STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN CASEY CO. AND NTR ACQUISITION CO. DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 2, 2007
BETWEEN
XXXXX
CO.
AND
DATED
AS OF NOVEMBER 2, 2007
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
|
||
ARTICLE
I DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
|
ARTICLE
II PURCHASE
AND SALE OF SHARES
|
7
|
|
2.1
|
Purchase
and Sale of Shares
|
7
|
2.2
|
Purchase
Price
|
7
|
2.3
|
Calculation
of Working Capital and Company Inventory Value
|
8
|
2.4
|
Costs
and Expenses
|
9
|
2.5
|
Post
Closing Purchase Price Adjustment
|
9
|
2.6
|
Certain
Definitions
|
10
|
2.7
|
Interest
|
11
|
2.8
|
Closing
|
12
|
ARTICLE
III REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
|
12
|
|
3.1
|
Representations
and Warranties of Seller
|
12
|
3.2
|
Representations
and Warranties of Buyer
|
24
|
ARTICLE
IV COVENANTS
OF SELLER
|
25
|
|
4.1
|
Conduct
of Company’s Business
|
25
|
4.2
|
Exclusivity
|
28
|
4.3
|
Full
Access; Title Report
|
29
|
ARTICLE
V OTHER
COVENANTS
|
29
|
|
5.1
|
Standby
Letters of Credit
|
29
|
5.2
|
Further
Assurances
|
29
|
5.3
|
Expenses
|
29
|
5.4
|
Transfer
Taxes
|
29
|
5.5
|
Press
Releases and Disclosure
|
30
|
5.6
|
Government
and other Regulatory Approvals
|
30
|
5.7
|
Proxy
Statement
|
30
|
ARTICLE
VI CONDITIONS
TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
|
31
|
|
6.1
|
Conditions
to Buyer’s Obligation
|
31
|
6.2
|
Conditions
to Seller’s Obligation
|
32
|
ARTICLE
VII SURVIVAL;
INDEMNIFICATION
|
33
|
|
7.1
|
Survival
|
33
|
-i-
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
|
||
7.2
|
Indemnification
by Buyer
|
33
|
7.3
|
Indemnification
by Seller
|
33
|
7.4
|
Limitations
on Indemnification
|
34
|
7.5
|
Method
of Asserting Claims
|
34
|
7.6
|
Duty
to Mitigate
|
36
|
7.7
|
Tax
Effect of Indemnification Payments; Insurance
|
37
|
7.8
|
Purchase
Price Adjustments
|
37
|
ARTICLE
VIII TERMINATION
|
37
|
|
8.1
|
Termination
|
37
|
8.2
|
Effect
of Termination
|
38
|
ARTICLE
IX MISCELLANEOUS
|
39
|
|
9.1
|
Disclosure
Schedule Supplements and Data Room Additions
|
39
|
9.2
|
Governing
Law; Dispute Resolution
|
39
|
9.3
|
Schedules,
Addenda and Exhibits
|
39
|
9.4
|
Amendments
|
39
|
9.5
|
Entire
Agreement
|
39
|
9.6
|
Assignment
|
40
|
9.7
|
Counterparts
|
40
|
9.8
|
Waivers
|
40
|
9.9
|
Third
Parties
|
40
|
9.10
|
Headings
|
40
|
9.11
|
Gender
and Number; Section and Article References
|
40
|
9.12
|
Interpretation
|
40
|
9.13
|
Notices
|
41
|
-ii-
This
Stock Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is
entered into as of November 2, 2007 by and between Xxxxx Co., a California
corporation (“Seller”)
and NTR
Acquisition Co., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”).
Buyer
and Seller are referred to collectively herein as the “Parties.”
WHEREAS,
as represented by Seller below, Seller owns one thousand (1,000) shares of
the
Class A Common Stock and one thousand (1,000) shares of the Class B Common
Stock
(collectively, the “Shares”)
of
Xxxx
Oil & Refining Co., a California corporation (the “Company”),
which
constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company.
WHEREAS,
Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, and Seller desires to sell to Buyer,
the
Shares, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the Parties’ mutual covenants and agreements set
forth herein, and for other good, valuable and adequate consideration received,
the Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
“2006
Financial Statement”
means
the Company’s audited financial statement for the fiscal year ended November 30,
2006. If in the Ordinary Course of Business the Company’s audited financial
statement for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007 is completed prior to
Closing, then such audited financial statement shall be provided to Buyer and
shall be substituted for the 2006 Financial Statement when referenced in this
Agreement.
“Agreement”
has the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
“Affiliate”
means
any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more Persons, controls,
is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified or,
directly or indirectly, is related to or otherwise associated with any such
Person or entity.
“Auditor”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).
“Base
Amount” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Buyer”
has the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
“Business
Day(s)”
means
any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions
in
Los Angeles, California or New York, New York are not required to be
open.
-1-
“Cap”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
“Claim”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5(a).
“Closing”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.8.
“Closing
Date”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.8.
“Closing
Purchase Price”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2(d).
“COBRA”
means
the requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and
Section 4980B of the Code and of any similar state law.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company”
has the
meaning set forth in the recitals above.
“Company
Intellectual Property”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(n).
“Company
Inventory Value” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Company
Inventory Value Related Consistent Principles”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Company
Inventory Value Statement” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Company
Working Capital” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Company
Working Capital Statement” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Company
Working Capital Related Consistent Principles”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Consistent
Principles” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Current
LOCs” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
“Data
Room” means
the
electronic data room sponsored by Xxxxxxx Corporation in which the documents
and
information related to the Company and its business and operations were
disclosed to Buyer’s representatives, advisors and counsel.
“Deposit”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 8.2(b).
“Determination
Date” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Disclosure
Schedule”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
-2-
“Employee
Benefit Plan”
means
any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3)) of
ERISA and any other material employee benefit plan, program or arrangement
of
any kind.
“Employee
Pension Benefit Plan”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3(2) of ERISA.
“Employee
Welfare Benefit Plan”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3(1) of ERISA.
“Environmental
Requirements”
means
all federal, state and local laws, statutes, regulations, rules, orders,
decrees, ordinances and other requirements of any Governmental Authority
applicable to the business, assets, or operations of the Company in force at
the
date of this Agreement and the Closing Date (whether common or statutory)
pertaining to public or employee health and safety (including with respect
to
exposure to hazardous materials), pollution (including assessment, containment,
removal, response, cleanup, abatement and remediation), the environment
(including air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata),
the introduction into commerce of a hazardous material (including the
manufacture, generation, formulation, processing, labeling, distribution, use,
treatment, handling, storage, reporting or transportation), the physical
structure or condition of a building (including any facility, fixture, or other
structure included in the assets of the Company) or the protection of fish,
wildlife or natural resources including: the Clean Air Act, as amended, CERCLA,
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended,
the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Hazardous & Solid Waste
Amendments Act of 1984, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended,
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended, the Emergency Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Act, as amended, the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1972, as amended, and
any
federal, state and local Laws implementing or comparable to the foregoing,
as
the same may be amended or supplemented as of the date of this Agreement and
the
Closing Date.
“ERISA”
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ERISA
Affiliate”
means
each entity that is treated as a single employer with the Company for purposes
of Section 4001 of ERISA or Section 414 of the Code.
“Estimated
Company Working Capital”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).
“Estimated
Company Inventory Value”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b)
“Fiduciary”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3(21) of ERISA.
“Financial
Statement”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(h).
“Floor”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.4.
“GAAP”
means
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America from
time to time consistently applied in accordance with past
practices.
-3-
“Governmental
Authority”
means
any federal, state or local governmental entity or municipality or subdivision
thereof or any authority, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, court
or instrumentality.
“HSR
Act”
means
the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended.
“Indebtedness”
shall
mean, without duplication: (i) all liabilities and obligations of the
Company for borrowed money or in respect of loans or advances; (ii) all
obligations of the Company evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other
similar instruments; (iii) any accrued interest, prepayment premiums or
penalties or other costs or expenses related to any of the items referenced
in
(i) and (ii); (iv) all obligations of the Company that are not
characterized as short term liabilities under GAAP; (v) all obligations in
respect of letters of credit, whether or not drawn, and bankers’ acceptances
issued for the account of the Company other than Current LOCs and
(vi) all guarantees of the Company in connection with any of the
foregoing.
“Indemnity
Escrow Agreement”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2(c).
“Intellectual
Property”
means
domestic or foreign inventions, discoveries, trademarks, patents, trade names,
copyrights, know-how, intellectual property, software, shop rights, licenses,
domain names, developments, research data, designs, plans, specifications,
technical information, technology, technical expertise, production methods,
trade secrets, test procedures, processes, formulas and other confidential
information, intellectual and similar intangible property rights, whether or
not
patentable (or otherwise subject to legally enforceable restrictions or
protections against unauthorized third party usage), and any and all
applications for, registrations for, renewals, continuations, reexaminations
and
extensions, divisions and reissuances of, any of the foregoing, and rights
therein or contractual rights thereto.
“Inventory”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Inventory
Value Reference Amount” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
“Knowledge”
in
respect of “Seller’s Knowledge” means the actual knowledge of Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx
X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, and Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx.
“Leased
Real Property”
means
all leasehold or subleasehold estates and other rights to use or occupy any
land, buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures, or other interests in
real
property held by the Company.
“Leases”
means
all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions and other agreements (written
or
oral), including all amendments, extensions, renewals, guaranties, and other
agreements with respect thereto, pursuant to which the Company is a party or
holds any Leased Real Property.
“Lien”
means
any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, charge, or other security interest,
other than (a) liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or for Taxes that
the taxpayer is contesting in good faith through appropriate proceedings,
(b) purchase money liens and liens securing rental payments under capital
lease arrangements and (c) other liens arising in the Ordinary Course of
Business and not incurred in connection with the borrowing of
money.
-4-
“Losses”
means
any
claims, actions, suits, demands, assessments, judgments, losses, liabilities,
damages (but not consequential damages), costs and expenses, including, without
limitation, interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys’ and accounting fees and
investigation costs but net of any Tax Benefits in accordance with
Section 7.7.
“Material
Agreements”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(p)(xviii).
“Materially
Adverse Effect”
means to
have a material and adverse effect on the assets, business, operations and
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company, taken as a whole. The term
“material”
means to
be material to the assets, business, operations and condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Company, taken as a whole.
“Most
Recent Balance Sheet”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(j).
“Multiemployer
Plan”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
“Notice
of Claim”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5(a).
“Objection”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5(c).
“Ordinary
Course of Business”
means
the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and
practices.
“Owned
Real Property”
means
all land, together with all buildings, structures, improvements, and fixtures
located thereon, and all easements and other rights and interests appurtenant
thereto, owned by the Company.
“Party”
has the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
“Permits”
means
licenses, permits, approvals, authorizations, variances, waivers, orders,
decrees or consents issued by a Governmental Authority.
“Permitted
Encumbrances”
means
with respect to each parcel of Real Property: (a) Taxes, assessments and
other governmental levies, fees, or charges imposed with respect to such Real
Property that are (i) not due and payable as of the Closing Date or
(ii) being contested in good faith and for which appropriate reserves have
been established in accordance with GAAP; (b) mechanics’ liens and similar
liens for labor, materials, or supplies provided with respect to such Real
Property incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business for amounts that are
(i) not due and payable as of the Closing Date or (ii) being contested
in good faith that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Materially Adverse Effect and for which appropriate reserves have been
established in accordance with GAAP; (c) zoning, building codes, and other
land use laws regulating the use or occupancy of such Real Property or the
activities conducted thereon that are imposed by any Governmental Authority
having jurisdiction over such Real Property and are not violated by the current
use or occupancy of such Real Property or the operation of the business of
the
Company as currently conducted thereon; (d) easements, rights-of-way,
servitudes, permits, leases, covenants, conditions, restrictions, and other
similar matters of record affecting title to such Real Property that do not
or
would not have a Materially Adverse Effect; (e) the terms and conditions of
the
Material Agreements; (f) all items set forth on the Preliminary Title Report,
located in Folder 8.01.2 in the Data Room, other than those matters constituting
Indebtedness and those items removed from title prior to the Closing as set
forth below in Section 4.1(f); and (g) all other liens, charges, encumbrances,
security interests, pledges, defects or irregularities that do not, individually
or in the aggregate, have a Materially Adverse Effect on the Real
Property.
-5-
“Person”
means an
individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an
association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated
organization, any other business entity, or a Governmental Authority (or any
department, agency, or political subdivision thereof).
“Prime
Rate”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.7.
“Prohibited
Transaction”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the
Code.
“Purchase
Price”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Real
Property”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1(m).
“Reserved
Amount”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.2(c).
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Seller”
has the
meaning set forth in the preface above.
“Shares”
has the
meaning set forth in the recitals above.
“Tax”
or
“Taxes”
means
all net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, personal property,
real property, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, license, withholding,
payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property
or
windfall profits taxes, customs duties, and other government charges of any
kind
together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional
amounts imposed by any taxing authority (domestic or foreign) whether assessed
solely or as part of a group or a tax sharing agreement.
“Tax
Benefit”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.7(a).
“Tax
Return”
means
any declaration, statement, report, return or other document or information
required to be filed or supplied with respect to Taxes to any Governmental
Authority including any amendment thereof.
“Ten
Section”
means
the
rights described under the Ten Section Lease and that certain Pipeline
Right-of-Way Grant, dated April 5, 1994, between and among XxXxxxxxx Energy,
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Crescent Investment Company, Birchwood Partners, Avondale
Partners, Trio Petroleum, Inc., X. X. Xxxxxxx Company and the
Company.
-6-
“Ten
Section Lease”
means
that certain Surface Lease, dated April 7, 1995, between and among Xxxx Oil
Company, Xxxx Industries, Inc. and the Company.
“Termination
Date” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).
“Third-Party
Claim”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5(a).
“Transaction
Documents”
has the
meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
“Transfer
Taxes” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 5.4.
“Working
Capital Reference Amount” has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.6.
ARTICLE
II
PURCHASE
AND SALE OF SHARES
2.1 Purchase
and Sale of Shares.
On the
terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, Buyer
shall acquire from Seller, and Seller shall sell and deliver to Buyer, all
of
Seller’s right, title and interest in and to the Shares free and clear of any
Liens or any other encumbrance, for the consideration specified in this
Article II.
2.2 Purchase
Price.
As
consideration for the sale and delivery of the Shares, Buyer shall pay to Seller
at the Closing Two Hundred and Eighty Six Million Five Hundred Thousand US
Dollars (USD 286,500,000) (the “Base
Amount”),
subject to the adjustments set forth in Sections 2.2(a) and (b) hereof, which
shall be payable as set forth in Sections 2.2(c) and (d) below and which shall
be adjusted subsequent to the Closing as set forth in Section 2.5 (such amount,
as finally adjusted, the “Purchase
Price”).
(a) Estimated
Company Working Capital Adjustment.
Prior
to the Closing Date, Seller shall cause the Company to prepare and deliver
to
Buyer a good faith estimate of Company Working Capital as of the Closing Date
(the “Estimated
Company Working Capital”).
To the
extent that the Estimated Company Working Capital exceeds the Working Capital
Reference Amount, at the Closing, the Base Amount shall be adjusted upwards
dollar for dollar in the amount equal to such difference. To the extent that
the
Estimated Company Working Capital is less than the Working Capital Reference
Amount, at the Closing, the Base Amount shall be adjusted downwards dollar
for
dollar in the amount equal to such difference.
(b) Estimated
Company Inventory Value Adjustment.
Prior
to the Closing Date, Seller shall cause the Company to prepare and deliver
to
Buyer a good faith estimate of Company Inventory Value (consistent with the
principles set forth in Schedule
2.6(a))
as of
the Closing Date (the “Estimated
Company Inventory Value”)
and
Buyer shall be entitled to have a representative present to observe the
preparation of such estimate. To the extent that the Estimated Company Inventory
Value exceeds the Inventory Value Reference Amount, at the Closing, the Base
Amount shall be adjusted upwards dollar for dollar in the amount equal to such
difference.
-7-
(c) Reserved
Amount.
An
amount equal to three percent (3%) of the Closing Purchase Price
(the “Reserved
Amount”)
shall
be deposited in a third party escrow account on the Closing Date. The Reserved
Amount shall be payable under the terms and subject to the conditions as
provided herein and in the Indemnity Escrow Agreement, substantially in the
form
attached hereto as Exhibit
A
(the “Indemnity
Escrow Agreement”).
The
Deposit (as defined in Section 8.2(b) below) shall be applied toward the
Reserved Amount as contemplated in Section 8.2(b).
(d) Wire
Transfer to Seller. An
amount
equal to the Base Amount, as adjusted in accordance with Sections 2.2(a) and
(b), as applicable (the “Closing
Purchase Price”),
less
the Reserved Amount, shall be paid on the Closing Date in immediately available
funds by bank wire transfer in accordance with the payment instructions and
to
the account set forth on Schedule 2.2(a)
attached
hereto.
2.3 Calculation
of Working Capital and Company Inventory Value.
(a) Initial
Calculation by Buyer; Dispute by Seller.
As soon
as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date, and in any event within
twenty (20) Business Days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall prepare and
deliver to Seller the Company Working Capital Statement and the Company
Inventory Value Statement and Seller shall notify Buyer in writing, once, within
twenty (20) Business Days of receipt thereof, whether Seller accepts the Company
Working Capital Statement, Buyer’s calculation of Company Working Capital set
forth thereon, the Company Inventory Value Statement and Buyer’s calculation of
Company Inventory Value set forth thereon. If Seller notifies Buyer that it
does
not accept Buyer’s calculation of the Company Working Capital and/or Company
Inventory Value (as applicable), Seller shall include in and with such notice
Seller’s reason(s) for such non acceptance, the adjustments that Seller believes
should be made to the Company Working Capital Statement, the calculation of
Company Working Capital set forth thereon, the Company Inventory Value Statement
and/or the calculation of Company Inventory Value set forth thereon (as
applicable) and all documentation in support thereof. In the event that Seller
does not provide such notice of non acceptance within such twenty (20) Business
Day period, Seller shall be deemed to have accepted the Company Working Capital
Statement, the calculation of Company Working Capital set forth thereon, the
Company Inventory Value Statement and the calculation of Company Inventory
Value
set forth thereon, all of which shall be final, binding and conclusive for
all
purposes hereunder. If Seller has submitted a notice of non acceptance, then,
thereafter, Buyer and Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
consult with each other and to reach an agreement in respect of Company Working
Capital and/or Company Inventory Value (as applicable) within fifteen (15)
Business Days of Buyer’s receipt of such notice of non acceptance.
(b) Final
Determination by Third Party.
If the
Parties do not reach an agreement after consultation within fifteen (15)
Business Days of Buyer’s receipt of a notice of non acceptance from Seller, as
contemplated in Section 2.3(a), then the matter shall be referred to a neutral
auditing firm mutually agreed upon by the Parties (the “Auditor”)
for
final determination of any remaining disagreements. The following provisions
shall apply to such determination:
-8-
(i) Written
Statements.
The
Parties shall each promptly (and, in any event, within such time frame as
enables the Auditor to make its final determination within the time frame set
forth in Section 2.3(b)(ii)) prepare and deliver to the Auditor written
statements on the matters in dispute (attaching supporting documentation,
including the initial calculation of Company Working Capital and/or Company
Inventory Value, as applicable, and Seller’s notice of non acceptance with all
attachments).
(ii) Timeline.
The
Parties shall request that the Auditor render its final determination within
sixty (60) calendar days of confirmation and acknowledgement of its appointment
in connection herewith.
(iii) Auditor’s
Decision.
In
rendering its final determination, which shall be in writing, the
Auditor shall
expressly state what adjustments are necessary, if any, to Company Working
Capital and/or Company Inventory Value (as applicable, solely in connection
with
which calculation was the subject of dispute); provided,
however,
the
scope of the disputes to be resolved by the Auditor shall be limited to whether
such calculation(s) were done in accordance with the Consistent Principles
and/or whether there were mathematical errors in the Company Working Capital
Statement and/or Company Inventory Value Statement (as applicable in connection
with which calculation was the subject of dispute).
(iv) Final
and Binding Effect.
The
Auditor’s final
determination shall be final and binding upon the Parties.
(c) Access
to Information.
Each
Party shall promptly make available to the other party and/or the Auditor,
as
applicable, all information (as in their respective possession or control)
and
personnel who prepared such information as may be reasonably required to enable
the calculation of Company Working Capital and/or Company Inventory Value by
Buyer (as applicable), review and analysis thereof by Seller and rendering
of a
final determination by the Auditor, as applicable.
2.4 Costs
and Expenses.
The
Auditor’s costs
and
expenses shall be borne equally by Buyer and Seller, and Buyer and Seller shall
otherwise each bear their own costs and expenses incurred in connection with
the
calculation of Company Working Capital, Company Inventory Value and the
determination thereof by the Auditor.
2.5 Post
Closing Purchase Price Adjustment.
(a) Working
Capital Adjustment.
(i) Working
Capital Excess Payment.
Within
five (5) Business Days of the Determination Date (as defined herein), to the
extent that Company Working Capital as set forth on the Company Working Capital
Statement exceeds the Estimated Company Working Capital, Buyer shall pay to
Seller the amount equal to such difference, plus interest from the Closing
Date
at the Prime Rate as of the Determination Date (computed on the basis of a
365-day year for actual days elapsed), in immediately available funds by bank
wire transfer in accordance with the payment instructions and to the account
set
forth on Schedule
2.2(a)
attached
hereto.
-9-
(ii) Working
Capital Shortfall Payment.
Within
five (5) Business Days of the Determination Date (as defined herein), to the
extent that Company Working Capital as set forth on the Company Working Capital
Statement is less than the Estimated Company Working Capital, Seller shall
refund to Buyer the amount equal to such difference, plus interest from the
Closing Date at the Prime Rate as of the Determination Date (computed on the
basis of a 365-day year for actual days elapsed), in immediately available
funds
by bank wire transfer to an account designated in writing by Buyer to Seller
prior to the Determination Date.
(b) Inventory
Value Adjustment.
(i) Inventory
Value Excess Payment.
Within
five (5) Business Days of the Determination Date, to the extent that Company
Inventory Value as set forth on the Company Inventory Value Statement exceeds
the Estimated Company Inventory Value, Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount
equal to such difference, plus interest from the Closing Date at the Prime
Rate
as of the Determination Date (computed on the basis of a 365-day year for actual
days elapsed), in immediately available funds by bank wire transfer in
accordance with the payment instructions and to the account set forth on
Schedule
2.2(a)
attached
hereto.
(ii) Inventory
Value Shortfall Payment.
Within
five (5) Business Days of the Determination Date (as defined herein), to the
extent that Company Inventory Value as set forth on the Company Inventory Value
Statement is less than the Estimated Company Inventory Value, Seller shall
refund to Buyer the amount equal to such difference, plus interest from the
Closing Date at the Prime Rate as of the Determination Date (computed on the
basis of a 365-day year for actual days elapsed), in immediately available
funds
by bank wire transfer to an account designated in writing by Buyer to Seller
prior to the Determination Date.
2.6 Certain
Definitions.
(a) “Company
Inventory Value”
means
the fair market value of the Inventory, determined on a basis consistent and
in
accordance with the physical inventory procedures, agreed upon inventory
pricing, accounting principles,
practices, methodologies and policies set forth on Schedule
2.6(a)
attached
hereto (the “Company
Inventory Value Related Consistent Principles”).
(b) “Company
Inventory Value Statement”
means a
statement showing the Company Inventory Value as of the Closing
Date.
(c) “Company
Working Capital”
means an
amount equal to (i) the sum of the Company’s (a) cash and cash equivalents, (b)
marketable securities, (c) net book value of trade accounts receivable (net
of
allowances), (d) net book value of Taxes, notes and other receivables and (e)
net book value of prepaid expenses and other assets, but excluding Inventory
(as
defined below), less (ii) the sum of the Company’s (a) accounts payable and (b)
accrued liabilities and Accrued Current Tax Liabilities; provided,
however,
that
each of the foregoing items shall be calculated on a basis consistent and in
accordance with the accounting
principles,
practices, methodologies and policies (including tax apportionment and
procedures for filing returns) set forth on Schedule
2.6(c)
attached
hereto (the “Company
Working Capital Related Consistent Principles”
and,
together with the Company Inventory Value Related Consistent Principles, the
“Consistent
Principles”).
For
purposes of determining Company Working Capital, “Accrued
Current Taxes”
and
“Accrued
Current Tax Liabilities”
mean
amounts reserved for such Taxes and specifically identified under such titles
in
the worksheets to the Estimated Company Working Capital and to the Company
Working Capital Statement. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of
determining Company Working Capital, (x) Accrued Current Taxes and Accrued
Current Tax Liabilities shall not include any Taxes deferred under GAAP and
(y)
any Taxes included in the definitions of Accrued Current Taxes and Accrued
Current tax Liabilities shall be eliminated from accrued liabilities under
subclause (ii)(b) above in this paragraph (c).
-10-
(d) “Company
Working Capital Statement”
means a
statement showing the amount of Company Working Capital as of the Closing
Date.
(e) “Determination
Date”
means
the earlier of (i) in the event that Seller does not provide the notice of
non
acceptance pursuant to Section 2.3(a), twenty (20) Business Days after the
date
Buyer delivers the Company Working Capital Statement and Company Inventory
Statement to Seller, (ii) the date Seller notifies Buyer of its acceptance
of
Buyer’s calculation of Company Working Capital and Company Inventory Value,
(iii) the date the Parties otherwise agree upon Buyer’s Company Working Capital
and Company Inventory Value calculation or (iv) the date the Parties receive
the
final determination of Company Working Capital and/or Company Inventory Value
by
the Auditor (as applicable, solely in connection with which calculation was
the
subject of dispute).
(f) “Inventory”
means
crude exchange balances due to the Company and crude oil, feedstocks,
intermediate petroleum products and blend components, finished petroleum
products, parts and supplies inventory, chemicals and additives held in stock
by
the Company or to which the Company has title.
(g) “Inventory
Value Reference Amount”
means
Zero Dollars (USD 0.00).
(h) “Working
Capital Reference Amount”
means
Zero Dollars (USD 0.00).
2.7 Interest.
If any
payment due hereunder is not paid when due, the Party in default shall pay
interest thereon from and including the due date through but excluding the
date
on which such payment is made at a rate equal to the prime rate as set forth
in
the Wall Street Journal (the “Prime
Rate”)
plus
one (1%) percent per annum, computed on the basis of a 365-day year for actual
days elapsed.
-11-
2.8 Closing.
The
closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(the “Closing”)
shall
take place at the offices of Xxxxx Day, 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000, at 10:00 a.m. local time on the second
(2nd)
business day following the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to the
obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
(except those that by their nature can only be satisfied at the Closing) or
such
other date and location as mutually agreed upon by the Parties (the “Closing
Date”).
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
3.1 Representations
and Warranties of Seller.
Except
as set forth on the schedules of exceptions and disclosures delivered in
connection herewith (the “Disclosure
Schedule”)
and
except as to any information contained in the Data Room, and subject to
Section 9.1, Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as set forth in
this Section 3.1 as of the date of this Agreement and as of Closing. Any
exception to or disclosure in respect of any representation, warranty or
covenant, and any other information, which is disclosed in one section of the
Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to have been disclosed in every other
section of the Disclosure Schedule and shall be deemed a disclosure in respect
of every other representation, warranty or covenant contained in each other
agreement or instrument executed and delivered or to be executed and delivered
by Seller in connection herewith (such agreements and instruments collectively
with this Agreement, the “Transaction Documents”),
but
only to the extent it is reasonably apparent that such exception is applicable
to such other representation, warranty or covenant. Neither Buyer nor any
Affiliate of Buyer has been given, or has relied upon or been induced to enter
into this Agreement by any representation or warranty, express or implied,
other
than as expressly set forth in this Agreement. Buyer agrees and acknowledges
that at the time of entering into this Agreement, it has no actual knowledge
of
any breach of any of the representations and warranties contained herein or
of
any matters which will or are likely to give rise to any Losses,
and to the extent that Buyer does have any such actual knowledge, Buyer shall
not be entitled to pursue any Losses in respect thereof. For purposes of this
section, “actual knowledge” of Buyer shall mean matters known as of the date of
this Agreement to Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxx
and Xxxxx Xxxxxx.
(a) Organization
of Seller; Enforceability; Authorization.
Seller
is a corporation existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of
California. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party has been duly authorized by
Seller’s Board of Directors and its shareholders. This Agreement and the
Transaction Documents to which Seller is a party have been duly executed and
delivered by Seller and constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Seller
and/or the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of general application
relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to
general principles of equity.
(b) Brokers’
Fees.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.1(b),
neither
Seller nor the Company have any obligation to pay any fees or commissions to
any
broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Any obligations shown on Schedule 3.1(b) shall be for the account
of
Seller.
-12-
(c) Title
to Shares.
Seller
is the lawful owner, beneficially and of record, of all of the Shares, free
and
clear of any Liens and with no restriction on the voting rights and other
incidents of record and beneficial ownership pertaining thereto. Upon payment
in
full of the Closing Purchase Price (less the Reserved Amount) at the Closing,
good, valid and marketable title to the Shares will pass to Buyer, free and
clear of all Liens, and with no restrictions on the voting rights or other
incidents of record and beneficial ownership of the Shares.
(d) Organization
of the Company; Qualification; Corporate Power.
The
Company is a corporation existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of California, is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in
the
State of Texas and has full corporate power and authority to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted. Schedule
3.1(d) lists
the
directors and officers of the Company. The Company does not directly or
indirectly have any subsidiaries and, except as set forth on Schedule
3.1(d),
does
not directly or indirectly own any shares of capital stock or any other
ownership interest in any entity.
(e) Capitalization.
The
entire authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 2,000 shares of
Common Stock (consisting of 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and 1,000
shares of Class B Common Stock) and the Shares constitute all issued and
outstanding shares of such Common Stock, capital stock of the Company. All
of
the Shares have been duly authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and non
assessable and are held of record and beneficially by Seller. There are no
outstanding or authorized options, warrants, purchase rights, subscription
rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or other contracts or commitments
that could require the Company to issue, sell, or otherwise cause to become
outstanding any of its capital stock.
(f) Non-contravention;
Consents.
Neither
the execution and the delivery of this Agreement or any of the Transaction
Documents to which Seller is a party, nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any order, judgment or decree,
relating to Seller’s or the Company’s business or by which Seller or the Company
is bound, (ii) violate any provision of the Seller’s or Company’s Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws, or (iii) except as set forth on Schedule
3.1(f),
result
in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse
of time or both) a default, or give rise to any right of termination,
modification, cancellation or acceleration, including by reason of any change
of
control provision, or require any consent, under any indenture, license,
contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Company
or
Seller is a party or by which either of them or any of their respective
properties or assets are bound.
(g) Tangible
Assets.
The
Company has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in,
the
tangible personal property used by it in the conduct of its business, free
and
clear of all Liens, except as set forth on Schedule 3.1(g). Except as set forth
on Schedule
3.1(g), such
tangible assets are in operating condition, subject to reasonable wear and
tear.
-13-
(h) Financial
Statements.
The
Company has delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of the audited financial
statements of the Company for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2004, November
30, 2005 and November 30, 2006 (collectively, the “Financial
Statements”).
If
the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended
November 30, 2007 are available in the Ordinary Course of Business prior to
Closing, such statements shall be provided to Buyer and shall be considered
part
of the Financial Statements. The Financial Statements (i) have been prepared
from the books and records of the Company, (ii) have been prepared in accordance
with GAAP applied on a consistent basis and (iii) fairly present in all material
respects the financial position and results of operations of the Company as
of
and for the periods then ended.
(i) Absence
of Certain Changes.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.1(i)
or as
expressly contemplated in this Agreement, since December 1, 2006, the Company
has not in connection with the operation of its business (i) sold, transferred
or otherwise disposed of any properties or assets, other than in the Ordinary
Course of Business; (ii) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any Lien (other
than
any Liens arising in the Ordinary Course of Business or
as set
forth on Schedule 3.1(g)) any of its tangible or intangible assets;
(iii) acquired any property or assets outside the Ordinary Course of
Business; (iv) made any borrowing, issued any commercial paper or refinanced
any
existing borrowings; (v) paid any obligation or liability (fixed or contingent),
other than in the Ordinary Course of Business, discharged or satisfied any
Lien,
or settled any claim, or suit pending or threatened; (vi) written off as
uncollectible any notes or accounts receivable or any portion thereof (other
than ordinary receivable reductions for cash discounts or credits); (vii) made
any change in its accounting methods, policies, practices or principles, (viii)
entered into or amended or terminated any Material Agreement other than in
the
Ordinary Course of Business; (ix) increased the compensation payable to or
to
become payable to any officers or employees of the Company or adopted or
increased any bonus, insurance, or other Employee Benefit Plan, payment or
arrangement made to, for or with any such officers or employees other than
in
the Ordinary Course of Business, or (x) agreed to, or obligated itself to,
do
anything identified in (i) through (ix) above.
(j) Undisclosed
Liabilities.
The
Company has no material liabilities (matured or unmatured, absolute, accrued,
fixed, contingent or otherwise) that are not (i) on the balance sheet found
in
the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended November
30, 2006, or, if available, in lieu thereof, the Company’s audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2007 (the “Most
Recent Balance Sheet”),
(ii)
incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since the Most Recent Balance Sheet,
(iii) expressly permitted by this Agreement or (iv) otherwise set forth on
Schedule
3.1(j).
As of
the Closing, the Company shall be free of all Indebtedness.
(k) Legal
Compliance.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.1(k),
the
Company is in material compliance with all laws applicable to the Company,
its
assets including Real Property and the conduct of its business. The Company
is
not in default under, and to Seller’s Knowledge no event has occurred which,
with the lapse of time or action by a third party, would result in or reasonably
be expected to result in (i) default by the Company under, or a violation
by the Company of, the terms of any judgment, decree, order, writ or injunction
of any Governmental Authority or (ii) a violation of applicable law. The
Company has not received any written notification from any applicable
Governmental Authority that it or any of the Real Property is not in compliance
with any laws.
-14-
(l) Tax
Matters.
The
Company has filed all Tax Returns that it was required to file. All such Tax
Returns were correct and complete in all material respects. All Taxes due and
owing by the Company have been paid. The Company is not the beneficiary of
any
extension of time within which to file any Tax Return. There are no Liens for
Taxes upon any of the assets owned by the Company and used in the conduct of
its
business. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.1(l),
there
is no material dispute or claim concerning any Tax liability of the Company
either (A) claimed or raised by any Governmental Authority in writing or (B)
as
to which the Seller has Knowledge based upon personal contact with any agent
of
such a Governmental Authority.
(m) Real
Property.
(i) Schedule
3(m)(i) sets
forth the address, plot plan and description of each parcel of Owned Real
Property. With respect to each parcel of Owned Real Property:
(A) The
Company has good, valid and marketable fee simple title, free and clear of
all
Liens, except Permitted Encumbrances;
(B) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
3.1(m)(i)(B),
the
Company has not leased or otherwise granted to any Person the right to use
or
occupy such Owned Real Property or any portion thereof; and
(C) There
are
no outstanding options, rights of first offer or rights of first refusal to
purchase such Owned Real Property or any portion thereof or interest
therein.
(ii) Schedule
3.1(m)(ii) sets
forth the address of each parcel of Leased Real Property and a list of all
Leases concerning each such Leased Real Property (including the date of such
Lease and the parties thereto). The Company has provided to Buyer access to
a
true and complete copy of each such Lease. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.1(m)(ii),
with
respect to each of the Leases (excluding the Ten Section Lease):
(A) Such
Lease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect in
all
material respects, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement
of
creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity;
(B) The
transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not require the consent of any
other party to such Lease, will not result in a breach of or default under
such
Lease, and will not otherwise cause such Lease to cease to be legal, valid,
binding, enforceable and in full force and effect on identical terms following
the Closing, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of general application
relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to
general principles of equity;
-15-
(C) To
Seller’s Knowledge, neither the Company nor any other party to the Lease is in
material breach of or default under such Lease and no event has occurred or
circumstance exists that, with the delivery of notice, the passage of time
or
both, would constitute such a material breach or default, or permit the
termination, modification or acceleration of rent under such Lease;
and
(D) No
security deposit or portion thereof deposited with respect to such Lease has
been applied in respect of a breach of or default under such Lease that has
not
been re-deposited in full.
(iii) The
Owned
Real Property and the Leased Real Property (collectively, the “Real
Property”)
comprise all of the real property currently held or used in the conduct of
the
Company’s business. Schedule
3.1(m)(iii)
lists
all of the pipelines (but not gathering lines) owned or leased by the Company
located on property owned by third parties along with the approximate locations
of such pipelines. Except as set forth on Schedule
3.1(m)(iii),
no
impairment that would have a Materially Adverse Effect exists as to the use
of,
or current rights-of-way in connection with, those pipelines (excluding
gathering lines) that are necessary for the Ordinary Course of Business. The
Company is not responsible for the maintenance or removal of any pipelines
(excluding gathering lines) or rights of way located on property owned by third
parties other than those listed on Schedule
3.1(m)(iii).
To
Seller’s Knowledge, all of the Company’s rights in respect of gathering lines
and the Ten Section are set forth in the Data Room, at Folder 8.01.4.
(iv) All
buildings, structures, fixtures, building systems and equipment, and all
components thereof, included in the Real Property are in good operating
condition, subject to reasonable wear and tear.
(v) The
Company has not received written notice of any condemnation, expropriation
or
other proceeding in eminent domain affecting any parcel of Owned Real Property
or any portion thereof or interest therein nor has it received a written notice
of non-conforming use or similar notice concerning any zoning or other land
use
law, code, ordinance or regulation.
(vi) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.1(m)(iii),
those
matters in the Preliminary Title Report in the Data Room and the contents of
Folder 8.01.4 in the Data Room, there are no contracts, written or oral, to
which the Company is a party, granting to any other party the right of use
or
occupancy of any portion of the Real Property.
-16-
(n) Intellectual
Property.
(i) Schedule
3.1(n)(i)(1) sets
forth a complete and correct list (with an indication of the record owner and
identifying patent, application and or registration numbers, as applicable)
of
all (A) patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and domain
names for which registrations have been obtained (and all applications for,
or
extensions or reissues of, any of the foregoing) which are owned by the Company
and (B) computer software that is owned by the Company (other than mass-marketed
software purchased for less than a total cost of $20,000). Schedule
3.1(n)(i)(2) sets
forth, to Seller’s Knowledge, a complete and correct list of all patents,
trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and domain names for which
registrations have been obtained (and all applications for, or extensions or
reissues of, any of the foregoing) and unregistered trade secrets or other
intellectual property rights which are material to and used by the Company
in
the conduct of the Company’s business but owned by a third party (indicating the
license or contract pursuant to which the Company has the right to use such
intellectual property, if such a license or contract exists).
(ii) The
items
set forth on Schedules
3.1(n)(i)(1) and/or
3.1(n)(i)(2)
(collectively, the “Company
Intellectual Property”)
comprise all of the Intellectual Property necessary for the Ordinary Conduct
of
Business.
(iii) The
Company owns and possesses, free and clear of all Liens (other than as might
be
set forth on Schedule 3.1(g)), all right, title and interest in and to, or
has
the rights to use, all Company Intellectual Property. The Company has received
no written claim or demand (including any offer to license) pertaining to,
and,
to Seller’s Knowledge, there are no proceedings (including office actions) which
are pending or threatened, which challenge the rights of the Company in respect
of any Company Intellectual Property (including the validity, use, ownership,
enforceability or registrability of such Company Intellectual
Property).
(iv) No
Company Intellectual Property owned by the Company is subject to any outstanding
order, ruling, decree, judgment or stipulation by or with any Governmental
Authority.
(v) To
Seller’s Knowledge, (A) the Company has not infringed, misappropriated or
otherwise conflicted with, and the operation of its business does not infringe,
misappropriate or otherwise conflict with, any Intellectual Property rights
of
any third party and (B) there are no facts which indicate a likelihood of any
of
the foregoing. To Seller’s Knowledge, no third party has infringed,
misappropriated or otherwise conflicted with any of the Company Intellectual
Property.
(vi) All
of
the Company Intellectual Property will be owned or available for use by Buyer
immediately after the Closing on terms and conditions identical to those under
which Seller owned or used the Company Intellectual Property immediately prior
to the Closing.
-17-
(o) Inventory.
Inventory maintained by the Company as of the date hereof and as of the Closing
Date shall be adequate for the conduct of the business of the Company in the
Ordinary Course of Business.
(p) Contracts.
Schedule
3.1(p)
lists
the following contracts and other agreements to which the Company is a party
and
which are currently in force:
(i) Any
agreement that relates to any Indebtedness in excess of $100,000 or the guaranty
of Indebtedness which guaranty has a maximum liability in excess of
$100,000;
(ii) Any
agreement, including exchange contracts, that provides for aggregate payments
from or to the Company in excess of $100,000, excluding agreements for the
purchase or sale of crude oil or other petroleum inventory other than exchange
contracts;
(iii) Any
agreement to sell crude oil or other petroleum product that extends for a period
in excess of ninety (90) days and is not cancellable within ninety (90)
days;
(iv) Any
agreement to purchase crude oil or other petroleum product that extends for
a
period in excess of ninety (90) days and is not cancellable within ninety (90)
days;
(v) Any
agreement to sell crude oil or other petroleum product to any of the ten (10)
largest customers, by revenue, of the Company’s business for the nine-month
period ending August 31, 2007;
(vi) Any
agreement to purchase crude oil or other petroleum product from any of the
ten
(10) largest suppliers, by xxxxxxxx, of the Company’s business for the
nine-month period ending August 31, 2007;
(vii) Any
license or other right granted by any third party to the Company, or any license
or other right granted by the Company to a third party, with respect to any
Company Intellectual Property or any agreement involving the payment of
royalties (excluding “off-the-shelf” programs or products or other software
readily commercially available at the date of this Agreement not exceeding
an
annual cost of $100,000 and licensed in the Ordinary Course of
Business);
(viii) Any
confidentiality agreement relating to the Company’s business entered into
outside of the Ordinary Course of Business other than any relating to a
potential sale of the Company’s assets or issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock;
(ix) Any
agreement with (1) Seller or any other Affiliate of the Company, (2) any current
or former officer, director or employee of the Company, Seller or any other
Affiliate of the Company;
-18-
(x) Any
agreement that cannot be terminated without penalty upon not more than 180
days
prior written notice;
(xi) Any
guaranties of payment or performance in favor of another Person;
(xii) Any
joint
venture agreement, partnership (limited or general) agreement or limited
liability company operating agreement;
(xiii) Any
agreement that limits or purports to limit the ability of the Company to compete
in any line of business or to sell or represent competing products or with
any
Person or in any geographic area or during any period of time;
(xiv) Any
agreement which is terminable upon, or prohibits, a change of ownership or
control of Company;
(xv) Other
than as set forth on Schedule
3.1(u),
any
profit sharing, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation, deferred
compensation, severance, or other material plan or arrangement for the benefit
of the Company’s current or former directors, officers, and
employees;
(xvi) any
collective bargaining agreement or related documents; and
(xvii) any
agreement for the employment of any individual on a full-time, part-time,
consulting, or other basis providing annual compensation in excess of $100,000,
other than in respect of at-will arrangements (the foregoing agreements,
collectively, the “Material
Agreements”).
Seller
has given Buyer access to a correct and complete copy of each Material
Agreement. With respect to each such Material Agreement: (A) the agreement
is legal, valid, binding, enforceable, and in full force and effect in all
material respects, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of general application
relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to
general principles of equity;
(B) neither the Company nor, to Seller’s Knowledge, any other party to such
Material Agreement, is in material breach or default, and no event has occurred
that with notice or lapse of time would constitute a material breach or default,
or permit termination, modification, or acceleration, under the agreement;
and
(C) no party to such Material Agreement has repudiated any material
provision of the agreement.
(q) Accounts
Receivable.
All
accounts receivable outstanding as of the Closing Date will represent sales
actually made in the Ordinary Course of Business and to Seller’s Knowledge are
subject to no counterclaims, setoffs or rights to return likely to interfere
with full and timely collection of, any of such outstanding accounts receivable
other than routine credits granted for errors in ordering, shipping, pricing
or
similar matters. Schedule
3.1(q) sets
forth an aged listing by customer of the accounts receivable that were
outstanding as of five (5) days prior to the date of this Agreement and no
more
than ten (10) days prior to the Closing.
-19-
(r) Insurance.
Schedule
3.1(r) sets
forth the following information with respect to each insurance policy with
respect to which the Company is a party, a named insured or otherwise the
beneficiary of coverage:
(i) the
name,
address and telephone number of the agent;
(ii) the
name
of the insurer, the name of the policyholder and the name of each covered
insured;
(iii) the
policy number and the period of coverage; and
(iv) the
scope
(including an indication of whether the coverage is on a claims made, occurrence
or other basis) and amount (including a description of how deductibles and
ceilings are calculated and operate) of coverage.
With
respect to each such insurance policy: (A) the policy is legal, valid, binding,
enforceable, and in full force and effect in all material respects, subject
to
applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of general application
relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to
general principles of equity and will remain in full force and effect after
the
Closing;
(B) neither the Company nor, to Seller’s Knowledge, any other party to such
policy, is in material breach or default, and no event has occurred that with
notice or lapse of time would constitute a material breach or default, or permit
termination, modification, or acceleration, under such policy; and (C) no
party to such policy has repudiated any material provision of such policy.
The
Company does not maintain any material self-insurance arrangements.
(s) Litigation.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.1(s),
neither
the Company nor any of its assets is subject to any order of, or written
agreement or memorandum of understanding with, any Governmental Authority,
and
there exists no litigation, action, suit, claim, audit or proceeding pending,
or
to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened, against or affecting the Company or the
Company’s business or its assets, at law or in equity or before any Governmental
Authority.
(t) Employees.
To
Seller’s Knowledge, as of the date of this Agreement, none of the key employees
listed in Schedule
3.1(t)
intends
to terminate employment with the Company prior to the Closing or during the
six
(6) months following the Closing, subject to such key employees’ satisfaction
with the terms of continued employment offered by Buyer. There are no strikes,
slowdowns or work stoppages, pending or threatened which involve any employees
of the Company. The Company has not experienced any strikes, slowdowns or work
stoppages, or undertaken any plant closings or mass layoffs within the three
(3)
year period preceding the date hereof. The Company is not a party to any
collective bargaining or union contract, and to Seller’s Knowledge, there exists
no current union organizational effort with respect to any of the Company’s
employees.
-20-
(u) Employee
Benefits.
(i) Schedule
3.1(u) lists
each Employee Benefit Plan that the Company maintains or to which the Company
contributes or has any obligation to contribute.
(A) Each
such
Employee Benefit Plan (and each related trust, insurance contract, or fund)
has
been maintained, funded and administered in accordance with the terms of such
Employee Benefit Plan, except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.1(u)(i)(A),
and
complies in form and in operation in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of ERISA, the Code, and other applicable laws.
(B) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.1(u)(i)(B),
all
required reports and descriptions (including Form 5500 annual reports, summary
annual reports, and summary plan descriptions) have been timely filed and/or
distributed in accordance with the applicable requirements of ERISA and the
Code
with respect to each such Employee Benefit Plan. The requirements of COBRA
have
been met in all material respects with respect to each such Employee Benefit
Plan that
is
subject to COBRA and
each
Employee Benefit Plan maintained by an ERISA Affiliate that is an Employee
Welfare Benefit Plan subject to COBRA.
(C) All
contributions (including all employer contributions and employee salary
reduction contributions) that are due have been made within the time periods
prescribed by ERISA, the Code and any other applicable law to each such Employee
Benefit Plan that is an Employee Pension Benefit Plan and all contributions
for
any period ending on or before the Closing Date that are not yet due have been
made to each such Employee Pension Benefit Plan or accrued in accordance with
the past custom and practice of the Company. All premiums or other payments
for
all periods ending on or before the Closing Date have been paid or accrued
with
respect to each such Employee Benefit Plan that is an Employee Welfare Benefit
Plan. No such Employee Benefit Plan (including any such Employee Benefit Plan
that is a single employer plan) has an “accumulated funding deficiency” (whether
or not waived) within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302
of
ERISA and there are no outstanding funding waivers with respect to any such
plan.
(D) Each
such
Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of a “qualified
plan” under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a determination from the
Internal Revenue Service that such Employee Benefit Plan is so qualified, and,
except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.1(u)(i)(D),
to
Seller’s Knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances that could adversely
affect the qualified status of any such Employee Benefit Plan.
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(E) There
have been no Prohibited Transactions with respect to any such Employee Benefit
Plan or any Employee Benefit Plan maintained by an ERISA Affiliate. No Fiduciary
has any liability for material breach of fiduciary duty or any other material
failure to act or comply in connection with the administration or investment
of
the assets of any such Employee Benefit Plan. No action, suit, proceeding,
hearing, or investigation with respect to the administration or the investment
of the assets of any such Employee Benefit Plan (other than routine claims
for
benefits) is pending or, to Seller’s Knowledge, threatened.
(F) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.1(u)(i)(F),
the
Company has given access to Buyer to correct and complete copies of the plan
documents and summary plan descriptions (or
in the
case of an unwritten Employee Benefit Plan, a written summary
thereof),
the
most recent determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service,
the
most recent annual report (Form 5500, with all applicable attachments), and
all
related trust agreements, insurance contracts, and other funding arrangements
which implement each such Employee Benefit Plan.
(G) Neither
the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will (a) entitle any employee, former employee,
consultant or director of the Company to any severance pay or benefits or any
increase in severance pay or benefits upon any termination of employment after
the date hereof, (b) except as set forth on Schedule
3.1(u)(i)(G),
accelerate the time of payment or vesting or result in any payment or funding
of
compensation or benefits under, increase the amount payable or result in any
other material obligation pursuant to, any such Employee Benefit Plan, (c)
limit
or restrict the right of Buyer to merge, amend or terminate any such Employee
Benefit Plan, or (d) result in payments under any such Employee Benefit Plan
which would not be deductible under Section 162(m) or Section 280G of the
Code.
(ii) Neither
the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate contributes to, has any obligation to
contribute to, or has any material liability under or with respect to any
Employee Pension Benefit Plan that is a “defined benefit plan” (as defined in
Section 3(35) of ERISA).
(iii) Neither
the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate contributes to, has any obligation to
contribute to, or has any material liability (including withdrawal liability
as
defined in Section 4201 of ERISA) under or with respect to any Multiemployer
Plan.
(iv) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.1(u)(iv),
the
Company does not maintain, contribute to or have an obligation to contribute
to,
or have any material liability or potential liability with respect to, any
Employee Welfare Benefit Plan providing health or life insurance or other
welfare-type benefits for current or future retired or terminated employees
(or
any spouse or other dependent thereof) of the Company other than in accordance
with COBRA. Except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.1(u)(iv),
the
performance of this Agreement shall not result in any severance, accelerated
vesting or any similar payments by Company to any employee or third
party.
-22-
(v) Environmental
Matters.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.1(v):
(i) There
is
currently no pending, or to the Seller’s Knowledge threatened, claim, action,
suit, cause of action, proceeding, order or decree, or written notice regarding
any actual or alleged material violation of or liability under Environmental
Requirements by the Company.
(ii) The
Company has given Buyer access to all site conceptual models and written
assessments, audits, investigations, and sampling or similar reports in its
possession relating to the environment or the presence or release of any
hazardous materials, to the extent relating to the Company’s property or current
or past operations of the Company.
(iii) Except
as
would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the
Company is in compliance with all Environmental Requirements.
(iv) Except
as
would not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the
Company has obtained or filed or applied for, and is in compliance with all
Permits required under any Environmental Requirement and has timely filed for
any applicable renewals. All such Permits are listed on Schedule
3.1(y).
(v) This
Section 3(v) constitutes the sole and exclusive representation and warranty
regarding Environmental Requirements.
(w) Affiliate
Transactions.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.1(w),
neither
Seller nor any current or former Affiliate of the Company or Seller, is now,
or
has been during the three (3) year period preceding the date hereof, (i) a
party
to any transaction or contract with the Company, (ii) indebted to the Company
or
a guarantor or otherwise liable for any liability of the Company, (iii) a holder
of any interest in any property (whether real, personal or mixed and whether
tangible or intangible) used in or pertaining to the business of the Company
or
(iv) had any relationship as a director, officer, manager or similar such
position with, or any interest (other than a passive investment in equity
securities of any Person if such equity securities are registered under the
Securities Act, provided that such equity investment does not exceed five
percent (5%) of the outstanding equity securities of such person), direct or
indirect, in any competitor, supplier, vendor or customer of the
Company.
(x) Customers
and Suppliers.
Schedule
3.1(x) sets
forth a true, correct and complete list of (a) the Company’s ten (10) largest
customers in terms of dollar amounts of sales during the nine-month period
ended
August 31, 2007, and the amount for which each such customer was invoiced during
such period, and (b) the Company’s ten (10) largest (based on dollar amounts of
purchases) suppliers, vendors or other providers of services from which the
Company ordered raw materials, supplies and other goods or services during
the
nine-month period ended August 31, 2007. No such customer or supplier has
advised the Company in writing that such customer or supplier was or is
intending to terminate its relationship with the Company or to materially
decrease or limit its purchases or supplies.
-23-
(y) Permits.
Schedule
3.1(y) contains
a true, correct and complete list of all active Permits issued to the Company.
The Company and its assets are in material compliance with all such Permits
and
all such Permits are in full force and effect and will be in full force and
effect as at and through the Closing Date. There has been no change in the
facts
or circumstances reported or assumed in the application for or granting of
such
Permits that would result in a violation of, or in the invalidity or revocation
of, any such Permit. The Company has not received notice from any Governmental
Authority, which remains outstanding, regarding any proposed modification,
non-renewal, suspension or cancellation of any such Permits, and to Seller’s
Knowledge, no event has occurred which could reasonably be expected to result
in
the modification, non-renewal, suspension or cancellation of any such Permit
or
the requirement for additional Permits in order to operate the Company’s assets
and businesses in the Ordinary Course of Business.
(z) Bank
Accounts.
Schedule
3.1(z) sets
forth the names and locations of all banks, trust companies, savings and loan
associations and other financial institutions at which the Company maintains
any
safe deposit boxes or accounts (specifying the identifying numbers), and the
names of all Persons authorized to draw thereon, make withdrawals therefrom
or
have access thereto.
3.2 Representations
and Warranties of Buyer.
Buyer
represents and warrants to Seller that:
(a) Organization
of Buyer; Enforceability; Authorization.
Buyer
is a corporation existing and in good standing under the laws of the state
of
Delaware. Except as set forth below, Buyer has full power and authority
(including full corporate or other entity power and authority) to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. Except as
set
forth below, the Agreement has been duly approved by all requisite corporate
action on the part of Buyer, has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer
and
constitutes the valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws of general application
relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and to
general principles of equity.
(i) Buyer
is
required to file a Proxy Statement (the “Proxy Statement”) with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) concerning the transaction
described herein and related matters, and following review by the SEC,
distribute a Proxy Statement to Buyer’s shareholders of record seeking their
approval of the transactions described herein and related matters. The Closing
cannot occur without such approval by Buyer’s shareholders as set forth in
Buyer’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
-24-
(b) Non-contravention;
Consents.
Neither
the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any order, judgment or
decree, relating to Buyer’s business or by which Buyer is bound or (ii) except
as set forth in Section 3.2(a)(i) above violate any provision of Buyer’s Second
Amended and Restated By-laws or Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation. Except as set forth in Section 3.2(a)(i) above, no consent or
approval of, no action by or in respect of or filing with, any Person is
required in connection with the execution, delivery, consummation or performance
of this Agreement by Buyer.
(c) Brokers’
Fees.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.2(c),
Buyer
has no obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Any obligations
shown on Schedule
3.2(c)
shall be
for the account of Buyer.
(d) Due
Diligence. Buyer
has
been provided with access to the Data Room, has had such time as Buyer deems
necessary and appropriate to review and analyze such materials and has been
provided an opportunity to ask questions of Seller with respect to such
materials. Buyer acknowledges that Seller has not made any representations
or
warranties, express or implied, in connection with the transactions contemplated
in this Agreement, other than the representations and warranties contained
in
this Agreement.
(e) Capital. Buyer
has
sufficient cash available, lines of credit or other sources or commitments
of
immediately available funds to remit the Purchase Price as and when due, to
meet
its other obligations under this Agreement and to conduct its business in the
Ordinary Course of Business.
(f) Investment.
Buyer
is acquiring the Shares for Buyer’s own account and not with a view to or for
resale in connection with any distribution or public offering thereof in
violation of the Securities Act.
ARTICLE
IV
COVENANTS
OF SELLER
4.1 Conduct
of Company’s Business.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule 4.1,
during
the period from the date hereof through the Closing Date, Seller (i) shall,
and
shall cause the Company to, conduct the Company’s business in the Ordinary
Course of Business (including, without limitation, using commercially reasonable
efforts to preserve goodwill and business relationships between the Company
and
its suppliers and customers and perform tank, pipe and process unit maintenance
and repair) and (ii) shall cause the Company not to, except (a) as otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement, (b) in the Ordinary Course of Business
or
(c) with the written approval of Buyer:
(a) Obligations
for Borrowed Money.
(i) Create, incur or assume any debt (including obligations in respect of
capital leases) or any debt for money borrowed (whether long- or short-term);
(ii) assume or guarantee, or otherwise become liable or responsible
(whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the obligation of any other
Person; or (iii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to any
other Person;
-25-
(b) Employee
Matters.
(i)
Enter into or modify any collective bargaining agreement, except as required
by
applicable law, (ii) commit itself to any additional Employee Plan, or
employment or consulting agreement with a Person, or to amend any of such Plans
or agreements, except as required by applicable law, (iii) grant to any current
or former employee or officer of the Company any increase in wages or bonus,
severance, profit sharing, retirement, deferred compensation, insurance or
other
compensation or benefits, or (iv) enter into any new or modify any existing
retention or similar agreement with any of the Company’s current or former
directors, officers and employees;
(c) Merger;
Sale of Assets.
(i)
Merge or consolidate with any Person, (ii) enter into any agreement with respect
to voting of the Company’s capital stock; (iii) sell, transfer, license or
otherwise dispose of or agree to sell, transfer, license or otherwise dispose
of
any assets of the Company used in the conduct of its business, except inventory
as would occur in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(d) Commitments.
(i)
Enter, terminate, modify or amend any Material Contract, other than Material
Agreements with customers and/or suppliers made in the Ordinary Course of
Business; or (ii) enter into any other agreements, commitments, contracts or
undertakings relating to the conduct of the Company’s business;
(e) Leases.
Terminate, modify or amend any of the Leases or enter into any new
Leases;
(f) Encumbrances.
Encumber
or grant or create a Lien on any of the assets (including Real Property) used
by
the Company in the conduct of its business and shall have removed from title
prior to Closing items 50 and 59 as shown on the Preliminary Title Report
contained in the Data Room;
(g) Insurance.
Cause
or permit any of the policies of insurance listed on Schedule 3.1(r)
to
terminate, lapse or be canceled, unless equivalent replacement policies, without
lapse of coverage, shall be put in place;
(h) Litigation.
Enter
into any compromise or settlement of any litigation, action, suit, claim,
proceeding or investigation, except settlements made by insurers, involving
amounts in excess of $50,000 or non monetary commitments that would extend
after
the Closing;
(i) Representations
and Warranties.
Take any
action the taking of which, or omit to take any action the omission of which,
would cause any of the representations and warranties contained in
Section 3.1 to fail to be true and correct as of the Closing as though made
at and as of the Closing;
(j) Intellectual
Property.
Permit
the loss, transfer, lapse or abandonment of any Company Intellectual
Property;
(k) Taxes.
Make any
material Tax election for calendar year 2007 or enter into any settlement or
compromise of any Tax liability
in
excess of $100,000,
or
change any annual Tax accounting period or method of Tax accounting, enter
into
any closing agreement relating to any Tax in excess of $100,000 or consent
to
any extension or waiver of the statute of limitations period applicable to
any
material Tax claim or assessment;
-26-
(l) Charter
Documents.
Amend or
change the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company;
(m) Investments.
Except
for cash equivalent investments or investments in publicly traded securities,
made consistent with past practice, directly or indirectly acquire, make any
investment in, or make any capital contributions to, any Person;
(n) Accounting.
Except
as may be required as a result of a change in applicable law or in GAAP, (i)
change any of the accounting methods, practices or principles used by it, (ii)
write up, write down or write off the book value of any of its assets except
the
write-off of individual accounts receivable in the Ordinary Course of Business
or (iii) vary its inventory practices in any material respect from its current
practices;
(o) Capital
Expenditures.
Make any
new capital expenditure or expenditures (including leases and in-licenses),
or
enter into any contract or agreement providing for capital expenditures which,
in the aggregate, are in excess of $1,000,000 and not set forth in Schedule
3.1(p) of
the
Disclosure Schedule;
(p) Working
Capital.
Alter
the payment terms of its trade receivables or trade payables;
(q) Waiver
of Claims.
Waive,
release or assign any claims or rights of material value; or
(r) Commitments. Agree
or
commit to do any of the foregoing.
(s) Casualty
or Condemnation. In
the
event that, prior to the Closing Date, all or any portion of the Company’s
assets are damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty for which the
associated repair or replacement costs to the Company or associated materially
adverse impact on the earnings of the Company could reasonably be expected
to
exceed $10,000,000 (a “Casualty”) or
taken by condemnation or eminent domain or by agreement in lieu thereof with
any
Person or Governmental Authority authorized to exercise such rights
(a “Taking”),
Seller
shall promptly notify Buyer thereof.
(i) In
the
event of a Casualty or Taking between the Date of this Agreement and the Closing
Date, Seller shall elect (i) to repair or replace, after reasonable consultation
with Buyer, or make adequate provision for the repair or replacement of the
affected part of the Company at Seller’s cost prior to the Closing, in which
case Buyer’s obligation to effect the Closing shall not be affected, but the
Closing Date, at Buyer’s option, shall be deferred until three Business Days
after repairs are completed and/or (ii) to negotiate with Buyer to reduce the
Purchase Price by an amount agreed to by Seller and Buyer to reflect the cost
to
repair or replace the affected part of the Company (the “Repair
Costs”),
in
which case, in the event of a Repair Cost Dispute, the Closing Date shall be
deferred as provided
herein.
(ii) If
Seller
and Buyer agree on the Repair Costs within 15 days of Buyer’s receipt of
Seller’s notice of the Casualty or Taking (the “Repair
Negotiation Period”),
Buyer’s obligation to affect the Closing shall not be affected, but the Purchase
Price shall be reduced by the Repair Costs so agreed.
-27-
(iii) If
Seller
and Buyer do not agree on the Repair Costs within the Repair Negotiation Period
(a “Repair
Cost Dispute”),
either party may request a reasonably mutually acceptable engineering firm
to
evaluate the affected part of the Company and deliver to Buyer and Seller its
written estimate of the Repair Costs (the “Third-Party
Estimate”)
within
15 days after the end of the Repair Negotiation Period.
(iv) If
the
Third-Party Estimate is less than $10,000,000, Buyer’s obligation to effect the
Closing shall not be affected and the parties shall submit the Repair Cost
Dispute to dispute resolution as set forth in Article IX below for resolution
after the Closing, with a post-Closing adjustment to the Purchase Price equal
to
the finally-determined Repair Costs.
(v) If
the
Third-Party Estimate is equal to or greater than $10,000,000 but less than
$25,000,000, Buyer’s obligation to effect the Closing shall not be affected, but
the Purchase Price shall be reduced by the amount of the Third-Party Estimate
and the Parties shall submit the Repair Cost Dispute to dispute resolution
under
Article IX below after the Closing, with a post-Closing adjustment of the
Purchase Price equal to the difference between the Third-Party Estimate and
the
finally-determined Repair Costs.
(vi) If
the
Third-Party Estimate is equal to or greater than $25,000,000, Buyer may elect,
by giving Seller written notice of election within 15 days of receipt of
the Third-Party Estimate, to terminate this Agreement without further obligation
to Seller or to proceed in accordance with Section 4.1(s)(v) above.
(vii) In
the
event of any reduction in the Purchase Price in connection with a Taking, Seller
shall be entitled to collect from Buyer or any condemnor the entire award(s)
that may be made in any such proceeding or the amount of any insurance coverage,
without deduction.
4.2 Exclusivity.
From the
date hereof through and until the earlier of termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Article VIII or the Closing, Seller shall not, and shall cause
the Company not to, directly or indirectly, (a) solicit, initiate or encourage
any inquiries, proposals or offers from any Person relating to any acquisition
of the Shares or the assets or business of the Company, or any merger,
consolidation or business combination with the Company, or (b) with respect
to
any effort or attempt by any other Person to do or seek any of the foregoing,
(i) participate in any discussions or negotiations, (ii) furnish to any other
Person any information with respect to, or afford access to the properties,
books or records of or relating to, the Company, or (iii) otherwise cooperate
in
any way with, or assist or participate in, or facilitate or encourage any such
effort. Seller shall promptly notify Buyer if any such proposal or offer from
any Person with respect thereto is made.
-28-
4.3 Full
Access; Title Report.
Prior to
the Closing, Buyer shall be entitled, and Seller shall permit Buyer, to conduct
such investigation of the condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets,
properties, operations and prospects of the Company and its business as Buyer
shall reasonably deem appropriate; provided,
however,
that
any such investigation shall be conducted in such a manner as not to interfere
unreasonably with the operation of the Company’s business. Two days prior to
Closing, Seller shall, at its expense, deliver to Buyer an updated preliminary
title report evidencing no new Liens or encumbrances. If Buyer elects to obtain,
at its expense, a new or updated title policy or survey in respect of the
Company’s Real Property, Seller agrees to cooperate with Buyer, including
without limitation, by delivering copies of any existing surveys, granting
access and executing and delivering customary title affidavits as may be
reasonably requested by Buyer or a title company.
ARTICLE
V
OTHER
COVENANTS
5.1 Standby
Letters of Credit.
Buyer
shall either (i) arrange for replacement standby letters of credit as to all
standby letters of credit that the Company has outstanding as of the Closing
Date with Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Current
LOCs”),
effective as of the Closing Date, in which case Seller shall cancel all Current
LOCs, effective as of the Closing Date or (ii) Buyer shall provide to Xxxxx
Fargo Bank, N.A. standby letters of credit, to the satisfaction of Xxxxx Fargo
Bank, N.A. in its sole discretion, to secure the Current LOCs, in which case
all
Current LOCs shall remain in effect until maturity. The Parties acknowledge
that
any obligation for the payment of purchases that is outstanding as of the
Closing Date and is secured by a Current LOC shall be included as “Accounts
Payable” under Schedule
2.6(c)
attached
hereto.
5.2 Further
Assurances.
Each
Party shall use its best efforts to implement the provisions of this Agreement.
For such purpose, each Party, at the request of the other Party, at the Closing,
shall, without further consideration, promptly execute and deliver, or cause
to
be executed and delivered, to the other Party such instruments in addition
to
those required by this Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the
other Party, and take all such other actions, as the other Party may reasonably
deem necessary or desirable to implement any provision of this
Agreement.
5.3 Expenses. Each
Party shall bear the legal, accounting and other expenses incurred by such
Party
in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Transaction
Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as the case
may
be.
5.4 Transfer
Taxes. All
excise, use, transfer, stamp, documentary, filing, recordation and other similar
Taxes which may be payable in connection with the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement, together with any interest, additions or penalties with respect
thereto (“Transfer
Taxes”)
shall
be borne by Buyer and Seller equally. Each Party hereby agrees to file all
necessary documentation in connection with the payment and reporting of Transfer
Taxes.
-29-
5.5 Press
Releases and Disclosure. Neither
Seller, Buyer nor their respective Affiliates shall issue or cause publication
of any press release or other announcement or public communication with respect
to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise disclose
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby to any third party (other
than attorneys, advisors, accountants and debt providers/lenders to Seller
or
Buyer) without the consent of both Parties hereto, which consent shall not
be
unreasonably withheld; provided,
however,
that
nothing herein shall prohibit any Party from issuing or causing publication
of
any regulatory filing (e.g., Form 8-K) or shareholder Proxy Statement (including
as described in Section 3.2(a)(i) above), press release, announcement or public
communication to the extent that such party deems such action to be required
by
applicable law or stock exchange rule
or
necessary to perform its obligations under this Agreement; provided,
further,
that
such Party shall, whenever practicable consult with the other Party concerning
the timing and content of such press release, announcement or communication
before the same is issued or published.
5.6 Government
and other Regulatory Approvals.
(a) Each
Party shall, and shall cause its appropriate respective Affiliates to, use
all
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any authorizations, consents,
novations, orders and approvals of, with or by any Governmental Authority
necessary for the performance of the respective obligations under the
Transaction Documents, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, including without limitation, in connection with the HSR
Act
and shall cooperate fully with each other in all reasonable respects in promptly
seeking to obtain such authorizations, consents, orders and approvals. Neither
Seller nor Buyer shall take any action that will have the effect of delaying,
impairing or impeding the receipt of any required regulatory
approvals.
(b) Without
limiting the foregoing, (i) as soon as reasonably practicable following the
date
hereof, and in any event within ten (10) days after the date hereof, each Party
shall, and shall cause its appropriate respective Affiliates to, promptly make
or cause to be made any and all required filings, reports and notices (A) with
the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States
Department of Justice under the HSR Act, and will request early termination
of
the waiting period required under the HSR Act; and (B) to the extent required,
with the appropriate Governmental Authorities under any applicable foreign
antitrust or competition Laws, and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts
to obtain any consents required thereunder as promptly as is reasonably
possible.
5.7 Proxy
Statement.
The
Proxy
Statement (which shall be prepared and filed with the SEC), shall request that
Buyer's shareholders adopt and approve this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated herein, on the terms and conditions described herein, in accordance
with Buyer’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and shall
contain the recommendation of the board of directors of Buyer to do same. Buyer
shall provide the Company with a reasonable opportunity (but not less than
five
(5) Business Days) to review and comment on the Proxy Statement (including
any
amendment or supplement thereto) prior to the filing thereof for SEC review
and
approval.
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ARTICLE
VI
CONDITIONS
TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
6.1 Conditions
to Buyer’s Obligation.
The
obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions provided for by this
Agreement is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date,
of
each of the following conditions:
(a) Each
of
the representations and warranties of Seller made in Section 3.1,
(i) if specifically qualified by materiality, shall be true and complete as
so qualified and (ii) if not qualified by materiality, shall be true and
correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date hereof and as
of
the Closing Date as though made at such time, except where any such
representation or warranty is specific as of a specific earlier date, in which
event it shall remain true and correct (as qualified) as of such earlier
date.
(b) Seller
shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants,
obligations and agreements required to be performed or complied with by it
in
connection herewith on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) At
the
Closing, Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a Certificate signed by the
President or a Vice President of Seller, and dated the Closing Date, to the
effect that to the best of the Knowledge of Seller the conditions specified
in
Sections 6.1(a) and (b) have been fulfilled.
(d) At
the
Closing, the Seller or Company shall have delivered to Buyer copies of (i)
the
Company’s Articles of Incorporation and (ii) the Company’s Bylaws, each
certified by the corporate Secretary of the Company to be true, correct,
complete and in full force and effect and unmodified as of the Closing
Date.
(e) At
the
Closing, the Seller or Company shall have delivered to Buyer Certificates of
corporate good standing for Seller and the Company from the State of California,
dated not more than ten (10) days prior to the Closing.
(f) The
Seller or Company shall have procured all of the third-party consents set forth
on Schedule 6.1(f),
the
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act shall have expired or been
terminated and all foreign anti-trust approvals, if required, shall have been
obtained.
(g) No
litigation, action, suit, investigation, claim or proceeding challenging the
legality of, or seeking to restrain, prohibit or materially modify, the
transactions provided for in this Agreement shall have been instituted and
not
settled or otherwise terminated (other than any litigation, action, suit,
investigation, claim or proceeding instigated by one or more of Buyer’s
shareholders, which shall not constitute a condition to Buyer’s obligation to
consummate the transactions provided for by this Agreement).
(h) Buyer
shall have received from Xxxxx Day, counsel to Seller and the Company, an
opinion in form and substance as set forth in Exhibit
B
attached
hereto, addressed to Buyer and dated as of the Closing Date.
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(i) Buyer
shall have received the resignations, effective as of the Closing, of each
director and officer of the Company, as requested by Buyer.
(j) Seller
shall have furnished Buyer with an affidavit certifying as to Seller’s
non-foreign status in accordance with the requirements of Section 1445 of the
Code.
(k) Seller
shall have paid in full and the Company shall be free of all
Indebtedness.
(l) The
Seller or the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Buyer in
form and substance satisfactory to the Buyer acting reasonably the share
certificates representing the Shares issued in the name of the Buyer, together
with evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer that the Buyer is entered
upon the books of the Company as the holder and owner of the
Shares.
(m) Buyer’s
shareholders shall have approved the transactions described herein as set forth
in Section 3.2(a)(i) above.
(n) Seller
shall have executed the Indemnity Escrow Agreement.
6.2 Conditions
to Seller’s Obligation.
The
obligation of Seller to consummate the transactions provided for by this
Agreement is subject to the satisfaction, on or prior to the Closing Date,
of
each of the following conditions:
(a) Each
of
the representations and warranties of Buyer made in Section 3.2, (i) if
specifically qualified by materiality, shall be true and complete as so
qualified and (ii) if not qualified by materiality, shall be true and correct
in
all material respects, in each case as of the date hereof and as of the Closing
Date as though made at such time, except where any such representation or
warranty is specific as of a specific earlier date, in which event it shall
remain true and correct (as qualified) as of such earlier date.
(b) Buyer
shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants,
obligations and agreements required to be performed or complied with by it
in
connection herewith on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) At
the
Closing, Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a Certificate signed by the CEO,
President or a Vice President of Buyer, and dated the Closing Date, to the
effect that to the best of the knowledge and belief of such officer the
conditions specified in Sections 6.2(a) and (b) have been
fulfilled.
(d) At
the
Closing, Buyer shall have delivered to Seller copies of Buyer’s Second Amended
and Restated By-laws and Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, each certified by the corporate Secretary of Buyer to be true,
correct, complete and in full force and effect and unmodified as of the Closing
Date.
(e) At
the
Closing, Buyer shall have delivered to Seller Certificates of corporate good
standing for Buyer from the State of Delaware, dated not more than ten (10)
days
prior to the Closing.
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(f) The
Seller or Company shall have procured all of the third-party consents set forth
on Schedule 3.1(f),
the
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act shall have expired or been
terminated and all foreign anti-trust approvals, if required, shall have been
obtained.
(g) No
litigation, action, suit, investigation, claim or proceeding challenging the
legality of, or seeking to restrain, prohibit or materially modify, the
transactions provided for in this Agreement shall have been instituted and
not
settled or otherwise terminated.
(h) Seller
shall have received from Xxxxxxx Xxxx, counsel to Buyer, an opinion in form
and
substance as set forth in Exhibit
C
attached
hereto, addressed to Seller and dated as of the Closing Date.
(j) Buyer
shall have executed the Indemnity Escrow Agreement.
ARTICLE
VII
SURVIVAL;
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Survival.
Except
as otherwise set forth herein, the representations, warranties, covenants,
obligations and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement shall
survive the Closing for a period of eighteen (18) months; provided,
however,
that in
the case of claims arising out of breaches of the representations and warranties
set forth in Sections 3.1(f), (g) (as to the first sentence only), (l) and
(v),
such representations and warranties shall survive the Closing for a period
of
thirty six (36) months; provided,
further,
that in
the case of claims arising out of breaches of the representations and warranties
set forth in Sections 3.1(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) and Sections 3.2(a) and
(c),
such representations and warranties shall not expire. In the event notice of
any
claim for indemnification under Sections 7.2 or 7.3 has been given prior to
the
foregoing expiration dates, the representations and warranties and covenants
that are subject of such indemnification claim shall survive with respect to
such claim until the final disposition thereof.
7.2 Indemnification
by Buyer.
Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, from and
after the Closing, Buyer shall indemnify, defend and hold Seller, its
Affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, representatives, employees
and agents (and their successors and assigns) harmless from and against any
and
all Losses that may be incurred by Seller resulting or arising from or related
to, or incurred in connection with any breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant, obligation or agreement made by Buyer contained in this
Agreement.
7.3 Indemnification
by Seller.
Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, from and after
the Closing, Seller shall indemnify, defend and hold Buyer, its Affiliates,
and
their respective directors, officers, representatives, employees and agents
(and
their successors and assigns) harmless from and against any and all Losses
that
may be incurred by Buyer resulting or arising from, related to or incurred
in
connection with any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, obligation
or agreement made by Seller contained in this Agreement.
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7.4 Limitations
on Indemnification.
Seller
shall not be required to indemnify, defend or hold Buyer harmless from and
against any Losses under Section 7.3 unless and until the aggregate amount
of
such Losses (each of which individually exceeds $10,000) equals One Percent
(1%)
of the Closing Purchase Price (the “Floor”),
in
which event Seller shall be obligated to indemnify Buyer solely for Losses
incurred by Buyer in excess of the Floor, and only up to ten percent (10%)
of
the Closing Purchase Price (the “Cap”),
as
set forth more fully in Sections 7.5(c)(ii)(C) and (D) and in the Indemnity
Escrow Agreement.
7.5 Method
of Asserting Claims.
(a) Notice
of Claims; Time for Claims.
In the
event that Buyer wishes to make a claim for Losses under Section 7.3 (a
“Claim”),
Buyer
shall give a written notice (a “Notice
of Claim”)
to
Seller and the Escrow Agent (to the extent the Indemnity Escrow Agreement
remains in full force and effect at the time such Notice of Claim is made).
The
Notice of Claim shall (i) describe the nature of the Claim being made and (ii)
if known, state the aggregate dollar amount of such Claim (and if not known,
estimate to the extent reasonably practical the aggregate dollar amount of
such
Claim; provided,
however,
that
any disputes in respect of such amount that Buyer and Seller cannot resolve
between themselves shall be resolved in accordance with Section 9.2). If
such notice relates to any claim or potential claim or the commencement of
any
action, suit or legal, administrative or arbitral proceedings or investigation
before or by any individual, corporation, governmental authority or other entity
other than Buyer (a “Third
Party Claim”)
which
could give rise to a Loss, Buyer shall give Seller and the Escrow Agent written
notice describing the Third Party Claim within thirty (30) days of receipt
of
actual notice of such Third Party Claim (or such shorter period as is reasonably
practical and may be warranted under the circumstances (e.g., in the case of
emergency proceedings or when a response to a notification must be given within
a period in order to avoid a forfeiture of rights)) to permit Seller to exercise
its rights hereunder. Whether the Notice of Claim relates to a direct Claim
or a
Third Party Claim, Buyer’s failure to notify in the manner set forth herein
shall not affect any of its rights hereunder, but Seller shall be obligated
to
Buyer only up to that amount of the Losses which would not have been increased
but for Buyer’s failure to give timely notice.
(b) Defense
of Third Party Claims.
(i) From
and
after the delivery of a Notice of Claim in respect of a Third Party Claim,
and
until such time as it is determined or agreed that Seller has no liability
to
Buyer in respect thereof, Seller shall have the right (but not the obligation)
to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim and to retain (at Seller’s
expense) counsel of its choice, reasonably acceptable to Buyer, to represent
Buyer, provided,
however,
that
this option shall not be available to Seller for Third Party Claims (i) which
may result in criminal proceedings, injunctions or other equitable remedies
in
respect of Buyer or its Affiliates or (ii) also involves Seller or its
Affiliates as a party and counsel to Seller determines in good faith that joint
representation would give rise to a conflict of interest, for which defense
shall be assumed by Buyer with the right to retain (at Seller’s expense) counsel
of its choice, reasonably acceptable to Seller. Seller shall have twenty (20)
days from the receipt of the Notice of Claim to notify Buyer whether or not
it
desires to defend such Third Party Claim failing which Seller shall be deemed
to
have waived such option and be responsible for costs and fees incurred by Buyer
for defense of such Third Party Claim. The Party assuming defense of a Third
Party Claim is hereinafter referred to as the “Controlling
Party”
and the
other Party as the “Co-Defendant”.
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(ii) In
defending the Third Party Claim, the Controlling Party shall act in good faith
and use commercially reasonable means and defenses available to it given due
consideration to the interests of Buyer. The Co-Defendant shall take such
actions as reasonably necessary or appropriate under the circumstances to
cooperate with the Controlling Party and its counsel in defending such Third
Party Claim. The Controlling Party shall keep the Co-Defendant reasonably
informed of the development of the underlying claim. In the case where the
Buyer
is the Co-Defendant, the Co-Defendant shall have the right to participate,
at
its sole cost and expense in the defense of a Third Party Claim using its own
counsel (unless (x) the Controlling Party shall not have employed counsel in
the
defense of such Claim after ten (10) days notice; or (y) such Co-Defendant
shall
have determined in good faith that joint representation would give rise to
a
conflict of interest, and in either of the foregoing events such fees and
expenses shall be borne by the Controlling Party).
(iii) Other
than settlements, compromises or agreements involving solely monetary payment
obligations (in any amount in respect of settlement, compromises or agreements
being made by Seller, and in any amount under Ten Thousand US Dollars (USD
10,000) in respect of those being made by Buyer), neither the Co-Defendant
nor
the Controlling Party shall conclude any settlements, compromises, agreements
or
withdrawals in response to any claims, verifications, or legal or administrative
proceedings in which it may be involved without the prior written consent of
the
other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, in particular
with respect to the settlement of disputes with customers, for which customary
practice and the commercial relationship shall be taken into account and
involving the assets, business or operations of the Company.
(c) Objection
to Notice of Claim; Payment.
(i) If
Seller
wishes to object to a Claim or Third Party Claim made in a Notice of Claim,
Seller shall give a written objection (an “Objection”)
to the
Escrow Agent (to the extent the Indemnity Escrow Agreement remains in full
force
and effect at the time such Objection is made) and Buyer within fifteen (15)
Business Days after receipt of such Notice of Claim expressing such Objection
and explaining in reasonable detail and in good faith the basis thereof. Buyer
and Seller shall meet within fifteen (15) Business Days following receipt by
Buyer of Seller’s Objection to agree on the rights of the respective parties
with respect to each of such Claim or Third Party Claim. If Seller and Buyer
should reach an agreement, a memorandum setting forth such agreement shall
be
prepared and signed by both parties and if need be shall be furnished to the
Escrow Agent. If Buyer and Seller do not reach such an agreement within such
fifteen (15) Business Day period, then the matter shall be resolved in
accordance with Section 9.2.
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(ii) Subject
to Sections 7.4, 7.6 and 7.7, the payment of any sum due or payable by
Seller under this Article VII will be made:
(A) in
connection with a Third Party Claim, no later than fifteen (15) Business Days
(a) after expiry of such fifteen (15) Business Day period set forth in
Section 7.5(c)(i) if Seller fails to respond to the relevant Notice of
Claim, (b) after a final non appealable award against Buyer has been rendered,
(c) after final settlement of a Notice of Claim has been reached, as determined
by mutual agreement of Buyer and Seller in accordance with
Section 7.5(c)(i) or (d) after Seller is determined to be under the
obligation to pay the relevant Loss as resolved between Buyer and Seller
pursuant to Section 9.2;
(B) in
connection with a direct Claim, no later than fifteen (15) Business Days (a)
after expiry of such fifteen (15) Business Day period set forth in
Section 7.5(c)(i) if Seller fails to respond to the relevant Notice of
Claim, (b) after final settlement of a Notice of Claim has been reached, as
determined by mutual agreement of Buyer and Seller in accordance with
Section 7.5(c)(i) or (c) after Seller is determined to be under the
obligation to pay the relevant Loss as resolved between Buyer and Seller
pursuant to Section 9.2;
provided,
however,
that
the relevant payments shall be made:
(C) first,
until the expiration of the Indemnity Escrow Agreement and in accordance with
the terms thereof, by the Escrow Agent to Buyer in cash credited from the Escrow
Account (as defined in the Indemnity Escrow Agreement) in the amount of such
Loss incurred by Buyer; and
(D) second,
following the expiration of the Indemnity Escrow Agreement, or if the Losses
exceed in whole or in part the Escrow Amount (only to the extent Seller’s
liability in respect of such Loss is not subject to the limitations set forth
in
Section 7.4), by Seller to Buyer in the amount of such Loss incurred by Buyer
which cannot be discharged through payment made by the Escrow Agent.
7.6 Duty
to Mitigate.
Buyer
shall take all commercially reasonable steps to mitigate any Loss that it may
incur, including making and diligently pursuing such claims as may be reasonably
justified against any third party or pursuant to any insurance policies covering
the Buyer, provided, however, that nothing herein shall obligate Buyer to
maintain any particular insurance.
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7.7 Tax
Effect of Indemnification Payments; Insurance.
(a) Any
Tax
or other Loss for which indemnification is provided under this Agreement shall
be reduced (at the time and in the manner discussed in Section 7.7(b)) by
any actual Tax Benefit arising from the payment of the claim that gave rise
to
Seller making an indemnity payment. If Buyer realizes any such Tax Benefit,
directly or indirectly, then Buyer shall pay an amount to Seller equal to the
Tax Benefit realized, provided that in the event an amount payable by Seller
is
reduced by the amount of such Tax Benefit and there is a disallowance of such
Tax Benefit by a taxing authority (based upon a reasonable and good faith
determination by Buyer) such that Buyer is not entitled to all or any portion
of
such Tax Benefit, then Seller shall pay to Buyer the amount of the Tax Benefit
that was disallowed. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Tax
Benefit”
means
the
amount of the reduction in the liability for Taxes (including through recoveries
of Taxes through the carryover of net operating losses or reductions in Taxes
attributable, in whole or in part, to basis adjustments) as a result of the
payment or accrual by any Person of any loss, expense, other amount or
tax.
(b) A
Tax
Benefit will be considered to be realized for purposes of this Section 7.7
on (A) the date on which the Tax Benefit is received as a refund of Taxes,
or
(B) to the extent that the Tax Benefit is not received as a refund of Taxes
but rather is claimed as an item that reduces liability for Taxes (on a with
and
without basis), the due date (including extensions) of the Tax Return that
reflects such change in liability for Taxes.
(c) In
determining the amount of a Loss there shall also be deducted from the amount
to
be paid an amount equal to the proceeds from third parties, including insurance
proceeds, and interest thereon received directly by Buyer or received by a
third
party (such as a claimant, vendor or lender) in respect of such
matter.
7.8 Purchase
Price Adjustments.
Any
indemnification payment made pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as
an
adjustment to the Purchase Price for all Tax purposes.
ARTICLE
VIII
TERMINATION
8.1 Termination.
This
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby may be terminated at any
time
prior to the Closing only if one or more of the following conditions occurs
and
the effective date of such termination shall be referred to as the “Termination
Date”:
(a) Mutual
Consent.
By
mutual written consent of Seller and Buyer;
(b) Closing
Date.
By
Seller or Buyer if the Closing shall not have occurred on or before the
45th
(forty-fifth) day following the vote by Buyer’s shareholders approving this
Agreement and the related transactions as set forth in Section 5.7, unless
an
extension thereto is mutually agreed to in writing by Buyer and
Seller;
(c) Seller
Misrepresentation or Breach.
By
Buyer, if there has been a material breach by Seller of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or agreements set forth
in
this Agreement; provided,
however,
that
Buyer shall be required to provide Seller with written notice of such breach
and
Seller shall have thirty (30) days from receipt thereof to cure such
breach;
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(d) Buyer
Misrepresentation or Breach.
By
Seller, if there has been a material breach by Buyer of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or agreements set forth
in
this Agreement; provided,
however,
that
Seller shall be required to provide Buyer with written notice of such breach
and
Buyer shall have thirty (30) days from receipt thereof to cure such
breach;
(e) Court
Order. By
Seller
or Buyer, after giving written notice, if consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall violate any non appealable final order, decree or
judgment of any court or Governmental Authority having competent
jurisdiction;
(f) Buyer’s
Conditions.
By
Buyer, if the Closing shall not have occurred or has been delayed because any
condition precedent to Buyer’s obligation to effect the Closing as set forth in
Section 6.1 is not timely satisfied, or shall have become incapable of
fulfillment, and such condition is not waived, if waivable, by Buyer on or
prior
to the Termination Date, unless such failure of a condition results primarily
from Buyer’s breach of a representation, warranty or covenant hereunder;
and
(g) Seller’s
Conditions.
By
Seller, if the Closing shall not have occurred or has been delayed because
any
condition precedent to Seller’s obligation to effect the Closing as set forth in
Section 6.2 is not satisfied, or shall have become incapable of
fulfillment, and such condition is not waived, if waivable, by Seller on or
prior to the Termination Date unless such failure of a condition results
primarily from Seller’s breach of a representation, warranty or covenant
hereunder.
8.2 Effect
of Termination.
(a) Obligations
Upon Termination; No Waiver.
If this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1, written notice thereof
shall forthwith be given to the other Party and this Agreement shall thereafter
become void and have no further force and effect and all further obligations
of
Seller and Buyer under this Agreement shall terminate without further liability
of Seller or Buyer, except that (a) Buyer shall return all documents, work
papers and other material relating to Seller, the Company, the Company’s
business and the transactions contemplated hereby, whether so obtained before
or
after the execution hereof, to Seller; (b) the provisions of Section 5.3,
this Section 8.2 and Article IX shall survive such termination; (c)
such termination shall not constitute a waiver by any party of any claim it
may
have for actual damages caused by reason of, or relieve any party from liability
for, any breach of this Agreement prior to termination under
Section 8.1.
(b) Payment
Upon Certain Termination.
On the
date of the execution of this Agreement, Buyer shall initiate a wire transfer
and deposit the amount of One Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars (USD
1,500,000) in the third party escrow account described in Exhibit
A
(the
“Deposit”)
as a
deposit to cover the failure of the satisfaction of the condition precedent
in
Section 6.1(m). If Buyer’s shareholders do not approve the transactions
described herein as set forth in Section 3.2(a)(i), then no later than twenty
four (24) hours thereafter, Buyer and Seller shall execute and deliver to the
Escrow Agent a written statement instructing the Escrow Agent to release to
Seller the Deposit, without condition. If the Closing does not occur for any
reason other than the failure of the condition precedent in Section 6.1(m),
then
no later than twenty four (24) hours thereafter, Buyer and Seller shall execute
and deliver to the Escrow Agent a written statement instructing the Escrow
Agent
to release to Buyer the Deposit, without condition, and the parties shall have
any other remedies provided hereunder or at law. If the Closing occurs, the
Deposit shall be applied to the Reserved Amount as set forth in Section 2.2(c)
above.
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ARTICLE
IX
MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Disclosure
Schedule Supplements and Data Room Additions.
From
time to time prior to the Closing, Seller may supplement or amend the Disclosure
Schedule and/or add items to the Data Room with respect to any matter (i) which
may arise hereafter and which, if existing or occurring at or prior to the
date
hereof, would have been required to be set forth or described in the Disclosure
Schedule or (ii) which makes it necessary to correct or update any information
in the Disclosure Schedule or in any representation and warranty of Seller
which
has been rendered inaccurate thereby. To the extent Seller makes any such
supplements or amendments to the Disclosure Schedule and/or additions to the
Data Room after the date hereof and prior to the Closing, the Disclosure
Schedule and/or Data Room (as applicable) and the related representations and
warranties shall be deemed modified as of the Closing to the extent set forth
in
such supplements or amendments, provided,
however,
that
any such supplement, amendment or addition that represents a Materially Adverse
Effect shall be handled as a casualty in accordance with the terms of Section
4.1(s) above.
9.2 Governing
Law; Dispute Resolution.
This
Agreement shall in all respects be governed by and construed in accordance
with
the laws of the State of California, without regard to its conflicts of law
doctrine. The prevailing party in any dispute shall be entitled to all expenses,
including attorneys’ fees and costs, incurred in connection with any dispute
hereunder. The parties hereby irrevocably submit and agree to the exclusive
jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of California located in
the
County of Xxxx or the federal courts located in the County of Fresno. The
provisions of this Section 9.2 may be enforced by any court of competent
jurisdiction.
9.3 Schedules,
Addenda and Exhibits.
Subject
to Section 9.1, all schedules, addenda and exhibits attached to this
Agreement, including without limitation the Disclosure Schedule, are
incorporated herein and shall be part of this Agreement for all
purposes.
9.4 Amendments.
This
Agreement may be amended only by a writing executed by all of the parties
hereto.
9.5 Entire
Agreement.
The
Transaction Documents expressly provided for herein set forth the entire
understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof,
including the Confidentiality and Non Disclosure Agreement, dated as of June
29,
2007, by and between Buyer and Seller, and supersede all prior contracts,
agreements, arrangements, communications, discussions, representations and
warranties, whether oral or written, between the parties.
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9.6 Assignment.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors
and
assigns of each Party hereto, but, no rights, obligations or liabilities
hereunder shall be assignable by any Party without the prior written consent
of
the other Party, and any purported assignment in violation of this Section
9.6
shall be null and void ab
initio;
provided,
however,
Buyer
may transfer or otherwise assign its rights to receive indemnification under
this Agreement for the benefit of any direct or indirect lender or holder of
debt securities that has as a source of security having financed or refinanced
all or part of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided,
further,
prior
to the Closing, Buyer may elect (upon written notice sent to Seller) to assign
its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Buyer
(including a subsidiary formed for such purpose) and to cause such Affiliate
to
perform the obligations of Buyer under this Agreement; provided,
further,
that no
such assignment shall otherwise vary or diminish any of Buyer’s obligations
under this Agreement to the extent its Affiliate fails to duly perform the
obligations of Buyer under this Agreement; provided,
finally,
that
Seller may reorganize the form in which it conducts its business from a
corporate form to another form such as a limited liability company form, such
as, for example, by a merger of the Seller into a limited liability company
owned by Seller’s shareholder as long as such reorganization does not result in
the surviving entity being less capitalized than the Seller prior to such
reorganization or otherwise have an adverse effect upon the Company or the
ability of Seller or Company to perform their obligations hereunder and under
the Transaction Documents.
9.7 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed to be an original, and all of which together will constitute one and
the
same instrument.
9.8 Waivers.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, either Party may waive in writing compliance
by
the other party hereto with any of the terms, covenants or conditions contained
in this Agreement (except such as may be imposed by law). Any waiver by any
Party of any violation of, breach of, or default under, any provision of this
Agreement, by the other party shall not be construed as, or constitute, a
continuing waiver of such provision, or waiver of any other violation of, breach
of or default under any other provision of this Agreement.
9.9 Third
Parties.
Nothing
expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended, or shall be construed,
to
confer upon or give any Person other than Buyer and Seller any rights or
remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
9.10 Headings.
The
headings in this Agreement are solely for convenience of reference and shall
not
be given any effect in the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
9.11 Gender
and Number; Section and Article References.
The
masculine, feminine or neuter gender and the singular or plural number shall
each be deemed to include the others whenever the context so indicates.
References to “$” or “dollars” shall be to United States dollars. All references
to Articles or Sections refer to Articles or Sections of this Agreement, unless
otherwise stated.
9.12 Interpretation.
No
Party, nor its counsel, shall be deemed the drafter of this Agreement for
purposes of construing the provisions of this Agreement, and all provisions
of
this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with their fair meaning, and
not
strictly for or against any Party.
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9.13 Notices.
Any
notice, request or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall
be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when received if
personally delivered, (b) when received if sent by registered or certified
mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (c) within twelve (12) hours after
being sent by telecopy, with confirmed answer back and the original having
been
sent by priority delivery by established overnight courier within twelve (12)
hours of such telecopy, or (d) within 1 business day of being sent by priority
delivery by established overnight courier, to the parties at their respective
addresses set forth below.
To
Seller:
|
Xxxxx
Co.
|
000
X. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
|
Xxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
|
|
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxx
Day
|
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
|
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
|
|
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Childs, Jr., Esq.
|
|
To
Buyer:
|
|
000
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
|
|
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
|
Attention:
General Counsel
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
NTR
Partners, LLC
|
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxx., Xxxxx 000
|
|
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
|
|
Attention:
President
|
Any
Party
by written notice to the other Party in accordance with this Section 9.13 may
change the address or the Persons to whom notices or copies thereof shall be
directed.
[Signature
page is next page]
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date
first above written.
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |
|
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |
|
Title: Chief Executive Officer | |
XXXXX
CO.
|
||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx. | |
|
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx. | |
|
Title: President |
[Signature
page to Stock Purchase Agreement]
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