AGREEMENT
DATED
AS
OF: June 1, 2006
The
PARTIES to this Agreement are as follows:
1. |
D.T.
Drinks, LLC., a New York Limited Liability Company, (“Client”) 000 Xxxxxxx
Xx., Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx XX 00000
|
2. |
PRODUCTION
FINANCE INTERNATIONAL, LLC. a Washington Limited Liability Company
(“PFI”)
000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx
00000
|
The
TERMS
of this Agreement are as follows:
RECITALS
I.
CLIENT
has entered into or anticipates entering into contracts (hereinafter
“Contracts”) with various suppliers (hereinafter “Suppliers”) and customers
(hereinafter “Customers”) under which CLIENT has agreed, among other things, to
purchase from Suppliers and furnish to Customers certain products.
II.
CLIENT is in the business of importing and / or exporting, and distributing
Beverages and has requested PFI, and PFI has agreed, subject to the terms
and
conditions of this Agreement, to provide certain purchasing arrangements
with
respect to Beverages specifically identified per Addenda to this Agreement
(hereinafter “Products”) to be provided under the Contracts.
NOW
THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1.
No
commitment: Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, this
Agreement does not commit CLIENT or PFI to participate in any transactions
other
than those specifically agreed upon from time to time as evidenced by signed
Addenda to this Agreement.
2.
Amount: PFI’s aggregate participation with CLIENT in transactions shall not
exceed $1,500,000 at any one time.
3.
Affirmations: As a pre-condition to PFI assisting with transactions under
this
Agreement, CLIENT shall have credit facilities available, acceptable to PFI,
to
support CLIENT’s working capital requirements. CLIENT hereby represents and
affirms that CLIENT is financially solvent, and in good standing with all
creditors and is in compliance with all covenants of lending agreements.
CLIENT
shall immediately inform PFI of any financial insolvency or out-of-compliance
situation with creditors. CLIENT grants to PFI the right to confirm all CLIENT
financing arrangements directly with the financing entities
involved.
4.
Presale of Products: CLIENT shall have pre-sold the Products to Customers
in
amounts, and on credit and delivery terms, acceptable to PFI. CLIENT shall
provide to PFI for review and approval, as applicable, copies of letters
of
credit, purchase orders, and sales contracts from Customers, as well as
outstanding order reports summarizing such orders and contracts with respect
to
Products for which PFI anticipates providing purchase order assistance
(hereinafter “Customer Purchase Orders”). PFI shall have the right to confirm
all sales arrangements directly with Customers. Although it is not expected
that
such shall be necessary, CLIENT shall furnish to PFI, upon PFI’s request, credit
information sufficient in PFI’s opinion, for PFI to credit approve CLIENT’s
Customers. Should such not be available to PFI’s satisfaction, CLIENT authorizes
PFI to select and use a credit research and consulting company (“Credit
Consultant”) to pre-qualify CLIENT’s Customers. All expenses associated with
such Credit Consultant shall become a part of PFI’s Costs as defined herein.
CLIENT hereby agrees to hold harmless and releases PFI from any and all
liability for Customer credit losses regardless of any use or non-use of
such
Credit Consultant.
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5.
Products: CLIENT shall provide to PFI copies of purchase orders to, and order
confirmations from, Suppliers of Products associated with this Agreement.
CLIENT
warrants and represents to PFI that Products delivered from Suppliers shall
conform in every respect, including but not limited to quantity, quality,
style,
and packaging, with existing Customer Purchase Orders, and additionally,
any
further specifications as have been or may be required by CLIENT or CLIENT’s
Customers. CLIENT grants to PFI the right to confirm all purchase arrangements
directly with Suppliers.
6.
Xxxx
of Sale: Upon review and acceptance of the above, and other requirements
per
Addendum by PFI, CLIENT shall present to PFI a xxxx of sale (hereinafter
“Xxxx
of Sale”) which sells, assigns, and transfers to PFI the Products and all of
CLIENT’s purchase and sales documentation related thereto, together with a
non-exclusive right to, license for, and right to sublicense, any trademarks,
tradenames, and service marks used or useful, directly or indirectly, with
respect to, or inherent in, such Products covered by Addenda to this Agreement
(collectively “PFI Assets”). PFI Assets shall thereafter be exclusively owned by
PFI, and CLIENT hereby acknowledges PFI’s exclusive ownership regardless of
whose name appears on documents. Only upon PFI’s acceptance of the Xxxx of Sale,
shall PFI agree to proceed with a PFI transaction; For an import transaction,
PFI shall arrange to have import letters of credit issued (or other payment
arrangements) in favor of Suppliers showing PFI as Applicant; For an export
transaction, PFI shall arrange to make payment to the supplier of Products.
CLIENT hereby grants to PFI the full right and authority to take any action,
which in PFI’s sole discretion, PFI believes to be reasonably necessary to
protect PFI’s interests. This shall include full right and authority to resolve
any questions of non-compliance of documents and to give any instructions
as to
acceptance or rejection of any documents or Products, all without any notice
to,
or any consent from CLIENT.
7.
Currency: In the event the payment to Suppliers and /or letters of credit
issued
to Suppliers are in currencies other than United States dollars CLIENT shall
arrange forward foreign exchange currency contracts, acceptable to PFI, to
hedge
against foreign currency fluctuations.
8.
Security Interest: CLIENT hereby grants to PFI a security interest in all
of the
following CLIENT assets (hereinafter “Collateral”):
All
assets, including all inventory, accounts, accounts receivable, chattel paper,
documents, instruments, contract rights, insurance proceeds, trademarks,
tradenames and other general intangibles, furniture, fixtures, equipment,
and
all proceeds thereof, now owned and hereafter acquired.
CLIENT
shall execute a formal Security Agreement and New York Uniform Commercial
Code
Financing Statement for the benefit of PFI. In addition, CLIENT shall arrange
for the benefit of PFI for the corporate guaranties of Drinks Americas, Inc.
and
the personal guaranties of J. Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxx.
Except
for the security interest granted to PFI herein, CLIENT shall not, without
PFI’s
prior written consent, grant any other security interest in any of the
Collateral to any other party. Prior to PFI assisting CLIENT with any
transactions under this Agreement, CLIENT shall arrange for the benefit of
PFI
general subordination agreements and transaction-specific subordinations
with
Business Alliance Capital Company, all in a form acceptable to PFI.
9.
Importer / Exporter of Record: For import transactions (where Products are
imported into the US), CLIENT shall be the importer of record and Products
shall
be cleared through CLIENT’s U.S. Customs bond. CLIENT shall arrange with all
customs house brokers to have the Products cleared through U.S. Customs,
and
thereafter held in trust for, and under the exclusive control of PFI. All
customs house brokers must be approved in advance by PFI. For export
transactions (where Products sourced in the US or other countries are sold
to
foreign buyers), CLIENT shall be the exporter of record and shall arrange
for
the supply of Products, their inland shipment and their export shipment through
CLIENT’s freight forwarder, subject to PFI’s prior approval of such forwarder.
PFI shall have the right to negotiate revisions to any payment arrangements
directly with any supplier of Products and to control any shipment of the
Products should PFI elect to exercise such rights. CLIENT and PFI shall jointly
execute a letter to PFI’s freight forwarder advising such forwarder of PFI’s
interest in the Products and instructing the forwarder to follow any
instructions PFI might give concerning Products or related shipping documents;
PFI shall have the right to give any such instructions directly to any
forwarders or carriers and to confirm any related matters directly with any
forwarders or carriers. For each letter of credit in CLIENT’S favor concerning
Products, CLIENT shall execute an “authorization to pay proceeds of letter of
credit” (also commonly referred to as “assignment of proceeds”) to the bank
where such letter of credit is payable, in a manner acceptable to such bank
and
in the full amount of the letter of credit. If requested by PFI, CLIENT shall
execute a letter to any bank where a letter of credit covering any Products
is
payable, advising such bank that PFI is CLIENT’s agent for matters concerning
the letter of credit and requesting such bank to act according to PFI’s
instructions concerning such letter of credit or any documents presented
under
it.
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10.
Third
Party Warehousing: If third-party warehousing of the Products is necessary,
CLIENT shall arrange to have the Products received and held in trust for
PFI in
warehouse facilities which have been approved in advance by PFI. Such Products
shall be stored there in PFI’s name and under PFI’s exclusive control. CLIENT
shall arrange for PFI personnel to have unlimited access to the warehouse
facilities and to the Products at all times during regular warehouse working
hours. CLIENT hereby recognizes and agrees that PFI shall have sole authority
to
release the Products from such warehouse facilities, however, PFI shall not
unreasonably withhold such release.
11.
Client Warehousing: Should Products be delivered to CLIENT’s facility for
redistribution or storage, CLIENT shall, as applicable, receive, organize
for
redistribution, and hold the Products under trust receipts and in trust for
PFI
in:
x |
A
field warehouse established by an independent warehouse company
acceptable
to PFI.
|
o |
Secured
sections of CLIENT’s facility, leased to and/or under the exclusive
control of PFI, where Products shall be separate from and not
co-mingled
with the property of others, including the property of CLIENT.
|
Such
Products shall be stored there in PFI’s name and under PFI’s exclusive control.
CLIENT shall arrange for PFI personnel to have unlimited access to such
facilities and to the Products at all times during regular CLIENT working
hours.
CLIENT hereby recognizes and agrees that PFI shall have sole authority to
release the Products from such warehouse facilities, however, PFI shall not
unreasonably withhold such release.
12.
Freight, Duty, Other: Upon CLIENT’s request per Addendum, or Default, and then
only at the sole discretion of PFI, PFI may from time to time agree to arrange
for payments to be made for freight, duty, customs clearance, handling, and
other charges necessary to have the Products delivered to the warehouses
or
Customers, and such payments shall become a component of PFI’s Costs as defined
herein.
13.
Insurance: Ocean/air cargo, storage, and inland transit insurance for the
Products shall be arranged as needed by CLIENT, and such coverage shall have
been pre-approved by PFI and shall name PFI as an Additional Assured. CLIENT
shall provide to PFI copies of such insurance policies evidencing PFI’s
Additional Assured status. CLIENT guaranties to make declarations as required
in
their insurance policies and shall notify PFI immediately of any loss or
damage
which might occur. CLIENT agrees to reimburse PFI for any Products lost,
damaged, or spoiled within 90 days from the occurrence and shall pay PFI
immediately upon presentation to CLIENT of a PFI invoice. The payment amount
shall be calculated in accordance with Sections 15(A), 15(B), 15(C), 15(D),
and
15(E) below.
14.
Product Liability Insurance: At PFI’s discretion, PFI may require Product
liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of US $1,000,000 be arranged
by CLIENT and such policy shall name PFI as Additional Assured. CLIENT shall
provide to PFI copies of such insurance policy evidencing PFI’s Additional
Assured status.
15.
Client’s Repurchase of Products: Regardless of the status or location of the
Products, CLIENT hereby agrees to re-purchase and take delivery of the Products
from PFI, without recourse to PFI for defects, mispackaging, mislabeling,
damage
caused in transit or storage, Customer returns, Customer claims, product
liability, or for any other reason, and shall pay for such Products in
accordance with the terms stipulated per Addendum to this Agreement. Unless
otherwise instructed per Addendum to this Agreement, CLIENT shall arrange
for
payments to be wire transferred to PFI’s account as follows:
U.S.
BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Spokane Main Branch, Spokane, Washington
ABA:
000-000-000
To
Benefit: Production Finance International, LLC.
Account
Number: 153 5916 87816
The
payment amount shall be the sum total of the following:
A) |
PFI’s
costs (hereinafter “PFI’s Costs”) which shall include, but not be limited
to, the amounts paid, or to be paid, to Suppliers and agents for
Products,
freight, warehousing, insurance, handling and bank charges (including
all
banking fees relating to the issuance, amendment, collection, and
negotiation of import letters of credit), if any, paid or incurred
by PFI.
|
B) |
Interest
(hereinafter “Interest”) on the amount of PFI’s Costs from the dates paid
by PFI to the dates payments are received by PFI at a per annum
rate equal
to the Prime Rate plus 5%. For the purpose of this Agreement, “Prime Rate”
means the prime rate that the Wall Street Journal from time to
times
identifies as the “Prime Rate” in its “Money Rates” section, and is not
necessarily the lowest rate a bank may offer to any borrower or
group of
borrowers.
|
C) |
Other
costs (hereinafter “Other Costs”) which shall include, but not be limited
to UCC investigation and filing fees, credit agency fees, reasonable
attorney fees related to this Agreement and Addenda thereto, if
any, paid
or incurred by PFI. D) Commission (hereinafter “Commission”) to PFI on
PFI’s Costs in an amount to be agreed by the parties per Addendum.
E) PFI
Service Fees (hereinafter “Fees”) for special services performed by PFI,
which may include but not be limited to, amendments to PFI letters
of
credit to Suppliers, amendments to PFI Addenda, drawings under
Supplier
letters of credit, letter of credit drawings on settled Addenda,
etc. This
list of examples is not meant to be exclusive. A PFI Service Fee
Schedule
shall be sent out and adjusted from time to time at the discretion
of
PFI.
|
D) |
Commission
(hereinafter “Commission”) to PFI on PFI’s Costs in an amount to be agreed
by the parties per Addendum.
|
E) |
PFI
Service Fees (hereinafter “Fees”) for special services performed by PFI,
which may include but not be limited to, amendments to PFI letters
of
credit to Suppliers, amendments to PFI Addenda, drawings under
Supplier
letters of credit, letter of credit drawings on settled Addenda,
etc. This
list of examples is not meant to be exclusive. A PFI Service Fee
Schedule
shall be sent out and adjusted from time to time at the discretion
of
PFI.
|
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Should
for any reason whatsoever CLIENT not take delivery of the Products from PFI,
and/or payments not be received by PFI from CLIENT within the time and/or
according to the terms stated per Addendum, CLIENT agrees the Commission
due to
PFI shall be increased by 3%.
16.
Payments to PFI: In consideration of PFI agreeing to assist with a particular
transaction as evidenced by a signed Addendum hereto, CLIENT agrees that,
should
for any reason whatsoever a transaction not be completed, CLIENT shall pay
PFI
amounts due calculated in accordance with Sections 15(A), 15(B), 15(C), 15(D),
and 15(E) above. CLIENT recognizes and agrees that the minimum Commission
due
PFI on each Addendum shall be determined per Addendum.
17.
Authorization: CLIENT hereby authorizes PFI to prepare and execute on behalf
of
CLIENT any missing or incorrect documents which may be required to complete
transactions covered by Addenda hereto, and to make any presentation of such
documents to any party which PFI, in its sole discretion, deems reasonable
and
necessary. CLIENT shall execute a formal Power of Attorney for the benefit
of
PFI.
18.
Information: CLIENT shall provide, or arrange to provide, to PFI the following
financial information which shall be prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied:
x |
Interim
financial statements for Client (including an income statement
and balance
sheet) as soon as possible, but no later than 30 calendar days
after each
o
month-end;
x
quarter-end; o
fiscal
semi-annual period-end.
|
x |
Accounts
Receivable Agings, and o
Accounts Payable
agings as soon as possible, but no later than 30 calendar days
after each
o month-end; x
quarter-end; o fiscal semi-annual
period-end.
|
x |
Fiscal
year-end financial statements for CLIENT (including an income statement,
balance sheet, statement of change of financial condition, and
retained
earnings statement, all with footnotes) as soon as possible, but
no later
than 90 days after CLIENT’s fiscal year-end. Such financial statements
shall be: o audited, o
reviewed, x compiled, by CLIENT’s Certified
Public Accountant (“CPA”); o
internally prepared by CLIENT’s accounting staff. All CPA charges and fees
shall be for the account of CLIENT. PFI shall have the right to
discuss
CLIENT’s financial condition and financial statements, directly with
CLIENT’s CPA.
|
x |
Current
financial statements on all guarantors to be provided
annually.
|
x |
Any other reasonable financial information requested by PFI, including
information relating to CLIENT’S financing arrangements and availability
with lenders and factors.
|
19.
No
payments or transfers: As a pre-condition to PFI assisting with transactions
under this Agreement CLIENT agrees there shall be no payment or transfer
of
funds, out of the ordinary course of business, from CLIENT to any CLIENT
parent
company, subsidiary, affiliate, officer, investor, employee, or any other
party
without the prior written consent of PFI, however, PFI shall not unreasonably
withhold such consent.
20.
Time
is of the essence of this Agreement and each of its provisions. Default shall
occur under this Agreement if the CLIENT fails to perform in accordance with
any
Section or sub-section of this Agreement or Addenda thereto, or if there
is a
Default under any other agreement between CLIENT and PFI, or if there is
a
Default under any security documents securing this Agreement. Should any
one or
combination of these events occur, and CLIENT fails to cure such event(s)
of
Default within 5 business days following PFI providing written notice, the
entire amount of PFI’s Costs, Interest, Other Costs, Commission and Fees shall
without notice become immediately due and payable at the option of PFI, and
furthermore, all amounts due PFI from CLIENT, shall immediately and without
notice, bear Interest at a per annum rate equal to the Prime Rate plus 8%.
PFI,
as owner of the Products and PFI Assets, shall have the right to sell the
Products and to retain for its own account any and all proceeds of sale until
all amounts due PFI from CLIENT pursuant to this Agreement are paid in full.
CLIENT agrees that if PFI sells the Products upon CLIENT’s Default, PFI shall be
doing so as the sole owner of the Products. In Default, CLIENT agrees to
assist
PFI in good faith in the sale of Products, and shall not obstruct in any
way
PFI’s sales efforts. CLIENT shall make available CLIENT’s sales force to assist
in fulfilling orders, taking new orders, or otherwise liquidating Products
on
any terms which PFI, in its sole discretion, may deem
reasonable.
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21.
Hold
Harmless: CLIENT hereby recognizes, agrees, and acknowledges that PFI is
not a
party to, and shall not be or become responsible to Customers, Suppliers,
or any
other party for performance under the Contracts. Except for acts of gross
negligence committed by PFI, CLIENT hereby agrees to indemnify PFI, its
officers, employees, and agents for, and agrees to hold them harmless from,
any
liabilities, claims, demands, costs, damages, or other expenses, including,
but
not limited to reasonable attorney fees at trial and on appeal arising out
of or
relating to the Contracts. This shall include an indemnification to PFI,
its
officers, employees, and agents by CLIENT to hold them harmless from any
claim
against PFI’s use of another person’s or entity’s trademark(s), trade name(s),
or service xxxx(s) under this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 21
shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.
22.
Hold
Harmless: Except for acts of gross negligence committed by PFI, CLIENT hereby
agrees to indemnify PFI, its officers, employees, and agents for, and agrees
to
hold them harmless from, any liabilities, claims, demands, costs, damages,
fines, taxes, duties, or other expenses sought by any party, including but
not
limited to attorney fees at trial and on appeal arising out of or relating
to
this Agreement. The provisions of this Section 22 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement.
23.
Disputes. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement,
or breach thereof, shall be settled in accordance with the laws of the State
of
Washington and shall be commenced in the city and county of Spokane, Washington.
Attorney’s fees of the prevailing party shall be born by the non-prevailing
party.
24.
Representations. CLIENT represents that it is the business entity type and
is
duly organized under the laws of the state which are indicated in the first
paragraph of this Agreement, and has full power and authority to enter into
this
Agreement and perform the client obligations hereunder. CLIENT further
represents that it: (1) has received and is in compliance with all federal,
state and local permits, licenses, and approvals necessary to perform its
business and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (2) execution
of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein will not violate
any
provision of CLIENT’s Articles of Organization or Bylaws, or any law,
regulation, ordinance, order, award, judgment or decree to which CLIENT is
a
party or bound, and (3) no consent of any governmental or regulatory authority
is or will be required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
25.
Compliance with Laws. CLIENT shall strictly observe and comply with all federal,
state and local laws and regulations which govern the manufacture, sale,
handling and disposal of any Products referred to herein. If CLIENT violates
or
is officially charged with violation of any such laws or regulations, then
PFI
in its sole discretion may treat such conduct as a breach of this entire
Agreement, and in addition to any other remedies may immediately terminate
this
Agreement.
26.
Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit
of
the parties and their successors and assigns, provided that CLIENT shall
not
assign its rights or delegate the performance of its duties under this Agreement
without the prior written consent of PFI.
27.
Collection Costs. Should litigation be commenced, CLIENT hereby promises
to pay
all costs of collecting past due amounts. Without limiting the foregoing,
in the
event that PFI consults an attorney regarding the enforcement of any of its
rights under this Agreement or any document securing the same, or if this
Agreement is placed in the hands of an attorney for collection, or if litigation
is brought to enforce this Agreement or any documents securing same, CLIENT
promises to pay all costs thereof including such additional sums as the court
or
may adjudge reasonable as attorney fees, including without limitation, costs
and
attorney fees incurred in any appellate court, in any proceeding under the
bankruptcy code, or in any receivership.
28.
Notice. Any notice or other communications transmitted by either party to
the
other may be hand delivered, sent by facsimile transmission, or sent by courier,
regular mail, or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the address
shown
in this Agreement, or such other place as each party may hereafter designate
to
the other party in writing. All such notices and communications so provided
shall be deemed sufficiently given and served.
29.
Remedies. All remedies provided for in this Agreement are distinct and
cumulative to any other right or remedy afforded by law or equity and, to
the
extent permitted by law, may be exercised concurrently, independently, or
successively.
30.
No
Verbal Agreements. There shall be no verbal agreements which qualify, modify,
or
supplement this Agreement.
31.
No
waivers. No waiver of any right on one occasion shall be a waiver of the
same or
any other right on a subsequent occasion. Any invalidity, in whole or in
part,
or any provision herein shall not affect the validity of any other provision.
No
delay or omission on the part of PFI in exercising any right under this
Agreement shall operate as a waiver of such right or any other
right.
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32.
Facsimiles. CLIENT acknowledges and agrees that each Addenda and supporting
transactional documentation signed by CLIENT and received by PFI in the form
of
a document reproduced by facsimile transmission (a “FAX reproduction”) is
intended to be and shall be deemed to be an original signature and document,
and
such FAX reproduction (and any duplicate made thereof) shall be effective
for
all purposes to the same extent as if it were the original.
33.
Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced
in
accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. Any legal action related
thereto and/or related to this Agreement shall be commenced in Spokane,
Washington, and the parties agree that they will be subject to the jurisdiction
of the Courts of Spokane County, Washington.
D.T. DRINKS, LLC PRODUCTION FINANCE INTERNATIONAL, LLC | |||
By: | By: | ||
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Title:
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Title:
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