Exhibit 10(a)
THE TORO COMPANY
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between The Toro Company, a Delaware Company (the
"Company"), and [FirstName] [LastName] (the "Executive"), dated as of the
_____ day of _____________, ____.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that it
is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the
Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the
possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of
the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable
distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks
created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the
Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the
event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the
Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control
which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive
will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations.
Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the
Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. (a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first
date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a
Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement
to the Contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which
the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the
Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third
party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or
(ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control,
then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date
immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided,
however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each
annual anniversary of such date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such
date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless previously terminated, the Change of
Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years
from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the
Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period
shall not be so extended.
2. CHANGE OF CONTROL. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning
of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a"Person") of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 15%
or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company
(the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of
the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally
in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following
acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any
acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or
maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, or (iv)
any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to
the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's
shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors
then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election
or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or
consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
Company or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company or the acquisition by the Company of assets or stock of another
entity (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business
Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who
were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of,
respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a
corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or
substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more
subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no
Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or
any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation
resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 15% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common
stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination, or the
combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such
corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the
Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board
of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were
members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial
agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business
Combination; or
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(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation
or dissolution of the Company.
3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to continue the
Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ
of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the
period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of
such date (the "Employment Period").
4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) POSITION AND DUTIES. (i) During the
Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall
be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of
those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's services shall
be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately
preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from
such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation
and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to
devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions, and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) COMPENSATION. (i) BASE SALARY. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest
monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been
earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month
in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual
Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than twelve months after the last salary
increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at
least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or
reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base
Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base
Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so
increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall
include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the
Company.
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(ii) ANNUAL BONUS. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive
shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an
annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the Executive's
highest bonus under the Company's [Annual Incentive Plans], or any comparable
bonus under any predecessor or successor plan, for the last three full fiscal
years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive
was not employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal year) (the "Recent
Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of
the third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the
Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt
of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) INCENTIVE, SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLANS. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings
and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no
event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive
with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special
incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is
applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each
case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those
provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under
such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the
120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to
the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to
other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) WELFARE BENEFIT PLANS. During the Employment Period, the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for
participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident
insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall
such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits
which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such
plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(v) EXPENSES. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the
Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at
any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies.
(vi) FRINGE BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial
planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable, use of an
automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most
favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect
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for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) OFFICE AND SUPPORT STAFF. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided
to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(viii) VACATION. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. (a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive's
employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the
Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability
of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the
definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written
notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to
terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment
with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such
notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within
the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to
full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the
Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive
business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which
is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company
or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal
representative.
(b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during
the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall
mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform
substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its
affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from the incapacity due
to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner
in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive
has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
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(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or
a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the
Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the
Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation
of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and
until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution
duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three quarters of the
entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for
such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the
Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the
Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is
guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and
specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) GOOD REASON. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the
Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall
mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities
as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by
the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions
of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial
and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by
the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the
Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office
or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or the
Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the
Effective Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section
11(c) of this Agreement.
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For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good
Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement
to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason
during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the
Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all
purposes of this Agreement.
(d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or
by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination
to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a
written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such
notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty
days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the
Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of
the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive
or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
(e) DATE OF TERMINATION. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case
may be.
6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION. (a) GOOD REASON; OTHER
THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period, the
Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause or
Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the
Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) the
product of (x) the higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the
Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or portion thereof
which has ben earned but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year
consisting of less than twelve full months or during which the
Executive was employed for less than twelve full months), for the most
recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any
(such higher amount being referred to as the
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"Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is
the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of
Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (3) any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any
accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in
each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts
described in clauses (1), (2), and (3) shall be hereinafter referred
to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) three and (2) the sum
of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual
Bonus; and
C. an amount equal to the excess of (1) the actuarial equivalent
of the benefit under the Company's qualified defined benefit
retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") (utilizing actuarial
assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than those in effect
under the Company's Retirement Plan immediately prior to the Effective
Date), and any excess or supplemental retirement plan in which the
Executive participates (together, the "SERP") which the Executive
would receive if the Executive's employment continued for three years
after the Date of Termination assuming for this purpose that all
accrued benefits are fully vested, and, assuming that the Executive's
compensation in each of the three years is that required by Section
4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), over (2) the actuarial equivalent of the
Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the
Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the Date of Termination;
(ii) for three years after the Executive's Date of Termination, or
such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which would
have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs,
practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if
the Executive's employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to
the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect
to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and
their families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed
with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare
benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other
welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided
under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For
purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of
benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans,
practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have
remained employed until three years after the Date of Termination and to
have retired on the last day of such period;
(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the
Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall
be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion; and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or
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which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy
or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated
companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to
as the "Other Benefits").
(b) DEATH. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the
Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this
Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment
or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall
include, without limitation, and the Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries
shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable
benefits provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and
beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies
under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits,
if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their
beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the
Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) DISABILITY. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of
the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment
of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.
Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other
Benefits, the term "Other Benefits" as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall
include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date
to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable
of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to
disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans,
programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect
generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more
favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any
time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies and their families.
(d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive's employment
shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation
to pay to the Executive (x) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of
Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore
unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the
Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such
case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
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7. NONEXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or
limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program,
policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies
and for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f), shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have
under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or
any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at
or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with
such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as
explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. FULL SETTLEMENT. The Company's obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the
Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other
employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable
to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and such amounts
shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The
Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all
legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of
any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or
others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision
of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result
of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this
Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable
Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
9. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY. (a) Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding and except as set forth below, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to
or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this
Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by
Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the
Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any
such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with
respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and
any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax
imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it shall be
determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the
Executive, after taking into account the Payments and the Gross-Up Payment,
would not receive a net after-tax benefit of at least $10,000 (taking into
account both income taxes and any Excise Tax) as compared to the net
after-tax proceeds to the Executive resulting from an elimination of the
Gross-Up Payment and a reduction of the Payments, in the aggregate, to an
amount (the "Reduced Amount") such that the receipt of Payments would not
give rise to any Excise Tax, then
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no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive and the Payments, in the
aggregate, shall be reduced to the Reduced Amount.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required
to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment
is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be
utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the
Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of
the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such
earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting
Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group
effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally
recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which
accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder).
All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the
Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall
be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the
Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall
be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty
in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial
determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up
Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made
("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made
hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts it remedies pursuant to
Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any
Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment
that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the
Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed
in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such
claim and the date on which such claim is required to be paid. The Executive
shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following
the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period
ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due).
If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect
to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively
to contest such claim, and
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(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating
to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a refund or to contest
the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and xxx for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax
(including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to
such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such
advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations
relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect
to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such
contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be
limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable
hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case
may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other
taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any
refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's
complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the
amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after
taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount
advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that
the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and
the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest
such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such
determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to
be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof,
the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information,
knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies,
and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive
during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts
by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this
Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company,
the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
12
Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or
divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company
and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the
provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding
any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. SUCCESSORS. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and
without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by
purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the
business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform
this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would
be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in
this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any
successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
12. MISCELLANEOUS. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of
the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not
be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and
shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
IF TO THE EXECUTIVE: [FirstName] [LastName]
[Address1]
[City,] [State] [PostalCode]
IF TO THE COMPANY: The Toro Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention Mr. J. Xxxxxxxx XxXxxxxx, General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communication shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
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(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement
such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict
compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any
right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may
otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive
and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will"
and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case
the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after
the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand
and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has
caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the
day and year first above written.
THE TORO COMPANY
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------
[FirstName] [LastName] Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Its CEO
