AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION AMONG CONFEDERATE MOTORS, INC., (f/k/a FRENCH PEAK RESOURCES INC.) CONFEDERATE ACQUISITION CORP. AND CONFEDERATE MOTOR COMPANY, INC. February 12, 2009
Exhibit
2.1
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
AMONG
(f/k/a
FRENCH PEAK RESOURCES INC.)
CONFEDERATE
ACQUISITION CORP.
AND
CONFEDERATE
MOTOR COMPANY, INC.
February
12, 2009
ARTICLE I - THE
MERGER
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2
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1.1
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The
Merger.
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2
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1.2
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The
Closing.
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2
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1.3
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Actions
at the Closing.
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2
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1.4
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Additional
Actions.
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3
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1.5
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Conversion
of Company Securities.
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3
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1.6
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Dissenting
Shares.
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4
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1.7
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Fractional
Shares.
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5
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1.8
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Options.
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5
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1.9
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Intentionally
Omitted.
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6
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1.10
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Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws.
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6
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1.11
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No
Further Rights.
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7
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1.12
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Closing
of Transfer Books.
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7
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1.13
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Post-Closing
Adjustment.
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7
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1.14
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Exemption
From Registration.
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8
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ARTICLE II - REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
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8
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2.1
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Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power. | 9 | |
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2.2
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Capitalization.
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9
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2.3
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Authorization
of Transaction.
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10
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2.4
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Noncontravention.
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10
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2.5
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Subsidiaries.
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11
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2.6
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Financial
Statements.
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12
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2.7
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Absence
of Certain Changes.
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13
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2.8
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Undisclosed
Liabilities..
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13
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2.9
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Tax
Matters.
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13
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2.10
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Assets.
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16
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2.11
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Owned
Real Property.
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16
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2.12
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Real
Property Leases.
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16
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2.13
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Contracts.
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17
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2.14
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Accounts
Receivable.
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18
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2.15
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Powers
of Attorney.
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18
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-i-
2.16 | Insurance. | 19 | |
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2.17
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Litigation.
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19
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2.18
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Employees.
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19
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2.19
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Employee
Benefits.
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20
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2.20
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Environmental
Matters.
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23
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2.21
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Legal
Compliance.
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24
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2.22
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Customers
and Suppliers.
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24
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2.23
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Permits.
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24
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2.24
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Certain
Business Relationships With Affiliates.
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24
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2.25
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Brokers’
Fees.
|
25
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2.26
|
Books
and Records.
|
25
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2.27
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Intellectual
Property.
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25
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2.28
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Disclosure.
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26
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2.29
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Duty
to Make Inquiry.
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26
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2.30
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Board
Actions.
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26
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ARTICLE III - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT AND THE ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY |
26
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3.1
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Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power. | 27 | |
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3.2
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Capitalization.
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27
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3.3
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Authorization
of Transaction.
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28
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3.4
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Noncontravention.
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28
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3.5
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Subsidiaries.
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29
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3.6
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Exchange
Act Reports.
|
30
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3.7
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Compliance
with Laws.
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30
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3.8
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Financial
Statements.
|
31
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3.9
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Absence
of Certain Changes.
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31
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3.10
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Litigation.
|
31
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3.11
|
Undisclosed
Liabilities.
|
32
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3.12
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Tax
Matters.
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32
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3.13
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Assets.
|
33
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3.14
|
Owned
Real Property.
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34
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3.15
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Real
Property Leases.
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34
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3.16
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Contracts.
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34
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-ii-
3.17 | Accounts Receivable. | 36 | |
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3.18
|
Powers
of Attorney.
|
36
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3.19
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Insurance
|
36
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3.20
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Warranties.
|
37
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3.21
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Employees.
|
37
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3.22
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Employee
Benefits.
|
37
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3.23
|
Environmental
Matters.
|
39
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3.24
|
Permits.
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40
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3.25
|
Certain
Business Relationships With Affiliates.
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40
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3.26
|
Tax-Free
Reorganization.
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41
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3.27
|
Split-Off.
|
42
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3.28
|
Brokers’
Fees
|
42
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3.29
|
Disclosure.
|
42
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3.30
|
Interested
Party Transactions.
|
43
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3.31
|
Duty
to Make Inquiry.
|
43
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3.32
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Accountants.
|
43
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3.33
|
Minute
Books.
|
44
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3.34
|
Board
Action.
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44
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ARTICLE IV - COVENANTS |
44
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4.1
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Closing
Efforts.
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44
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4.2
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Governmental
and Third-Party Notices and Consents.
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44
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4.3
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Current
Report.
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45
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4.4
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Operation
of Company’s Business.
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45
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4.5
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Access
to Company Information.
|
46
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4.6
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Operation
of Parent’s Business.
|
47
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4.7
|
Access
to Parent Information.
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49
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4.8
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Expenses.
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49
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4.9
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Indemnification.
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50
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4.10
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Listing
of Merger Shares.
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50
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4.11
|
Name
Change.
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50
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4.12
|
Split-Off.
|
50
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4.13
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Stock
Option Plan.
|
50
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4.14
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Information
Provided to Company Stockholders.
|
51
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-iii-
4.16 | No Shorting. | 51 | |
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4.17
|
Plan
of Reorganization.
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52
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ARTICLE V - CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF MERGER |
52
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5.1
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Conditions
to Each Party’s Obligations.
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52
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5.2
|
Conditions
to Obligations of the Parent and the Acquisition
Corp.
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52
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5.3
|
Conditions
to Obligations of the Company.
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54
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ARTICLE
VI - INTENTIONALLY OMITTED
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ARTICLE VII - DEFINITIONS |
61
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ARTICLE VIII - TERMINATION |
64
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8.1
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Termination
by Mutual Agreement.
|
64
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8.2
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Termination
for Failure to Close.
|
64
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8.3
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Termination
by Operation of Law.
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64
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8.5
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Effect
of Termination or Default; Remedies.
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65
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8.6
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Remedies;
Specific Performance.
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65
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ARTICLE IX - MISCELLANEOUS |
66
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9.1
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Press
Releases and Announcements.
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66
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9.2
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No
Third Party Beneficiaries.
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66
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9.3
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Entire
Agreement.
|
66
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9.4
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Succession
and Assignment.
|
66
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9.5
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Counterparts
and Facsimile Signature.
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66
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9.6
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Headings.
|
67
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9.7
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Notices.
|
67
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9.8
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Governing
Law.
|
68
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9.9
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Amendments
and Waivers.
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68
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9.10
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Severability.
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68
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9.11
|
Submission
to Jurisdiction.
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68
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9.12
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Construction.
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69
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-iv-
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER AND REORGANIZATION
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER (this 'Agreement'), dated as
of February 12, 2009, by and among Confederate Motors, Inc. (formerly
known as French Peak Resources Inc.) a Delaware corporation (the 'Parent'), Confederate
Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation ('Acquisition Corp.')
and Confederate Motor Company, Inc., a Louisiana corporation (the 'Company'). The
Parent, the Acquisition Corp. and the Company are each a 'Party' and referred to
collectively herein as the 'Parties.'
WHEREAS,
this Agreement contemplates a merger of the Acquisition Corp. with and into the
Company, with the Company remaining as the surviving entity after the merger
(the 'Merger'),
whereby the stockholders of the Company will receive common stock of the Parent
in exchange for their shares of capital stock of the Company;
WHEREAS,
simultaneously with the closing of the Merger, the Parent shall complete a
private placement of a minimum (the 'Minimum Amount') of
1,050,000 shares of the Parent’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
'Parent Common
Stock') and a maximum (the 'Maximum Amount') of
1,716,667 shares of Parent Common Stock (the 'Private Placement
Offering') at the purchase price of $1.50 per share (the 'PPO Price') (it being
understood that the conversion into Units at the closing of the Merger of up to
$225,000 outstanding principal under certain bridge notes shall be counted
toward the Minimum Amount and the Maximum Amount);
WHEREAS,
contemporaneously with the closing of the Merger, the Parent intends to
split-off its wholly owned subsidiary, French Peak Acquisition
Corp., a Delaware corporation ('FPAC'), through the
sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of FPAC (the 'Split-Off') upon the
terms and conditions of a split-off agreement by and among Parent, Xxxx Xxxxxxx (the
'Buyer'), the
Company and FPAC, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached
hereto (the 'Split-Off
Agreement');
WHEREAS,
contemporaneously with the closing of the Merger, the Parent intends to obtain
stockholder approval to amend its Certificate of Incorporation to (a) increase
its authorized capital stock to 225,000,000 shares of which 200,000,000 will be
designated Parent Common Stock and 25,000,000 will be designated preferred
stock, (b) effect a reverse split such that 1 share of Parent Common Stock will
be issued for every 3.167420814 shares of Parent Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to filing of the amendment (the 'Reverse Split') and ,
(c) change its name to Confederate Motors, Inc.; and
-1-
WHEREAS,
the Parent, the Acquisition Corp., and the Company desire that the Merger
qualify as a 'reorganization' under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the 'Code').
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants
herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt,
adequacy and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto,
intending legally to be bound, agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I - THE MERGER
1.1 The Merger. Upon and
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Acquisition Corp.
shall merge with and into the Company at the Effective Time (as defined below).
From and after the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of the
Acquisition Corp. shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving
corporation in the Merger (the 'Surviving
Corporation'). The 'Effective Time' shall be the later to occur of (i)
the time at which the Company files a certificate of merger (the 'Louisiana
Certificate') or other appropriate documents prepared and executed in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the Business Corporation Law of
Louisiana, as amended (the 'BCL') with the
Secretary of State of the State of Louisiana and (ii) the time at which a
certificate of merger (the 'Delaware
Certificate') prepared and executed in accordance with Section 252(c) of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (the 'GCL') is filed with
the Secretary of State of Delaware. The Merger shall have the effects set forth
in Section 259 of the GCL and as set forth in Section 12:115 of the
BCL.
1.2 The Closing. The
closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the 'Closing') shall take
place at the offices of the Company in Birmingham, Alabama commencing at 10:00
a.m. local time on the date hereof, or, if all of the conditions to the
obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
have not been satisfied or waived by such date, on such mutually agreeable later
date as soon as practicable (and in any event not later than three (3) business
days) after the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions (excluding the delivery
of any documents to be delivered at the Closing by any of the Parties) set forth
in Article V hereof (the 'Closing
Date').
1.3 Actions at the
Closing. At the Closing:
(a) the
Company shall deliver to the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. the various
certificates, instruments and documents referred to in Section 5.2;
-2-
(b) the
Parent and the Acquisition Corp. shall deliver to the Company the various
certificates, instruments and documents referred to in Section 5.3;
(c) the
Surviving Corporation shall file the Delaware Certificate with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware and with the Louisiana Certificate with the
Secretary of State of the State of Louisiana;
(e) the
parent shall deliver to the Company (i) evidence that the Parent’s Board of
Directors shall consist of five individuals, (ii) the resignations of all
individuals who served as directors and/or officers of the Parent immediately
prior to the Closing Date, which resignations shall be effective as of the
Closing Date, (iii) evidence of the appointment of five directors to serve
immediately upon the Closing Date, three of whom shall have been designated by
H. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, CEO of the Company, who shall also serve without standing
for re-election as Chairman of the Board for a period of five years beginning at
the Closing Date, (iv) evidence of the Chairman’s right to appoint a majority of
Directors for the same period of five years, and (v) evidence of the appointment
of such executive officers of the Parent to serve immediately upon the Closing
Date as shall have been designated by the Company.
As used
herein, the 'Company
Stockholders' means, collectively, the stockholders of record of the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time.
1.4 Additional Actions.
If at any time after the Effective Time the Surviving Corporation shall consider
or be advised that any deeds, bills of sale, assignments or assurances or any
other acts or things are necessary, desirable or proper (a) to vest, perfect or
confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation, its right, title
or interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises,
properties or assets of either the Company or the Acquisition Corp. or (b)
otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, the Surviving Corporation
and its proper officers and directors or their designees shall be authorized (to
the fullest extent allowed under applicable law) to execute and deliver, in the
name and on behalf of either the Company or the Acquisition Corp., all such
deeds, bills of sale, assignments and assurances and do, in the name and on
behalf of the Company or the Acquisition Corp., all such other acts and things
necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect or confirm its right, title or
interest in, to or under any of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises,
properties or assets of the Company or the Acquisition Corp., as applicable, and
otherwise to carry out the purposes of this Agreement.
1.5 Conversion of Company
Securities. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without
any action on the part of any Party or the holder of any of the following
securities:
-3-
(a) Each
share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the
'Company
Shares') issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
(including each Company Share issued upon conversion of the Class B Non-Voting
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the 'Class B Shares') and
the Class C Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the 'Preferred Stock') as
contemplated by Section 5.1(e) hereof, but not including any Company Shares
owned beneficially by the Parent or the Acquisition Corp. and any Dissenting
Share (as defined below)) shall be converted into and represent the right to
receive (subject to the provisions of Section 1.6) such number of shares of
Parent Common Stock as is equal to the Common Conversion Ratio (as defined
below). An aggregate of 8,895,000 shares of
Parent Common Stock shall be issued to the Company Stockholders upon conversion
of their Company Shares in connection with the Merger.
(b) The
'Common Conversion Ratio' shall be obtained by dividing (i) 8,895,000 by (ii)
the total number of issued and outstanding Company Shares immediately prior to
the Effective Time (after giving effect to the conversion of all of the Class B
Shares and Preferred Stock as contemplated by Section
5.1(e)). Subject to Section 1.12, the Company Stockholders shall be
entitled to receive immediately 100 %
of the shares of Parent Common Stock into which their Company Shares were
converted pursuant to this Section 1.5 (the 'Merger
Shares').
(c) Each
issued and outstanding share of common stock, no par value per share, of the
Acquisition Corp. shall be converted into one validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable share of Surviving Corporation Common Stock.
1.6 Dissenting
Shares.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, 'Dissenting Shares' means Company Shares held as of
the Effective Time by a Company Stockholder who has not voted such Company
Shares in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the Merger and with
respect to which appraisal shall have been duly demanded and perfected in
accordance with Section 12:131 of the BCL and has not effectively withdrawn or
lost such right as of the Effective Time and not effectively withdrawn or
forfeited prior to the Effective Time. Dissenting Shares shall not be converted
into or represent the right to receive shares of Parent Common Stock unless such
Company Stockholder’s right to appraisal shall have ceased in accordance with
Section 12:131 of the BCL. If such Company Stockholder has so forfeited or
withdrawn his, her or its right to appraisal of Dissenting Shares, then,
(i) as
-4-
of the
occurrence of such event, such holder’s Dissenting Shares shall cease to be
Dissenting Shares and shall be converted into and represent the right to receive
the Merger Shares issuable in respect of such Company Shares pursuant to
Section 1.5, and (ii) promptly following the occurrence of such event,
the Parent shall deliver to such Company Stockholder a certificate representing
the Merger Shares to which such holder is entitled pursuant to
Section 1.5.
(b) The
Company shall give the Parent prompt notice of any written demands for appraisal
of any Company Shares, withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments
that relate to such demands received by the Company. The Company shall not,
except with the prior written consent of the Parent, make any payment with
respect to any demands for appraisal of Company Shares or offer to settle or
settle any such demands.
1.7 Fractional Shares. No
certificates or scrip representing fractional Merger Shares shall be issued to
Company Stockholders on the surrender for exchange of certificates that
immediately prior to the Effective Time represented Company Shares converted
into Merger Shares pursuant to Section 1.5 ('Certificates') and
such Company Stockholders shall not be entitled to any voting rights, rights to
receive any dividends or distributions or other rights as a stockholder of the
Parent with respect to any fractional Merger Shares that would have otherwise
been issued to such Company Stockholders. In lieu of any fractional Merger
Shares that would have otherwise been issued, each former Company Stockholder
that would have been entitled to receive a fractional Merger Share shall, on
proper surrender of such person’s Certificates, receive such whole number of
Merger Shares as is equal to the precise number of Merger Shares to which such
Company Stockholder would be entitled, rounded up or down to the nearest whole
number (with a fractional interest equal to 0.5 rounded upward to the nearest
whole number); provided that each such Company Stockholder shall receive at
least one Merger Share.
1.8 Options.
a) As
of the Effective Time, all outstanding options and warrants to purchase Company
Shares issued by the Company, whether vested or unvested, (the 'Old Options') shall
automatically be converted to become options to purchase shares of Parent Common
Stock ('Parent
Options'), without further action by the holder thereof; provided,
however, that each such resulting Parent Option shall be issued by Parent
promptly after (and not before) the issuance thereof is permitted by applicable
securities law. Each Parent Option shall constitute the right to
acquire such number of shares of Parent Common Stock as is equal to the number
of Company Shares subject to the unexercised portion of the corresponding Old
Option multiplied by the Common
-5-
Conversion
Ratio (with any fraction resulting from such multiplication to be rounded down
to the nearest whole number). The exercise price per share of each Parent Option
shall be equal to the exercise price of such Old Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time, divided by the Common Conversion Ratio (rounded up to the
nearest whole cent). The Parent Options that replace Company Plan
Options shall be granted under Parent’s 2008 Equity Incentive
Plan. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 1.8, each
Parent Option shall have the same terms as the Old Option it
replaces. Prior to the Effective Time, the Parent shall adopt a 2008
Equity Incentive Plan (the 'Parent Option
Plan'). The number of shares of
Parent Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Parent Option Plan as of
immediately after the Effective Time shall be 1,105,000
shares.
(b) As
soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the Parent or the Surviving
Corporation shall take appropriate actions to collect the Old Options and the
agreements evidencing the Old Options, which shall be treated as canceled and
shall entitle the holder to exchange the Old Options for Parent Options in the
Parent.
(c) The
Parent shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a
sufficient number of shares of Parent Common Stock for delivery upon exercise of
the Parent Options to be issued for Old Options in accordance with this
Section 1.8.
1.9 Intentionally
Omitted.
1.10 Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws.
(a) The
certificate of incorporation of the Company in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until duly amended or repealed.
(b) The
bylaws of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended or
repealed.
1.11 No Further Rights
From and after the Effective Time, no Company Shares shall be deemed to be
outstanding, and holders of Certificates shall cease to have any rights with
respect thereto, except as provided herein or by law.
1.12 Closing of Transfer
Books. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of the Company
shall be closed and no transfer of Company Shares shall thereafter be made. If,
after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Parent or the
Surviving Corporation, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for Merger Shares
in accordance with Section 1.5, subject to Section 1.9 and to
applicable law in the case of Dissenting Shares.
-6-
1.13 Post-Closing
Adjustment. In the event that, during the period commencing from the
Closing Date and ending on the second anniversary of the Closing Date, the
Parent Group incurs any Loss with respect to, in connection with, or arising
from any Parent Liabilities, then promptly following the filing by the Parent
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC') of a quarterly
report relating to the most recent completed quarter for which such
determination has been made, the Parent shall issue to the Company Stockholders
and/or their designees such number of shares of Parent Common Stock as would
result from dividing (x) the whole dollar amount representing such Losses
by (y) the PPO Price. The limit on the aggregate number of shares of Parent
Common Stock issuable under this Section 1.13 shall be 2,000,000 shares (subject
to adjustment for any stock split, stock dividend or the like after the
Effective Time). As used in this Section 1.13: (a) 'Loss' shall mean any and all
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs,
reasonable accountants’ fees, and damages and losses, net of any insurance
proceeds actually received by the Party suffering the Loss with respect thereto;
(b) 'Claims' shall include, but are not limited to, any claim, notice, suit,
action, investigation and other proceedings (whether actual or threatened); and
(c) 'Parent Liabilities' shall mean all Claims against FPAC or the Parent, and
all liabilities, obligations or indebtedness of any nature whatsoever of FPAC,
whenever accruing, and of the Parent, accruing on or before the Closing Date
(whether primary, secondary, direct, indirect, liquidated, unliquidated or
contingent, matured or unmatured), including, but not limited to (i) any breach
by the Parent or the Acquisition Corp. of any of their respective
representations or warranties set forth in Article III herein, (ii) any breach
by the Parent of any of the representations or warranties set forth in the
subscription agreement delivered to investors in connection with the Private
Placement Offering that has its basis in the operations of Parent prior to the
Closing, (iii) any litigation threatened, pending or for which a basis exists,
that has resulted or may result in the entry of judgment in damages or otherwise
against the Parent or any Parent Subsidiary (as defined in this Agreement); (iv)
any and all outstanding debts owed by the Parent or any Parent Subsidiary; (v)
any and all internal or employee related disputes, arbitrations or
administrative proceedings threatened, pending or otherwise outstanding, (vi)
any and all liens, foreclosures, settlements, or other threatened, pending or
otherwise outstanding financial, legal or similar obligations of the Parent or
any Parent Subsidiary, (vii) any and all Taxes for which Parent or any of its
direct or indirect assets may be liable or subject, for any taxable period (or
portion thereof) ending on or before the Closing Date, including, without
limitation, any and all Taxes resulting from or attributable to Parent’s
ownership or operation of the FPAC assets, (viii) any and all Taxes for which
Parent or its assets may be liable or subject (including, without limitation,
the interests and assets of the Surviving Corporation and any Parent Subsidiary)
as a consequence of Parent’s acquisition, formation, capitalization, ownership,
and Split-Off of FPAC, whether related
-7-
to a
taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or after the Closing Date, and
(ix) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with effecting the adjustments
contemplated by this Section 1.13, as such Parent Liabilities are determined by
the Parent’s independent auditors, on a quarterly basis. As used
herein, (i) 'Parent
Group' means the Parent, its Subsidiaries (including the Company after
the Effective Time) and the Company’s stockholders of record as of immediately
prior to the Merger; and (ii) 'Parent Subsidiary'
means any Subsidiary of the Parent, including the Company after the Effective
Time.
1.14 Exemption From
Registration. Parent and the Company intend that the shares of Parent
Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Section 1.5 hereof or upon exercise
of Parent Options granted pursuant to Section 1.8 hereof in each case in
connection with the Merger will be issued in a transaction exempt from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ('Securities Act'), by
reason of section 4(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D
promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
ARTICLE
II - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The
Company represents and warrants to the Parent that the statements contained in
this Article II are true and correct, except as set forth in the disclosure
schedule provided by the Company to the Parent on the date hereof and hereby
accepted by the Parent (the 'Disclosure
Schedule'). The Disclosure Schedule the Company prepares shall be
arranged in paragraphs corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs
contained in this Article II, and except to the extent that it is clear
from the context thereof that such disclosure also applies to any other
paragraph, the disclosures in any paragraph of the Disclosure Schedule shall
qualify only the corresponding paragraph in this Article II. For
purposes of this Article II, the phrase 'to the knowledge of the Company'
or any phrase of similar import shall be deemed to refer to the actual knowledge
of the executive officers of the Company immediately before the Effective
Time.
2.1 Organization, Qualification
and Corporate Power. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in corporate and tax good standing under the laws of the State of
Louisiana. The Company is duly qualified to conduct business and is in corporate
and tax good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which the nature of
its businesses or the ownership or leasing of its properties requires such
qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing,
individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined below). The
Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on the
businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties owned and
used by it. The Company has furnished or made available to the Parent complete
and accurate copies of its certificate of incorporation and bylaws.
The
-8-
Company
is not in default under or in violation of any provision of its certificate of
incorporation, as amended to date, or its bylaws, as amended to date. For
purposes of this Agreement, 'Company Material Adverse Effect' means a material
adverse effect on the assets, business, condition (financial or otherwise) or
results of operations of the Company.
2.2 Capitalization. The
authorized capital stock of the Company consists of _______
shares of capital stock of which _______ are designated as Company Shares,
______ are designated as Class B Shares, and ________ shares are designated as
Preferred Stock. As of the date of this Agreement (and before giving effect to
the conversion of Class B Shares and Preferred Stock into Company Shares
immediately prior to the Effective Time), ___ Company Shares were issued and
outstanding, ___ Class B Shares were issued and outstanding, _______ shares of
Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, and no Company Shares, Class B
Shares or Preferred Stock were held in the treasury of the Company.
Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate
list of (i) all stockholders of the Company, indicating the number and
class of Company Shares held by each stockholder, (ii) all outstanding Old
Options, indicating (A) the holder thereof, (B) the number of Company
Shares subject to each Old Option, (C) the exercise price, date of grant,
vesting schedule and expiration date for each Old Option, and (D) any terms
regarding the acceleration of vesting, and (iii) all stock option plans and
other stock or equity-related plans of the Company. All of the issued and
outstanding Company Shares, and all Company Shares issuable upon exercise of Old
Options will be (upon issuance in accordance with their terms), duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of all preemptive rights.
Other than the Old Options and debentures listed in Section 2.2 of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no notes or other indebtedness convertible into
shares of any class of the Company’s capital stock (the 'Convertible Notes'),
outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, agreements or commitments
to which the Company is a party or which are binding upon the Company providing
for the issuance or redemption of any of its capital stock. There are no
outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights
with respect to the Company. Except as set forth in Section 2.2 of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no agreements to which the Company is a party or
by which it is bound with respect to the voting (including without limitation
voting trusts or proxies), registration under the Securities Act, or sale or
transfer (including without limitation agreements relating to pre-emptive
rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or 'drag-along' rights) of any
securities of the Company. To the knowledge of the Company, there are no
agreements among other parties, to which the Company is not a party and by which
it is not bound, with respect to the voting (including without limitation voting
trusts or proxies) or sale or transfer (including without limitation agreements
relating to rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or 'drag-along' rights) of
any securities of the Company. All of the issued and
-9-
outstanding
Company Shares were issued in compliance with applicable federal and state
securities laws.
2.3 Authorization of
Transaction. The Company has all requisite power and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The
execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and, subject to the
adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger by no less than a
majority of the votes represented by the outstanding Company Shares entitled to
vote on this Agreement and the Merger, the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the board of directors of the Company
(i) determined that the Merger is fair and in the best interests of the
Company and the Company Stockholders, (ii) adopted this Agreement in
accordance with the provisions of the BCL, and (iii) directed that this
Agreement and the Merger be submitted to the Company Stockholders for their
adoption and approval and resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholders
vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company
and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms.
2.4 Noncontravention.
Except as set forth in Section 2.4 of the Disclosure Schedule, and subject to
the filing of the Delaware Certificate and Louisiana Certificate as required by
the GCL and BCL, respectively, neither the execution and delivery by the Company
of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby, will (a) conflict with or violate any provision of the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, as amended to date,
bylaws or other organizational document of any Subsidiary (as defined below),
(b) require on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary any filing with,
or any permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any court, arbitrational
tribunal, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or
regulatory authority or agency (a 'Governmental
Entity'), except for such permits, authorizations, consents and approvals
for which the Company is obligated to use its Reasonable Best Efforts to obtain
pursuant to Section 4.2(a), (c) conflict with, result in a breach of,
constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under, result in the acceleration of obligations under, create in any Party the
right to terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice, consent or waiver
under, any contract or instrument to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a
party or by which the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or to which any of
their assets is subject, except for (i) any conflict, breach, default,
acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation in any contract or
instrument set forth in Section 2.4 of the Disclosure Schedule, for which the
Company is obligated to use its Reasonable Best Efforts to obtain waiver,
consent or
-10-
approval
pursuant to Section 4.2(b), (ii) any conflict, breach, default,
acceleration, termination, modification or cancellation which, individually or
in the aggregate, would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect and would not
adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
(iii) any notice, consent or waiver the absence of which, individually or
in the aggregate, would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect and would not
adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
(d) result in the imposition of any Security Interest (as defined below)
upon any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary or (e) violate any order,
writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company,
any Subsidiary or any of their properties or assets. For purposes of this
Agreement: 'Security Interest' means any mortgage, pledge, security interest,
encumbrance, charge or other lien (whether arising by contract or by operation
of law), other than (i) mechanic’s, materialmen’s, and similar liens,
(ii) liens arising under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance,
social security, retirement, and similar legislation, and (iii) liens on
goods in transit incurred pursuant to documentary letters of credit, in each
case arising in the Ordinary Course of Business (as defined below) of the
Company and not material to the Company; and 'Ordinary Course of Business' means
the ordinary course of the Company’s business, consistent with past custom and
practice (including with respect to frequency and amount).
2.5 Subsidiaries.
(a) Section 2.5
of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth: (i) the name of each Company
Subsidiary; (ii) the number and type of outstanding equity securities of
each Subsidiary and a list of the holders thereof; (iii) the jurisdiction
of organization of each Subsidiary; (iv) the names of the officers and
directors of each Company Subsidiary; and (v) the jurisdictions in which
each Company Subsidiary is qualified or holds licenses to do business as a
foreign corporation or other entity. For purposes of this Agreement, a
'Subsidiary' shall mean any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
entity in which a Party has, directly or indirectly, an equity interest
representing 50% or more of the equity securities thereof or other equity
interests therein (collectively, the 'Subsidiaries').
(b) Each
Subsidiary is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in corporate and
tax good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation. Each
Subsidiary is duly qualified to conduct business and is in corporate and tax
good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
businesses or the ownership or leasing of its properties requires qualification
to do business, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing,
individually or in the aggregate, has not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary
has
-11-
all
requisite power and authority to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged
and to own and use the properties owned and used by it. The Company has
delivered or made available to the Parent complete and accurate copies of the
charter, bylaws or other organizational documents of each Subsidiary. No
Subsidiary is in default under or in violation of any provision of its charter,
bylaws or other organizational documents. All of the issued and outstanding
equity securities of each Subsidiary are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. All equity securities of each
Subsidiary that are held of record or owned beneficially by either the Company
or any Subsidiary are held or owned free and clear of any restrictions on
transfer (other than restrictions under the Securities Act and state securities
laws), claims, Security Interests, options, warrants, rights, contracts, calls,
commitments, equities and demands. There are no outstanding or authorized
options, warrants, rights, agreements or commitments to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party or which are binding on any of them providing for the
issuance, disposition or acquisition of any equity securities of any Subsidiary.
There are no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights
with respect to any Subsidiary. To the knowledge of the Company, there are no
voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings with respect to the
voting of any equity securities of any Subsidiary.
(c) Except
as set forth in Section 2.5(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not
control directly or indirectly or have any direct or indirect equity
participation or similar interest in any corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, trust or other business association which is
not a Subsidiary.
2.6 Financial Statements.
The Company has provided or made available to the Parent the audited balance
sheet of the Company (the 'Company Balance
Sheet') at December 31, 2007 (the 'Company Balance Sheet
Date'), and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the
period from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007 (the 'Company Financial
Statements'). The Company Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP') applied on a
consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, fairly present the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and the
Subsidiaries as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods referred to
therein, comply as to form with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC
for inclusion of such Company Financial Statements in the Parent’s filings with
the SEC as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 'Exchange Act') and
are consistent with the books and records of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
except as provided in the notes thereto.
-12-
2.7 Absence
of Certain Changes. Since the Company Balance Sheet Date, and except as
set forth in Section 2.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, (a) there has occurred
no event or development which, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or
could reasonably be expected to have in the future, a Company Material Adverse
Effect, and (b) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has taken any of the
actions set forth in paragraphs (a) through (m) of Section 4.4 other
than in the Ordinary Course of Business.
2.8 Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except as set forth in Section 2.8 of the Disclosure
Schedule, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the Company and its
Subsidiaries has any material liability (whether known or unknown, whether
absolute or contingent, whether liquidated or unliquidated and whether due or to
become due), except for (a) liabilities shown on the Company Balance Sheet
and Company Balance Sheet referred to in Section 2.6, (b) liabilities
which have arisen since the Company Balance Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of
Business or under the Transaction Agreements (as defined herein) and
(c) contractual and other liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of
Business which are not required by GAAP to be reflected on a balance
sheet.
2.9 Tax
Matters.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
(i) 'Taxes'
means all taxes, charges, fees, levies or other similar assessments or
liabilities, including without limitation income, gross receipts, ad valorem,
premium, value-added, excise, real property, personal property, sales, use,
transfer, withholding, employment, unemployment insurance, social security,
business license, business organization, environmental, workers compensation,
payroll, profits, license, lease, service, service use, severance, stamp,
occupation, windfall profits, customs, duties, franchise and other taxes imposed
by the United States of America or any state, local or foreign government, or
any agency thereof, or other political subdivision of the United States or any
such government, and any interest, fines, penalties, assessments or additions to
tax resulting from, attributable to or incurred in connection with any tax or
any contest or dispute thereof.
(ii) 'Tax
Returns' means all reports, returns, declarations, statements or other
information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with
Taxes.
(b) Each
of the Company and the Subsidiaries has filed on a timely basis all Tax Returns
that it was required to file, and all such Tax Returns were complete and
accurate in all material respects. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is or
has ever been a
-13-
member of
a group of corporations with which it has filed (or been required to file)
consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Returns, other than a group of which only
the Company and the Subsidiaries are or were members. Each of the Company and
the Subsidiaries has paid on a timely basis all Taxes that were due and payable.
The unpaid Taxes of the Company and the Subsidiaries for tax periods through the
Company Balance Sheet Date do not exceed the accruals and reserves for Taxes
(excluding accruals and reserves for deferred Taxes established to reflect
timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the Company Balance
Sheet. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any actual or potential
liability for any Tax obligation of any taxpayer (including without limitation
any affiliated group of corporations or other entities that included the Company
or any Subsidiary during a prior period) other than the Company and the
Subsidiaries. All Taxes that the Company or any Subsidiary is or was required by
law to withhold or collect have been duly withheld or collected and, to the
extent required, have been paid to the proper Governmental Entity.
(c) The
Company has delivered or made available to the Parent complete and accurate
copies of all federal income Tax Returns, examination reports and statements of
deficiencies assessed against or agreed to by the Company or any Subsidiary
since the Organization Date. No examination or audit of any Tax Return of the
Company or any Subsidiary by any Governmental Entity is currently in progress
or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated. Neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary has been informed by any jurisdiction that the
jurisdiction believes that the Company or Subsidiary was required to file any
Tax Return that was not filed. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has waived
any statute of limitations with respect to Taxes or agreed to an extension of
time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
(d) Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is a 'consenting corporation' within
the meaning of former Section 341(f) of the Code, and none of the assets of
the Company or the Subsidiaries are subject to an election under former
Section 341(f) of the Code; (ii) has been a United States real
property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the
Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(l)(A)(ii) of
the Code; (iii) has made any payments, is obligated to make any payments,
or is a party to any agreement that could obligate it to make any payments that
may be treated as an 'excess parachute payment' under Section 280G of the
Code; (iv) has any actual or potential liability for any Taxes of any
person (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation
Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of federal, state, local, or
foreign law), or as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise; or
(v) is or has been required to make a basis reduction pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-20(b) or Treasury Regulation
Section 1.337(d)-2(b).
-14-
(e) None
of the assets of the Company or any Subsidiary: (i) is property that is
required to be treated as being owned by any other person pursuant to the
provisions of former Section 168(f)(8) of the Code; (ii) is
'tax-exempt use property' within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code;
or (iii) directly or indirectly secures any debt the interest on which is
tax exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code.
(f) Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary has undergone a change in its method of
accounting resulting in an adjustment to its taxable income pursuant to
Section 481 of the Code.
(g) The Company has not taken any action, nor to the
Company’s knowledge is there any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be
expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. The Company is not an 'investment company' as defined in Section
368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv) of the Code. Following the Merger, Company will hold at
least 90% of the fair market value of its net assets and at least 70% of the
fair market value of its gross assets held immediately prior to the Merger.
Except as set forth in Section 1.3(e) or as
otherwise set forth in this document, Company has no obligation, understanding, agreement,
plan or intention to issue additional shares of its stock that would result in
Parent failing to acquire or losing 'control' of Company within the meaning of
Section 368(c) of the Code. Company is not aware of any plan on the
part of Parent or any person related to Parent, within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.368-1(e)(3) to reacquire any of the Parent Common Stock
issued in the Merger. To the Company’s knowledge, following the
Merger, Parent will cause Company to either continue its historic business or
use a significant portion of its historic business assets in a business as
described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-1(d).
2.10 Assets. Each of the
Company and the Subsidiaries owns or leases all tangible assets necessary for
the conduct of its businesses as presently conducted and as presently proposed
to be conducted. Except as set forth in Section 2.10 of the Disclosure Schedule,
each such tangible asset is free from material defects, has been maintained in
accordance with normal industry practice, is in good operating condition and
repair (subject to normal wear and tear) and is suitable for the purposes for
which it presently is used. Except as set forth in Section 2.10 of the
Disclosure Schedule, no asset of the Company or any Subsidiary (tangible or
intangible) is subject to any Security Interest.
2.11 Owned Real Property.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary owns any real property, except as
otherwise listed in Section 2.11 of the Disclosure Schedule.
-15-
2.12 Real Property Leases.
Section 2.12 of the Disclosure Schedule lists all real property leased or
subleased to or by the Company or any Subsidiary and lists the term of such
lease, any extension and expansion options, and the rent payable thereunder. The
Company has delivered or made available to the Parent complete and accurate
copies of the leases and subleases listed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule. Except as set forth in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure Schedule, with
respect to each lease and sublease listed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule:
(a) the
lease or sublease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and
effect;
(b) the
lease or sublease will continue to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in
full force and effect immediately following the Closing in accordance with the
terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the Closing;
(c) neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other
party, is in breach or violation of, or default under, any such lease or
sublease, and no event has occurred, is pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, is threatened, which, after the giving of notice, with lapse of time,
or otherwise, would constitute a breach or default by the Company or any
Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party under such lease
or sublease;
(d) neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary has assigned, transferred, conveyed, mortgaged,
deeded in trust or encumbered any interest in the leasehold or subleasehold;
and
(e) to
the knowledge of the Company, there is no Security Interest, easement, covenant
or other restriction applicable to the real property subject to such lease,
except for recorded easements, covenants and other restrictions which do not
materially impair the current uses or the occupancy by the Company or a
Subsidiary of the property subject thereto.
2.13 Contracts.
(a) Section
2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule lists the following agreements (written or oral)
to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party as of the date of this
Agreement, except in each case for any Transaction Agreement (as defined
herein):
(i) any
material agreement (or group of related agreements) for the lease of personal
property from or to third parties;
-16-
(ii) any
material agreement (or group of related agreements) for the purchase or sale of
products or for the furnishing or receipt of services, including any material
agreement in which the Company or any Subsidiary has granted manufacturing
rights, 'most favored nation' pricing provisions or exclusive marketing or
distribution rights relating to any products or territory or has agreed to
purchase a minimum quantity of goods or services or has agreed to purchase goods
or services exclusively from a certain party;
(iii) any
agreement which, to the knowledge of the Company, establishes a partnership or
joint venture;
(iv) any
agreement (or group of related agreements) under which it has created, incurred,
assumed or guaranteed (or may create, incur, assume or guarantee) indebtedness
for borrowed money (including capitalized lease obligations) involving more than
$25,000 or under which it has imposed (or may impose) a Security Interest on any
of its assets, tangible or intangible;
(v) any
agreement concerning confidentiality or noncompetition;
(vi) any
employment or consulting agreement;
(vii) any
agreement (except for any employment or consulting agreement) involving any
officer, director or stockholder of the Company or any affiliate, as defined in
Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the 'Exchange Act'),
thereof (an 'Affiliate');
(viii) any
agreement under which the consequences of a default or termination would
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect;
(ix) any
agreement which contains any provisions requiring the Company or any Subsidiary
to indemnify any other party thereto (excluding indemnities contained in
agreements for the purchase, sale or license of products entered into in the
Ordinary Course of Business); and
(x) any
other agreement (or group of related agreements) either involving more than
$100,000 or not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, except for any
agreement covered by an exception stated above in this Section
2.13(a).
-17-
As used
herein, 'Transaction
Agreement' means any contract, agreement or arrangement contemplated by
or in connection with the Private Placement Offering, the Merger, or the
Split-Off.
(b) The
Company has delivered or made available to the Parent a complete and accurate
copy of each agreement listed in Section 2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule.
With respect to each agreement so listed, and except as set forth in Section
2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) the agreement is legal, valid, binding
and enforceable and in full force and effect; (ii) the agreement will
continue to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and
effect immediately following the Closing in accordance with the terms thereof as
in effect immediately prior to the Closing; and (iii) neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party, is in
breach or violation of, or default under, any such agreement, and no event has
occurred, is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened, which,
after the giving of notice, with lapse of time, or otherwise, would constitute a
breach or default by the Company or any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the
Company, any other party under such contract.
2.14 Accounts Receivable.
To the knowledge of the Company, all accounts receivable of the Company and the
Subsidiaries reflected on the Company Balance Sheet are valid receivables
subject to no setoffs or counterclaims and are current and collectible (within
90 days after the date on which it first became due and payable), net of the
applicable reserve for bad debts on the Company Balance Sheet. To the
knowledge of the Company, all accounts receivable reflected in the financial or
accounting records of the Company that have arisen since the Company Balance
Sheet Date are valid receivables subject to no setoffs or counterclaims and are
collectible (within 90 days after the date on which it first became due and
payable), net of a reserve for bad debts in an amount proportionate to the
reserve shown on the Company Balance Sheet.
2.15 Powers of Attorney.
Except as set forth in Section 2.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no
outstanding powers of attorney executed on behalf of the Company or any
Subsidiary.
2.16 Insurance.
Section 2.16 of the Disclosure Schedule lists each insurance policy
(including fire, theft, casualty, general liability, workers compensation,
business interruption, environmental, product liability and automobile insurance
policies and bond and surety arrangements) to which the Company or any
Subsidiary is a party. Such insurance policies are of the type and in amounts
customarily carried by organizations conducting businesses or owning assets
similar to those of the Company and the
-18-
Subsidiaries.
There is no material claim pending under any such policy as to which coverage
has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriter of such policy. All
premiums due and payable under all such policies have been paid, neither the
Company nor any Subsidiary may be liable for retroactive premiums or similar
payments, and the Company and the Subsidiaries are otherwise in compliance in
all material respects with the terms of such policies. The Company has no
knowledge of any threatened termination of, or material premium increase with
respect to, any such policy. Each such policy will continue to be enforceable
and in full force and effect immediately following the Effective Time in
accordance with the terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time.
2.17 Litigation. As
of the date of this Agreement, there is no action, suit, proceeding, claim,
arbitration or investigation before any Governmental Entity or before any
arbitrator (a 'Legal
Proceeding') which is pending or has been threatened in writing against
the Company or any Subsidiary which if determined adversely to the Company
or such Subsidiary, could have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect.
2.18 Employees.
(a) Section
2.18 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all employees of the Company
and each Subsidiary whose annual rate of compensation exceeds $50,000 per
year, along with the position and the annual rate of compensation of each such
person. Section 2.18 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all employees
of the Company or any Subsidiary who are a party to a non-competition agreement
with the Company or any Subsidiary; copies of such agreements have previously
been delivered or made available to the Parent. To the knowledge of the Company,
no key employee or group of employees has any plans to terminate employment with
the Company or any Subsidiary which termination would have a Company Material
Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither
the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any collective
bargaining agreement, nor has any of them experienced any strikes, grievances,
claims of unfair labor practices or other collective bargaining disputes. To the
knowledge of the Company, no organizational effort has been made or threatened,
either currently or within the past two years, by or on behalf of any labor
union with respect to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. To the
knowledge of the Company there are no circumstances or facts which could
individually or collectively give rise to a suit based on discrimination of any
kind.
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2.19 Employee
Benefits.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
(i) 'Employee
Benefit Plan' means any 'employee pension benefit plan' (as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA), any 'employee welfare benefit plan' (as defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA), and any other written or oral plan, agreement or
arrangement involving direct or indirect compensation, including without
limitation insurance coverage, severance benefits, disability benefits, deferred
compensation, bonuses, stock options, stock purchase, phantom stock, stock
appreciation or other forms of incentive compensation or post-retirement
compensation.
(ii) 'ERISA'
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
(iii) 'ERISA
Affiliate' means any entity which is, or at any applicable time was, a member of
(1) a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Section 414(b)
of the Code), (2) a group of trades or businesses under common control (as
defined in Section 414(c) of the Code), or (3) an affiliated service
group (as defined under Section 414(m) of the Code or the regulations under
Section 414(o) of the Code), any of which includes or included the Company
or a Subsidiary.
(b) Section 2.19(b)
of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all Employee
Benefit Plans maintained, or contributed to, by the Company, any Subsidiary or
any ERISA Affiliate. Complete and accurate copies of (i) all Employee
Benefit Plans which have been reduced to writing, (ii) written summaries of
all unwritten Employee Benefit Plans, (iii) all related trust agreements,
insurance contracts and summary plan descriptions, and (iv) all annual
reports filed on IRS Form 5500, 5500C or 5500R and (for all funded plans) all
plan financial statements for the last five plan years for each Employee Benefit
Plan, have previously been delivered or made available to the Parent. Each
Employee Benefit Plan has been administered in all material respects in
accordance with its terms and each of the Company, the Subsidiaries and the
ERISA Affiliates has in all material respects met its obligations with respect
to such Employee Benefit Plan and has made all required contributions thereto.
The Company, each Subsidiary, each ERISA Affiliate and each Employee Benefit
Plan are in compliance in all material respects with the currently applicable
provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations thereunder (including
without limitation Section 4980 B of the Code, Subtitle K, Chapter 100
of the Code and Sections 601 through 608 and Section 701 et seq. of
ERISA).
-20-
All
filings and reports as to each Employee Benefit Plan required to have been
submitted to the Internal Revenue Service or to the United States Department of
Labor have been duly submitted.
(c) To
the knowledge of the Company, there are no Legal Proceedings (except claims for
benefits payable in the normal operation of the Employee Benefit Plans and
proceedings with respect to qualified domestic relations orders) against or
involving any Employee Benefit Plan or asserting any rights or claims to
benefits under any Employee Benefit Plan that could give rise to any material
liability.
(d) All
the Employee Benefit Plans that are intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code have received determination letters from the
Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such Employee Benefit Plans are
qualified and the plans and the trusts related thereto are exempt from federal
income taxes under Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code,
no such determination letter has been revoked and revocation has not been
threatened, and no such Employee Benefit Plan has been amended since the date of
its most recent determination letter or application therefor in any respect, and
no act or omission has occurred, that would adversely affect its qualification
or materially increase its cost. Each Employee Benefit Plan which is required to
satisfy Section 401(k)(3) or Section 401(m)(2) of the Code has been
tested for compliance with, and satisfies the requirements of,
Section 401(k)(3) and Section 401(m)(2) of the Code for each plan year
ending prior to the Closing Date.
(e) Neither
the Company, any Subsidiary, nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained an
Employee Benefit Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of
ERISA.
(f) At
no time has the Company, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate been obligated to
contribute to any 'multiemployer plan' (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA).
(g) There
are no unfunded obligations under any Employee Benefit Plan providing benefits
after termination of employment to any employee of the Company or any Subsidiary
(or to any beneficiary of any such employee), including but not limited to
retiree health coverage and deferred compensation, but excluding continuation of
health coverage required to be continued under Section 4980B of the Code or
other applicable law and insurance conversion privileges under state law. The
assets of each Employee Benefit Plan which is funded are reported at their fair
market value on the books and records of such Employee Benefit
Plan.
-21-
(h) No
act or omission has occurred and no condition exists with respect to any
Employee Benefit Plan maintained by the Company, any Subsidiary or any ERISA
Affiliate that would subject the Company, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate
to (i) any material fine, penalty, tax or liability of any kind imposed under
ERISA or the Code or (ii) any contractual indemnification or contribution
obligation protecting any fiduciary, insurer or service provider with respect to
any Employee Benefit Plan.
(i) No
Employee Benefit Plan is funded by, associated with or related to a 'voluntary
employee’s beneficiary association' within the meaning of Section 501(c)(9)
of the Code.
(j) Each
Employee Benefit Plan is amendable and terminable unilaterally by the Company at
any time without liability to the Company as a result thereof and no Employee
Benefit Plan, plan documentation or agreement, summary plan description or other
written communication distributed generally to employees by its terms prohibits
the Company from amending or terminating any such Employee Benefit
Plan.
(k) Section
2.19(k) of the Disclosure Schedule discloses each: (i) agreement with any
stockholder, director, executive officer or other key employee of the Company or
any Subsidiary (A) the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of
which are materially altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction involving the
Company or any Subsidiary of the nature of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement, (B) providing any term of employment or compensation
guarantee or (C) providing severance benefits or other benefits after the
termination of employment of such director, executive officer or key employee;
(ii) agreement, plan or arrangement under which any person may receive
payments from the Company or any Subsidiary that may be subject to the tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or included in the determination of
such person’s 'parachute payment' under Section 280G of the Code; and
(iii) agreement or plan binding the Company or any Subsidiary, including
without limitation any stock option plan, stock appreciation right plan,
restricted stock plan, stock purchase plan, severance benefit plan or Employee
Benefit Plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the vesting of
the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the benefits
of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. The accruals for vacation, sickness and disability expenses
are accounted for on the Company Balance Sheet and are adequate and properly
reflect the expenses associated therewith in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
-22-
2.20 Environmental
Matters.
(a) Each
of the Company and the Subsidiaries has complied with all applicable
Environmental Laws (as
defined below), except for violations of Environmental Laws that, individually
or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to
have a Company Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company, threatened civil or criminal litigation, written notice of
violation, formal administrative proceeding, or investigation, inquiry or
information request by any Governmental Entity, relating to any Environmental
Law involving the Company or any Subsidiary, except for litigation, notices of
violations, formal administrative proceedings or investigations, inquiries or
information requests that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. For
purposes of this Agreement, 'Environmental Law' means any federal, state or
local law, statute, rule or regulation or the common law relating to the
environment, including without limitation any statute, regulation,
administrative decision or order pertaining to (i) treatment, storage,
disposal, generation and transportation of industrial, toxic or hazardous
materials or substances or solid or hazardous waste; (ii) air, water and
noise pollution; (iii) groundwater and soil contamination; (iv) the
release or threatened release into the environment of industrial, toxic or
hazardous materials or substances, or solid or hazardous waste, including
without limitation emissions, discharges, injections, spills, escapes or dumping
of pollutants, contaminants or chemicals; (v) the protection of wild life,
marine life and wetlands, including without limitation all endangered and
threatened species; (vi) storage tanks, vessels, containers, abandoned or
discarded barrels, and other closed receptacles; (vii) health and safety of
employees and other persons; and (viii) manufacturing, processing, using,
distributing, treating, storing, disposing, transporting or handling of
materials regulated under any law as pollutants, contaminants, toxic or
hazardous materials or substances or oil or petroleum products or solid or
hazardous waste. As used above, the terms 'release' and 'environment' shall have
the meaning set forth in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended ('CERCLA').
(b) Set
forth in Section 2.20(b) of the Disclosure Schedule is a list of all
documents (whether in hard copy or electronic form) that contain any
environmental reports, investigations and audits relating to premises currently
or previously owned or operated by the Company or a Subsidiary (whether
conducted by or on behalf of the Company or a Subsidiary or a third party, and
whether done at the initiative of the Company or a Subsidiary or directed by a
Governmental Entity or other third party) which were issued or conducted during
the past five years and which the Company has possession of or access to. A
complete and accurate copy of each such document has been provided to the
Parent.
(c) To
the knowledge of the Company there is no material environmental liability with
respect to any solid or hazardous waste transporter or treatment, storage or
disposal facility
that has been used by the Company or any Subsidiary.
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2.21 Legal Compliance. To
the knowledge of the Company, each of the Company and the Subsidiaries, and the
conduct and operations of their respective businesses, are in compliance with
each applicable law (including rules and regulations thereunder) of any federal,
state, local or foreign government, or any Governmental Entity, except for any
violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse
Effect.
2.22 Customers and
Suppliers. Section 2.22 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list
of each customer that accounted for more than 5% of the consolidated revenues of
the Company during the last full fiscal year or the interim period through the
Company Balance Sheet date and the amount of revenues accounted for by such
customer during such period. No such customer has notified the Company in
writing within the past year that it will stop buying services from the Company
or any Subsidiary.
2.23 Permits. Section 2.23
of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all material permits, licenses,
registrations, certificates, orders or approvals from any Governmental Entity
(including without limitation those issued or required under Environmental Laws
and those relating to the occupancy or use of owned or leased real property)
('Permits')
issued to or held by the Company or any Subsidiary. Such listed Permits are the
only Permits that are required for the Company and the Subsidiaries to conduct
their respective businesses as presently conducted except for those the absence
of which, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each such
Permit is in full force and effect and, to the knowledge of the Company, no
suspension or cancellation of such Permit is threatened and there is no basis
for believing that such Permit will not be renewable upon expiration. Each such
Permit will continue in full force and effect immediately following the
Closing.
2.24 Certain Business
Relationships With Affiliates. Except as listed in Section 2.24 of the
Disclosure Schedule and except as contemplated by employment agreements,
consulting agreements and Transaction Agreements: (i) no Affiliate of the
Company or of any Subsidiary (a) owns any property or right, tangible or
intangible, which is used in the business of the Company or any Subsidiary,
(b) has any claim or cause of action against the Company or any Subsidiary,
or (c) owes any money to, or is owed any money by, the Company or any
Subsidiary, and (ii) Section 2.24 of the Disclosure Schedule describes any
transactions involving the receipt or payment in excess of $25,000 in any fiscal
year between the Company or a Subsidiary and any Affiliate thereof which have
occurred or existed since the Organization Date.
-24-
2.25 Brokers’ Fees.
Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any liability or obligation to pay
any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as listed in Section 2.25 of
the Disclosure Schedule.
2.26 Books and Records.
The minute books and other similar records of the Company and each Subsidiary
contain complete and accurate records of all actions taken at any meetings of
the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s stockholders, board of directors or any
committees thereof and of all written consents executed in lieu of the holding
of any such meetings. The books and records of the Company and each Subsidiary
accurately reflect in all material respects the assets, liabilities, business,
financial condition and results of operations of the Company or such Subsidiary
and have been maintained in accordance with good business and bookkeeping
practices.
2.27 Intellectual
Property. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries owns or has
the right to use all Intellectual Property (as defined below) necessary (i) to
use, manufacture, market and distribute the products manufactured, marketed,
sold or licensed, and to provide the services provided, by the Company or the
Subsidiaries to other parties (together, the 'Customer
Deliverables') and (ii) to operate the internal systems of the
Company or the Subsidiaries that are material to its business or operations,
including, without limitation, computer hardware systems, software applications
and embedded systems (the 'Internal Systems';
the Intellectual Property owned by or licensed to the Company or the
Subsidiaries and incorporated in or underlying the Customer Deliverables or the
Internal Systems is referred to herein as the 'Company Intellectual
Property'). Each item of Company Intellectual Property will be owned or
available for use by the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Closing
on substantially identical terms and conditions as it was immediately prior to
the Closing. The Company or the appropriate Subsidiary has taken all reasonable
measures to protect the proprietary nature of each item of Company Intellectual
Property. To the knowledge of the Company, (a) no other person or entity has any
rights to any of the Company Intellectual Property owned by the Company or a
Subsidiary except pursuant to agreements or licenses entered into by the Company
and such person in the ordinary course, and (b) no other person or entity is
infringing, violating or misappropriating any of the Company Intellectual
Property. For purposes of this Agreement, 'Intellectual Property' means all (i)
patents and patent applications, (ii) copyrights and registrations thereof,
(iii) computer software, data and documentation, (iv) trade secrets and
confidential business information, whether patentable or unpatentable and
whether or not reduced to practice, know-how, manufacturing and production
processes and techniques, research and development information, copyrightable
works, financial, marketing and business data, pricing and
-25-
cost
information, business and marketing plans and customer and supplier lists and
information, (v) trademarks, service marks, trade names, domain names and
applications and registrations therefor and (vi) other proprietary rights
relating to any of the foregoing.
2.30 Board Actions. The
Company’s board of directors (a) has unanimously determined that the Merger is
fair and in the best interests of the Company Stockholders and is on terms that
are fair to the Company Stockholders and has recommended the Merger to the
Company Stockholders, and (b) shall submit the Merger and this Agreement to the
vote and approval of the Company Stockholders or the approval of the Company
Stockholders by written consent.
ARTICLE
III - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARENT AND THE ACQUISITION
SUBSIDIARY
Each of
the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. represents and warrants to the Company that
the statements contained in this Article III are true and correct, except
as set forth in the Parent Disclosure Schedule provided by the Parent and the
Acquisition Corp. to the Company on the date hereof (the Parent Disclosure
Schedule). The Parent Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in this
Article III, and except to the extent that it is clear from the context
thereof that such disclosure also applies to any other paragraph, the
disclosures in any paragraph of the Parent Disclosure Schedule shall qualify
only the corresponding paragraph in this Article III. For
purposes of this Article III, the phrase to the knowledge of the Parent' or
any phrase of similar import shall be deemed to refer to the actual knowledge of
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, the sole executive officer of the Parent, as well as any other
knowledge which such executive officer would have possessed had she made
reasonable inquiry with respect to the matter in question.
3.1 Organization, Qualification
and Corporate Power. The Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and the
Acquisition Corp. is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Parent is duly qualified
to conduct business and is in corporate and tax good standing under the laws of
each jurisdiction in which the nature of its businesses or the ownership or
leasing of its properties requires such qualification, except where the failure
to be so qualified or in good standing would not have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect (as defined below). The Parent has all requisite corporate power and
authority to carry on the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use
the properties owned and used by it. The Parent has furnished or made available
to the Company complete and accurate copies of its certificate of incorporation
and bylaws. For purposes of this Agreement, Parent Material
-26-
Adverse
Effect means a material adverse effect on the assets, business, condition
(financial or otherwise), results of operations or future prospects of the
Parent and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
3.2 Capitalization. The
authorized capital stock of the Parent consists of 225,000,000 shares of which
200,000,000 are designated as Parent Common Stock, of which 1,105,000 shares
will be issued and outstanding as of immediately before the Effective Time after
giving effect to the shares of Parent Common Stock cancelled in connection with
the Split-Off and the Reverse Split and 25,000,000 have been designated as
preferred stock, of which no shares are issued and outstanding. The Parent
Common Stock is presently eligible for quotation and trading on the NASD
Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board (the OTCBB) in all 00
xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx. All
of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock are duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of all preemptive rights.
There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants, rights, agreements or
commitments to which the Parent is a party or which are binding upon the Parent
providing for the issuance or redemption of any of its capital stock. There are
no outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights
with respect to the Parent. There are no agreements to which the Parent is a
party or by which it is bound with respect to the voting (including without
limitation voting trusts or proxies), registration under the Securities Act, or
sale or transfer (including without limitation agreements relating to
pre-emptive rights, rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or drag-along
rights) of any securities of the Parent. To the knowledge of the Parent, there
are no agreements among other parties, to which the Parent is not a party and by
which it is not bound, with respect to the voting (including without limitation
voting trusts or proxies) or sale or transfer (including without limitation
agreements relating to rights of first refusal, co-sale rights or 'drag-along'
rights) of any securities of the Parent. All of the issued and outstanding
shares of Parent Common Stock were issued in compliance with applicable federal
and state securities laws. The 8,895,000 Merger
Shares to be issued at the Closing pursuant to Section 1.5 hereof, when issued
and delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Delaware
Certificate, shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
free of all preemptive rights. Immediately prior to the Effective Time, after
giving effect to the Reverse Split and the surrender of
3,788,571 shares of Parent Common Stock by the Buyer (the 'Share Contribution')
in connection with the Split-Off, there will be 1,105,000 shares of Parent
Common Stock issued and outstanding.
3.3 Authorization of
Transaction. Each of the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. has all
requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by the Parent and
the Acquisition Corp. of this Agreement and (in the case of the Parent) the
Split-Off Agreement, and the
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agreements
contemplated hereby and thereby (collectively, the 'Transaction
Documentation') and the consummation by the Parent and the Acquisition
Corp. of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Parent
and Acquisition Corp., respectively. This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. and constitutes a
valid and binding obligation of the Parent and the Acquisition Corp.,
enforceable against them in accordance with its terms.
3.4 Noncontravention.
Subject to compliance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and
any applicable state securities laws, the Exchange Act, the regulations of the
OTCBB and the filing of the Delaware Certificate and Louisiana Certificate as
required by the GCL and BCL, respectively, neither the execution and delivery by
the Parent or the Acquisition Corp. of this Agreement or the Transaction
Documentation, nor the consummation by the Parent or the Acquisition Corp. of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, will (a) conflict with or
violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the
Parent or the Acquisition Corp., (b) require on the part of the Parent or
the Acquisition Corp. any filing with, or permit, authorization, consent or
approval of, any Governmental Entity, (c) conflict with, result in breach
of, constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default
under, result in the acceleration of obligations under, create in any Party any
right to terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice, consent or waiver
under, any contract or instrument to which the Parent or the Acquisition Corp.
is a party or by which either is bound or to which any of their assets are
subject, except for (i) any conflict, breach, default, acceleration,
termination, modification or cancellation which would not adversely affect the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) any notice,
consent or waiver the absence of which would not adversely affect the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (d) violate any
order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the
Parent or the Acquisition Corp. or any of their properties or
assets.
3.5 Subsidiaries.
(a) Parent
has no Subsidiaries other than the Acquisition Corp. and FPAC. Each of the
Acquisition Corp. and FPAC is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and
in corporate and tax good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation. The Acquisition Corp. was formed solely to effectuate the Merger,
FPAC was formed solely to effectuate the Split-Off, and neither of them has
conducted any business operations since its organization. The Parent has
delivered or made available to the Company complete and accurate copies of the
charter, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Acquisition Corp. The
Acquisition Corp. has no assets other than
-28-
minimal
paid-in capital, it has no liabilities or other obligations, and it is not in
default under or in violation of any provision of its charter, bylaws or other
organizational documents. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Acquisition Corp. are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. All shares of the Acquisition Corp.
are owned by Parent free and clear of any restrictions on transfer (other than
restrictions under the Securities Act and state securities laws), claims,
Security Interests, options, warrants, rights, contracts, calls, commitments,
equities and demands. There are no outstanding or authorized options, warrants,
rights, agreements or commitments to which the Parent or the Acquisition Corp.
is a party or which are binding on any of them providing for the issuance,
disposition or acquisition of any capital stock of any Parent Subsidiary. There
are no outstanding stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with
respect to the Acquisition Corp. There are no voting trusts, proxies or other
agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of any capital stock of
the Acquisition Corp.
(b) At
all times from May 5, 2005, which was the date of incorporation of the Parent,
through the date of this Agreement, the business and operations of the Parent
have been conducted exclusively through Parent. As used herein,
unless the context indicates otherwise, 'Parent' includes Parent’s predecessor,
French Peak Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation.
3.6 Securities Act and Exchange
Act Filings. The Parent has furnished or made available to the
Company complete and accurate copies, as amended or supplemented, of its (a)
effective Registration Statement on Form SB-2, which contains audited financial
statements for the period May 5, 2005 (inception) through November 30, 2005 as
filed with the SEC (SEC File No. 333-130858), (b)
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Fiscal Year ended November 30, 2007, which
contains audited financial statements for the period November 30, 2006 through
November 30, 2007, and (c) all other reports filed by the Parent under
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and all proxy or information
statements filed by Parent under subsections (a) or (c) of Section 14 of
the Exchange Act with the SEC since December 1, 2007 (such documents are
collectively referred to herein as the 'Parent Reports'). The
Parent Reports constitute all of the documents required to be filed by the
Parent under Section 13 or subsections (a) or (c) of Section 14 of the
Exchange Act with the SEC from May 5, 2005 through the date of this Agreement.
The Parent Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder when
filed. Each Parent Report filed under the Exchange Act was filed on
or before its due date (if any) or within the applicable extension period
provided under the Exchange Act. As of their respective dates, the Parent
Reports did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.
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3.7 Compliance with
Laws. Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries:
(a) and
the conduct and operations of their respective businesses, are in compliance
with each applicable law (including rules and regulations thereunder) of any
federal, state, local or foreign government, or any Governmental Entity, except
for any violations or defaults that, individually or in the aggregate, have not
had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect;
(b) has
complied with all federal and state securities laws and regulations, including
being current in all of its reporting obligations under such federal and state
securities laws and regulations;
(c) has
not, and the past and present officers, directors and Affiliates of the Parent
have not, been the subject of, nor does any officer or director of the Parent
have any reason to believe that Parent or any of its officers, directors or
Affiliates will be the subject of, any civil or criminal proceeding or
investigation by any federal or state agency alleging a violation of securities
laws;
(d) has
not been the subject of any voluntary or involuntary bankruptcy proceeding, nor
has it been a party to any material litigation;
(e) has
not, and the past and present officers, directors and Affiliates have not, been
the subject of, nor does any officer or director of the Parent have any reason
to believe that the Parent or any of its officers, directors or affiliates will
be the subject of, any civil, criminal or administrative investigation or
proceeding brought by any federal or state agency having regulatory authority
over such entity or person;
(f) does
not and will not immediately prior to the Effective Time, have any liabilities,
contingent or otherwise, including but not limited to notes payable and accounts
payable, and is not a party to any executory agreements; and
(g) is
not a 'blank check company' as such term is defined by Rule 419 of the
Securities Act.
3.8 Financial
Statements. The audited financial statements and unaudited
interim financial statements of the Parent included in the Parent Reports
(collectively, the 'Parent Financial
Statements') (i) complied as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and, as appropriate, the published rules and
regulations of the
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SEC with
respect thereto when filed, (ii) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied
on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby (except as may be
indicated therein or in the notes thereto, and in the case of quarterly
financial statements, as permitted by Form 10-QSB under the Exchange Act), (iii)
fairly present the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and
cash flows of the Parent as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods
referred to therein, and (iv) are consistent with the books and records of the
Parent.
3.9 Absence of Certain
Changes. Since the date of the balance sheet contained in the
most recent Parent Report, there has occurred no event or development which,
individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to
have in the future, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
3.10 Litigation. There is
no Legal Proceeding which is pending or, to the Parent’s knowledge, threatened
against the Parent or any subsidiary of the Parent.
3.11 Undisclosed
Liabilities. None of the Parent and its Subsidiaries has any
liability (whether known or unknown, whether absolute or contingent, whether
liquidated or unliquidated and whether due or to become due).
3.12 Tax
Matters.
(a) Except
as set forth in Section 3.12 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, each of the
Parent and the Subsidiaries has filed on a timely basis all Tax Returns that it
was required to file, and all such Tax Returns were complete and accurate in all
material respects. Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary is or has ever been a
member of a group of corporations with which it has filed (or been required to
file) consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Returns, other than a group of which
only the Parent and the Subsidiaries are or were members. Each of the Parent and
the Subsidiaries has paid on a timely basis all Taxes that were due and payable.
The unpaid Taxes of the Parent and the Subsidiaries for tax periods through the
date of the balance sheet contained in the most recent Parent Report do not
exceed the accruals and reserves for Taxes (excluding accruals and reserves for
deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax
income) set forth on such balance sheet. Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary
has any actual or potential liability for any Tax obligation of any taxpayer
(including without limitation any affiliated group of corporations or other
entities that included the Parent or any Subsidiary during a prior period) other
than the Parent and the Subsidiaries. All Taxes that the Parent or any
Subsidiary is or was required by law to withhold or collect have been duly
withheld or collected and, to the extent required, have been paid to the proper
Governmental Entity.
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(b) The
Parent has delivered or made available to the Company complete and accurate
copies of all Tax Returns, examination reports and statements of deficiencies
assessed against or agreed to by the Parent or any Subsidiary since May 5,
2005. No examination or audit of any Tax Return of the Parent or any
Subsidiary by any Governmental Entity is currently in progress or, to the
knowledge of the Parent, threatened or contemplated. Neither the Parent nor any
Subsidiary has been informed by any jurisdiction that the jurisdiction believes
that the Parent or Subsidiary was required to file any Tax Return that was not
filed. Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary has waived any statute of
limitations with respect to Taxes or agreed to an extension of time with respect
to a Tax assessment or deficiency.
(c) Neither
the Parent nor any Subsidiary: (i) is a 'consenting corporation' within the
meaning of former Section 341(f) of the Code, and none of the assets of the
Parent or the Subsidiaries are subject to an election under former
Section 341(f) of the Code; (ii) has been a United States real
property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the
Code during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(l)(A)(ii) of
the Code; (iii) has made any payments, is obligated to make any payments,
or is a party to any agreement that could obligate it to make any payments that
may be treated as an 'excess parachute payment' under Section 280G of the
Code; (iv) has any actual or potential liability for any Taxes of any
person (other than the Parent and its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation
Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of federal, state, local, or
foreign law), or as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise; or
(v) is or has been required to make a basis reduction pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-20(b) or Treasury Regulation
Section 1.337(d)-2(b).
(d) None
of the assets of the Parent or any Subsidiary: (i) is property that is
required to be treated as being owned by any other person pursuant to the
provisions of former Section 168(f)(8) of the Code; (ii) is
'tax-exempt use property' within the meaning of Section 168(h) of the Code;
or (iii) directly or indirectly secures any debt the interest on which is
tax exempt under Section 103(a) of the Code.
(e) Neither
the Parent nor any Subsidiary has undergone a change in its method of accounting
resulting in an adjustment to its taxable income pursuant to Section 481 of
the Code.
3.13 Assets. Each
of the Parent and the Subsidiaries owns or leases all tangible assets necessary
for the conduct of its businesses as presently conducted and as presently
proposed to be conducted. Each such tangible asset is free from material
defects, has been maintained in accordance with normal industry practice, is in
good operating condition
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and
repair (subject to normal wear and tear) and is suitable for the purposes for
which it presently is used. No asset of the Parent or any Subsidiary (tangible
or intangible) is subject to any Security Interest.
3.14 Owned Real
Property. Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary owns any real
property.
3.15 Real Property
Leases. Section 3.15 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule lists
all real property leased or subleased to or by the Parent or any Subsidiary and
lists the term of such lease, any extension and expansion options, and the rent
payable thereunder. The Parent has delivered or made available to the Company
complete and accurate copies of the leases and subleases listed in
Section 3.15 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule. With respect to each lease
and sublease listed in Section 3.15 of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule:
(a) the
lease or sublease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and
effect;
(b) the
lease or sublease will continue to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in
full force and effect immediately following the Closing in accordance with the
terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the Closing;
(c) neither
the Parent nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of the Parent, any other
party, is in breach or violation of, or default under, any such lease or
sublease, and no event has occurred, is pending or, to the knowledge of the
Parent, is threatened, which, after the giving of notice, with lapse of time, or
otherwise, would constitute a breach or default by the Parent or any Subsidiary
or, to the knowledge of the Parent, any other party under such lease or
sublease;
(d) neither
the Parent nor any Subsidiary has assigned, transferred, conveyed, mortgaged,
deeded in trust or encumbered any interest in the leasehold or subleasehold;
and
(e) the
Parent is not aware of any Security Interest, easement, covenant or other
restriction applicable to the real property subject to such lease, except for
recorded easements, covenants and other restrictions which do not materially
impair the current uses or the occupancy by the Parent or a Subsidiary of the
property subject thereto.
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3.16 Contracts.
(a) Section
3.16 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule lists the following agreements (written
or oral) to which the Parent or any Subsidiary is a party as of the date of this
Agreement:
(i) any
agreement (or group of related agreements) for the lease of personal property
from or to third parties;
(ii) any
agreement (or group of related agreements) for the purchase or sale of products
or for the furnishing or receipt of services (A) which calls for
performance over a period of more than one year, (B) which involves more
than the sum of $5,000, or (C) in which the Parent or any Subsidiary has
granted manufacturing rights, 'most favored nation' pricing provisions or
exclusive marketing or distribution rights relating to any products or territory
or has agreed to purchase a minimum quantity of goods or services or has agreed
to purchase goods or services exclusively from a certain party;
(iii) any
agreement establishing a partnership or joint venture;
(iv) any
agreement (or group of related agreements) under which it has created, incurred,
assumed or guaranteed (or may create, incur, assume or guarantee) indebtedness
(including capitalized lease obligations) involving more than $5,000 or under
which it has imposed (or may impose) a Security Interest on any of its assets,
tangible or intangible;
(v) any
agreement concerning confidentiality or noncompetition;
(vi) any
employment or consulting agreement;
(vii) any
agreement involving any officer, director or stockholder of the Parent or any
Affiliate thereof;
(viii) any
agreement under which the consequences of a default or termination would
reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect;
(ix) any
agreement which contains any provisions requiring the Parent or any Subsidiary
to indemnify any other party thereto (excluding indemnities contained in
agreements for the purchase, sale or license of products entered into in the
Ordinary Course of Business); and
(x) any
other agreement (or group of related agreements).
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(b) The
Parent has delivered or made available to the Company a complete and accurate
copy of each agreement listed in Section 3.16 of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule. With respect to each agreement so listed: (i) the agreement is
legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect;
(ii) the agreement will continue to be legal, valid, binding and
enforceable and in full force and effect immediately following the Closing in
accordance with the terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the Closing;
and (iii) neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary nor, to the knowledge of
the Parent, any other party, is in breach or violation of, or default under, any
such agreement, and no event has occurred, is pending or, to the knowledge of
the Parent, is threatened, which, after the giving of notice, with lapse of
time, or otherwise, would constitute a breach or default by the Parent or any
Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of the Parent, any other party under such
contract.
3.17 Accounts
Receivable. All accounts receivable of the Parent and the
Subsidiaries reflected on the Parent Reports are valid receivables subject to no
setoffs or counterclaims and are current and collectible (within 90 days after
the date on which it first became due and payable), net of the applicable
reserve for bad debts on the balance sheet contained in the most recent Parent
Report. All accounts receivable reflected in the financial or accounting records
of the Parent that have arisen since the date of the balance sheet contained in
the most recent Parent Report are valid receivables subject to no setoffs or
counterclaims and are collectible (within 90 days after the date on which it
first became due and payable), net of a reserve for bad debts in an amount
proportionate to the reserve shown on the balance sheet contained in the most
recent Parent Report.
3.18 Powers of
Attorney. There are no outstanding powers of attorney executed
on behalf of the Parent or any Subsidiary.
3.19 Insurance.
Section 3.19 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule lists each insurance policy
(including fire, theft, casualty, general liability, workers compensation,
business interruption, environmental, product liability and automobile insurance
policies and bond and surety arrangements) to which the Parent or any Subsidiary
is a party. Such insurance policies are of the type and in amounts customarily
carried by organizations conducting businesses or owning assets similar to those
of the Parent and the Subsidiaries. There is no material claim pending under any
such policy as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the
underwriter of such policy. All premiums due and payable under all such policies
have been paid, neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary may be liable for
retroactive premiums or similar payments, and the Parent and the Subsidiaries
are otherwise in compliance in all material respects with the terms of such
policies. The Parent has no knowledge of any threatened termination of, or
material
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premium
increase with respect to, any such policy. Each such policy will continue to be
enforceable and in full force and effect immediately following the Closing in
accordance with the terms thereof as in effect immediately prior to the
Closing.
3.20 Warranties. No
service sold or delivered by the Parent or any Subsidiary is subject to any
guaranty, warranty, right of credit or other indemnity other than the applicable
standard terms and conditions of sale of the Parent or the appropriate
Subsidiary, which are set forth in Section 3.20 of the Parent Disclosure
Schedule.
3.21 Employees.
(a) Section
3.21 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all employees of the
Parent and each Subsidiary, along with the position and the annual rate of
compensation of each such person. Each current or past employee of the Parent or
any Subsidiary has entered into a confidentiality/assignment of inventions
agreement with the Parent or such Subsidiary, a copy or form of which has
previously been delivered or made available to the Company. Section 3.21 of the
Parent Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all employees of the Parent or any
Subsidiary who are a party to a non-competition agreement with the Parent or any
Subsidiary; copies of such agreements have previously been delivered or made
available to the Company. To the knowledge of the Parent, no key employee or
group of employees has any plans to terminate employment with the Parent or any
Subsidiary.
(b) Neither
the Parent nor any Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any collective
bargaining agreement, nor have any of them experienced any strikes, grievances,
claims of unfair labor practices or other collective bargaining disputes. The
Parent has no knowledge of any organizational effort made or threatened, either
currently or within the past two years, by or on behalf of any labor union with
respect to employees of the Parent or any Subsidiary.
3.22 Employee
Benefits.
(a) Section 3.22(a)
of the Parent Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all
Employee Benefit Plans maintained, or contributed to, by the Parent, any
Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate. Complete and accurate copies of (i) all
Employee Benefit Plans which have been reduced to writing, (ii) written
summaries of all unwritten Employee Benefit Plans, (iii) all related trust
agreements, insurance contracts and summary plan descriptions, and (iv) all
annual reports filed on IRS Form 5500, 5500C or 5500R and (for all funded plans)
all plan financial statements for the last five plan years for each Employee
Benefit Plan, have previously been delivered or made available to
the
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Company.
Each Employee Benefit Plan has been administered in all material respects in
accordance with its terms and each of the Parent, the Subsidiaries and the ERISA
Affiliates has in all material respects met its obligations with respect to such
Employee Benefit Plan and has made all required contributions thereto. The
Parent, each Subsidiary, each ERISA Affiliate and each Employee Benefit Plan are
in compliance in all material respects with the currently applicable provisions
of ERISA and the Code and the regulations thereunder (including without
limitation Section 4980 B of the Code, Subtitle K, Chapter 100 of the
Code and Sections 601 through 608 and Section 701 et seq. of ERISA).
All filings and reports as to each Employee Benefit Plan required to have been
submitted to the Internal Revenue Service or to the United States Department of
Labor have been duly submitted.
(b) There
are no Legal Proceedings against or involving any Employee Benefit Plan or
asserting any rights or claims to benefits under any Employee Benefit
Plan.
(c) All
the Employee Benefit Plans that are intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code have received determination letters from the
Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such Employee Benefit Plans are
qualified and the plans and the trusts related thereto are exempt from federal
income taxes under Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code,
no such determination letter has been revoked and revocation has not been
threatened, and no such Employee Benefit Plan has been amended since the date of
its most recent determination letter or application therefor in any respect, and
no act or omission has occurred, that would adversely affect its qualification
or materially increase its cost. Each Employee Benefit Plan which is required to
satisfy Section 401(k)(3) or Section 401(m)(2) of the Code has been
tested for compliance with, and satisfies the requirements of,
Section 401(k)(3) and Section 401(m)(2) of the Code for each plan year
ending prior to the Closing Date.
(d) Neither
the Parent, any Subsidiary, nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained an
Employee Benefit Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of
ERISA.
(e) At
no time has the Parent, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate been obligated to
contribute to any 'multiemployer plan' (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA).
(f) There
are no unfunded obligations under any Employee Benefit Plan providing benefits
after termination of employment to any employee of the Parent or any Subsidiary
(or to any beneficiary of any such employee), including but not limited to
retiree health coverage and deferred compensation, but excluding continuation of
health coverage required to be continued under Section 4980B of the Code or
other applicable law and insurance conversion privileges under state law. The
assets of each Employee Benefit
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Plan
which is funded are reported at their fair market value on the books and records
of such Employee Benefit Plan.
(g) No
act or omission has occurred and no condition exists with respect to any
Employee Benefit Plan maintained by the Parent, any Subsidiary or any ERISA
Affiliate that would subject the Parent, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate
to (i) any material fine, penalty, tax or liability of any kind imposed under
ERISA or the Code or (ii) any contractual indemnification or contribution
obligation protecting any fiduciary, insurer or service provider with respect to
any Employee Benefit Plan.
(h) No
Employee Benefit Plan is funded by, associated with or related to a 'voluntary
employee’s beneficiary association' within the meaning of Section 501(c)(9)
of the Code.
(i) Each
Employee Benefit Plan is amendable and terminable unilaterally by the Parent at
any time without liability to the Parent as a result thereof and no Employee
Benefit Plan, plan documentation or agreement, summary plan description or other
written communication distributed generally to employees by its terms prohibits
the Parent from amending or terminating any such Employee Benefit
Plan.
(j) Section
3.22(j) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule discloses each: (i) agreement
with any stockholder, director, executive officer or other key employee of the
Parent or any Subsidiary (A) the benefits of which are contingent, or the
terms of which are materially altered, upon the occurrence of a transaction
involving the Parent or any Subsidiary of the nature of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, (B) providing any term of employment or
compensation guarantee or (C) providing severance benefits or other
benefits after the termination of employment of such director, executive officer
or key employee; (ii) agreement, plan or arrangement under which any person
may receive payments from the Parent or any Subsidiary that may be subject to
the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or included in the
determination of such person’s 'parachute payment' under Section 280G of
the Code; and (iii) agreement or plan binding the Parent or any Subsidiary,
including without limitation any stock option plan, stock appreciation right
plan, restricted stock plan, stock purchase plan, severance benefit plan or
Employee Benefit Plan, any of the benefits of which will be increased, or the
vesting of the benefits of which will be accelerated, by the occurrence of any
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the value of any of the
benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. The accruals for vacation, sickness and
disability expenses are accounted for on the Most Recent Balance Sheet and are
adequate and properly reflect the expenses associated therewith in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
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3.23 Environmental
Matters.
(a) Each
of the Parent and the Subsidiaries has complied with all applicable
Environmental Laws, except for violations of Environmental Laws that,
individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be
expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending or, to
the knowledge of the Parent, threatened civil or criminal litigation, written
notice of violation, formal administrative proceeding, or investigation, inquiry
or information request by any Governmental Entity, relating to any Environmental
Law involving the Parent or any Subsidiary, except for litigation, notices of
violations, formal administrative proceedings or investigations, inquiries or
information requests that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and
would not reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Set
forth in Section 3.23(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule is a list of all
documents (whether in hard copy or electronic form) that contain any
environmental reports, investigations and audits relating to premises currently
or previously owned or operated by the Parent or a Subsidiary (whether conducted
by or on behalf of the Parent or a Subsidiary or a third party, and whether done
at the initiative of the Parent or a Subsidiary or directed by a Governmental
Entity or other third party) which were issued or conducted during the past five
years and which the Parent has possession of or access to. A complete and
accurate copy of each such document has been provided to the
Parent.
(c) The
Parent is not aware of any material environmental liability of any solid or
hazardous waste transporter or treatment, storage or disposal facility that has
been used by the Parent or any Subsidiary.
3.24 Permits. Section
3.24 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all permits,
licenses, registrations, certificates, orders or approvals from any Governmental
Entity (including without limitation those issued or required under
Environmental Laws and those relating to the occupancy or use of owned or leased
real property) ('Parent Permits')
issued to or held by the Parent or any Subsidiary. Such listed Permits are the
only Parent Permits that are required for the Parent and the Subsidiaries to
conduct their respective businesses as presently conducted except for those the
absence of which, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not
reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Each such
Parent Permit is in full force and effect and, to the knowledge of the Parent,
no suspension or cancellation of such Parent Permit is threatened and there is
no basis for believing that such Parent Permit will not be renewable upon
expiration. Each such Parent Permit will continue in full force and effect
immediately following the Closing.
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3.25 Certain Business
Relationships With Affiliates. No Affiliate of the Parent or
of any Subsidiary (a) owns any property or right, tangible or intangible,
which is used in the business of the Parent or any Subsidiary, (b) has any
claim or cause of action against the Parent or any Subsidiary, or (c) owes
any money to, or is owed any money by, the Parent or any Subsidiary.
Section 3.25 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule describes any transactions
involving the receipt or payment in excess of $5,000 in any fiscal year between
the Parent or a Subsidiary and any Affiliate thereof which have occurred or
existed since the beginning of the time period covered by the Parent Financial
Statements, other than employment agreements.
3.26 Tax-Free
Reorganization.
(a) The
Parent (i) has no present plan or intention to liquidate the Surviving
Corporation or to merge the Surviving Corporation with or into any other
corporation or entity, or to sell or otherwise dispose of the stock of the
Surviving Corporation which Parent will acquire in the Merger, or to cause the
Surviving Corporation to sell or otherwise dispose of its assets, all except in
the ordinary course of business or if such liquidation, merger, disposition is
described in Section 368(a)(2)(C) or Treasury Regulation
Section 1.368-2(d)(4) or Section 1368-2(k); and (ii) has no
present plan or intention, following the Merger, to issue any additional shares
of stock of the Surviving Corporation or to create any new class of stock of the
Surviving Corporation.
(b) The
Acquisition Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Parent, formed solely for
the purpose of engaging in the Merger, and will carry on no business prior to
the Merger.
(c) Immediately
prior to the Merger, the Parent will be in control of Acquisition Corp. within
the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code.
(d) Immediately
following the Merger, the Surviving Corporation will hold at least 90% of the
fair market value of the net assets and at least 70% of the fair market value of
the gross assets held by the Company immediately prior to the Merger (for
purposes of this representation, amounts used by the Company to pay
reorganization expenses, if any, will be included as assets of the Company held
immediately prior to the Merger).
(e) The
Parent has no present plan or intention to reacquire any of the Merger
Shares.
(f) The
Acquisition Corp. will have no liabilities assumed by the Surviving Corporation
and will not transfer to the Surviving Corporation any assets subject to
liabilities in the Merger.
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(g) Following
the Merger, the Surviving Corporation will continue the Company’s historic
business or use a significant portion of the Company’s historic business assets
in a business as required by Section 368 of the Code and the Treasury
Regulations promulgated thereunder.
(h) The Split-Off
Agreement will constitute a legally binding obligation between Parent and
Buyer prior to the Effective Time; immediately following consummation
of the Merger, Parent will distribute the stock of FPAC to Buyer in
cancellation of the Purchase Price Shares (as such term is defined in the
Split-Off Agreement); no property other than the capital stock of
FPAC will be distributed by Parent to Buyer in connection with or
following the Merger; upon execution of the Split-Off Agreement, Buyer will
not sell or transfer the Purchased Shares to any person other than Parent; upon
execution of the Split-Off Agreement, there will be no other plan,
arrangement, agreement, contract, intention, or understanding, whether written
or verbal and whether or not enforceable in law or equity, that
would permit Buyer to vote the Purchased
Shares or receive any property or other distributions
from Parent with respect to the Purchased Shares other than the
capital stock of FPAC.
3.27 Split-Off. As
of the Effective Time, the Parent will have discontinued all of its business
operations which it conducted prior to the Effective Time by closing the
transactions contemplated by the Split-Off Agreement. Upon the closing of the
transactions contemplated by the Split-Off Agreement, the Parent will have no
material liabilities, contingent or otherwise in any way related to its
pre-Effective Time business operations.
3.28 Brokers’ Fees. Except
as set forth on Section 3.28 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, neither the
Parent nor the Acquisition Corp. has any liability or obligation to pay any fees
or commissions to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
3.29 Disclosure. No
representation or warranty by the Parent contained in this Agreement or in any
of the Transaction Documentation, and no statement contained in the any
document, certificate or other instrument delivered or to be delivered by or on
behalf of the Parent pursuant to this Agreement or therein, contains or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state
any material fact necessary, in light of the circumstances under which it was or
will be made, in order to make the statements herein or therein not misleading.
The Parent has disclosed to the Company all material information relating to the
business of the Parent or any Subsidiary or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
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3.30 Interested Party
Transactions. Except for the Split-Off Agreement, to the
knowledge of the Parent, no officer, director or stockholder of Parent or any
'affiliate' (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act)
or 'associate' (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of
any such person has had, either directly or indirectly, (a) an interest in any
person that (i) furnishes or sells services or products that are furnished or
sold or are proposed to be furnished or sold by Parent or any Parent Subsidiary
or (ii) purchases from or sells or furnishes to Parent or any Parent Subsidiary
any goods or services, or (b) a beneficial interest in any contract or agreement
to which Parent or any Parent Subsidiary is a party or by which it may be bound
or affected. Neither Parent or any Parent Subsidiary has extended or maintained
credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit,
in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or executive officer (or
equivalent thereof) of the Parent or any Parent Subsidiary.
3.31 Duty to Make
Inquiry. To the extent that any of the representations or
warranties in this Article III are qualified by 'knowledge' or 'belief,' Parent
represents and warrants that it has made due and reasonable inquiry and
investigation concerning the matters to which such representations and
warranties relate, including, but not limited to, diligent inquiry by its
directors, officers and key personnel.
3.32 Accountants. From
inception through the date of this Agreement, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx, PC ('Accountants') had
been the Parent’s accountants. Throughout the periods covered by the Financial
Statements each such Accountant was (a) a registered public accounting firm (as
defined in Section 2(a)(12) of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, (b) 'independent'
with respect to Parent within the meaning of Regulation S-X and (c) in
compliance with subsections (g) through (l) of Section 10A of the Exchange Act
and the related rules of the Commission and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board. Schedule 3.32 lists all non-audit services performed by any
Accountant for Parent and/or any Subsidiary since May 5, 2006. Other than with
respect to expressing an opinion as to the uncertainty of the Parent continuing
as a going concern, the report of Xxxxxx & Associates, LLC on the financial
statements of Parent for the most recent fiscal year did not contain an adverse
opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, or was qualified as to uncertainty, audit
scope, or accounting principles. During Parent’s most recent fiscal year and the
subsequent interim periods, there were no disagreements with any of the
Accountants on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures. None of the reportable
events listed in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-B occurred with respect to
any of the Accountants.
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3.33 Minute
Books. The minute books, if any, of Parent and each Subsidiary
contain, in all material respects, a complete and accurate summary of all
meetings of directors and stockholders or actions by written resolutions since
the time of organization of each such corporation through the date of this
Agreement, and reflect all transactions referred to in such minutes and
resolutions accurately, except for omissions which are not material. Parent has
provided true and complete copies of all such minute books, if any, to the
Company’s representatives.
3.34 Board
Action. The Parent’s Board of Directors (a) has unanimously
determined that the Merger is advisable and in the best interests of the
Parent’s stockholders and is on terms that are fair to such Parent stockholders
and (b) has caused the Parent, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of the
Acquisition Corp., and the Board of Directors of the Acquisition Corp., to
approve the Merger and this Agreement by written consent.
ARTICLE
IV - COVENANTS
4.1 Closing
Efforts. Each of the Parties shall use its best efforts, to
the extent commercially reasonable ('Reasonable Best
Efforts'), to take all actions and to do all things necessary, proper or
advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including without limitation using its Reasonable Best Efforts to ensure that
(i) its representations and warranties remain true and correct in all
material respects through the Closing Date and (ii) the conditions to the
obligations of the other Parties to consummate the Merger are
satisfied.
4.2 Governmental and Third-Party
Notices and Consents.
(a) Each
Party shall use its Reasonable Best Efforts to obtain, at its expense, all
waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations from Governmental
Entities, and to effect all registrations, filings and notices with or to
Governmental Entities, as may be required for such Party to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to otherwise comply with all
applicable laws and regulations in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) The
Company shall use its Reasonable Best Efforts to obtain, at its expense, all
such waivers, consents or approvals from third parties, and to give all such
notices to third parties, as are required to be listed in Section 2.4 of
the Disclosure Schedule.
4.3 Current
Report. As soon as reasonably practicable after the execution
of this Agreement, the Parties shall prepare a current report on Form 8-K
relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the 'Current Report').
Each of the Company and Parent shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the
Current Report to be
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filed
with the SEC within four business days of the execution of this Agreement and to
otherwise comply with all requirements of applicable federal and state
securities laws. Further, the Parties shall prepare and file with the SEC an
amendment to the Current Report within four business days after the Closing
Date, if such Current Report was filed before the Closing Date.
4.4 Operation of Company’s
Business. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Company shall
(and shall cause each Subsidiary to) conduct its operations in the Ordinary
Course of Business and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
and, to the extent consistent therewith, use its Reasonable Best Efforts to
preserve intact its current business organization, keep its physical assets in
good working condition, keep available the services of its current officers and
employees and preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers and others
having business dealings with it to the end that its goodwill and ongoing
business shall not be impaired in any material respect. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, during the period from the date of this Agreement
to the Effective Time, the Company shall not (and shall cause each Subsidiary
not to), without the written consent of the Parent:
(a) issue
or sell, or redeem or repurchase, any stock or other securities of the Company
or any Options or other rights to acquire any such stock or other securities
(except pursuant to the conversion or exercise of convertible securities or
Options outstanding on the date hereof), or amend any of the terms of (including
without limitation the vesting of) any such convertible securities or
Options;
(b) split,
combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock; declare, set aside or pay
any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any
combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock;
(c) create,
incur or assume any indebtedness (including obligations in respect of capital
leases); assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or responsible
(whether directly, contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other
person or entity; or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or
investments in, any other person or entity;
(d) enter
into, adopt or amend any Employee Benefit Plan or any employment or severance
agreement or arrangement or (except for normal increases in the Ordinary Course
of Business for employees who are not Affiliates) increase in any manner the
compensation or fringe benefits of, or materially modify the employment terms
of, its directors, officers or employees, generally or individually, or pay any
bonus or other
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benefit
to its directors, officers or employees;
(e) acquire,
sell, lease, license or dispose of any assets or property (including without
limitation any shares or other equity interests in or securities of any
Subsidiary or any corporation, partnership, association or other business
organization or division thereof), other than purchases and sales of assets in
the Ordinary Course of Business;
(f) mortgage
or pledge any of its property or assets or subject any such property or assets
to any Security Interest;
(g) discharge
or satisfy any Security Interest or pay any obligation or liability other than
in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(h) amend
its charter, by-laws or other organizational documents;
(i) change
in any material respect its accounting methods, principles or practices, except
insofar as may be required by a generally applicable change in
GAAP;
(j) enter
into, amend, terminate, take or omit to take any action that would constitute a
violation of or default under, or waive any rights under, any material contract
or agreement;
(k) institute
or settle any Legal Proceeding;
(l) take
any action or fail to take any action permitted by this Agreement with the
knowledge that such action or failure to take action would result in
(i) any of the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in
this Agreement becoming untrue or (ii) any of the conditions to the Merger
set forth in Article V not being satisfied; or
(m) agree
in writing or otherwise to take any of the foregoing actions.
4.5 Access to Company
Information.
(a) The
Company shall (and shall cause each Subsidiary to) permit representatives of the
Parent to have full access (at all reasonable times, and in a manner so as not
to interfere with the normal business operations of the Company and the
Subsidiaries) to all premises, properties, financial and accounting records,
contracts, other records and documents, and personnel, of or pertaining to the
Company and each Subsidiary.
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(b) Each
of the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. (i) shall treat and hold as
confidential any Company Confidential Information (as defined below),
(ii) shall not use any of the Company Confidential Information except in
connection with this Agreement, and (iii) if this Agreement is terminated
for any reason whatsoever, shall return to the Company all tangible embodiments
(and all copies) thereof which are in its possession. For purposes of this
Agreement, 'Company Confidential Information' means any confidential or
proprietary information of the Company or any Subsidiary that is furnished in
writing to the Parent or the Acquisition Corp. by the Company or any Subsidiary
in connection with this Agreement and is labeled confidential or proprietary;
provided, however, that it
shall not include any information (A) which, at the time of disclosure, is
available publicly, (B) which, after disclosure, becomes available publicly
through no fault of the Parent or the Acquisition Corp., (C) which the
Parent or the Acquisition Corp. knew or to which the Parent or the Acquisition
Corp. had access prior to disclosure, or (D) which the Parent or the
Acquisition Corp. rightfully obtains from a source other than the Company or a
Subsidiary.
4.6 Operation of Parent’s
Business. Except as contemplated by this Agreement, during the
period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, the Parent shall
(and shall cause each Subsidiary to) conduct its operations in the Ordinary
Course of Business and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
and, to the extent consistent therewith, use its Reasonable Best Efforts to
preserve intact its current business organization, keep its physical assets in
good working condition, keep available the services of its current officers and
employees and preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers and others
having business dealings with it to the end that its goodwill and ongoing
business shall not be impaired in any material respect. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, prior to the Effective Time, the Parent shall not
(and shall cause each Subsidiary not to), without the written consent of the
Company:
(a) issue
or sell, or redeem or repurchase, any stock or other securities of the Parent or
any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such stock or other securities,
except as contemplated by, and in connection with, the Private Placement
Offering and the Merger;
(b) split,
combine or reclassify any shares of its capital stock; declare, set aside or pay
any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any
combination thereof) in respect of its capital stock, except as contemplated by,
and in connection with, any stock split or stock dividend effected prior to the
Effective Time that causes the capitalization of Parent to be as described in
Section 3.2;
(c) create,
incur or assume any indebtedness (including obligations in respect of capital
leases); assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise become liable or
responsible
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(whether
directly, contingently or otherwise) for the obligations of any other person or
entity; or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments
in, any other person or entity;
(d) enter
into, adopt or amend any Employee Benefit Plan or any employment or severance
agreement or arrangement or (except for normal increases in the Ordinary Course
of Business for employees who are not Affiliates) increase in any manner the
compensation or fringe benefits of, or materially modify the employment terms
of, its directors, officers or employees, generally or individually, or pay any
bonus or other benefit to its directors, officers or employees, except for the
adoption of the Parent Option Plan covering an aggregate of 1,105,000 shares of
Parent Common Stock in connection with the Merger;
(e) acquire,
sell, lease, license or dispose of any assets or property (including without
limitation any shares or other equity interests in or securities of any Parent
Subsidiary or any corporation, partnership, association or other business
organization or division thereof), other than purchases and sales of assets in
the Ordinary Course of Business, except as contemplated by, and in connection
with, the Split-Off;
(f) mortgage
or pledge any of its property or assets or subject any such property or assets
to any Security Interest;
(g) discharge
or satisfy any Security Interest or pay any obligation or liability other than
in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(h) amend
its charter, by-laws or other organizational documents;
(i) change
in any material respect its accounting methods, principles or practices, except
insofar as may be required by a generally applicable change in
GAAP;
(j) enter
into, amend, terminate, take or omit to take any action that would constitute a
violation of or default under, or waive any rights under, any material contract
or agreement;
(k) institute
or settle any Legal Proceeding;
(l) take
any action or fail to take any action permitted by this Agreement with the
knowledge that such action or failure to take action would result in
(i) any of the representations and warranties of the Parent and/or the
Acquisition Corp. set forth in this Agreement becoming untrue or (ii) any
of the conditions to the Merger set forth in
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Article V
not being satisfied;
(m) make or change any Tax election, change any annual tax
accounting period, adopt or change any tax accounting method, file any amended
Tax Return, enter into any closing agreement, settle any Tax claim or assessment
relating to the Company, surrender any right to claim refund of Taxes, consent
to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim
or assessment relating to the Company, or, other than in the ordinary course of
business, take any other action or omit to take any action that would have the
effect of increasing the Tax liability of the Parent; or
(n) agree
in writing or otherwise to take any of the foregoing actions.
4.7 Access to Parent
Information.
(a) The
Parent shall (and shall cause the Acquisition Corp. to) permit representatives
of the Company to have full access (at all reasonable times, and in a manner so
as not to interfere with the normal business operations of the Parent and the
Acquisition Corp.) to all premises, properties, financial and accounting
records, contracts, other records and documents, and personnel, of or pertaining
to the Parent and the Acquisition Corp.
(b) The
Company (i) shall treat and hold as confidential any Parent Confidential
Information (as defined below), (ii) shall not use any of the Parent
Confidential Information except in connection with this Agreement, and
(iii) if this Agreement is terminated for any reason whatsoever, shall
return to the Parent all tangible embodiments (and all copies) thereof which are
in its possession. For purposes of this Agreement, 'Parent Confidential
Information' means any confidential or proprietary information of the Parent or
any Subsidiary that is furnished in writing to the Company by the Parent or the
Acquisition Corp. in connection with this Agreement and is labeled confidential
or proprietary; provided, however, that it
shall not include any information (A) which, at the time of disclosure, is
available publicly, (B) which, after disclosure, becomes available publicly
through no fault of the Company, (C) which the Company knew or to which the
Company had access prior to disclosure or (D) which the Company rightfully
obtains from a source other than the Parent or the Acquisition
Corp.
4.8 Expenses. The
costs and expenses of the Parent and the Company (including legal fees and
expenses of the Parent and the Company) incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be payable at Closing
from the proceeds of the Private Placement Offering.
4.9 Indemnification.
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(a) The
Parent shall not, for a period of three years after the Effective Time, take any
action to alter or impair any exculpatory or indemnification provisions now
existing in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company for the
benefit of any individual who served as a director or officer of the Company at
any time prior to the Effective Time, except for any changes which may be
required to conform with changes in applicable law and any changes which do not
affect the application of such provisions to acts or omissions of such
individuals prior to the Effective Time.
(b) From
and after the Effective Time, the Parent agrees that it will, and will cause the
Surviving Corporation to, indemnify and hold harmless each present and former
director and officer of the Company (the 'Indemnified
Executives') against any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees),
judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities or amounts paid in
settlement incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising
out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the
Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective
Time, to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law (and the Parent and the
Surviving Corporation shall also advance expenses as incurred to the fullest
extent permitted under Delaware law, provided the Indemnified Executive to whom
expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it is
ultimately determined that such Indemnified Executive is not entitled to
indemnification).
4.10 Listing of Merger
Shares. The Parent shall take whatever steps are necessary to
cause the Merger Shares to be eligible for quotation on the OTC Bulletin
Board.
4.11 Name
Change. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective
Time, the Parent shall take all necessary steps to enable it to change its
corporate name to such name as is agreeable to the Company, if the Parent has
not already done so prior to the Effective Time.
4.12 Split-Off. The
Parent shall take whatever steps are necessary to enable it to effect the
Split-Off as of the Effective Time.
4.13 Parent Option
Plan. Prior to or as of the Effective Time, the Board of
Directors and shareholders of Parent shall adopt the Parent Option Plan
reserving for issuance the number of shares of Common Stock contemplated by
Section 1.8(a).
4.14 Information Provided to
Company Stockholders. The Company shall prepare, with the
cooperation of the Parent, information to be sent to the holders of
Company
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Shares
and the holders of Preferred Stock in connection with receiving their approval
of the Merger, this Agreement and related transactions. Such information shall
constitute a disclosure of the offer and issuance of the shares of Parent Common
Stock to be received by the Company Stockholders in the Merger. The Parent and
the Company shall each use Reasonable Best Efforts to cause information provided
to such holders to comply with applicable federal and state securities laws
requirements. Each of the Parent and the Company agrees to provide promptly to
the other such information concerning its business and financial statements and
affairs as, in the reasonable judgment of the providing party or its counsel,
may be required or appropriate for inclusion in the information sent, or in any
amendments or supplements thereto, and to cause its counsel and auditors to
cooperate with the other’s counsel and auditors in the preparation of the
information to be sent to the holders of Company Shares and the holders of
Preferred Stock. The Company will promptly advise the Parent, and the Parent
will promptly advise the Company, in writing if at any time prior to the
Effective Time either the Company or the Parent shall obtain knowledge of any
facts that might make it necessary or appropriate to amend or supplement the
information sent in order to make the statements contained or incorporated by
reference therein not misleading or to comply with applicable law. The
information sent shall contain the recommendation of the Board of Directors of
the Company that the holders of Company Shares and the holders of Preferred
Stock approve the Merger and this Agreement and the conclusion of the Board of
Directors of the Company that the terms and conditions of the Merger are
advisable and fair and reasonable to the such holders. Anything to the contrary
contained herein notwithstanding, the Company shall not include in the
information sent to such holders any information with respect to the Parent or
its affiliates or associates, the form and content of which information shall
not have been approved by the Parent prior to such inclusion.
4.16 No
Shorting. The Company shall take whatever steps are necessary
to ensure that Key Stockholder agrees that it will not, for a period commencing
on the date hereof and terminating one year after the Effective Time, directly
or indirectly, effect or agree to effect any short sale (as defined in Rule 200
under Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act), whether or not against the box,
establish any 'put equivalent position' (as defined in Rule 16a-1(h) under the
Exchange Act) with respect to the Parent Common Stock, borrow or pre-borrow any
shares of Parent Common Stock, or grant any other right (including, without
limitation, any put or call option) with respect to the Parent Common Stock or
with respect to any security that includes, relates to or derives any
significant part of its value from the Parent Common Stock or otherwise seek to
hedge its position in the Parent Common Stock, subject to certain exceptions as
provided in the applicable lockup agreement (each, a 'Prohibited
Transaction'). As used herein, a 'Key Stockholder'
means any executive officer of Parent as of immediately after the Effective Time
and any
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holder of
5% of more of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock as of
immediately after the Effective Time (provided that, when calculating whether a
person holds more than 5%, shares acquired upon conversion of 5% debentures
issued by the Company in 2008 shall be disregarded).
4.17 Plan of
Reorganization. This Agreement is intended to constitute a 'plan of
reorganization' within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section
1.368-2(g). From and after the date of this Agreement and until the
Effective Time, each party hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause
the Merger to qualify, and will not knowingly take any action, cause any action
to be taken, fail to take any action or cause any action to fail to be taken
which action or failure to act could prevent the Merger from qualifying as a
reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the
Code.
ARTICLE
V - CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF MERGER
5.1 Conditions to Each Party’s
Obligations. The respective obligations of each Party to
consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:
(a) holders
of no more than 10% of the outstanding Company Shares entitled to vote on this
Agreement shall have disapproved of this Agreement and the Merger;
(b) the
completion of the offer and sale of the minimum amount of the Private Placement
Offering;
(c) satisfactory
completion by Parent and Company of all necessary legal due diligence;
and
(d) the
receipt of all information required to be included in the Current Report on SEC
Form 8-K required to be filed by the Parent as a result of the
Merger.
(e) holders
of at least two thirds of issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Series
A Senior Convertible Preferred Stock (the 'Preferred Stock')
shall have consented in writing to the conversion of their Preferred Stock into
Company Shares as of immediately before the Effective Time, causing all of the
issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock to automatically so convert as
of such time pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation;
5.2 Conditions to Obligations of
the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. The obligation of each of
the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. to consummate the Merger is subject
to
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the
satisfaction (or waiver by the Parent) of the following additional
conditions:
(a) the
number of Dissenting Shares shall not exceed 5% of the number of outstanding
Company Shares as of the Effective Time;
(b) the
Company and its Subsidiaries shall have obtained (and shall have provided copies
thereof to the Parent) all waivers, permits, consents, approvals or other
authorizations, and effected all of the registrations, filings and notices,
referred to in Section 4.2 which are required on the part of the Company or
the Subsidiaries, except for any the failure of which to obtain or effect would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect or
a material adverse effect on the ability of the Parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement shall
be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and
correct as of the Effective Time as though made as of the Effective Time, except
to the extent that the inaccuracy of any such representation or warranty is the
result of events or circumstances occurring subsequent to the date of this
Agreement and any such inaccuracies, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the
ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (it being agreed that any materiality qualifications in particular
representations and warranties shall be disregarded in determining whether any
such inaccuracies would have a Company Material Adverse Effect for purposes of
this Section 5.2(c));
(d) the
Company shall have performed or complied in all material respects with its
agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with under this
Agreement as of or prior to the Effective Time;
(e) no
Legal Proceeding shall be pending wherein an unfavorable judgment, order,
decree, stipulation or injunction would (i) prevent consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) cause any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following
consummation or (iii) have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company
Material Adverse Effect, and no such judgment, order, decree, stipulation or
injunction shall be in effect;
(f) the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall have delivered to the Parent and
the Acquisition Corp. a certificate dated as of the Closing Date (the 'Company Certificate')
certifying on behalf of the Company that each of the conditions specified in
clauses (a) and (c) of Section 5.1 and clauses (a) through (e)
(insofar as clause (e) relates
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to Legal
Proceedings involving the Company or a Subsidiary) of this Section 5.2 is
satisfied in all respects; and the Secretary of the Company shall have delivered
to the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. a certificate dated as of the Closing
Date (the 'Secretary
Certificate') certifying on behalf of the Company, (i) that attached
thereto is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company, as in effect on the date of such certification, (ii) that attached
thereto is a true and complete copy of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the
Company, as in effect on the date of such certification, (iii) that attached
thereto is a true and complete copy of all resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors and stockholders of the Company authorizing the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and
(iv) to the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer of the Company
executing on behalf of the Company this Agreement and the other agreements
related hereto;
(g) the
Key Stockholders shall have entered into agreements with the Parent pursuant to
which they shall have agreed to certain restrictions on the sale or other
disposition of the Parent Common Stock received by them in connection with the
Merger for a period of one (1) year following the Closing Date;
(h) each
Key Stockholder shall have agreed in writing not to engage in any Prohibited
Transactions; and
(i) all
notes and other indebtedness convertible into shares of any class of capital
stock of the Company shall have been discharged or converted into Company Shares
(or the holders thereof shall have agreed in writing to such conversion
occurring at the Closing).
5.3 Conditions to Obligations of
the Company. The obligation of the Company to consummate the
Merger is subject to the satisfaction of the following additional
conditions:
(a) the
Parent shall have obtained (and shall have provided copies thereof to the
Company and its Subsidiaries) all of the waivers, permits, consents, approvals
or other authorizations, and effected all of the registrations, filings and
notices, referred to in Section 4.2 which are required on the part of the
Parent, except for any the failure of which to obtain or effect would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect or a
material adverse effect on the ability of the Parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(b) the
representations and warranties of the Parent set forth in this Agreement shall
be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be true and
correct as of the
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Effective
Time as though made as of the Effective Time, except to the extent that the
inaccuracy of any such representation or warranty is the result of events or
circumstances occurring subsequent to the date of this Agreement and any such
inaccuracies, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Parent Material
Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of the Parties to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (it being agreed that
any materiality qualifications in particular representations and warranties
shall be disregarded in determining whether any such inaccuracies would have a
Parent Material Adverse Effect for purposes of this
Section 5.3(b));
(c) each
of the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. shall have performed or complied with
its agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with under
this Agreement as of or prior to the Effective Time;
(d) no
Legal Proceeding shall be pending wherein an unfavorable judgment, order,
decree, stipulation or injunction would (i) prevent consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) cause any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be rescinded following
consummation or (iii) have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent
Material Adverse Effect, and no such judgment, order, decree, stipulation or
injunction shall be in effect;
(e) the
Secretary of the Parent shall have delivered to the Company a certificate dated
as of the Closing Date (the 'Parent Certificate')
certifying on behalf of the Parent (i) that each of the conditions specified in
clauses (c) and (d) of Section 5.1 and clauses (a) through (d) (insofar as
clause (d) relates to Legal Proceedings involving the Parent and the
Acquisition Corp.) of this Section 5.3 is satisfied in all respects, (ii)
that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Parent, as in effect on the date of such certification,
(iii) that attached thereto is a true and complete copy of the Bylaws of the
Parent, as in effect on the date of such certification, (iv) that attached
thereto is a true and complete copy of all resolutions adopted by the Board of
Directors and stockholders of the Parent authorizing the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, (v) to
the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer of the Parent executing on
behalf of the Parent this Agreement and the other agreements related
hereto;
(f) the
total number of shares of Parent Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall equal 1,105,000 shares, after giving effect to
the Share Contribution and cancellation and Reverse Split, but excluding (i) the
shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued to accredited investors in the
Private Placement Offering; and (ii) 8,895,000 shares of Parent Common Stock to
be issued to Company
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Stockholders
in connection with the Merger.
(g) the
Parent shall have adopted the Parent Option Plan; and
(h) contemporaneously
with the closing of the Merger, the Parent, FPAC, and the Buyer shall execute
the Split-Off Agreement, which Split-Off is effective immediately prior to the
Effective Time.
ARTICLE
VI - INTENTIONALLY OMITTED
ARTICLE
VII - DEFINITIONS
For
purposes of this Agreement, each of the following defined terms is defined in
the Section of this Agreement indicated below.
Defined Term
|
Section
|
Acquisition
Corp.
|
Introduction
|
Affiliate
|
2.13(a)(vii)
|
Agreement
|
Introduction
|
Delaware
Certificate
|
1.1
|
Buyer
|
Introduction
|
CERCLA
|
2.20(a)
|
Certificates
|
1.7
|
Claims
|
1.13
|
Closing
|
1.2
|
Closing
Date
|
1.2
|
Code
|
Introduction
|
Common
Conversion Ratio
|
1.5(b)
|
Company
|
Introduction
|
Company
Balance Sheet
|
2.6
|
Company
Balance Sheet Date
|
2.6
|
Company
Certificate
|
5.3(e)
|
Company
Stockholders
|
1.3(d)
|
Company
Confidential Information
|
4.5(b)
|
Company
Financial Statements
|
2.6
|
Company
Material Adverse Effect
|
2.1
|
Company
Shares
|
1.5(a)
|
Company
Stockholder
|
1.3(d)
|
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Contemplated
Transactions
|
8.3
|
Convertible
Notes
|
2.2
|
Current
Report
|
4.3
|
Defaulting
Party
|
8.6
|
Disclosure
Schedule
|
Article
II
|
Dispute
|
6.3(c)
|
Dissenting
Shares
|
1.6(a)
|
Effective
Time
|
1.1
|
Employee
Benefit Plan
|
2.19(a)(i)
|
Environmental
Law
|
2.20(a)
|
ERISA
|
2.19(a)(ii)
|
ERISA
Affiliate
|
2.19(a)(iii)
|
Exchange
Act
|
2.13(a)
|
FPAC
|
Introduction
|
GAAP
|
2.6
|
GCL
|
1.1
|
Governmental
Entity
|
2.4
|
Indemnification
Representative
|
1.3(g)
|
Indemnified
Executives
|
4.9(b)
|
Indemnifying
Stockholders
|
1.5(b)
|
Key
Stockholder
|
4.16
|
Legal
Proceeding
|
2.17
|
Loss
|
1.13
|
Louisiana
Certificate
|
1.1
|
Merger
|
Introduction
|
Merger
Shares
|
1.5(b)
|
Non-Controlling
Party
|
6.3(a)
|
Non-Defaulting
Party
|
8.6
|
Old
Options
|
1.8(a)
|
Options
|
1.8
|
Ordinary
Course of Business
|
2.4
|
OTCBB
|
3.2
|
Parent
|
Introduction
|
Parent
Certificate
|
5.3(e)
|
Parent
Common Stock
|
1.5(a)
|
Parent
Confidential Information
|
4.7(b)
|
Parent
Disclosure Schedule
|
Article
III
|
Parent
Group
|
1.13
|
Parent
Liabilities
|
1.13
|
Parent
Material Adverse Effect
|
3.1
|
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Parent
Options
|
1.8(a)
|
Parent
Option Plan
|
1.8(a)
|
Parent
Reports
|
3.6
|
Party
|
Introduction
|
Permit
Application
|
2.31
|
Permits
|
2.23
|
Prohibited
Transaction
|
4.17
|
PPO
Price
|
Introduction
|
Preferred
Stock
|
5.1
|
Private
Placement Offering
|
Introduction
|
Reasonable
Best Efforts
|
4.1
|
Secretary
Certificate
|
5.3(e)
|
SEC
|
1.13
|
Securities
Act
|
1.14
|
Security
Interest
|
2.4
|
Preferred
Stock
|
1.5
|
Share
Contribution
|
3.2
|
Split-Off
|
Introduction
|
Split-Off
Agreement
|
Introduction
|
Subsidiary
|
2.5(a)
|
Surviving
Corporation
|
1.1
|
Tax
Returns
|
2.9(a)(ii)
|
Taxes
|
2.9(a)(i)
|
Transaction
Documentation
|
3.3
|
Year-End
Financial Statements
|
2.6
|
ARTICLE
VIII - TERMINATION
8.1 Termination by Mutual
Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior
to the Effective Time by mutual consent of the parties hereto, provided that
such consent to terminate is in writing and is signed by each of the parties
hereto.
8.2 Termination for Failure to
Close. This Agreement shall be automatically terminated if the
Closing Date shall not have occurred by October 1, 2008.
8.3 Termination by Operation of
Law. This Agreement may be terminated by any Party hereto if
there shall be any statute, rule or regulation that renders consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the 'Contemplated
Transactions') illegal or otherwise prohibited, or a court of competent
jurisdiction or any government (or governmental authority) shall have issued an
order, decree or ruling, or has taken any other action restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting the consummation of such transactions and such order,
decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and
nonappealable.
-57-
8.4 Termination for Failure to
Perform Covenants or Conditions. This Agreement may be terminated prior
to the Effective Time:
(a) by
the Parent and the Acquisition Corp. if: (i) any of the representations and
warranties made in this Agreement by the Company shall not be materially true
and correct, when made or at any time prior to consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions as if made at and as of such time; (ii) any of the conditions
set forth in Section 5.2 hereof have not been fulfilled in all material respects
by the Closing Date; (iii) the Company shall have failed to observe or
perform any of its material obligations under this Agreement; or (iv) as
otherwise set forth herein; or
(b) by
the Company if: (i) any of the representations and warranties of the Parent
or the Acquisition Corp. shall not be materially true and correct when made or
at any time prior to consummation of the Contemplated Transactions as if made at
and as of such time; (ii) any of the conditions set forth in Section 5.3
hereof have not been fulfilled in all material respects by the Closing Date;
(iii) the Parent or the Acquisition Corp. shall have failed to observe or
perform any of their material respective obligations under this Agreement; or
(iv) as otherwise set forth herein.
8.5 Effect of Termination or
Default; Remedies. In the event of termination of this
Agreement as set forth above, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and
there shall be no liability on the part of any Party hereto, provided that such
Party is a Non-Defaulting Party (as defined below). The foregoing shall not
relieve any Party from liability for damages actually incurred as a result of
such Party’s breach of any term or provision of this Agreement.
8.6 Remedies; Specific
Performance. In the event that any Party shall fail or refuse
to consummate the Contemplated Transactions or if any default under or beach of
any representation, warranty, covenant or condition of this Agreement on the
part of any Party (the 'Defaulting Party')
shall have occurred that results in the failure to consummate the Contemplated
Transactions, then in addition to the other remedies provided herein, the
non-defaulting Party (the 'Non-Defaulting
Party') shall be entitled to seek and obtain money damages from the
Defaulting Party, or may seek to obtain an order of specific performance thereof
against the Defaulting Party from a court of competent jurisdiction, provided
that the Non-Defaulting Party seeking such protection must file its request with
such court within forty-five (45) days after it becomes aware of the Defaulting
Party’s failure, refusal, default or breach. In addition, the Non-Defaulting
Party shall be entitled
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to obtain
from the Defaulting Party court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in
connection with or in pursuit of enforcing the rights and remedies provided
hereunder.
ARTICLE
IX - MISCELLANEOUS
9.1 Press Releases and
Announcements. No Party shall issue any press release or
public announcement relating to the subject matter of this Agreement without the
prior written approval of the other Parties; provided, however, that any
Party may make any public disclosure it believes in good faith is required by
applicable law, regulation or stock market rule (in which case the disclosing
Party shall use reasonable efforts to advise the other Parties and provide them
with a copy of the proposed disclosure prior to making the
disclosure).
9.2 No Third Party
Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not confer any rights or
remedies upon any person other than the Parties and their respective successors
and permitted assigns; provided, however, that
(a) the provisions in Article I concerning issuance of the Merger
Shares and the provisions of Section 1.13 are intended for the benefit of the
Company Stockholders and (b) the provisions in Section 4.9 concerning
indemnification are intended for the benefit of the individuals specified
therein and their successors and assigns.
9.3 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement (including the documents referred to
herein) constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and supersedes any
prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties,
written or oral, with respect to the subject matter hereof.
9.4 Succession and
Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the Parties named herein and their respective successors and
permitted assigns. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its
rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of
the other Parties; provided that the Acquisition Corp. may assign its rights,
interests and obligations hereunder to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Parent.
9.5 Counterparts and Facsimile
Signature. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be
executed by facsimile signature.
9.6 Headings. The
section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
-59-
9.7 Notices. All
notices, requests, demands, claims, and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder
shall be deemed duly delivered four business days after it is sent by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one business
day after it is sent for next business day delivery via a reputable nationwide
overnight courier service, in each case to the intended recipient as set forth
below:
If
to the Company or the Parent (subsequent to the
Closing):
|
Confederate
Motor Company, Inc.
0000
0xx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
(000)
000-0000 - Phone
(000)
000-0000 - Fax
xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Attention:
H. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Founder and CEO
with
a copy to:
|
If to the Parent or
the Acquisition Corp. (prior to
the Closing):
|
French
Peak Resources Inc.
000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, CEO
with
a copy to:
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxx, LLP
000
Xxxxx 0 Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
(000)
000-0000 - Phone
(000)
000-0000 - Fax
xXxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
|
-60-
Any Party
may give any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication hereunder
using any other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger
service, telecopy, telex, ordinary mail or electronic mail), but no such notice,
request, demand, claim or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly
given unless and until it actually is received by the Party for whom it is
intended. Any Party may change the address to which notices, requests, demands,
claims, and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the
other Parties notice in the manner herein set forth.
9.8 Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware without
giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the
State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of
laws of any jurisdictions other than those of the State of
Delaware.
9.9 Amendments and
Waivers. The Parties may mutually amend any provision of this
Agreement at any time prior to the Effective Time. No amendment of any provision
of this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed
by all of the Parties. No waiver of any right or remedy hereunder shall be valid
unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Party giving such waiver.
No waiver by any Party with respect to any default, misrepresentation or breach
of warranty or covenant hereunder shall be deemed to extend to any prior or
subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant
hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or
subsequent such occurrence.
9.10 Severability. Any
term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any
situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
the remaining terms and provisions hereof or the validity or enforceability of
the offending term or provision in any other situation or in any other
jurisdiction. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction
declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or unenforceable, the
Parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or
unenforceability shall have the power to limit the term or provision, to delete
specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or
provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes
closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or
provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified.
9.11 Submission to
Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties (a) submits to the
jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the County of New York in
the State of New York in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to
this Agreement, (b) agrees that all claims in respect of such action or
proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court, and (c) agrees
not to bring any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement in any other court. Each of the Parties waives any defense of
inconvenient
-61-
forum to
the maintenance of any action or proceeding so brought and waives any bond,
surety or other security that might be required of any other Party with respect
thereto. Any Party may make service on another Party by sending or delivering a
copy of the process to the Party to be served at the address and in the manner
provided for the giving of notices in Section 9.7. Nothing in this
Section 9.11, however, shall affect the right of any Party to serve legal
process in any other manner permitted by law.
9.12 Construction.
(a) The
language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the
Parties to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction shall
be applied against any Party. The representations and
warranties in Article II shall not survive the Closing.
(b) Any reference to any
federal, state, local or foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to refer to
all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires
otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including”
will be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” The words “this
Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar
import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision
unless expressly so limited.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
-62-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have
executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
(formerly
known as French Peak Resources Inc.)
By:
Name: Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Title:
CEO
CONFEDERATE
ACQUISITION CORP.
By:
Name: Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
Title:
CEO
CONFEDERATE
MOTOR COMPANY, INC.
By:
Name: H.
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title:
Chairman and CEO
-63-
Exhibit
A
Form of Split-Off
Agreement