PUT RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.2
This Put
Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of
December 31, 2009, is
entered into by and among Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or its successor
(“HSI”), Oak Hill Capital Management Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
(“OHCM”), Oak Hill Capital Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
(“OHCP” and together with OHCM, “Oak Hill”) and, solely for purposes of
Sections 2.5(d) and 2.5(e) of this Agreement, Xxxxxx Animal Health Holding
Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, or its successor (the “Company”).
WHEREAS, as a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Omnibus
Agreement (as defined below), the parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and of the covenants and agreements
hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
1.1. Definitions.
(a) Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to
such terms in the Operating Agreement (as defined below).
(b) For the purposes of this Agreement, each of the following terms shall have the following
respective meanings:
“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Annual Put Limitation Amount” means an amount equal to (i) $125,000,000 for the first
Put Year, (ii) $137,500,000 for the second Put Year and (iii) $150,000,000 for the third Put Year
and for each Put Year thereafter.
“BAHHC Common Shares” means the “Common Shares” or, following an Initial Public
Offering, the “Successor Common Stock” (each as defined in the Operating Agreement), in each case,
as adjusted for any reclassification, recapitalization, distribution, split, combination, exchange
or similar adjustment thereof.
“Xxxxx” shall mean Xxxxx Veterinary Supply Inc., a New York corporation.
“Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the Omnibus Agreement.
“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other
federal agency administering the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at the time.
“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Convertible Security” means any capital stock, equity or debt security convertible
into, exchangeable for or representing any rights to subscribe for or acquire any BAHHC Common
Shares. For purposes of clarification, “Convertible Security” shall not include any options.
“Xxxxx” means the Xxxxx Group Companies, Inc., a New York corporation.
“Decision Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a)(ii)(2).
“Designated Investment Banker” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.2(a)(ii)(1).
“Discount Rate” means the National Municipal Bond yields for AAA Rated Tax Exempt General Obligations
Bonds as reported by Bloomberg for the nearest period of time remaining with respect to
the tax liabilities applicable to the FIFO tax adjustment, which, as of November 29, 2009 is 0.66%
for the two (2) year bond.
“Enterprise Value Methodology” means a methodology to be considered by the Designated
Investment Banker in connection with its determination of Fair Market Value, whereby first, the
enterprise value of the Company is calculated by multiplying (i) normalized EBITDA by (ii) an
appropriate multiple as determined by the Designated Investment Banker, and second, total cash and
cash equivalents of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the most recent full month-end balance
sheet date immediately preceding the applicable Put Notice Date would be added thereto, and third,
from the enterprise value so calculated, the total indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries
for borrowed monies as of the most recent full month-end balance sheet date immediately preceding
the applicable Put Notice Date would be subtracted.
“Excess Tax Distribution Adjustment Amount” for OHCP or OHCM means an amount equal to the difference
between (i) the aggregate net amount that would have been received by OHCP or OHCM, as applicable, with respect to the
Put Securities if on the day immediately preceding the Put Closing Date the Company had made a
distribution to its members in the minimum amount sufficient to eliminate the distribution advances
to all members (including accrued amounts in the nature of interest) provided for in Section
6.6(a)(ii) of the Operating Agreement outstanding as of that day (the “First Distribution”)
and then redistributed the amount of distribution advances treated as repaid pursuant to Section
6.6(a)(ii) (followed, in the case of OHCP, by a distribution by WABC of the proceeds of those distributions) and (ii) the
aggregate amount that would have been received by Oak Hill with respect to the Put Securities if on
the day immediately preceding the Put Closing Date the Company had made a distribution to its
members in the amount of the First Distribution (and, in the case of OHCP, followed by a distribution of the proceeds of this
distribution) but on that date the amount of the distribution
advances provided for in that Section 6.6(a)(ii) for all members had been zero (in both cases not
taking account of any adjustments relating to tax liabilities resulting from the change by the
Company from the LIFO to the FIFO inventory
accounting method). To the extent the amount determined under clause (i) of the immediately
preceding sentence exceeds the amount determined under clause (ii) of that sentence the Excess Tax
Distribution Adjustment Amount shall be considered “positive”; to the extent the amount
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determined
under that clause (ii) exceeds the amount determined under that clause (i) the Excess Tax
Distribution Adjustment Amount shall be considered “negative.”
Attached hereto as Exhibit A is an example of the Excess Tax Distribution Adjustment Amount calculation set forth above.
“Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of 100% of the equity interests of the
Company, calculated as of the relevant Put Notice Date (except as specifically provided in the
definition of Enterprise Value Methodology), determined pursuant to Section 2.2(a) or
Section 2.2(b)(ii), as applicable.
“Final Determination” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.2(a)(ii)(1).
“Final Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a)(ii)(2).
“Governmental Authority” shall mean any government or any agency, bureau, board,
commission, court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal or other instrumentality
of any government, whether federal, state or local.
“HSI” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“In the Money Options” means (i)
all issued and outstanding options for BAHHC Common Shares for which the applicable exercise price is less than the Put Price and
which are either vested as of the applicable Put Closing Date or may become vested in accordance with their terms within six (6) months after the applicable Put Closing Date, and (ii) any BAHHC Common Shares issued upon exercise of any
options at any time on or after the applicable Put Notice Date through the date immediately preceding the applicable Put Closing Date.
“HSI Change of Control” means (a) if any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used
in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined
in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the
voting stock of HSI or, in the context of a consolidation, merger or other corporate reorganization
in which HSI is not the surviving entity, 50% or more of the voting stock generally entitled to
elect directors of such surviving entity (or in the case of a triangular merger, of the parent
entity of such surviving entity), calculated on a fully diluted basis; or (b) the sale of all or
substantially all the assets of HSI and its subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis).
“Initial Public Offering” means the initial underwritten public offering of common
stock by the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (or any successor
form) under the Security Act.
“Lien” means any pledge, hypothecation, right of others, claim, security interest,
encumbrance, adverse claim or interest, voting trust agreement, interest, equity, option, lien,
right of first refusal, charge or other restriction or limitation.
“LIFO Tax Adjustment Amount” means, with respect to the tax distributions to be made
by the Company on or after the Put Closing Date with regard to the income already recognized, and
to be recognized, for tax purposes by the Company as a result of the change from the LIFO to the
FIFO inventory accounting method in accordance with Section 4.1 of the Operating Agreement, the amount calculated by multiplying (x) the present value
(discounted at the Discount Rate) of the amount of tax liability to be borne by OHCP or OHCM, as applicable, with
regard to that income pursuant to the last sentence of Section 4.1 of the Operating Agreement,
based on the Corporate Tax Rate (as defined in the Operating Agreement, based on the operations of
the Company as of the day immediately preceding the Put
Closing Date for the purpose of determining allocation and apportionment) in effect for the
relevant periods on the day immediately preceding the Put Closing Date, by (y) a fraction, (i) the denominator of which shall be the Effective
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Percentage Interest (as defined in the Operating Agreement) of Oak Hill immediately following the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Omnibus Agreement, and (ii) the numerator of which shall be the Effective Percentage Interest represented by the Put
Securities as of immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Omnibus Agreement.
“Market Price” means the closing sale price per BAHHC Common Share on the applicable
Put Notice Date (or the nearest preceding business day).
“Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
“Oak Hill” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“OHCM” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“OHCP” shall have the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
“Omnibus Agreement” means the Omnibus Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2009, by and
among HSI, National Logistics Services, LLC, Oak Hill, WABC, Darby, Burns, the Company and the
other Persons party thereto.
“Operating Agreement” means the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Operating Agreement of the Company, dated as of the date hereof, between WABC, OHCM, HSI, OHCP,
Xxxxx, Xxxxx and the other members party thereto, as amended from time to time in accordance with
the terms thereof.
“Person” means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a joint venture, a trust,
an unincorporated organization, a limited liability company or partnership, a government and any
agency or political subdivision thereof.
“Put Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
“Put Closing Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(a).
“Put Interest Percentage” means a percentage equal to the sum of: (i) the number of
BAHHC Common Shares designated as Put Securities in the relevant Put Notice divided by the total
number of BAHHC Common Shares and Convertible Securities then issued and outstanding determined on
a fully diluted as-converted basis as of the Put Notice Date taking into account option dilution
for In the Money Options, plus (ii) the product of (A) the number of shares of WABC Common Stock
designated as Put Securities in the relevant Put Notice divided by the total number of shares of
WABC Common Stock, multiplied by (B) the WABC Ownership
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Percentage, in each case as calculated as of the Put Notice Date
(except as indicated in the definition of In the Money Options).
“Put Notice” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).
“Put Notice Date” means, with respect to each Put Notice, the date on which such Put
Notice is delivered to HSI.
“Put Price” means the aggregate amount payable to Oak Hill in connection with the
exercise of a Put Right, calculated by multiplying either (1) the Put Interest Percentage
and the Fair Market Value in the case of Sections 2.2(a) and 2.2(b)(ii) or (2) the
Market Price and the number of BAHHC Common Shares designated as Put Securities in the case of
Section 2.2(b)(i), as applicable; provided, that, in the case of Section
2.2(a), the Put Price shall equal (w) the amount as provided in clause (1) above plus
(x) the Excess Tax Distribution Adjustment Amount, if it is positive, or minus (y) the
Excess Tax Distribution Adjustment Amount, if it is negative, and minus (z) the LIFO Tax
Adjustment Amount, and on the Put Closing Date (A) Oak Hill shall transfer to HSI the entitlement
with respect to the amounts in clause (x) and (B) HSI shall assume from Oak Hill the obligations
with respect to the amounts in clauses (y) and (z).
“Put Right” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
“Put Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(b).
“Put Year” means the one year period commencing on the first anniversary of the
Closing Date and ending on the date immediately prior to the second anniversary of the Closing Date
and each successive one year period thereafter.
“Qualified Initial Public Offering” has the meaning given to such term in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
“Regulatory Approvals” means all regulatory approvals from and notices to any
Governmental Authority that are required in order to consummate the transactions contemplated at
the applicable Put Closing, including any such regulatory approvals or notices required to be
obtained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
“Securities”
means, collectively, all or any portion of, the 3,074.27 BAHHC Common
Shares owned by OHCM as of the date hereof (as adjusted for reclassification, recapitalization,
distributions, splits, combinations, exchanges or similar events)
and, all or any portion of, the 210,119.70 shares of WABC Common Stock owned by OHCP, as of the date hereof (as adjusted for
reclassification, recapitalization, distributions, splits, combinations, exchanges or similar
events).
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“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any similar
successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the
same shall be in effect at the time.
“WABC” means W.A. Xxxxxx Company, a Delaware corporation, or its successor.
“WABC Common Stock” means the shares of common stock of WABC, par value $0.01 per
share, as adjusted for any reclassification, recapitalization, distribution, split or combination,
exchange or similar adjustment thereof.
“WABC Ownership Percentage” means a percentage equal to the number of BAHHC Common
Shares owned by WABC divided by the total number of BAHHC Common Shares then issued and
outstanding, determined on a fully diluted basis, taking into account
option dilution for In the Money Options, in each case as calculated as of the Put
Notice Date (except as indicated in the definition of In the Money
Options).
ARTICLE II
PUT RIGHTS
PUT RIGHTS
2.1. Put Right Grants and Mechanics.
(a) HSI hereby grants to Oak Hill the right (a “Put Right”), at any time and from time
to time on or after the earlier of (x) first anniversary of the Closing Date or (y) an HSI Change
of Control, to require HSI to purchase all or any portion of the Securities then owned by Oak Hill,
on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
(b) Oak Hill may exercise its Put Right by delivery of a written Notice (a “Put
Notice”) to HSI, which Put Notice shall state that Oak Hill is exercising its Put Right to
require HSI to purchase the number and type of Securities specified in such Put Notice (the
“Put Securities”).
2.2. Determination of Fair Market Value. For purposes of calculating Put Price
payable in connection with the exercise of any Put Right, the Fair Market Value shall be determined
as follows:
(a) Pre-QPO. If the Put Notice is delivered prior to a Qualified Initial Public
Offering, the Put Price payable in connection with the exercise of any Put Right shall be
determined as follows:
(i) Mutual Agreement. Oak Hill and HSI shall use all reasonable
efforts and negotiate in good faith to agree upon the Fair Market Value. If Oak
Hill and HSI agree upon the Fair Market Value, then, subject to the conditions to
closing set forth in Section 2.4 below, Oak Hill shall sell, transfer and
convey, and HSI shall purchase and accept, the Put Securities free and clear of all
Liens at the Put Closing for the Put Price calculated based on such agreed-upon Fair
Market Value.
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(ii) Dispute Procedures. (1) If Oak Hill and HSI are unable to agree
upon the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(i) within twenty-one
(21) days of the Put Notice Date, then either party may request, by delivery of a
written Notice to the other party, a reputable independent nationally
recognized investment bank retained by the Company, or, if such investment bank is not acceptable to Oak Hill or HSI, another
reputable independent nationally recognized investment bank as to which HSI and Oak
Hill mutually agree (the “Designated Investment Banker”), that the
Designated Investment Banker determine the Fair Market Value. If HSI and Oak Hill
are unable to agree upon the selection of the Designated Investment Banker, then
each shall select one nationally recognized investment bank and the Designated
Investment Banker shall be selected by those two investment banks, whose
determination of the Designated Investment Banker will constitute an arbitral award
that is final, binding and non-appealable and upon which a judgment may be entered
by a court with jurisdiction thereover. The Designated Investment Banker shall
determine the Fair Market Value, using such method or methods of determining Fair
Market Value as it, in its sole discretion, shall determine; provided,
however, that in determining Fair Market Value, the Designated Investment
Banker shall (A) not include a discount for lack of control, minority interests,
lack of a public market in the Company’s securities or leverage levels, block sale
discounts or otherwise take into account any contractual restrictions on the
Company’s ability to operate anywhere in the world or limiting HSI’s ability to
consummate the Put Closing (other than as set forth in this Agreement), (B)
consider, among other things, the value that could be realized by a sophisticated
seller seeking to maximize the consideration to be received for the Put Securities,
whether through a private sale of 100% of the Company or a strategic combination or
in an Initial Public Offering (determined on a fully distributed basis) and
assuming, for purposes of the valuation, that the capital stock of the Company is
widely held and no one shareholder holds a control position), without taking into
consideration any initial public offering discount or underwriter’s discount or any
other costs or expenses of sale, and (C) consider, in addition to any other methods
deemed by the Designated Investment Banker, in its sole discretion, to be customary
or appropriate, the Enterprise Value Methodology. For the avoidance of doubt, the
Designated Investment Banker shall not consider or attribute any value (or negative
value) to any distribution advances by the Company provided for in Section
6.6(a)(ii) of the Operating Agreement or tax liabilities relating to the change from
the LIFO to the FIFO inventory accounting method, which is the subject of the last
sentence of Section 4.1 of the Operating Agreement. Upon reasonable notice, the
Designated Investment Banker shall provide each of Oak Hill and HSI the opportunity
to make one presentation (with representatives of the non-presenting party present)
of reasonable length to the Designated Investment Banker regarding their respective
views on the determination of Fair Market Value; provided that any materials
provided by any party to the Designated Investment Banker in connection with such
presentation shall be simultaneously provided to the other party. The Designated
Investment Banker shall issue its determination in writing to Oak Hill and HSI (the
“Final Determination”) within forty-five (45) days of
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delivery of the initial Notice to the Designated Investment Banker requesting
such determination and will constitute an arbitral award that is final, binding and
non-appealable and upon which judgment may be entered by a court with jurisdiction
thereover.
(2) Oak Hill shall have fifteen (15) days after delivery of the Final
Determination (the “Decision Period”) to decide whether to (A) withdraw its
Put Notice or (B) require HSI to purchase the Put Securities indicated in its Put
Notice for a price equal to the Put Price calculated based on the Fair Market Value
set forth in the Final Determination, which decision shall be furnished to HSI by
written Notice delivered prior to the expiration of the Decision Period, notifying
HSI of such decision (the “Final Notice”). If the Final Notice indicates
that Oak Hill is withdrawing its Put Notice or if Oak Hill fails to deliver a Final
Notice prior to the expiration of the Decision Period, then the Put Notice shall be
deemed to be irrevocably withdrawn and HSI shall not be required to purchase the Put
Securities specified in such Put Notice. Any Put Notice that is withdrawn pursuant
to this Section 2.2(a)(ii)(2) shall continue to be deemed to have been
delivered for purposes of Section 2.5(c).
(b) Post-QPO. If the Put Notice is delivered after a Qualified Initial Public
Offering: (i) if the BAHHC Common Shares are then listed or quoted on NASDAQ or NYSE, the Put Price
shall be equal to the Market Price, and (ii) if the BAHHC Common Shares are not then listed or
quoted on NASDAQ or NYSE, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in accordance with Section
2.2(a). In lieu of exercising a Put Right hereunder, Oak Hill may, subject to any restriction
set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement and any applicable securities law restrictions, sell
any or all of their respective BAHHC Common Shares on the open market pursuant to Rule 144 of the
Securities Act or the Registration Rights Agreement.
2.3. Payment of Put Price. The Put Price payable by HSI at the Put Closing shall be
payable in a single cash payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by Oak Hill in writing at least two (2) days prior to the Put Closing.
2.4. Put Closing; Conditions Precedent.
(a) HSI and Oak Hill shall consummate the sale of the Put Shares (the “Put Closing”)
as soon as reasonably practicable after the delivery of the Final Notice to HSI, but in no event
later than thirty (30) days after delivery of the Final Notice (the “Put Closing Date”),
subject in all respects to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 2.4(b)
and 2.4(c).
(b) HSI’s obligations to purchase the Put Securities at a Put Closing shall be expressly
subject to the fulfillment or express written waiver by HSI of the following conditions on or prior
to the applicable Put Closing Date:
(i) HSI shall have received from Oak Hill certificates or other instruments
representing the Put Securities, together with unit, stock or other appropriate
powers duly endorsed with respect thereto, together with and any other documentation
reasonably requested by HSI in order to confirm that such
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Put Shares, and all rights in respect thereof (including, without limitation,
all economic and voting rights) are being transferred to HSI free and clear of all
Liens.
(ii) There shall not be any order of any Governmental Authority restraining or
invalidating the transactions which are the subject of this Agreement.
(iii) The purchase and sale of the Put Securities at the Put Closing would not
violate the Securities Act or any state securities or “blue sky” laws applicable to
Oak Hill, HSI, the Company or the Put Securities.
(c) Oak Hill’s obligations to sell the Put Securities at a Put Closing shall be expressly
subject to the fulfillment or express written waiver by Oak Hill of the following conditions on or
prior to the applicable Put Closing Date:
(i) HSI shall have paid the Put Price.
(ii) There shall not be any order of any Governmental Authority restraining or
invalidating the transactions which are the subject of this Agreement.
(iii) The purchase and sale of the Put Securities at the Put Closing would not
violate the Securities Act or any state securities or “blue sky” laws applicable to
Oak Hill, HSI, the Company or the Put Securities.
(d) If any of the conditions set forth in Section 2.4(b) and 2.4(c) are not or are not
reasonably expected to be satisfied on the Put Closing Date, HSI and Oak Hill shall cooperate in
good faith to cause such conditions to be satisfied.
2.5. Additional Terms and Conditions Applicable to Put Rights.
(a) Oak Hill shall only be permitted to exercise its Put Right if the Put Price for the Put
Securities to be acquired from Oak Hill at the applicable Put Closing is equal to or greater than
fifty million dollars ($50,000,000), unless the Put Securities constitute all of the Put Securities
then owned by Oak Hill. If, upon determination of the Put Price payable to Oak Hill in connection
with its exercise of a Put Right in accordance with the terms hereof, the Put Price is less than
fifty million dollars ($50,000,000), unless the Put Securities constitute all of the Put Securities
then owned by Oak Hill, then the Put Notice corresponding to such Put Right shall be void ab initio
and HSI shall have no obligation with respect thereto.
(b) In
any Put Year, HSI shall not be required to pay, in the aggregate, Put
Prices hereunder in excess
of the applicable Annual Put Limitation Amount. If the Put Price otherwise payable by HSI hereunder on a Put
Closing Date, when combined with all other Put Prices paid by HSI hereunder during the Put Year in which such
Put Closing Date is to occur, would exceed the Annual Put Limitation Amount, then, subject to
Section 2.5(a), HSI shall only be obligated to purchase that portion of the Put Securities
that have an aggregate Put Price so that, when combined with all other Put Prices paid by HSI
hereunder during the Put Year in which such Put Closing Date is to occur, the
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Annual Put Limitation Amount is not exceeded, and the number of Put Securities to be acquired
on such Put Closing Date shall be reduced accordingly on a pro rata basis.
(c) No Put Notice may be delivered if a Put Notice has already been delivered during the
immediately preceding twelve (12) month period, and any such Put Notice shall be void ab initio;
provided, however, if a Put Notice is withdrawn pursuant to Sections
2.2(a)(ii)(2) or 2.5(a), then Oak Hill may deliver a Put Notice after the date that is
six (6) months following the (x) expiration of the applicable Decision Period in the case of
Section 2.2(a)(ii)(2) and (y) date of determination that the Put Price is less than
$50,000,000 under Section 2.5.
(d) The Company shall, and HSI and Oak Hill shall cause the Company to, provide the Designated
Investment Banker with access, upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to
management of the Company and to such documents and information as it shall reasonably request,
including, without limitation, the most recently approved Company Budget and projections for the
Company’s next fiscal year presented by Company management to the Company Board. Any access under
this Section 2.5(d) shall be subject to such limitations as the Company may reasonably
require to prevent the disclosure of non-public information and/or the material disruption of the
business of the Company, including, without limitation, the execution of a non-disclosure agreement
by the Designated Investment Banker in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
The Company shall provide reasonable prior written notice to HSI and Oak Hill of any access to be
provided by the Company to the Designated Investment Banker. HSI, Oak Hill and their respective
representatives shall have the right to accompany the Designated Investment Banker on any visits to
Company’s facilities or in any meetings between the Designated Investment Banker and management of
the Company.
(e) All fees, costs and expenses of the Designated Investment Banker incurred in connection
with the determination of the Put Price hereunder shall be borne by the Company.
(f) The Put Rights granted hereunder are personal to Oak Hill and may not be transferred or
assigned by Oak Hill other than in accordance with Section 3.8 hereof.
ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
3.1. Choice of Law; Forum; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement and all claims and
controversies hereunder (whether based on contract, tort or any other theory) shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the state of New York, without regard to the
choice of law provisions thereof. Any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement
shall be brought in the courts of the state of New York sitting in the County of New York, State of
New York, or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court for the
Southern District of New York. Each party hereby expressly submits to the personal jurisdiction
and venue of such courts as provided above for the purposes thereof and expressly waives any claim
of improper venue and any claim that such courts are an inconvenient forum. Each party hereby
irrevocably consents to the service of process of any of the aforementioned courts in any such
suit, action or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, to the address set forth or referred to in Section 3.2. EACH PARTY HERETO
HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
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PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A)
CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY
OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE
FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO
ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS
SECTION.
3.2. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, approvals, consents, waivers and other
communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement (each, a “Notice”)
shall be in writing and delivered in person, by facsimile transmission (with a Notice
contemporaneously given by another method specified in this Section 3.2) or by overnight
courier service, at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be
specified to the other parties by like Notice). All such Notices shall only be duly given and
effective upon receipt (or refusal of receipt).
(a) | If to HSI, to: Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Inc. 000 Xxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Attn: General Counsel |
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Proskauer Rose LLP 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx, Esq. |
(b) | If to Oak Hill, to: Oak Hill Capital Partners II, L.P. Oak Hill Capital Management Partners II, L.P. 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Attn: Xxx Xxxxxx |
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
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Xxx Xxxx Capital Management, LLC Park Avenue Tower 00 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxx |
and
Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP 0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Esq. |
3.3. Amendments. Any provision of this Agreement may be modified, amended or waived
only by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto. For the purposes of this Agreement and all
agreements executed pursuant hereto, no course of dealing between or among any of the parties
hereto and no delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any rights hereunder or
thereunder shall operate as a waiver of the rights hereof and thereof.
3.4. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal,
invalid or unenforceable, such illegality, invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such
provision and shall not in any manner affect or render illegal, invalid or unenforceable any other
provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.
3.5. Integration. This Agreement, including the exhibits, documents and instruments
referred to herein or therein, constitutes the entire agreement among the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof.
3.6. Construction. The Article and Section headings used or contained in this
Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this
Agreement. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement
with counsel sophisticated in investment transactions. In the event an ambiguity or question of
intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the
parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by
virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.
3.7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
3.8. Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns; provided, that no party may directly or indirectly assign, delegate or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of
HSI and
00
Xxx Xxxx. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) HSI shall be entitled to assign its rights and
obligations under this Agreement, without the consent of any other party hereto, to any Affiliate
of HSI; and (b) OHCM and OHCP shall be entitled to assign their respective rights and obligations
under this Agreement, without the consent of any other party hereto, to its Permitted Primary
Transferees; provided, however, that (i) one Person reasonably acceptable to HSI
shall be appointed as agent with full power and authority to act conclusively and timely for and on
behalf of all such Permitted Primary Transferees with respect to their rights and obligations
hereunder, on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to HSI and (ii) HSI shall not incur or
become subject to any additional obligations as a result of any such assignment. For the avoidance
of doubt, in the event that HSI (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not
be the continuing or surviving entity in such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, then, in each case, the successors
and purchasers of HSI or HSI’s properties and assets, as appropriate, shall agree to fulfill and
comply with the obligations set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding any assignment by any
party of its obligations hereunder, such assigning party shall remain primarily liable for all
obligations so assigned.
[Signature Page Follows.]
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement on the
date first above written.
XXXXX XXXXXX, INC. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | Senior Vice President and Secretary | |||||
OAK HILL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PARTNERS II, L.P. |
||||||
By: OHCP GenPar II, L.P., its general partner | ||||||
By: OHCP MGP II, LLC, its general partner | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | Vice President | |||||
OAK HILL CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P. | ||||||
By: OHCP GenPar II, L.P., its general partner | ||||||
By: OHCP MGP II, LLC, its general partner | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||||
Title: | Vice President | |||||
XXXXXX ANIMAL HEALTH HOLDING | ||||||
COMPANY, LLC (solely with respect to | ||||||
Sections 2.5(d) and 2.5(e) of this Agreement) | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||||
Title: | CEO and President |
[Signature Page
to Put Rights Agreement]