by or on behalf of Seller or Parent or any of their Affiliates
in respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including
legal
fees and expenses, accounting fees and expenses and amounts payable to brokers,
finders or financial advisors; and
(h) all
liabilities and obligations required by GAAP to be included, but which are
not
included, on the Closing Balance Sheet, other than those liabilities and
obligations that have been incurred or accrued after the date of the Closing
Balance Sheet and that are included in the Assumed Liabilities.
“Seller”
has the meaning specified in the first paragraph.
“Seller
Loss” and “Seller Losses” have the meanings specified in Section
7.2.
“Seller
Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 7.2.
“Seller-Related
Compensatory Arrangements” means the bonus, incentive and severance arrangements
referenced in memoranda dated January 12, 2008 from Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx to the
Employees named in such memoranda; as updated by the supplemental memoranda
dated February 27, 2008.
“Subsidiary”
means, with respect to any Person, (i) a corporation a majority of whose
capital
stock with voting power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors
is at
the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by such Person and
one
or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person or (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such
Person,
one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or such Person and one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person directly or indirectly, at the date of determination
thereof have at least a majority ownership interest.
10
“Targeted
Working Capital” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.4(b).
“Taxes”
means all taxes and similar levies and assessments imposed by a governmental
authority, including without limitation, income, gross receipts, sales, use,
transfer, business and occupation, franchise, real and personal property,
withholding, payroll and value added taxes.
“Transferred
Assets” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1.
“Transferred
Employees” has the meaning specified in Section 5.2.
“Transition
Services Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 2.6.2(c). “Working
Capital” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.4(a).
“Working
Capital Referee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3.4(c).
“Working
Capital Calculation Statement” has the meaning specified in Section
2.3.4(b).
II. SALE
AND PURCHASE
2.1 Sale
and Purchase of Assets.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, (i) Seller
has
sold, conveyed, transferred, assigned and delivered to Buyer, free and clear
of
any and all Encumbrances, except Permitted Encumbrances, and Buyer has purchased
from Seller, all of the Transferred Assets owned by Seller and all of Seller’s
right, title and interest in and to those Transferred Assets that Seller
has the
right to use under leases, licenses or other consensual arrangements, and
(ii)
Buyer has assumed the Assumed Liabilities. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Transferred Assets" means all of the property and assets, personal or mixed,
tangible or intangible, of every kind and description, wherever located of
Seller that are used, intended to be used or useable in the Business, including,
without limitation, the following property and assets, but excluding the
Excluded Assets:
(a) all
Personal Property;
(b) all
Inventory;
(c) all
Purchased Accounts Receivable;
(d) all
Books
and Records;
(e) all
prepaid expenses, if any, with respect to assets being sold under this
Agreement;
(f) all
Intellectual Property and the goodwill associated therewith;
11
(g) all
transferable Permits (including all Environmental Permits);
(h) all
transferable Commercial Software;
(i) the
Assumed Contracts;
(j) the
Leased Real Property;
(k) the
Owned
Real Property;
(l) all
of
Seller’s rights, claims, credits, causes of action and rights of setoff against
third parties relating to the Business, including, without limitation, rights
against manufacturers and vendors with respect to any Personal Property or
Inventory;
(m) all
transferable bonds or deposits with any governmental authority, utility or
other
third party relating to the Business;
(n) all
rights to the names “Small Tube Manufacturing LCC” and “Small Tube Products” and
all variations thereof;
(o) Seller’s
rights under all Confidentiality Agreements that have been executed by parties
other than Xxxxxxxx Capital, LLC; and
(p) all
other
rights of Seller to engage in, pursue and operate the Business on and after
the
Closing Date.
To
the
extent that the Transferred Assets consist of written documents (including
microfilms and computer files) which are necessary for Seller’s records, Seller
may either deliver to Buyer a duplicate copy of such documents and retain
the
original or deliver to Buyer the original of such documents and retain a
duplicate copy; provided however, that Seller shall deliver the original
of any
such document when delivery of the original is necessary to effectuate the
transfer or Buyer’s use and enjoyment of any Transferred Asset.
2.2 Excluded
Assets.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Transferred Assets shall
not include the following (the "Excluded Assets"):
(a) all
cash
in hand, cash equivalents, investments and bank accounts as of the Closing
Date;
(b) all
notes
receivable, negotiable instruments and chattel paper as of the Closing Date,
except those, if any, that evidence any Purchased Accounts Receivable or
payment
obligations thereunder;
12
(c) refunds
or claims for refunds due from federal, state, local and foreign taxing
authorities with respect to Taxes paid or to be paid by Seller with respect
to
events occurring before the Closing Date;
(d) prepaid
expenses, if any, with respect to assets not being sold under this
Agreement;
(e) insurance
policies;
(f) rights
of
indemnification, insurance proceeds, claims against insurers, and similar
rights
relating to insurance with respect to which Seller discharged any liability
prior to the Closing Date or will remain liable thereunder;
(g) Seller’s
rights
under this Agreement;
(h) Seller’s
organizational documents and agreements, minute and limited liability company
record books and seal;
(i) Seller’s
Tax
ledgers, Tax journals and Tax returns;
(j) all
Plans
maintained by Seller and/or Parent for any of their employees, and all assets
of
such Plans or otherwise relating to any benefits provided for such
employees;
(k) the
assets identified on Schedule
2.2(k);
and
(l)
any
Marks, Copyrights Internet Websites, domain names and registrations or
applications for registrations thereof that use or employ the name "Wolverine"
or “Wolverine Tube” or any variation thereof.
2.3 Purchase
Price; Adjustment.
2.3.1 Determination
and Payment.
The
consideration paid by Buyer for the Transferred Assets is (i) $25,000,000.00
(the "Closing Date Cash Purchase Price"), as adjusted pursuant to Section
2.3.4
(as so adjusted, the “Purchase Price”) and (ii) the assumption of the Assumed
Liabilities.
2.3.2
Closing
Date Cash Payment.
The
Closing Date Cash Purchase Price payable at Closing is being paid in immediately
available funds at Closing as follows:
(a) the
amount of $23,800,000.00, less the amount paid on Seller’s behalf pursuant to
Section 2.3.2(c), is being paid by wire transfer to an account that has been
designated by Seller at least three Business Days prior to the
Closing;
13
(b) the
amount of $1,200,000.00, plus $500,000.00, is being paid by deposit in an
escrow
account with Mellon Bank (the “Escrow Agent”) pursuant to an Escrow Agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit
A
attached
hereto (the “Escrow Agreement”); and
(c) Buyer
is
paying, on behalf of Seller, Seller’s portion of the Tax prorations determined
as of the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.3.5.
2.3.3
Allocation.
The
Purchase Price and the Assumed Liabilities will be allocated among the
Transferred Assets by Buyer and Seller in accordance with the allocation
agreed
upon by Buyer and Seller prior to Closing, which allocation is or will be
attached hereto as Schedule
2.3.3.
The
parties agree that the form of the transaction, and the consideration therefor,
provided for in this Agreement were arrived at on the basis of arm's-length
negotiation between the parties and, to the extent permitted by applicable
law,
that they will report the federal, state and local and other Tax consequences
of
the purchase and sale hereunder (including, without limitation, in filings
on
Internal Revenue Service Form 8594) in a manner consistent with such allocation
and that they will not take any position inconsistent therewith in connection
with any Tax return, refund claim, litigation or otherwise.
2.3.4 Purchase
Price Adjustment.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, (i) "Working Capital" means the amount, if any,
by
which the aggregate of Current Assets exceeds the aggregate of Current
Liabilities; (ii) "Current Assets" means all current assets of the Business
that
are included in the Transferred Assets determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied ("GAAP"); and (iii) "Current
Liabilities" means the current liabilities of the Business that are included
in
the Assumed Liabilities determined in accordance with GAAP.
(b) Seller
and Buyer have mutually agreed to a pro-forma Working Capital amount of
$13,100,000.00 (“Targeted Working Capital”). Schedule
2.3.4(b)
hereto
sets forth (i) the calculation and format of the Targeted Working Capital,
and
(ii) an unaudited statement of Working Capital (the "Estimated Closing Date
Working Capital Statement") containing Seller’s good faith estimate of Working
Capital as of the Closing Date (the "Estimated Closing Date Working Capital").
The Estimated Closing Date Working Capital Statement has been prepared and
the
Estimated Closing Date Working Capital has been determined in a manner
consistent with the presentation of current assets and current liabilities
shown
on the balance sheets included in the Annual Financial Statements, the Interim
Financial Statements and the Closing Balance Sheet and the definition of
Working
Capital in Section 2.3.4(a). Based on the Estimated Closing Date Working
Capital
(as shown on the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital Statement), the Closing
Date Cash Purchase Price has been provisionally increased by Three Million
Ninety-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty-Eight and No/100 Dollars
($3,098,868.00) to an amount of Twenty Eight Million Ninety Eight Thousand
Eight
Hundred Sixty Eight and No/100 Dollars ($28,098,868.00), subject to final
adjustment pursuant to Sections 2.3.4(c) through 2.3.4(f) The amount of
provisional increase is herein referred to as the “Preliminary Purchase Price
Adjustment Amount.”
14
(c) Within
45
days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver to Seller a statement (the
“Closing Statement”) of Working Capital as at the Closing Date (the “Closing
Date Working Capital”). The Closing Statement shall be prepared and the Closing
Date Working Capital shall be determined in a manner consistent with the
Estimated Closing Date Working Capital Statement and the Estimated Closing
Date
Working Capital, respectively (assuming the consistency requirements expressed
in Section 2.3.4(b) were satisfied). Seller will cooperate with Buyer in
the
preparation of the Closing Statement.
(d) In
the
event Seller disputes any matter or matters on the Closing Statement, Seller
may
within thirty (30) days after the delivery of the Closing Statement notify
Buyer
of such dispute in a writing setting forth in reasonable detail the nature
of
such dispute and the facts upon which it is based, together with the application
or treatment proposed by Seller and the reasons supporting the use of such
application or treatment rather than that used by Buyer. Buyer shall respond
to
such notice from Seller in writing within thirty (30) days after receipt
thereof. If no such notice is given by Seller within the time specified,
the
Closing Statement shall be deemed accepted by Seller.
(e) If
the
parties have not resolved all matters in dispute relating to the Closing
Statement within thirty (30) days after Buyer’s receipt of such notice from
Seller, either party may notify the other in writing that it elects to submit
all remaining issue(s) to resolution by a neutral accounting firm of national
reputation. Each party hereby irrevocably waives any right to commence
litigation in any jurisdiction or to seek indemnification under Article VII
of
this Agreement solely on the basis of any dispute under the provisions of
this
Section 2.3.4. Within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice of election
by
either party, the parties shall agree upon the selection of a neutral accounting
firm or, if they are unable to agree, each party shall submit the names of
two
neutral accounting firms and a neutral accounting firm shall be selected
at
random from among them. An accounting firm shall be considered neutral if
it has
not within the past three years performed and does not currently perform
or
contemplate performing any accounting, consulting or other services for either
of the parties and/or their respective Affiliates. The neutral accounting
firm
selected in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.3.4(e) is herein
referred to as the “Working Capital Referee.”
15
(f) The
Working Capital Referee shall review the disputed matters and render a
determination with respect to each of those (but only those) disputed matters,
which determination will be (i) in writing, (ii) made in accordance with
GAAP
and the consistency requirements expressed in Sections 2.3.4(b) and 2.3.4(c)
and
(iii) furnished to Buyer and Seller. In making such determination, the Working
Capital Referee (A) shall act as an expert in accounting and not as a mediator
or arbitrator and (B) shall limit its determination to the matters in dispute
and whether and to what extent, if any, adjustments are required to be made
to
the Closing Statement, and/or the Closing Date Working Capital (as set forth
in
the Closing Statement). Except as provided in this Section 2.3.4(f), the
Working
Capital Referee shall not be required to follow any particular rules of
procedure, it being the intention of the parties to create a feasible, practical
and expeditious method for resolving any disagreement hereunder. The decision
of
the Working Capital Referee shall be final and binding and shall not be subject
to review or challenge of any kind; provided however, that the decision of
the
Working Capital Referee shall be enforceable in accordance with Section 8.14.
The fees and expenses of the Working Capital Referee shall be borne equally
by
Buyer and Seller.
(g) The
total
amount payable by Buyer to Seller as the Purchase Price is $25,000,000.00
plus
or minus the amount by which the Closing Date Working Capital (as finally
determined pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.3.4) exceeds or is less
than the Targeted Working Capital. If the Closing Date Working Capital exceeds
the Targeted Working Capital, the excess shall be paid by Buyer to Seller.
If
the Targeted Working Capital exceeds the Closing Date Working Capital, the
excess shall be paid by Seller to Buyer. The amount placed in escrow pursuant
to
Section 2.3.4(b), if any, shall be released to Buyer and/or Seller as
appropriate to give effect to the foregoing. Any payment due from Seller
or
Buyer pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.3.4 shall be made within
five
Business Days after Seller’s written notification to Buyer of Seller’s
acceptance of the Closing Statement, within ten Business Days after Seller
is
deemed to have accepted the Closing Statement pursuant to the last sentence
of
Section 2.3.4(d) or within ten Business Days after the final determination
by
the Working Capital Referee of any disputed matters pursuant to Section
2.3.4(f). If some or all of the Preliminary Purchase Price Adjustment Amount
was
placed in escrow pursuant to Section 2.3.4(b)(i), concurrently with such
payment
Buyer and Seller shall execute the joint written instructions contemplated
by
Section 3.3(a) of the Escrow Agreement for the disbursement of the amount
placed
in escrow in conformity with this Section 2.3.4(g).
16
2.3.5 Proration
of Certain Taxes.
Real
property Taxes (or payments in lieu thereof) water and personal property
and
other ad valorem Taxes, if any, of Seller related to the Transferred Assets
shall be allocated between Buyer and Seller on the basis of a daily proration
and the net amount owing from Buyer to Seller or from Seller to Buyer on
account
of such proration, shall be paid at Closing. If an assessment for the period
that includes the Closing Date (the "Current Period") has not been made by
the
time that payment is due under the preceding sentence, a tentative payment
shall
be made at that time based on the assessment for the immediately preceding
tax
period, and Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, shall make an appropriate
adjusting payment within 10 days following receipt of the assessment for
the
Current Period.
2.4 Assumed
Liabilities.
Effective as of the Closing, Buyer hereby assumes the Assumed Liabilities.
Buyer
agrees and covenants to timely pay, perform and discharge the Assumed
Liabilities as and when the same become due and payable.
2.5 Retained
Liabilities.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any conveyance instrument
executed pursuant hereto to the contrary, Seller understands and acknowledges
that Buyer is assuming only the Assumed Liabilities and is not assuming any
Retained Liabilities and Seller agrees and covenants to timely pay, perform
and
discharge the Retained Liabilities as and when the same become due and
payable.
2.6 Closing.
2.6.1 Time
and Place.
The
closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Closing") it taking
place
at the offices of Xxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP (legal counsel to Parent and Seller),
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000 and the offices
of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC (legal counsel to Buyer), 000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 000000 at 11:00 a.m., central time, on February 29, 2008 (the
"Closing Date").
17
2.6.2 Seller's
Deliveries at Closing.
At the
Closing, Seller has delivered to Buyer:
(a) the
Xxxx
of Sale and Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated the Closing Date,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B
(the
"Xxxx of Sale and Assignment and Assumption");
(b) the
Lease
Assignment and such other assignments and other instruments of conveyance
as may
be necessary to convey the Owned Real Property and Seller’s interest in the
Leased Real Property to Buyer, free and clear of all Encumbrances except
Permitted Encumbrances, duly witnessed and attested for recording in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
(c) duly
executed counterparts of the Transition Services Agreement substantially
in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit
D
(the
"Transition Services Agreement").
(d) duly
executed counterparts of the Receivables Agreement;
(e) an
affidavit pursuant to 26 U.S.C.A. §1445 that Seller is not a foreign entity in
the form prescribed by Regulation section 1.445 5(b)(3)(ii)(D)(2);
(f) an
officer's certificate(s) of Seller and Parent as to (i) organizational matters
of Seller, (ii) incumbency of Seller's and Parent’s officers, and (iii)
requisite Seller Parent authorizations to enter into this Agreement and the
other Related Agreements and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and
thereby;
(g) such
other certificates, instruments and documents, if any, as are reasonably
necessary to give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and
other Related Agreements; and
(h) an
acknowledgement by Parent, Seller and Buyer that, except for those items,
if
any, identified therein to be satisfied after the Closing, all conditions
to the
Closing have been satisfied or waived by Parent, Seller and Buyer.
2.6.3 Buyer's
Deliveries at Closing.
At the
Closing, Buyer has delivered to Seller:
(a) by
wire
transfer, the Closing Date Cash Payment, payable as specified in Section
2.3.2(a) hereof;
18
(b) the
Xxxx
of Sale and Assignment and Assumption Agreement;
(c) the
Lease
Assignment;
(d) duly
executed counterparts of the Transition Services Agreement;
(e)
a
duly
executed counterpart of the letter agreement referenced in the definition
of
Receivables Agreement;
(f) an
officer's certificate of Buyer as to (i) organizational matters of Buyer,
(ii)
incumbency of Buyer's officers, and (iii) requisite Buyer authorization to
enter
into this Agreement and the other Related Agreements and consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
(g) such
other certificates, instruments and documents, if any, as are reasonably
necessary to give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and
the other Related Agreements; and
(h) an
acknowledgement by Parent, Seller and Buyer that, except for those items,
if
any, identified therein to be satisfied after the Closing, all conditions
to the
Closing have been satisfied or waived by Parent, Seller and Buyer.
2.7 Nonassignable
Contracts and Leases.
In the
case of any contracts, commitments or, other agreements relating to the Business
to which Seller is a party which by their terms or by virtue of their subject
matter are not assignable to Buyer and which are not designated as Excluded
Assets (collectively, the "Non-Assigned Contracts"), Seller agrees to use
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, as soon as is reasonably practicable
following the date hereof, any written consents necessary to convey to Buyer
the
benefit thereof, it being understood that such commercially reasonable efforts
shall not include any requirement to commence litigation or offer or grant
any
financial accommodations to any third party or to remain secondarily liable
with
respect to any such Non-Assigned Contract. With respect to Non-Assigned
Contracts for which any required consents have not been obtained by the Closing
Date, Seller agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with
Buyer so that Buyer can obtain the benefits of such Non-Assigned Contracts,
it
being understood that such efforts shall not include any requirement to commence
litigation or offer or grant any financial accommodations or to remain
secondarily liable with respect to any Non-Assigned Contract. Nothing in
this
Agreement shall be construed as an attempt or an agreement to assign or cause
the assignment of any Non-Assigned Contract included in the Transferred Assets
which is not assignable without the consent of the other party or parties
thereto, unless such consent shall have been given, or as to which all the
remedies for the enforcement thereof enjoyed by Seller would not, as a matter
of
law, pass to Buyer as an incident of the assignments provided by this
Agreement.
19
Section
2.8 Hedging
Agreement.
As it
relates to Seller’s metal derivative position as of February 29, 2008, Seller
and Buyer agree that all amounts set forth below are estimates and final
amounts
will be determined upon completion of the following:
(a) Seller
will transfer to Buyer approximately 600,000 pounds of short positions.
(b) Seller
will transfer to Buyer its long derivative position used to firm customer
metal
prices in the amount of 950,000 pounds to the Buyer’s over the counter options
trading account at PB Financial Services, Inc.
(c) Seller
will close its future metal sales contract of 557,000 pounds.
(d) Seller
will assist Buyer in establishing a derivative position needed in the operation
of Buyer’s business.
Any
gain
or losses resulting from the settlement of the above transactions will be
calculated as of the Closing and will be settled between the Seller and the
Buyer fifteen (15) days thereafter.
Schedule
2.8,
based
on current assumptions, contains the details of the transaction. It is
anticipated these transactions will be finalized on Monday, March 3, 2008,
at
which time all of the hedge transaction numbers will be finalized.
III. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND PARENT
Except
as
disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule bearing a number corresponding to the
applicable Section of this Article III and subject to provisions of Section
7.3
hereof, Seller and Parent hereby represent and warrant to Buyer as
follows:
3.1 Corporate
Existence; Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
Seller
is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Seller has the requisite
power
and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement
and
the Related Agreements. Seller has full limited liability company power and
authority to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, and to own
or
use the properties and assets that it purports to own or use. Seller is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign limited liability company under the
laws
of each state or other jurisdiction in which either the ownership or use
of the
properties owned or used by it, or the nature of the activities conducted
by it,
requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified
would
not have a Material Adverse Effect. Seller is a wholly owned Subsidiary of
Parent. Seller has no Subsidiaries.
20
3.2 Authorization
and Validity of Agreement.
The
execution, delivery and performance by Seller of this Agreement and the other
Related Agreements have been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability
company action and corporate action, as the case may be. This Agreement and
the
other Related Agreements have been duly and validly executed and delivered
by
Seller and Parent and constitute valid and binding obligations enforceable
against Seller and Parent in accordance with their respective terms, except
to
the extent that such enforceability (i) may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to
creditors' rights generally, or (ii) is subject to general principles of
equity.
3.3 No
Contravention.
The
execution, delivery and performance by Seller and Parent of this Agreement
and
the other Related Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation
by
Seller and Parent of the transactions contemplated on its part hereby and
thereby will not (i) violate any provision of law, rule or regulation to
which
Seller or Parent is subject, (ii) violate any order, judgment or decree
applicable to Seller or Parent, or (iii) conflict with, or result in a breach
or
default under, any term or condition of the certificate of formation or limited
liability company agreement of Seller or the certificate of incorporation
or
by-laws of Parent, or any agreement or other instrument to which Seller or
Parent is a party or by which Seller or Parent is bound; except, in each
case,
for violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults which individually or in
the
aggregate would not materially hinder or impair the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or Buyer’s use and enjoyment of the Transferred
Assets and conduct of the Business after the Closing as currently conducted
by
Seller or would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
3.4 Transferred
Assets.
Seller
has good and marketable title to, or has valid leasehold interests in, or
licenses for, all of the Transferred Assets, free of all Encumbrances other
than
Permitted Encumbrances. The Transferred Assets include all assets, rights
and
properties of any kind that are material to or necessary for the Business
as it
is now being conducted. To Seller’s knowledge, all machinery, equipment and
other tangible assets included in the Personal Property have been maintained
in
accordance with normal industry practice, are in good operating condition
and
repair, subject to normal wear and tear, and are suitable for the purposes
for
which they are presently used by Seller.
21
3.5 Material
Contracts.
Section
3.5
of the
Disclosure Schedule contains a list of each Contract that is a Material Contract
as of the date of this Agreement. A Material Contract is any Contract, or
two or
more related Contracts (including any and all amendments thereto) to which
Seller is a party or by which Seller or any of its properties or assets may
be
bound that:
(a) involves
performance of services or delivery of goods or materials by Seller of an
amount
or value in excess of $25,000.00;
(b) involves
performance of services for Seller or delivery of goods or materials to Seller
of an amount or value in excess of $25,000.00;
(c) was
not
entered into in the ordinary course of business and involves expenditures
or
receipts of Seller in excess of $10,000.00; or
(d) provides
for capital expenditures in excess of $25,000.00.
Each
of
the Material Contracts is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable
in accordance with its terms as of the date hereof, and Seller is in material
compliance with all applicable terms of each Material Contract as of the
date
hereof. Seller has not given to or received from any other party to any Material
Contract any notice or other written or, to Seller's Knowledge, oral
communication regarding any actual or alleged breach of or default under
any
Material Contract as of the date hereof.
3.6 Inventories.
All
Inventories included in the Transferred Assets have been produced or purchased
in the ordinary course of Seller's conduct of the Business and in material
compliance with Seller's applicable quality control procedures. All Inventory,
whether or not reflected in the Financial Statements, consists of a quality
and
quantity usable and/or salable in the ordinary course of business, except
for
obsolete items and items of below-standard quality, all of which have been
written off or written down to net realizable value in the Financial Statements.
All Inventory not written off has been priced at the lower of cost or market
on
a first in, first out basis. The quantities of each item of Inventory (whether
raw materials, work in process or finished goods) are reasonable based on
Seller’s experience in the conduct of the Business.
22
3.7 Real
Property.
Section
3.7
of the
Disclosure Schedule (a) identifies by parcel or other distinct unit, all
real
property used in the operation of the Business, and (b) as to each parcel
or
other distinct unit, states whether such property is Owned Real Property
or
Leased Real Property, the address (including state, county and municipality)
and
any recording information (e.g., deed book and page). The Seller has good
and
marketable title to each parcel or unit comprising the Owned Real Property
and a
valid leasehold interest in each parcel or unit comprising the Leased Real
Property, in each case free of all Encumbrances other than Permitted
Encumbrances.
3.8 Permits.
Except
with regard to Environmental Permits, as to which Seller's sole representations
and warranties are set forth in Section 3.16, Seller has obtained, and is
in
compliance with, all Permits necessary to operate the Business and the
Transferred Assets as currently operated by Seller except where the failure
to
obtain or comply with a Permit would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.8
of the
Disclosure Schedule lists all Permits, other than Environmental Permits,
held by
Seller that are material to the conduct of the Business. Seller has maintained
all such Permits in good standing, and, to Seller's Knowledge, there does
not
exist any circumstance or fact which would subject such Permits to suspension,
revocation or termination.
3.9 Litigation.
There
is no legal, administrative or other action, proceeding or, to Seller's
Knowledge, governmental investigation ("Litigation") pending or, to Seller's
Knowledge, threatened (i) against Seller with respect to the Business or
the
Transferred Assets as of the date of this Agreement, or (ii) which seeks
to
prevent delay or otherwise interfere with, or obtain damages in respect of
the
consummation of, the transactions contemplated hereby. As to Litigation
involving Environmental laws, if any, Seller’s sole representations or
warranties are contained in Section 3.16.
3.10
Compliance
with Laws.
Seller
is in compliance with all laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, judgments,
injunctions, orders, decrees and Permits applicable to the Business, excluding,
however, any non-compliance which would not be reasonably expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect, and excluding for the purposes of this Section 3.10
Environmental Laws as to which Seller's sole representations or warranties
are
set forth in Section 3.16.
3.11 Consents.
No
consent, approval or authorization of, or exemption by, or declaration,
registration or filing with, any governmental or regulatory authority or
any
other Person is required to be obtained or made by Seller or Parent in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Seller or Parent
of
this Agreement or the taking by Seller or Parent of any other action
contemplated hereby.
23
3.12 Financial
Statements.
Seller
has provided Buyer with (a) the balance sheets of Seller as of December 31, 2006
and as of December 31, 2007, and the income statements of Seller for the
year
ended December 31, 2006 and for the year ended December 31, 2007 (the "Annual
Financial Statements"), (b) the balance sheet of Seller as of January 31,
2008,
and the income statement of Seller for the period ended January
31, 2008
(the
"Interim Financial Statements") and (c) the Closing Balance Sheet (collectively
with the Annual Financial Statements and the Interim Financial Statements,
the
"Financial Statements"). The Financial Statements are derived from the books
and
records of Seller and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of Seller at the periods indicated, and the results of its operations
for the periods then ended in conformity with GAAP, provided that the Interim
Financial Statements and the Closing Balance Sheet are subject to normal
year
end adjustments.
3.13 Intellectual
Property.
Seller
does not own or hold any Patents. Section
3.13
of the
Disclosure Schedule lists all Marks and Copyrights owned or held by Seller.
Seller has the exclusive right to use those Marks and Copyrights and to convey
them to Buyer free and clear of any Encumbrances. Seller has a valid license
to
use, and to make and sell all products derived from the use of, all Patents
employed in the operation of the Business. Section
3.13
of the
Disclosure Schedule lists each item of Commercial Software used in the Business.
To the Knowledge of Seller and Parent, Seller, in connection with its operation
of the Business, is currently not infringing on any Patents, Marks or Copyrights
of others in the operation of the Business and Seller has not received any
written or, to Seller's Knowledge, oral notice alleging any such infringement.
Seller has no Knowledge of any infringement by any third party on any Patents,
Marks or Copyrights used in the operation of the Business.
3.14 Employee
Matters.
3.14.1 Section
3.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule contains a true and complete list of the name, title,
job
description, length of service and base salary or hourly rate of each employee
of Seller, including employees on personal, military, family, educational
or
medical leave, each employee receiving sickness or disability benefits or
occupational, illness or injury benefits and each employee on long-term
disability (each an “Employee” and collectively “Employees”), together with a
statement of the basis, amount and nature of any other remuneration, if any,
whether in cash or in kind, paid to each Employee as of the date of the Closing
Balance Sheet or payable to each Employee after the date of the Closing Balance
Sheet, including the amount of all vacation and similar benefits to which
each
Employee was entitled as of the date of the Closing Balance Sheet. With respect
to Employees:
24
(a) Seller
is
not a party to any collective bargaining or similar agreement and no labor
organization has been certified or, to the Seller’s Knowledge, is currently
negotiating as a collective bargaining agent of any Employee or group of
Employees or attempting to organize any Employees as a collective bargaining
unit; no such activity has taken place during the last three years;
(b) there
is
no pending, or to Seller’s Knowledge threatened, any strike, walkout or other
work stoppage or other material labor difficulty, and no such activity has
taken
place during the last three years;
(c) Seller
is
in compliance, in all material respects, with all Applicable Laws relating
to
employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and
wages and hours;
(d) Seller
has no commitment or agreement to effect any wage or salary increase for
its
Employees, or any of them;
(e) none
of
the Persons employed in the Business is provided to Seller under contract
with a
third party;
(f) there
is
no claim, charge or complaint of unfair labor practice, employment
discrimination or harassment against Seller before any governmental authority
(nor does Seller have Knowledge of any basis therefor); and
(g) Seller
is
not in violation, in any material respect, with the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 or any Applicable Legal Requirement relating to occupational
safety,
nor has Seller received any complaint or other communication from any
governmental authority alleging any violation of any thereof.
3.14.2 Section
3.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule lists each “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA) and each other employee compensation, welfare, pension or
benefit
plan, if any, maintained by or for Parent and/or Seller or to which Parent
and/or Seller contributes or has contributed (each a “Plan” and collectively
“Plans”). Except for the Plans listed in Section
3.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule, neither Parent nor Seller maintains or contributes to
and
neither Parent nor Seller has, at any time on or after January 1, 1999,
maintained or contributed to any “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA). Except as otherwise disclosed in Section
3.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule, (a) none of the Plans is a multi-employer plan (within
the
meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA) and there is no corporation, trade or
business that would be treated, together with Parent and/or Seller, as a
single
“employer” under the provisions of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code,
and (b) none of the Plans is a “defined benefit plan” (as such term is defined
in Section 3(35) of ERISA). Each Plan has been and is currently being maintained
and administered, in substantial compliance, with its constituent documents
and
the requirements of ERISA and the Code.
25
None
of
the Transferred Assets are subject to any Encumbrance under Title IV of ERISA
and to the Knowledge of Seller there are no existing facts or circumstances
that
could be expected to give rise to any such Encumbrance.
3.15 Brokerage.
No
broker or finder has acted directly or indirectly for Seller in connection
with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and no broker or
finder
is entitled to any brokerage or finder's fee or other commission in respect
thereof based in any way on agreements, arrangements or understandings made
by
or on behalf of Seller.
3.16 Environmental
Matters.
Buyer
acknowledges that the representations and warranties contained in this
Section
3.16
are the
only representations and warranties being made by Seller with respect to
compliance with Environmental Laws or with respect to environmental matters,
related in any way to this Agreement or its subject matter and no other
representation contained in this Agreement shall apply to any such matters
and
no other representation or warranty, express or implied, is being made with
respect thereto.
(a) To
Seller’s Knowledge, Seller, the Business, and all Transferred Assets are in
compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws and there is no civil,
criminal or administrative judgment, action, suit, demand, claim, hearing,
notice of violation, investigation, proceeding, notice or demand letter pending
or threatened against Seller, the Business, or the Transferred Assets pursuant
to any Environmental Law or related in any way to the presence, emission,
discharge, disposal, Release, threatened Release, spill, or leaking of a
Hazardous Material.
26
(b) Seller,
as of the date hereof, maintains in full force and effect all Permits which
are
required by any Environmental Law in connection with the current operation
of
the Business and the Transferred Assets;
(c) Seller
has taken all actions necessary under applicable
requirements
of any Environmental Laws to register any products or materials relating
to the
Business and Transferred Assets required to be registered
thereunder;
(d) To
Seller’s Knowledge, there are no past or present events, conditions,
circumstances, activities, practices, incidents, actions or plans which would
result in a violation of any Environmental Laws, or which have given or may
reasonably be expected to give rise to an Environmental Claim, with respect
to
the operation of the Business and Transferred Assets, including, without
limitation, any legal or illegal release or disposal at any onsite or off-site
facility or location of Hazardous Substances at any time prior to the date
of
the Closing;
(e) To
Seller’s Knowledge, there is not now on, in or under any of the Owned Real
Property or the Leased Real Property or otherwise included in or affecting
the
Transferred Assets any underground storage tanks or surface impoundments;
and
(f) Section
3.16
of the
Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate and complete list of all Environmental
Permits of Seller relating to the Business and the Transferred Assets in
effect
as of the date hereof. Seller is in substantial compliance with such required
Environmental Permits and is also in compliance with all other material
limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements,
obligations, schedules, and timetables contained in any such Environmental
Permits.
(g) Parent
and Seller have removed and disposed of the construction debris located at
the
Facility and caused such removal and disposal to be effected in compliance
with
all Environmental Laws.
3.17 Customers,
Distributors, and Suppliers.
(a)
Section
3.17
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of (i) the ten largest customers (by
dollar volume) for whom Seller provided products or services during fiscal
years
2006 and 2007, (ii) the ten largest vendors or suppliers (by dollar volume)
from
whom Seller purchased products or services during fiscal years 2006 and 2007,
and (iii) each Person that currently acts as a reseller or distributor of
products or services provided by Seller.
27
(b) No
Person
listed in Section
3.17
of the
Disclosure Schedule has terminated, cancelled or adversely curtailed its
business relationship with Seller or to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened to do so,
and Seller has not received any written notice or, to Sellers Knowledge,
any
oral notice or other communication that any such Person intends to cease
or
reduce, or is considering ceasing or reducing, its business relationship
with
Seller;
(c) None
of
the vendors or suppliers listed in Section
3.17
of the
Disclosure Schedule or any other Person is a sole supplier of any product
or
service that is material to the Business.
(d) Seller
has not received notice of any future material increase in the amount paid
for
products or services used in the Business or any demand or request for any
future material decrease in the amount charged for products or services provided
by the Business.
3.18 Product
Warranties; Product Liability.
(a) Each
product manufactured, sold or delivered, and all services provided, by Seller
have been in conformity with all applicable contractual commitments and all
express warranties covering such products and services. No product manufactured,
sold or delivered, or service performed, by Seller is subject to any warranty,
guaranty or other indemnity of Seller beyond Seller’s standard terms and
conditions of sale, a copy of which has been provided to Buyer. Section
3.18
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth (i) the aggregate dollar amount of all pending
warranty claims and all other claims for the repair, replacement or
re-performance of Seller’s products and services, and (ii) a summary of each
such claim, or group of related claims, that exceed $5,000.00.
(b) No
product manufactured, sold or delivered by Seller is, or at any time on or
after
January 1, 2000 has been, subject to any recall or similar action, voluntary
or
involuntary, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there is no basis for any present
or future claim with respect to any product manufactured, sold or delivered
by
Seller based on injury to person or property as a result of the possession
or
use of any such product.
(c) There
is
no action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to Seller's Knowledge,
threatened by or before any court or governmental authority alleging that
any
product manufactured sold or delivered by Seller was defective or improperly
designed or manufactured, nor, to Seller's Knowledge, is there any basis
for any
such action, proceeding or investigation.
28
3.19 Accounts
Receivable.
All of
the Purchased Accounts Receivable are valid Accounts Receivable and have
arisen
in the ordinary course of the Business and Seller has not, in whole or in
part,
settled or compromised any of the Purchased Accounts Receivable or waived
any
right to payment thereof. All of the amounts payable under the Purchased
Accounts Receivable relate to products delivered and/or services performed,
and
no delivery or performance remains outstanding with respect to any of those
amounts. The Receivables Agreement is in full force and effect and is sufficient
to vest in Seller the full and complete ownership of and absolute right to
sell,
convey, transfer and deliver to Buyer the Purchased Receivables.
3.20 No
Undisclosed Liabilities.
Except
as set forth on the Closing Balance Sheet, the Business has no liabilities
or
obligations of any nature (whether known or unknown and whether absolute,
accrued, contingent, or otherwise) of the type required to be included in
balance sheets prepared in accordance with GAAP.
3.21 Absence
of Certain Changes.
Since
January 1, 2005, Seller has conducted the Business only in the ordinary course
and since January 1, 2007, there has not been any (i) damage to or destruction
or loss of any of the Transferred Assets, whether or not covered by insurance,
which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii)
sale
(other than sales of Inventory in the ordinary course), lease, or other
disposition of any asset or property used in the Business or mortgage, pledge,
or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance on any material asset or property
used in the Business or (iii) occurrence or event which could reasonably
be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
3.22 Taxes.
Parent
and/or Seller has duly filed all Tax reports and returns required to be filed
by
it and has duly paid all Taxes and other charges required to be paid to all
federal, state, local or foreign taxing authorities. Parent and/or Seller
has
withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in respect
of the Business, including all sales, use and similar Taxes and all Taxes
in
connection with amounts paid or owing to employees and independent contractors.
There are no Tax liens upon any Transferred Assets except inchoate liens
for
Taxes not yet due and payable. No claim has been made by a taxing authority
where Seller does not file Tax reports or returns that Seller or the Business
is
or may be subject to taxation by, or required to file Tax reports or returns
in,
that jurisdiction.
29
3.23 Disclosure.
No
representation or warranty contained in this Article III knowingly contains
any
untrue statement of a material fact or knowingly omits to state a material
fact
required to be stated herein or necessary to make the statements contained
herein not misleading. To the Knowledge of Seller, there is no fact or
circumstance relating to the Transferred Assets or the Business that constitutes
a Material Adverse Effect.
IV. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Buyer
hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:
4.1 Organization.
Buyer
is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of Delaware and has all requisite power and authority
to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and to execute, deliver
and
perform this Agreement and the other Related Agreements and to consummate
the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
4.2 Authorization
and Validity of Agreement.
The
execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the other
Related Agreements has been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability
company action. This Agreement and the other Related Agreements have been
duly
and validly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitute valid and binding
obligations enforceable against Buyer in accordance with their respective
terms,
except to the extent that such enforceability (i) may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to
creditors' rights generally or (ii) is subject to general principles of
equity.
4.3 No
Contravention.
The
execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the
consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated on its part hereby
will
not (i) violate any provision of any law, rule or regulation to which it
is
subject, (ii) violate any order, judgment or decree applicable to it, or
(iii)
conflict with, or result in a breach or default under, any term or condition
of
the certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement of Buyer,
or
any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or by which it is
bound; except, in each case, for violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults
which in the aggregate would not materially hinder or impair the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby.
30
4.4 Consents.
No
consent, approval or authorization of, or exemption by, or declaration,
registration or filing with, any governmental or regulatory authority or
any
other Person is required to be obtained or made by Buyer in connection with
the
execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement, or the taking
by
Buyer of any other action contemplated hereby, excluding, however, consents,
approvals, authorizations, exemptions or filings, if any, which Seller is
required to obtain or make.
4.5 Brokerage.
No
broker or finder has acted for Buyer in connection with this Agreement or
the
transactions contemplated hereby, and no broker or finder is entitled to
any
brokerage or finder's fee or other commission in respect thereof based in
any
way on agreements, arrangements or understandings made by or on behalf of
Buyer,
other than agreements, arrangements or understandings for which Buyer is
solely
responsible and no portion of which shall be charged to Seller or Parent
or
otherwise be the responsibility of Seller or Parent.
4.6 Litigation.
There
is no Litigation pending or, to Buyer's Knowledge, threatened (i) against
Buyer
with respect to which there is a reasonable likelihood of a determination
which
would have a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to perform its
obligations under this Agreement or (ii) which seeks to enjoin or obtain
damages
in respect of the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
4.7. Financing.
Buyer
has obtained, or will obtain, equity capital and debt financing sufficient
to
enable it to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in
accordance with the customary practices of Buyer and its
Affiliates.
4.8 Disclosure.
No
representation or warranty contained in this Article IV knowingly contains
any
untrue statement of a material fact or knowingly omits to state a material
fact
required to be stated herein or necessary to make the statements contained
herein not misleading.
V. CERTAIN
AGREEMENTS
Buyer,
and Seller and Parent, hereby acknowledge, covenant and agree as
follows:
5.1 Buyer’s
Due Diligence.
Buyer
acknowledges that it has been granted access to Seller and to Seller’s
facilities, books and records, and has conducted its due diligence with regard
to the Business and the Transferred Assets. During the course of such due
diligence, Buyer has not obtained Knowledge of any state of facts, event,
effect
or change in circumstances which at the time of the Closing constitutes a
Material Adverse Effect. To Buyer’s Knowledge, none of the representations and
warranties contained in Article III is untrue or incorrect in any material
respect. In connection with Buyer’s due diligence, Buyer may have received
certain estimates, projections, forecasts, plans and budgets for the Business.
Buyer acknowledges that no representation or warranty has been made with
respect
to any such estimates, projections, forecasts, plans or budgets.
31
5.2 Employees.
Buyer
has offered employment to all of the current, full-time and part-time active
Employees, on and after the Closing Date, other than those Employees identified
in Section 5.2(A) on Schedule
5.2
hereto.
Employees who have been offered and who have accepted employment with Buyer
(“Transferred Employees”) are being employed by Buyer on the terms and
conditions offered by Buyer which are believed by Buyer in the aggregate
to be
substantially the same or substantially similar to the terms and conditions
of
their employment with Seller (excluding the Seller-Related Compensatory
Arrangements, and it being understood that all Transferred Employees are
common
law employees and employees at will).
Schedule
5.2
hereto
sets forth certain agreements among Buyer and Seller and Parent regarding
severance and medical and health benefits as they relate to Transferred
Employees.
5.3 Cooperation;
Third Party Consents.
Seller,
Parent and Buyer shall cooperate with one another to assure an orderly
transition of the Transferred Assets and the operation of the Business. After
the Closing, Seller and Buyer shall cooperate in obtaining any necessary
consents of third parties that have not been obtained as of the Closing Date,
including the assignment by Seller to Buyer effective as of the Closing Date
of
any customer orders, executory rights and other rights which, but for the
failure to obtain such consents, would be included in the Transferred
Assets.
5.4 Taxes.
Buyer
has delivered to Seller exemption certificates for the exemption of Personal
Property included in the Transferred Assets (other than Inventory and motor
vehicles) from the Pennsylvania sales Tax. All other Taxes (other than Buyer’s
portion of Taxes subject to proration pursuant to Section 2.3.5) payable
in
respect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are Retained
Liabilities and are the responsibility of Seller. Seller and Buyer shall
cooperate with each other as may be reasonably required in connection with
matters relating to Taxes. After the Closing, Buyer shall provide Seller
with
copies of all correspondence received by Buyer from any taxing authority
in
connection with any Tax audit or information request with respect to any
period
prior to the Closing Date. For a period of seven years after January 1, 2009,
Buyer and Seller shall provide the other with reasonable access during normal
business hours and at the expense of the requesting party to Buyer’s and
Seller’s, as the case may be, books and records to the extent they relate to the
operation of the Business prior to the Closing and are requested for the
purpose
of preparing Tax returns or reports, to respond to third-party claims or
for any
other legitimate purpose specified in writing. Buyer and Seller shall each
have
the right, at its own expense, to make copies of any such books and records.
For
the period of seven years after January 1, 2009, neither Buyer nor Seller
shall
destroy any books or records relating to the operation of the Business prior
to
the Closing without offering to turn over possession to the other by written
notice at least 30 days prior to the proposed date of
destruction.
32
5.5 Name.
Within
ten days after the Closing, Seller shall change its name to a name that does
not
contain the words “Small Tube” or any other confusingly similar words. Seller
and Parent agree that, after the Closing, neither will use a name containing
the
words “Small Tube” or any confusingly similar words..
5.6 No
Dissolution.
Seller
shall not, and Parent shall not cause or permit Seller to, dissolve, liquidate
or windup its affairs for a period of at least 18 months after the
Closing.
5.7 Special
Covenants of Seller and Parent.
Seller
and Parent understand and acknowledge that Buyer is acquiring the Transferred
Assets for the purposes of operating and expanding the Business after the
Closing and is making, and will make, substantial investments of time, money
and
effort for those purposes. Accordingly, as a material inducement to the Buyer’s
execution and delivery of this Agreement and Buyer’s consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, Seller and Parent, jointly and severally,
covenant and agree with Buyer as follows:
(a) Seller
and Parent agree to hold the Books and Records and the Intellectual Property
that are included in the Transferred Assets, and all information relating
thereto that is of a proprietary or confidential nature (“Restricted
Information”), in the strictest confidence and further agree that Seller and
Parent will not, without Buyer’s prior written consent, directly or indirectly,
discuss, publish or use any element of Restricted Information. The foregoing
shall not apply to (i) information that has become part of the public domain
through no breach or violation of this Section 5.7(a) by Seller or Parent,
(ii)
information that has previously been disclosed to the recipient by a third
party
who is in lawful possession of such information and has the lawful right
to
disclose such information freely, or (iii) information that is required to
be
disclosed (under threat of contempt or similar sanction) in connection with
any
Litigation;
33
(b) Seller
and Parent agree that, for a period of five years after the Closing, neither
Seller nor Parent will (i) solicit for employment, attempt to employ or assist
any Person in employing or soliciting for employment any Person who is employed
by the Buyer or employed in the Business as operated by the Buyer, or (ii)
encourage any such Person to leave the employ of the Buyer or such
Business;
(c) Schedule
5.7(c)
hereto
sets forth a list of certain products provided by Seller (“Associated Products”)
and the customers to whom such Associated Products are sold (“Associated
Customers”). Seller and Parent agree that, for a period of five years after the
Closing, neither Seller nor Parent will, directly or indirectly, whether
as a
proprietor, independent contractor, consultant, agent, representative, owner,
investor (except that Seller and/or Parent may own not more than 5% of the
equity securities of a publicly held company), lender or otherwise, (i) engage,
or assist any other Person in engaging, in the procurement, production,
manufacture, assembly, provision and/or sale or other distribution of any
Associated Product to any Associated Customer of such product, or (ii) take
any
act in anticipation or furtherance of any of the foregoing[;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 5.7(c) shall prohibit Seller,
Parent and any of their Affiliates as they exist or may exist in the future
from
(i) selling or distributing any product (including any Associated Product)
to
any Person that is not an Associated Customer or (ii) selling or distributing
any product other than an Associated Product to an Associated Customer of
such
product.
(d) Seller
and Parent acknowledge that the restrictions contained in this Section 5.7
are
fair and reasonably necessary to protect the interests of the Buyer and
represent to Buyer that neither Seller’s nor Parent’s future plans involve any
activity that would violate any of those restrictions.
(e) It
is
agreed that if any of the restrictions contained in this Section 5.7 are
determined by a court or arbitration panel to be overly broad in duration
or
scope, or otherwise, the court or arbitration panel, as the case may be,
shall
have the authority to reform this Section 5.7 and to enforce such restriction
to
the fullest extent determined to be reasonable. Furthermore, if any provision
of
this Section 5.7 is determined by a court or arbitration panel to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part, for any reason, the unenforceable
provision or portion shall be considered severable and separable from the
remainder of this Section 5.7 and such determination shall not impair the
validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Section 5.7;
and
34
(f) Seller
and Parent acknowledge that it would be difficult to measure, or to compensate
Buyer adequately for, damages caused by a violation of this Section 5.7.
Accordingly, Seller and Parent each specifically (and knowingly and willingly)
agrees that Buyer shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive
relief
to enforce the provisions of this Section 5.7 in the event of any violation,
or
threatened or contemplated violation of any part thereof.
5.8 Environmental
Matters.
Without
intending to modify the definition of Retained Liabilities, the Parties have
agreed to the following relating to environmental matters:
(a) Parent
and Seller shall continue to complete their current remediation project under
the Pennsylvania Land Recycling and Environmental Standards Act relative
to the
former wastewater discharge lagoons and drain storage area at the Facility
that
is pending with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Buyer
will grant representatives of Parent and/or Seller access to the Facility
in
order for them to complete this project, however all activities relating
to this
project shall be the responsibility of and under the control of Parent and/or
Seller.
5.9 Remittance
of Amounts Received in Respect of Small Tube Receivable Assets.
In the
event that Parent or Small Tube or any of their Affiliates receives, directly
or
indirectly, any payment in respect of any Small Tube Receivable Assets on
or
after the Closing Date, Parent or Small Tube or such Affiliate, as the case
may
be, shall remit promptly, and Parent shall cause Small Tube or such Affiliate,
as the case may be, to remit promptly, such payment to Buyer.
VI. CLOSING
CONDITIONS.
Except
as
provided in the acknowledgement executed and delivered by Parent, Seller
and
Buyer and referenced in Section 2.6.2(h) and Section 2.6.3(h) hereof, all
conditions to the Closing have been satisfied or waived by Parent, Seller
and
Buyer.
35
VII. INDEMNIFICATION
AND SURVIVAL
7.1 Indemnification
by Seller.
Subject
to Section 7.3, Parent and Seller, jointly and severally, will indemnify
and
hold Buyer and each of its managers, officers, members, employees,
representatives and agents (collectively “Buyer Parties”) harmless against any
and all losses, liabilities, damages, costs, penalties, actions, notices
of
violation, and notices of liability and against any claims, deficiencies,
judgments, awards, decrees, costs and expenses in respect thereof (including,
without limitation, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable costs of
investigation and legal expenses but specifically excluding any consequential
and punitive damages), suffered, sustained, incurred or paid or required
to be
paid by any Buyer Party arising out of or resulting from (i) the inaccuracy
of
any representation or warranty contained in Article III hereof, or the breach
of
any covenant of Parent and/ or Seller contained herein, (ii) any Retained
Liability, or (iii) any fraud on the part of Parent or Seller (hereinafter
referred to collectively as “Buyer Losses” and individually as a “Buyer Loss”)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Seller
shall have no liability under any provision of this Agreement for any Buyer
Losses to the extent that such Buyer Losses result solely from or arise solely
out of actions taken by Buyer or its Affiliates after the Closing Date. Buyer
shall take all reasonable steps to mitigate any Buyer Losses upon and after
having Knowledge of any event which Buyer expects to give rise to any Buyer
Losses; provided, however, that the failure to take such steps shall not
affect
any Buyer Party’s right to indemnification hereunder.
7.2 Indemnification
by Buyer.
Subject
to Section 7.3, Buyer will indemnify and hold Parent and Seller and each
of
their respective directors, managers, officers, stockholders, representatives
and agents (collectively “Seller Parties”) harmless against any and all losses,
liabilities, damages, costs, penalties, actions, notices of violation , and
notices of liability and against any claims, deficiencies, judgments, awards,
decrees, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, amounts paid
in
settlement and reasonable costs of investigation but specifically excluding
any
consequential and punitive damages) suffered, sustained, incurred or paid
or
required to be paid by any Seller Party arising out of or resulting from
(i) the
inaccuracy of any representation contained in Article IV hereof, or the breach
of any covenant of Buyer contained herein, (ii) the Assumed Liabilities or
(iii)
the ownership, possession or use of the Transferred Assets and the operation
by
the Buyer of the Business after the Closing Date (but excluding the failure
of
Parent or Seller to obtain any required consent, authorization or approval
or to
give any required notice or make any required filing) (herein referred to
collectively as “Seller Losses” and individually as a “Seller Loss”).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Buyer
shall have no liability under any provision of this Agreement for any Seller
Losses to the extent that such Seller Losses result solely from or arise
solely
out of actions taken by Parent and/or Seller or any of their Affiliates before
or after the Closing Date. Parent and Seller shall take all reasonable steps
to
mitigate any Seller Losses upon and after having Knowledge of any event which
either of them expects to give rise to any Seller Losses; provided, however,
that the failure to take such steps shall not affect any Seller Party’s right to
indemnification hereunder.
36
7.3 Limitations
on Liability
7.3.1 Time
Limitations and Survival.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Section 7.3, the representations and warranties
of
Parent and Seller, and the indemnification for breaches thereof set forth
in
Section 7.1, shall survive the Closing and will expire one (1) year after
the
Closing Date. The expiration of Seller's representations and warranties shall
not affect any rights of Buyer to seek indemnification for Losses related
to
Retained Liabilities under Section 7.1(ii).
7.3.2 Limitation
on Amount.
The
maximum liability for Buyer Losses or Seller Losses, as the case may be,
shall
not exceed $1,200,000; provided, however, that the aforementioned maximum
liability shall not apply to (a) claims for Buyer Losses relating to (i)
the
representations and warranties contained in Section 3.4 (to the extent they
relate to title to the Transferred Assets), and Section 3.22, (ii) fraud
and/or
(iii) the Retained Liabilities (“Non-limited Claims”) or (b) claims for Seller
Losses relating to the Assumed Liabilities; and provided further that Parent’s
liability for Non-Limited Claims described in the immediately preceding clauses
(a)(i) and (a)(iii) shall not exceed $15,000,000. Except for Non-limited
Claims,
Parent and Seller shall have no indemnification obligations for Buyer Losses
unless and until the total amount of Buyer Losses exceeds $150,000 (the “Loss
Threshold Amount”). Once the Loss Threshold Amount has been exceeded Parent’s
and Seller’s indemnification obligations shall only apply to amounts in excess
of the Loss Threshold Amount. For the purpose of calculating any Buyer Losses
in
respect of any claim based on Section 3.18(a) hereof, the dollar value of
any
warranty claim shall be determined based upon the value added to the applicable
product and shall exclude the cost of metal used in the manufacture of such
product. The above Loss limitations shall not apply to the payment of the
Purchase Price or Section 2.8.
37
7.4 Indemnification
Procedure
(a) If
an
indemnified party becomes aware of any matter that it believes is subject
to
indemnification under this Agreement, including receipt by any indemnified
party
of notice of the commencement of any action, proceeding, or other claim in
respect of which the indemnified party intends to seek indemnification, the
indemnified party shall notify the indemnifying party in writing (a "Claim
Notice"); provided, however, that failure to give such notice shall not relieve
the indemnifying party of its obligations. If the indemnifying party elects
in
writing within thirty (30) days after its receipt of a Claim Notice, the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to assume control of the defense of
such
action or claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party;
provided, however, that:
(i) the
indemnified party shall be entitled to participate in the
defense
of such claim and to employ counsel at its own expense (subject to Section
7.4(c) below) to assist in the handling of such claim;
(ii) no
indemnifying party shall consent to the entry of any
judgment
or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term
thereof the giving by each claimant or plaintiff to each indemnified party
of a
release from all liability in respect of such claim or if, pursuant to or
as a
result of such consent or settlement, injunctive or other equitable relief
would
be imposed against the indemnified party or such judgment or settlement could
materially interfere with the business, operations or assets of the indemnified
party; and
(iii) after
written notice by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its
election to assume control of the defense of any such action in accordance
with
the foregoing provisions, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such
indemnified party hereunder for any legal fees, costs and expenses subsequently
incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof,
subject to Section 7.4(c) below.
If
the
indemnifying party does not assume control of the defense of such claim in
accordance with the foregoing provisions, the indemnified party shall have
the
right to defend such claim in such manner as it may deem appropriate, including
engaging counsel and other environmental experts selected by the indemnified
party and reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying party, at the cost
and
expense of the indemnifying party, and the indemnifying party will promptly
reimburse the indemnified party therefor in accordance with this Section
7.4;
provided that the indemnified party shall not be entitled to consent to the
entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement of such claim without
the
prior written consent of the indemnifying party (which consent shall not
be
unreasonably withheld), if, pursuant to or as a result of such consent or
settlement, injunctive or other equitable relief would be imposed against
the
indemnifying party or such judgment or settlement could materially interfere
with the business, operations or assets of the indemnifying
party.
38
(b) In
the
event that a Claim Notice shall have been given to the indemnifying party
prior
to the expiration of the applicable survival period of the right to
indemnification for the underlying claim, then such right to indemnification
shall survive, until such claim is resolved, whether or not the Buyer Losses
or
Seller Losses, as the case may be, on which such claim is based have been
finally determined at the time the Claim Notice is given.
(c)
If
both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party are parties to the
action
or claim for which indemnification is sought, and the indemnified party
determines in good faith that joint representation would be inappropriate,
the
indemnified party may employ its own counsel and experts and otherwise
participate in the defense of such action or claim at the indemnifying party's
expense.
VIII: MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement (including the exhibits and schedules), together with the other
Related Agreements, constitutes the entire understanding of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior or
contemporaneous oral or written statements by any party with respect
thereto.
8.2 Waiver
of Bulk Transfer Requirements.
Parent,
Seller and Buyer agree to waive Seller's compliance with Article 6 of the
Uniform Commercial Code (Bulk Transfers), as in effect in any jurisdiction,
or
any other applicable bulk sales law.
8.3 Successors
and Assigns; Assignment.
The
terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be
binding upon the respective successors of the parties hereto; provided,
however,
that
this Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written
consent of the other, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The
foregoing shall not apply to any assignment of some or all of Buyer’s rights
under this Agreement or any other Related Agreement or certificate, instrument
or other writing contemplated by this Agreement as security for indebtedness
incurred by Buyer, and any such assignment shall not constitute an assignment
for the purpose of this Section 8.3.
39
8.4 Counterparts.
This
Agreement and any other Related Agreement or certificate, instrument or other
document or writing contemplated by this Agreement may be executed in one
or
more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an
original and all of which shall constitute the same instrument. One or more
counterparts of this Agreement or any other Related Agreement or certificate,
instrument or other document or writing contemplated by this Agreement may
be
delivered by facsimile transmission or electronic mail with the intent that
it
or they shall constitute an original counterpart hereof or thereof.
8.5 Headings.
The
headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Agreement
or to affect the construction hereof.
8.6 Modification
and Waiver.
No
amendment, modification or alteration of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding unless the same shall be in writing and duly executed
by the parties hereto, except that any of the terms or provisions of this
Agreement may be waived in writing at any time by the party which is entitled
to
the benefits of such waived terms or provisions. No waiver of any of the
provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to or shall constitute a waiver
of
any other provision hereof (whether or not similar). No delay on the part
of any
party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate
as a
waiver thereof.
8.7 No
Third-Party Beneficiary Rights.
This
Agreement is not intended to and shall not be construed to give any person
or
entity other than the parties signatory hereto any interest or rights
(including, without limitation, any third party beneficiary rights) with
respect
to or in connection with any agreement or provision contained herein or
contemplated hereby.
8.8 Expenses.
Seller
and Buyer shall each pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its
behalf
in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, fees and expenses
of its own financial consultants, accountants and counsel.
40
8.9 Notices.
Any
notice, request, instruction or other document to be given hereunder by either
party hereto to the other party shall be in writing and shall be sent by
telefax
(with confirmation received of the recipient's number) or by electronic mail
(without delivery failure) to the number or email address stated below or
shall
be delivered personally, sent by commercial courier or sent by registered
or
certified mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested) to the postal
address stated below.
If
to
Buyer, to:
ST
Products, LLC
c/o
Standish Capital, LLC
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
Facsimile
No. (000) 000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
X. Xxxx May
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
Email:
xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
If
to
Parent and/or Seller, to:
Xxxxx
X.
Xxxx
Small
Tube Manufacturing, LLC
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000 .
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Email:
xxxxx@xxx.xxx
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
& Xxxxxxx LLP
Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx
41
or
at
such other telefax number or address for a party as shall be specified
by like
notice. Any notice which is delivered personally in the manner provided
herein
shall be deemed to have been duty given to the party to whom it is directed
upon
actual receipt by such party. Any notice which is sent by telefax or addressed
and mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed
to have
been duly given to the party to which it is addressed on the date indicated
on
the telefax confirmation or the postal receipt.
8.10 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be- construed, interpreted and governed in accordance with
the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regardless of the laws that might
otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws
thereof.
8.11 Waiver
of Jury Trial.
Each of
Seller, Parent and Buyer hereby irrevocably waives all right to trial by
jury in
any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based on contract, tort or
otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of
Seller
or Buyer in the negotiations, administration, performance and enforcement
thereof.
8.12 Announcements.
No
party hereto shall make any public statements, including, without limitation,
any press release, with respect to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the other parties
other
than an internal statement (i.e., to its or their own organization) or as
may be
required by law or the rules of any exchange on which their security may
be
traded.
8.13 Severability.
If any
term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal
or
incapable of being enforced by any court having jurisdiction, all other
conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in
full
force and effect.
8.14 Remedies;
Arbitration.
The
parties agree that (a) any and all disputes or disagreements pertaining to
the
Closing Statement and/or the Closing Date Working Capital and any adjustments
required to be made to the Closing Statement and/or the Closing Date Working
Capital shall be resolved in the manner specified in Section 2.3.4, (including,
if necessary, the enforcement of the decision of the Working Capital Referee
pursuant to this Section 8.14) and (b) the provisions of Article VII contain
the
sole and exclusive remedy for claims pertaining to breaches of representations
and warranties or (other than as provided in Section 5.7) covenants. The
parties
further agree that, except for disputes or disagreements governed by Section
2.3.4 and as provided in the last sentence of this Section 8.14, any claims,
disputes or disagreements arising out of or in connection with this Agreement
(including any enforcement of the Working Capital Referee’s decision under
Section 2.3.4, if necessary, and the enforcement of claims for indemnification
under Article VII, if necessary) shall be finally settled by confidential
binding arbitration under the American Arbitration Association's Commercial
Arbitration Rules by one or more arbitrators appointed in accordance with
such
rules. The site of arbitration shall be Atlanta, Georgia. Each party irrevocably
consents to the jurisdiction of the Federal courts situated in the Northern
District of Georgia or the state courts situated in Atlanta, Georgia, or
any
other court of competent jurisdiction, solely for purposes of enforcement
of any
such binding arbitration. The non-prevailing party to an arbitration shall
pay
its own expenses, the fees of the arbitrator(s), the administrative fees
associated with such arbitration, and the expenses, including without
limitation, any attorneys' fees reasonably incurred, by the prevailing party
to
the arbitration.
42
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing in this Section 8.14 shall preclude Buyer from enforcing
the provisions of Section 5.7 or bringing any action based on fraud in a
court
of competent jurisdiction, or preclude either party from seeking, in a court
of
competent jurisdiction, interim or provisional relief, including a temporary
restraining order, preliminary injunction, or other interim equitable relief
concerning any claim, dispute or disagreement arising out of or in connection
with this Agreement, either prior to or during the arbitration, if necessary
to
protect the interests of such party.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
43
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be
executed on its behalf as of the date first above written.
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxx
|
|
Title:
|
President
& Chief Executive Officer
|
|
SMALL
TUBE MANUFACTURING, LLC
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxx
|
|
Title:
|
President
|
|
WOLVERINE
TUBE, INC.
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
|
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxx
|
||
Title:
|
President
& Chief Operating Officer
|
44