FORM OF SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
THIS
SHAREHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
(the
“Agreement”)
is
made and entered into on _______ __, 2008 by and among STF
TECHNOLOGIES LTD. (f/k/a Kraft Elektronikai Zrt),
a
Hungarian corporation (the “Company”),
and
the shareholders of the Company (each a “Shareholder”
and
collectively the “Shareholders”)
who
are listed (together with their Affiliates) on Schedule
A
attached
hereto, and any other person(s) or entity(ies) who may hereafter become a party
to this Agreement.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS,
the
Shareholders are the owners of 100% of the common shares and equity of the
Company (the “Share
Capital”),
as
set forth on Schedule
A;
and
WHEREAS,
the
Company and the Shareholders wish to enter into this Agreement to document
their
agreement and understanding regarding certain restrictions and controls on
the
Company and the Share Capital; and
WHEREAS,
except
with respect to the Stock Exchange Agreement and any document executed pursuant
thereto, this Agreement and the terms and covenants contained herein shall
supersede and take precedence to similar terms and covenants set forth in any
other agreement between the Company and its Shareholders, including, without
limitation, any stock purchase agreement or founders stock purchase agreement
(collectively, the “Prior
Agreements”).
NOW
THEREFORE,
in
consideration of the foregoing recitals and the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to
be
legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1 - CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
Section
1.1 Capitalized
terms not otherwise defined in this Section 1.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement
shall have such definition as set forth in the Stock Exchange Agreement. In
addition, as used in this Agreement the following terms shall have the following
respective meanings:
(a) “Affiliate”
means,
with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling
(including, but not limited to, all directors and officers of such Person),
controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person.
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 and policies of such other Person, whether through the ownership
of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise. For purposes of Section 2.10
(Drag-Along
Rights)
each
director, shareholder, general partner, member, officer and employee (to the
extent applicable) of a Person or the spouse or children of any such director,
shareholder, general partners, member, officer or employee or a trust of trusts
solely for the benefit of such director, shareholder, general partner, member,
officer or employee and/or the spouse or children of such director, shareholder,
general partner, member, officer or employee shall, in each case, be deemed
to
be an Affiliate.
(b) "Connected
Person"
means
any company controlled by or affiliated with Solar Thin Films, Inc. ("STF")
the
parent of the Company and any Person employed by STF or any company controlled
by or affiliated with STF.
(c) “Articles
of Incorporation”
means
the articles of incorporation or memorandum of association representing the
formation documents of the Company.
(d) "Excess
Cash"
means,
at the end of any financial year of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the
aggregate amount of cash and marketable securities that are retained by the
Company and its Subsidiaries which is in
excess
of the
aggregate amount of funds required for the working capital needs of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, the purchase or lease of capital equipment and other
related expenditures that are anticipated in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company to be required by the Company and its Subsidiaries
for
the next succeeding financial year.
(e) “Gross
Profit Margin”
means
the net selling price of the applicable PV Equipment, less“cost
of
good sold,” as that term is defined under United States generally accepted
accounting principles (“US
GAAP”).
(f) "Liquidity
Event"
means an
initial public offering of the Shares (IPO)
(g) “Offerees”
means
(i) the Company, and (ii) each of the Shareholders, excluding any Shareholder
who has caused or initiated the event that results in the offer of the Shares
to
the Offerees hereunder. Offerees who are Shareholders are sometimes referred
to
herein as “Shareholder
Offerees.”
(h) “Permitted
Transfer”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement..
(i) PV
Equipment”
means
the machinery, equipment, software and computer hardware required to be
installed at a PV Facility to enable a Person to manufacture and produce PV
Modules.
(j) “PV
Facility”
means
a
turn-key manufacturing facility including PV Equipment, converters, land and
building to enable a Person to produce PV Modules.
(k) “PV
Modules”
means
amorphous silicon (“aSi”)
photovoltaic solar panels or modules capable of producing solar power.
(l) “Qualified
Appraisers”
means
any recognized investment bank or business appraisal company selected by the
Board of Directors of the Company who has not previously rendered financial
or
business appraisal services to Solar Thin or who is otherwise acceptable to
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx.
(m) “Shares”
means
and includes all shares of Share Capital now owned or hereafter acquired by
any
Shareholder. For purposes of this Agreement, all of the Shares of Share Capital
that a Shareholder has a right to acquire from the Company upon conversion,
exercise or exchange of any of the securities of the Company then owned by
such
Shareholder shall be deemed Shares then owned by such Shareholder; provided,
however,
that
for purposes of this Agreement any “Buyer Preference Shares” that may be issued
pursuant to Section
2.2
of the
Stock Exchange Agreement shall not be deemed to be Shares of Share
Capital.
(n) “Share
Capital”
means
and includes all issued and outstanding common shares and equity of the Company
and all other securities of the Company which may be issued in exchange for
or
in respect of shares of Share Capital (whether by way of stock split, stock
dividend, combination, reclassification, reorganization, or otherwise) ;
provided,
however,
that
for purposes of this Agreement any “Buyer Preference Shares” that may be issued
pursuant to Section
2.2
of the
Stock Exchange Agreement shall not be deemed to be Shares of Share
Capital..
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(o) “Solar
Thin”
means
Solar Thin Films, Inc., a Delaware corporation and one of the
Shareholders.
(p) “Stock
Exchange Agreement”
means
that certain stock exchange agreement, dated as of September 29, 2008, by and
among the Company, Solar Thin Films, Inc., BudaSolar Technologies Co., Ltd.,
Krafcsik Xxxxxxx Holding Ltd., Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx.
(q) "Triggering
Date”
shall
mean (i) for Section 2.2(a), the date of the selling Shareholder’s death; (ii)
for Section 2.3, the date of the occurrence of an event of insolvency; and
(iii)
for Section 2.4, the date that the Offer (as defined in Section 2.4(a)) is
delivered to the Offerees.
ARTICLE
2 - TRANSFERS
Section
2.1 General
Restriction Against Transfer; Permitted Transfers.
(a) Each
Shareholder covenants and agrees that, except as specifically set forth in
this
Article 2 and subject to Section 2.1(b), neither such Shareholder nor such
Shareholder’s legal representatives or successors shall sell, donate, assign as
collateral, pledge, hypothecate, mortgage, encumber, allow to be encumbered,
transfer or otherwise dispose of in any manner whatsoever (each, a “Transfer”)
any
Shares.
(b) Any
attempt to Transfer or to agree to Transfer any Shares in contravention of
the
provisions of this Agreement shall be void and shall have no effect. Compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement shall be a condition precedent to the
recording or documentation of any Transfer of any Shares in the books and
records of the Company.
(c) Notwithstanding
any of the restrictions on Transfer of the Shares contained in this Agreement,
Transfers of any Shares of the Shareholders to any Affiliate or member of the
family of any Shareholder, including, without limitation, a Transfer of Shares
to a trust for the benefit of any of them, shall be permitted (each a
“Permitted
Transfer”);
provided,
however,
that
(i) any Shares so Transferred shall continue to be subject to the restrictions
of this Agreement, (ii) such Transfer does not violate any of the provisions
of
this Agreement, and (iii) such Transfer shall not be effective until the
transferee executes and delivers an agreement in the form supplied by the
Company whereby such transferee agrees to become a party to this Agreement
and
to be bound by each of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. As used
herein, the word “family”
shall
mean any spouse, lineal ancestor or descendant, adoptee, brother or
sister.
(d) Each
Shareholder hereby agrees that, during the period of duration specified by
the
Company and any underwriter, investment banker or nominated advisor of Share
Capital or other securities of the Company following the effective date of
a
registration statement of the Company filed under the United Securities Act
of
1933, as amended, or the listing of any Share Capital of the Company on any
European Union securities exchange, if any, such Shareholder shall not, to
the
extent requested by the Company and such underwriter, investment banker or
nominated advisor, Transfer any securities of the Company held by it at any
time
during a period of up to twelve (12) months following the effective date of
such
registration statement or listing of Share Capital on any European Union
securities exchange (as the case may be). In order to enforce the foregoing
covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to
the
Shares of each such Shareholder until the end of such period.
Section
2.2 Effect
of Death.
(a) Upon
the
death of a Shareholder, that Shareholder’s legal inheritor may, but shall not be
required to, within forty-five (45) days after its legal appointment, offer
to
sell to the Offerees, and the Offerees may, but shall not be required to,
purchase all, but not less than all, of such Shares.
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(b) Any
proposed sale or sale under this Section 2.2 shall be made in accordance with
Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7 and Section 2.8.
Section
2.3 Sale
Upon Insolvency.
Each
Shareholder agrees that upon the occurrence of any of the following events,
unless excluded by law: (i) a Shareholder’s adjudication as a bankrupt; (ii)
institution by or against a Shareholder of a petition for arrangement or any
other type of insolvency proceeding under any bankruptcy law or otherwise;
(iii)
a Shareholder’s making of a general assignment for the benefit of such
Shareholder’s creditors, (iv) the appointment of a receiver or trustee in
bankruptcy of such Shareholder for any of a Shareholder’s assets; or (v) the
taking, making or institution of any like or similar act or proceeding involving
a Shareholder, provided that such event, adjudication, institution, making,
appointment or similar act or proceeding is not cured or rescinded within ninety
(90) days (the “Cure
Period”),
then,
at the end of the Cure Period, such Shareholder or such Shareholder’s successor
or successors in interest shall offer to sell to the Offerees, and the Offerees
may, but shall not be required to, purchase all, but not less than all, of
such
Shareholder’s Shares and such sale shall be made in accordance with Section 2.5,
Section 2.6, Section 2.7 and Section 2.8.
Section
2.4 Right
of First Refusal.
(a) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time any Shareholder desires
to
sell for cash or cash equivalents all or any portion of its Shares pursuant
to a
bona fide offer from a third party who is not an Affiliate (for the purposes
of
this Section 2.4, the “Proposed
Transferee”),
such
selling Shareholder shall submit a written offer (the “Offer”)
to
sell such Shares (the “Offered
Shares”)
to the
Offerees on terms and conditions, including price, not less favorable to the
Offerees than those on which the selling Shareholder proposes to sell such
Offered Shares to the Proposed Transferee. The Offer shall disclose the identity
of the Proposed Transferee, the Offered Shares proposed to be sold, the total
number of Shares owned by the selling Shareholder, the terms and conditions,
including price, of the proposed sale, and any other material facts relating
to
the proposed sale. The Company may appoint a third party or a Shareholder to
exercise the right to purchase the Offered Shares by delivering written notice
to the selling Shareholder. Any sale proposed or made under this Section 2.4
shall be made in accordance with Section 2.5, Section 2.6 and Section
2.8.
(b) The
Shareholders’ right of refusal provided in this Section 2.4 shall not apply with
respect to:
(i) the
occurrence of any Liquidity Event, or
(ii) any
redemption of Shares or sales of Shares by a Shareholder to the Company in
a
transaction approved by the Board of Directors of the Company;
(iii) any
Permitted Transfer.
Section
2.5 Option
Period; Effecting Election.
(a) Option
Period.
For each
proposed purchase of Shares by the Offerees made pursuant to Section 2.2,
Section 2.3 or Section 2.4, the Company shall have the first option to purchase
all or any portion of such Shares. The Company shall have thirty (30) days
(the
“Company
Option Period”)
from
the effective Triggering Date to consummate such a sale. If the Company does
not
consummate any such sale within the Company Option Period, the Shareholder
Offerees shall then have an additional thirty (30) day period (the “Shareholder
Offerees’ Option Period”)
(beginning on the day following the expiration of the Company Option Period)
during which they may consummate the purchase of the applicable Shares. The
Company Option Period and the Shareholder Offerees’ Option Period are
collectively referred to herein as the “Option
Periods.”
If
any
such Share purchase is not consummated by either the Company or the Shareholder
Offerees within the applicable Option Period, the Shares may be sold to a third
party or otherwise transferred, as applicable, by the Shareholder or his legal
representative, as applicable. Any purchase made by the Company and the
Shareholder Offerees under this Agreement shall result in all of the applicable
Shares being purchased, but the Company and the Shareholder Offerees may divide
the Shares purchased between themselves in any proportions that they desire
in
their sole discretion; provided,
however,
that
each Shareholder Offeree shall have the right to purchase at least that
Shareholder Offeree’s pro rata share of the Shares available for purchase by all
of the Shareholder Offerees. This pro rata share shall be calculated for each
Shareholder Offeree based on each Shareholder Offeree’s ownership of Shares (as
a percentage of all of the Shares owned by all of the Shareholder Offerees).
If
a Shareholder Offeree declines to purchase his pro rata share, the other
Shareholder Offerees may purchase any such remaining Shares based on their
pro
rata share of these remaining Shares (excluding any shares owned by the
Shareholder Offeree who declined to purchase his pro rata share in the initial
Shareholder Offeree purchase).
4
(b) Effecting
Election.
Election
by the Company or the Shareholder Offerees to purchase Shares offered for sale
pursuant to this Agreement shall be effected by sending written notice of such
election to such offering Shareholder or such offering Shareholder’s
representative (as applicable) prior to the expiration of the applicable Option
Period.
Section
2.6 Effect
of Failure to Elect to Purchase All Shares.
(a) If
the
Offerees do not elect to purchase all of the Shares offered for sale by an
offering Shareholder (or its legal inheritor or representative) pursuant to
Section 2.2 or Section 2.3, all of the offering Shareholder’s Shares shall
continue to be owned by such Shareholder (or his legal representative, as
applicable). Such Shares may be transferred as contemplated by the Shareholder
(or legal representative), but such Shares will at all times continue to be
subject to the restrictions of this Agreement and no such Transfer will be
effective until each proposed transferee executes and delivers a counterpart
of
this Agreement.
(b) If
the
Offerees do not elect to purchase all of the Shares offered for sale by an
offering Shareholder pursuant to Section 2.4, all, but not less than all, of
the
offering Shareholder’s Shares may be transferred to the bona fide offeror
pursuant to the terms of the bona fide offer within sixty (60) days following
the expiration of the Shareholder Offerees’ Option Period; provided,
however,
that
any Shares so transferred shall continue to be subject to the restrictions
of
this Agreement and such Transfer shall not be effective until the transferee
executes and delivers a counterpart of this Agreement. If all of the offering
Shareholder’s Shares are not transferred within such 60-day period, such Shares
shall again become subject to the restrictions contained in this Agreement
and
shall not be transferred except in accordance with the terms and conditions
of
this Agreement.
Section
2.7 Purchase
Price.
Except
as
provided in Section 2.4 of this Agreement, the “Purchase
Price”
per
share of the Shares proposed for Transfer or Transferred shall be determined
as
of the last equity offering of the Company and being equal to the price per
share pursuant to the last equity offering, provided such equity offering of
the
Company was consummated within a six (6) month period of the proposed Transfer
and with parties who are not Affiliates of the Company or any Shareholder,
or in
absence of an equity offering within the said six (6) month period, by the
written concurrence of a Qualified Appraiser. The Qualified Appraiser shall
be
chosen within five (5) business days after the Triggering Date. The Company
shall pay the costs and expenses of the Qualified Appraiser. The Qualified
Appraiser shall develop a fair market value determination of the Company’s
value, and this shall become the final and binding Purchase Price. The Qualified
Appraiser must be firm or individual with previous background and experience
in
the valuation and appraisal of corporations, which are similar in size, industry
and financial condition to the Company. The Qualified Appraiser shall deliver
a
written report to all parties (which documents it’s determination of the
Purchase Price, along with a sufficiently detailed description of the
methodologies, assumptions and procedures used) within thirty (30) days after
the designation of the Qualified Appraiser. However, the Purchase Price to
be
determined under this Section 2.7 shall not be less than the price offered
on a
firm basis for all and not less than all of the Shares by a bona fide third
party buyer who is not an Affiliate of the Company or of any
Shareholder.
5
Section
2.8 Closing;
Payment.
(a) The
closing ("Closing")
of any
sale of a Shareholder’s Shares to an Offeree pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section
2.3 shall take place at the office of the Company at any point prior to the
expiration of the applicable Option Period or in the event of a sale under
Section 2.4, on the sixtieth (60th)
business day following the date the Offer was made. The certificate or
certificates representing the Shares to be purchased by the Offerees, properly
endorsed for transfer or with an executed stock power attached, shall be
delivered at the Closing free and clear of all liens, security interests,
pledges, charges or other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, except for
the
rights of the Offerees set forth in this Agreement, against the payment of
the
purchase price therefore, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties of the Purchase
and accepted by the other Shareholders and the company in written form.
.
(b) The
Purchase Price for any purchase of Shares by the Company under this Agreement
shall be made exclusively in cash.
(c) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Section 2.8, if an Offeree is purchasing the Shares
pursuant to Section 2.4 and is paying the purchase price set forth in the bona
fide offer, the purchase price shall be paid in accordance with the terms and
conditions contained in the bona fide offer.
Section
2.9 Failure
to Deliver Shares.
If a
Shareholder (for the purposes of this Section 2.9, an “Obligated
Shareholder”)
becomes obligated to sell any Shares to any Offeree hereunder, as determined
by
a final nonappealable order from a court of competent jurisdiction, and fails
to
deliver such Shares in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Offeree
may, at its option, in addition to all other remedies it may have, send to
the
Obligated Shareholder the Purchase Price for such Shares. Upon receipt of a
final nonappealable order from a court of competent jurisdiction, the Company,
upon written notice to the Obligated Shareholder shall (i) cancel on its books
the certificate or certificates representing the Shares to be sold and (ii)
shall issue, in lieu thereof; in the name of the Offeree, a new certificate
or
certificates representing such Shares, and all of the Obligated Shareholder’s
rights in and to such Shares shall immediately terminate.
Section
2.10 Tag-Along
Rights.
(a) If
at any
time any of the Shareholders, whether alone or together by agreement, contract
or understanding (for the purposes of this Section 2.10, each a “Selling
Party”)
wishes
to sell any Shares owned by it in a single transaction or series of related
transactions equaling forty percent (40%) or more of all of the Share Capital
of
the Company then issued and outstanding (on a fully-diluted basis counting
all
issued options, warrants and convertible securities) to any third party (other
than to a permitted transferee of such Selling Party in connection with a
Permitted Transfer or any other Shareholder (see Section 2.12)) (for the
purposes of this Section 2.10, the “Purchaser”),
and
the Selling Party has complied with all of the other requirements of this
Agreement, the Selling Party shall cause a written notice of the offer by the
Purchaser to purchase such Shares (a “Tag-Along
Notice”)
to be
delivered to each of the other Shareholders (each a “Tag-Along
Shareholder”),
setting forth the price per Share to be paid by the Purchaser, the identity
of
the Purchaser and the other principal terms and conditions of the Purchaser’s
offer to purchase such Shares, and each Shareholder shall have the right to
offer for sale to the Purchaser, as a condition of such sale by the Selling
Party, the same proportion of the Shares then held by such Shareholder as the
proposed sale represents with respect to the total number of Shares that the
Selling Party owns or has the right to acquire pursuant to outstanding options,
warrants or convertible securities, at the same price per Share and on the
same
terms and conditions as involved in such sale by the Selling Party. Each
Shareholder shall notify the Selling Party of its intention to sell its Shares
pursuant to this Section 2.10 as soon as practicable after receipt of the
Tag-Along Notice, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after receipt
thereof.
6
(b) In
the
event that any Shareholder elects to sell its pro rata portion to the Purchaser,
the Tag-Along Shareholders shall not be obligated to execute and deliver any
document which (A) requires such Tag-Along Shareholder to make representations
or warrants regarding any aspect whatsoever of the business or prospects of
the
Company and/or its Subsidiaries, (B) would subject such Tag-Along Shareholder
to
restrictive covenants, or (C) requires such Tag-Along Shareholder to be
obligated for any indemnification or other obligations other than (so long
as
the Selling Party(s) do at least the same) (1) the obligation to join on a
pro-rata basis (but not on a joint and several basis), based on its respective
share of the aggregate proceeds paid by the Purchaser (but only up to the amount
of net proceeds actually received by such Tag-Along Shareholder in the sale),
in
any indemnification that the Selling Party(s) have agreed to, and (2) any such
obligations that relate specifically to a particular Shareholder such as
indemnification with respect to representations and warranties given by a
Shareholder regarding such Shareholder’s title to and ownership of Shares.
(c) The
Selling Party and each other Shareholder intending to sell Shares hereunder
shall sell to the Purchaser all, or at the option of the Purchaser, any part
of
the Shares proposed to be sold by them at not less than the price per Share
and
upon other terms and conditions, if any, not more favorable to the Purchaser
than those set forth in the Tag-Along Notice; provided,
however,
that
any purchase of less than all of such Shares by the Purchaser shall be made
from
the Selling Party and each other Shareholder intending to sell Shares hereunder
pro rata based upon the number of Shares then held by the Selling Party and
each
such other Shareholder electing to sell to the Purchaser (calculated on a fully
diluted basis).
(d)
Tag-along rights under this section 2.10 shall not be applied in the event
of
the Buy-out Rights under Section 8.5 or the call Option Right under Section
8.6
of the Share Purchase Agreement are exercised.
Section
2.11 Drag-Along
Rights.
(a) At
any
time commencing on or after May 1, 2014, if one or more Shareholders (for the
purposes of this Section 2.11, the “Initiating
Shareholders”)
owning
at least a majority of the issued and outstanding Share Capital of the Company
(on a fully-diluted basis counting all issued options, warrants and convertible
securities) may, in connection with a bona fide cash offer (a “Drag-Along
Offer”)
by a
third party who is not an Affiliate of the Company or any Shareholders (for
the
purposes of this Section 2.11, a “Third
Party”)
to
acquire all of the then outstanding Shares or all or substantially all of the
assets or businesses of the Company (no matter how the transaction may be
structured), require each other Shareholder (each a “Drag-Along
Shareholder”)
to
sell to such Third Party all of the Shares then held by such Shareholder or
to
vote their Shares in favor of such transaction if other than a sale of Shares
as
provided below;
provided, however, that: (i) the Drag-Along Shareholders shall not be obligated
to execute and deliver any document which (A) requires such to make
representations or warrants regarding any aspect whatsoever of the business
or
prospects of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, provided that such Drag-Along
Shareholders (so long as the Initiating Shareholders do at least the same),
shall make representations and warranties to the effect that (x) such Drag-Along
Shareholder is the legal and beneficial owner(s) of the securities being sold
in
the sale, free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests, restrictions,
agreements of sale or other encumbrances (other than any imposed by this
Agreement, as amended and restated, and (y) such Drag-Along Shareholder has
the
capacity or power and authority to effect such sale), (B) would subject
such to
restrictive covenants, or (C) requires such Drag-Along Shareholder to be
obligated for any indemnification or other obligations other than (so long
as
the Initiating Shareholders do at least the same) (1) the obligation to join
on
a pro-rata basis (but not on a joint and several basis), based on its respective
share of the aggregate proceeds paid by the purchaser in such sale (but only
up
to the amount of net proceeds actually received by such Drag-Along Shareholder
in the sale), in any indemnification that the Initiating Shareholders have
agreed to, and (2) any such obligations that relate specifically to a particular
Shareholder such as indemnification with respect to representations and
warranties given by a Shareholder regarding such Shareholder’s title to and
ownership; (ii) if the Initiating Shareholders elect to exercise their rights
under this Section 2.11(a), such Drag-Along Shareholder receives cash in such
sale. If the Initiating Shareholders elect to exercise their right to compel
a
sale pursuant to this Section 2.11, the Initiating Shareholders will cause
a
written notice of the Drag-Along Offer (the “Drag-Along
Notice”)
to be
delivered to each of the other Shareholders, setting forth the aggregate
consideration, the identity of the Third Party and the other principal terms
and
conditions thereof.
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(b) The
Initiating Shareholders will have one hundred twenty (120) days from the date
the Drag-Along Notice is given to the other Shareholders to consummate the
sale
to the Third Party, at the price and on the terms substantially similar to
those
set forth in such Drag-Along Notice, of all of the Shares subject to the
Drag-Along Offer pursuant to Section 2.11(a). If the sale to the Third Party
is
not completed during such one hundred twenty (120) day period, then the other
Shareholders will be released from their obligations with respect to such
Drag-Along Notice (but not future Drag-Along transactions).
(c) Subject
to Section 2.11(b), each Shareholder agrees to cast all votes to which such
Shareholder is entitled in respect of its Shares, whether at any annual or
special meeting, by written consent or otherwise, in the same proportion as
Shares are voted by the Initiating Shareholders to approve any transaction
or
series of transactions in connection with which the Initiating Shareholders
exercise their rights in this Section 2.11 (including, without limitation,
any
recapitalization, merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company).
Section
2.12 Buy-out
Right.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, express or implied, contained in
this
Agreement, NPI, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx or their Permitted
Transferees (collectively, the “Minority
Shareholders”)
shall
have the right to sell their Minority Interest to STF (the “Buy-out
Right”),
all
upon the terms and conditions set forth in Section
8.5
of the
Stock Exchange Agreement.
Section
2.13 Call
Option Right. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary, express or implied, contained in this Agreement,
STF
shall have the right, but not the obligation, to acquire 100% of the Minority
Interest from the Minority Stockholders (the “Call
Option”),
under
the terms and conditions set forth in Section
8.6
of the
Stock Exchange Agreement.
ARTICLE
3 - CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE AND AGREEMENTS
Section
3.1 Major
Decisions, Competing Business Ventures and Affiliated
Sales.
(a) Major
Decisions. The
events listed on Exhibit
A
hereto
are deemed to be “Major
Decisions”
for
the
Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation, and except as otherwise prohibited by applicable
law,
for so long as the Buy-out Right referred to in Section
2.12
of this
Agreement and provided for in Section
8.5
of the
Stock Exchange Agreement shall remain in force and effect, the approval of
any
Major Decision shall require the affirmative vote of each of those Shareholders
listed on Schedule
A
who hold
at least twenty (20%) percent of
the
total issued and outstanding Share Capital of the Company. The only Shareholders
empowered to vote on Major Decisions are those persons or entity listed in
Schedule
A.
In the
event a decision from a Shareholder is not forthcoming within a period of ten
(10) business days (as recognized in Hungary) then such Shareholder shall be
deemed to have accepted the Major Decision approved or ratified by the Board
of
Directors or other Shareholders. Each Shareholder has the right at any time
to
remove and to replace its representative to vote on Major Decisions pursuant
to
prior written notification to the Company and to the Shareholders.
8
(b) Competing
Business Ventures. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Stock Exchange
Agreement or in the respective employment agreements dated of even date herewith
between the Company and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx (the “Executive
Employment Agreements”),
in
the event that Solar Thin shall, at any time or from time to time, seek to
acquire or establish, directly, through any Subsidiary (other than the Company)
or in connection with joint ventures with Persons who are not Affiliates of
Solar Thin, one or more PV Facilities to manufacture PV Equipment that produce
PV Modules (a “Competing
Business Venture”),
Solar
Thin shall first comply with the following procedures:
(i) Solar
Thin shall present full details of the business opportunity relating to the
Competing Business Venture to the board of directors of the
Company;
(ii) if
and to
the extent that capital or other funding for the business opportunity relating
to the Competing Business Venture shall be required, if available in the
Company, the Company shall provide such capital or funding; and
(iii) if
the
Company is unable provide such capital or funding, the same shall be provided
by
the Shareholders in proportion to their individual ownership of the
Shares.
Subject
to the foregoing procedures, if New Palace Investments Ltd., a Cyprus
corporation 100% owned by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx (“NPI”),
acting through Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx in accordance with Schedule
A hereto,
pursuant to a Major Decision shall determine that the Company shall not proceed
with or invest in such Competing Business Venture, in and in such event, Solar
Thin may engage in such Competing Business Venture directly itself, through
any
Subsidiary (other than the Company) or in connection with joint ventures with
Persons who are not Affiliates of Solar Thin; provided,
that:
(A) the
Company and the Person established to engage in such Competing Business Venture
shall enter into a non-exclusive technology transfer and license agreement
with
the Company pursuant to which the Company will provide certain mutually agreed
upon technology, personnel expertise, know-how, installation, start-up services
and other intellectual property to such Person, all upon such arms length terms
and conditions as shall be comparable to any similar arrangement entered into
with any Person who is not Affiliated with Solar Thin; and
(B) if
such
Competing Business Venture shall consist of a joint venture or similar
arrangement with any Person who is not an Affiliate of Solar Thin or its
Subsidiaries:
(1) at
or
immediately following the closing of such Competing Business Venture, Solar
Thin
shall assign directly to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx or NPI, a percentage
of the 100% of the equity or earnings and profits of the joint venture or other
entity established to engage in such Competing Business Venture that is owned
or
made available to Solar Thin (the “Available
Solar Thin Equity”)
which
shall be equal to the same percentage by which the Share Capital of Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx or NPI then owned in the Company bears to 100% of
the outstanding Share Capital of the Company (the “Minority
Shareholders’ Equity”);
and
(2) The
Minority Shareholders Equity in any Competing Business Venture shall be
convertible at any time, at the option of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx or
NPI (as applicable) shares of common stock of Solar Thin at a conversion price
equal to 100% of the average of the closing prices of Solar Thin’s common stock
for the 10 trading days immediately prior to the date notice of conversion
is
given.
9
For
the
avoidance of doubt, if (i) the Available Solar Thin Equity in such Competing
Business Venture shall be 40% of 100% of the equity or earnings and profits
of
the joint venture or other entity established to engage in such Competing
Business Venture, and (ii) Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx or NPI then own
40% of the Share Capital of the Company, then and in such event, the Minority
Shareholders’ Equity in such Competing Business Venture shall be 16% of 100% of
the equity or earnings and profits of the joint venture or other entity
established to engage in such Competing Business Venture.
(c) Affiliated
Equipment Purchasers. In
the
event that Solar Thin or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Solar Thin (other than
the Company or its Subsidiaries) in which Solar Thin or such Subsidiary or
Affiliate shall own not less than thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%)
of the equity or earnings and profits, shall engage in the sale of PV Modules,
such Person(s) (an “Affiliated
Equipment Purchaser”)
shall
have the right to purchase PV Equipment from the Company at a price equal to
80%
of the Gross Profit Margin that is then being received by the Company for sales
of similar quantities of PV Equipment to Persons who are not Affiliates
(“Comparable
Sales”);
provided, that such Gross Profit Margin shall not be less than the sum of (i)
cost of goods sold (as determined in accordance with US GAAP), plus 25%. In
addition, unless otherwise agreed as a Major Decision, not more than thirty
percent (30%) of the Company’s annual production of PV Equipment will be
delivered to such Affiliated Equipment Purchasers at the prices and terms and
conditions set forth herein. In such connection, Solar Thin has advised Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx that it intends to establish a PV Facility to
manufacture PV Modules in Ulster County, New York and in connection therewith
intends to purchase PV Equipment from the Company.
(d) Other
Solar Thin Activities. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Stock Exchange
Agreement or in the Executive Employment Agreements, except for a Competing
Business Venture (which shall be subject to the provisions of Section
3.1(b)
above),
Solar Thin shall have the absolute right at any time, or from time to time,
to
engage, either directly or through any Subsidiary or Affiliate other than the
Company or its Subsidiaries) or in connection with any acquisition, joint
venture or related arrangement with any other Person in any business activity,
including, without limitation, (i) the manufacture and production of PV Modules
or other photovoltaic modules using crystalline technologies, copper indium
gallium diselenide (“CIGS”)
technologies, or any other production methods, (ii) other than PV Equipment
to
produce PV Modules, the manufacture and production of equipment to manufacture
and produce photovoltaic modules using crystalline technologies, CIGS
technologies, or any other production methods, (iii) the establishment of power
plants or related power facilities; in each case, without being obligated to
first offer such business opportunity to the Company or to any other
Shareholder.
Section
3.2 Board
Seat and Voting. The
number of members of the Board of Directors of the Company shall be not less
than five (5) persons. For a period equal to the greater of (a) the duration
of
their employment as senior executive officers of the Company, or (b) their
direct or indirect ownership of not less than 20% of the share capital of the
Company (in case any shares owned by any affiliate or family member such shares
shall be deemed as owned by Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx), Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx shall be entitled to serve as directors of the Company and
its Subsidiaries (as defined in the Stock Exchange Agreement) following the
Closing Date of the transactions under the Stock Exchange Agreement. STF shall
designate a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company
and
its Subsidiaries following the Closing Date of the transactions under the Stock
Exchange Agreement. The initial directors designated by STF shall be Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxxx (who shall serve as Chairman of the Board), Xxxxx Xxxxx and Xx. Xxxxx
Xxxxx. All members of the Board of Directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries
shall continue to serve in such capacities until the earlier of their
resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly elected
and
qualified, as the case may be. In the event of the death or inability of either
Krafcsik or Xxxxxxx to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Company
and Subsidiaries, the remaining member of them may designate the second director
who shall serve for the period as set forth above.
10
Section
3.3 Officers. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx shall be appointed as President and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx shall be appointed
as Chief Operating Officer of the Company and as Managing Director and Chief
Operating Officer, respectively, of the Company’s Subsidiary until the earlier
of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly
elected and qualified, as the case may be.
Section
3.4 Related
Party Transactions. The
Company shall not enter into, amend, modify or supplement, or permit any
Subsidiary to enter into, amend, modify or supplement, any agreement,
transaction, commitment or arrangement with any of the Shareholders, or other
Affiliate of a Shareholder or with
any
individual related by blood, marriage or adoption to any such Person, except
on
terms that are fair and reasonable to the Company and its Subsidiaries and
at
prevailing market rates.
Section
3.5 Dividend
Policy.
Unless
otherwise agreed by the Shareholders as a Major Decision, the Company shall
distribute to Shareholders not later than 90 days after the end of each
financial year any Excess Cash.
Section
3.6 Working
Capital Funding Policy.
(a) In
the
event and to the extent that the Company and/or its wholly owned subsidiary
BudaSolar Technologies Kft. requires working capital in addition to the
$3,000,000 provided by Solar Thin under the Stock Exchange Agreement, Solar
Thin
shall undertake in good faith (but shall not be legally obligated) to furnish
such additional working capital, either directly as a loan from Solar Thin
to
the Company or through a financing arranged by Solar Thin directly for the
Company. In such case, the terms and conditions of such additional funding
made
or arranged by Solar Thin, shall be deemed to be a loan with interest calculated
at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) 8% or (b) the actual annual
interest rate being charged to Solar Thin or its Affiliate by any unaffiliated
Person lending such amount of money to Solar Thin or its Affiliate (other than
the Company) that Solar Thin or such Affiliate then lends to the Company or
its
Subsidiaries. All other terms and conditions of such working capital loan
(including repayment terms) shall be approved as a Major Decision by the
Shareholders and shall be subject to the provisions of Section
3.1
of this
Agreement.
(b) The
provisions of Section
3.6(a) shall
not
be applicable to a Competing Business Venture which shall be governed by the
provisions of Section
3.1(b)
of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
4 - GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Section
4.1 Notices.
Except
as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices, requests,
or consents provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must
be
in writing and delivered by (a) personal delivery, or (b) a nationally
recognized overnight courier delivery service (such as Federal Express, UPS,
DHL, or USPS Express Mail) and a notice, request, or consent given under this
Agreement is effective on receipt by the Person to receive it. All notices,
requests, and consents to be sent to the Company or a Shareholder must be sent
to or made at the appropriate address as held by the Company, or to such other
address as is specified by written notice to all parties hereto. Whenever any
notice is required to be given by law or this Agreement, a written waiver
thereof, signed by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the
time stated therein, will be deemed equivalent to the giving of such
notice.
Section
4.2 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Company and the
Shareholders relating to the matters contained herein and supersedes all prior
similar contracts or agreements with respect to the Company or the Shares,
whether oral or written, other than the provisions of the Securities Exchange
Agreement, the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation or any documents
executed pursuant thereto.
11
Section
4.3 Effect
of Waiver or Consent.
A waiver
or consent, express or implied, of any breach or default by any person in the
performance of its obligations with respect to the Company is not a consent
or
waiver of any other breach or default in the performance by that person of
the
same or any other obligations of that person with respect to the Company.
Failure on the part of a person to complain of any act or omission of any person
or to declare any person in breach or default with respect to the Company,
irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not constitute a waiver
by
that person of its rights with respect to that default.
Section
4.4 Amendment
or Modification.
This
Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the written
consent of the Company and by a writing signed by the Company and all of the
Shareholders.
Section
4.5 Binding
Effect.
Subject
to the restrictions on Transfer set forth Article 2, this Agreement is binding
on and inures to the benefit of the Shareholders and their respective heirs,
legal representatives, successors, and assigns.
Section
4.6 Governing
Law. Arbitration; Jurisdiction.
This
Agreement and the legal relations among the parties hereto shall be governed
by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without
giving effect to any principles of conflicts of laws. Any provision of this
Agreement prohibited by the laws of the State of New York shall be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition without invalidating the remaining provisions
of this Agreement.
(b) All
disputes, claims or controversies arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
or any agreement executed and delivered pursuant hereto, or the negotiation,
breach, validity or performance hereof, or the transactions contemplated hereby
which cannot be resolved by good faith negotiations, shall be exclusively
submitted to final and binding arbitration in London England before a panel
of
three arbitrators appointed by the International Chamber of Commerce;
provided,
that
if any
party has no adequate remedy at law he or it may seek emergency injunctive
relief or specific performance before any court of competent jurisdiction in
Hungary or the United States. The decision and award of the arbitrators shall
be
enforceable in any court of competent jurisdiction in the United States and
Hungary.
(c) The
parties covenant and agree that the arbitration shall commence within ninety
(90) days of the date on which a written demand for arbitration is filed by
any
party hereto. In connection with the arbitration proceeding, the arbitrators
shall have the power to order the production of documents by each party and
any
third-party witnesses. In connection with any arbitration, each party shall
provide to the other, no later than seven (7) business days before the date
of
the arbitration, the identity of all persons that may testify at the arbitration
and a copy of all documents that may be introduced at the arbitration or
considered or used by a party’s witness or expert. The arbitrators’ decision and
award shall be made and delivered within six (6) months of the selection of
the
arbitrators. The arbitrators’ decision shall set forth a reasoned basis for any
award of damages or finding of liability. The arbitrators shall not have power
to award damages in excess of actual compensatory damages and shall not multiply
actual damages or award punitive damages or any other damages that are
specifically excluded under this Agreement, and each party hereby irrevocably
waives any claim to such damages.
(d) The
parties covenant and agree that they will participate in the arbitration in
good
faith and that they will, except as provided below, (A) bear their own
attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses in connection with the arbitration, and
(B) share equally in the fees and expenses charged by the arbitrators. The
arbitrators may in their discretion assess costs and expenses (including the
reasonable legal fees and expenses of the prevailing party) against any party
to
the proceeding. Any party unsuccessfully refusing to comply with an order of
the
arbitrators shall be liable for costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees,
incurred by the other party in enforcing the award. This Section 4.10 applies
equally to requests for temporary, preliminary or permanent injunctive relief,
except that in the case of temporary or preliminary injunctive relief any party
may proceed in court without prior arbitration for the purpose of avoiding
immediate and irreparable harm or to enforce its rights under any
non-competition covenants.
12
Section
4.7 Further
Assurances.
In
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, each
Shareholder will execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments
and perform any additional acts necessary or appropriate to effectuate and
perform the provisions of this Agreement and those transactions.
Section
4.8 Offset.
Whenever
the Company is to pay any sum to any Shareholder, any amounts that that
Shareholder owes to the Company may be offset against and deducted from that
sum
before payment.
Section
4.9 Severability.
Should
any part of this Agreement be rendered or declared invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in part of in whole, such invalidation of such part or portion
of
this Agreement should not invalidate the remaining provisions thereof, and
they
shall remain in full force and effect. This regulation is respectively
applicable to any gap in the regulation of this Agreement arising during the
interpretation or fulfilment thereof. It is further agreed that if part of
the
Agreement is determined invalid, either party may open negotiations solely
with
respect to a substitute for such Article, Section, or portion.
Section
4.10 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts with the same effect as
if
all signing parties had signed the same document. All counterparts when signed
and assembled together will constitute a single, fully-executed
instrument.
Section
4.11 Incorporation
of Recitals, Schedules and Exhibits.
All of
the Recitals stated at the beginning of this Agreement and all of the Schedules
and Exhibits attached hereto are hereby incorporated by reference into and
made
a part of this Agreement.
Section
4.12 Acknowledgments
By Shareholders and the Company.
By
executing this Agreement, each Shareholder and the Company acknowledges and
agrees that it (i) has actual notice of all of the provisions of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the restrictions on the transfer of Shares,
(ii)
has received copies of and has read and reviewed the Company’s Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws, and (iii) was strongly encouraged by the Company
to
obtain individual legal counsel before signing this Agreement. Each Shareholder
hereby agrees that this Agreement constitutes adequate notice of all such
provisions, and each Shareholder hereby waives any requirement that any further
notice as required by any provision of Hungarian law or otherwise should be
given.
[Balance
of this page intentionally left blank - signature page
follows]
13
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
undersigned parties have executed this Shareholders’ Agreement effective as of
the date first set forth above.
By:
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
Title:
|
President
|
NEW
PALACE INVESTMENTS LTD.
|
|
By:
|
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
Title:
|
President
and Managing Director
|
|
|
XXXXXX
XXXXXXXX
|
|
XXXXXX
XXXXXXX
|
14
MAJOR
DECISIONS PERTAINING TO THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
1. |
The
amendment of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or
bylaws;
|
2. |
The
merger of the Company with or into or consolidate with any other
corporation;
|
3. |
Any
change the fundamental nature of the Company’s
Business;
|
4. |
The
admission of new Shareholders in the Company or the issuance of any
capital stock or other equity securities of the Company, or the execution
of any agreement to grant, any options, convertibility rights, other
rights, warrants, calls or agreements relating to Company equity
securities;
|
5. |
The
creation, incurrence, assumption, guarantee or otherwise becoming
liable
or obligated with respect to any indebtedness in excess of USD Two
Million
($2,000,000), or the making of any loan or advance to, or any investment
in, any Person, except in each case in the ordinary course of
business;
|
6. |
Any
agreement to consummate the sale, transfer, lease, mortgage, encumber
or
other dispose of any of the assets of the Company or its Buda Solar
subsidiary having a value in excess of USD Two Million
($2,000,000);
|
7. |
The
final terms and conditions of any additional funding contemplated
by
Section
3.6
of
this Agreement.
|
8. |
Except
as contemplated by Article 3, entering into any agreement commercial
or
financial with any Affiliate or Connected Person which involves an
amount
in excess of USD Two Million
($2,000,000).
|
9. |
Except
as contemplated by Article 3, entering into any service agreement
with any
Affiliate or Connected Person which involves an amount in excess
of USD
Two Million ($2,000,000).
|
10. |
Appointment
of the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial
Officer
and the Chief Technology Officer of the Company its
subsidiaries.
|
11. |
Change
of the statutory auditors.
|
12. |
Approval,
adoption or change of annual budgets and approval of unbudgeted capital
expenditure over USD One Million ($
1,000,000).
|
13. |
The
acquisition by the Company of the business, or a majority of the
securities or assets of any Person;
|
14. |
The
purchase any securities of any Person in excess of US$
2,000,000.
|
15. |
Borrowing
any sum exceeding USD Two Million
($2,000,000).
|
16. |
Any
single commercial agreement or commitment (or in a series of related
transactions) in excess of USD Ten Million
($10,000,000).
|
17. |
Initiating
or settlement out of court of any litigation involving an amount
in excess
of USD One Million ($ 1,000,000).
|
18. |
Any
decision with respect to the winding up of the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company;
|
19. |
Entering
into any agreement other than on an arm’s length basis.
|
15
SCHEDULE
A
LIST
OF SHAREHOLDERS AND AFFILIATES
Name
of Shareholder
|
Address
|
|
New
Palace Investments Ltd.
|
Crystal
Offices
Kranbis
Building
00X
Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx
|
Name
of Shareholder
|
Number
of Shares of
Share
Capital
|
Percentage
|
||
60%
|
||||
New
Palace Investments Ltd.
|
40%
|
|||
Total
|
100%
|
Name
of Shareholders of
New
Palace Investments Ltd.
|
Number
of Shares of
Share
Capital
|
Percentage
|
||
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
75%
|
|||
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
25%
|
|||
Name
of Representatives to vote on
Major
Decisions pursuant to Section 3.1
|
||||
The
Chief Executive Officer or
President
of Solar Thin Films, Inc.
|
||||
New
Palace Investments Ltd
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
16