STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT By and Among COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. STAR TRANSPORTATION, INC. BETH D. FRANKLIN DAVID D. DORTCH ROSE D. SHIPP DAVID W. DORTCH and JAMES F. BROWER, JR. Dated as of September 14, 2006
Exhibit
10.26
By
and Among
COVENANT
TRANSPORT, INC.
STAR
TRANSPORTATION, INC.
XXXX
X.
XXXXXXXX
XXXXX
X.
XXXXXX
XXXX
X.
XXXXX
XXXXX
X.
XXXXXX
and
XXXXX
X.
XXXXXX, XX.
Dated
as of September 14, 2006
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE
1
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SALE
AND TRANSFER OF SHARES, CLOSING
|
2
|
|
Section
1.1
|
Sale
and Transfer of Shares
|
2
|
|
Section
1.2
|
Purchase
Price
|
2
|
|
Section
1.3
|
Closing
|
3
|
|
Section
1.4
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Closing
Deliveries
|
3
|
|
Section
1.5
|
Adjustments
and Procedures
|
4
|
|
Section
1.5
|
Adjustments
and Procedures
|
4
|
|
Section
1.6
|
Transfer
Taxes
|
6
|
|
Section
1.7
|
Lease
Purchase Conversion Adjustment
|
6
|
|
ARTICLE
II
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
|
7
|
|
Section
2.1
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Organization
and Good Standing
|
7
|
|
Section
2.2
|
Authorization
and Validity
|
8
|
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Section
2.3
|
Capitalization
|
8
|
|
Section
2.4
|
Subsidiaries
|
8
|
|
Section
2.5
|
No
Violation
|
8
|
|
Section
2.6
|
Finder's
Fee
|
9
|
|
Section
2.7
|
Consents
|
9
|
|
Section
2.8
|
Financial
Statements
|
9
|
|
Section
2.9
|
Books
and Records; Internal Controls
|
9
|
|
Section
2.10
|
Properties;
Encumbrances
|
10
|
|
Section
2.11
|
Condition
and Sufficiency of Assets
|
11
|
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Section
2.12
|
Accounts
Receivable
|
11
|
|
Section
2.13
|
No
Undisclosed Liabilities
|
11
|
|
Section
2.14
|
Taxes
|
11
|
|
Section
2.15
|
No
Materially Adverse Change
|
13
|
|
Section
2.16
|
Employee
Benefits
|
13
|
|
Section
2.17
|
Compliance
with Legal Requirements; Governmental Authorizations
|
15
|
|
Section
2.18
|
Legal
Proceedings; Orders
|
16
|
|
Section
2.19
|
Absence
of Certain Changes and Events
|
17
|
|
Section
2.20
|
Contracts;
No Defaults
|
18
|
|
Section
2.21
|
Insurance
|
20
|
|
Section
2.22
|
Environmental
Matters
|
22
|
|
Section
2.22
|
Employees;
Independent Contractors
|
22
|
|
Section
2.24
|
Labor
Relations; Compliance
|
23
|
|
Section
2.25
|
Trade
Rights; Intellectual Property
|
24
|
|
Section
2.26
|
Tractors
and Trailers; Compliance
|
24
|
|
Section
2.27
|
Relationships
with Related Persons
|
25
|
|
Section
2.28
|
Prepayment
of Indebtedness
|
25
|
|
Section
2.29
|
Bank
Accounts
|
25
|
|
Section
2.30
|
Officers
and Directors; Powers of Attorney
|
25
|
|
Section
2.31
|
Stock
Options and Warrants
|
25
|
|
Section
2.32
|
Interest
Rate Swap
|
25
|
|
Section
2.33
|
Stockholder
Liabilities
|
25
|
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ARTICLE
III
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF COVENANT
|
26
|
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Section
3.1
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
26
|
|
Section
3.2
|
Authorization
and Validity
|
26
|
|
Section
3.3
|
No
Violation
|
26
|
i
Section
3.4
|
Finder's
Fee
|
26
|
|
Section
3.5
|
Consents
|
26
|
|
ARTICLE
IV
|
OTHER
AGREEMENTS
|
26
|
|
Section
4.1
|
Guaranties
|
26
|
|
Section
4.2
|
Certain
Tax Matters
|
27
|
|
Section
4.3
|
Use
of Office Space and Assistant
|
29
|
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ARTICLE
V
|
INDEMNIFICATION;
REMEDIES
|
30
|
|
Section
5.1
|
Survival;
Right to Indemnification not Affected by Knowledge
|
30
|
|
Section
5.2
|
Indemnification
and Payment of Damages by the Stockholders
|
31
|
|
Section
5.3
|
Indemnification
and Payment of Damages by Covenant
|
31
|
|
Section
5.4
|
Procedure
for Indemnification - Third Party Claims
|
31
|
|
Section
5.5
|
Procedure
for Indemnification - Other Claims
|
32
|
|
Section
5.6
|
Limitations
on Claims
|
32
|
|
Section
5.7
|
Exclusive
Remedy
|
34
|
|
ARTICLE
XI
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
34
|
|
Section
6.1
|
Amendment
and Waiver
|
34
|
|
Section
6.2
|
Assignment;
Third-Party Rights
|
34
|
|
Section
6.3
|
Notice
|
34
|
|
Section
6.4
|
Public
Announcements
|
35
|
|
Section
6.5
|
Confidentiality
|
35
|
|
Section
6.6
|
Entire
Agreement
|
36
|
|
Section
6.7
|
Transaction
Expenses
|
36
|
|
Section
6.8
|
Further
Assurances
|
36
|
|
Section
6.9
|
Severability
|
36
|
|
Section
6.10
|
Governing
Law
|
36
|
|
Section
6.11
|
Captions
|
36
|
|
Section
6.12
|
Counterparts
|
36
|
|
Section
6.13
|
Number
and Gender
|
37
|
|
Section
6.14
|
Time
of Essence
|
37
|
|
Section
6.15
|
Waiver;
Remedies Cumulative
|
37
|
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Section
6.16
|
Stockholder
Representative
|
37
|
Exhibits
Exhibit
A
|
Definitions
|
||
Exhibit
B
|
Form
of Escrow Agreement
|
||
Exhibit
C
|
Form
of Transition Services Agreement
|
||
Exhibit
D
|
Form
of Noncompetition Agreements
|
||
Exhibit
E
|
Form
of Stockholder Releases
|
||
Exhibit
F
|
Form
of Spousal Consent
|
||
Exhibit
G
|
Form
of Opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, LLP
|
||
Exhibit
H
|
Form
of Opinion of Xxxxxxx Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O.
|
ii
THIS
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"),
dated
as of September 14, 2006, is made and entered into by and among Covenant
Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Covenant"),
Star
Transportation, Inc., a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"),
and
Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, and Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx,
Xx. (collectively the "Stockholders,"
and
each, a "Stockholder").
Covenant, the Company, and the Stockholders are sometimes individually referred
to herein as a "Party"
and
together as the "Parties."
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms
in
Exhibit
A
attached
hereto or as elsewhere defined in this Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the Stockholders own all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock
of the Company (the "Shares");
and
WHEREAS,
Covenant desires to purchase from the Stockholders, and the Stockholders desire
to sell and transfer to Covenant, the Shares, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, and
covenants herein contained, and on the terms and subject to the conditions
herein set forth, the Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby
covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
SALE
AND TRANSFER OF SHARES; CLOSING
Section
1.1 Sale
and Transfer of Shares.
Subject
to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, the
Stockholders will sell and transfer the Shares to Covenant, and Covenant will
purchase the Shares from the Stockholders.
Section
1.2 Purchase
Price.
(a) The
purchase price (the "Purchase
Price")
for
the Shares will be an amount equal to (i) Forty Million Three Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($40,300,000) (the "Closing
Amount")
plus
(ii) the
Debt Adjustment Amount (as defined in Section 1.5(a) below), if any,
minus
(iii)
the Working Capital Adjustment Amount (as defined in Section 1.5(a) below),
if
any.
(b) The
Closing Amount shall be payable by Covenant at the Closing as
follows:
(i)
Four
Million Dollars ($4,000,000) (the "Indemnity
Escrow Amount")
shall
be delivered at the Closing to an escrow agent mutually acceptable to Covenant
and the Company (the "Escrow
Agent"),
to be
held in escrow to secure the Stockholders' indemnification obligations under
this Agreement, pursuant to an escrow agreement substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit
B
(the
"Escrow
Agreement").
(ii) Two
Million Dollars ($2,000,000) (the "Xxxxxx
Escrow")
shall
be delivered to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, LLP ("Xxxxxx")
to be
held and disbursed as directed by such agreement as may exist between Xxxxxx
and
the Stockholders.
(ii) The
balance of the
Closing Amount shall be paid by Covenant at the Closing to or on behalf of
the
Stockholders by wire transfer in accordance with the Proceeds
Schedule.
(c) The
Debt Adjustment
Amount and the Working Capital Adjustment Amount, if any, shall be payable
as
set forth in Section 1.5(e) below.
(d) In
connection with Covenant's purchase of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement,
at
or prior to Closing and subject to Section 1.5, the Company shall pay an
amount of cash as determined by the Company to the Stockholders in redemption
of
a portion of their capital stock of the Company; provided, that the amount
of
cash paid by the Company hereunder shall not cause the Company to incur
additional Debt.
Section
1.3 Closing.
Subject
to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the
purchase and sale of the Shares (the "Closing")
is
taking place at the offices of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, LLP, 000 Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000, at
12:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time on the date hereof, concurrently with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Parties. The Closing shall
be
effective as of 11:59pm on the date hereof.
Section
1.4 Closing
Deliveries.
(a) Documents
to be
Delivered by the Company and the Stockholders.
The
Company and the Stockholders, as the case may be, shall deliver the following
documents to Covenant at the Closing, each in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Covenant:
(i)
A
certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of the Company, certifying
as to (i) a copy of the charter of the Company, certified by an appropriate
authority of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and dated not earlier than
ten (10) days prior to the Closing, (ii) a copy of the bylaws of the
Company, (iii) a copy of the resolutions of the board of directors and
stockholders of the Company, approving and authorizing the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and all other Transaction Documents and the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, (iv) incumbency and
signatures of each of the Company's officers who is authorized to execute and
deliver this Agreement and any of the other Transaction Documents,
(v) certificates of good standing and legal existence of the Company in
each jurisdiction set forth on Schedule
2.1(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, dated not earlier than ten (10) days prior
to
the Closing, and (vi) the accuracy of the list of Stockholders set forth on
Schedule
2.3
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule;
(ii)
Copies
of
all third party Consents that are required under Material Contracts and
Governmental Authorizations that the Company is required to obtain in order
to
effect the Contemplated Transactions;
(iii) The
Escrow Agreement,
executed by each of the Stockholders;
(iv) A
transition services
agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
C
(the
"Transition
Services Agreement"),
executed by Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx;
(v) Noncompetition
agreements, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
D
(the
"Noncompetition
Agreements"),
executed by each of the Stockholders;
(vi) General
releases of
claims arising prior to the Closing against the Company and Covenant, in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit
E
(the
"Stockholder
Releases"),
executed by each of the Stockholders of the Company;
(vii)
Spousal
consents, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F
(the
"Spousal
Consents"),
executed by the spouse, if any, of each of the Stockholders;
3
(viii) An
opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, LLP, counsel to the Company and
the Stockholders, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G
(the
"Xxxxxx
Opinion");
and
(ix)
Such
other documents as Covenant may reasonably request in connection with the
Contemplated Transactions.
(b) Documents
to be
Delivered by Covenant.
Covenant shall deliver the following documents to the Stockholders at Closing,
each in form and substance satisfactory to the Stockholders:
(i) A
certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of Covenant, certifying
as
to (i) a copy of the resolutions of the board of directors of Covenant,
approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the
consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, and (ii) incumbency and
signatures of each of the Company's officers who is authorized to execute and
deliver this Agreement and such other Transaction Documents;
(ii) Copies
of all material
third party Consents and Governmental Authorizations that Covenant is required
to obtain in order to effect the Contemplated Transactions;
(iii) The
Escrow Agreement, executed by and on behalf of Covenant;
(iv) The
Transition Services Agreement, executed by and on behalf of
Covenant;
(v)
The
Noncompetition Agreements, executed by and on behalf of Covenant;
(vi)
An
opinion of the Xxxxxxx Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O., counsel to Covenant, in the
form
attached hereto as Exhibit H
(the
"Xxxxxxx
Opinion");
and
(vii)
Such
other documents as the Stockholders may reasonably request in connection with
the Contemplated Transactions.
Section
1.5 Adjustments
and Procedures.
(a) Definitions.
The
following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(i) "Adjusted
Working Capital"
means,
as of a given date, an amount equal to the difference of (A) the current assets
of the Company, excluding cash, set forth on the applicable balance sheet of
the
Company as of such date, minus
(B) the
current liabilities of the Company, excluding debt, set forth on the applicable
balance sheet of the Company as of such date, in each case prepared in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
(ii)
"Benchmark
Adjusted Working Capital"
means
$4,404,886.00.
(iii)
"Closing
Debt"
means
the aggregate amount of Debt reflected on the Closing Balance Sheet prepared
pursuant to Section 1.5(b) below.
(iv)
"Closing
Adjusted Working Capital"
means
an amount equal to (A) the Adjusted Working Capital reflected on the Closing
Balance Sheet prepared pursuant to Section
4
1.5(b)
below, plus
(B) the
amount of cash, net of any checks written by the Company but not yet recorded,
reflected on such Closing Balance Sheet.
(v)
"Debt
Adjustment Amount"
(which
may be a positive or negative number) means an amount equal to the difference
of
(A) Forty Two Million Dollars ($42,000,000), minus
(B) the Closing Debt, plus
(C) the Actual Additional Debt (determined pursuant to Section 1.7
below) if any, minus
(D) the Actual Debt Paydown (determined pursuant to Section 1.7
below), if any.
(vi) "Working
Capital Adjustment Amount"
(which
may be zero or a positive number) means an amount equal to the greater of
(A) zero and (B) an amount equal to the difference of (1) the
Benchmark Adjusted Working Capital, minus
(2) the Closing Adjusted Working Capital.
(b) Closing
Date Balance
Sheet.
Within
thirty (30) days after Closing, Covenant and the Company shall prepare, or
cause
to be prepared, a balance sheet for the Company as of the Closing Date in
accordance with GAAP consistent with the methodology used by the Company in
the
preparation of the Interim Balance Sheet (the "Closing
Balance Sheet").
Covenant shall then determine the Debt Adjustment Amount and Working Capital
Adjustment Amount based upon the Closing Balance Sheet and shall deliver the
Closing Balance Sheet and its determination of the Debt Adjustment Amount and
Working Capital Adjustment Amount (together with sufficient documentation and
working papers to explain how such calculations were performed) to the
Stockholder Representative within thirty (30) days after the Closing
Date.
(c) Notice
of Objections.
If,
within twenty (20) days following delivery of the Closing Balance Sheet and
Covenant's determinations of the Debt Adjustment Amount and the Working Capital
Adjustment Amount, the Stockholder Representative has not given Covenant written
notice of its objection ("Objection
Notice")
as to
such calculations and determinations, then the Debt Adjustment Amount and the
Working Capital Adjustment Amount calculated by Covenant shall be binding and
conclusive on the Parties and shall be deemed finally determined for purposes
of
Section 1.5(e) below.
(d) Resolution
of Objections.
If the
Stockholder Representative duly gives Covenant such Objection Notice, and if
the
Stockholder Representative and Covenant fail to resolve the issues set forth
in
such Objection Notice within thirty (30) days of Covenant's receipt of the
Objection Notice, the Stockholder Representative and Covenant shall submit
the
issues remaining in dispute to the Nashville office of Xxxxx, Xxxxxx and
Company, LLC, or such other independent accountants as the Stockholder
Representative and Covenant may mutually identify (the "Independent
Accountants")
for
resolution. If issues are submitted to the Independent Accountants for
resolution:
(i) the
Stockholders and Covenant shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the
Independent Accountants such work papers and other documents and information
relating to the disputed issues as the Independent Accountants may request
and
are available to that Party or its agents;
(ii)
the
Stockholder Representative and Covenant shall each be afforded the opportunity
to present to the Independent Accountants any material relating to the disputed
issues and to discuss the issues with the Independent Accountants;
(iii)
the
determination by the Independent Accountants, as set forth in a written notice
to be delivered to both the Stockholder Representative and Covenant within
sixty
(60) days of the submission to the Independent Accountants of the issues
remaining in dispute,
5
shall
be
final, binding, and conclusive on the Parties and shall be used in the
calculation of the Debt Adjustment Amount and the Working Capital Adjustment
Amount; and
(iv)
the
Stockholders, on one hand, and Covenant, on the other hand, will each bear
fifty
percent (50%) of the fees and costs of the Independent Accountants for such
determination.
(e) Payment
Procedures.
As
promptly as practicable and in any event within five (5) business days
following final determination of the Debt Adjustment Amount and the Working
Capital Adjustment Amount pursuant to Section 1.5(c) or 1.5(d)
above:
(i) if
the Purchase Price (as
calculated pursuant to Section 1.2(a)) is greater than the Closing Amount paid
to the Stockholders at the Closing (such excess, the "Stockholder
Adjustment Amount"),
then
the Stockholder Adjustment Amount shall be paid to the Stockholders, in
accordance with the Proceeds Schedule, through payment by Covenant to the
Stockholders by wire transfer; and
(ii)
if
the
Purchase Price (as calculated pursuant to Section 1.2(a)) is less than the
Closing Amount paid to the Stockholders at the Closing (such difference, the
"Covenant
Adjustment Amount"),
then
the Covenant Adjustment Amount shall be paid to Covenant through payments by
cash, check, or wire transfer to Covenant from each of the Stockholders of
their
respective pro rata share of the Covenant Adjustment Amount (calculated based
upon their respective pro rata share of the Closing Payment set forth in the
Proceeds Schedule).
Section
1.6 Transfer
Taxes.
All
transfer Taxes incurred in connection with the sale and transfer of the Shares
under this Agreement will be borne and paid by the Stockholders, and the
Stockholders shall promptly reimburse Covenant and the Company for any such
transfer Tax which Covenant or the Company is required to pay under applicable
Legal Requirements.
Section
1.7 Lease
Purchase Conversion Adjustment.
The
parties desire to provide for an additional adjustment to the Debt Adjustment
Amount if the Lease Purchase Conversion has not been completed prior to the
Closing Date.
(a) Not
less than
three (3) days prior to the anticipated Closing Date, the Stockholders
shall have provided to Covenant a certificate in the form of Schedule 1.7
to the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule (the "Lease
Purchase Conversion Certificate")
setting forth either (i) a statement to the effect that the Lease Purchase
Conversion has been completed prior to the Closing Date; or (ii) the
following: (A) the number and purchase price (including FET, delivery
charges, and all other amounts capable of being capitalized under GAAP) of
the
tractors and trailers included in the Lease Purchase Conversion that are not
expected to have been accepted for delivery and paid for by the Company, and
the
related financing recorded on the Company's balance sheet prior to the Closing
Date (such information, the "Projected
Undelivered Equipment"
and the
"Projected
Undelivered Equipment Debt");
(B) the unit or VIN numbers of all tractors and trailers included in the
Lease Purchase Conversion and identified for sale therein that are not expected
to have been sold, the proceeds recorded, and the receipt of such proceeds
applied against the related debt prior to the Closing Date (the "Projected
Unsold Equipment");
(C) the expected net proceeds (after all sale preparation costs, sales
commissions, and all turn-in, reconditioning, mileage penalty, and other costs
associated with lease expiration or termination and return of leased equipment,
and all other related costs) of the Projected Unsold Equipment (the
"Projected
Unsold Equipment Proceeds");
(D) the anticipated timeframe for disposal of the Projected Unsold
Equipment and receipt of the net proceeds of disposal in the Ordinary Course
of
Business; and (E) a calculation showing the Projected Unsold Equipment
Proceeds minus the Projected Undelivered
6
Equipment
Debt, with the difference being referred to as the "Projected
Debt Paydown"
if a
positive number or the "Projected
Additional Debt"
if a
negative number.
(b) Within
two (2) days
after receipt of the Projected Lease Purchase Conversion Schedule, Covenant
shall have given written notice of (i) its acceptance of the Projected Debt
Paydown or Projected Additional Debt, as applicable, or (ii) any
adjustments reasonably necessary, in Covenant's good faith judgment, to properly
estimate the Projected Debt Paydown or Projected Additional Debt as applicable,
such written notice to have been delivered to the Stockholder Representative
and
to be binding for purposes of the Closing, subject, however, to post-Closing
adjustment as described below.
(c) In
connection with the preparation of the Closing Balance Sheet, the parties shall
also determine (i) the actual number and purchase price (including FET,
delivery charges, and all other amounts capable of being capitalized under
GAAP)
of the tractors and trailers included in the Lease Purchase Conversion that,
in
fact, had not been accepted for delivery and paid for by the Company and the
related financing recorded on the Company's balance sheet prior to the Closing
Date (the "Actual
Undelivered Equipment"
and
"Actual
Undelivered Equipment Debt");
(ii) the actual tractors and trailers included in the Lease Purchase
Conversion and identified for sale therein that, in fact, had not been sold,
the
proceeds recorded, and the receipt of such proceeds applied against the related
debt prior to the Closing Date (the "Actual
Unsold Equipment");
(iii) the actual net proceeds (after all sale preparation costs, sales
commissions, and all other related costs) of the Actual Unsold Equipment (the
"Actual
Unsold Equipment Proceeds")
and
(iv) a calculation showing the Actual Unsold Equipment Proceeds minus the
Actual Unsold Equipment Debt, with the difference being referred to as the
"Actual
Debt Paydown"
if a
positive number or the "Actual
Additional Debt"
if a
negative number. These calculations shall be subject to the same procedures
as
the Closing Balance Sheet.
(d) For
purposes of determining the Debt Adjustment Amount, the Closing Debt shall
be
increased by the Actual Additional Debt or decreased by the Actual Debt Paydown,
as the case may be.
ARTICLE
II
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE
STOCKHOLDERS
As
of the
Closing Date, each of the Stockholders jointly and severally represents and
warrants Covenant as follows:
Section
2.1 Organization
and
Good Standing.
(a) The
Company is duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Tennessee, with all requisite power and authority
to carry on the business in which it is engaged, own the properties it owns,
and
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents
to which it is a party. The Company is duly qualified or registered to do
business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction
in which the character of the properties owned, operated, or leased by the
Company, or the nature of its activities, is such that qualification or
registration by the Company as a foreign corporation in such jurisdiction is
required by applicable Legal Requirements, except where failure to be so
registered would not have a Materially Adverse Effect. Schedule
2.1(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all jurisdictions in which
the Company is so qualified or registered or required to be so qualified or
registered.
(b) The
Stockholders have delivered to Covenant copies of the Organizational Documents
of the Company as currently in effect.
7
Section
2.2 Authorization
and Validity.
The
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents by the Company and the Stockholders, and the consummation of the
Contemplated Transactions, have been duly authorized, and no other proceedings
or approvals are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery, and performance
of this Agreement or consummation of the Contemplated Transactions by the
Company or the Stockholders. This Agreement and each of the other Transaction
Documents has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and
the Stockholders (as appropriate) and constitutes, as of the Closing, legal,
valid, and binding obligations of the Company and the Stockholders, enforceable
against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, except as
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and
other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
generally, and as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific
performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.
Section
2.3 Capitalization.
(a) Schedule
2.3
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains (a) a true and complete description
of
the
number
of authorized, issued, and outstanding shares of capital
stock and other securities or equity interests
of the
Company, and (b) a
true
and complete list of all holders of capital stock and other securities or equity
interests of the Company. The Shares constitute all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, have
been
duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable. Except
for this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, there are no outstanding
warrants, options, Contracts, subscriptions, convertible or exchangeable
securities, or other commitments pursuant to which the Company is or may become
obligated to issue any shares of capital stock of the Company or any other
securities convertible, exchangeable, or exercisable for any such shares of
capital stock, and no equity securities of the Company are reserved for issuance
for any purpose. None of the Shares was issued in violation of the Securities
Act or any other Legal Requirement.
(b) Each
Stockholder owns all
of the Shares to be transferred by him or her hereunder (as set forth on
Schedule
2.3
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule), free and clear of all Liens or other
restrictions. No Stockholder is a party to, or
has
Knowledge of, any Contracts or commitments relating to the voting, purchase,
or
sale of the Shares, other than this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents. Upon delivery to Covenant at the Closing of certificates representing
the Shares duly endorsed for transfer to Covenant, and receipt by the
Stockholders of the consideration therefor, Covenant will acquire the Shares
free and clear of any Liens and restrictions.
Section
2.4 Subsidiaries.
The
Company does not have any subsidiaries and does not, directly or indirectly,
beneficially own, and is not a party to or bound by any Contract to acquire,
any
capital stock of, or any other security, equity, ownership interest, debt
investment or similar interest in, any other Person.
Section
2.5 No
Violation.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
2.5
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and performance of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, nor the consummation or
performance of all of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
(collectively, the "Contemplated
Transactions")
will,
directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time or both): (a)
contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of (i) any provision of
the Organizational Documents of
the
Company, or (ii) any resolution adopted by the board of directors or
stockholders of the Company; (b) contravene, conflict with, or result in a
violation of, or give any Governmental Body or other Person the right to
challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or
obtain any relief under, any Legal Requirement or any Order to which the Company
or any Stockholder may be subject; (c) contravene, conflict with, or result
in a
violation of any of the terms or requirements of, or give any Governmental
Body
the right to revoke, withdraw, suspend,
8
cancel,
terminate, or modify, any Governmental Authorization that is held by the
Company
or that
otherwise relates to the business and operations of the Company; (d) contravene,
conflict with, or result in a violation or breach of any provision of, or give
any Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or
to
accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate, or modify,
any Material Contract other than for which a Consent permanently and irrevocably
waiving such violation, breach, default or other right or remedy that is
identified on Schedule
2.7
has been
obtained prior to Closing; (e) result in the imposition or creation of any
material Lien upon or with respect to any of the assets owned by the Company
or
used in the business and operations of the Company.
The
Company is not in violation of any term or provision of any Organizational
Document, Material Contract, Legal Requirement, Governmental Authorization,
or
Order.
Section
2.6 Finder's
Fee.
Except
for the agreements between the Stockholders and the Persons listed on
Schedule
2.6
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, a complete and accurate copy of each of which
is set forth in such Schedule
2.6
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Stockholder has
incurred any obligation, contingent or otherwise, for any finder's, broker's
or
agent's fee in connection with the Contemplated Transactions.
Section
2.7 Consents.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
2.7
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, no Consent of, or filing with, any Person,
including, without limitation, under any Material Contract or Governmental
Authorization or from any Governmental Body, is required to authorize, or is
required in connection with, the execution, delivery, and performance of this
Agreement or the other Transaction Documents or the consummation of any of
the
Contemplated Transactions.
Section
2.8 Financial
Statements.
The
Stockholders have delivered to Covenant audited balance sheets of the Company
as
at December 31 for each of the years 2003 and 2004, and the related audited
statements of income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal
years then ended (the "Historical
Financial Statements").
Schedule
2.8
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule sets forth (together with the related notes)
(a)
the audited balance sheet of the Company as at December 31, 2005 (the
"Year-End
Balance Sheet"
and
December 31, 2005 being the "Balance
Sheet Date"),
(b)
the related audited statements of income, changes in equity, and cash flows
for
the fiscal year then ended (together with the Year-End Balance Sheet, the
"Year-End
Financial Statements"),
(c) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as at August 31,
2006 (the
"Interim
Balance Sheet"),
and
(d) the related unaudited statements of income, changes in equity, and cash
flows for the year-to-date period then ended (together with the Interim Balance
Sheet, the "Interim
Financial Statements").
The
Historical Financial Statements, the Year-End Financial Statements, and the
Interim Financial Statements (collectively, the "Financial
Statements")
fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition and the results of
operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows of the Company
as at
the respective dates of and for the periods referred to in such Financial
Statements, all in accordance with GAAP, subject, in the case of the Interim
Financial Statements, to normal recurring year-end adjustments (the effect
of
which will not, individually or in the aggregate, be materially adverse) and
the
absence of notes (which, if presented, would not differ materially from those
included in the Year-End Financial Statements). The Financial Statements reflect
the consistent application of GAAP throughout the periods involved, except
as
disclosed in the notes to such Financial Statements. The Financial Statements
have been prepared from and are in accordance with the books and records of
the
Company, and represent bona fide transactions. No financial statements of any
Person are required by GAAP to be consolidated with the Financial
Statements.
Section
2.9 Books
and Records;
Internal Controls.
(a) The
books
of account, minute books, corporate record books, and other records of the
Company have been made available to Covenant. The minute books of the Company
contain records of all meetings held of, and action taken by, the board of
directors, all committees of the board of
9
directors,
and stockholders of the Company that are accurate in all material respects,
and
no meeting or action of the board of directors and committee of the board of
directors or stockholders has been held or taken that is not reflected in such
minute books.
(b) To
the Company's
Knowledge, the Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls
sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are
executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations;
(ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset
accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with
management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded
accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable
intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.
Section
2.10 Properties;
Encumbrances.
(a) Schedule
2.10
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all
real property owned by the Company (the "Owned
Real Property"),
all
leases ("Real
Property Leases")
of
real property by the Company (the "Leased
Real Property"
and,
together with the Owned Real Property, the "Real
Property"),
or
other interests therein owned by the Company or used in the business and
operations of the Company.
(b) Except
as
set forth on Schedule 2.10(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, the Company owns, with good and marketable
title, or has valid and binding leaseholds in, all of the Real Property and
all
other properties and assets (whether real, personal, or mixed and whether
tangible or intangible) that it purports to own or lease, including but not
limited to all of the properties and assets reflected in the Interim Financial
Statements (except for properties and assets sold since the date of the Interim
Balance Sheet in the Ordinary Course of Business and consistent with past
practice). All of the owned properties and assets are free and clear of all
Liens other than Permitted Liens and are not, in the case of Real Property,
subject to any rights of way, building use restrictions, exceptions, variances,
reservations, or limitations of any nature, except, with respect to all such
properties and assets, (i) mortgages or security interests shown in the
Interim Financial Statements as securing specified liabilities or obligations,
with respect to which no default (or event that, with notice or lapse of time
or
both, would constitute a default) exists, (ii) mortgages or security
interests incurred in connection with the purchase of property or assets after
the date of the Interim Balance Sheet (such mortgages and security interests
being limited to the property or assets so acquired), with respect to which
no
default (or event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute
a
default) exists, and (iii) with respect to Real Property, (A) minor
imperfections of title, if any, none of which is substantial in amount,
materially detracts from the value or impairs the present use of the property
subject thereto, or impairs the business or operations of the Company, and
(B) other land use restrictions that do not impair the present use of the
property subject thereto.
(c) All
buildings and
structures on the Owned Real Property lie wholly within the boundaries of such
Owned Real Property and do not encroach upon the property of, or otherwise
conflict with the property rights of, any other Person.
(d) The
Company enjoys
peaceful and undisturbed possession of the Real Property sufficient for the
current operations and use of such Real Property by the Company.
(e) Regarding
all Contracts,
Real Property Leases, deeds and other instruments that evidence, secure, or
otherwise relate to the Real Property (collectively, the "Real
Property Documents"),
(i) to the Company’s Knowledge, there is no material default thereunder by
any of the other parties thereto, nor has any event occurred which, with the
passage of time or notice, or both, would constitute a material default
thereunder or a violation of the terms (or permit the termination) thereof;
and
(ii) none
10
of
the
Contemplated Transactions will constitute or create a default, event of default,
or right of termination thereunder.
(f) The
Company has not
leased or sublet, and no other Person is in possession of, or has the right
of
use or occupancy of any portion of, any of the Real Property, and no part of
any
of the Real Property has been condemned, requisitioned, or otherwise taken
by
any Governmental Body and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no such condemnation,
requisition, or taking is threatened or contemplated.
(g) Since
January 1, 2006, no written notice of any increase in the assessed valuation
of
the Real Property, and no written notice of any contemplated special assessment,
has been received by the Company or the Stockholders, and, to the Company’s
Knowledge, there is no threatened special assessment pertaining to any of the
Real Property.
Section
2.11 Condition
and Sufficiency of Assets. Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.11
or as
covered by Section 2.26 hereof, the buildings, structures, equipment, and other
material tangible assets owned or leased by the Company are in reasonable
operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are
adequate for the uses to which they are being put. The Company owns, leases,
or
otherwise possesses a vested right to use all of such buildings, structures,
equipment, and other material assets, and all Material Contracts related to
such
buildings, structures, material equipment, and other material assets are listed
in Schedule
2.20(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule. The buildings, structures, equipment, and
other
assets owned or leased by the Company include all of the fixed assets used
in
the business and operations of the Company and are sufficient for the continued
conduct of the business and operations of the Company after the Closing in
substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.
Section
2.12 Accounts
Receivable.
All
accounts receivable of the Company that are reflected in the Interim Financial
Statements or on the accounting records of the Company as of the Closing Date
(collectively, the "Accounts
Receivable")
arose
from sales actually made or services actually performed by the Company in the
Ordinary Course of Business. To the Company’s Knowledge, there is no contest,
claim, or right of set-off, other than returns in the Ordinary Course of
Business, relating to the amount or validity of such Account Receivable except
as reflected by the reserves shown on the Interim Balance Sheet.
Section
2.13 No
Undisclosed
Liabilities.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
2.13
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, the Company has no Liabilities which are
required by GAAP to be reflected in the Interim Financial Statements (or would
be required by GAAP to be reflected on, or disclosed in the notes of, audited
financial statements if the Interim Financial Statements were audited) except
for (a) Liabilities reflected or reserved against in the Interim Financial
Statements, (b) Liabilities incurred after the date of the Interim
Financial Statements in the Ordinary Course of Business which do not have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Materially Adverse Effect, and
(c) Liabilities incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the Contemplated
Transactions.
Section
2.14 Taxes.
(a) Tax
Returns Filed and Taxes Paid.
Except
as set forth in Schedule 2.14(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, the
Company has filed
or
caused to be filed on a timely basis all tax returns and all reports with
respect to Taxes (the "Tax
Returns")
that
are or were required to be filed by the Company. All Tax Returns filed by
the
Company are
true,
correct and complete in all material respects. The Company has
paid,
or made provision for the payment of, all Taxes that have or may have become
due
for all periods covered by the Tax Returns or otherwise, or pursuant to any
assessment received by the
Company,
except
such Taxes, if any, identified in Schedule 2.14(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule as being contested in good faith and as to
which
adequate reserves (determined in
11
accordance
with GAAP) have been provided in
the
Interim Financial Statements.
Except
as provided in Schedule 2.14(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, the Company currently is not the beneficiary
of
any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return. No claim has ever
been made, or, to the Company’s Knowledge, is expected to be made, nor, to the
Company’s Knowledge, is there a reasonable basis upon which such a claim might
be made, by any Governmental Body in a jurisdiction where the Company does
not
file Tax Returns that the Company is or may be subject to taxation by that
jurisdiction. There are no Liens on any of the assets owned by the Company
or
used in the business and operations of the Company that arose in connection
with
any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax (other than Taxes not yet due
and payable), and to the Company’s Knowledge, there is no basis for the
assertion of any claims attributable to Taxes which, if adversely determined,
would result in any such Lien.
(b) Delivery
of Tax Returns and Information Regarding Audits and Potential
Audits.
The
Company and the Stockholders have delivered to Covenant copies of, and
Schedule 2.14(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of, all
federal and state income Tax Returns filed since January 1, 2001.
Schedule 2.14(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all
Tax
Returns of the Company that have been audited or are currently under audit
and
accurately describes any deficiencies or other amounts that were paid or are
currently being contested. To the Company’s Knowledge, no undisclosed
deficiencies are expected to be asserted with respect to any such audit. All
deficiencies proposed as a result of such audits have been paid, reserved
against, settled or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
as described in Schedule 2.14(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule. The Stockholders have delivered to Covenant
copies of any examination reports, statements or deficiencies, or similar items
with respect to such audits. Except as provided in Schedule 2.14(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor the Stockholders has
received written notice from any Governmental Body alleging any amount of Taxes
due or otherwise contesting or investigating any Taxes or Tax Returns that
may
be due from the Company, and the Stockholders have no Knowledge that any
Governmental Body is likely to assess any additional Taxes for any period for
which Tax Returns have been filed. Except as described in Schedule 2.14(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not given or been requested
to
give waivers or extensions (or is or would be subject to a waiver or extension
given by any other Person) of any statute of limitations relating to the payment
of Taxes of the Company or for which the Company may be liable.
(c) Specific
Potential Tax
Liabilities and Tax Situations.
Except
as set forth in Schedule 2.14(c)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule:
(i) All
material Taxes that the Company is or was required by Legal Requirements to
withhold, deduct, or collect have been duly withheld, deducted, and collected
and, to the extent required, have been paid to the proper Governmental Body
or
other Person;
(ii)
There
is
no tax sharing agreement, tax allocation agreement, tax indemnity obligation,
or
similar written agreement, arrangement, understanding, or practice with respect
to Taxes (including any advance pricing agreement, closing agreement, or other
arrangement relating to Taxes) that will require any payment by the Company;
(iii)
The
Company (A) has not been a member of an affiliated group within the meaning
of Code § 1504(a)
(or any similar group defined under a similar provision of any state, local,
or
foreign Legal Requirement) and (B) has no Liability for Taxes of any Person
under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of any
state, local, or foreign Legal Requirement), as a transferee or successor by
Contract or otherwise; and
12
(iv)
To
the
Company’s Knowledge, the Company has disclosed on its federal income Tax Returns
all positions taken therein that could give rise to a substantial understatement
of federal income tax within the meaning of Code § 6662.
(d) S
Corporation.
The
Company is a domestic corporation that has elected since January 1, 1989 and
continues to elect and properly maintains its status as an "S" corporation
within the meaning of Code § 1361.
The
Company does not have any "built-in gain" under Section 1374 of the
Code.
Section
2.15 No
Materially Adverse Change.
Since
June 30, 2006, there has not been any Materially Adverse Change
and no
event has occurred or circumstance exists that reasonably would be expected
to
result in a Materially Adverse Change.
Section
2.16 Employee
Benefits.
(a) Schedule
2.16(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all Plans, Pension Plans,
deferred compensation, stock or stock option plans or arrangements, severance,
change-in-control, and other Benefit Arrangements (i) of which the Company
or an ERISA Affiliate of the Company is or was a Plan Sponsor at any time during
the six (6) years prior to the Closing Date, (ii) under which any
employee or former employee of the Company has any present or future right
to
benefits, (iii) under which the Company or an ERISA Affiliate of the
Company has or may have any Liability for present or future payment of benefits,
(iv) in which the Company or an ERISA Affiliate of the Company contributes
or has contributed at any time during the six (6) years prior to the
Closing Date, or (v) in which the Company or an ERISA Affiliate of the
Company otherwise participates or has participated at any time during the
six (6) years prior to the Closing Date (collectively, the "Benefit
Plans").
(b) Schedule
2.16(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule (i) sets forth a list of all ERISA
Affiliates of the Company, and (ii) identifies each of the Benefit Plans
(A) of which any such ERISA Affiliate is or was a Plan Sponsor at any time
during the six (6) years prior to the Closing Date, (B) under which
any such ERISA Affiliate has or may have any Liability for present or future
payment of benefits, (C) in which any such ERISA Affiliate contributes or
has contributed at any time during the six (6) years prior to the Closing
Date, or (D) in which any such ERISA Affiliate otherwise participates or
has participated at any time during the six (6) years prior to the Closing
Date.
(c) As
applicable with
respect to each Benefit Plan, the Company has delivered to Covenant copies
of
(i) each current Benefit Plan document, including any amendments, (ii) any
summary plan description provided under a Benefit Plan, (iii) the most recent
IRS determination letter, if any, and (iv) all other documents that set forth
the material terms of any of the Benefit Plans.
(d) Except
as set forth in
Schedule
2.16(d)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule:
(i)
Each
Benefit Plan has been maintained, operated, and administered in material
compliance with its terms and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code,
and
other Legal Requirements.
(ii)
With
respect to any Benefit Plan, no Proceedings or claims (other than routine claims
for benefits in the Ordinary Course of Business or investigations by any
Governmental Body are pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge,
threatened.
(iii)
The
execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the
Contemplated Transactions will not constitute an event under any Benefit
13
Plan
that
will result in any payment (whether as severance pay or otherwise),
acceleration, vesting, or increase in benefits with respect to any employee
of
the Company.
(iv)
Since
the
Balance Sheet Date, there has been no establishment or amendment of any Benefit
Plan other than as required by applicable Legal Requirements or in the Ordinary
Course of Business.
(v)
The
Company has received no notice of any future material increase in premium costs
of Benefit Plans that are insured or of any future material increase in benefit
costs of such Benefit Plans.
(vi)
No
Benefit Plan is a Title IV Plan.
(vii)
Neither
the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate of the Company has filed a notice of intent
to terminate any Benefit Plan or has adopted any amendment or taken any other
action to terminate a Benefit Plan or to treat a Benefit Plan as
terminated.
(viii)
To
the
Company’s Knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances that may give rise to
any liability of any Stockholder, the Company, or Covenant to the PBGC under
Title IV of ERISA.
(ix)
Neither
the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate of the Company has ever established,
maintained, or contributed to or otherwise participated in, or had any
obligation to maintain, contribute to, or otherwise participate in, any
Multi-Employer Plan.
(x)
Except
to
the extent required under ERISA § 601 et. seq. and Code § 4980B
or as otherwise required in this Agreement, the Company does not provide health
or welfare benefits to any retired or former employee and is not obligated
to
provide health or welfare benefits to any active employee following such
employee's retirement or other termination of service.
(xi)
No
payment that is owed or may become due to any director, officer, employee,
or
agent of the Company will be non-deductible to the Company or subject to Tax
under Code § 280G or § 4999, nor will the Company be required to "gross up" or
otherwise compensate any such Person because of the imposition of any excise
Tax
on a payment to such Person.
(xii)
With
respect to any Benefit Plan, neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has
within the past six years incurred or reasonably expects to incur (A) any
withdrawal liabilities as defined in ERISA § 4201 or any actual or contingent
liability under ERISA § 4204 (collectively, "Withdrawal
Liability")
and no
event
has
occurred which could result in Withdrawal Liabilities. Neither Covenant nor
its
Affiliates (including the Company) will have any Withdrawal Liability, with
respect to any Benefit Plan, as a result of the execution, delivery, and
performance by Covenant, the Company, and the Stockholders of this Agreement
and
the Contemplated Transactions.
(e) With
respect to Humboldt Express, Inc. ("Humboldt")
and
any Plan, Pension Plan or other Benefit Arrangement sponsored or contributed
to
by Humboldt (each a, "Humboldt
Plan"),
neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or reasonably expects
to incur Withdrawal Liability or other Liabilities with respect to any Humboldt
Plan or any collective bargaining agreement to which Humboldt was a party,
and
no event has occurred which could result in such Liabilities. Neither Covenant
nor its Affiliates (including the Company) will have any Withdrawal Liabilities
or
14
other
Liabilities with respect to any Humboldt Plan or any collective bargaining
agreement to which Humboldt was a party, as a result of the execution, delivery,
and performance by Covenant, the Company, and the Stockholders of this Agreement
and the Contemplated Transactions. Humboldt ceased to be an ERISA Affiliate
on
or before May 6, 1994. Since such date, no other Person has been an ERISA
Affiliate of the Company.
Section
2.17 Compliance
with Legal
Requirements; Governmental Authorizations.
(a) Since
January 1, 2001, except as set forth in Schedule
2.17(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, and except for matters relating to
Environmental Laws, Benefit Plans, ERISA and Taxes:
(i) To
the Company’s
Knowledge, the Company is, and at all times has been, in compliance in all
material respects with each Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to
it or
to the conduct or operation of its business or the ownership or use of any
of
its assets;
(ii) To
the
Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or
without notice or lapse of time) (A) may constitute or result in a material
violation by the Company of, or a material failure on the part of the Company
to
comply with, any Legal Requirement, or (B) may give rise to any obligation
on the part of the Company to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the
cost of, any remedial action of any nature; and
(iii)
The
Company has not received any notice or other communication (whether oral or
written) from any Governmental Body regarding (A) any actual, alleged, possible,
or potential material violation of, or material failure to comply with, any
Legal Requirement, or (B) any actual, alleged, possible, or potential obligation
on the part of the Company to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the
material cost of, any remedial action of any nature.
(b) Schedule
2.17(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of each
Governmental Authorization that is held by the Company or that otherwise relates
to the business and operations of the Company or to any of the assets owned
or
used by the Company. Each Governmental Authorization listed on Schedule
2.17(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule is valid and in full force and effect. Except
as
set forth in Schedule
2.17(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule:
(i) The
Company is, and at all times has been, in compliance in all material respects
with all of the terms and requirements of each Governmental
Authorization identified
on Schedule
2.17(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule;
(ii) To
the
Company’s Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that may (with
or without notice or lapse of time, or both) (A) constitute or result
directly or indirectly in a material violation of, or a failure to comply in
all
material respects with, any term or requirement of any Governmental
Authorization identified
on Schedule
2.17(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, or (B) result directly or indirectly in
the revocation, withdrawal, suspension, cancellation, or termination of, or
any
modification to, any Governmental
Authorization identified
on Schedule
2.17(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule;
(iii) The
Company has not received any notice or other communication (whether oral or
written) from any Governmental Body or any other Person regarding (A) any
actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation of or failure to comply with
any term or
15
requirement
of any Governmental
Authorization,
or
(B) any actual, proposed, possible, or potential revocation, withdrawal,
suspension, cancellation, termination of, or modification to any Governmental
Authorization;
and
(iv)
All
applications required to have been filed for the renewal of the Governmental
Authorizations listed on Schedule
2.17(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule have
been
duly filed on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental Bodies, and
all
other filings required to have been made with respect to such Governmental
Authorizations
have
been duly made on a timely basis with the appropriate Governmental
Bodies.
(c) The
Governmental
Authorizations listed in Schedule
2.17(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule collectively constitute all of the Governmental
Authorizations necessary to permit the Company to lawfully conduct and operate
its business and operations in the manner currently conducted and operated,
and
to permit the Company to own and use its assets in the manner in which it
currently owns and uses such assets.
Section
2.18 Legal
Proceedings;
Orders.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
2.18(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, there is no pending Proceeding:
(i) that
has
been commenced by or against the Company or that otherwise relates to or may
affect the business and operations of the Company or any of the assets owned
or
used by the Company; or
(ii) that
challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal,
or otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
(b) The
Proceedings listed or
required to be listed in Schedule
2.18(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule will not, individually or in the aggregate,
have
a Materially Adverse Effect. To the Company’s Knowledge, no Proceeding such as
is described in Section 2.18(a) has been threatened, and no event has occurred
or circumstance exists that may give rise to or serve as a basis for the
commencement of any such Proceeding.
(c) Except
as set forth in
Schedule
2.18(c)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, there is no Order to which the Company, or
any
of the assets owned or used in the business and operations of the Company,
is
subject.
(d) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
2.18(d)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule:
(i)
the
Company is, and at all times has been, in full compliance with all of the terms
and requirements of each Order to which it, or any of the assets owned or used
by it, is or has been subject;
(ii)
no
event
has occurred or circumstance exists that may constitute or result in (with
or
without notice or lapse of time) a violation of or failure to comply with any
term or requirement of any Order to which the Company, or any of the assets
owned or used in the business and operations of the Company, is subject;
and
(iii)
the
Company has not received any notice or other communication (whether oral or
written) from any Governmental Body or any other Person regarding any actual,
alleged, possible, or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any
term or requirement of
16
any
Order
to which the Company, or any of the assets owned or used in the business and
operations of the Company, is subject.
Section
2.19 Absence
of Certain Changes and Events.
Except
as contemplated hereby or as set forth in Schedule
2.19
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule,
since
June 30, 2006, there have not been any of the following
occurrences:
(a) purchase,
redemption, retirement, or other acquisition by the Company of any equity
securities, or declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution
or
payment in respect of its equity securities, other than the Pre-Closing Cash
Redemption and actions in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(b) amendment
to the Organizational Documents of the Company;
(c) merger,
consolidation with, or acquisition of the business of any other corporation
or
business organization, or acquisition of any material property or assets of
any
other Person;
(d) increase
by the Company of any bonuses, salaries, or other compensation to any officer,
director, or employee that constitutes a material increase in such Person's
bonus, salary or compensation, or entry into any employment, severance, or
similar Contract with any officer, director, or employee other than in the
Ordinary Course of Business;
(e) adoption
of, or increase
in the payments to or benefits under, any Benefit Plan for or with any employees
of the Company other than as required by applicable Legal Requirements or in
the
Ordinary Course of Business;
(f) incurrence
of any additional indebtedness for borrowed money other than in the Ordinary
Course of Business or, issuance of any debt securities, or assumption,
guarantee, or endorsement of the obligations of any Person;
(g) discharge
or satisfaction of any Liens or payment of any material Liabilities (whether
individually or in the aggregate) other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(h) failure
to pay or discharge any material Liability when due;
(i)
reduction
or cancellation of any amounts owed to the Company, or settlement of any claims
or Proceedings against the Company, other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(j) damage
to
or destruction or loss of any asset or property of the Company, whether or
not
covered by insurance, which, individually or in the aggregate reasonably would
be expected to exceed $100,000 or may otherwise have a Materially Adverse
Effect;
(k) entry
into, termination
of, or receipt of notice of termination of (i) any license, distributorship,
dealer, sales representative, joint venture, credit, or similar agreement,
or
(ii) any Contract or transaction involving a total remaining commitment by
or to
the Company of at least $100,000, other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business;
(l) sale,
lease, or other disposition of any asset or property of the Company or mortgage,
pledge, or imposition of any other Lien on any asset or property of the Company,
except in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(m)
labor
unrest or union organizing activity;
17
(n)
Contract,
transaction, or arrangement with any Stockholder, officer, director, or
Affiliate of the Company, or any Affiliate or Related Person of any of the
foregoing;
(o)
material
change in the accounting methods used by the Company; or
(p)
agreement,
whether oral or written, by the Company to do any of the foregoing.
Section
2.20 Contracts;
No Defaults.
(a) Schedule
2.20(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains a complete list of all Material
Contracts. For purposes of this Agreement, "Material
Contract"
means
all Contracts that are material to the business and operations of the Company,
including but not limited to all of the following types of Contracts to which
the Company is a party or by which the Company or any of its properties is
bound:
(i)
Contracts,
other than transportation or carrier agreements, that involve performance of
services or delivery of goods or materials by the
Company of
an
amount or value in excess of $100,000
within a six-month period and are not terminable on less than sixty (60) days
notice;
(ii)
Contracts
that involve performance of services or delivery of goods or materials to
the
Company of
an
amount or value in excess of $100,000
within a six-month period and are not terminable on less than sixty (60) days
notice;
(iii)
Contracts
that were not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(iv)
Real
Property Leases or other Real Property Documents;
(v)
mortgages,
indentures, loan or credit agreements, security agreements, and other agreements
and instruments relating to the borrowing of money or extension of
credit;
(vi)
leases
for machinery, equipment, motor vehicles, furniture, office equipment, or other
personal property, having aggregate remaining lease payments in excess of
$100,000;
(vii)
Contracts
with any of the Company's 15 largest customers, based on the Company's 2006
revenues year-to-date, as well as any Contracts for "dedicated" or similar
services;
(viii)
licensing
agreements or other Contracts with respect to patents, trademarks, copyrights,
or other intellectual property, including agreements with current or former
employees, consultants, or contractors regarding the appropriation or the
non-disclosure of any intellectual property assets;
(ix)
collective
bargaining agreements or other Contracts to or with any labor union or other
employee representative of a group of employees;
(x) joint
venture, partnership, or other Contracts (however named) involving a sharing
of
profits, losses, costs, or liabilities by the
Company with
any
other Person;
(xi)
Contracts
containing covenants that in any way purport to restrict the business activity
of the
Company or any of its key employees or
limit
the freedom of the
18
Company
or any of its key employees to
engage
in any line of business or to compete with any Person;
(xii)
Contracts
providing for payments to or by any Person based on sales, purchases, or
profits, other than direct payments for goods or services;
(xiii)
powers
of
attorney;
(xiv)
guaranties,
performance, bid or completion bonds, surety or appeal bonds, return of money
bonds, and surety or indemnification agreements involving at least $100,000;
(xv)
custom
bonds and standby letters of credit involving at least $100,000;
(xvi)
Contracts
where the consequences of a breach or default thereunder, or the termination,
expiration, or cancellation thereof, would reasonably be expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect;
(xvii)
employment,
independent contractor, and consulting Contracts listed on Schedule
2.16(a);
(xviii)
Contracts
entered into other than in the Ordinary Course of Business that contains or
provides for an express undertaking by the
Company to
be
responsible for consequential damages;
(xix)
Contracts
for capital expenditures in excess of $100,000;
(xx)
any
written warranty or other similar undertaking with respect to contractual
performance extended by the
Company other
than in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(xxi)
any
Contract between the Company and one or more Related
Person(s);
(xxii)
Applicable
Equipment Documents; and
(xxiii)
any
amendment, supplement, and modification (whether oral or written) in respect
of
any of the foregoing.
(b) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
2.20(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, each Material Contract identified or required
to be identified in Schedule
2.20(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule is in full force and effect and is valid and
enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(c) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
2.20(c)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule:
(i) The
Company is and at all times has been in compliance in all material respects
with
all applicable terms and requirements of each Material Contract under which
the
Company has or had any obligation or liability or by which the Company or any
of
the assets owned or used by the Company is or was bound;
(ii)
to
the
Company's Knowledge, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with
or
without notice or lapse of time, or both) may contravene, conflict with,
or
result in a violation or breach of, or give the Company or any other Person
the
right to declare a
19
default
or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance
of,
or to cancel, terminate, or modify, any Material Contract. The Company has
not
given to or received from any other Person any written notice or other written
communication regarding any actual, alleged, possible, or potential violation
or
breach of, or default under, any Material Contract; and
(iii)
neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
Contemplated Transactions, will result in a violation or breach of, or give
the
Company or any other Person the right to declare a default or exercise any
remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel,
terminate, or modify, any Material Contract.
(d) There
are
no renegotiations of, attempts to renegotiate, or outstanding rights to
renegotiate any material amounts paid or payable to the
Company under
current or completed Material Contracts with any Person and no such Person
has
made written demand for such renegotiation.
(e) The
Material Contracts to which the Company
is a party have
been
entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business and have been entered into
without the commission of any act, alone or in concert with any other Person,
or
any consideration having been paid or promised, that is or would be in violation
of any Legal Requirement.
Section
2.21 Insurance.
(a) Schedule
2.21(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule
describes each policy of insurance to which the Company is a party or that
provides coverage to the Company. The Company and the Stockholders have
delivered to Covenant:
(i) true
and
complete copies of all policies of insurance to which the Company is a party
or
under which the Company is or has been covered at any time within the five
years
preceding the date of this Agreement;
(ii)
true
and
complete copies of all pending applications for policies of insurance;
and
(iii)
any
review by any actuary, and any statement by any auditor of the Financial
Statements, with regard to the adequacy of coverage or of the reserves for
claims.
(b) Schedule
2.21(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule
describes:
(i) any
self-insurance arrangement by or affecting the Company, including any reserves
established thereunder;
(ii)
any
contract or arrangement, other than a policy of insurance or general risk
allocation provision in transportation or carrier agreements, for the transfer
or sharing of any risk by the Company; and
(iii) all
obligations of the Company to third parties with respect to insurance (including
such obligations under leases and service agreements but excluding general
insurance provisions in transportation or carrier agreements) and identifies
the
policy under which such coverage is provided.
(c) The
Stockholders have
delivered to Covenant a summary report of the loss experience under each policy
for the five preceding policy years, and a copy of the last page of each such
20
loss
experience summary report for each of the five preceding policy years is set
forth in Schedule
2.21(c)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule. Schedule
2.21(c)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule
also
sets
forth, by year, for the current policy year and each of the five preceding
policy years:
(i) a
summary
of all open claims under each insurance policy;
(ii)
a
statement describing each claim under an insurance policy for an amount in
excess of $100,000, which sets forth:
(A) the
name
of the claimant;
(B) a
description of the
policy by insurer, type of insurance, and period of coverage; and
(C) the
amount and a brief
description of the claim; and
(iii)
a
statement describing the loss experience for all claims that were self-insured,
including the number and aggregate cost of such claims.
(d) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.21(d)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule:
(i) All
policies to which the Company is a party or that provide coverage to the
Company:
(A) are
valid, outstanding, and enforceable;
(B) are
issued by an insurer
that is financially sound and reputable;
(C) taken
together, provide
adequate insurance coverage for the assets and the operations of the Company
for
all risks to which the Company are normally exposed;
(D) are
sufficient for compliance with all material Legal Requirements involving the
retention of insurance coverage and Material Contracts to which the Company
are
parties or by which any of them is bound;
(E) will
continue in full
force and effect following the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions;
and
(F) do
not provide for any
retrospective premium adjustment or other experienced-based liability on the
part of the Company.
(ii)
The
Company has not received (A) any refusal of coverage or any notice that a
defense will be afforded with reservation of rights, or (B) any notice of
cancellation or any other indication that any insurance policy is no longer
in
full force or effect or will not be renewed or that the issuer of any policy
is
not willing or able to perform its obligations thereunder.
(iii)
The
Company has paid all premiums due, and has otherwise performed all of its
obligations, under each policy to which it is a party or that provides coverage
to the Company.
21
(iv) The
Company has given notice to the insurer of all claims that may be insured
thereby.
Section
2.22 Environmental
Matters.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
2.22
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule:
(a) The
Company (including the Real Property) is and at all times has been operated
in
material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, which compliance
includes but is not limited to the possession by the Company of all permits
and
governmental authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws for
the
operations and activities of the Company as such operations and activities
are
conducted on the date of this Agreement, and compliance with the terms and
conditions thereof.
(b) The
Company has not treated, stored, managed, disposed of, transported, handled,
released, or used any Materials of Environmental Concern except in the Ordinary
Course of Business and in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws,
and
to the Company’s Knowledge, no third party has treated, stored, managed,
disposed of, transported, handled, released or used any Materials of
Environmental Concern on any premises used in the conduct of the Company’s
business except in the Ordinary Course of Business and in compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws;
(c) There
are
no Environmental Claims pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened
against the Company, and to the Company’s Knowledge, no circumstances exist
which could reasonably be expected to lead to the assertion of an Environmental
Claim against the Company.
(d) (i) There
are no underground storage tanks located on any Owned Real Property, Leased
Real
Property, or any Facilities operated by the Company, or, to the Company's
Knowledge, on any property adjacent thereto; (ii) to the Company's
Knowledge, there is no asbestos-containing material (as defined under
Environmental Laws) contained in or forming part of any building, building
component, structure, office space or other Facility owned, leased or operated
by the Company; and (iii) to the Company's Knowledge, there are no PCBs or
PCB-containing items contained in or forming part of any building, building
component, structure, office space or other Facility owned, leased or operated
by the Company.
(e) The
Company and the
Stockholders have delivered to Covenant true and complete copies and results
of
any reports, studies, analyses, tests, or monitoring possessed or initiated
by
or on behalf of the Company pertaining to Materials of Environmental Concern
or
the treatment, storage, management, disposal, transportation, handling, release
or use of Materials of Environmental Concern, or concerning compliance by the
Company, or any other Person for whose conduct the Company is or may be held
responsible, with Environmental Laws.
Section
2.23 Employees;
Independent Contractors.
(a) Schedule
2.23(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of the
following information for each non-driver employee, officer, or director of
the
Company, including each employee on leave of absence or layoff status: name;
job
title; current compensation paid or payable and any change in compensation
since
January 1, 2005; vacation accrued; and service credited for purposes of
vesting and eligibility to participate under any Benefit Plan.
(b) Unless
otherwise disclosed on Schedule
2.23(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, to the Company's Knowledge, no employee,
officer, or director of the Company is a party to, or is otherwise bound by,
any
agreement or arrangement, including any confidentiality, noncompetition, or
proprietary rights agreement, between such employee, officer, or director and
any other Person that in
22
any
way
adversely affects or will affect (i) the performance of his or her duties as
an
employee, officer, or director of the Company, or (ii) the ability of the
Company to conduct its business and operations.
(c)
Schedule
2.23(c)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of the
following information for each retired employee, officer, or director of the
Company, or their dependents, receiving benefits or scheduled to receive
benefits in the future under any Benefit Plan: name, description of benefits,
start and end date for benefits, and recipient contribution toward
benefits.
(d)
Except
as
set forth in Schedule
2.23(d)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, there are no Contracts, Benefit Plans, or
other
arrangements which would give rise to any severance, termination,
change-in-control, or other similar payment to any employee, officer, director,
or independent contractor of the Company as a result of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions, and the Company is not a party to any employment agreement,
whether written or oral, with any employee.
(e) The
Company maintains accurate and up-to-date files and records for all employee
and
independent contractor drivers, and all such driver files contain all
information and materials required under applicable Legal Requirements. Each
employee and independent contractor driver of the Company meets all DOT
requirements.
(f) Each
independent contractor providing equipment and/or services to the Company have
been retained under a valid Contract, and a copy of each standard form of
Contract used by the Company for independent contractors has been delivered
to
Covenant.
(g) The
Company has not taken any action in respect of its employees that would require
notice or create any Liability under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act, and the Company does not have any present plans to take such
action.
Section
2.24 Labor
Relations; Compliance.
The
Company has not ever been a party to any collective bargaining or other labor
Contract, and has never been part of a consolidated or controlled group of
companies that was a party to any collective bargaining or other labor Contract.
Since January 1, 2001, there has not been, there is not presently pending or
existing, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, there is not threatened, (a) any
strike, slowdown, picketing, work stoppage, or employee grievance process,
(b) any Proceeding against or affecting the
Company relating
to the alleged violation of any Legal Requirement pertaining to labor relations
or employment matters, including any charge or complaint filed by an employee
or
union with the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, or any comparable Governmental Body, organizational activity, or
other labor or employment dispute against or affecting the Company or any of
its
premises, or (c) any application for certification of a collective bargaining
agent. No event has occurred or circumstance exists that reasonably could
provide the basis for any work stoppage or other labor dispute. There is no
lockout of any employees by the
Company,
and no
such action is contemplated by the
Company.
The
Company has
complied in all material respects with all Legal Requirements relating to
employment, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, immigration, wages,
hours, benefits, collective bargaining, the payment of social security and
similar taxes, occupational safety and health, and plant closing. The Company
is
not liable for the payment of any compensation, damages, taxes, fines,
penalties, or other amounts, however designated, for failure to comply with
any
of the foregoing Legal Requirements.
23
Section
2.25 Trade
Rights;
Intellectual Property.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, "Trade
Rights"
means
the trade name "Star Transportation" and any other trademarks, trade names
or
service marks used in the business and operations of the Company. "Intellectual
Property"
means
all mailing lists, all customer lists, all prospect lists, all advertising
materials used in the business and operations of the Company, all logos used
in
the business and operations of the Company, all telephone and facsimile numbers
used in the business and operations of the Company, and all intellectual
property used or useful in connection with or relating to the business and
operations of the Company or under development, including without limitation
all
copyrights, patents, trade secrets, proprietary and technical information,
research and development, processes, formulas, and know-how, together with
all
rights to, and all applications, registrations, and licenses for, any of the
foregoing, in any form or media, and any other intangible assets of the Company
used in the business and operations of the Company.
(b) The
Trade Rights and
Intellectual Property used in the business and operations of the Company are,
individually and in the aggregate, in all material respects valid, subsisting,
and in full force and effect and are owned by the Company free and clear of
any
material Liens or adverse claims of any Person. The Company has not and does
not
infringe upon or unlawfully or wrongfully use any U.S. patent, trademark, trade
name, service xxxx, copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property
owned
or claimed by any other Person. To the Company’s Knowledge, no
other
Person is making unauthorized use of any of the Trade Rights or Intellectual
Property. The Company has not granted any licenses or other rights to any Person
to use any of the Trade Rights or Intellectual Property. To the Company’s
Knowledge, it is not in default under any notice of any claim of infringement
or
any other claim or proceeding relating to, any patent, trademark, trade name,
service xxxx, copyright, trade secret, domain name, web site or other
intellectual property. As of the Closing, Covenant will have the right to use
all Trade Rights and Intellectual Property.
Section
2.26 Tractors
and Trailers;
Compliance.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Schedule 2.26(a)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, each of the tractors and trailers owned,
operated, or leased by the Company (i) is in reasonable operating condition
and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and adequate for use in the
Ordinary Course of Business of the Company as conducted as of the Closing Date,
(ii) has been adequately maintained in accordance with the internal
maintenance schedules of the Company; (iii) is in material compliance with
all applicable manufacturer's specifications and warranty requirements; and
(iv) meets all applicable operating condition requirements of the
DOT. Schedule
2.26(a)
identifies each tractor and trailer owned, operated, or leased by the Company
that is not currently in operable condition as of the Closing Date.
(b) Schedule
2.26(b)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all tractors and trailers
that are owned, leased, or operated by the Company. All tractors and trailers
have been operated at all times in material compliance with applicable leases,
other financing documents, tradeback, buyback and other Contracts or
arrangements with manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or their Affiliates,
and
all other applicable Contracts (collectively, "Applicable
Equipment Documents").
Each
leased tractor and leased trailer has been operated within the mileage allowance
(subject in each case to mileage aggregation agreements with third parties),
if
any, of the Applicable Equipment Document, prorated for the portion of the
period that has expired. There are no late fees, penalties, or other amounts
owing under any Applicable Equipment Document, other than any current month
payment that is not yet due. The Company possesses good and marketable title
to
its owned tractors and trailers, and a valid leasehold interest in its leased
tractors and trailers,
subject
to Permitted Liens.
(c) Each
of
the tractors and trailers owned, operated, or leased by the Company is properly
licensed and registered with applicable authorities in accordance with
permissible practices.
24
Such
licenses and registrations are current, all current license plates and stickers
are properly affixed to such equipment, and all fees have been paid. The Company
has never received an unsatisfactory or conditional safety and fitness rating
from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ("FMCSA"),
or
its predecessor the Federal Highway Administration ("FHWA"),
as a
result of a compliance review for any of the factors that are considered by
the
FMCSA or FHWA, and there is no Proceeding pending that could result in an
unsatisfactory or conditional safety and fitness rating. The Company is and
at
all times has been in compliance in all material respects with all FMCSA
regulations.
Section
2.27 Relationships
with Related Persons.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
2.27
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule,
none of
the
Company's Stockholders, former stockholders, directors, officers, and employees
of the Company, and none of their respective Related Persons and Affiliates,
have any interest in any of the properties or assets of or used by the Company
and do not own, of record or as a beneficial owner, an equity interest or any
other financial or profit interest in any Person that (i) has had business
dealings or a material financial interest in any transaction with the Company,
or (ii) has engaged or is engaged in competition with the business and
operations of the Company. Except as set forth in Schedule
2.27
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, neither the Stockholders, nor any director
or
officer of the Company, and none of their Related Persons or Affiliates, is
a
party to any Contract with, or has any claim or right against, the
Company.
Section
2.28 Prepayment
of
Indebtedness.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
2.28
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, all indebtedness of the Company may be prepaid
at any time without penalty.
Section
2.29 Bank
Accounts.
Schedule
2.29
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all banks or other
financial institutions with which the Company has an account, lock box, safe
deposit box, or borrowing authority, specifying with respect to each, the name
and address of the bank or other financial institution, the account number,
and
the names of the Persons authorized as signatories thereon or to act or deal
in
connection therewith.
Section
2.30 Officers
and
Directors; Powers of Attorney.
Schedule
2.30
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all officers and directors
of the Company, and all Persons having power of attorney, authority as agent,
or
other authority to act on behalf of the Company or on behalf of any officer
or
director of the Company (in their capacity as an officer or
director).
Section
2.31 Certain
Actions and Payments Prior to Closing.
Prior
to the Closing, the Company and the Stockholders have, (a) taken all
actions necessary to cause the cancellation and termination of all options,
warrants, other rights to acquire capital stock or other equity securities
of
the Company, and any other derivative or equity-linked rights held by any
employee, officer, director, Stockholder, any of their Affiliates, or any other
Person; (b) paid in full any severance,
termination, change-in-control, or other similar payment to any employee,
officer, director, Stockholder, any of their Affiliates, or any other
Person,
which
results from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
of
the Contemplated Transactions (other than the payments of the Purchase Price
to
the Stockholders contemplated herein), all of which are set forth in
Schedule
2.23(d)
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule; and (c) paid in full all Transaction
Expenses of the Company and the Stockholders.
Section
2.32 Interest
Rate Swap.
The
interest rate swaps or similar Contracts to which the Company is a party, copies
of each of which are attached hereto as Schedule
2.32
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule (the "Interest
Rate Swaps"),
are
in full force and effect as of the Closing.
Section
2.33 Stockholder
Liabilities.
Prior
to the Closing, the Stockholders have paid in full all obligations (including
interest) owed by them to the Company.
As of
the Closing Date, no Stockholder has any Liability or Debt owed by such
Stockholder to the Company.
25
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF COVENANT
As
of the
Closing Date, Covenant represents and warrants to the Stockholders as
follows:
Section
3.1 Organization
and Good Standing.
Covenant is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Nevada with all requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on the business in which it is engaged, own the properties
it
owns, and execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents to which it is a Party.
Section
3.2 Authorization
and
Validity.
The
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents by Covenant, and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions,
have been duly authorized, and no other proceedings or approval are necessary
to
authorize the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement by
Covenant. This Agreement has been, and each of the other Transaction Documents
at or prior to the Closing will be, duly and validly executed and delivered
by
Covenant and constitute or will constitute, as of the Closing, the legal, valid
and binding obligations of Covenant, enforceable against Covenant in accordance
with their respective terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application
affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and as limited by laws
relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or
other equitable remedies.
Section
3.3 No
Violation.
Neither
the execution and performance by Covenant of this Agreement or the Transaction
Documents nor the consummation or performance by Covenant of the Contemplated
Transactions will,
directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time):
(a) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of (i) any
provision of the Organizational Documents of Covenant,
(ii) any resolution adopted by the board of directors of Covenant,
(iii) any Order applicable to Covenant, or (iv) any Legal Requirement
applicable to Covenant;
or
(b) contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation of, or give any
Governmental Body or other Person the right to challenge any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
Section
3.4 Finder's
Fee.
Covenant has not incurred any obligation, contingent or otherwise, for any
finder's, broker's or agent's fee in connection with the Contemplated
Transactions, other than Covenant's agreement to pay a portion of the fees
under
that
certain finder's fee arrangement identified on Schedule
2.6
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule,
as
specifically set forth in Section 6.7 hereof.
Section
3.5 Consents.
Except
as
set forth in Schedule
3.5
of the
Covenant Disclosure Schedule, no Consent of, or filing with, any Governmental
Body or any other Person is required to authorize, or is required in connection
with, the execution, delivery, and performance by Covenant of this Agreement
or
consummation by Covenant of the Contemplated Transactions.
ARTICLE
IV
OTHER
AGREEMENTS
Section
4.1 Guaranties.
Covenant shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the full release
of
the Stockholders from any liability with respect to the personal guaranties
by
the Stockholders of the obligations of the Company, including those identified
on Schedule 4.1
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule (the "Stockholder
Guaranties").
From
and after the Closing, Covenant shall indemnify and hold the Stockholders
harmless from and against any liability under the Stockholder Guaranties to
the
extent expressly set forth herein.
26
Section
4.2 Certain
Tax
Matters.
(a) Tax
Returns.
The
Stockholders
shall
prepare or cause to be prepared, and file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns
or claims for refund of the Company for all taxable periods of the Company
ending on or prior to the Closing Date (the "Pre-Closing
Tax Returns").
For
clarification, if no Section 338(h)(10) Election is made, the Company’s
final federal Form 1120S for the taxable period ended the day prior to the
Closing Date will be considered a Pre-Closing Tax Return to be filed by the
Stockholders and, if a Section 338(h)(10) Election is made, the Company's
final Form 1120S for the taxable period ended on the Closing Date will be
considered a Pre-Closing Tax Return to be filed by the Stockholders. To the
extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, the Stockholders shall
include any income, gain, loss, deduction or other tax items for such periods
on
their Tax Returns in a manner consistent with the Schedule K-1s furnished by
the
Company to the Stockholders for such period. Covenant shall timely prepare
and
file (or cause to be prepared and filed) all Tax Returns of the Company for
taxable periods ending after the Closing Date (the "Post-Closing
Tax Returns").
For
clarification, pursuant to Treasury Regulations
Section 1.1502-76(b)(1)(ii)(A)(2), if no Section 338(h)(10) Election
is made, the Company will become a member of Covenant’s consolidated group at
the beginning of the Closing Date, with any Closing Date income of the Company
included in the applicable federal Form 1120 of the Covenant consolidated group.
Covenant shall timely pay or cause to be paid all Taxes relating to any
Post-Closing Tax Returns.
(b) Cooperation
and Information.
The
Stockholders, the Company and Covenant
shall
provide each other with such cooperation and information as either of them
reasonably may request of the other in filing any Tax Return, determining a
liability for Taxes or a right to a refund of Taxes or participating in or
conducting any audit or other proceeding in respect of Taxes. Such cooperation
and information shall include providing copies of relevant Tax Returns or
portions thereof, together with related work papers and documents relating
to
rulings or other determinations by taxing authorities. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, each party shall retain all Tax Returns,
work
papers and all material records or other documents relating to Tax matters
of
the Company for the taxable period that includes the Closing Date and for all
prior taxable periods until the date that is six (6) months after the
expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to such Tax.
(c) Contests.
After
the Closing, Covenant shall promptly notify the Stockholders in writing of
the
proposed assessment or the commencement of any Tax audit or administrative
or
judicial proceeding or of any demand or claim on Covenant or the Company which,
if determined adversely to the taxpayer or after the lapse of time, could be
grounds for payment of Taxes or indemnification by the Stockholders under this
Agreement. Such notice shall contain factual information (to the extent known
to
Covenant or the Company) describing the asserted Tax liability in reasonable
detail and shall include copies of any notice or other document received from
any taxing authority in respect of any such asserted Tax liability. If Covenant
fails to give the Stockholders prompt notice of an asserted Tax liability as
required by this section, then the Stockholders shall not have any obligation
to
indemnify for any loss arising out of such asserted Tax liability under this
Agreement; provided,
however,
that
failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification provided
hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been
prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying Party
shall
not be liable for any expenses incurred during the period in which the
Indemnified Person failed to give such notice). In the case of a Tax audit
or
administrative or judicial proceeding (a "Contest")
that
relates to periods ending on or before the Closing Date, the Stockholders shall
have the sole right to direct and control the conduct of such Contest. With
respect to any Contest for any period beginning before the Closing Date and
ending after the Closing Date, the Party which would bear the burden of the
greater portion of the sum of the adjustments that may reasonably be anticipated
for such period may elect to direct and control, through counsel of its own
choosing, such Contest. If the Stockholders elect to direct any Contest or
portion of a Contest, the Stockholders shall promptly notify Covenant of its
intent to do so, and Covenant shall cooperate and shall cause the Company to
fully
27
cooperate
in each phase of such Contest. If the Stockholders elect not to direct the
Contest, Covenant shall assume control of such Contest and such Contest shall
be
subject to indemnification in accordance with Article V hereof. Covenant
shall keep the Stockholder Representative reasonably informed of the status
of
such Contest. In any case, neither Covenant and the Company on the one hand,
or
the Stockholders, on the other hand, may settle or compromise any asserted
liability without prior written consent of the other affected party, which
consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed. In any event,
any party may participate, at their own expense, in the Contest.
(d) Section
338(h)(10)
Election.
(i) As
soon
after the Closing Date as practicable and in any event not later than December
31, 2006, Covenant shall give the Stockholder Representative written notice
as
to whether Covenant will make an election under Code §
338(h)(10) (and any corresponding elections under state, local or foreign tax
law) (a "Section
338(h)(10) Election")
with
respect to the purchase and sale of the Shares of the Company
hereunder.
(ii)
In
the
event of a Section 338(h)(10) Election by Covenant, the Stockholders agree
that the Purchase Price and the liabilities of the Company (and other relevant
items) will be allocated to the Company's assets for all purposes (including
Tax
and financial accounting purposes) in accordance with Code § 338(h)(10)
and pursuant to an allocation schedule determined and prepared by Covenant
in
its discretion and consistent with applicable Legal Requirements (the
"Allocation
Schedule").
Such
Allocation Schedule shall be provided by Covenant to the Stockholder
Representative at the same time it provides written notice of the Section
338(h)(10) Election. In the event of a Section 338(h)(10) Election by
Covenant, the Parties agree that Covenant, the Company, and the Stockholders
will file all Tax Returns (including amended Tax Returns and claims for refund
as appropriate) and information returns in a manner consistent with the
Section 338(h)(10) Election and the Allocation Schedule. In such event,
Covenant shall prepare, and the Stockholders agree to sign and to promptly
take
all actions necessary to join Covenant in filing, Internal Revenue Service
Form
8023, all required attachments thereto, and all comparable state forms and
schedules, consistent with the Allocation Schedule and within the time limits
required by applicable Legal Requirements. Each Stockholder agrees to provide
Covenant with any information required to complete Form 8023. If any changes,
supplements, or amendments are required to be made to any such forms,
attachments and schedules, the Stockholders shall promptly take all actions
necessary to enable Covenant to effect such changes, supplements, or amendments.
(iii)
In
the
event of a Section 338(h)(10) Election by Covenant, any income, gain, loss,
deduction, or other Tax item resulting from the Section 338(h)(10) Election
shall be included by the Stockholders in the Stockholders' Tax Returns in a
manner consistent with the Schedule K-1s furnished by the Company to the
Stockholders to the extent required by applicable Legal Requirements. In such
event, Covenant shall pay to each Stockholder, in cash, the amount of additional
consideration necessary, including any incremental amount further grossing
up
such additional consideration for any Taxes arising from such payment, to cause
such Stockholder's aggregate after-Tax net proceeds from the sale of such
Stockholder's Shares with the Section 338(h)(10) Election to be equal to
the aggregate after-Tax net proceeds that such Stockholder would have received
had the Section 338(h)(10) Election not been made, taking into account all
appropriate state, federal, local, and foreign Tax implications (the
"Tax
Adjustment").
Each
Stockholder shall provide Covenant with a schedule computing the amount of
the
Tax Adjustment (the "Tax
Adjustment Schedule")
within
ten (10) days after Covenant provides notice to such Stockholder of the
Section 338(h)(10) Election. If Covenant shall dispute any Tax Adjustment
Schedule, the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to determine the proper
adjustment for a period of thirty (30) days. If the parties do not reach
agreement within such period, then the
28
disputed
portion of the adjustment shall be referred to the Independent Accountants
for
determination. The Party whose proposed adjustment was most different from
the
Independent Accountant's shall bear the cost of the Independent Accountants.
The
amount of the Tax Adjustment as finally determined shall be paid by Covenant
to
each Stockholder at or prior to the later of (i) the time such Stockholder
signs Form 8023 to make the federal Section 338(h)(10) Election and
(ii) five (5) days after final determination of such Stockholder's Tax
Adjustment Schedule; but in any event no later than January 15,
2007.
(iv)
In
the
event of a Section 338(h)(10) Election by Covenant, the Parties agree to be
bound by the Allocation Schedule and shall take no action inconsistent with
the
Section 338(h)(10) Election or the Allocation Schedule for the purpose of all
Tax Returns filed by them, and shall not voluntarily take any action
inconsistent therewith unless required by applicable Legal Requirements. In
the
event of any Contest which impacts the Section 338(h)(10)
Election and the Tax Adjustments, the Party receiving notice of such Contest
shall promptly notify the other Parties thereof, and such Contest shall be
subject to the procedures set forth in Section 4.2(c) above. If any such
Contest, upon final determination, results in a change in the Tax Adjustment
previously agreed or determined as to any Stockholder, then (A) any
increase in such Tax Adjustment resulting from such Contest shall be paid by
Covenant to such Stockholder and (B) any decrease in such Tax Adjustment
resulting from such Contest shall be paid by such Stockholder to
Covenant.
Section
4.3 Use
of
Office Space and Assistant.
The
Company will provide Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx and her father with continuing use of
their offices at the Company's headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, and
exclusive access to their current assistant, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, for a period of
one (1) year following the Closing. During such period, the Company shall
continue to pay Xx. Xxxxxxx'x current salary as of the Closing, and shall
continue to provide Xx. Xxxxxxx with her existing benefits as of the
Closing Date.
Section
4.4 Group
Health
Coverage.
Each of
the Stockholders shall be entitled to continuing group health coverage under
the
Company's group health insurance plan in effect as of the date hereof (the
"Company
Group Health Plan")
for a
period of up to three years following the Closing Date pursuant to the
continuing coverage requirements of ERISA §
601
e.
seq. and Code § 4980B ("COBRA"),
solely to the extent such COBRA coverage is permissible under the Group Health
Plan and applicable Legal Requirements. Except as may be otherwise provided
in a
separate written agreement with any Stockholder, any such COBRA coverage shall
be provided solely at the expense of the participating Stockholders. Nothing
in
this Section 4.4 shall be deemed to provide to any Stockholder any rights
beyond such Stockholder's rights pursuant to the Company Group Health Plan
and
COBRA, provided, however, that nothing in this Section 4.4 shall be deemed
to affect or alter any contrary agreement for the Company to provide continuing
coverage under COBRA or otherwise to a Stockholder as may be provided in a
separate written agreement with such Stockholder, copies of each of which are
attached hereto as Schedule 4.4
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule.
Section
4.5 Lenoir
City Property.
(a) The
Parties acknowledge that (i) Star Development, Inc., a Tennessee corporation
("Star
Development"),
a
corporation controlled by one or more of the Stockholders, is the owner of
that
certain real property located at 00000 Xx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx,
as more specifically described on Schedule
2.10
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule (the "Lenoir
City Property"),
and
(ii) prior to the Closing, the Company has used and operated on the Lenoir
City
Property pursuant to an oral understanding, as more fully described on
Schedule
2.10
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule.
29
(b) The
Stockholders shall
cause Star Development to, and Covenant, the Company, and the Stockholders
shall, use good faith reasonable efforts to promptly negotiate and enter into
a
written lease of the Lenoir City Property on substantially the following terms:
(i) an initial term of two (2) years, with automatic annual renewals thereafter;
(ii) monthly rent in the amount of $2,000 during the initial term and any
renewal term; (iii) the Company shall be responsible for all Taxes and insurance
related to the Lenoir City Property; and (iv) Star Development shall not sell
or
transfer the Lenoir City Property prior to the end of the initial term, and
shall provide Covenant and the Company with a right of first refusal for any
proposed sale or transfer of the Lenoir City Property after the initial
term.
ARTICLE
V
INDEMNIFICATION;
REMEDIES
Section
5.1 Survival.
The
representations and warranties of the Company and the Stockholders contained
in
this Agreement (including the Schedules attached hereto), except for
Sections 2.2 [Authorization and Validity], 2.3 [Capitalization], 2.14
[Taxes], 2.16 [Employee Benefits], and 2.22 [Environmental Matters], and in
the
certificate delivered pursuant to Section 1.4(a)(i), shall terminate on the
first anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Basic
Representation Survival Period").
The
representations and warranties of the Company and the Stockholders set forth
in
Sections 2.14 [Taxes], 2.16 [Employee Benefits], and 2.22 [Environmental
Matters] shall survive for a period of three (3) years following the
Closing Date, and the representations and warranties of the Company and the
Stockholders set forth in Sections 2.2 [Authorization and Validity] and 2.3
[Capitalization] shall survive until the expiration of the relevant statute
of
limitation (the "Extended
Representation Survival Periods"
and,
together with the Basic Representation Survival Period, the "Survival
Periods").
The
obligations to indemnify and hold harmless any Covenant Indemnified Person
or
Stockholder Indemnified Person under this Article V shall terminate when
the applicable Survival Period set forth in this Section 5.1 terminates;
provided,
however,
that
(a) such indemnification rights shall not terminate with respect to any
item as to which a Covenant Indemnified Person or Stockholder, as applicable,
shall have, before the expiration of the applicable Survival Period, previously
made a claim pursuant to Sections 5.4 or 5.5 of this Agreement, and
(b) the Survival Periods shall not apply to any Breach of any
representation or warranty which constitutes actual fraud (as distinguished
from
an unknowing Breach) or which involves Sections 2.2 [Authorization and
Validity], or 2.3 [Capitalization], in which event such representation and
warranty shall survive the Closing. The
payment of Damages or other
remedy based on the representations, warranties, covenants, and obligations
of
the Parties contained in this Agreement (including the Schedules attached
hereto) will not be affected by any investigation conducted with respect to,
or
any Knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any time, whether
before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Closing
Date, with respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of or compliance with, any
such
representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation, except for, and to the extent
of, Covenant's Actual Knowledge of Undisclosed Breach (as defined below) by
the
Stockholders as of the Closing Date. Covenant shall be deemed to have
"Actual
Knowledge of Undisclosed Breach"
by the
Stockholders as of the Closing Date only to the extent that, at the Closing:
(x) Covenant Executives have Knowledge, based on a written due diligence
report prepared by Covenant personnel or a third-party advisor engaged by
Covenant to perform due diligence in connection with the Contemplated
Transactions (a "Diligence
Report"),
of
facts or circumstances that, taken together, represent a Breach by the
Stockholders as of the Closing Date, (y) Covenant Executives have
Knowledge, based on such Diligence Report, that such facts or circumstances
in
fact constitute such a Breach by the Stockholders as of the Closing Date, and
(z) the Stockholders did not have Knowledge, and there was no Company Knowledge,
of any such Breach. In the event of such Actual Knowledge of Undisclosed Breach
by the Stockholders as of the Closing Date, Covenant shall be deemed to waive
its right to indemnification pursuant to this Article V for Damages resulting
from such Breach only to the extent of, and up to any specific dollar amount
identified in, the applicable Diligence Report. Covenant represents and warrants
to the
30
Stockholders
that the Diligence Reports set forth all facts and circumstances of which
Covenant Executives have Knowledge that, taken together, represent a Breach
by
the Stockholders as of the Closing Date and that, to the Knowledge of the
Covenant Executives, in fact constitute such a Breach by the Stockholders as
of
the Closing Date. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary set forth
herein, the Stockholders shall bear the burden of proof that Covenant had Actual
Knowledge of Undisclosed Breach as of the Closing Date. Except as specifically
set forth above, the waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any
representation or warranty, or on the performance of or compliance with any
covenant or obligation,
will
not affect the right to indemnification, payment of Damages, or other remedy
based on such representations, warranties, covenants and
obligations.
Section
5.2 Indemnification
and Payment of Damages by the Stockholders.
The
Stockholders, severally, will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Covenant,
the
Company, and their respective Representatives (collectively, the "Covenant
Indemnified Persons")
for,
and will pay to the Indemnified Persons the amount of, any and all costs,
losses, liabilities, obligations, claims, damages (including incidental and
consequential damages), deficiencies, expenses, diminution of value, whether
or
not involving a third-party claim, and all interest, penalties, reasonable
attorneys' fees, and all reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense,
or
settlement of any of the foregoing (collectively, "Damages"),
arising, directly or indirectly, from or in connection with:
(a) any
Breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company or the Stockholders
in this Agreement, the Stockholder Disclosure Schedule, or any other certificate
or document delivered by the Company or the Stockholders pursuant to this
Agreement;
(b) any
Breach by the Company
or any of the Stockholders of any of its covenants or obligations in this
Agreement;
and
(c) any
failure by the
Company, prior to the Closing, to file any state Tax Return that is or was
required to be filed by the Company, and any failure to pay any state Taxes
that
have or may have become due for any period prior to the Closing
Date.
Section
5.3 Indemnification
and Payment of Damages by Covenant.
Covenant will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Stockholders and their
heirs, executors, and personal representatives (collectively, the "Stockholder
Indemnified Persons")
for,
and will pay to the Stockholders the amount of, any Damages arising, directly
or
indirectly, from or in connection with:
(a) any
Breach of any representation or warranty made by Covenant in this Agreement
or
any other certificate or document delivered by Covenant pursuant to this
Agreement;
(b) any
Breach by Covenant of
any of its covenants or obligations in this Agreement;
Section
5.4 Procedure
for
Indemnification - Third Party Claims.
(a) In
order
for a Covenant Indemnified Person or a Stockholder Indemnified Person (the
"Indemnified
Person")
to be
entitled to any indemnification provided for under Section 5.2 or
Section 5.3 of this Agreement in respect of, or arising out of, a Third
Party Claim, such Indemnified Person must notify the Party from whom
indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying
Party")
in
writing of the Third Party Claim within ten (10) business days after receipt
by
the Indemnified Person of written notice of the Third Party Claim; provided,
however,
that
failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification provided
hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party shall have been
prejudiced as a result of such failure (except that the Indemnifying Party
shall
not be liable for any expenses incurred during the period in which the
Indemnified Person failed to give such notice).
31
Thereafter,
the Indemnified Person shall deliver to the Indemnifying Party, within five
(5)
business days after receipt thereof, copies of all notices and documents
(including court papers) received by the Indemnified Person relating to the
Third Party Claim.
(b) If
a
Third Party Claim is made against an Indemnified Person, the Indemnifying Party
will be entitled to participate in the related Proceeding and, if it so chooses,
assume and control the defense of such Third Party Claim with counsel
satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; provided,
however,
that
the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume and control the defense
of such Proceeding if (i) the Indemnifying Party is also a party to such
Proceeding and the Indemnified Person determines in good faith that joint
representation would be inappropriate, or (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails
to
provide reasonable assurance to the Indemnified Person of its financial capacity
and willingness to actively and appropriately defend such Proceedings and
provide indemnification with respect to such Third Party Claim. If the
Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of such Third Party Claim, (i) it will
be
conclusively established for purposes of this Agreement that the Third Party
Claim is within the scope of and subject to indemnification; (ii) no compromise
or settlement of the Third Party Claim may be effected by the Indemnifying
Party
without the Indemnified Person's consent; and (iii) the Indemnified Person
will
have no liability with respect to any compromise or settlement of such Third
Party Claim effected without its consent. If notice is given to an Indemnifying
Party of the commencement of a Third Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party
does
not, within twenty (20) days after such notice is given, give notice to the
Indemnified Person of its election to assume the defense of such Third Party
Claim (to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 5.4(a)), the Indemnifying
Party will be bound by any determination made in any related Proceeding or
any
compromise or settlement effected by the Indemnified Person.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if an Indemnified Person determines in good faith that there
is a
reasonable probability that a Third Party Claim may adversely affect it or
its
Affiliates other than as a result of monetary damages for which it would be
entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the Indemnified Person may,
by
notice to the Indemnifying Party, assume the exclusive right to defend,
compromise, or settle such Third Party Claim at the sole cost and expense of
the
Indemnifying Party.
(d) The
Stockholders hereby
consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any court in which a Third Party
Claim is brought against any Indemnified Person for purposes of any claim that
an Indemnified Person may have under this Agreement with respect to such Third
Party Claim or the matters alleged therein, and agree that process may be served
on the Stockholders with respect to such Third Party Claim anywhere in the
world.
Section
5.5 Procedure
for Indemnification - Other Claims.
A claim
for indemnification for any matter not involving a Third Party Claim may be
asserted by notice to the Party from whom indemnification is
sought.
Section
5.6 Limitations
on Claims.
(a) The
maximum aggregate liability of the Stockholders to the Covenant Indemnified
Persons under Section 5.2(a) shall not exceed Four Million Dollars
($4,000,000) (the "General
Cap"),
and
Covenant, on behalf of itself and the other Covenant Indemnified Persons, agrees
not to seek, and shall not be entitled to recover, any Damages under
Section 5.2(a) in excess of the General Cap. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the General Cap shall not limit any recovery by the Covenant Indemnified Persons
(i) in the case of fraud, (ii) in any action involving a Breach of
Section 2.2
[Authorization and Validity], or 2.3 [Capitalization], or (iii) in any
claim for Damages under Sections 5.2(b) or 5.2(c). The Stockholders’
liability for Damages under Section 5.2(a) in excess of the General Cap shall
be
several, and not joint.
32
(b) No
Covenant Indemnified
Persons shall be entitled to recover any Damages pursuant to Section 5.2(a)
unless the aggregate amount of all Damages for which Covenant Indemnified
Persons would, but for this sentence, be entitled to receive indemnification
pursuant to Section 5.2(a) exceeds Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($250,000) (the "Damage
Threshold"),
and
then only for such Damages in excess of the Damage Threshold. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the limitation in this Section 5.5(b) shall not apply (i) in
the case of fraud, (ii) in any claim for Breach of Section 2.2
[Authorization and Validity] or 2.3 [Capitalization] or (iii) in any claim
for Damages under Sections 5.2(b) or 5.2(c).
(c) The
maximum aggregate liability of the Stockholders to the Covenant Indemnified
Persons under Sections 5.2(c) shall not exceed One Hundred Thirty Thousand
Dollars ($130,000) (the "Special
Cap"),
and
Covenant, on behalf of itself and the other Covenant Indemnified Persons, agrees
not to seek, and shall not be entitled to recover, any Damages under
Sections 5.2(c) in excess of the Special Cap. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Special Cap shall not limit recovery by the Covenant Indemnified
Persons in any case based on fraud.
(d) During
the term of the Escrow Agreement, all claims for indemnification of the Covenant
Indemnified Persons pursuant to Sections 5.2(a) and 5.2(c) shall be paid
first out of the Indemnity Escrow Funds in accordance with the terms of the
Escrow Agreement and subject to the other limitations set forth in this
Article V.
(e) Calculation
of
Damages.
(i) To
the
extent that any claim for indemnification for Damages under this
Article V is covered by insurance held by the Indemnified Person, such
Indemnified Person shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to seek
recovery from the applicable insurer, provided that the Indemnifying Party
agrees to reimburse the Indemnified Person for any reasonable out-of-pocket
costs incurred by the Indemnified Person in connection with such recovery.
Further, to the extent that any claim for indemnification for Damages under
this
Article V is covered by insurance held by the Indemnified Person, such
Indemnified Person shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this
Article V only with respect to the amount of the Damages that are in excess
of (x) the cash proceeds received by such Indemnified Person pursuant to
such insurance, minus (y) any costs of collecting such proceeds and any
increased insurance costs related thereto (such increased insurance costs to
include but not be limited to self-insured retention amounts, retrospective
premium adjustments, increases in future premiums, indemnification obligations,
and all other costs or detriments experienced by the Indemnified Person as
a
direct result of the claim or Damages). If such Indemnified Person receives
such
net cash insurance proceeds prior to the time such claim is paid, then the
amount payable by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to such claim shall be reduced
by the amount of such proceeds. If such Indemnified Person receives such net
cash insurance proceeds after such claim has been paid, then upon the receipt
by
the Indemnified Person of any net cash proceeds pursuant to such insurance
up to
the amount of Damages incurred by such Indemnified Person with respect to such
claim, such Indemnified Person shall promptly repay any portion of such amount
which was previously paid by the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Person
in satisfaction of such claim.
(ii) Any
calculation of Damages for purposes of this Article V shall be reduced to
take account
of any
Tax benefit (including, but not limited to, any Tax refund or credit but net
of
the Tax cost or detriment, if any, including but not limited to a reduction
in
basis of assets, reduction in net book value, loss of depreciation or
amortization or similar deductions, or increase in gain upon a sale as a result
of a reduction in or reallocation of the purchase price) actually realized
by
the Indemnified Person as a result of any such Damages. Any payment
33
hereunder
shall initially be made without regard to this Section 5.6(e)(ii) and shall
be reduced to reflect any such net Tax benefit only after the Indemnified Person
has actually realized such benefit. If such Indemnified Person actually realizes
such net Tax benefit after such claim has been paid, then upon the actual
realization by the Indemnified Person of such net Tax benefit up to the amount
of Damages incurred by such Indemnified Person with respect to such claim,
such
Indemnified Person shall promptly repay any portion of such amount which was
previously paid by the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Person in
satisfaction of such claim. For purposes of this Section 5.6(e)(ii), the
Indemnified Person shall be deemed to have "actually realized" a net Tax benefit
to the extent that, and at such time as, the amount of Taxes required to be
paid
by the Indemnified Person is reduced below the amount of Taxes that it would
have been required to pay but for deductibility of such Damages. The amount
of
any reduction hereunder shall be adjusted to reflect any final determination
with respect to the Indemnified Person's liability for Taxes.
(iii) Any
calculation of Damages for purposes of this Article V shall be reduced to
take account of any amounts actually recovered by the Indemnified Person
pursuant to any indemnification by or under any indemnification agreements
with
any third party (net of any costs incurred to obtain such recovered amounts).
If
such Indemnified Person receives such net recovery prior to the time such claim
is paid, then the amount payable by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to such
claim shall be reduced by the amount of such net recovery. If such Indemnified
Person receives such net recovery after such claim has been paid, then upon
the
receipt by the Indemnified Person of any net recovery up to the amount of
Damages incurred by such Indemnified Person with respect to such claim, such
Indemnified Person shall promptly repay any portion of such amount which was
previously paid by the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Person in
satisfaction of such claim.
(f) Tax
Treatment.
Any
indemnification payments under this Article V shall be treated, for Tax
purposes, as adjustment to the Purchase Price.
Section
5.7 Exclusive
Remedy.
The
exclusive remedy of each Party in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be as provided in this
Article V.
ARTICLE
VI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section
6.1 Amendment
and Waiver.
No
provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified, supplemented or waived
except by an instrument in writing executed by all of the Parties hereto or,
in
the case of an asserted waiver, executed by the Party against which enforcement
of the waiver is sought. The rights and remedies of the Parties to this
Agreement are cumulative and not alternative.
Section
6.2 Assignment;
Third-Party Rights.
Neither
this Agreement nor any right created hereby shall be assignable by any Party
hereto, except by Covenant to any Person that is an Affiliate of Covenant.
Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give
any
Person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of
this
Agreement, except such rights as shall inure to a successor or permitted
assignee pursuant to this Section 6.2.
Section
6.3 Notice.
Any
notice or communication must be in writing and given by depositing the same
in
the United States mail, addressed to the Party to be notified, postage prepaid
and registered or
certified with return receipt requested, or by delivering the same by hand
delivery (including by a nationally recognized overnight carrier) or by fax.
Such notice shall be deemed received on the date
34
on
which
it is delivered or faxed (with confirmation received). For purposes of notice,
the addresses of the Parties shall be:
If
to the Stockholders
or
the Stockholder Representative:
|
At
the respective addresses set
forth
on the signature pages
hereto.
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, LLP
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxx Xxxx
|
If
to Covenant or the Company:
|
Covenant
Transport, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
Attention:
Chief Financial Officer
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxxx
Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O.
000
Xxxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
|
Any
Party
may change its address for notice by written notice given to the other Parties
in accordance with this Section 6.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
notice required to be delivered to any of the Stockholders may be delivered
to
the Stockholder Representative in accordance with Section 6.16 in the
manner set forth in this Section 6.3, and any such notice shall be deemed
received by all Stockholders on the date on which it is delivered or faxed
(with
confirmation received) to the Stockholder Representative.
Section
6.4 Public
Announcements.
Covenant will consult with the Stockholder Representative regarding the contents
of the public announcement of the Contemplated Transactions and will take into
consideration the reasonable requests of the Stockholder Representative with
respect to such public announcement, subject, however, to all Legal
Requirements, stock exchange requirements, and prudent disclosure requirements
applicable to Covenant. Unless consented to by Covenant in advance or required
by applicable Legal Requirements, prior to the Closing, the Stockholders and
the
Company shall keep this Agreement strictly confidential and may not make any
disclosure of this Agreement to any Person. The Stockholder Representative,
the
Company and Covenant will consult with each other concerning the means by which
the Company's employees, customers, and suppliers and others having dealings
with the Company will be informed of the Contemplated Transactions.
Section
6.5 Confidentiality.
Prior
to
the Closing Date, the Parties will maintain in confidence, and will cause their
respective Representatives to maintain in confidence, all written, oral, or
other information obtained from another Party in connection with this Agreement
or the Contemplated Transactions ("Confidential
Information"),
including, without limitation, customer and employment information, unless
and
only to the extent that such Confidential Information (a) becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a breach of any
confidentiality obligation, (b) was available to the Party receiving the
information on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure, (c) is
35
independently
developed by a Party, (d) becomes lawfully available to a Party on a
non-confidential basis from a source other than the Party disclosing the
Confidential Information, provided that such source is not known by the Party
receiving the Confidential Information to be subject to a confidentiality
obligation in favor of the Party disclosing the information, or (e) the Party
disclosing the Confidential Information expressly approves in writing such
other
Party's disclosure. The Parties will not disclose Confidential Information
to
others except for Representatives who have a need to know such Confidential
Information for the purpose of effecting the Contemplated Transactions or as
may
be required by applicable Legal Requirements.
Section
6.6 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between the Parties with respect
to
its subject matter (including the Letter of Intent between Covenant and the
Stockholders dated July 31, 2006), and constitutes (together with the Schedules
and Exhibits hereto and the other Transaction Documents) a complete and
exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement between the Parties with
respect to its subject matter.
Section
6.7 Transaction
Expenses.
Except
as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each Party to this Agreement
will bear its respective Transaction Expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or
any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Parties agree that
Covenant will pay Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) of any fee due under that
certain finder's fee arrangement identified on Schedule
2.6
of the
Stockholder Disclosure Schedule (and only that certain arrangement) as a result
of the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, and the Stockholders
individually (and not the Company) shall be solely responsible for any other
fees due thereunder. In the event of any termination of this Agreement, the
obligation of each Party to pay its own expenses will be subject to any rights
of such Party arising from a Breach of this Agreement by another
Party.
Section
6.8 Further
Assurances.
The
Stockholders, the Company, and Covenant, from time to time after the Closing
at
the request of any other Party hereto, and without further consideration, shall
execute and deliver further instruments of transfer and assignment and take
such
other action as a Party may reasonably require to more effectively transfer
and
assign to, and vest in, Covenant, the Shares and all rights thereto, and to
fully implement the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction
Documents.
Section
6.9 Severability.
If any
provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable
under present or future laws effective during the term hereof, such provision
shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced
as
if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision never comprised a part
hereof; and the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and
effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision or by its severance herefrom. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part
of this Agreement a provision as similar in its terms to such illegal, invalid
or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and
enforceable.
Section
6.10 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
substantive laws of the State of Tennessee without reference or regard to the
conflicts of law rules thereof.
Section
6.11 Captions.
The
captions in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall
not
limit or otherwise affect any of the terms or provisions hereof.
Section
6.12 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. The exchange of copies of this Agreement and of signature pages
by
facsimile transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of
this
Agreement as to the parties and may be used in lieu of the original
36
Agreement
for all purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile shall
be
deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section
6.13 Number
and
Gender.
Whenever the context requires, references in this Agreement to the singular
number shall include the plural, the plural number shall include the singular
and words denoting gender shall include the masculine, feminine and
neuter.
Section
6.14 Time
of Essence.
With
regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement,
time is of the essence.
Section
6.15 Waiver;
Remedies
Cumulative.
The
rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not
alternative. Neither any failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any
right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any of the documents referred
to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege,
and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will
preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or
the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted
by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement or any
of
the documents referred to in this Agreement can be discharged by one party,
in
whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless
in
writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party
will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and
(c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any
obligation of that party or of the right of the party giving such notice or
demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this
Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement.
Section
6.16 Stockholder
Representative.
Each of
the Stockholders hereby irrevocably authorizes and appoints Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
(the "Stockholder
Representative")
as his
or her representative and true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act
in
his or her name, place, and xxxxx and to execute any agreement, certificate,
instrument, or document to be delivered by the Stockholders in connection with
this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions. The Stockholder Representative
shall serve as the agent of the Stockholders for all purposes related to this
Agreement, including without limitation any notice required to be delivered
to
the Stockholders under this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents.
The Stockholder Representative shall have the full power, authority, and right
to perform, do, and take any and all actions they deem necessary or advisable
to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents,
including, without limitation, the power to amend or modify this Agreement
and
the other Transaction Documents and to waive any provision herein or therein.
All decisions of the Stockholder Representative shall be binding upon the
Stockholders. Covenant and each other Party shall be entitled to rely upon
such
authorization and designation and shall be fully protected in dealing with
the
Stockholder Representative with respect to any and all matters concerning the
Stockholders; provided,
however,
that
nothing set forth herein shall require Covenant to accept the signature or
action of the Stockholder Representative in lieu of the signature or action
of
any Stockholder.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
37
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, have caused
this Agreement to be executed by their duly authorized representatives as of
the
date first above written.
COVENANT
TRANSPORT, INC.
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
||
Chairman,
President and CEO
|
||
STAR
TRANSPORTATION, INC.
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
||
Chief
Executive Officer
|
||
STOCKHOLDERS:
|
||
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
||
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
||
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
|
||
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
||
The
Rokeby
|
||
0000
Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
|
||
/s/
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
|
||
Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
||
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
|
||
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
||
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
|
||
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
|
||
Xxx
Xxxxxx
|
||
000
00xx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx 00000
|
STOCK
PURCHASE AGREEMENT SIGNATURE PAGE
EXHIBIT
A
Definitions
"Accounts
Receivable"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12 hereof.
"Actual
Additional Debt"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(c) hereof.
"Actual
Debt Paydown"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(c) hereof.
"Actual
Knowledge of Undisclosed Breach"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.
"Actual
Undelivered Equipment"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(c) hereof.
"Actual
Undelivered Equipment Debt"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(c) hereof.
"Actual
Unsold Equipment"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(c) hereof.
"Actual
Unsold Equipment Debt"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(c) hereof.
"Adjusted
Working Capital"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(a)(i) hereof.
"Agreement"
shall
have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
"Affiliate"
means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person or group of affiliated Persons
directly or indirectly controlling (including without limitation all directors
and executive officers of such Person), controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition,
(i) a
Person shall be deemed to control another Person if such Person possesses,
directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management or policies of such other Person, and (ii) a Related Person shall
be
deemed to be an Affiliate of that Person.
"Allocation
Schedule"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(d)(ii).
"Applicable
Equipment Documents"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(b) hereof.
"Balance
Sheet Date"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.
"Basic
Representation Survival Period"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.
"Benchmark
Adjusted Working Capital"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(a)(ii) hereof.
"Benefit
Arrangements"
include
each "employee benefit plan", as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, and all
other
material fringe benefit, cafeteria, welfare, and retirement plans and
arrangements established, maintained, contributed to, or obligated to be
contributed to by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate thereof, whether or not
any
such plan or arrangement is otherwise exempt from some or all of the provisions
of ERISA.
"Benefit
Plan"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(a) hereof.
"Best
Efforts"
shall
mean the commercially reasonable efforts that a prudent Person desirous of
achieving a result would use in similar circumstances to ensure that such result
is achieved as expeditiously as possible; provided, however, that an obligation
to use Best Efforts under this Agreement does not require the Person subject
to
that obligation to take actions that would result in a materially adverse change
in the benefits to such Person of this Agreement and the Contemplated
Transactions.
"Breach"
shall
mean any inaccuracy in or breach of, or any failure to perform or comply with,
any representation, warranty, covenant, obligation, or other provision of this
Agreement or any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement.
"Closing"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.3 hereof.
"Closing
Adjusted Working Capital"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(a)(iv) hereof.
"Closing
Amount"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a) hereof.
"Closing
Balance Sheet"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(b) hereof.
"Closing
Date"
means
the date on which the Closing occurs.
"Closing
Debt"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(a)(iii) hereof.
"Code"
means
the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Company"
shall
have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
"Company’s
Knowledge"
means
(i) the actual knowledge of the Stockholders other than Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, and
(ii)
the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, of Xxxx Xxxxxxxx and the other
executive officers of the Company.
"Confidential
Information"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 6.5 hereof.
"Consent"
means
any approval, consent, ratification, waiver, or other authorization (including
any Governmental Authorization).
"Contest"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(c) of this
Agreement.
"Contract"
shall
mean any agreement, contract, obligation, promise, or undertaking (whether
written or oral and whether express or implied) that is legally
binding.
"Contemplated
Transactions"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5 hereof.
"Contingent
Obligation"
means,
as to any Person, any direct or indirect liability of such Person with respect
to any indebtedness, lease, dividend, guaranty, letter of credit or other
obligation (each a "primary obligation") of another Person (the "primary
obligor"), whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise
acquire any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or
indirect security therefor, or (ii) to advance or provide funds (A) for the
payment or discharge of any such primary obligation, or (B) to maintain working
capital or equity capital of the primary obligor in respect of any such primary
obligation or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency or any balance
sheet item, level of income or financial condition of such primary obligor,
or
(iii) to purchase property,
2
securities
or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary
obligation of the ability of the primary obligor thereof to make payment of
such
primary obligation, or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner
of
any such primary obligation against loss or failure or inability to perform
in
respect thereof
"Covenant"
shall
have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
"Covenant
Adjustment Amount"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(e)(ii) hereof.
"Covenant
Executives"
means
Xxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxx Xxxxx, Covenant's Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, respectively.
"Covenant
Indemnified Person"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2 hereof.
"Covenant
Survival Period"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.
"Damage
Threshold"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(b) hereof.
"Damages"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2 hereof.
"Debt"
means,
as to any Person, without duplication (including all such items incurred by
any
partnership or joint venture as to which such Person is liable as a general
partner or joint venturer):
(a) all
indebtedness in respect of money borrowed, including, without limitation, all
obligations under capitalized leases, all amounts outstanding under accounts
receivable securitizations (including all obligations of special purpose
entities utilized to effect such securitizations), all obligations under
synthetic leases, all subordinated indebtedness, the deferred purchase price
of
any property or services, the aggregate face amount of all surety bonds, letters
of credit, and bankers’ acceptances, and (without duplication) all payment and
reimbursement obligations in respect thereof whether or not matured, evidenced
by a promissory note, bond, debenture or similar written obligation for the
payment of money (including reimbursement agreements and conditional sales
or
similar title retention agreements), any past due interest amounts or penalties
related to any of the foregoing, other than trade payables and accrued expenses
incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(b) any
and
all obligations of such Person, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever
and
whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals,
extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (i)
any
and all agreements, devices or arrangements designed to protect at least one
of
the parties thereto from the fluctuations of interest rates, exchange rates
or
forward rates, including fuel prices, applicable to such party’s assets,
liabilities or exchange transactions, including, but not limited to,
Dollar-denominated or cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, forward
currency exchange agreements, interest rate cap or collar protection agreements,
forward rate currency or interest rate options, puts, warrants and those
commonly known as interest rate "swap" agreements and forward fuel purchase
contracts, commitments, or options; (ii) all other "derivative instruments"
as
defined in FASB 133 and which are subject to the reporting requirements of
FASB
133; and (iii) any and all cancellations, buybacks, reversals, terminations
or
assignments of any of the foregoing;
(c) all
indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held by
such
Person regardless or whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been
assumed by such Person or is non-recourse to the credit of such Person; and
3
(d) any
and
all Contingent Obligations of such Person.
"Debt
Adjustment Amount"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(a)(v) hereof.
"Diligence
Report"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.
"DOT"
means
the U.S. Department of Transportation, including the FHWA and
FMCSA.
"Environmental
Claim"
means
any investigation or written claim, action, cause of action, or notice by any
Person alleging potential liability (including potential liability for
investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response costs, natural
resources damages, property damages, personal injuries, or penalties), or any
Lien or other restriction of any nature, arising out of, based on or resulting
from: (a) the presence, or release or threat of release into the
environment, of any Materials of Environmental Concern at any location owned
or
operated by the Company; or (b) circumstances forming the basis of any
violation or alleged violation of any Environmental Law applicable to the
Company or the Company’s business.
"Environmental
Laws"
means,
as they exist on the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, all applicable
Legal Requirements relating to pollution or protection of human health (as
relating to the environment or the workplace) and the environment (including
ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or sub-surface strata),
including Legal Requirements relating to emissions, discharges, releases or
threatened releases of Materials of Environmental Concern, or otherwise relating
to the use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials
of
Environmental Concern, including, but not limited to Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.,
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., Toxic
Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., Occupational Safety and
Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.
§ 7401 et seq., the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., each as may
have been amended or supplemented, and any applicable environmental transfer
statutes or Legal Requirements.
"ERISA"
shall
mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or any successor law,
and regulations and rules issued pursuant to that Act or any successor
law.
"ERISA
Affiliate"
shall
mean, with respect to a Party, any other person that, together with that Party,
would be treated as a single employer under Code § 414.
"Escrow
Agent"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(d) hereof.
"Escrow
Agreement"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(d) hereof.
"Extended
Representation Survival Period"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.
"Facilities"
means
any real property, leaseholds, or other interests currently or formerly owned
or
operated by the Company and any buildings, plants, structures, or equipment
(including motor vehicles, trucks, tractors, trailers, tank cars, and other
rolling stock) currently or formerly owned or operated by the Company.
"FASB
133"
means
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133.
"Financial
Statements"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.
4
"FHWA"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(b) hereof.
"FMCSA"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.26(b) hereof.
"GAAP"
means
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently
applied throughout all relevant periods.
"General
Cap"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(a) hereof.
"Governmental
Authorizations"
shall
mean all permits, authorizations, certificates, approvals, registrations,
variances, exemptions, rights of way, franchises, privileges, immunities,
grants, ordinances, licenses and other rights of every kind and character
relating to the business and operations of the Company or all or any of the
assets of the Company, including but not limited to permits and authorizations
granted by the DOT and FHWA.
"Governmental
Body"
means
any
(i) nation,
state, county, city, town, village, district, or other jurisdiction of any
nature; (ii) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, or other
government; (iii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any
nature (including any governmental agency, branch, department, official, or
entity and any court or other tribunal); (iv) multi-national organization
or body; or (v) body exercising, or entitled to exercise, any
administrative, executive, judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing
authority or power of any nature.
"Historical
Financial Statements"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.
"Humboldt"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(e).
"Humboldt
Plan"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(e).
"Independent
Accountants"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(d) hereof.
"Indemnified
Person"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a) hereof.
"Indemnifying
Party"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4(a) hereof.
"Indemnity
Escrow Amount"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b)(i) hereof.
"Intellectual
Property"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a) hereof.
"Interest
Rate Swaps"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.32 hereof.
"Interim
Balance Sheet"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.
"Interim
Financial Statements"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.
"IRS"
means
the Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.
"Knowledge"
means
actual knowledge.
"Lease-Purchase
Conversion"
means
the Company's process since January 1, 2006 of purchasing 225 new trailers
and 135 new tractors and disposing of 135 tractors formerly financed under
operating leases.
5
"Lease-Purchase
Conversion Certificate"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a) hereof.
"Leased
Real Property"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(a) hereof.
"Lenoir
City Property"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a) hereof.
"Legal
Requirement"
shall
mean for any Person any law, treaty, regulation, rule, order, judgment, or
decree, or any other determination or requirement of an governmental authority
or arbitrator applicable to or binding on such Person or any of its property
or
to which such Person or any of its property is subject.
"Liability"
means
any and all Debts, liabilities, obligations, and commitments, whether known
or
unknown, asserted or unasserted, fixed, absolute, or contingent, matured or
unmatured, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, due or to become
due, whenever or however arising (including, without limitation, whether arising
out of any contract or tort based on negligence, strict liability, or
otherwise).
"Lien"
shall
mean any mortgage, lien, pledge, claim, charge, security interest or encumbrance
of any kind, including without limitation the interest of a vendor or lessor
under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease obligation or other title
retention agreement, or any agreement to create or grant any of the foregoing
or
prohibiting the
Company from
granting Liens on their respective assets.
"Material
Contract"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.20(a) hereof.
"Materially
Adverse Effect"
or
"Materially
Adverse Change"
means
any change, circumstance, or effect that does have, or is reasonably likely
to
have, a materially adverse effect on the business, operations,
financial condition
of the Company taken as a whole, or the ability of the Company or the
Stockholders to consummate the Contemplated Transactions; provided,
however,
that
Materially Adverse Effect and Materially Adverse Change shall not include any
adverse changes or conditions as and to the extent such changes or conditions
result from or relate to (i) general business or economic conditions,
including such conditions related to the business of the Company,
(ii) national or international political or social conditions, including
the engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant
to
the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence
of
any military or terrorist attack upon the United States, or any of its
territories, possessions, or diplomatic or consular offices, or upon any
military installation, equipment, or personnel of the United States,
(iii) financial, banking, or securities markets (including any disruption
thereof any decline in prevailing interest rates or any market index),
(iv) changes in GAAP, (v) changes in Legal Requirements issued by any
Governmental Body, or (vi) the taking of any action contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
"Materials
of Environmental Concern"
means
chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, hazardous materials, hazardous substances
and hazardous wastes, medical waste, toxic substances, petroleum and petroleum
products and by-products, asbestos-containing materials, PCBs, and any other
chemicals, pollutants, substances or wastes, in each case so defined,
identified, or regulated under any Environmental Law.
"Multi-Employer
Plan"
shall
have the meaning set forth in ERISA §
3(37)(A).
"Noncompetition
Agreements"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(a)(v) hereof.
6
"Objection
Notice"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(c) hereof.
"Order"
means
any award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, subpoena, or verdict
entered, issued, made, or rendered by any court, administrative agency,
Governmental Body, or by any arbitrator.
"Ordinary
Course of Business"
shall
mean an action taken by a Person only if: (a) such action is consistent
with the past practices of such Person and is taken in the ordinary course
of
the normal day-to-day operations of such Person; (b) such action is not
required to be authorized by the board of directors of such Person (or by any
Person or group of Persons exercising similar authority); and (c) such
action is similar in nature and magnitude to actions customarily taken, without
any authorization by the board of directors (or by any Person or group of
Persons exercising similar authority), in the ordinary course of the normal
day-to-day operations of other Persons that are in the same line of business
as
such Person.
"Organizational
Documents"
shall
mean (a) the articles or certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of a
corporation; (b) the partnership agreement and any statement of partnership
of a general partnership; (c) the limited partnership agreement and the
certificate of limited partnership of a limited partnership; (d) any
charter or similar document adopted or filed in connection with the creation,
formation, or organization of a Person; and (e) any amendment to any of the
foregoing.
"Owned
Real Property"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(a) hereof.
"Party"
and
"Parties"
shall
have the meanings set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
"PBGC"
means
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor thereto.
"Pension
Plan"
shall
have the meaning given in ERISA §
3(2)(A).
"Permitted
Lien"
means
(a) any Lien approved in writing by Covenant, (b) any Lien for Taxes or
other governmental charges or assessments which are not delinquent or which
are
being contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and adequate
reserves to pay the same have been established in the Financial Statements
to
the extent required by GAAP, (c) any Lien of any landlord, carrier,
warehouseman, mechanic or materialman and any like Lien arising in the Ordinary
Course of Business for sums that are not delinquent or which are being contested
in good faith through appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves to pay
the
same have been established in the Financial Statements to the extent required
by
GAAP, (d) any Lien of the lender, lessor or other financing source
(i) securing indebtedness for borrowed money, or (ii) on assets leased
under a capitalized lease obligation, each to the extent (in either case) that
such indebtedness for borrowed money or capital lease is reflected in the
Financial Statements to the extent required by GAAP and is included in the
calculation of the Debt Adjustment Amount, (e) recorded easements and
recorded rights of way; (f) Legal Requirements regulating the use or
enjoyment of the applicable property, or (g) with respect to Leased Real
Property, Liens which encumber the fee interest in such property.
"Person"
means
any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust,
joint venture, unincorporated association or other enterprise or any
governmental authority.
"Plan"
shall
have the meaning given in ERISA § 3(3).
"Plan
Sponsor"
shall
have the meaning given in ERISA § 3(16)(B).
"Post-Closing
Tax Returns"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a) hereof.
7
"Pre-Closing
Cash Redemption"
means
the payment of cash by the Company to the Stockholders at or prior to the
Closing, in redemption of capital stock.
"Pre-Closing
Tax Returns"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a) hereof.
"Proceeding"
means
any
action, arbitration, mediation, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation or
suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, judicial or investigative,
whether formal or informal, whether public or private) commenced, brought,
conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any Governmental Body,
arbitrator, or mediator.
"Projected
Additional Debt"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a) hereof.
"Projected
Debt Paydown"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a) hereof.
"Projected
Undelivered Equipment"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a) hereof.
"Projected
Undelivered Equipment Debt"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a) hereof.
"Projected
Unsold Equipment"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a) hereof.
"Projected
Unsold Equipment Proceeds"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.7(a) hereof.
"Property
Transfer Election"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(c)(i) hereof.
"Purchase
Price"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(a) hereof.
"Real
Property"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(a) hereof.
"Real
Property Documents"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(e) hereof.
"Real
Property Leases"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.10(a) hereof.
"Regulatory
Change"
means,
with respect to any Person, any change after the date of this Agreement in
United States federal or state Legal Requirements, or in any other Legal
Requirement promulgated by any Governmental Body, or the entry, adoption or
making after such date of any Order, interpretation, directive or request of
or
under any United States federal or state Legal Requirements (whether or not
having the force of law) by any court or Governmental Body charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, applying to a class of Persons
including such Person.
"Related
Person"
shall
have the following meaning:
(a) With
respect to a particular individual: (i) each other member of such
individual's Family; (ii) any Person that is directly or indirectly
controlled by such individual or one or more members of such individual's
Family; (iii) any Person in which such individual or members of such
individual's Family hold (individually or in the aggregate) a Material Interest;
and (iv) any Person with respect to which such individual or one or more
members of such individual's Family serves as a director, officer, partner,
executor, or trustee (or in a similar capacity).
8
(b) With
respect to a
specified Person other than an individual: (i) any Person that directly or
indirectly controls, is directly or indirectly controlled by, or is directly
or
indirectly under common control with such specified Person; (ii) any Person
that holds a Material Interest in such specified Person; (iii) each Person
that serves as a director, officer, partner, executor, or trustee of such
specified Person (or in a similar capacity); (iv) any Person in which such
specified Person holds a Material Interest; (v) any Person with respect to
which such specified Person serves as a general partner or a trustee (or in
a
similar capacity); and (vi) any Related Person of any individual described
in clause (b) or (c).
For
purposes of this definition, (a) the "Family" of an individual includes
(i) the individual, (ii) the individual's spouse, (iii) any
other
natural person who is related to the individual or the individual's spouse
within the second degree, and (iv) any other natural person who resides
with such individual, and (b) "Material Interest" means direct or indirect
beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) of voting securities or other voting interests
representing at least 5% of the outstanding voting power of a Person or equity
securities or other equity interests representing at least 5% of the outstanding
equity securities or equity interests in a Person.
"Representatives"
means,
with respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, manager, employee,
agent, consultant, advisor, accountant, financial advisor, legal counsel or
other representative of that Person.
"Xxxxxxx
Opinion"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(b)(vi) hereof.
"Section
338(h)(10) Election"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(d)(i).
"Securities
Act"
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Shares"
shall
have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.
"Special
Cap"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.6(c) hereof.
"Spousal
Consent"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(a)(viii) hereof.
"Star
Development"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.5(a) hereof.
"Stockholder
Adjustment Amount"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(e)(i) hereof.
"Stockholder
Disclosure Schedule"
shall
mean the disclosure document delivered by the Stockholders pursuant to the
terms
of this Agreement and attached hereto as Exhibit H.
"Stockholder"
shall
have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.
"Stockholder
Guaranties"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.
"Stockholder
Indemnified Persons"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3 hereof.
"Stockholder
Releases"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(a)(vi) hereof.
"Stockholder
Representative"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 6.16 hereof.
9
"Survival
Period"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1 hereof.
"Surviving
Corporation"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereof.
"Tax
Adjustment"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(d)(iii) hereof.
"Tax
Adjustment Notice"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(d)(iii) hereof.
"Tax
Returns"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(a) hereof.
"Taxes"
shall
mean any federal, state, local or foreign taxes, assessments, interest,
penalties, deficiencies, fees and other governmental charges or impositions,
including without limitation all income tax, unemployment compensation, social
security, payroll, sales and use, highway use, fuel, excise, privilege,
property, ad valorem, franchise, license, school and any other tax or similar
governmental charge or imposition under any Legal Requirement.
"Third
Party Claims"
means
any
claim
against any Indemnified Person by a Third Party, whether or not involving a
Proceeding.
"Title
IV Plan"
means a
Pension Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, other than Multi-Employer
Plans.
"Trade
Rights"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.25(a) hereof.
"Transaction
Documents"
means,
collectively, this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement, the Transition Services
Agreement, the Noncompetition Agreements, the Stockholder Releases, the Spousal
Consents, and all other documents and instruments executed in connection
herewith, as any or all of the foregoing may be renewed, amended, extended,
modified, supplemented, replaced or rearranged from time to time.
"Transaction
Expenses"
means
all out-of-pocket costs and expenses that are incurred by the designated Party
or Parties in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement
and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, including, without
limitation, fees for the services of brokers, attorneys, accountants,
consultants, and other like professionals.
"Transition
Services Agreement"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(a)(vi) hereof.
"Xxxxxx"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b)(ii) hereof.
"Xxxxxx
Escrow"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.2(b)(ii) hereof.
"Xxxxxx
Opinion"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.4(a)(viii) hereof.
"Withdrawal
Liability"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.16(d)(xii) hereof.
"Working
Capital Adjustment Amount"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 1.5(a)(vi) hereof.
"Year-End
Balance Sheet"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.
"Year-End
Financial Statements"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8 hereof.
10