LETTER AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
January 24, 2008
Atlas Acquisition Holdings Corp.
c/o Hauslein & Company, Inc.
00000 XX Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
c/o Hauslein & Company, Inc.
00000 XX Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Lazard Capital Markets LLC
00 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
00 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
0000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
0000 Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Re: Initial Public Offering
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Lazard Capital Markets LLC and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated are acting as the
representatives of the underwriters (the “Representatives”) of the initial public offering
(the “IPO”) of units (the “Units”) consisting of one share of Common Stock of Atlas
Acquisition Holdings Corp. (the “Company”), and one warrant (a “Warrant”), each
whole Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock of the Company.
Lazard Capital Markets LLC, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated, and any other underwriters are
referred to collectively as the “Underwriters.” The undersigned stockholder, officer,
and/or director of the Company, in consideration of the Underwriters underwriting the IPO, hereby
agrees as set forth below. Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 1 hereof.
1. As used herein, (i) a “Business Combination” shall mean an acquisition by merger,
capital stock exchange, asset or stock acquisition, reorganization or otherwise, of an operating
business selected by the Company; (ii) “Founders” shall mean all stockholders, officers,
and directors who are stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the IPO; (iii) “Common
Stock” shall mean the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share; (iv) “Founders’
Shares” shall mean all of the shares of Common Stock of the Company owned by the Founders prior
to the IPO; and (v) “IPO Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock issued in the
Company’s IPO.
2. If the Company solicits approval of its stockholders of a Business Combination, the
undersigned will vote all Founders’ Shares owned by him or it in accordance with the majority of
the votes cast by the holders of the IPO Shares.
3. In the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 24 months
from the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the registration statement relating to
the IPO (such date being referred to herein as the “Termination Date”), the undersigned, to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), will
(i) cause the trust account established under the Investment Management Trust Agreement to be
entered into between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trust
Account”) to be liquidated and distributed to the holders of IPO Shares, and (ii) take all
reasonable actions within his or its power to cause the Company to liquidate as soon as reasonably
practicable. The undersigned hereby waives any and all right, title, interest, or claim of any kind
(“Claim”) to participate in any liquidating distribution of the Trust Account as part of
the Company’s plan of distribution with respect to the Founders’ Shares if the Company fails to
consummate a Business Combination and the Trust Account is
Atlas Acquisition Holdings Corp.
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Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
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consequently liquidated. The undersigned hereby waives any Claim the undersigned may have in
the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company to or
against the Trust Account and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason
whatsoever. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that there will be no distribution from the
Trust Account with respect to any Warrants, all rights of which will terminate on the Company’s
liquidation. [THIS PROVISION FOR XXXXX XXXXXXXX AND XXXXXX XXXXXX ONLY.] In the event of the
liquidation of the Trust Account, the undersigned agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any and all loss, liability, claims, damage, and expense whatsoever (including, but not
limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, or
defending against any litigation, whether pending or threatened, or any claim whatsoever) which the
Company may become subject as a result of any claim by any vendor, service provider, financing
provider, or other person who is owed money by the Company for services rendered or products sold
or contracted for, or by any target business, but only to the extent necessary to ensure that such
loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense does not reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account
and only if such a vendor, service provider, financing provider, or other person or prospective
target business does not execute an agreement waiving any claims against the Trust Account.
Additionally, the undersigned will not have any personal liability as to any claims under the
Company’s indemnity of the underwriters of the IPO against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
4. [THIS PROVISION FOR XXXXX XXXXXXXX AND XXXXXX XXXXXX ONLY.] In order to minimize potential
conflicts of interest that may arise from multiple corporate affiliations, the undersigned agrees
to present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or
entity, those business opportunities to acquire an operating business the undersigned reasonably
believes are suitable opportunities for the Company, until the earlier of the consummation by the
Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the Company, or until such time as the
undersigned ceases to be an officer or director of the Company, subject to any pre-existing
fiduciary or contractual obligations the undersigned might have. [THIS PROVISION IS FOR DIRECTORS
ONLY.] In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest that may arise from multiple business
affiliations, the undersigned acknowledges that the Company does not expect its independent
directors to present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other
person or entity, any investment or business opportunities. [THIS PROVISION IS FOR SPECIAL
ADVISORS ONLY.] In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest that may arise from multiple
affiliations, the undersigned acknowledges that, as a special advisor to the Company, he has no
formal arrangements or agreements with the Company to provide services to the Company and he will
not receive any remuneration. The undersigned acknowledges that he owes no fiduciary duty to the
Company nor will he be entitled, in his capacity as a special advisor, to vote on any transaction
or other matters relating to the Company. Furthermore, the undersigned acknowledges that in his
capacity as a special advisor, he will not be able to formally recommend any transactions to the
Company’s stockholders on the Company’s behalf, sit on the Company’s board of directors, or sit on
any committee of the Company’s board of directors. [THIS PROVISION IS FOR PROMETHEAN PARTNERS
ONLY.] In order to minimize potential conflicts of interest that may arise from multiple
affiliations, the undersigned acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of Promethean Investments LLP and
its managed funds (“Promethean”), that he will provide the Company a right of first refusal
with respect to any potential investment opportunity except (i) any investment in an entity
incorporated or formed in the United Kingdom which does not exceed $100 million of equity by
Promethean or (ii) any investment in an entity incorporated or formed in India which does not
exceed $50 million of equity by Promethean India. The undersigned acknowledges that the Company
may have an interest in a transaction below these thresholds, and Promethean would not be obligated
to present the Company with that transaction. The undersigned further acknowledges that this right
of first refusal will continue until the Company has made an initial investment that has been
approved by the Company’s stockholders or until the Company’s liquidation, whichever is earlier.
[THIS PROVISION IS FOR STOCKHOLDERS ONLY.] The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the
Company will not consummate any Business Combination with any company with which the undersigned
has had any discussions, formal or otherwise, prior to the consummation of the IPO, with respect to
a Business Combination.
5. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not consummate any Business
Combination with any company with which the undersigned has had any discussions, formal or
otherwise, prior to the consummation of the IPO, with respect to a Business Combination.
Atlas Acquisition Holdings Corp.
Lazard Capital Markets LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
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Lazard Capital Markets LLC
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6. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Company will not consummate any Business
Combination which involves a company which is affiliated with any of the Founders unless the
Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the business combination
is fair to the Company’s stockholders from a financial perspective.
7. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate of
the undersigned will be entitled to receive and will not accept any compensation for services
rendered to the Company prior to, or in connection with, the consummation of the Business
Combination (such date being referred to herein as the “Consummation Date”); provided,
however, that commencing upon the Consummation Date, Xxxxxxxx & Company, Inc. shall be allowed to
charge the Company $10,000 per month to compensate it for certain administrative, technology, and
secretarial services, as well as the use of certain limited office space, until the earlier of the
Company’s consummation of a Business Combination or its liquidation. The undersigned, and certain
existing officers, directors, stockholders, or affiliates of the Company, shall also be entitled to
reimbursement from the Company for the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with
certain activities on the Company’s behalf, such as identifying and investigating possible business
targets and Business Combinations.
8. Neither the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, nor any affiliate of
the undersigned will be entitled to receive or accept a finder’s fee or any other compensation in
the event the undersigned, any member of the family of the undersigned, or any affiliate of the
undersigned originates a Business Combination.
9. The undersigned will, pursuant to and subject to the terms of an Escrow Agreement to be
entered into by and among the Company, the Founders, and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
as escrow agent, escrow all Founders’ Shares held by the undersigned, directly or indirectly, until
the date that is one year after the consummation of a Business Combination unless (i) the last
sales price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds $18.00 per share (as adjusted for any
stock splits) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading-day period or (ii) the Company
consummates a subsequent liquidation, merger, stock exchange, or other similar transaction that
results in all of our stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for
cash, securities, or other property in which case the Founders’ Shares will be released from escrow
simultaneously with the closing of such transaction; provided, however, that the foregoing sentence
shall not apply to transfers (A) by an entity holding initial shares to persons controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with such entity, or to any stockholder, member, partner, or
limited partner of such entity, (B) to relatives and trusts for estate planning purposes, or (C) by
private sales made at or prior to the consummation of a business combination at prices no greater
than the price at which the shares were originally purchased, in each case where the transferee
agrees to the terms of the escrow agreement; provided, however, that with respect to each of the
transfers described in clauses (A), (B), and (C) of this sentence, prior to such transfer, the
transferee, or the trustee or legal guardian on behalf of any transferee, agrees to the terms of
this letter.
10. [THIS PROVISION IS FOR DIRECTORS ONLY.] The undersigned agrees to be a Director of the
Company until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination or the
dissolution and liquidation of the Company. The undersigned’s biographical information furnished
to the Company and the Representatives and attached hereto as Exhibit A is true and accurate in all
respects, does not omit any material information with respect to the undersigned’s background and
contains all of the information required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 401 of Regulation S-K,
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The undersigned’s Questionnaire
furnished to the Company and the Representatives and annexed as Exhibit B hereto is true and
accurate in all respects. The undersigned represents and warrants that:
(a) he is not subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction,
cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any act or practice
relating to the offering of securities in any jurisdiction;
Atlas Acquisition Holdings Corp.
Lazard Capital Markets LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
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Lazard Capital Markets LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
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(b) he has never been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any crime (i) involving any fraud,
(ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another person, or (iii)
pertaining to any dealings in any securities and he is not currently a defendant in any such
criminal proceeding; and
(c) he has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or commodities
exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license or registration denied,
suspended or revoked.
11. The undersigned hereby agrees to not propose, or vote in favor of, an amendment to the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to (i) extend the period of time in which the Company must
consummate a Business Combination prior to its liquidation, (ii) remove or modify the requirement
of the Company to seek stockholder approval of a Business Combination, or (iii) remove or modify
the requirement of the Company to allow stockholders to seek conversion of their shares if they did
not vote in favor of an approved and completed Business Combination. This paragraph may not be
modified or amended under any circumstances.
12. [THIS PROVISION FOR XXXXX XXXXXXXX AND XXXXXX XXXXXX ONLY.] In the event that the Company
does not consummate a Business Combination and must liquidate and its remaining net assets are
insufficient to complete such liquidation, the undersigned agrees to advance such funds necessary
to complete such liquidation and agrees not to seek repayment for such expenses. The undersigned
represents to the Company that he is capable of funding a shortfall in the Trust Account to satisfy
his or its foreseeable indemnification obligations.
13. [THIS PROVISION IS FOR DIRECTORS ONLY.] The undersigned has full right and power, without
violating any agreement by which he is bound, to enter into this Agreement and to serve as a
Director of the Company.
14. The undersigned acknowledges and understands that the Underwriters and the Company will
rely upon the agreements, representations, and warranties set forth herein in proceeding with the
IPO.
15. This Agreement shall be binding on the undersigned and such person’s respective
successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns. This Agreement shall terminate on the
earlier of (i) the date upon which a Business Combination is consummated, or (ii) the Termination
Date; provided, however, that any such termination shall not relieve the undersigned from any
liability resulting from or arising out of any breach of any agreement or covenant hereunder
occurring prior to the termination of this Agreement.
16. The undersigned authorizes any employer, financial institution, or consumer credit
reporting agency to release to the Representatives and its legal representatives or agents
(including any investigative search firm retained by the Representatives) any information they may
have about the undersigned’s background and finances (“Information”), purely for the
purposes of the Company’s IPO (and shall thereafter hold such information confidential). Neither
the Representatives nor its agents shall be violating the undersigned’s right of privacy in any
manner in requesting and obtaining the Information and the undersigned hereby releases them from
liability for any damage whatsoever in that connection.
17. The undersigned hereby waives his or its right to exercise conversion rights with respect
to any Founders’ Shares owned by the undersigned, directly or indirectly, and agrees that he or she
will not seek conversion for cash with respect to such Founders’ Shares in connection with any vote
to approve a Business Combination (as is more fully defined in the final prospectus relating to the
IPO).
18. In order to induce you and the other Underwriters to enter into the proposed Underwriting
Agreement in connection with the IPO, the undersigned hereby agrees to execute an escrow agreement
among the Founders, the Company, and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company simultaneously with
the execution of the proposed Underwriting Agreement, whereby a portion of the undersigned’s
Founders’ Shares will be held in escrow until the earlier of the time that the Underwriters’
over-allotment option is exercised or expires. An amount equal to
Atlas Acquisition Holdings Corp.
Lazard Capital Markets LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
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Lazard Capital Markets LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
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15% of such Founders’ Shares shall be cancellable as set forth below (the “Cancellable Shares”).
The undersigned understands that (i) if the Underwriters do not exercise any part of their over-allotment option,
then the undersigned’s Cancellable Shares shall be cancelled upon expiration of the over-allotment
option, and the undersigned will receive no consideration for such cancellation, and (ii) if the
Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in part, a pro rata amount of the undersigned’s
Cancellable Shares shall be cancelled, and the undersigned will receive no consideration for such
cancellation.
19. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws
of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in
the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The undersigned hereby agrees that
any action, proceeding or claim against the undersigned arising out of or relating in any way to
this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such
jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The undersigned hereby waives any objection
to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.
20. No term or provision of this Agreement may be amended, changed, waived, altered, or
modified except by written instrument executed and delivered by the undersigned with the written
consent of the Company and the Representatives.
[Signature Page Follows]
Atlas Acquisition Holdings Corp.
Lazard Capital Markets LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
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Lazard Capital Markets LLC
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated
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Schedule to Exhibit 10.1
The form of Letter Agreement was executed by the following persons or entities:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Promethean plc
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Trust
Elephant North America Limited
Irrevocable Trust #1 for Descendants of Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxx 2005 Irrevocable Trust
Harbour Ltd.
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Promethean plc
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Trust
Elephant North America Limited
Irrevocable Trust #1 for Descendants of Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxx 2005 Irrevocable Trust
Harbour Ltd.
