AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER by and among Abtech Holdings, Inc., Abtech Merger Sub, Inc., and AbTech Industries, Inc. dated as of July 17, 2010
Exhibit
2.1
EXECUTION
VERSION
by
and among
Abtech
Merger Sub, Inc.,
and
AbTech
Industries, Inc.
dated
as of July 17, 2010
Table
of Contents
Page | ||
ARTICLE
1 THE MERGER
|
1
|
|
1.1.
|
The
Merger
|
1
|
1.2.
|
Closing
|
2
|
1.3.
|
Effective
Time of the Merger
|
2
|
1.4.
|
Effects
of the Merger
|
2
|
1.5.
|
Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation
|
2
|
1.6.
|
Directors
and Officers
|
2
|
ARTICLE
2 EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK OF COMPANY AND
MERGER SUB
|
2
|
|
2.1.
|
Effect
on Capital Stock
|
2
|
2.2.
|
Warrants
and Options.
|
4
|
2.3.
|
Issuance
and Reservation of Shares
|
4
|
2.4.
|
Dissenting
Shares
|
4
|
2.5.
|
Notices
and Election to Convert Preferred Stock..
|
5
|
2.6.
|
Additional
Actions
|
5
|
ARTICLE
3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
|
6
|
|
3.1.
|
Organization,
Standing and Corporate Power
|
6
|
3.2.
|
Subsidiaries
|
6
|
3.3.
|
Capital
Structure of the Company
|
6
|
3.4.
|
Corporate
Authority; Noncontravention
|
7
|
3.5.
|
Governmental
Authorization
|
7
|
3.6.
|
Financial
Statements
|
8
|
3.7.
|
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events
|
8
|
3.8.
|
Certain
Fees
|
9
|
3.9.
|
Litigation;
Labor Matters; Compliance with Laws
|
9
|
3.10.
|
Tax
Returns and Tax Payments
|
9
|
3.11.
|
Environmental
Matters
|
11
|
3.12.
|
Material
Contract Defaults
|
11
|
3.13.
|
Accounts
Receivable
|
11
|
3.14.
|
Properties
|
11
|
3.15.
|
Intellectual
Property
|
12
|
3.16.
|
Board
Recommendation
|
12
|
3.17.
|
Undisclosed
Liabilities
|
12
|
3.18.
|
Full
Disclosure
|
12
|
3.19.
|
No
Registration of Securities
|
12
|
3.20.
|
Parent
Information
|
13
|
ARTICLE
4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
|
13
|
|
4.1.
|
Organization,
Standing and Corporate Power
|
13
|
4.2.
|
Subsidiaries
|
13
|
4.3.
|
Capital
Structure of Parent and Merger Sub
|
14
|
4.4.
|
Corporate
Authority; Noncontravention
|
15
|
4.5.
|
Government
Authorization
|
15
|
4.6.
|
SEC
Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities; Financial Statements
|
16
|
i
4.7.
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
16
|
4.8.
|
Certain
Fees
|
17
|
4.9.
|
Litigation;
Labor Matters; Compliance with Laws
|
17
|
4.10.
|
Benefit
Plans
|
18
|
4.11.
|
Tax
Returns and Tax Payments
|
18
|
4.12.
|
Environmental
Matters
|
19
|
4.13.
|
Material
Contract Defaults
|
19
|
4.14.
|
Accounts
Receivable
|
19
|
4.15.
|
Properties
|
19
|
4.16.
|
Intellectual
Property
|
20
|
4.17.
|
Board
Determination
|
20
|
4.18.
|
Required
Parent Share Issuance Approval
|
20
|
4.19.
|
Undisclosed
Liabilities
|
20
|
4.20.
|
Full
Disclosure
|
20
|
ARTICLE
5 COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
|
20
|
|
5.1.
|
Conduct
of the Company Business
|
20
|
5.2.
|
Shareholder
Approval
|
21
|
5.3.
|
Satisfaction
of Conditions Precedent
|
21
|
5.4.
|
No
Other Negotiations
|
21
|
5.5.
|
Access
|
22
|
5.6.
|
Notification
of Certain Matters
|
22
|
ARTICLE
6 COVENANTS OF PARENT
|
22
|
|
6.1.
|
Obligations
of Merger Sub
|
22
|
6.2.
|
Conduct
of the Parent Business
|
23
|
6.3.
|
Company
Employees
|
23
|
6.4.
|
Access
|
23
|
6.5.
|
Notification
of Certain Matters
|
23
|
6.6.
|
Director
and Officer Appointments
|
24
|
6.7.
|
Satisfaction
of Conditions Precedent
|
24
|
ARTICLE
7 COVENANTS OF PARENT AND THE COMPANY
|
24
|
|
7.1.
|
Notices
of Certain Events
|
24
|
7.2.
|
Public
Announcements
|
24
|
7.3.
|
Transfer
Taxes
|
25
|
7.4.
|
Reasonable
Efforts
|
25
|
7.5.
|
Fees
and Expenses
|
25
|
7.6.
|
Regulatory
Matters and Approvals.
|
25
|
7.7.
|
Transfer
Restrictions.
|
25
|
ARTICLE
8 INDEMNIFICATION
|
26
|
|
8.1.
|
Indemnification
of Parent and Merger Sub
|
26
|
8.2.
|
Indemnification
of the Company
|
27
|
8.3.
|
Claims
Procedure
|
27
|
8.4.
|
Exclusive
Remedy
|
28
|
ARTICLE
9 CONDITIONS TO MERGER
|
28
|
|
9.1.
|
Condition
to Obligation of Each Party to Effect the Merger
|
28
|
9.2.
|
Additional
Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub
|
28
|
9.3.
|
Additional
Conditions to Obligations of the Company
|
29
|
ii
ARTICLE
10 TERMINATION
|
31
|
|
10.1.
|
Termination
|
31
|
10.2.
|
Notice
of Termination
|
31
|
10.3.
|
Effect
of Termination
|
31
|
ARTICLE
11 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
|
32
|
|
ARTICLE
12 GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
32
|
|
12.1.
|
Notices
|
32
|
12.2.
|
Amendment
|
33
|
12.3.
|
Waiver
|
33
|
12.4.
|
Failure
or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative
|
33
|
12.5.
|
Headings
|
33
|
12.6.
|
Severability
|
33
|
12.7.
|
Entire
Agreement
|
34
|
12.8.
|
Assignment
|
34
|
12.9.
|
Parties
In Interest
|
34
|
12.10.
|
Governing
Law
|
34
|
12.11.
|
Counterparts
|
34
|
12.12.
|
Attorneys
Fees
|
34
|
12.13.
|
Tax
Advice
|
34
|
12.14.
|
Representation
|
35
|
12.15.
|
Drafting
|
35
|
12.16.
|
Gender
|
35
|
Signatures
|
36
|
|
Exhibit
A
|
A-1
|
|
Exhibit
B-1
|
B-1
|
|
Exhibit
X-0
|
X-0
|
|
Xxxxxxx
X
|
X-0
|
|
Xxxxxxx
X
|
X-0
|
iii
THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the “Agreement”), is made
and entered into as of July 17, 2010, by and among Abtech Holdings, Inc., f/k/a
Xxxxxx Resources, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Parent”), Abtech
Merger Sub, Inc., a Nevada corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
(“Merger Sub”),
and AbTech Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Certain
other capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Exhibit A
attached hereto.
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
the respective Boards of Directors of Parent, Merger Sub, and the Company
believe it is in the best interest of each company and their respective
stockholders to consummate the business combination transaction provided for
herein in which Merger Sub would merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”);
WHEREAS,
the respective Boards of Directors of Parent, Merger Sub, and the Company have
approved this Agreement and the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this Agreement in accordance with the Nevada Revised
Statutes (“NRS”), the Delaware
General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and their
respective charter documents;
WHEREAS,
each of Parent, Merger Sub, and the Company desire to make certain
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the
Merger and also to prescribe various conditions to the consummation thereof;
and
WHEREAS,
for federal income tax purposes, the parties intend that the Merger shall
qualify as reorganization under the provisions of Section 368(a)(1)(B) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
AGREEMENT
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual promises,
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, the
parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
1
THE
MERGER
1.1. The
Merger. Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in
accordance with the NRS and the DGCL, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into
the Company at the Effective Time of the Merger (as defined in
Section 1.3). Following the Merger, the separate corporate
existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the
surviving corporation (the “Surviving
Corporation”) and shall succeed to and assume all the rights, properties,
liabilities and obligations of Merger Sub in accordance with the NRS and
DGCL.
1
1.2. Closing. The
closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take
place at the offices of Xxxxxxxxx Traurig LLP located at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx at the date and time on or before thirty (30)
days which the conditions to Closing set forth in Article 9 of this
Agreement shall have been satisfied or waived by the appropriate party or at
such time as the parties hereto agree. The date on which the Closing
actually occurs and the transactions contemplated hereby become effective is
hereinafter referred to as the “Closing
Date.” At the time of the Closing, Parent, Merger Sub and the
Company shall deliver the certificates and other documents and instruments
required to be delivered hereunder.
1.3. Effective
Time of the Merger. At
the Closing, the parties hereto shall (a) cause an articles of merger
substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 (the
“Nevada Articles of
Merger”) to be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Nevada, as provided in Section 92A.200 of the NRS, (b) cause
a certificate of merger in substantially the form of Exhibit B-2 (the
“Delaware Certificate
of Merger”) to be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware, as provided in Section 252 of the DGCL and (c) take
all such other and further actions as may be required by the NRS, the DGCL or
other applicable Law to make the Merger effective. The Merger shall
become effective as of the date and time of the filing of the Nevada Articles of
Merger and the Delaware Certificate of Merger. The date and time of
such effectiveness are referred to herein as the “Effective
Time.”
1.4. Effects
of the Merger. Subject
to the foregoing, the effects of the Merger shall be as provided in the
applicable provisions of the NRS and the DGCL.
1.5. Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. The Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time and as amended by the Delaware Certificate of Merger shall be the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
changed or amended as provided therein or in accordance with applicable
Law. The Bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter
changed or amended as provided therein or in accordance with applicable
Law.
1.6. Directors
and Officers. The
directors and officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation until their
successors shall have been duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance
with applicable Law or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in
accordance with the Surviving Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws.
ARTICLE
2
EFFECT
OF THE MERGER ON THE CAPITAL STOCK
OF
COMPANY AND MERGER SUB
2.1. Effect
on Capital Stock. At
the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company:
(a) Capital Stock of Merger
Sub. Each issued and outstanding share of capital stock of
Merger Sub shall by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
any holder thereof, be converted into one share of the Company’s common
stock. Such newly issued share shall thereafter constitute all of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Surviving
Corporation.
2
(b) Conversion of the Company
Stock. Subject to other provisions of this
Article 2:
(i) The
issued and outstanding shares of the Company Series A Preferred Stock (the
“Preferred Stock”) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall:
(A) At
the election of the holder, be converted into Company Common Stock in accordance
with its terms, and then converted into the right to receive Merger
Consideration as described in Section 2.1(b)(ii); or
(B) If
the holder does not elect for the Preferred Stock to be converted into Company
Stock, be converted into Preferred Stock of the Surviving Corporation with the
same rights as set forth in the Certificate of Designation of the Privileges,
Rights and Preferences of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of the
Company.
(ii) Each
issued and outstanding share of the Company Stock immediately prior to the
Effective Time (individually a “Share” and
collectively the “Shares”), including
any Shares issued upon the conversion of Preferred Stock of the Company, but
excluding (i) Shares held by the Company, and (ii) Shares held by
Parent, Merger Sub or any other Subsidiary or parent of Parent or Merger Sub, if
any, and (iii) Dissenting Shares, shall, by virtue of the Merger, be
converted automatically into 5.259 shares of Common Stock of the Parent (the
“Merger
Consideration”). The Merger Consideration shall be distributed by the
Company according to the liquidation preferences set forth in the Company’s
Certificate of Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware on October 16, 1997,
as amended, and the Company’s Certificate of Designation of the
Privileges, Rights and Preferences of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock,
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 4, 2006,
or in the absence of such provisions, by Law.
(iii) The
issued and outstanding Shares, applicable liquidation preferences and the
holders shall be set forth on a Merger Consideration certificate to be delivered
by the Company to the Parent at Closing (the “Merger Consideration
Certificate”). Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall be
entitled to rely on the Merger Consideration Certificate in connection with
issuance of certificates representing the Merger Consideration pursuant to
Section 2.2.
(iv) At
the Effective Time, all such Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall
automatically be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder
of a certificate representing any such Shares shall cease to have any rights
with respect thereto, except the right to receive, upon the surrender of any
certificates representing the Shares, certificates representing the Merger
Consideration to which such holder is entitled .
(v) At
the Effective Time, each Share held by the Company as treasury stock or held by
Parent, Merger Sub or any Subsidiary or parent of Parent, Merger Sub or the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the
holder thereof, be canceled, retired and cease to exist, and no consideration
shall be delivered with respect thereto.
3
2.2. Warrants
and Options.
(a) At
the Effective Time, each outstanding warrant to purchase Common Stock of the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the
holder thereof, be converted into a warrant to purchase that number of shares of
Common Stock of Parent equal to the amount of Merger Consideration that such
warrant holder would have received had such holder exercised such warrant
immediately prior to the Effective Time. The aggregate exercise price
and other terms of such warrants shall not be affected or altered by such
conversion.
(b) At
the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase Common Stock of the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the
holder thereof, be converted into an option to purchase that number of shares of
Common Stock of Parent equal to the amount of Merger Consideration that such
option holder would have received had such holder exercised such option
immediately prior to the Effective Time. The aggregate exercise price
and other terms of such options shall not be affected or altered by such
conversion.
(c) At
the Effective Time, each outstanding warrant to purchase Preferred Stock of the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the
holder thereof, be converted into a warrant to purchase the same number of
shares of Preferred Stock of the Surviving Corporation. The exercise
price and other terms of such warrants shall not be affected or altered by such
conversion.
(d) At
the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase Preferred Stock of the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the
holder thereof, be converted into an option to purchase the same number of
shares of Preferred Stock of the Surviving Corporation. The exercise
price and other terms of such options shall not be affected or altered by such
conversion.
2.3. Convertible Debt of the
Company. Holders of notes of the Company that are convertible
into Preferred Stock of the Company, shall have the option to retain such notes
or convert such notes into Common Stock of Parent. If a holder elects
to convert its note(s), such note(s) will be converted into Preferred Stock in
accordance with its terms, such Preferred Stock will then be converted into
Company Common Stock in accordance with its terms, and then such Common Stock
will be converted into the right to receive Merger Consideration as described in
Section 2.1(b)(ii).
2.4. Issuance
and Reservation of Shares.
(a) Promptly
after the Effective Time, Parent shall distribute the Merger Consideration to
holders of Shares by issuance of certificates in accordance with the Merger
Consideration Certificate.
(b) If
any portion of the Merger Consideration is to be issued to a Person other than
the registered holder of the Shares represented by the Certificates surrendered
in exchange therefor, it shall be a condition to such issuance that the
Certificates so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper
form for transfer and that the Person requesting such issuance shall pay to the
Parent any transfer or other taxes required as a result of such issuance to a
Person other than the registered holder of such Shares or establish to the
satisfaction of the Parent that such tax has been paid or is not
payable.
4
(c) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 2.4, Parent shall not be liable to
any holder of Shares for any amount paid to a public official pursuant to and in
accordance with the requirements of applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar Laws.
(d) Promptly
after the Effective Time, Parent shall reserve an amount of Shares of its Common
Stock equal to the number of Shares of Common Stock of Parent issuable upon (i)
the exercise of the warrants and options described in Sections 2.2(a) and (b),
(ii) the conversion of Preferred Stock of the Surviving Corporation which has
been issued pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(i)(B), and (iii) the conversion of
Preferred Stock of the Surviving Corporation that may be issued upon the
exercise of the options and warrants described in Sections 2.2(c) and (d), and
(iv) the conversion of Preferred Stock of the Surviving Corporation that may be
issued upon the conversion of convertible notes of the Company that are not
converted prior to the Effective Time pursuant to Section 2.3.
(e) Promptly
after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall reserve an amount of
Shares of its Preferred Stock equal to the number of Shares of Preferred Stock
of the Surviving Corporation issuable upon (i) the exercise of the warrants and
options described in Sections 2.1(c)(iii) and (iv) above, and (ii) the
conversion of convertible notes of the Company that are not converted prior to
the Effective Time pursuant to Section 2.3.
2.5. Dissenting
Shares.
(a) Notwithstanding
Section 2.1, Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and
held by a holder who is entitled to an appraisal of the fair market value for
such shares and who does not vote in favor of or consent in writing to the
Merger and who otherwise complies with the provisions of Section 262 of the
DGCL (the “Dissenting
Shares”) shall not be converted into the right to receive any portion of
the Merger Consideration as provided in Section 2.1(b) of this Agreement,
unless and until such holder fails to perfect or withdraws or otherwise loses
his right to an appraisal of the fair market value of his Dissenting
Shares. If, after the Effective Time, any such holder fails to
perfect or withdraws or loses his right to an appraisal of the fair market value
of his Dissenting Shares under the DGCL, such Dissenting Shares shall thereupon
be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective Time into the right
to receive the Merger Consideration to which such holder is
entitled.
(b) The
Company shall give Parent prompt notice of any demands received by the Company
for the payment of fair market value for Shares, and Parent shall have the right
to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such
demands. The Company shall not make any such payment without Parent’s
prior written consent.
2.6. Notices and Election to Convert
Preferred Stock. At least thirty (30) days prior to the
Effective Date, Company shall mail to the holders of the Preferred Stock a
notice containing the expected Effective Date and the expected date as of which
the record holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their Shares
for Merger Consideration.
5
2.7. 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, assurances or any
other actions or things are necessary or desirable 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, properties or Assets of Merger Sub or the
Company or otherwise to carry out this Agreement, the officers and directors of
the Surviving Corporation shall be authorized to execute and deliver, in the
name and on behalf of Merger Sub and the Company, all such deeds, bills of sale,
assignments and assurances and to take and do, in the name and on behalf of
Merger Sub or the Company, all such other actions and things as may be necessary
or desirable to vest, perfect or confirm any and all right, title and interest
in, to and under such rights, properties or Assets in the Surviving Corporation
or otherwise carry out the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The
Company represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub that, except as set
forth in the disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to Parent and Merger
Sub (the “Company
Disclosure Schedule”) which have been provided to Parent prior to the
date hereof:
3.1. Organization,
Standing and Corporate Power. The
Company is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws
of the State of Delaware and has the requisite corporate power and authority and
all government licenses, authorizations, Permits, consents and approvals
required to own, lease and operate its properties and carry on its business as
now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified or licensed to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its
business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such qualification
or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions where the failure to be
so qualified or licensed (individually or in the aggregate) would not have a
Material Adverse Effect.
3.2. Subsidiaries. Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.2, the Company does not own directly or indirectly,
any equity or other ownership interest in any company, corporation, partnership,
joint venture or otherwise.
3.3. Capital
Structure of the Company. As
of the date of this Agreement, the number of shares and type of all authorized,
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company, and all shares of capital
stock reserved for issuance under the Company’s various option and incentive
plans is specified on Schedule 3.3. Except as set forth in Schedule
3.3, no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company are
issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All outstanding shares
of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights. Except as set
forth on Schedule 3.3, there are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or
other indebtedness or other securities of the Company having the right to vote
(or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote)
on any matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.3, there are no
outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments,
agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which the Company is a
party or by which it is bound obligating the Company to issue, deliver or sell,
or cause to be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or
other equity or voting securities of the Company or obligating the Company to
issue, grant, extend or enter into any such security, option, warrant, call,
right, commitment, agreement, arrangement or undertaking. There are
no outstanding contractual obligations, commitments, understandings or
arrangements of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or make
any payment in respect of any shares of capital stock of the
Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.3, there are no agreements
or arrangements pursuant to which the Company is or could be required to
register shares of Company Common Stock or other securities under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
(the “Securities
Act”) or other agreements or arrangements with or among any security
holders of the Company with respect to securities of the
Company.
6
3.4. Corporate
Authority; Noncontravention. The
Company has all requisite corporate and other power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and, subject to receipt of the approval of its stockholders, to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by
the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have been (or at Closing
will have been) duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
the Company. This Agreement has been duly executed and when delivered
by the Company shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general
principles of equity. The execution and delivery of this Agreement do
not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
compliance with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with, or result in any
breach or violation of, or Default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or
both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration of or “put” right with respect to any obligation or to a loss of a
material benefit under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the
properties or Assets of the Company under, (i) the certificate or articles of
incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents of the
Company, (ii) any loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
lease or other agreement, instrument, Permit, concession, franchise or license
applicable to the Company, its properties or Assets, or (iii) subject to the
governmental filings and other matters referred to in the following sentence,
any judgment, Order, decree, statute, Law, ordinance, rule, regulation or
arbitration award applicable to the Company, its properties or Assets, other
than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any such conflicts, breaches,
violations, Defaults, rights, losses or Liens that individually or in the
aggregate could not have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company
or could not prevent, hinder or materially delay the ability of the Company to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.5. Governmental
Authorization. No
consent, approval, Order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, or notice to, any United States court, administrative agency or
commission, or other federal, state or local government or other governmental
authority, agency, domestic or foreign (a “Governmental
Entity”), is required by or with respect to the Company in connection
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company or the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, except,
with respect to this Agreement, any filings under the DGCL, the NRS, the
Securities Act or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Exchange
Act”).
7
3.6. Financial
Statements.
(a) Parent
has received a copy of the audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, unaudited consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
and unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the period
ended March 31, 2010 (collectively, the “Company Financial
Statements”). The Company Financial Statements fairly present
the financial condition of the Company at the dates indicated and its results of
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended and, except as indicated
therein, reflect all claims against, debts and liabilities of the Company, fixed
or contingent, and of whatever nature, as of the dates indicated.
(b) Since
March 31, 2010 (the
“Company Balance Sheet
Date”), there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to the
Company.
(c) Since
the Company Balance Sheet Date or as provided in this Agreement, the Company has
not issued, sold or otherwise disposed of, or agreed to issue, sell or otherwise
dispose of, any capital stock or any other security of the Company and has not
granted or agreed to grant any option, warrant or other right to subscribe for
or to purchase any capital stock or any other security of the Company or has
incurred or agreed to incur any indebtedness for borrowed money.
3.7. Absence
of Certain Changes or Events. Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.7, since the Company Balance Sheet Date, the Company
has conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past
practice, and there is not and has not been any:
(a) Material
Adverse Effect with respect to the Company;
(b) event
which, if it had taken place following the execution of this Agreement, would
not have been permitted by Section 5.1 without prior consent of
Parent;
(c) condition,
event or occurrence which could reasonably be expected to prevent, hinder or
materially delay the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;
(d) incurrence,
assumption or guarantee by the Company of any indebtedness for borrowed money
other than in the ordinary course and in amounts and on terms consistent with
past practices;
(e) creation
or other incurrence by the Company of any Lien on any asset other than in the
ordinary course consistent with past practices;
(f) labor
dispute, other than routine, individual grievances, or, to the Knowledge of the
Company, any activity or proceeding by a labor union or representative thereof
to organize any employees of the Company or any lockouts, strikes, slowdowns,
work stoppages or threats by or with respect to such employees;
(g) payment,
prepayment or discharge of liability other than in the ordinary course of
business or any failure to pay any liability when due;
8
(h) material
write-offs or write-downs of any Assets of the Company;
(i) damage,
destruction or loss having, or reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company;
(j) other
condition, event or occurrence which individually or in the aggregate could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or give rise to a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company; or
(k) agreement
or commitment to do any of the foregoing.
3.8. Certain
Fees. No
brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company
to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent,
investment banker, bank or other person with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
3.9. Litigation;
Labor Matters; Compliance with Laws.
(a) There
is no suit, action or proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge
of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any basis for any
such suit, action, proceeding or investigation that, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to the Company or prevent, hinder or materially delay the ability of the
Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, nor is
there any judgment, decree, injunction, rule or Order of any Governmental Entity
or arbitrator outstanding against the Company having, or which, insofar as
reasonably could be foreseen by the Company, in the future could have, any such
effect.
(b) The
Company is not a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement,
Contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor
organization, nor is it the subject of any proceeding asserting that it has
committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it to bargain with any
labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment nor is there any
strike, work stoppage or other labor dispute involving it pending or, to its
Knowledge, threatened, any of which could have a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to Company.
(c) The
conduct of the business of the Company complies with all statutes, Laws,
regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, Orders, decrees or arbitration awards
applicable thereto.
3.10. Tax
Returns and Tax Payments.
(a) The
Company has timely filed with the appropriate taxing authorities all Tax Returns
required to be filed by it (taking into account all applicable
extensions). All such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in
all respects. All Taxes due and owing by the Company have been paid
(whether or not shown on any Tax Return and whether or not any Tax Return was
required). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10, the Company is not
currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax
Return or pay any Tax. No claim has ever been made in writing or
otherwise addressed to the Company by a taxing authority in a jurisdiction where
the Company does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation
by that jurisdiction. The unpaid Taxes of the Company did not, as of
the Company Balance Sheet Date, exceed the reserve for Tax liability (excluding
any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between
book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the financial statements (rather
than in any notes thereto). Since the Company Balance Sheet Date,
neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any liability for
Taxes outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and
practice. As of the Closing Date, the unpaid Taxes of the Company and
its subsidiaries will not exceed the reserve for Tax liability (excluding any
reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between
book and Tax income) set forth on the books and records of the
Company.
9
(b) No
material claim for unpaid Taxes has been made or become a Lien against the
property of the Company or is being asserted against the Company, no audit of
any Tax Return of the Company is being conducted by a tax authority, and no
extension of the statute of limitations on the assessment of any Taxes has been
granted by the Company and is currently in effect. The Company has
withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in
connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor,
creditor, stockholder or other third party.
(c) As
used herein, “Taxes” shall mean all
taxes of any kind, including, without limitation, those on or measured by or
referred to as income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, franchise,
profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium value added, property or windfall profits taxes, customs,
duties or similar fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, together
with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts
imposed by any governmental authority, domestic or foreign. As used
herein, “Tax
Return” shall mean any return, report or statement required to be filed
with any governmental authority with respect to Taxes.
10
3.11. Environmental
Matters. The
Company is in compliance with all Environmental Laws in all material
respects. The Company has not received any written notice regarding
any violation of any Environmental Laws, including any investigatory, remedial
or corrective obligations, which, if determined adversely to the Company, would
reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect. The Company holds all Permits and
authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws, unless the failure
to hold such Permits and authorizations would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company, and is in compliance with all terms, conditions and provisions
of all such Permits and authorizations in all material respects. No
releases of Hazardous Materials have occurred at, from, in, to, on or under any
real property currently or formerly owned, operated or leased by the Company or
any predecessor thereof and no Hazardous Materials are present in, on, about or
migrating to or from any such property which could result in any liability to
the Company. The Company has not transported or arranged for the
treatment, storage, handling, disposal, or transportation of any Hazardous
Material to any off-site location which could result in any liability to the
Company. The Company has no liability, absolute or contingent, under
any Environmental Law that if enforced or collected would have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. There are no past, pending or
threatened claims under Environmental Laws against the Company and Company is
not aware of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to
result in a liability or claim against the Company pursuant to Environmental
Laws.
3.12. Material
Contract Defaults. The
Company is not, or has not received any notice or has any Knowledge that any
other party is, in Material Contract Default under any Company Material
Contract; and there has not occurred any event that with the lapse of time or
the giving of notice or both would constitute such a Material Contract
Default. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Company Material
Contract” means any Contract that is effective as of the Closing Date to
which the Company is a party (i) with expected receipts or expenditures in
excess of $50,000, (ii) requiring the Company to indemnify any person, (iii)
granting exclusive rights to any party, or (iv) evidencing indebtedness for
borrowed or loaned money in excess of $50,000, including guarantees of such
indebtedness.
3.13. Accounts
Receivable. All
of the accounts receivable of the Company that are reflected on the Company
Financial Statements or the accounting records of the Company as of the Closing
(collectively, the “Accounts Receivable”)
represent or will represent valid obligations arising from sales actually made
or services actually performed in the ordinary course of business and are not
subject to any defenses, counterclaims, or rights of set off other than those
arising in the ordinary course of business and for which adequate reserves have
been established. The Accounts Receivable are fully collectible to
the extent not reserved for on the balance sheet on which they are
shown.
3.14. Properties. The
Company has valid land use rights for all real property that is material to its
business and good, clear and marketable title to all the tangible properties and
tangible Assets reflected in the latest balance sheet as being owned by the
Company or acquired after the date thereof which are, individually or in the
aggregate, material to the Company’s business (except properties sold or
otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary course of
business), free and clear of all Material Liens, encumbrances, claims, security
interest, options and restrictions of any nature whatsoever. Any real
property and facilities held under lease by the Company is held by it under
valid, subsisting and enforceable leases of which the Company is in compliance,
except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
11
3.15. Intellectual
Property.
(a) As
used in this Agreement, the term “Trademarks” means
trademarks, service marks, trade names, internet domain names, designs, slogans,
and general intangibles of like nature; the term “Trade Secrets” means
technology; trade secrets and other confidential information, know-how,
proprietary processes, formulae, algorithms, models, and methodologies; the term
“Intellectual
Property” means patents, copyrights, Trademarks, applications for any of
the foregoing, and Trade Secrets; the term “Company License
Agreements” means any license agreements granting any right to use or
practice any rights under any Intellectual Property, and any written settlements
relating to any Intellectual Property, to which the Company is a party or
otherwise bound; and the term “Software” means any
and all computer programs, including any and all software implementations of
algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code or object
code.
(b) The
Company owns or has valid rights to use the Trademarks, trade names, domain
names, copyrights, patents, logos, licenses and computer software programs
(including, without limitation, the source codes thereto) that are necessary for
the conduct of its respective businesses as now being conducted. To
the Knowledge of the Company, none of the Company’s Intellectual Property or
Company License Agreements infringe upon the rights of any third party that may
give rise to a cause of action or claim against the Company or its
successors.
3.16. Board
Recommendation. The
Board of Directors of the Company has determined that the terms of the Merger
are fair to and in the best interests of the stockholders of the Company and
recommended that the Company’s stockholders approve the Merger.
3.17. Undisclosed
Liabilities. The Company has
no liabilities or monetary obligations of any nature (whether fixed or unfixed,
secured or unsecured, known or unknown and whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, or otherwise) except for such liabilities or obligations reflected
or reserved against in the Company Financial Statements, incurred in the
ordinary course of business after the Company Balance Sheet Date, or disclosed
in Schedule 3.17.
3.18. Full
Disclosure. All
of the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement,
including the Company Disclosure Schedule attached hereto, and all statements
set forth in the certificates delivered by the Company at the Closing pursuant
to this Agreement, are true, correct and complete in all material respects and
do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make such representations, warranties or
statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
misleading. The copies of all documents furnished by the Company
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement are complete and accurate copies of the
original documents.
3.19. No
Registration of Securities. Company
understands and acknowledges that the offering, exchange and issuance of Merger
Consideration pursuant to this Agreement will not be registered under the
Securities Act on the grounds that the offering, sale, exchange and issuance of
securities contemplated by this Agreement are exempt from registration pursuant
to Section 4(2) and/or Section 3(b) of the Securities Act, and that Parent’s
reliance upon such exemption is predicated in part upon the Company’s
representations herein and upon the representations contained in the Stockholder
Representation Letters, the form of which is attached as Exhibit C to this
Agreement.
12
3.20. Parent
Information. The
Company acknowledges that it has had access to the documents filed by Parent
under the Exchange Act, since the end of its most recently completed fiscal year
to the date hereof, and has carefully reviewed the same (“Exchange Act
Documents”). The Company further acknowledges that Parent has
made available to it the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers
from Parent’s officers and directors concerning the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the business and financial condition of Parent, and the Company
has received to its satisfaction, such information about the business and
financial condition of Parent and the terms and conditions of the Agreement as
it has requested. The Company has carefully considered the potential
risks relating to Parent and investing in the Merger Consideration, and fully
understands that such securities are speculative investments, which involve a
high degree of risk of loss of the Company and its shareholders’ entire
investment. Among others, the Company has carefully considered each
of the risks identified under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Exchange Act
Documents, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Company
has made available all such information to its shareholders in considering the
terms and conditions of the Merger.
ARTICLE
4
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
Parent
and Merger Sub, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the Company
that, except as set forth in Parent Disclosure Schedule:
4.1. Organization,
Standing and Corporate Power. Each
of Parent and Merger Sub is duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the Laws of the State of Nevada, as is applicable, and has the
requisite corporate power and authority and all government licenses,
authorizations, Permits, consents and approvals required to own, lease and
operate its properties and carry on its business as now being
conducted. Each of Parent and Merger Sub is duly qualified or
licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
the nature of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes
such qualification or licensing necessary, other than in such jurisdictions
where the failure to be so qualified or licensed (individually or in the
aggregate) would not have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Parent. Shares of common stock of Parent, par value $0.001 (“Parent Common
Stock”), trade on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “LRAL.” Parent
is in compliance with all requirements for the continued trading of the Parent
Common Stock on the OTC Bulletin Board.
4.2. Subsidiaries. Other
than Merger Sub, Parent does not own directly or indirectly, any equity or other
ownership interest in any company, corporation, partnership, joint venture or
otherwise.
13
4.3. Capital
Structure of Parent and Merger Sub.
(a) Immediately
prior to the issuance of the Merger Consideration at Closing, the authorized
capital stock of Parent will consist of 300,000,000 shares of Parent Common
Stock, $0.001 par value, of which no more than 13,000,000 shares of Parent
Common Stock will be issued and outstanding, and no shares of Parent Common
Stock will be issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, convertible
notes, options or otherwise. All outstanding shares of capital stock
of Parent are, and all shares which may be issued pursuant to this Agreement
will be, when issued, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, not subject to preemptive rights, and issued in compliance with
all applicable state and federal Laws concerning the issuance of
securities. Except for the Parent Common Stock, there are no
outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness or other securities
of Parent having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for,
securities having the right to vote). There are no outstanding
securities, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments, agreements,
arrangements or undertakings of any kind to which Parent is a party or by which
Parent is bound obligating Parent to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be
issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other equity
securities of Parent or obligating Parent to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to
be issued, delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other equity
securities of Parent or obligating Parent to issue, grant, extend or enter into
any such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement,
arrangement or undertaking. There are no outstanding contractual
obligations, commitments, understandings or arrangements of Parent or any of its
subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or make any payment in
respect of any shares of capital stock of Parent or any of its
subsidiaries. There are no agreements or arrangements pursuant to
which Parent is or could be required to register shares of Parent Common Stock
or other securities under the Securities Act or other agreements or arrangements
with or among any security holders of Parent with respect to securities of
Parent.
(b) Immediately
prior to the Closing, the authorized capital stock of Merger Sub will consist of
1,000 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock, $0.001 par value, of which no more than
100 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock will be issued and outstanding, and no
shares of Merger Sub Common Stock will be issuable upon the exercise of
outstanding warrants, convertible notes, options or otherwise. All
outstanding shares of capital stock of Merger Sub are owned by Parent and are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, not subject to
preemptive rights, and issued in compliance with all applicable state and
federal Laws concerning the issuance of securities. Except for the
Merger Sub Common Stock, there are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or
other indebtedness or other securities of Merger Sub having the right to vote
(or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to
vote). There are no outstanding securities, options, warrants, calls,
rights, commitments, agreements, arrangements or undertakings of any kind to
which Merger Sub is a party or by which Merger Sub is bound obligating Merger
Sub to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered or sold,
additional shares of capital stock or other equity securities of Merger Sub or
obligating Merger Sub to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued,
delivered or sold, additional shares of capital stock or other equity securities
of Merger Sub or obligating Merger Sub to issue, grant, extend or enter into any
such security, option, warrant, call, right, commitment, agreement, arrangement
or undertaking. There are no outstanding contractual obligations,
commitments, understandings or arrangements of Merger Sub to repurchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire or make any payment in respect of any shares of capital
stock of Merger Sub. There are no agreements or arrangements
pursuant to which Merger Sub is or could be required to register shares of
Merger Sub Common Stock or other securities under the Securities Act or other
agreements or arrangements with or among any security holders of Merger Sub with
respect to securities of Merger Sub. Merger Sub does not own directly
or indirectly, any equity or other ownership interest in any company,
corporation, partnership, joint venture or otherwise. Merger Sub has
not conducted any operations and does not have any assets, liabilities or
employees.
14
4.4. Corporate
Authority; Noncontravention. Each
of Parent and Merger Sub have all requisite corporate and other power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to receipt of the approval
of its stockholders, as applicable, to consummate the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by
each of Parent and Merger Sub and the consummation by each of Parent and Merger
Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby have been (or at Closing will have
been) duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of each of
Parent and Merger Sub. This Agreement has been duly executed and when
delivered by each of Parent and Merger Sub, shall constitute a valid and binding
obligation of each of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against Parent and
Merger Sub in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of
equity. The execution and delivery of this Agreement do not, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and compliance
with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with, or result in any breach or
violation of, or Default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of
or “put” right with respect to any obligation or to loss of a material benefit
under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or
Assets of Parent and Merger Sub under, (i) the articles of incorporation,
bylaws, or other charter documents of each of Parent and Merger sub, (ii) any
loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other
agreement, instrument, Permit, concession, franchise or license applicable to
each of Parent or Merger Sub, each of its properties or Assets, or (iii) subject
to the governmental filings and other matters referred to in the following
sentence, any judgment, Order, decree, statute, Law, ordinance, rule, regulation
or arbitration award applicable to each of Parent and Merger Sub, each of its
properties or Assets, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), any
such conflicts, breaches, violations, Defaults, rights, losses or Liens that
individually or in the aggregate could not have a Material Adverse Effect with
respect to Parent or could not prevent, hinder or materially delay the ability
of Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
4.5. Government
Authorization. No
consent, approval, Order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity, is required by or with
respect to each of Parent and Merger Sub in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub, or the consummation by
Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby, except, with
respect to this Agreement, any filings under the DGCL, the NRS, the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act.
15
4.6. SEC
Documents; Undisclosed Liabilities; Financial Statements.
(a) Parent
has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents
as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and Parent has
delivered or made available to the Company all reports, schedules, forms,
statements and other documents filed with the SEC (collectively, and in each
case including all exhibits and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by
reference therein, the “Parent SEC
Documents”). As of their respective dates, the Parent SEC
Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to such Parent SEC
Documents, and none of the Parent SEC Documents (including any and all
consolidated financial statements included therein) as of such date contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Except to the extent revised or superseded by a
subsequent filing with the SEC (a copy of which has been provided to the Company
prior to the date of this Agreement), none of the Parent SEC Documents contained
any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. The consolidated financial statements of Parent included
in such Parent SEC Documents comply as to form in all material respects with
applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of
the SEC with respect thereto, have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
(except, in the case of unaudited consolidated quarterly statements, as
permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the
periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto) and fairly
present the consolidated financial position of Parent and its consolidated
subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations
and changes in cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of
unaudited quarterly statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments as
determined by Parent’s independent accountants). Except as set forth
in the Parent SEC Documents, at the date of the most recent financial statements
of Parent included in the Parent SEC Documents, Parent has not incurred any
liabilities or monetary obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise).
(b) Except
as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, since
February 28, 2010 (the “Parent Balance Sheet
Date”), there has been no Material Adverse Effect with respect to
Parent.
(c) Except
as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof or as
provided in this Agreement, since the Parent Balance Sheet Date, Parent has
not issued, sold or otherwise disposed of, or agreed to issue, sell
or otherwise dispose of, any capital stock or any other security of Parent and
has not granted or agreed to grant any option, warrant or other right to
subscribe for or to purchase any capital stock or any other security of Parent
or has incurred or agreed to incur any indebtedness for borrowed
money.
4.7. Absence
of Certain Changes. Except
as disclosed in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof or as
set forth on Schedule 4.7, since the Parent Balance Sheet Date, Parent has
conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice
in light of its current business circumstances, and there is not and has not
been any:
(a) Material
Adverse Effect with respect to Parent;
(b) event
which, if it had taken place following the execution of this Agreement, would
not have been permitted by Section 6.2 without prior consent of the
Company;
(c) condition,
event or occurrence which could reasonably be expected to prevent, hinder or
materially delay the ability of Parent to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;
(d) incurrence,
assumption or guarantee by Parent of any indebtedness for borrowed money other
than in the ordinary course and in amounts and on terms consistent with past
practices or as disclosed to the Company in writing;
16
(e) creation
or other incurrence by Parent of any Lien on any asset other than in the
ordinary course consistent with past practices;
(f) labor
dispute, other than routine, individual grievances, or, to the Knowledge of
Parent, any activity or proceeding by a labor union or representative thereof to
organize any employees of Parent or any lockouts, strikes, slowdowns, work
stoppages or threats by or with respect to such employees;
(g) payment,
prepayment or discharge of liability other than in the ordinary course of
business or any failure to pay any liability when due;
(h) write-offs
or write-downs of any Assets of Parent;
(i) damage,
destruction or loss having, or reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect on Parent;
(j) other
condition, event or occurrence which individually or in the aggregate could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or give rise to a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to Parent; or
(k) agreement
or commitment to do any of the foregoing.
4.8. Certain
Fees. No
brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by Parent or
Merger Sub to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement
agent, investment banker, bank or other person with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
4.9. Litigation;
Labor Matters; Compliance with Laws.
(a) There
is no suit, action or proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Knowledge
of each of Parent and Merger Sub, threatened against or affecting Parent or
Merger Sub or any basis for any such suit, action, proceeding or investigation
that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect with respect to each of Parent or Merger Sub or prevent,
hinder or materially delay the ability of each of Parent and Merger Sub to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, nor is there any
judgment, decree, injunction, rule or Order of any Governmental Entity or
arbitrator outstanding against Parent or Merger Sub having, or which, insofar as
reasonably could be foreseen by Parent or Merger Sub, in the future could have,
any such effect.
(b) Each
of Parent and Merger Sub is not a party to, or bound by, any collective
bargaining agreement, Contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor
union or labor organization, nor is it the subject of any proceeding asserting
that it has committed an unfair labor practice or seeking to compel it to
bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment nor
is there any strike, work stoppage or other labor dispute involving it pending
or, to its Knowledge, threatened, any of which could have a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to Parent.
17
(c) The
conduct of the business of each of Parent and Merger Sub complies with all
statutes, Laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, Orders, decrees or
arbitration awards applicable thereto.
4.10. Benefit
Plans. Each
of Parent and Merger Sub is not a party to any Benefit Plan under which Parent
or Merger Sub currently has an obligation to provide benefits to any current or
former employee, officer or director of Parent or Merger Sub. As used herein,
“Benefit Plan”
shall mean any employee benefit plan, program, or arrangement of any kind,
including any defined benefit or defined contribution plan, stock ownership
plan, executive compensation program or arrangement, bonus plan, incentive
compensation plan or arrangement, profit sharing plan or arrangement, deferred
compensation plan, agreement or arrangement, supplemental retirement plan or
arrangement, vacation pay, sickness, disability, or death benefit plan (whether
provided through insurance, on a funded or unfunded basis, or otherwise),
medical or life insurance plan providing benefits to employees, retirees, or
former employees or any of their dependents, survivors, or beneficiaries,
employee stock option or stock purchase plan, severance pay, termination, salary
continuation, or employee assistance plan.
4.11. Tax
Returns and Tax Payments.
(a) Parent
has timely filed with the appropriate taxing authorities all Tax Returns
required to be filed by it (taking into account all applicable
extensions). All such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in
all respects. All Taxes due and owing by Parent has been paid
(whether or not shown on any Tax Return and whether or not any Tax Return was
required). Parent is not currently the beneficiary of any extension
of time within which to file any Tax Return or pay any Tax. No claim
has ever been made in writing or otherwise addressed to Parent by a taxing
authority in a jurisdiction where Parent does not file Tax Returns that it is or
may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction. The unpaid Taxes of
Parent did not, as of the Parent Balance Sheet Date, exceed the reserve for Tax
liability (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect
timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the
financial statements (rather than in any notes thereto). Since the
Parent Balance Sheet Date, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
incurred any liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business
consistent with past custom and practice. As of the Closing Date, the
unpaid Taxes of Parent and its subsidiaries will not exceed the reserve for Tax
liability (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect
timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the books and
records of Parent.
(b) No
material claim for unpaid Taxes has been made or become a Lien against the
property of Parent or is being asserted against Parent, no audit of any Tax
Return of Parent is being conducted by a tax authority, and no extension of the
statute of limitations on the assessment of any Taxes has been granted by Parent
and is currently in effect. Parent has withheld and paid all Taxes
required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing
to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third
party.
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4.12. Environmental
Matters. Each
of Parent and Merger Sub is in compliance with all Environmental Laws in all
material respects. Parent has not received any written notice
regarding any violation of any Environmental Laws, including any investigatory,
remedial or corrective obligations, which, if determined adversely to Parent,
would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect. Each of Parent and Merger Sub holds all
Permits and authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws, unless
the failure to hold such Permits and authorizations would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on Parent, and is compliance with all terms, conditions and
provisions of all such Permits and authorizations in all material
respects. No releases of Hazardous Materials have occurred at, from,
in, to, on or under any real property currently or formerly owned, operated or
leased by Parent or Merger Sub or any predecessor thereof and no Hazardous
Materials are present in, on, about or migrating to or from any such property
which could result in any liability to Parent or Merger Sub. Each of
Parent and Merger Sub has not transported or arranged for the treatment,
storage, handling, disposal, or transportation of any Hazardous Material to any
off-site location which could result in any liability to Parent or Merger
Sub. Each of Parent and Merger Sub has no liability, absolute or
contingent, under any Environmental Law that if enforced or collected would have
a Material Adverse Effect on Parent or Merger Sub. There are no past,
pending or threatened claims under Environmental Laws against Parent or Merger
Sub and each of Parent and Merger Sub is not aware of any facts or circumstances
that could reasonably be expected to result in a liability or claim against
Parent or Merger Sub pursuant to Environmental Laws.
4.13. Material
Contract Defaults. Parent
is not, or has not received any notice or has any Knowledge that any other party
is, in Material Contract Default under any Parent Material Contract; and there
has not occurred any event that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice
or both would constitute such a Material Contract Default. For
purposes of this Agreement, a “Parent Material
Contract” means any Contract that is effective as of the Closing Date to
which the Parent is a party (i) with expected receipts or expenditures in excess
of $50,000, (ii) requiring the Parent to indemnify any person, (iii) granting
exclusive rights to any party, or (iv) evidencing indebtedness for borrowed or
loaned money in excess of $50,000, including guarantees of such
indebtedness.
4.14. Accounts
Receivable. All
of the accounts receivable of Parent that are reflected in the Parent SEC
Documents or the accounting records of Parent as of the Closing (collectively,
the “Parent Accounts
Receivable”) represent or will represent valid obligations arising from
sales actually made or services actually performed in the ordinary course of
business and are not subject to any defenses, counterclaims, or rights of set
off other than those arising in the ordinary course of business and for which
adequate reserves have been established. The Parent Accounts
Receivable are fully collectible to the extent not reserved for on the balance
sheet on which they are shown.
4.15. Properties. Each
of Parent and Merger Sub has valid land use rights for all real property that is
material to its business and good, clear and marketable title to all the
tangible properties and tangible Assets reflected in the latest balance sheet as
being owned by Parent or Merger Sub or acquired after the date thereof which
are, individually or in the aggregate, material to Parent’s business (except
properties sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary
course of business), free and clear of all Material Liens, encumbrances, claims,
security interest, options and restrictions of any nature
whatsoever. Any real property and facilities held under lease by
Parent or Merger Sub are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable
leases of which each of Parent and Merger Sub is in compliance, except as could
not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect.
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4.16. Intellectual
Property. Each
of Parent and Merger Sub owns or has valid rights to use the Trademarks, trade
names, domain names, copyrights, patents, logos, licenses and computer software
programs (including, without limitation, the source codes thereto) that are
necessary for the conduct of its business as now being conducted. All
of Parent’s and Merger Sub’s licenses to use Software programs are current and
have been paid for the appropriate number of users. To the Knowledge
of each of Parent and Merger Sub, none of Parent’s or Merger Sub’s Intellectual
Property or Parent’s or Merger Sub’s License Agreements infringe upon the rights
of any third party that may give rise to a cause of action or claim against
Parent or Merger Sub or each of its successors.
4.17. Board
Determination. The
Board of Directors of each of Parent and Merger Sub has unanimously determined
that the terms of the Merger are fair to and in the best interests of Parent and
Merger Sub and each of its stockholders.
4.18. Required
Parent Share Issuance Approval. Parent
represents that the issuance of the Merger Consideration will be in compliance
with the NRS and the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of
Parent.
4.19. Undisclosed
Liabilities. Parent
has no liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether fixed or unfixed,
secured or unsecured, known or unknown and whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, or otherwise) except for liabilities or obligations reflected or
reserved against in the Parent SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof or
incurred in the ordinary course of business since the Parent Balance Sheet
Date.
4.20. Full
Disclosure. All
of the representations and warranties made by each of Parent and Merger Sub in
this Agreement, including the Parent Disclosure Schedule attached hereto, and
all statements set forth in the certificates delivered by each of Parent and
Merger Sub at the Closing pursuant to this Agreement, are true, correct and
complete in all material respects and do not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make such
representations, warranties or statements, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, misleading. The copies of all documents
furnished by each of Parent and Merger Sub pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement are complete and accurate copies of the original
documents. There is no material adverse information related to
Parent, Clarus Capital (HK) LTD., or any of their respective directors, officers
or principals that has not been disclosed in writing to the
Company.
ARTICLE
5
COVENANTS
OF THE COMPANY
5.1. Conduct
of the Company Business. From
the date of this Agreement and until the Effective Time, or until the prior
termination of this Agreement, the Company shall not, unless agreed
to in writing by Parent:
(a) engage
in any transaction, except in the normal and ordinary course of business, or
create or suffer to exist any lien or other encumbrance upon any of its assets
or which will not be discharged in full prior to the Effective
Time;
(b) sell,
assign or otherwise transfer any of its assets, or cancel or compromise any
debts or claims relating to its assets, other than for fair value, in the
ordinary course of business, and consistent with past practice;
20
(c) fail
to use reasonable efforts to preserve intact its present business organizations,
keep available the services of its employees and preserve its material
relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, distributors and
others, to the end that its good will and ongoing business not be impaired prior
to the Effective Time;
(d) intentionally
permit any Material Adverse Effect to occur with respect to the
Company;
(e) make
any material change in its accounting or bookkeeping methods, principles or
practices, except as required by GAAP; or
(f) authorize
any, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing actions.
5.2. Shareholder
Approval. The
Company will, as promptly as practicable in accordance with applicable Law and
its Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, submit this Agreement, the Merger
and related matters for the consideration and approval by the Company’s
shareholders. In connection with soliciting shareholder approval, the
Company shall prepare and distribute to holders of Shares a disclosure statement
which summarizes the material terms and conditions of the Merger, this Agreement
and the Transaction Documents, which disclosure statement shall include the
recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors. Such approval by
written consent or shareholder vote will be solicited, in compliance with
applicable Laws. If approval is obtained by written consent, the
Company shall give, in a timely manner (and shall provide Parent true and
correct copies of) all notices required to be given under Sections 228 and
252 of the DGCL. The information distributed to the holders of shares
shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading.
5.3. Satisfaction
of Conditions Precedent. During
the term of this Agreement, the Company will use its commercially reasonable
efforts to satisfy or cause to be satisfied all the conditions precedent that
are set forth in Article 9, and the Company will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement to be consummated.
5.4. No
Other Negotiations. As
of the date of this Agreement, the Company has not entered into any agreement or
understanding with, and is not engaging in any discussions with any third party
concerning an Alternative Acquisition (as defined below) including, without
limitation, any agreement or understanding that would require the Company to
notify any third party of the terms of this Agreement. From and after
the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company shall
not, directly or indirectly, (a) initiate, solicit, encourage, negotiate,
accept or discuss any transaction or series of transactions with any Person,
other than Parent and its Affiliates involving any recapitalization,
restructuring, financing, merger, consolidation, sale, license or encumbrance or
other business combination transaction or extraordinary corporate transaction of
the Company which would or could reasonably be expected to impede, interfere
with, prevent or materially delay the merger (any such efforts by any such
Person, including a firm proposal to make such an acquisition, to be referred to
as an “Alternative
Acquisition”), (b) provide information with respect to the Company
to any Person, other than Parent and its Affiliates, relating to a possible
Alternative Acquisition by any Person, other than Parent and its Affiliates,
(c) enter into an agreement with any Person, other than Parent and its
Affiliates, providing for a possible Alternative Acquisition, or (d) make
or authorize any statement, recommendation or solicitation in support of any
possible Alternative Acquisition by any Person, other than by Parent and its
Affiliates.
21
If the
Company receives any unsolicited offer, inquiry or proposal to enter into
discussions or negotiations relating to an Alternative Acquisition, or that
could reasonably expected to lead to an Alternative Acquisition, or any request
for nonpublic information relating to the Company, the Company shall promptly
notify Parent thereof, including information as to the identity of the party
making any such offer, inquiry or proposal and the specific terms of such offer,
inquiry or proposal, as the case may be, and shall keep Parent promptly informed
of any developments with respect to same.
5.5. Access. The
Company shall afford to Parent, and to the officers, employees, accountants,
counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of Parent, reasonable
access during normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective
Time or the termination of this Agreement to all of the Company’s properties,
books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period,
the Company shall furnish promptly to Parent, (a) a copy of each report,
schedule, and other documents filed by it during such period pursuant to the
requirements of federal or state securities Laws and (b) all other
information concerning its business, properties and personnel as Parent or its
representatives may reasonably request. Parent will hold any
confidential information obtained pursuant to this Section 5.5 in
accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement entered into between Parent and
Company contained in the Letter of Intent, dated June 10, 2010 (the “Confidentiality
Agreement”).
5.6. Notification
of Certain Matters. The
Company shall give prompt notice to Parent of (i) the occurrence or
non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which would
cause any Company representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to be
untrue or inaccurate at or prior to the Effective Time and (ii) any failure
of the Company to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to
be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the
delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 5.6 shall not limit or
otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to Parent.
ARTICLE
6
COVENANTS
OF PARENT
6.1. Obligations
of Merger Sub. Parent
shall take all action necessary to cause Merger Sub to perform its obligations
under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement.
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6.2. Conduct
of the Parent Business. From
the date of this Agreement and until the Effective Time, or until the prior
termination of this Agreement, Parent shall not, and shall not permit Merger Sub
to, unless agreed to in writing by the Company:
(a) engage
in any transaction, except in the normal and ordinary course of business, or
create or suffer to exist any lien or other encumbrance upon any of its assets
or which will not be discharged in full prior to the Effective
Time;
(b) sell,
assign or otherwise transfer any of its assets, or cancel or compromise any
debts or claims relating to its assets, other than for fair value, in the
ordinary course of business, and consistent with past practice;
(c) fail
to use reasonable efforts to preserve intact its present business organizations,
keep available the services of its employees and preserve its material
relationships with customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, distributors and
others, to the end that its good will and ongoing business not be impaired prior
to the Effective Time;
(d) intentionally
permit any Material Adverse Effect to occur with respect to the
Parent;
(e) make
any material change with respect in its accounting or bookkeeping methods,
principles or practices, except as required by GAAP; or
(f) authorize
any, or commit or agree to take any of, the foregoing actions.
6.3. Company
Employees. Concurrently
with the execution of this Agreement, the Parent shall offer employment to such
employees of the Company employed as of the Closing (individually a “Company Employee” and
collectively, the “Company Employees”)
as the Company shall determine in its sole discretion. Any such offer
of employment shall be on such terms and conditions as the Company
and such employees shall agree and shall be conditioned on the Closing of the
Merger.
6.4. Access. Parent
shall afford to the Company, and to the officers, employees, accountants,
counsel, financial advisors and other representatives of the Company, reasonable
access during normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective
Time or the termination of this Agreement to all of the Parent’s properties,
books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records and, during such period,
the Parent shall furnish promptly to the Company, (a) a copy of each
report, schedule, registration statements and other documents filed by it during
such period pursuant to the requirements of federal or state securities Laws and
(b) all other information concerning its business, properties and personnel
as the Company or its representatives may reasonably request. The
Company will hold any confidential information obtained pursuant to this
Section 6.4 in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement.
6.5. Notification
of Certain Matters. Parent
shall give prompt notice to the Company of (i) the occurrence or
non-occurrence of any event the occurrence or non-occurrence of which would
cause any Parent representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to be
untrue or inaccurate at or prior to the Effective Time and (ii) any failure
of Parent to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be
complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the delivery
of any notice pursuant to this Section 6.5 shall not limit or otherwise
affect the remedies available hereunder to the Company.
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6.6. Director
and Officer Appointments. As
of the Effective Time, Parent shall have taken all action to cause the persons
as set forth on Schedule 6.6 to be appointed Parent’s directors and officers,
and the current officers and directors of Parent on Schedule 6.6 shall have
resigned from Parent.
6.7. Satisfaction
of Conditions Precedent. During
the term of this Agreement, Parent will use its commercially reasonable efforts
to satisfy or cause to be satisfied all the conditions precedent that are set
forth in Article 9, and Parent will use its commercially reasonable efforts
to cause the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement to
be consummated.
6.8. Equity
Incentive Plan. As
soon as practicable following the Closing Date, Parent shall take all action to
cause its Board of Directors and its stockholders, as applicable, to approve an
equity incentive plan.
ARTICLE
7
COVENANTS
OF PARENT AND THE COMPANY
7.1. Notices
of Certain Events. The
Company and Parent shall promptly notify the other party of:
(a) any
notice or other communication from any Person alleging that the consent of such
Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement;
(b) any
notice or other communication from any governmental or regulatory agency in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
and
(c) any
actions, suits, claims, investigations or proceedings commenced or, to its
Knowledge, threatened against, relating to or involving or otherwise affecting
such party that, if pending on the date of this Agreement, would have been
required to be disclosed pursuant to Articles 3 or 4 or that relate to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other
development causing a breach of any representation or warranty made by a party
hereunder. Delivery of notice pursuant to this Section 7.1 shall
not limit or otherwise affect remedies available to either party
hereunder.
7.2. Public
Announcements. Neither
party shall have the right to issue any press release or other public statement
with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein without
the consent of the other party (not to be unreasonably withheld), except as
required by Law, and even if required by Law, each party will to the extent
practicable seek the comments of the other party regarding any such release or
statement prior to its issuance.
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7.3. Transfer
Taxes. Parent
and the Company shall cooperate in the preparation, execution and filing of all
returns, questionnaires, applications or other documents regarding any real
property transfer or gains, sales, use, transfer, value added, stock transfer
and stamp taxes, any transfer, recording, registration and other fees, and any
similar taxes which become payable in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby that are required or permitted to be filed on or before the
Effective Time. Parent, Merger Sub and the Company agree that the
Company (prior to the Merger) and the Surviving Corporation (following the
Merger) will pay any real property, transfer or gains tax, stamp tax, stock
transfer tax, or other similar tax imposed on the Merger or the surrender of the
Shares pursuant to the Merger (collectively, “Transfer Taxes”),
excluding any Transfer Taxes as may result from the transfer of beneficial
interests in the Shares other than as a result of the Merger, and any penalties
or interest with respect to the Transfer Taxes. The Company agrees to
cooperate with Parent in the filing of any returns with respect to the Transfer
Taxes.
7.4. Reasonable
Efforts. The parties further
agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the
other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate
and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including (i) the
obtaining of all other necessary actions or nonactions, waivers, consents,
licenses, Permits, authorizations, Orders and approvals from governmental
authorities and the making of all other necessary registrations and filings,
(ii) the obtaining of all consents, approvals or waivers from third parties
related to or required in connection with the Merger that are necessary to
consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
required to prevent a Material Adverse Effect on the Company from occurring
prior to or after the Effective Time, (iii) the satisfaction of all
conditions precedent to the parties’ obligations hereunder, and (iv) the
execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated by, and to fully carry out the purposes of, this
Agreement.
7.5. Fees
and Expenses. All
fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Company, whether or
not the Merger is consummated. All fees and expenses incurred by the
Parent and Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Parent. Fees and expenses
incurred by any party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall include, without limitation, fees and expenses incurred for
legal, financial, accounting and other advisors.
7.6. Regulatory Matters
and Approvals. Each of the Parties
will give any notices to, make any filings with, and use its commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain any authorizations, consents, and approvals of
governments and governmental agencies in connection with the matters referred to
in Sections 3.5 and 4.5 above.
7.7. Transfer
Restrictions.
(a) The
Company realizes that the Merger Consideration is not registered under the
Securities Act, or any foreign or state securities Laws. The Company
agrees that the Merger Consideration will and may not be sold, offered for sale,
pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise transferred (collectively, a “Transfer”) except in
compliance with the Securities Act, if applicable, and applicable foreign and
state securities Laws, and with an opinion of Parent’s counsel. The
Company understands that the Merger Consideration can only be Transferred
pursuant to registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption
therefrom. The Company understands that to Transfer the Merger
Consideration may require in some jurisdictions specific approval by the
appropriate governmental agency or commission in such
jurisdiction.
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(b) To
enable Parent to enforce the transfer restrictions contained in Section 7.7(a),
the Company hereby consents to the placing of legends upon, and stop-transfer
orders with the transfer agent of the Common Stock with respect to the Merger
Consideration, including, without limitation, the following:
“THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
LAW. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED,
PLEDGED, MORTGAGED, HYPOTHECATED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF, EXCEPT (I) PURSUANT
TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE ACT, OR
(II) IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144 PROMULGATED UNDER THE ACT, OR (III) PURSUANT TO
AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES
LAWS, THE AVAILABILITY OF WHICH IS TO BE ESTABLISHED TO THE SATISFACTION OF
ABTECH HOLDINGS, INC. AND ITS COUNSEL.”
7.8. Current
Report. Parent shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K with
the SEC within four (4) business days of the Closing Date containing information
about the Merger and pro forma financial statements of Parent and the Company
and audited financial statements of the Company as required by Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act (the “8-K Report”).
7.9 Lock-up of Private Placement
Shares. Prior to the Closing, the Parties agree to negotiate
in good faith and cooperate with each other to “lock-up” the $3,000,000 in
private placement shares for a period of twelve (12) months or earlier if the
Parent is listed or admitted for trading on any United States national
securities exchange.
ARTICLE
8
INDEMNIFICATION
8.1. Indemnification
of Parent and Merger Sub.
(a) Subject
to the limitations contained in this Article 8, the Company shall defend,
indemnify and hold harmless Parent and Merger Sub and their respective officers,
directors, stockholders, employees and agents from and against any and all
losses, claims, judgments, liabilities, demands, charges, suits, penalties,
costs or expenses, including court costs and attorneys’ fees (“Claims and
Liabilities”) with respect to or arising from (i) the breach of any
warranty or any inaccuracy of any representation made by the Company in this
Agreement, or (ii) the breach of any covenant or agreement made by the
Company in this Agreement.
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(b) In
addition to the obligations set forth in Section 8.1(a) above, the Company shall
defend, indemnify and hold harmless Parent and Merger Sub and their respective
officers, directors, stockholders, employees and agents against any and all
Claims and Liabilities with respect to or arising from any claims for any right
to receive Merger Consideration made by any Person who is not a holder of
Company Stock at the Effective Time or is a holder of Company Stock and claiming
a right to Merger Consideration inconsistent with the Merger Consideration
Certificate.
8.2. Indemnification
of the Company. Parent
shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and its officers,
directors, shareholders, employees and agents from and against any and all
Claims and Liabilities with respect to or arising from (i) breach of any
warranty or any inaccuracy of any representation made by Parent or Merger Sub,
or (ii) breach of any covenant or agreement made by Parent or Merger Sub in
this Agreement.
8.3. Claims
Procedure. Promptly
after the receipt by any indemnified party (the “Indemnitee”) of
notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding against such Indemnitee,
such Indemnitee shall, if a claim with respect thereto is or may be made against
any indemnifying party (the “Indemnifying Party”)
pursuant to this Article 8, give such Indemnifying Party written notice of
the commencement of such action or proceeding and give such Indemnifying Party a
copy of such claim and/or process and all legal pleadings in connection
therewith. The failure to give such notice shall not relieve any
Indemnifying Party of any of its indemnification obligations contained in this
Article 8, except where, and solely to the extent that, such failure
actually and Materially prejudices the rights of such Indemnifying
Party. Such Indemnifying Party shall have, upon request within thirty
(30) days after receipt of such notice, but not in any event after the
settlement or compromise of such claim, the right to defend, at its own expense
and by its own counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee, any such matter
involving the asserted liability of the Indemnitee; provided, however, that if
the Indemnitee determines that there is a reasonable probability that a claim
may Materially and adversely affect it, other than solely as a result of money
payments required to be reimbursed in full by such Indemnifying Party under this
Article 8 or if a conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the
Indemnifying Party, the Indemnitee shall have the right to defend, compromise or
settle such claim or suit; and, provided, further, that such settlement or
compromise shall not, unless consented to in writing by such Indemnifying Party,
which shall not be unreasonably withheld, be conclusive as to the liability of
such Indemnifying Party to the Indemnitee. In any event, the
Indemnitee, such Indemnifying Party and its counsel shall cooperate in the
defense against, or compromise of, any such asserted liability, and in cases
where the Indemnifying Party shall have assumed the defense, the Indemnitee
shall have the right to participate in the defense of such asserted liability at
the Indemnitee’s own expense. In the event that such Indemnifying
Party shall decline to participate in or assume the defense of such action,
prior to paying or settling any claim against which such Indemnifying Party is,
or may be, obligated under this Article 8 to indemnify an Indemnitee, the
Indemnitee shall first supply such Indemnifying Party with a copy of a final
court judgment or decree holding the Indemnitee liable on such claim or, failing
such judgment or decree, the terms and conditions of the settlement or
compromise of such claim. An Indemnitee’s failure to supply such
final court judgment or decree or the terms and conditions of a settlement or
compromise to such Indemnifying Party shall not relieve such Indemnifying Party
of any of its indemnification obligations contained in this Article 8,
except where, and solely to the extent that, such failure actually and
Materially prejudices the rights of such Indemnifying Party. If the
Indemnifying Party is defending the claim as set forth above, the Indemnifying
Party shall have the right to settle the claim only with the consent of the
Indemnitee.
27
8.4. Exclusive
Remedy. Each
of the parties hereto acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the Closing
Date, its sole and exclusive monetary remedy with respect to any and all claims
relating to the subject matter of this Agreement shall be pursuant to the
indemnification provisions set forth in this Article 8, except that nothing
in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any injunctive or
other equitable remedies or any tort claims of, or causes of action arising
from, intentionally fraudulent misrepresentation, willful breach or
deceit. The parties obligations under this Article 8 shall terminate
twelve (12) months from the Closing Date.
ARTICLE
9
CONDITIONS
TO MERGER
9.1. Condition
to Obligation of Each Party to Effect the Merger. The respective
obligations of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company to consummate the transactions
contemplated herein are subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing at or
prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions.
(a) No Injunctions. No
temporary restraining Order, preliminary or permanent injunction issued by any
court of competent jurisdiction preventing the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein shall be in effect; provided, however, that each party shall
have used its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the entry of such
Orders or injunctions and to appeal as promptly as possible any such Orders or
injunctions and to appeal as promptly as possible any such Orders or injunctions
that may be entered.
(b) Company Shareholder
Approval. This Agreement and the Merger shall have been
approved and adopted by the requisite vote of the Company and the Company’s
shareholders in accordance with the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and
the DGCL.
9.2. Additional
Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The
obligations of Parent and the Merger Sub to consummate the transactions
contemplated herein are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing at
or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions.
(a) Representations and
Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement and in any certificate or other writing delivered to
Parent pursuant hereto shall be true and correct in all Material respects on and
as of the Effective Time with the same force and effect as if made on and as of
the Effective Time, and Parent and Merger Sub shall have received a certificate
to such effect signed by the President and the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company.
(b) Agreements and
Covenants. The Company shall have performed or complied in all
Material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement
to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the Effective Time, and
Parent shall have received a certificate to such effect signed by the President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
28
(c) Certificate of
Secretary. The Company shall have delivered to Parent a
certificate executed by the Secretary of the Company certifying: (i) resolutions
duly adopted by the Board of Directors and shareholders of the Company
authorizing this Agreement and the Merger; (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time,
including all amendments thereto; (iii) the Merger Consideration Certificate;
and (iv) the incumbency of the officers of the Company executing this Agreement
and all agreements and documents contemplated hereby.
(d) Consents
Obtained. All consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations or
Orders required to be obtained, and all filings required to be made, by the
Company for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been
obtained and made by the Company, except for such consents, waivers, approvals,
authorizations and Orders, and such filings, which would not be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or the Surviving
Corporation.
(e) Absence of Material Adverse
Effect. Since the date of the this Agreement, there shall not
have been any Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company.
(f) Merger Consideration
Certificate. Parent shall have received the Merger
Consideration Certificate from the Company.
(g) Dissenting Shares. Holders of any of the
outstanding Shares shall not have exercised, nor shall they have any continued
right to exercise, appraisal, dissenters’ or similar rights under applicable Law
with respect to their Shares by virtue of the Merger.
(h) Audited Financial
Statements. Parent shall have received from the Company the
Company Financial Statements, the audited consolidated financial statements of
the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, unaudited consolidated
financial statements for the interim quarter ended March 31, 2010 and proforma
financial statements as of the day prior to the Closing Date in form and content
required to be included in the 8-K Report.
(i) Stockholder Representation
Letters. Each stockholder of the Company shall have executed
and delivered to Parent a stockholder representation letter in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit C, and Parent
shall be reasonably satisfied that the issuance of Parent Common Stock pursuant
to the Merger is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act.
9.3. Additional
Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The
obligations of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated herein
are also subject to the satisfaction or waiver in writing at or prior to the
Effective Time of the following conditions.
(a) Representations and
Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent and
Merger Sub contained in this Agreement and in any certificate or other writing
delivered to the Company pursuant hereto shall be true and correct in all
Material respects on and as of the Effective Time with the same force and effect
as if made on and as of the Effective Time, and the Company shall have received
a certificate to such effect signed by the President and the Chief Executive
Officer of Parent.
29
(b) Agreements and
Covenants. Parent and Merger Sub shall have performed or
complied in all Material respects with all agreements and covenants required by
this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them on or prior to the
Effective Time, and the Company shall have received a certificate to such effect
signed by the President and Chief Executive Officer of Parent.
(c) Certificate of
Secretary. Parent shall have delivered to the Company a
certificate executed by the Secretary of Parent certifying: (i) resolutions duly
adopted by the Board of Directors and shareholders of Parent and Merger Sub,
respectively, authorizing this Agreement and the Merger; (ii) the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of Parent as in effect immediately prior to the
Effective Time, including all amendments thereto; and (iii) the incumbency of
the officers of Parent executing this Agreement and all agreements and documents
contemplated hereby.
(d) Consents
Obtained. All consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations or
Orders required to be obtained, and all filings required to be made, by Parent
or Merger Sub for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have
been obtained and made by Parent and Merger Sub, respectively, except for such
consents, waivers, approvals, authorizations and Orders, and such filings, which
would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent or
Merger Sub.
(e) Absence of Material Adverse
Effect. Since the date of the this Agreement, there shall not
have been any Material Adverse Effect on Parent or Merger Sub, other than any
change that shall result from general economic conditions or conditions
generally affecting the industry in which Parent conducts
operations.
(f)
Funding. Prior to
the Effective Time, the Company shall have received from Parent an aggregate
amount of $3,000,000, including any advances made by Parent to the Company
pursuant to paragraphs 7 and 8 of the Letter of Intent, dated June 10,
2010.
(g) Amendment to
Bylaws. Parent shall have taken all necessary action to amend
its Bylaws to increase the number of directors to nine (9).
(h) Post-Merger
Capitalization. At the Effective Time, the authorized capital
stock of Parent shall consist of 300,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, of
which 59,000,000 shares shall be issued and outstanding (including the Merger
Consideration).
(i) Payables of Parent and Merger
Sub. At the Effective Time, the aggregate outstanding
liabilities, including accounts payable, of Parent and Merger Sub shall not
exceed $1,000.
(j) Officers and
Directors. Parent shall deliver to the Company evidence of
appointment of those new directors and officers as further described in Section
6.6. Parent shall have delivered to each new director an executed
indemnification agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit
D. Parent shall also have delivered to the Company a letter of
resignation executed by each Parent officer and director further described in
Section 6.6 to be effective upon the Closing Date and confirming that each has
no claim against Parent in respect of any outstanding remuneration or fees or
any other claim of whatever nature as of the Closing Date.
30
(k) Lock-Up
Agreements. Each investor who has received or will receive
shares pursuant to the $3,000,000 private placement has executed a “lock-up”
agreement with Parent in the form agreed to by the Parties pursuant to Section
7.9.
ARTICLE
10
TERMINATION
10.1. Termination. This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether
before or after approval of the Merger by the shareholders of the
Company:
(a) by
mutual written agreement duly authorized by the Boards of Directors of the
Company and Parent;
(b) by
either party, if the other party has breached any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement of such other party set forth in this Agreement and such
breach has resulted or can reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect on such other party or would prevent or materially delay the
consummation of the Merger;
(c) by
either party, if the required approval of the shareholders of the Company shall
not have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required
vote;
(d) by either
party, if all the conditions to the obligations of such party for Closing the
Merger shall not have been satisfied or waived on or before the Final Date (as
defined below) other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement by the
terminating party;
(e) by either
party, if a permanent injunction or other Order by any Federal or state court
which would make illegal or otherwise restrain or prohibit the consummation of
the Merger shall have been issued and shall have become final and nonappealable;
or
(f) by
either party, if any action is threatened or commenced by any regulatory agency
related to trading in Parent’s stock.
As used
herein, the “Final
Date” shall be October 31, 2010.
10.2. Notice
of Termination. Any
termination of this Agreement under Section 10.1 above will be effective by
the delivery of written notice of the terminating party to the other party
hereto.
10.3. Effect
of Termination. In
the case of any termination of this Agreement as provided in this
Section 10, this Agreement shall be of no further force and effect and
nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any breach of this
Agreement. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the
obligations contained in the Confidentiality Agreement which shall survive
termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms.
31
ARTICLE
11
SURVIVAL
OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS
All
representations, warranties and covenants of the parties contained in this
Agreement will remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the parties to this Agreement, until the
date that is the first anniversary of the Closing Date, whereupon such
representations, warranties and covenants will expire (except for covenants that
by their terms survive for a longer period).
ARTICLE
12
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
12.1. Notices. All
notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed
effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be
notified; (b) when sent by confirmed facsimile if sent during normal
business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day;
(c) five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (d) two days after deposit
with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying not later than two
day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All
communications shall be sent to the parties at the following addresses or
facsimile numbers specified below (or at such other address or facsimile number
for a party as shall be designated by ten days advance written notice to the
other parties hereto):
(a) If
to Parent or Merger Sub:
0000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxx
Ph: (000)
000-0000
Fax:
N/A
with a
copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Xxxxxxxxx
Traurig, LLP
0000 X
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxx
X. Xxx
Ph: (000) 000-0000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
(b) If
to the Company:
AbTech
Industries, Inc.
0000 X.
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
Ph: (000)
000-0000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
32
with a
copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Squire,
Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx L.L.P.
00 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Ph: (000)
000-0000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
12.2. Amendment. To
the extent permitted by Law, this Agreement may be amended by a subsequent
writing signed by each of the parties upon the approval of the Boards of
Directors of each of the parties, whether before or after any shareholder
approval of the issuance of the Merger Consideration has been obtained;
provided, that after any such approval by the holders of Shares, there shall be
made no amendment that pursuant to the DGCL requires further approval by such
shareholders without the further approval of such shareholders.
12.3. Waiver. At
any time prior to the Closing, any party hereto may with respect to any other
party hereto (a) extend the time for performance of any of the obligations
or other acts, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto, or
(c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained
herein. Any such extension or waiver shall be valid if set forth in
an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties to be bound
thereby.
12.4. Failure
or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No
failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in the exercise of any right
hereunder shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or
acquiescence in, any breach of any representation, warranty or agreement herein,
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude other or
further exercise thereof or of any other rights. Except as otherwise
provided hereunder, all rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are
cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise
available.
12.5. Headings. The
headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
12.6. Severability. If
any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced by any rule of Law, or public policy, all other conditions and
provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect
so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated
hereby is not affected in any manner adverse to any party. Upon such
determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify
this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as
possible, in a mutually acceptable manner, to the end that transactions
contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent possible.
33
12.7. Entire
Agreement. This
Agreement (including the Company Disclosure Schedule and the Parent Disclosure
Schedule together with the Transaction Documents and the exhibits and schedules
attached hereto and thereto and the certificates referenced herein) constitutes
the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings both
oral and written, among the parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject
matter hereof and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
12.8. Assignment. No
party may assign this Agreement or assign its respective rights or delegate
their duties (by operation of Law or otherwise), without the prior written
consent of the other party. This Agreement will be binding upon,
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective
successors and assigns.
12.9. Parties
In Interest. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party
hereto, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or
shall confer upon any other Person any right, benefit or remedy of any nature
whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, including, without limitation,
by way of subrogation.
12.10. Governing
Law. This
Agreement will be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with the
Laws of the State of Nevada as applied to Contracts that are executed and
performed in Nevada, without regard to the principles of conflicts of Law
thereof.
12.11. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, any one of
which need not contain the signatures of more than one party, but all such
counterparts taken together will constitute one and the same
Agreement. This Agreement, to the extent delivered by means of a
facsimile machine or electronic mail (any such delivery, an “Electronic
Delivery”), shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original
agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal
effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in
person. At the request of any party hereto, each other party hereto
shall re-execute original forms hereof and deliver them in person to all other
parties. No party hereto shall raise the use of Electronic Delivery
to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument
was transmitted or communicated through the use of Electronic Delivery as a
defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any
such defense, except to the extent such defense related to lack of
authenticity.
12.12. Attorneys
Fees. If
any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement, or the enforcement of any
provision of this Agreement is brought by a party hereto against any party
hereto, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’
fees, costs and disbursements (in addition to any other relief to which the
prevailing party may be entitled).
12.13. Tax
Advice. The
Company acknowledges that the Company has not relied and will not rely upon the
Parent or Merger Sub, or the Parent or Merger Sub’s counsel with respect to any
tax consequences related to the ownership, purchase, or disposition of the
Merger Consideration. The Company assumes full responsibility for all
such consequences and for the preparation and filing of all tax returns and
elections which may or must be filed in connection with such Merger
Consideration.
34
12.14. Representation. The parties to
this Agreement, and each of them, acknowledge, agree, and represent that it: (a)
has been represented in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this
Agreement by counsel of that party’s choosing; (b) has read the Agreement
and has had it fully explained by its counsel; (c) it is fully aware of the
contents and legal affect of this Agreement; (d) has authority to enter
into and sign the Agreement; and (e) enters into and signs the same by its
own free will.
12.15. Drafting. The
parties to this Agreement acknowledge that each of them have participated in the
drafting and negotiation of this Agreement. For purposes of
interpreting this Agreement, each provision, paragraph, sentence and word herein
shall be deemed to have been jointly drafted by both parties. The
parties intend for this Agreement to be construed and interpreted neutrally in
accordance with the plain meaning of the language contained herein, and not
presumptively construed against any actual or purported drafter of any specific
language contained herein.
12.16. Gender. For
purposes of this Agreement, references to the masculine gender shall include
feminine and neuter genders and entities.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left
Blank; Signature Page to Follow]
35
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement and Plan of Merger to be
executed as of the date first written above by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized.
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxx
|
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxx
|
|
Title: President
|
|
ABTECH MERGER SUB, INC.,
a Nevada corporation
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxx Xxxx
|
Name:
Xxxxx Xxxx
|
|
Title: President
|
|
ABTECH INDUSTRIES, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
|
Name:
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
|
|
36
EXHIBIT
A
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
The
following terms, as used in the Purchase Agreement, have the following
meanings:
“Affiliate(s)” shall
have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of the regulations promulgated under
the Securities Exchange Act.
“Alternative
Acquisition” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.4 of
the Agreement.
“Agreement” shall have
the meaning as set forth in the Preamble.
“Assets” of a Person
shall mean all of the assets, properties, businesses and rights of such Person
of every kind, nature, character and description, whether real, personal or
mixed, tangible or intangible, accrued or contingent, or otherwise relating to
or utilized in such Person’s business, directly or indirectly, in whole or in
part, whether or not carried on the books and records of such Person, and
whether or not owned in the name of such Person or any Affiliate of such Person
and wherever located.
“Benefit Plans” shall
have the meaning as set forth in Section 4.10 of the
Agreement.
“Claims and
Liabilities” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 8.1(a) of the
Agreement.
“Closing” shall have
the meaning as set forth in Section 1.2 of the Agreement.
“Closing Date” shall
have the meaning as set forth in Section 1.2 of the Agreement.
“Code” means the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” shall have
the meaning as set forth in the Preamble.
“Company Disclosure
Schedule” shall mean the written disclosure schedule delivered on or
prior to the date hereof by the Company to Parent that is arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs corresponding to the
numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in the Agreement.
“Company Employees”
shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 6.3 of the
Agreement.
“Company Financial
Statements” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 3.6 of the
Agreement.
“Company Stock” shall
mean the total outstanding capital stock of the Company as of the Closing
Date.
“Confidentiality
Agreement” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 5.5 of the
Agreement.
“Contract” means any
written or oral agreement, arrangement, commitment, contract, indenture,
instrument, lease, obligation, plan, restriction, understanding or undertaking
of any kind or character, or other document to which any Person is a party or by
which such Person is bound or affecting such Person’s capital stock, Assets or
business.
“Default” shall mean
(i) any breach or violation of or default under any Contract, Order or
Permit, (ii) any occurrence of any event that with the passage of time or
the giving of notice or both would constitute a breach or violation of or
default under any Contract, Order or Permit, or (iii) any occurrence of any
event that with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice would
give rise to a right to terminate or revoke, change the current terms of, or
renegotiate, or to accelerate, increase, or impose any Liability under, any
Contract, Order or Permit.
“Dissenting Shares”
shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.3 of the
Agreement.
“Effective Time” shall
have the meaning as set forth in Section 1.3 of the Agreement.
“Environmental Laws”
mean any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, judicial
decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, codes,
plans, injunctions, Permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses,
agreements and governmental restrictions, relating to human health, the
environment or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants
or other Hazardous Material or wastes into the environment, including without
limitation ambient air, surface water, ground water or land, or otherwise
relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage,
disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants or other Hazardous
Material or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.
“Exchange Act
Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.20 of the
Agreement.
“Final Date” shall
have the meaning as set forth in Section 10.1 of the
Agreement.
“FINRA” means The
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
“GAAP” shall mean U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles.
“Governmental Entity”
shall mean any government or any agency, bureau, board, directorate, commission,
court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal, or other
instrumentality of any government, whether federal, state or local, domestic or
foreign.
“Hazardous Material”
means any toxic, radioactive, corrosive or otherwise hazardous substance,
including petroleum, its derivatives, by-products and other hydrocarbons, or any
substance having any constituent elements displaying any of the foregoing
characteristics, which in any event is regulated under any Environmental
Law.
2
“Intellectual
Property” shall mean all rights, privileges and priorities provided under
applicable Law relating to intellectual property, whether registered or
unregistered, including without limitation all (i) (a) inventions,
discoveries, processes, formulae, designs, methods, techniques, procedures,
concepts, developments, technology, mask works, new and useful improvements
thereof and know-how relating thereto, whether or not patented or eligible for
patent protection; (b) copyrights and copyrightable works, including
computer applications, programs, products, software, databases and related
items; (c) trademarks, service marks, trade names, brand names, product
names, corporate names, logos and trade dress, the goodwill of any business
symbolized thereby, and all common-law rights relating thereto; and
(d) trade secrets, proprietary data and other confidential information; and
(ii) all registrations, applications, recordings, and licenses or other
similar agreements related to the foregoing.
“Knowledge” means the
actual knowledge of the officers of a party, and knowledge that a reasonable
person in such capacity should have after due inquiry.
“Law” shall mean any
code, law, ordinance, regulation, reporting or licensing requirement, rule, or
statute applicable to a Person or its Assets, liabilities or business, including
those promulgated, interpreted or enforced by any Regulatory
Authority.
“Lien” means, with
respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or
encumbrance of any kind in respect to such asset.
“Material” and “Materially” for
purposes of this Agreement shall be determined in light of the facts and
circumstances of the matter in question; provided that any specific monetary
amount stated in this Agreement shall determine materiality in that
instance.
“Material Adverse
Effect” means, with respect to any Person, a material adverse effect on
the condition (financial or otherwise), business, Assets, liabilities or the
reported or reasonably anticipated future results or prospects of such Person
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided, however, that any adverse
change, event, development or effect arising from or relating to any of the
following shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been
a Material Adverse Effect: (a) general business or economic conditions, (b)
national or international political or social conditions, including the
engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the
declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or
terrorist attack upon the United States, or any of its territories, possessions,
or diplomatic or consular offices or upon any military installation, equipment
or personnel of the United States, (c) financial, banking, or securities markets
(including any disruption thereof and any decline in the price of any security
or any market index), (d) changes in United States generally accepted accounting
principles, (e) changes in laws, rules, regulations, orders, or other binding
directives issued by any governmental entity or (f) the taking of any action
required by this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated
hereby.
“Material Contract
Default” shall mean a default under any Contract which would (A) permit
any other party to cancel or terminate the same (with or without notice of
passage of time) or (B) provide a basis for any other party to claim money
damages in excess of $50,000 (either individually or in the aggregate with all
other such claims under that contract) or (C) give rise to a right of
acceleration of any material obligation or loss of any material benefit under
any such Contract.
“Merger” shall have
the meaning as set forth in the Recitals.
“Merger Consideration”
shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i) of the
Agreement.
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“Merger Consideration
Certificate” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1(b)(ii) of
the Agreement.
“Merger Sub” shall
have the meaning as set forth in the Preamble.
“NRS” shall have the
meaning as set forth in the Recitals of the Agreement.
“Nevada Articles of
Merger” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 1.3 of the
Agreement.
“Delaware Certificate of
Merger” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 1.3 of the
Agreement.
“Order” shall mean any
administrative decision or award, decree, injunction, judgment, order,
quasi-judicial decision or award, ruling, or writ of any federal, state, local
or foreign or other court, arbitrator, mediator, tribunal, administrative agency
or Regulatory Authority.
“Parent” shall have
the meaning as set forth in the Preamble.
“Parent Disclosure
Schedule” shall mean the written disclosure schedule delivered on or
prior to the date hereof by Parent to the Company that is arranged in paragraphs
corresponding to the numbered and lettered paragraphs corresponding to the
numbered and lettered paragraphs contained in the Agreement.
“Person” means an
individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a trust, a limited
liability company or any other entity or organization, including a government or
political subdivision or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
“Permit” shall mean
any federal, state, local, and foreign governmental approval, authorization,
certificate, consent, easement, filing, franchise, letter of good standing,
license, notice, permit, qualification, registration or right of or from any
Governmental Entity (or any extension, modification, amendment or waiver of any
of these) to which any Person is a party or that is or may be binding upon or
inure to the benefit of any Person or its securities, Assets or business, or any
notice, statement, filing or other communication to be filed with or delivered
to any Governmental Entity.
“Regulatory
Authorities” shall mean, collectively, the Federal Trade Commission, the
United States Department of Justice, United States Department of Transportation,
Federal Railroad Administration, United States Environmental Protection Agency,
and all foreign, federal, state and local regulatory agencies and other
Governmental Entities or bodies having jurisdiction over the parties and their
respective Assets, employees, businesses and/or Subsidiaries, including FINRA
and the SEC.
“SEC” means the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securities Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange act of 1934, as
amended.
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“Share” or “Shares” shall have
the meaning as set forth in Section 2.1(b)(i) of the
Agreement.
“Subsidiary” means,
with respect to any Person, (i) any corporation, limited liability company,
association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of shares of capital stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination
thereof) and (ii) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or
managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person
or (b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
“Surviving
Corporation” shall have the meaning as set forth in Section 1.1 of
the Agreement.
“Tax” or “Taxes” shall mean all
United States federal, state, provincial, local or foreign taxes and any other
applicable duties, levies, fees, charges and assessments that are in the nature
of a tax, including income, gross receipts, property, sales, use, license,
excise, franchise, ad valorem, value-added, transfer, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental (including taxes under
Section 59A of the Code), customs, capital stock, real property, personal
property, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, social security payments,
and health taxes and any deductibles relating to wages, salaries and benefits
and payments to subcontractors, together with all interest, penalties and
additions imposed with respect to such amounts.
“Transaction
Documents” means the Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement and any
other document executed and delivered pursuant hereto together with any exhibits
or schedules to such documents.
“Transfer Taxes” shall
have the meaning as set forth in Section 7.3 of this
Agreement.
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