UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT between CAVICO CORP. and RODMAN & RENSHAW, LLC as Representative of the Underwriters named in Schedule A CAVICO CORP
Exhibit 10.1
between
and
XXXXXX & XXXXXXX, LLC
as Representative of the Underwriters named in Schedule A
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October 26, 2010
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC
As Representative of the Underwriters
c/o Rodman & Xxxxxxx, LLC
1251 Avenue of the Xxxxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, Cavico Corp., a company formed under the laws of Delaware (collectively, with its subsidiaries , including, without limitation, all entities disclosed or described in the Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined) as being subsidiaries of the Company, the “Company”), hereby confirms its agreement with Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC, who has agreed to act as representative (the “Representative “ or “you”) of the underwriters named in Schedule A (the “Underwriters”) as follows:
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Purchase and Sale of Securities.
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1.1 Firm Securities.
(a) Nature and Purchase of Firm Securities.
On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell, to the Underwriters, an aggregate of 750,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Firm Shares”), par value $0.001 per share (the “Shares”).
The Underwriters agree to purchase from the Company the Firm Shares at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions) of $2.232 per Firm Share (the “Purchase Price”), representing a seven percent (7%) discount to the $2.40 per Firm Share offering price to the public. The Firm Shares are to be offered initially to the public (the “Offering”) at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (as defined in Section 2.1.1 hereof).
(b) Shares Payment and Delivery.
Delivery and payment for the Firm Shares shall be made at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the fourth (4th) Business Day following the date hereof or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Company at the offices of Loeb & Loeb LLP, counsel to the Representative (“Loeb”), or at such other place (or remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Underwriter and the Company. The hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Shares is called the “Closing Date.”
Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made on the Closing Date by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds, payable to the order of the Company upon delivery of the certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative) representing the Firm Shares (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the account of the Underwriter. The Firm Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Underwriters may request in writing at least two (2) full Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Shares except upon tender of payment by the Underwriters for all the Firm Shares. The term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York City.
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1.2 Over-allotment Option.
(a) Option Shares. For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Shares, the Underwriter is hereby granted, an option to purchase up to 112,500 Shares representing 15% of the Firm Shares sold in the Offering (the “Over-allotment Option”). Such additional 112,500 Shares, the net proceeds of which will be deposited with the Company’s account, are hereinafter referred to as “Option Shares.” The Purchase Price to be paid for the Option Shares will be the same price per Option Share as the Purchase Price set forth in Section 1.1.1 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Option Shares are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Public Securities.”
(b) Exercise of Option. The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Shares on or before 45 days after the date hereof. If the last day to exercise the option falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the expiration date of the option will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day. The Underwriters will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Shares prior to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or facsimile or other electronic transmission setting forth the number of Option Shares to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Shares (the “Option Closing Date”), which will not be later than five (5) full Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of Loeb or at such other place (including remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Shares does not occur on the Closing Date, the Option Closing Date will be as set forth in the notice. Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Shares specified in such notice.
(c) Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Option Shares will be made on the Option Closing Date by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds payable to the order of the Company upon delivery of the certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Option Shares (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriters. The Option Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Underwriters may request in writing at least two (2) full Business Days prior to the Option Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Option Shares except upon tender of payment by the Underwriters for the applicable Option Shares.
1.3 Representative’s Warrant.
(a) Representative’s Warrant. The Company hereby agrees to issue to the Representative (and/or its designees) on the Closing Date an warrant (“Representative’s Warrant”) for the purchase of an aggregate of 75,000 Shares (10% of the Firm Shares). The Representative’s Warrant shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on a date which is one year from the Closing Date and expiring on the five-year anniversary of the Closing Date at an initial exercise price per Share of $3.48, which is equal to 145% of the public offering price of the Firm Shares. The Representative’s Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise thereof are sometimes hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Representative’s Securities.” The Representative understands and agrees that there are significant restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 against transferring the Representative’s Warrant and the underlying Shares during the first year after the Closing Date and by its acceptance thereof shall agree that it will not, sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate the Representative’s Warrant, or any potion thereof, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such securities for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the Closing Date to anyone other than (i) an Underwriter or a selected dealer in connection with the Offering, or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of the Representative or of any such Underwriter or selected dealer; and only if any such transferee agrees to the foregoing lock-up restrictions.
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(b) Issuance. Issuance of the Representative’s Warrant shall be made on the Closing Date and shall be issued in the name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request.
2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), as of the Closing Date and as of the Option Closing Date, if any, as follows:
2.1 Filing of Registration Statement.
(a) Pursuant to the Act. The Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a shelf registration statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-3 (File No. 333-169866), including any related prospectus or prospectuses, for the registration of the Public Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act (the “Regulations”). Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration statement on file with the Commission at the time it became effective (including the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of the effective date of such registration statement pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Regulations), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement.” The final prospectus, including the base prospectus and the final prospectus supplement furnished to the Underwriter for use in the Offering and filed with the Commission, is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” The Registration Statement was declared effective by the Commission on October 18, 2010. “Applicable Time” means 4:00 pm on the date hereof.
(b) Registration under the Exchange Act and Stock Exchange Listing. The Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Shares from the NASDAQ Capital Market, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the NASDAQ Capital Market is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.
2.2 No Stop Orders, etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus or the Registration Statement or has instituted or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.
2.3 Disclosures in Registration Statement.
(a) 10b-5 Representation. At the respective times the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto become effective, and at the time the Prospectus is filed (and at the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any):
The Registration Statement, and any post-effective amendments thereto and the Prospectus, did and will contain all material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and will in all material respects conform to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations;
Neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement thereto, on such dates, do or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representation and warranty made in this Section 2.3.1(ii) does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto.
(b) Disclosure of Agreements. The agreements and documents described in the Prospectus and the Registration Statement conform to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required by the Act and the Regulations to be described in the Prospectus, the Registration Statement or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which it is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Prospectus, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws or the laws of any foreign jurisdiction and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought. None of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in default thereunder and, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.
(c) Regulations. The disclosures in the Registration Statement concerning the effects of Federal, State, local and all foreign regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects.
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2.4 Changes After Dates in Registration Statement.
(a) No Material Adverse Change. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except as otherwise specifically stated therein: (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or business prospects of the Company; (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) no officer or director of the Company has resigned from any position with the Company.
(b) Eligibility to Use Form S-3; Recent Securities Transactions, etc. The Company was at the time of filing the Registration Statement, and at the date hereof, remains eligible to use Form S-3 under the Securities Act. The Offering is being made in compliance with the conditions for use of Form S-3 set forth in the General Instructions. The number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding is 3,147,795 shares of common stock outstanding and excludes shares of the Company’s common stock underlying convertible debentures for $200,000 maturing on August 6, 2011 that are convertible into our common stock at a conversion price equal to the lower of (i) $1.60 or (ii) 58% of the closing bid price of the common stock for three trading days with the lowest closing bids during a 20 trading day period immediately preceding the delivery of a conversion notice prior to maturity. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.
2.5 Disclosures in Commission Filings. None of the Company’s filings with the Commission contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (ii) the Company has made all filings with the Commission required under the Exchange Act.
2.6 Independent Accountants. To the knowledge of the Company, PMB Xxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP. (“PMB”), who has consented to the incorporation by reference of its audit report for the Company’s financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 in the Registration Statement, are independent registered public accountants as required by the Act and the Regulations. PMB has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
2.7 Financial Statements, etc. The financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus fairly present the financial position and the results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), consistently applied throughout the periods involved. The Registration Statement discloses all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons to the extent such relationships are required to be disclosed that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (a) neither the Company nor any of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including each entity disclosed or described in the Registration Statement as being a subsidiary of the Company (each a “Subsidiary” and together the “Subsidiaries”), has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any material transactions other than in the ordinary course of business, (b) the Company has not declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock; (c) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, (d) there has not been any material adverse change in the Company’s long-term or short-term debt.
2.8 Authorized Capital; Options, etc. The Company had, at the date or dates indicated in the Prospectus, the duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions stated in the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date, there will be no options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued Shares of the Company or any security convertible into Shares of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell Shares or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.
2.9 Valid Issuance of Securities, etc.
(a) Outstanding Securities. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company issued prior to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The authorized Shares conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. To the Company’s knowledge, the offers and sales of the outstanding Shares were at all relevant times either registered under the Act and the applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such Shares, exempt from such registration requirements.
(b) Securities Sold Pursuant to this Agreement. The Public Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale and, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the Public Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Public Securities has been duly and validly taken. The Public Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement. The Representative’s Warrant constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company to issue and sell, upon payment of the exercise price therefore, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with the terms thereof and such Representative’s Warrant is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought. When paid for and issued in accordance with the Representative’s Warrant, the underlying Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the underlying Shares are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Representative’s Warrant has been duly and validly taken.
2.10 Registration Rights of Third Parties. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration statement to be filed by the Company.
2.11 Validity and Binding Effect of Agreement. This Agreement and the Representative’s Warrant have been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and, when executed and delivered, will constitute, the valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws or laws of any foreign jurisdiction; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.
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2.12 No Conflicts, etc. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Representative’s Warrant and all ancillary documents, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a material breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation (as the same may be amended from time to time; or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or business constituted as of the date hereof.
2.13 No Defaults; Violations. No material default exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not in violation of any term or provision of its Certificate of Incorporation, or in violation of any franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or businesses.
2.14 Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.
(a) Conduct of Business. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business purpose as described in the Prospectus.
(b) Transactions Contemplated Herein. The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the Representative’s Warrant to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
2.15 D&O Questionnaires. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires (the “Questionnaires”) completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers immediately prior to the Offering (the “Insiders”) as well as in the Lock-Up Agreement provided to the Underwriter is true and correct in all respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the questionnaires completed by each Insider to become inaccurate and incorrect.
2.16 Litigation; Governmental Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any executive officer or director which has not been disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
2.17 Good Standing. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware as of the date hereof, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company.
2.18 Transactions Affecting Disclosure to FINRA.
(a) Finder’s Fees. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company or any Insider with respect to the sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its shareholders that may affect the Underwriter’s compensation, as determined by FINRA.
(b) Payments Within Twelve Months. Except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) to any FINRA member; or (iii) to any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve months prior to the Effective Date.
(c) Use of Proceeds. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized herein.
(d) FINRA Affiliation. No officer, director or any beneficial owner of the Company’s unregistered securities has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA).
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2.19 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Neither the Company nor any of the directors , employees or officers of the Company or any other person acting on behalf of the Company has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company as reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Prospectus or (iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
2.20 Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to you or to Loeb shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby.
2.21 Lock-Up Period.
(a) Each of the Company’s executive officers and directors holding Shares (or securities convertible into Shares) have agreed, and each owner of at least 5% of the Company outstanding Shares (or securities convertible into Shares) (together with the Company’s executive officers and directors the “Lock-Up Parties”), have agreed pursuant to executed Lock-Up Agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A that, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up Period”), such persons and their affiliated parties shall not offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant, lend or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Shares, or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Shares, without the consent of the Underwriter. The Underwriter may consent to an early release from the applicable Lock-Up period if, in its opinion, the market for the Shares would not be adversely impacted by sales and in cases of financial emergency of an officer, director or other stockholder. The Company has caused each of the Lock-Up Parties to deliver to the Underwriter the agreements of each of the Lock-Up Parties to the foregoing effect prior to the date hereof.
(b) The Company, on behalf of itself and any successor entity, has agreed that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will not, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the Prospectus, (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (ii) file or caused to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company or (iii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.
The restrictions contained in this paragraph 2.21.2 shall not apply to (i) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of shares of common stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the Underwriters have been advised in writing or (iii) the issuance by the Company of option or shares of capital stock of the Company under any stock compensation plan of the Company.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) the Company issues an earnings release or material news, or a material event relating to the Company occurs, during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by paragraph 2.21 shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, unless the Underwriter waives such extension.
2.22 Subsidiaries. Annex 1 to this agreement sets forth the ownership of all Subsidiaries. All direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Company are duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the place of organization or incorporation, and each such Subsidiary is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company taken as a whole. The Company’s ownership and control of each Subsidiary is as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The Company’s ownership and control of each Subsidiary is as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
2.23 Related Party Transactions. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Prospectus that have not been described as required.
2.24 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Company is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 captioned “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the board comply with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company and the NASDAQ rules. At least one member of the Board of Directors of the Company qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and the NASDAQ rules. In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as “independent” as defined under the NASDAQ rules.
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2.25 Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Compliance.
(a) Disclosure Controls. The Company has developed and currently maintains disclosure controls and procedures that will comply with Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Exchange Act, and such controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information concerning the Company will be made known on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of the Company’s Exchange Act filings and other public disclosure documents.
(b) Compliance. The Company is in material compliance with the provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 applicable to it, and has implemented or will implement such programs and taken reasonable steps to ensure the Company’s future compliance (not later than the relevant statutory and regulatory deadlines therefore) with all the material provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002.
2.26 No Investment Company Status. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the Offering and sale of the Firm Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
2.27 No Labor Disputes. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent.
2.28 Intellectual Property The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses or has valid right to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service xxxx registrations, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and similar rights (“Intellectual Property”) necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. To the knowledge of the Company, no action or use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will involve or give rise to any infringement of, or license or similar fees for, any Intellectual Property of others. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice alleging any such infringement or fee.
2.29 Taxes Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed all returns (as hereinafter defined) required to be filed with taxing authorities prior to the date hereof or has duly obtained extensions of time for the filing thereof. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has paid all taxes (as hereinafter defined) shown as due on such returns that were filed and has paid all taxes imposed on or assessed against the Company or such respective subsidiary. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements. Except as disclosed in writing to the Underwriter, (i) no issues have been raised (and are currently pending) by any taxing authority in connection with any of the returns or taxes asserted as due from the Company or its Subsidiaries, and (ii) no waivers of statutes of limitation with respect to the returns or collection of taxes have been given by or requested from the Company or its Subsidiaries. The term “taxes” mean all federal, state, local, foreign, and other net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, lease, service, service use, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, customs, duties or other taxes, fees, assessments, or charges of any kind whatever, together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect thereto. The term “returns” means all returns, declarations, reports, statements, and other documents required to be filed in respect to taxes.,
2.30 Representations and Warranties of the Company Regarding Vietnam
(a) The Company conducts substantially all of its operations and generates substantially all of its revenue through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Cavico Vietnam Company Limited (“Cavico Vietnam”), which conducts its operations through its subsidiaries and affiliates listed on Annex I hereto and listed and described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus ( such subsidiaries and affiliates, collectively with Cavico Vietnam, shall be referred to herein as the “Vietnamese Subsidiaries”);
(b) Each of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries has been duly established, is validly existing as a company in good standing under the laws of Vietnam, has the corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its property and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or its ownership or leasing of property requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing is not reasonably likely to result in a material adverse effect on the assets, business or financial condition of the Company. Each of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries has applied for and obtained all requisite business licenses, clearance and permits required under the laws and regulations of Vietnam as necessary for the conduct of its businesses, and each of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with all laws and regulations of Vietnam in connection with foreign exchange. The registered capital of each of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries has been fully paid up in accordance with the schedule of payment stipulated in its respective articles of association, approval document, certificate of approval and legal person business license (hereinafter referred to as the “Establishment Documents”) and in compliance with Vietnamese laws and regulations, and there is no outstanding capital contribution commitment for any of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries. The Establishment Documents of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries have been duly approved in accordance with the laws of Vietnam and are valid and enforceable. The business scope specified in the Establishment Documents of each of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries complies with the requirements of all relevant Vietnamese laws and regulations. The outstanding equity interests of each of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries is owned of record by the Company or a wholly owned subsidiary, except for such specific entities or individuals identified as the registered holders thereof in the Registration Statement, and the Prospectus. The Company possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct, or cause the direction of, the management and policies of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries.
(c) No Vietnamese Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company (or the Company’s subsidiary that holds the outstanding equity interest of such Vietnamese Subsidiary). No Vietnamese Subsidiary is prohibited, directly or indirectly, from making any other distribution on such Vietnamese Subsidiary’s equity capital, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Vietnamese Subsidiary from the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.
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(d) None of the Vietnamese Subsidiaries nor any of their properties, assets or revenues are entitled to any right of immunity on the grounds of sovereignty from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from set-off or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from services of process, from attachment prior to or in aid of execution of judgment, or from any other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment.
(e) It is not necessary that this Agreement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any other document be filed or recorded with any governmental agency, court or other authority in Vietnam.
(f) No transaction, stamp, capital or other issuance, registration, transaction, transfer or withholding taxes or duties are payable in Vietnam by or on behalf of the Underwriters to any Vietnamese taxing authority in connection with (i) the issuance, sale and delivery of any Shares by the Company and the delivery of any Public Securities to or for the account of the Underwriters, (ii) the purchase from the Company and the initial sale and delivery by the Underwriters of any of the Public Securities to purchasers thereof, or (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
(g) The Company has taken all necessary steps to ensure compliance by each of its shareholders, option holders, directors, officers and employees that is, or is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by, a Vietnamese resident or citizen with any applicable rules and regulations of the relevant Vietnamese government agencies.
(h) The issuance and sale of the Public Securities to the Underwriters, the listing and trading of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are not and will not be, as of the date hereof and on the Closing Date, subject to any approval by any Vietnamese governmental or regulatory authority.
(i) Any Vietnamese governmental tax benefits. exemptions, waivers, or other relief, enjoyed by any Vietnamese Subsidiary as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are valid, binding and enforceable and in accordance with Vietnamese law and regulations.
3.
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Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:
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3.1 Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company will deliver to the Underwriters, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the date hereof and not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Underwriters shall reasonably object in writing.
3.2 Federal Securities Laws.
(a) Compliance. During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the Company will use its best efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations under the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Representative, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Underwriters promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment or supplement in accordance with Section 10 of the Act.
(b) Filing of Final Prospectus. The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424 of the Regulations.
(c) Exchange Act Registration. For a period of three years from the date hereof, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Shares. The Company will not deregister the Shares under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of the Representative.
3.3 Delivery to the Underwriter of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Prospectus as the Underwriters may reasonably request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to you two original executed Registration Statements, including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of all exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original executed consents of certified experts.
3.4 Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Underwriters. The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus for at least nine (9) months from the Applicable Time. and will notify the Underwriters immediately and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in this Section 3.4 hereof that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.
3.5 Review of Financial Statements. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement of quarterly financial information.
3.6 Secondary Market Trading and Standard & Poor’s. The Company will apply to be included in Standard & Poor’s Daily News and Corporation Records Corporate Descriptions for a period of five (5) years after the date hereof.
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3.7 Financial Public Relations Firm. The Company shall continue to retain Grayling USA, or other financial public relations firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative and the Company, which firm will be experienced in assisting issuers in public offerings of securities and in their relations with their security holders, and shall retain such firm or another firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a period of not less than two (2) years after the date hereof.
3.8 Reports to the Underwriter.
3.8.1 Periodic Reports, etc. For a period of three years from the date hereof, the Company will furnish to the Underwriters copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities and also promptly furnish to the Underwriters: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of every press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released by the Company; (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K prepared and filed by the Company; (iv) five copies of each registration statement filed by the Company under the Act; (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the affairs of any future Subsidiaries of the Company as the Underwriters may from time to time reasonably request; provided the Underwriters shall sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Representative and Loeb in connection with the Underwriters’ receipt of such information. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its XXXXX system shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Underwriters pursuant to this Section.
3.8.2. Transfer Sheets. The Company shall continue to retain First American Stock Transfer, Inc or other transfer agent and registrar agent reasonably acceptable to the Representative (the “Transfer Agent”) or for a period of three (3) years from the date hereof, and will furnish to the Underwriters at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as the Underwriters may reasonably request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer Agent and DTC.
3.8.3. Trading Reports. During such time as the Public Securities are listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market the Company shall provide to the Representative, at the Company’s expense, such reports published by the NASDAQ Capital Market relating to price trading of the Public Securities, as the Representative shall reasonably request.
3.9 Payment of Expenses.
(a) General Expenses Related to the Offering. The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the Shares to be sold in the Offering (including the Option Shares) with the Commission; (b) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of such Shares on the NASDAQ Capital Market, and such other stock exchanges as the Company and the Representative together determine; (c) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification of such Shares under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the Shares under the securities laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate; (e) the costs of all mailing and printing of the underwriting documents, Registration Statements, Prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final Prospectuses and the Representative may reasonably deem necessary; (f) the costs and expenses of the public relations firm referred to in Section 3.7 hereof; (g) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering certificates representing the Shares; (h) fees and expenses of the transfer agent for the Shares; (i) stock transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriters; (j) the costs associated with post-Closing advertising of the offering in the national editions of the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, (k) the costs associated with bound volumes of the public offering materials as well as commemorative mementos and lucite tombstones, each of which the Company or its designee will provide within a reasonable time after the Closing in such quantities as the Representative may reasonably request; (l) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; and (m) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel and other agents and representatives.
3.10 Application of Net Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described under the caption “Use Of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.
3.11 Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth full calendar month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of at least twelve consecutive months beginning after the Effective Date.
3.12 Stabilization. Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or shareholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
3.13 Internal Controls. The Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.
3.14 Accountants. The Company shall continue to retain PMB, or another nationally recognized independent certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative and the Company for a period of at least three (3) years from the date hereof.
3.15 FINRA. The Company shall advise the Representative (who shall make an appropriate filing with FINRA) if it is aware that any 5% or greater shareholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of an FINRA member participating in the distribution of the Company’s Public Securities.
3.16 No Fiduciary Duties. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters’ responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and that neither the Underwriters nor their respective affiliates or any agents shall be deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement
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4. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Shares, as provided herein, shall be subject to (i) the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any; (ii) the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof; (iii) the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and (iv) the following conditions:
4.1 Regulatory Matters.
(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of Loeb.
(b) FINRA Clearance. The Underwriters shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement.
(c) NASDAQ Capital Market Stock Market Clearance. On the Closing Date, the Firm Shares shall have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
4.2 Company Counsel Matters.
(a) Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of Sichenzia Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx (“SRFF”), counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Representative covering the following:
1. The Company has been organized and is validly existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware as of the date hereof, and is qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each U.S. state in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company.
2. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and to SRFF’s knowledge, are fully paid and non-assessable and to SRFF’s knowledge, none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any stockholder of the Company arising by operation of law or under the Certificate of Incorporation. The offers and sales of the outstanding securities were at all relevant times either registered under the Act or exempt from such registration requirements. The authorized, and to the extent of SRFF’s knowledge, outstanding Shares of the Company is as described in the Prospectus.
3. The Public Securities, and the Shares underlying the Representative’s Warrant have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability solely by reason of being such holders. Neither the Public Securities nor the Shares underlying the Representative’s Warrant are and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company arising by operating of law or under the Certificate of Incorporation. The Over-allotment Option constitutes valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment therefore, the number of Shares called for thereby, and the Over-allotment Option is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally; (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the Federal and state securities laws and (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.
4. This Agreement and the Representative’s Warrant have each been duly and validly authorized and executed by the Company and each constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective terms, except (a) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (b) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provisions may be limited under the Federal and state securities laws or the laws of a foreign jurisdiction, and (c) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefore may be brought.
5. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Representative’s Warrant and, the Lock-Up Agreements and the Lock-Up Period restrictions on the Company, and compliance by the Company with the terms and provisions thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, and the issuance and sale of the Public Securities, do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, (a) conflict with, or result in a breach of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or modification of any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of, any mortgage, deed of trust, note, indenture, loan, contract, commitment or other agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, (b) result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company, or (c) violate any statute (except we express no opinion on federal securities laws) or any judgment, order or decree, rule or regulation applicable to the Company of any court, domestic or foreign, or of any federal, state or other regulatory authority or other governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, its properties or assets.
6. The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments or supplements thereto (other than the financial statements included therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) each as of their respective dates complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and Regulations. The Shares offered pursuant to the Prospectus conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. To our knowledge, no United States or state statute or regulation required to be described in the Prospectus is not described as required (except as to the Blue Sky laws of the various states, as to which we express no opinion), nor are any contracts or documents known to us of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement not so described or filed as required.
7. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission. We have been orally advised by the Staff of the Commission that no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued, and to our knowledge, no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or overtly threatened by the Commission. Any required filing of the Prospectus, and any required supplement thereto, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b).
8. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the Offering and sale of the Securities and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, will not be, an “investment company” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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9. No consent, approval, authorization or filing with or order of the NASDAQ Capital Market, any U.S. Federal, State of New York or State of Delaware court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company is required, under the laws, rules and regulations of the United States of America and the States of Delaware for the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, except (i) such as have been made with or obtained by the NASDAQ Capital Market (ii) such as have been made or obtained under the Securities Act and (iii) such as may be required under the blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by you in the manner contemplated in the Agreement and in the Prospectus, as to which we express no opinion.
10. The Public Shares have been approved for inclusion on the NASDAQ Capital Market.
11. To our knowledge, the Company is not a party to any written agreement granting any holders of securities of the Company rights to require the registration under the Securities Act of resales of such securities.
(b) The opinion of SRFF shall further include a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, the Underwriter and the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company, at which conferences the contents of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein and related matters were discussed and, although such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained therein, solely on the basis of the foregoing without independent check and verification, no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead them to believe that the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, at the time the Registration Statement or amendment became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, at the time they were filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or at the date of such counsel’s opinion, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (except that such counsel need express no view and shall not be deemed to have rendered an opinion with respect to the financial information, statistical data and information and matters regarding non-United States laws, rules and regulations included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus). The Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any post-effective amendments or supplements thereto (other than the financial statements including notes and schedules, financial data, statistical data and non-United States laws, rules and regulations included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, included therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered) each as of their respective dates complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and Regulations.
(c) On the Closing Date, the Underwriter shall have received the favorable opinion of Xxxxx & Partners, Vietnamese counsel to the Company, reasonably acceptable to the Representative, related to, among other things, the descriptions of laws of Vietnam and the organization of the Company’s subsidiaries incorporated in Vietnam and such subsidiaries’ ownership structure, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representative.
(d) Option Closing Date Opinions of Counsel. On the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinions of each counsel listed in Sections 4.2.1 through 4.2.3, dated the Option Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, confirming as of the Option Closing Date, the statements made by such counsels in their respective opinions delivered on the Closing Date.
(e) Reliance. In rendering such opinions, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Representative, familiar with the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various jurisdiction having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to Loeb, if requested. The opinions of SRFF and Xxxxx & Partners shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for the Representative in its opinion delivered to the Representative.
4.3 Cold Comfort Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed, and at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, you shall have received a cold comfort letter, addressed to the Underwriter and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to you and to Loeb from PMB dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any.
4.4 Officers’ Certificates.
(a) Officers’ Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, respectively, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants and complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section 4.5 hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct. In addition, the Representative will have received such other and further certificates of officers of the Company as the Representative may reasonably request.
(b) Secretary’s Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Date, as the case may be, respectively, certifying: (i) that the Certificate of Incorporation are true and complete, have not been modified and are in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the public offering contemplated by this Agreement are in full force and effect and have not been modified; (iii) as to the accuracy and completeness of all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; and (iv) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.
4.5 No Material Changes. Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or any Insider before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Act and no proceedings therefore shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
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4.6 Delivery of Agreements.
(a) Deliveries. The Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed copies of this Agreement and the Lock-Up Agreements.
5.
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Indemnification.
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5.1 Indemnification of the Underwriters.
(a) General. Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Underwriters, and each dealer selected by the Underwriters that participates in the offer and sale of the Securities (each a “Selected Dealer”) and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter (“Controlling Person”) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between such Underwriter and the Company or between such Underwriter and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Public Securities, including any “road show” or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5, collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Public Securities under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, NASDAQ Capital Market or any securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to an Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or in any application, as the case may be.. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 5.1.1 shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such person as required by the Act and the Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under Section 3.3 hereof. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriters of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Public Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement or Prospectus.
(b) Procedure. If any action is brought against any Underwriter, a Selected Dealer or a Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of the Underwriter or such Selected Dealer, as the case may be) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Underwriter, such Selected Dealer or Controlling Person unless (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by such Underwriter (in addition to local counsel), Selected Dealer and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Underwriter, Selected Dealer or Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
5.2 Indemnification of the Company. Each of the Underwriters agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to such Underwriter, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter and by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such application. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against such Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to such Underwriter by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.
5.3 Contribution.
(a) Contribution Rights. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Act in any case in which (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this Section 5 makes claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification in such case, or (ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and in each such case, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportions that the Underwriter is responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided, that, no person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11 (f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Public Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of any Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter or the Company, as applicable.
(b) Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section 5.3.2 are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available.
6.
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Intentionally Omitted.
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7.
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Additional Covenants.
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13
7.1 Board Composition and Board Designations. The Company shall ensure that: (i) the qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the board comply with the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder and with the listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market or any other national securities exchange or national securities association, as the case may be, in the event the Company seeks to have its Public Securities listed on another exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system, and (ii) if applicable, at least one member of the board of directors qualifies as a “financial expert” as such term is defined under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
7.2 Prohibition on Press Releases and Public Announcements. The Company will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Representative’s prior written consent, commencing on the date hereof and continuing for a period of forty (40) days from the Closing Date of the Offering, other than normal and customary releases issued in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The Company covenants to adhere to all “gun jumping” and “quiet period” rules and regulations of the Commission.
8.
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Effective Date of this Agreement and Termination Thereof.
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8.1 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective when both the Company and the Representative have executed the same and delivered counterparts of such signatures to the other party.
8.2 Termination. The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in the opinion of the Representative will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Capital Market shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction, or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets, or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in your opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Firm Shares or Option Shares, or (vii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder, or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in general market conditions as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the securities.
8.3 Expenses. In the event that this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever, within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Underwriter full amount of its actual accountable expenses incurred through the termination date up to a maximum of $100,000 for all such expenses (which expenses will include, but will not be limited to, all reasonable fees and disbursements of the Underwriter’s counsel, travel, lodging and other “road show” expenses, mailing, printing and reproduction expenses, and any expenses incurred by the Underwriter in conducting its due diligence, including background checks of the Company’s officers and directors).
8.4 Substitution of Underwriters. (a) If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail to take up and pay for the amount of Firm Shares agreed by such Underwriter or Underwriters to be purchased hereunder, upon tender of such Shares in accordance with the terms hereof, and the amount of such Firm Shares not purchased does not aggregate more than 10% of the total amount of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule A hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall be obligated to take up and pay for (in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations hereunder as set forth in Schedule A hereto except as may otherwise be determined by the Representative) the Firm Shares that the withdrawing or defaulting Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase. (b) If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall fail to take up and pay for the amount of Firm Shares agreed by such Underwriter or Underwriters to be purchased hereunder, upon tender of such Firm Shares in accordance with the terms hereof, and the amount of Firm Shares not purchased aggregates more than 10% of the total amount of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule A hereto, and arrangements satisfactory to you for the purchase of such Firm Shares by other persons are not made within 36 hours thereafter, this Agreement shall terminate. In the event of any such termination, the Company shall not be under any liability to any Underwriter (except to the extent provided in Section 5 and Section 8.3 hereof) nor shall any Underwriter (other than an Underwriter who shall have failed, otherwise than for some reason permitted under this Agreement, to purchase the amount of Underwritten Shares agreed by such Underwriter to be purchased hereunder) be under any liability to the Company (except to the extent provided in Section 5 hereof). If Firm Shares to which a default relates are to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters or by any other party or parties, the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for the sale of the Firm Shares for not more than seven business days in order that the necessary changes in the Registration Statement, in the Prospectus or in any other documents, as well as any other arrangements, may be effected. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 8.4
8.5 Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not be in any way effected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.
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9.
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Miscellaneous.
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9.1 Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed (registered or certified mail, return receipt requested), personally delivered or sent by facsimile transmission and confirmed and shall be deemed given when so delivered or faxed and confirmed or if mailed, two days after such mailing.
If to the Underwriter:
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC
0000 Xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: General Counsel
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
Copy to:
Loeb & Loeb LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
If to the Company:
00000 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx
Attn:
Fax No.:
Copy to:
Sichenzia Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP
00 Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Fax No.: 000-000-0000
9.2 Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.
9.3 Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.
9.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
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9.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and the Controlling Persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained. The term “successors and assigns” shall not include a purchaser, in its capacity as such, of securities from any Underwriter.
9.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 9.1 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefore.
9.7 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or email/pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.
9.8 Waiver, etc. The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriter and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.
Very truly yours,
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CAVICO CORP. | |||
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By:
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/s/ Hung Xxxx Xxxx | |
Name: Hung Xxxx Xxxx | |||
Title: Executive Vice President | |||
Accepted on the date first above written.
XXXXXX & XXXXXXX, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
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Name: Xxxx Xxxxx
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Title: Chief Financial Officer
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17
EXHIBIT A
Lock-Up Agreement
October 25, 2010
The undersigned understands that Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC (the “Representative”) proposes to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Cavico Corp., a company formed under the laws of Delaware (the “Company”), providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the Company of 750,000 shares of common stock (“Firm Shares”), par value $0.001 per share, (the “Shares”).
To induce the Representative to continue its efforts in connection with the Public Offering, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not, during the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the date which is one hundred eighty (180) after the date of the final prospectus (the “Prospectus”) relating to the Public Offering (the “Lock-Up Period”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Shares; or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (1),or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer Shares without the prior consent of the Representative in connection with (a) transactions relating to Shares or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the Public Offering, provided that no filing under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), shall be required or shall be voluntarily made in connection with subsequent sales of Shares or other securities acquired in such open market transactions, (b) if the undersigned is an individual, transfers of Shares or any security convertible into Shares as a bona fide gift, by will or intestacy or to a family member or trust for the benefit of a family member; provided that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (b), (i) each donee or distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter substantially in the form of this letter agreement and (ii) no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of Shares, shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-up Period, (c) transfer of Shares to a charity or educational institution, (d) if the undersigned is, or directly or indirectly controls, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfers of Shares to any shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of similar equity interests in, the undersigned, as the case may be, if, in any such case, such transfer is not for value, or (e) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfer of Shares made by the undersigned (i) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets, in any such case not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this agreement or (ii) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity so long as the transferee is an affiliate of the undersigned and such transfer is not for value. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s Shares except in compliance with this Agreement.
If (i) the Company issues an earnings release or material news, during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by this agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release, unless the Representative waives such extension.
No provision in this agreement shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the exercise or exchange by the undersigned of any option or warrant to acquire Shares, or securities exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into Shares, provided that the undersigned does not transfer the Shares acquired on such exercise or exchange during the Lock-Up Period, unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of this letter agreement. In addition, no provision herein shall be deemed to restrict or prohibit the entry into or modification of a so-called “10b5-1” plan at any time (other than the entry into or modification of such a plan in such a manner as to cause the sale of any Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Shares within the Lock-Up Period).
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Representative are relying upon this letter agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further understands that this agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
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The undersigned understands that, if the Underwriting Agreement is not executed on or before November 1, 2010, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Shares to be sold thereunder this agreement shall be void and of no further force or effect.
Whether or not the Public Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Public Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and the Representative.
Very truly yours,
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(Name):
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(Address)
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2
SCHEDULE A
Underwriters
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Number of Firm Shares to be Purchased
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Number of Option Shares to be Purchased
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||||||
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, LLC
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525,000
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78,750
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||||||
Chardan Capital Markets, LLC
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225,000
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33,750
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||||||
Total
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750,000
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112,500
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3
ANNEX I
Subsidiaries of the Registrant Listing the Jurisdiction of Organization
SUBSIDIARY | JURISDICTION |
Cavico Vietnam Company Limited
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Vietnam
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Cavico Bridge and Underground Construction JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Energy Construction JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Hydropower Construction JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Infrastructure Construction JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Transport JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Construction Trading JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Power and Resource JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Tower JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Industry & Tech Services JSC
|
Vietnam
|
Cavico Manpower JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Stone & Mineral JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico PHI Cement JSC
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Vietnam
|
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Son International Tourist JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Land JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Trading JSC
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Vietnam
|
Cavico Son La JSC
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Vietnam
|
4