STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007, BY AND AMONG CABLE & CO WORLDWIDE, INC. FRANK H. SCHALLER AND ROBERT E. HALL, PAUL K. COWHIG III, MATTHEW A. LAMBERT AND SHERRIE L. SMITH
DATED
AS
OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007,
BY
AND
AMONG
CABLE
& CO WORLDWIDE, INC.
XXXXX
X.
XXXXXXXX
AND
XXXXXX
X.
XXXX, XXXX X. XXXXXX III, XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
AND
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXX
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
This
Table of Contents is not part of the Agreement to which it is attached but
is
inserted for convenience only.
Page
|
||
ARTICLE
I SALE OF SHARES AND CLOSING
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5
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1.1.
|
Purchase
and Sale.
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5
|
1.2.
|
Purchase
Price.
|
5
|
1.3.
|
Payment
of Purchase Price.
|
5
|
1.4.
|
Security.
|
6
|
1.5.
|
Closing.
|
6
|
ARTICLE
II REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF XXXXXXXX
|
6
|
|
2.1.
|
Due
Incorporation and Authority.
|
6
|
2.2.
|
No
Conflicts.
|
7
|
2.3.
|
Capitalization;
Ownership of Shares.
|
7
|
2.4.
|
Financial
Statements.
|
8
|
2.5.
|
Undisclosed
Liabilities.
|
8
|
2.6.
|
Title
and Condition.
|
8
|
2.7.
|
Litigation
and Compliance with Laws.
|
9
|
2.8.
|
Insurance.
|
9
|
2.9.
|
Contracts.
|
9
|
2.10.
|
Intellectual
Property.
|
10
|
2.11.
|
Tax
Matters.
|
10
|
2.12.
|
No
Brokers.
|
11
|
2.13.
|
Affiliated
Entities.
|
11
|
2.14.
|
Powers
of Attorney.
|
11
|
2.15.
|
Certificate
of Incorporation and By-laws.
|
11
|
2.16.
|
Customers
and Suppliers.
|
11
|
2.17.
|
Labor
Matters; Officers, Managers and Employees.
|
12
|
2.18.
|
ERISA.
|
13
|
2.19.
|
Environmental
Compliance.
|
15
|
2.20.
|
Accredited
Investor.
|
16
|
2.21.
|
Full
Disclosure.
|
16
|
2.22.
|
Minority
Shareholders’ Representations and Warranties.
|
16
|
ARTICLE
III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE MINORITY
SHAREHOLDERS
|
16
|
|
3.1.
|
Authority.
|
16
|
3.2.
|
No
Conflicts.
|
16
|
3.3.
|
Capitalization;
Ownership of Shares.
|
17
|
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2
-
3.4.
|
Accredited
Investor.
|
17
|
ARTICLE
IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
|
18
|
|
4.1.
|
Due
Incorporation.
|
18
|
4.2.
|
Authority.
|
18
|
4.3.
|
No
Conflicts.
|
18
|
4.4.
|
Investment
Representation.
|
18
|
4.5.
|
SEC
Reports.
|
19
|
4.6.
|
Investment
Company.
|
19
|
4.7.
|
Litigation
and Compliance with Laws.
|
19
|
4.8.
|
No
Brokers.
|
19
|
4.9.
|
Full
Disclosure.
|
19
|
ARTICLE
V COVENANTS OF SHAREHOLDERS
|
20
|
|
5.1.
|
Regulatory
and Other Approvals.
|
20
|
5.2.
|
Conduct
of Business.
|
20
|
5.3.
|
Fulfillment
of Conditions.
|
20
|
5.4.
|
Confidentiality.
|
21
|
ARTICLE
VI COVENANTS OF PURCHASER
|
21
|
|
6.1.
|
Regulatory
and Other Approvals.
|
22
|
6.2.
|
Fulfillment
of Conditions.
|
22
|
6.3.
|
Confidentiality.
|
22
|
6.4.
|
Non-Solicitation.
|
23
|
ARTICLE
VII CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER
|
23
|
|
7.1.
|
Representations
and Warranties.
|
23
|
7.2.
|
Performance.
|
23
|
7.3.
|
Deliveries.
|
23
|
7.4.
|
Orders
and Laws.
|
24
|
7.5.
|
Regulatory
Consents and Approvals.
|
24
|
7.6.
|
Third
Party Consents.
|
24
|
7.7.
|
Employment
Agreement.
|
24
|
7.8.
|
Consulting
Agreement.
|
25
|
ARTICLE
VIII CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SHAREHOLDERS
|
25
|
|
8.1.
|
Representations
and Warranties.
|
25
|
8.2.
|
Performance.
|
25
|
8.3.
|
Deliveries.
|
25
|
8.4.
|
Orders
and Laws.
|
25
|
8.5.
|
Regulatory
Consents and Approvals.
|
26
|
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3
-
8.6.
|
Third
Party Consents.
|
26
|
8.7.
|
Release
of Xxxxxxxx.
|
26
|
ARTICLE
IX POST CLOSING COVENANTS
|
26
|
|
9.1.
|
Tax
Matters and Regulatory Filings.
|
26
|
9.2.
|
Indemnification
by Xxxxxxxx.
|
27
|
9.3.
|
Indemnification
by Purchaser.
|
27
|
9.4.
|
Limitations
on Indemnity.
|
28
|
9.5.
|
Indemnification
Notification.
|
28
|
9.6.
|
Indemnification
Procedure.
|
29
|
ARTICLE
X SHAREHOLDERS’ REPRESENTATIVE
|
29
|
|
10.1.
|
Appointment.
|
29
|
10.2.
|
Reliance.
|
29
|
10.3.
|
Irrevocable.
|
29
|
10.4.
|
Indemnification.
|
30
|
ARTICLE
XX XXXXXXXXXXX
|
00
|
|
11.1.
|
Termination.
|
30
|
11.2.
|
Effect
of Termination.
|
30
|
ARTICLE
XII DEFINITIONS
|
31
|
|
12.1.
|
Definitions.
|
31
|
ARTICLE
XIII MISCELLANEOUS
|
34
|
|
13.1.
|
Notices.
|
34
|
13.2.
|
Entire
Agreement.
|
35
|
13.3.
|
Expenses.
|
35
|
13.4.
|
Public
Announcements.
|
35
|
13.5.
|
Further
Assurances; Post-Closing Cooperation.
|
35
|
13.6.
|
Waiver.
|
35
|
13.7.
|
Amendment.
|
36
|
13.8.
|
No
Third Party Beneficiary.
|
36
|
13.9.
|
No
Assignment; Binding Effect.
|
36
|
13.10.
|
Headings.
|
36
|
13.11.
|
Invalid
Provisions.
|
36
|
13.12.
|
Governing
Law.
|
36
|
13.13.
|
Counterparts
and Execution.
|
37
|
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4
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THIS
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”)
is
dated the 5th
day of
November, 2007 by and among CABLE & CO WORLDWIDE, INC., a
Delaware
corporation (“Purchaser”),
XXXXX
X. XXXXXXXX (“Xxxxxxxx”),
and
XXXXXX X. XXXX, XXXX X. XXXXXX III, XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX and XXXXXXX X. XXXXX
(the
“Minority
Shareholders”
and
together with Xxxxxxxx, each a “Shareholder”
and
collectively, the “Shareholders”).
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth
in
Article X.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS,
the Shareholders collectively own one hundred percent (100%) of the total shares
of common stock (the “Shares”)
of
Quantum Research Services, Inc., d/b/a Aspen Media and Market Research, Ltd.,
a
Colorado corporation (the “Company”);
and
WHEREAS,
the Shareholders desire to sell, transfer, convey and assign the Shares to
Purchaser and Purchaser desires to purchase and acquire the Shares for the
consideration and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth
in
this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
I
SALE
OF SHARES AND CLOSING
1.1. Purchase
and Xxxx.Xx
the
Closing, the Shareholders agree to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser agrees
to
purchase from the Shareholders, all of the right, title and interest of the
Shareholders in and to the Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions
set
forth in this Agreement.
1.2. Purchase
Price.The
purchase price for the Shares shall be $2,041,976.00 (the “Purchase
Price”).
The
Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Shareholders in accordance with
their Ownership Interests.
1.3. Payment
of Purchase Price.On
the
Closing Date, Purchaser shall pay the Purchase Price as follows:
(a) $1,020,988.00
shall be paid in cash or other immediately available funds (“Cash
Portion”);
and
(b) $1,020,988.00
shall be paid by Purchaser executing separate promissory notes (the
“Notes”)
payable to each of the Shareholders for their respective portion of such amount.
The Notes shall be in the form and on the terms of the form of promissory note
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
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5
-
The
Cash
Portion shall be paid by Purchaser to the Shareholders in proportion to their
respective Ownership Interests and the principal amounts of the Notes to the
Shareholders shall be in proportion to their respective Ownership
Interests.
1.4. Security.The
Notes
shall be secured by Purchaser’s pledge of the Shares on the terms set forth in
the form of Pledge Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B
(the
“Pledge
Agreement”).
At
Closing, the parties will execute the Pledge Agreement, and Purchaser will
deliver the Stock Certificate evidencing the Shares and executed stock powers
will be delivered by Purchaser to Seller.
1.5. Closing.The
Closing will take place at the offices of Xxxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP, 000 Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000, or at such other place as the parties
mutually agree, at 10:00 A.M. local time, on the Closing Date. At the Closing,
Purchaser will: (a) pay the Cash Portion of the Purchase Price by wire transfer
of immediately available funds to such account(s) as the Shareholders may
reasonably direct by written notice delivered to Purchaser at least two (2)
business days before the Closing Date, and (b) issue the Notes to the respective
Shareholder.
ARTICLE
II
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF XXXXXXXX
As
an
inducement to Purchaser to enter into and perform this Agreement, and in
consideration of the covenants and agreements of Purchaser contained herein,
including, without limitation, Purchaser, upon its Knowledge of same, providing
notice to Xxxxxxxx of any material breach of the representations or warranties
of Xxxxxxxx in Article II of this Agreement, Xxxxxxxx represents and warrants
(which warranties and representations shall survive the Closing according to
the
terms of this Agreement regardless of any examination, inspections, audits
and
other investigations that Purchaser has heretofore made or may hereafter make,
with respect to such warranties and representations or otherwise), to Purchaser
as follows:
2.1. Due
Incorporation
and Authority.
(a) The
Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the Laws of the State of Colorado and has the corporate power
and
lawful authority to (i) own its properties and to transact the business in
which
it is currently engaged and (ii) approve this Agreement and to perform its
obligations contemplated hereby. Except as disclosed on Schedule 2.1(a) of
the
Disclosure Schedule, the Company is duly qualified to do business and is in
good
standing as a corporation in each jurisdiction where the Company owns or leases
real property and where the nature of its business requires it to be so
qualified, except for jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified has
not
had and could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on
the business, assets and financial condition of the Company.
(b) Xxxxxxxx
has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and each other agreement, document or
instrument required to be executed and delivered by Xxxxxxxx in connection
with
this Agreement or at the Closing (the “Ancillary
Documents”).
This
Agreement and any Ancillary Documents are binding upon, and enforceable against,
Xxxxxxxx in accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other Laws affecting creditors’
rights generally and by general principles of equity (whether in a proceeding
at
Law or in equity).
-
6
-
2.2. No
Conflicts.Except
as
set forth in Section 2.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of
Xxxxxxxx, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by the
Company and by Xxxxxxxx with any of the provisions hereof, will:
(a) violate,
or conflict with, or result in a material breach of any provisions of, or
constitute a material default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time
or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of,
or
accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any Lien
upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or the Shares, under any
of
the terms, conditions or provisions of the certificate of incorporation or
by-laws of the Company, or any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust,
license agreement, lease or other agreement, instrument or obligation to which
the Company or Xxxxxxxx is a party, or by which the Company or the Company’s
properties or assets or Xxxxxxxx may be bound or affected;
(b) require
the consent or approval of, or the making of any filing with, any third Person,
including any Governmental or Regulatory Authority; or
(c) violate
any Law or Order applicable to the Company or Xxxxxxxx or any of the properties
or assets of the Company.
2.3. Capitalization;
Ownership of Shares.
(a) The
Company has, and on the Closing Date will have, total authorized share capital
of 600,000 shares of common stock, no par value. Immediately prior to the
purchase of the Shares by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, 3,480 shares
of
common stock, no par value will be issued and outstanding, and there will be
no
options, warrants and securities convertible into any capital stock.
(b) The
Shares are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and except as disclosed
in Section
2.3 of the Disclosure Schedule,
are not
subject to any preemptive rights, and there are no voting trust agreements,
shareholders’ agreements, proxies, restraints on transfer or other contracts,
agreements or arrangements restricting voting or dividend rights or
transferability with respect to the Shares.
(c) Except
as
disclosed in Section
2.3 of the Disclosure Schedule,
Xxxxxxxx owns his Shares free and clear of any Liens, pledges, restrictions,
contractual obligations, charges, encumbrances or restraints on transfer and
Purchaser will acquire good and marketable title to such Shares free and clear
of all Liens. Xxxxxxxx is the sole record and beneficial owner of his Shares.
Upon endorsement by Xxxxxxxx of the certificates representing his Shares and
delivery thereof to Purchaser at Closing, Xxxxxxxx’x Shares, and good and
marketable title thereto, will have been duly transferred to Purchaser, free
and
clear of any Liens, pledges, restrictions, contractual obligations, charge,
encumbrance or restraint on transfer whatsoever, and Purchaser will be the
sole
record and beneficial owner of his Shares, subject only to the security interest
in the Shares granted by Purchaser to the Shareholders.
-
7
-
(d) Except
as
disclosed in Section
2.3 of the Disclosure Schedule,
there
are no outstanding options, rights to purchase, warrants, rights, privileges
or
other arrangements, preemptive, contractual or otherwise, to acquire or to
compel the sale of any shares of capital stock or other securities of, or equity
interests in the Company.
2.4. Financial
Statements.The
Financial Statements attached hereto as Exhibit
C:
(a)
were prepared in accordance with the books and records of the Company; (b)
present fairly the financial position and results of operations of the Company
at the dates and for the periods indicated therein; and (c) have been prepared
in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis.
2.5. Undisclosed
Liabilities.On
the
Balance Sheet Date, the Company did not have any debts, liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise),
which were not fully disclosed, reflected or reserved against in the Balance
Sheet or the notes thereto, except as disclosed in Section
2.5 of the Disclosure Schedule.
Except
for current liabilities or obligations which have been incurred since the
Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business, since the Balance Sheet
Date, the Company has not incurred any debt, liability or obligation of any
nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise,
whether or not known, whether due or to become due and regardless of when
asserted) which is material to the condition (financial or otherwise) of the
assets, properties, business or prospects of the Company
or of
the type required to be reflected as liabilities on a balance sheet prepared
in
accordance with GAAP.
2.6. Title
and
Condition.
(a) The
Company has good and marketable title to all assets and properties reflected
on
the Balance Sheet and all assets and properties acquired since the Balance
Sheet
Date, free and clear of all Liens, except for (i) Liens reflected on the Balance
Sheet, and (ii) sales and dispositions since the Balance Sheet Date in the
ordinary course of business.
(b) All
of
the buildings, fixtures, leasehold improvements and other improvements,
machinery, equipment, tools and other tangible personal property constituting
part of the Company’s assets and property are in operating condition and repair,
wear and tear excepted, and to the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, are free from defects
other than such minor defects as do not interfere with the intended use thereof
in the conduct of the Company’s business.
-
8
-
2.7. Litigation
and Compliance with Laws.There
is
no action at Law or in equity, no arbitration proceeding, and no action,
proceeding, complaint or investigation before or by any Governmental or
Regulatory Authority, pending or, to Xxxxxxxx’x Knowledge, threatened against or
affecting Xxxxxxxx, the Minority Shareholders, the Company or the Company’s
operations, business or affairs, or any of Xxxxxxxx’x, the Minority
Shareholders’, or the Company’s assets or any material portion of Xxxxxxxx’x,
the Minority Shareholders’, or the Company’s right to own his, their or its
respective assets and properties or operate its business, the enforcement of
which would have a material adverse effect on the results of operations,
condition (financial or otherwise), assets, properties, business or prospects
of
the Company; and Xxxxxxxx has no Knowledge of any state of facts or contemplated
events which may reasonably be expected to give rise to any such claim, action,
suit, proceeding, complaint or investigation. Neither Xxxxxxxx nor the Company
is subject to any Order nor, to Xxxxxxxx’x Knowledge, are any of the Minority
Shareholders subject to any Order. There are no claims, actions, suits,
proceedings or investigations pending or, to the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx,
threatened, by or against the Company or any of the Shareholders with respect
to
this Agreement, the Shares or in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby and Xxxxxxxx has no Knowledge of a valid basis for any such claim,
action, suit, proceeding or investigation.
2.8. Insurance. Section
2.8 of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth and describes all policies of insurance which are owned or held by the
Company and all of such policies of insurance are in full force and effect
in
accordance with their terms. To the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, the Company has
not
been refused any insurance with respect to any of its assets, properties or
business, and its coverage has not been limited by any insurance carrier to
which it has applied for any such insurance or with which it has carried.
2.9. Contracts. Section
2.9(a)
of the Disclosure Schedule
contains
a true and complete list of all Material Contracts or other commitments to
which
the Company is a party or is bound, including, but not limited to, purchase
and
sale or other commitments, distributorship, franchise or similar agreements,
patent or trademark license agreements (either as licensor or licensee), lease
or sublease agreements (either as lessor or lessee), equipment leases,
employment agreements (including, but not limited to, agreements entered into
by
employees of the Company relating to the transfer and/or safeguarding of
intellectual property rights), consulting agreements and union or collective
bargaining agreements, guarantees, loan agreements, mortgages, indentures,
security agreements, pledge agreements, non-competition agreements, severance
agreements, letters of credit, joint venture or partnership agreements, supply
or requirements contracts. “Material
Contracts”
means
all Contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business other than those which either:
(a) have a term of one (1) year or less and involve an aggregate consideration
over the remaining term of less than $5,000.00; or (b) may be terminated by
the
Company by not more than sixty (60) days’ prior notice without penalty.
(b) Section
2.9(b) of the Disclosure Schedule
contains
a true and complete list of all contracts or other commitments to which
Xxxxxxxx, and to Xxxxxxxx’x Knowledge, any of the Minority Shareholders, is a
party to or is bound by relating to the Company or to Xxxxxxxx’x and/or any of
the Minority Shareholders’ capacity as an owner of the Shares, including, but
not limited to, purchase and sale or other commitments, stockholders agreements,
warrants, option contracts, proxies, employment agreements (including, but
not
limited to, agreements entered into by employees of the Company relating to
the
transfer and/or safeguarding of intellectual property rights), consulting
agreements, guarantees, loan agreements, mortgages, indentures, security
agreements, pledge agreements, non-competition agreements, severance agreements,
letters of credit, joint venture or partnership agreements, supply or
requirements contracts.
-
9
-
(c) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, all Material Contracts (whether oral or written) to
which
the Company is a party, or under which the Company may be obligated, or to
which
the Company or any of its respective rights, properties or assets may be subject
or bound, are valid, binding and enforceable against the other Person thereto
in
accordance with their terms.
(d) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, neither the Company, nor any other Person is in breach
of, or default under, any Contract to which the Company is a party; and no
event
or action has occurred, is pending, or is threatened, which after the giving
of
notice, or the lapse of time, or otherwise, would constitute or result in a
breach or default by the Company, or any other Person under any Contract to
which the Company is a party.
2.10. Intellectual
Property. Section
2.10 of the Disclosure Schedule
contains
a true and complete list and brief description of all registered patents and
copyrights, and all pending applications therefor, and all trademarks, trade
names, and service marks (whether or not such trademarks, trade names, and
service marks are registered), owned by the Company, or in which the Company
has
any interest, together with copies of all licenses, assignments and agreements
relating thereto.
(b) Other
than as set forth in Section
2.10 of the Disclosure Schedule,
no
other patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks or copyrights are
necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company as presently operated.
(c) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, there is not now and has not been during the past three
(3) years any infringement, misuse or misappropriation by the Company of any
valid patent, trademark, trade name, service xxxx, copyright or trade secret
which relates to the business of the Company and which is owned by any third
party, and there is not now any existing or threatened claim against the Company
of infringement, misuse or misappropriation of any patent, trademark, trade
name, service xxxx, copyright or trade secret owned by any third party.
(d) There
is
no pending or, to the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, threatened claim by the Company
against a third party for infringement, misuse or misappropriation of any
patent, trademark, trade name, service xxxx, copyright or trade secret owned
by
the Company.
(e) Neither
Xxxxxxxx nor, to the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, any Affiliate, officer or director
of the Company owns, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, any invention,
patent, proprietary right, trademark, service xxxx, trade name, brand name
or
copyright or application therefor: (i) which the Company is presently using;
(ii) the use of which is necessary for the business of the Company; or (iii)
which pertains to the business in which the Company is engaged.
2.11. Tax
Matters.
(a) For
purposes of this Agreement, “Company
Taxes”
means
all income, capital gains, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, transfer,
ad valorem, franchise, profits, licenses, withholding, payroll, employment,
excise, severance, stamps, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits
or
other taxes or customs duties, or any interest, any penalties, additions to
tax
or additional amounts assessed or similarly charged by any taxing authority
(domestic or foreign) upon the Company.
-
10
-
(b) Other
than as set forth in Section
2.11 of the Disclosure Schedule,
the
Company has timely filed true, correct and complete Tax Returns (including,
but
not limited to, Tax Returns with respect to employee tax withholding and social
security and unemployment taxes) required to be filed with respect to the
Company for any period ending on or prior to the Closing Date (taking into
account any extension of time to file granted to or obtained on behalf of the
Company), and all such Tax Returns were prepared in accordance with applicable
Laws. All Company Taxes, shown to be due and payable in respect of such Tax
Returns have been or will be paid, and there is no liability, contingent or
otherwise, for any Company Taxes due in connection with any such Tax Return.
2.12. No
Brokers.
There
are
no claims for investment banking fees, brokerage commissions, broker’s or
finder’s fees or similar compensation (exclusive of professional fees to lawyers
and accountants) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement payable by the Company or based on any arrangement or agreement made
by or on behalf of the Company or the Xxxxxxxx.
2.13. Affiliated
Entities. Section
2.13 of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth the name and percentage of ownership, if any, by the Company of each
Affiliate of the Company.
2.14. Powers
of Attorney.
There
is
not in existence any power of attorney given by the Company which remains in
force.
2.15. Certificate
of Incorporation and By-laws.
The
copies of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the Company provided
by the Company or the Shareholders to Purchaser are true and up-to-date copies
incorporating all amendments thereto.
2.16. Customers
and Suppliers.
(a) Section
2.16(a) of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth a true and complete list of the top twenty customers of the Company (based
on the revenue from each such customer during the 12-month period ended
June 30, 2007).
(b) Section
2.16(b) of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth a true and complete list of the top twenty suppliers of the Company (based
on amounts paid or payable by the Company to each such supplier during the
12-month period ended June 30, 2007).
(c) As
of the
date of this Agreement, none of the customers listed in Section
2.16(a) of the Disclosure Schedule
and none
of the suppliers listed in Section
2.16(b) of the Disclosure Schedule,
(i) has
cancelled or otherwise terminated any contract with the Company prior to the
expiration of the contract term, or (ii) has, to the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx,
threatened, or indicated its intention, to cancel or otherwise terminate its
relationship with the Company or to reduce substantially its purchase from
or
sale to the Company of any products, equipment, goods or services, and to
Xxxxxxxx’x knowledge there is no reasonable basis for any of the matters set
forth in (i) or (ii) of this sentence to occur, it being acknowledged by
Purchaser that unsatisfied customers and suppliers typically do not provide
advance notice to a company regarding their intent to terminate or modify their
business relationship with such company.
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(d) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, no customer or supplier of the Company, per contract
or
otherwise, has the express right to solicit or hire Company employees.
2.17. Labor
Matters; Officers, Managers and Employees.
(a) The
Company is not a party to or otherwise bound by any labor or collective
bargaining agreement, and there exist no labor or collective bargaining
agreements that pertain to its employees. No labor organization or group of
employees of the Company have made a pending demand for recognition, and, within
the preceding six years, there have been no representation or certification
proceedings, or petitions seeking a representation proceeding, pending or,
threatened to be brought or filed with the National Labor Relations Board or
any
other labor relations tribunal or Governmental or Regulatory Authority. Within
the preceding six years, there have been no organized activities involving
the
Company pending or, threatened by any labor organization or group of employees
of the Company.
(b) There
are
no pending or, to the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, threatened investigations of,
or
relating to, the Company by any Governmental or Regulatory Authority responsible
for the enforcement of labor or employment Laws.
(c) Other
than as disclosed on Section 2.17(c)1 of the Disclosure Schedule, there have
never been any arbitrations, grievances, unfair labor practice charges or
complaints or other labor disputes pending
or
involving the Company or threatened against the Company, and, to the Knowledge
of Xxxxxxxx, there are no facts or circumstances which could form the basis
for
any of the foregoing.
(d) Except
as
disclosed on Section 2.17(d) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is in
material compliance with all Laws and Orders relating to the employment of
labor, including all such Laws and Orders relating to wages, hours, collective
bargaining, discrimination, civil rights, occupational safety and health,
workers’ compensation and the collection and payment of withholding and/or
social security taxes and other taxes. There are no actions against the Company
pending or, to the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, threatened to be brought or filed
with
any Governmental or Regulatory Authority or arbitrator based on, arising out
of,
in connection with, or otherwise relating to the employment or termination
of
employment or services by Company of any individual, including but not limited
to the Civil Rights laws, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination
in
Employment Act (as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act),
Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Equal Pay Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, WARN,
and
Family and Medical Leave Act.
(e) Section
2.17(e) of the Disclosure Schedule
contains
a correct and complete list of all of the employees of the Company, including
the date and location of employment, current title, rate of compensation, and
compensation and other benefits accrued as of the date of the Balance Sheet
Date.
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2.18. ERISA.
(a) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, Section
2.18 of the Disclosure Schedule
sets
forth a true and complete list of: (i) each “employee pension benefit plan” as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA; (ii) each “employee welfare benefit plan” as
defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA; and (iii) each bonus or other incentive
compensation, or equity-related award, deferred compensation, profit-sharing,
severance pay, change in control, retention, salary continuation, sick leave,
vacation pay, leave of absence, paid time off, loan, educational assistance,
legal assistance, and other material fringe benefit plan, program, agreement
or
arrangement, in each case which is maintained or contributed to by the Company
or any ERISA affiliate for the benefit of any current or former employee or
manager of the Company (and any eligible dependent and beneficiary thereof)
(collectively, the “Benefit
Plans”).
With
respect to each Benefit Plan, true, correct and complete copies of
the following documents (if applicable), have been made available to
Purchaser or its counsel as a part of the Company Records: (i) the most
recent plan document constituting the Benefit Plan and all amendments thereto,
and any related trust documents; (ii) the most recent summary plan
description and all related summaries of material modifications, if any; (iii)
the Form 5500 and attached schedules filed with the Internal Revenue Service
for
the past three (3) fiscal years, if any; (iv) the financial statements and
actuarial valuations for the past three (3) fiscal years (including Financial
Accounting Standards Board report nos. 87, 106 and 112), if any; (v) the
most recent Internal Revenue Service determination letter; and (vi) a
description of any non-written Benefit Plan.
(b) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, (i) the Company has performed and complied in all
material respects with all of its respective obligations under or with respect
to the Benefit Plans, and each Benefit Plan complies and has been administered
and operated in compliance in all material respects in accordance with its
terms
and with all applicable Laws, including but not limited to the Code and ERISA;
(ii) all amendments and actions required to bring each of the Benefit Plans
into
conformity in all material respects with all of the applicable provisions of
ERISA, the Code and other applicable Laws have been made or taken except to
the
extent that such amendments or actions are not required by Law to be made or
taken until a date after the date hereof; (iii) no individual who has performed
services for the Company has been improperly excluded from participation in
any
Benefit Plan; (iv) there are no audits or proceedings initiated pursuant to
the
Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System or similar proceedings pending
with
the Internal Revenue Service or the United States Department of Labor with
respect to any Benefit Plan; and (v) there is no material violation of ERISA
or
the Code with respect to the filing of applicable reports, documents and notice
regarding the Benefit Plans with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of
Treasury or the furnishing of such documents to the participants or
beneficiaries of the Benefit Plans.
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13
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(c) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx: (i) none of the Benefit Plans is a “multiemployer plan”
within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA, and neither the Company nor any
of
its ERISA affiliates have maintained, been required to contribute to or been
required to pay any amount with respect to a “multiemployer plan” at any time in
the past six years; (ii) none of the Benefit Plans is subject to Title IV of
ERISA or to the funding requirements of Section 412 of the Code or Section
302
of ERISA, and neither the Company nor any of its ERISA affiliates have ever
had
any obligation to or liability for (contingent or otherwise) with respect to
any
such Benefit Plan; (iii) each Benefit Plan and its related trust intended to
be
qualified under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code, respectively, has so
qualified and has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal
Revenue Service and nothing has occurred with respect to such Benefit Plan
since
the date of such determination letter which could cause the loss of such
qualification or the imposition of any material liability, penalty or tax under
ERISA or the Code; (iv) there is no pending or threatened Action relating to
the
Benefit Plans, the assets of any trust under any Benefit Plan, or the plan
sponsor, plan administrator or any fiduciary of any Benefit Plan with respect
to
the administration or operation of such Benefit Plan, other than routine claims
for benefits, and there are no facts or circumstances which could form the
basis
for any such Action; (v) neither the Company, nor any “party in interest” or
“disqualified person” with respect to any Benefit Plan, has engaged in a
“prohibited transaction” within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section
4975 of the Code with respect to any Benefit Plan that could result in a
material tax or penalty; and (vi) no
Benefit Plan or any fiduciary of any such Benefit Plan has (A) engaged in any
transaction prohibited by ERISA or the Code, (B) breached any fiduciary duty
owed by it with respect to the plans, or (C) engaged in any transaction as
a
result of which the Company would be subject to any liability pursuant to
Sections 406 or 409 of ERISA or to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant
to
Section 502(i) or Section 502(l) of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Sections
4975 through 4980 of the Code.
(d) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, (i) all contributions and premiums (including all
employer contributions and employee salary reduction contributions) that are
due
with respect to any Benefit Plan have been made within the time periods
prescribed by applicable Law or by the terms of such Benefit Plan or any
agreement relating thereto to the respective Benefit Plan, and (ii) all
contributions, Liabilities or expenses of any Benefit Plan (including workers’
compensation) for any period ending on or before the date hereof which are
not
yet due will have been paid or accrued on the Financial Statements.
(e) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, (i) except for health care continuation requirements
under Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of Subtitle I of ERISA (“COBRA”)
or
applicable state law, the Company does not have any obligations for retiree
health or retiree life benefits (whether or not insured) to any current or
former employee or manager after his or her termination of employment or service
with the Company, and (ii) all group health plans of the Company have been
operated in compliance in all material respects with the applicable requirements
of COBRA.
(f) To
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, the consummation of this Agreement and the Ancillary
Documents will not, either alone or in combination with any other event: (except
as specifically provided therein): (i) result in any payment becoming due,
or
increase the amount of compensation due, to any current or former employee
or
manager of the Company; (ii) increase any benefits payable under any Benefit
Plan; or (iii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting
of any such compensation or benefits. Further, the Company has not announced
any
type of plan or binding commitment to create any additional Benefit Plan, to
enter into any agreement with any current or former employee or manager, or
to
amend or modify any existing Benefit Plan or agreement with any current or
former employee or manager.
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14
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(g) To
the
knowledge of Xxxxxxxx (which such knowledge shall include, without limitation,
any claims or obligations brought or owed pursuant to a Benefit Plan prior
to
the Closing Date), each Benefit Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred
compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and associated
Treasury Department guidance, including IRS Notice 2005-1 and Proposed Treasury
Regulations at 70 Fed. Reg. 57930 (October 4, 2005) (each a “NQDC
Plan”),
if
any, either (i) has been operated in full compliance with Code Section 409A
since January 1, 2005, or (ii) does not provide for the payment of any benefits
that have or will be deferred or vested after December 31, 2004 and since
October 3, 2004, it has not been “materially modified” within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code and associated Treasury Department guidance, including
IRS Notice 2005-1, Q&A 18 and the proposed regulations at 70 Fed. Reg. 57930
(October 4, 2005).
2.19. Environmental
Compliance.
Except
as
disclosed on Section
2.19 of the Disclosure Schedule:
(a) the
use
of the real property leased or formerly leased by the Company, the occupancy
and
operation thereof by the Company and the conduct of operations and other
activities at such locations by the Company are, to the Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx,
in compliance in all material respects with all applicable environmental Laws;
(b) to
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, the Company holds and is in material compliance with
all
authorizations required by any Governmental or Regulatory Authority under
environmental Laws applicable to the conduct of the business of the Company
as
presently conducted;
(c) the
Company has not received any written notice of any action by any Person or
Governmental or Regulatory Authority alleging a violation of or liability under
any environmental Law arising from the lease, operation or occupation of any
real property by the Company, or any real property previously leased or operated
by the Company, or the conduct of operations and other activities at such
locations by the Company or any of its predecessors;
(d) to
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, there has been no release of any hazardous substance
in,
on, under or emanating from any real property leased, occupied or operated
by
the Company, or in, on, under or emanating from any real property previously
leased, occupied or operated by the Company, that is in violation of or is
reasonably likely to lead to any liability arising under any environmental
Law;
and
(e) to
the
Knowledge of Xxxxxxxx, the Company has not transported or arranged for the
treatment, storage or disposal of any hazardous substances to any off-site
location that has resulted in liability or is reasonably likely to lead to
any
liability to the Company under applicable environmental Laws.
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15
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2.20. Accredited
Investor.
Xxxxxxxx
is a sophisticated purchaser and has such knowledge and experience in financial
and business matters that he is capable of evaluating the merits and risks
regarding Purchaser and Purchaser’s issuance of the Notes contemplated
hereunder, and each Minority Shareholder has relied on Xxxxxxxx’x investigation,
review and analysis regarding Purchaser and Purchaser’s issuance of the Notes.
Xxxxxxxx is not relying on any statement, representation or warranty, oral
or
written, express or implied, made by Purchaser or Purchaser’s affiliates or
representatives, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Ancillary
Documents and filings made by the Company with the SEC and any applicable
Governmental Authorities. Xxxxxxxx has no knowledge or reason to believe that
any of the representations or warranties made by Purchaser as of the date hereof
are untrue, incomplete or inaccurate.
2.21. Full
Disclosure.
This
Agreement, the Financial Statements, the
Disclosure Schedule,
and all
other certificates, documents and instruments furnished by the Company or any
of
its shareholders, directors, officers or employees in connection with this
Agreement, or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement, are true
and
complete in all material respects, and neither this Agreement, the Financial
Statements, the
Disclosure Schedule,
nor any
other certificate, document or instrument furnished by the Company or any of
its
shareholders, directors, officers or employees in connection with this
Agreement, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state
a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements included herein or
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were
made.
2.22. Minority
Shareholders’ Representations and Warranties.
Xxxxxxxx
has no Knowledge that any of the representations or warranties of the Minority
Shareholders set forth herein or in any other document, schedule, agreement
or
certificate relating to the transactions contemplated hereby is incorrect or
incomplete in any material respect.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE
MINORITY
SHAREHOLDERS
As
an
inducement to Purchaser to enter into and perform this Agreement, and in
consideration of the covenants and agreements of Purchaser contained herein,
each Minority Shareholder represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows.
3.1. Authority.
Such
Shareholder has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform its obligations under this Agreement and each Ancillary Document to
be
executed and delivered by such Shareholder in connection with this Agreement
or
at the Closing. This Agreement and any such Ancillary Documents executed by
such
Shareholder are binding upon, and enforceable against such Shareholder in
accordance with their terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization and other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally
and by general principles of equity (whether in a proceeding at Law or in
equity).
3.2. No
Conflicts.
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by such Shareholders with
any
of the provisions hereof, will:
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16
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(a) violate,
or conflict with, or result in a material breach of any provisions of, or
constitute a material default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time
or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of,
or
accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any Lien
upon any of the properties or assets of such Shareholder or such Shareholder’s
Shares, under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the certificate
of
incorporation or by-laws of the Company, or any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
deed of trust, license agreement, lease or other agreement, instrument or
obligation to which such Shareholder is a party, or by which the properties
or
assets of such Shareholder may be bound or affected;
(b) except
as
set forth in Section
3.2 of the Disclosure Schedule,
require
the consent or approval of, or the making of any filing with, any third Person,
including any Governmental or Regulatory Authority; or
(c) violate
any Law or Order applicable to such Shareholder or any of the properties or
assets of such Shareholder.
3.3. Capitalization;
Ownership of Shares.
(a) Such
Shareholder’s Shares are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and except
as disclosed in Section
3.3 of the Disclosure Schedule,
are not
subject to any preemptive rights, and there are no voting trust agreements,
shareholders’ agreements, proxies, restraints on transfer or other contracts,
agreements or arrangements restricting voting or dividend rights or
transferability with respect to such Shares.
(b) Except
as
disclosed in Section
3.3 of the Disclosure Schedule,
such
Shareholder owns his or her Shares free and clear of any Liens, pledges,
restrictions, contractual obligations, charges, encumbrances or restraints
on
transfer and Purchaser will acquire good and marketable title to his or her
Shares free and clear of all Liens, and Purchaser will be the sole record and
beneficial owner of each of the Minority Shareholders’ Shares, subject only to
the security interest in the Shares granted by Purchaser to the Minority
Shareholders under the Pledge Agreement.
3.4. Accredited
Investor.
Each
Shareholder acknowledges that Xxxxxxxx is a sophisticated purchaser and has
such
knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that he is capable
of
evaluating the merits and risks regarding Purchaser and Purchaser’s issuance of
the Notes contemplated hereunder, and each Minority Shareholder has relied
on
his or own, along with Xxxxxxxx’x, investigation, review and analysis regarding
Purchaser and Purchaser’s issuance of the Notes. The Shareholders are not
relying on any statement, representation or warranty, oral or written, express
or implied, made by Purchaser or Purchaser's affiliates or representatives,
except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents and
filings made by the Company with the SEC and any applicable Governmental
Authorities. The Shareholders have no knowledge or reason to believe that any
of
the representations or warranties made by Purchaser as of the date hereof are
untrue, incomplete or inaccurate.
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17
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ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
As
an
inducement to the Shareholders to enter into and perform their obligations
under
this Agreement, and in consideration of the covenants of the Shareholders
contained herein, Purchaser warrants and represents to and covenants to the
Shareholders as follows:
4.1. Due
Incorporation.
Purchaser
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the
Laws of Delaware, and has the corporate power and lawful authority to own its
properties and to transact its business as now conducted. This Agreement is
binding upon, and enforceable against, Purchaser in accordance with its terms,
subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other
Laws affecting creditors rights generally and by general principles of equity
(whether in a proceeding at Law or in equity).
4.2. Authority.
Purchaser
has taken all requisite corporate action to approve this Agreement and
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.3. No
Conflicts.
Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Purchaser with any of the
provisions hereof, will:
(a) violate,
or conflict with, or result in a material breach of any provisions of, or
constitute a material default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time
or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of,
or
accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any Lien
upon any of the properties or assets of Purchaser or any of its Affiliates,
under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of the charter documents of
Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, or any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
deed
of trust, license, agreement, lease or other agreement, instrument or obligation
to which Purchaser or any of its Affiliates is a party, or by which Purchaser
or
its properties or assets may be bound or affected;
(b) except
as
set forth in Section
4.3 of the Disclosure Schedule,
require
the consent or approval of, or the making of any filing with, any third Person,
including any Governmental or Regulatory Authority; or
(c) violate
any Law or Order applicable to Purchaser or any of the properties or assets
of
Purchaser.
4.4. Investment
Representation.
Purchaser
is acquiring the Shares from the Shareholders for its own account for investment
and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution
thereof, nor with any present intention of distributing or selling the same;
and, except as contemplated by this Agreement and the agreements contemplated
herein, Purchaser has no present or contemplated agreement, undertaking,
arrangement, obligation, indebtedness or commitment providing for the
disposition thereof.
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18
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4.5. SEC
Reports.
Purchaser
has timely filed and will timely file all forms, reports and documents required
to be filed by Purchaser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”).
All
such required forms, reports and documents (including those that by Purchaser
may file subsequent to the date hereof) are referred to herein as the
“Purchaser
SEC Reports”).
As of
their respective dates, Purchaser SEC Reports (i) were prepared in accordance
and complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
as
the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder applicable
to such Purchaser SEC Reports and (ii) did not at the time they were filed
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
4.6. Investment
Company.
Purchaser
is not, and is not an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
4.7 Financial
Statements.
Upon
completion of its financial statements, but in any event at least five (5)
days
prior to Closing, Purchaser shall deliver to the Shareholders copies of its
financial statements that: (a) were prepared in accordance with the books and
records of Purchaser; (b) present fairly the financial position and results
of
operations of Purchaser at the dates and for the periods indicated therein;
and
(c) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent
basis.
4.7. Litigation
and Compliance with Laws.
There
is
no action at Law or in equity, no arbitration proceeding, and no action,
proceeding, complaint or investigation before or by any Governmental or
Regulatory Authority, pending or, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, threatened
against or affecting the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates or the operations,
business or affairs of Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, or any of their
assets or any right of the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates to own their
respective assets and properties or operate their businesses, the enforcement
of
which would have a material adverse effect on the results of operations,
condition (financial or otherwise), assets, properties, business or prospects
of
Purchaser or any of its Affiliates; and the Purchaser has no Knowledge of any
state of facts or contemplated events which may reasonably be expected to give
rise to any such claim, action, suit, proceeding, complaint or investigation.
Purchaser is not subject to any Order. There are no claims, actions, suits,
proceedings or investigations pending or threatened, by or against Purchaser
or
any of its Affiliates with respect to this Agreement, the Shares or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and Purchaser has no
Knowledge of a valid basis for any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or
investigation.
4.8. No
Brokers.
There
are
no claims for investment banking fees, brokerage commissions, broker’s or
finder’s fees or similar compensation (exclusive of professional fees to lawyers
and accountants) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement payable by the Company or Purchaser based on any arrangement or
agreement made by or on behalf of Purchaser.
4.9. Full
Disclosure.
This
Agreement and the financial statements delivered by Purchaser to the
Shareholders and all other certificates, documents and instruments furnished
by
Purchaser or any of its shareholders, directors, officers, employees or
Affiliates in connection with this Agreement, or any other transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, are true and complete in all material respects,
and neither this Agreement, such financial statements, nor any other
certificate, document or instrument furnished by Purchaser or any of its
shareholders, directors, officers, employees or Affiliates in connection with
this Agreement, contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements included herein
or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were
made.
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19
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ARTICLE
V
COVENANTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS
The
Shareholders covenant and agree with Purchaser that, at all times from and
after
the date hereof until the Closing, the Shareholders will comply with all
covenants and provisions of this Article V, except to the extent Purchaser
may
otherwise consent in writing.
5.1. Regulatory
and Other Approvals.
The
Shareholders will (a) take all commercially reasonable steps necessary or
desirable, and proceed diligently and in good faith and use commercially
reasonable efforts to, as promptly as practicable, obtain all consents,
approvals or actions of, to make all filings with and to give all notices to
Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or any other Person required of the
Shareholders to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby,
(b) provide such other information and communications to such Governmental
or Regulatory Authorities or other Persons as such Governmental or Regulatory
Authorities or other Persons may reasonably request and (c) provide
reasonable cooperation to Purchaser in obtaining all consents, approvals or
actions of, making all filings with and giving all notices to Governmental or
Regulatory Authorities or other Persons required of Purchaser to consummate
the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Shareholders will provide prompt
notification to Purchaser when any such consent, approval, action, filing or
notice referred to in clause (a) above is obtained, taken, made or given, as
applicable, and will advise Purchaser of any communications (and, unless
precluded by Law or confidentiality obligations with respect thereto, provide
copies of any such communications that are in writing) with any Governmental
or
Regulatory Authority or other Person regarding any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. In using commercially reasonable efforts under
this Agreement, neither the Shareholders nor the Company shall be required
to
make any material payments to any Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or
to
any other Person.
5.2. Conduct
of Business.
The
Shareholders will not take any action to cause the Company not to conduct
business in the ordinary course. The Company will not pay any disbursements,
dividends or make any distributions or bonus issues on its shares, nor change
the compensation payable to the employees, except in the ordinary course of
business. Prior to Closing, the Company will continue to engage principally
in
the business now conducted by the Company. Prior to Closing, the Shareholders
will ensure that the Company will keep in full force and effect its corporate
existence. Prior to Closing, the Company will maintain all properties necessary
in the conduct of its business in working order and condition, ordinary wear
and
tear and casualty excepted.
5.3. Fulfillment
of Conditions.
The
Shareholders will take all commercially reasonable steps necessary or desirable
and proceed diligently and in good faith and use all commercially reasonable
efforts to satisfy each condition to the obligations of Purchaser contained
in
this Agreement and will not take or fail to take any action that could
reasonably be expected to result in the nonfulfillment of any such condition
consistent with past practice.
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5.4. Confidentiality.
In
connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the preparation for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
Shareholders will have access to Confidential Information of Purchaser. The
Shareholders hereby acknowledge and agree that they: (i) shall treat and
hold as confidential any Confidential Information of Purchaser with at least
the
same degree of care as they normally exercise to protect their own Confidential
Information but in no event shall such degree of care be less than a reasonable
standard of care; (ii) shall not disclose, copy reproduce or use any such
Confidential Information except in connection with this Agreement; (iii) shall
restrict disclosure of such Confidential Information to the Shareholders’
Representatives with a need to know, provided the Shareholders makes their
Representatives aware of the confidential nature of the Confidential Information
and direct them not to disclosure to any other person the content of the
Confidential Information, and the Shareholders shall be responsible for any
breach of this Section
5.4
by
their Representatives; and (iv) if this Agreement is terminated for any
reason whatsoever, shall return to Purchaser all tangible embodiments (and
all
copies) thereof which are in their possession. If
Shareholders or their Representatives are requested or required (by oral
questions, interrogatories, requests for information or documents, subpoena,
civil investigative demand or other legal or regulatory process) to disclose
any
Confidential Information, or that Confidential Information has been made
available to Shareholders or that Shareholders are discussing or negotiating
a
transaction with Purchaser, or any of the terms, conditions or facts with
respect to the transaction, Shareholders shall provide Purchaser with prompt
written notice of such request or requirement so that Purchaser may seek an
appropriate protective order or waive Shareholder’s compliance with the
provisions of this agreement. If, failing the entry of a protective order or
the
receipt of a waiver hereunder, Shareholders or their Representatives are, in
the
opinion of their counsel, compelled to disclose Confidential Information they
may disclose that portion of the Confidential Information which such counsel
advises that Shareholders or their Representatives are legally compelled to
disclose. Purchaser's Right to Inspect. Prior to the date of this Agreement,
the
Company and the Shareholders have given Purchaser and its representatives and,
provided Purchaser is not in default hereunder, they will continue through
the
Closing Date to give Purchaser and its representatives access to all of the
Company's books, records, contracts, insurance policies and all documents
related to its business (the “Company
Records”).
Purchaser acknowledges that Shareholders have made no representations or
warranties, express or implied, written or oral, as to the accuracy or
completeness of the Company Records or any other information relating to the
Company furnished by or on behalf of Shareholders or to be furnished to
Purchaser or its representatives, except to the extent expressly set forth
in
this Agreement.
ARTICLE
VI
COVENANTS
OF PURCHASER
Purchaser
covenants and agrees with the Shareholders that, at all times from and after
the
date hereof until the Closing, Purchaser will comply with all covenants and
provisions of this Article VI, except to the extent the Shareholders may
otherwise consent in writing.
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6.1. Regulatory
and Other Approvals.
Purchaser
will (a) take all commercially reasonable steps necessary or desirable, and
proceed diligently and in good faith and use all commercially reasonable
efforts, as promptly as practicable to obtain all consents, approvals or actions
of, to make all filings with and to give all notices to Governmental or
Regulatory Authorities or any other Person required of Purchaser to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) provide such other information
and communications to such Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or other
Persons as such Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or other Persons may
reasonably request and (c) provide reasonable cooperation to the
Shareholders and the Company in obtaining all consents, approvals or actions
of,
making all filings with and giving all notices to Governmental or Regulatory
Authorities or other Persons required of the Shareholders or the Company to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. Purchaser will provide prompt
written notification to the Shareholders when any such consent, approval,
action, filing or notice referred to in clause (a) above is obtained, taken,
made or given, as applicable, and will advise the Shareholders in writing of
any
communications (and, unless precluded by Law or confidentiality obligations
with
respect thereto, provide copies of any such communications that are in writing)
with any Governmental or Regulatory Authority or other Person regarding any
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.2. Fulfillment
of Conditions.
Purchaser
will take all commercially reasonable steps necessary or desirable and proceed
diligently and in good faith and use all commercially reasonable efforts to
satisfy each condition to the obligations of the Shareholders contained in
this
Agreement and will not take or fail to take any action that could reasonably
be
expected to result in the nonfulfillment of any such condition.
6.3. Confidentiality.
In
connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the preparation for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Purchaser
will
have access to Confidential Information of the Company. Purchaser hereby
acknowledges and agrees that it: (i) shall treat and hold as confidential
any Confidential Information of the Company with at least the same degree of
care as it normally exercises to protect its own Confidential Information but
in
no event shall such degree of care be less than a reasonable standard of care;
(ii) shall not disclose, copy reproduce or use any such Confidential
Information except in connection with this Agreement; (iii) shall restrict
disclosure of such Confidential Information to Purchaser’s Representatives with
a need to know, provided Purchaser makes its Representatives aware of the
confidential nature of the Confidential Information and directs them not to
disclosure to any other person the content of the Confidential Information,
and
Purchaser shall be responsible for any breach of this Section
6.3
by its
Representatives; and (iv) if this Agreement is terminated for any reason
whatsoever, shall return to the Company all tangible embodiments (and all
copies) thereof which are in its possession. If Purchaser or its Representatives
are requested or required (by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for
information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other legal
or
regulatory process) to disclose any Confidential Information, or that
Confidential Information has been made available to Purchaser or that Purchaser
is discussing or negotiating a transaction with Shareholders, or any of the
terms, conditions or facts with respect to the transaction, Purchaser shall
provide Shareholders with prompt written notice of such request or requirement
so that Shareholders may seek an appropriate protective order or waive
Purchaser’s compliance with the provisions of this agreement. If, failing the
entry of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, Purchaser
or
its Representatives are, in the opinion of their counsel, compelled to disclose
Confidential Information they may disclose that portion of the Confidential
Information which such counsel advises that Purchaser or its Representatives
are
legally compelled to disclose. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein to
the
contrary, Purchaser may disclose any information that it believes in good faith
is required to be disclosed to comply with applicable Laws provided Purchaser
shall simultaneously notify the Company of any such disclosure.
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6.4. Non-Solicitation.
In
the
event that this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 11.1(a), then for
a
period of two years after the date of termination, Purchaser will not
intentionally, directly or indirectly or through any Affiliate, (a) solicit
any
of the customers of the Company for any services which compete with the
Company’s Business unless the Purchaser had a customer relationship with a
customer as of the earlier of the date of the disclosure of such customer to
Purchaser or the date of this Agreement, or (b) hire any person who is as at
any
time between September 1, 2007 and the date of termination of this Agreement
an
employee of the Company, or directly or indirectly solicit or negotiate in
any
manner with any such person for the purpose of enticing such employee away
from
or out of the employment of the Company. Nothing contained in this paragraph
shall be deemed to permit Purchaser or its representatives to use any
Confidential Information for any purpose other than for the sole purpose of
performing its due diligence in conjunction with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. The terms of this Section will survive any termination of
this Agreement.
ARTICLE
VII
CONDITIONS
TO OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER
The
obligations of Purchaser hereunder are subject to the fulfillment, at or before
the Closing, of each of the following conditions (all or any of which may be
waived in whole or in part by Purchaser in its sole discretion):
7.1. Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties made by the Shareholders in this Agreement taken
as a whole, shall be true and correct in all material respects, on and as of
the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date or, in the case of
representations and warranties made as of a specified date earlier than the
Closing Date, on and as of such earlier date.
7.2. Performance.
The
Shareholders shall have performed and complied with the agreements, covenants
and obligations required by this Agreement to be so performed or complied with
by the Shareholders at or before the Closing or will hinder or impede the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.3. Deliveries.
The
Shareholders shall have delivered, or shall have caused to be delivered, to
Purchaser, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser,
the
following:
(a) duly
executed transfers for all of the Shares in favor of Purchaser and/or its
nominees together with the relevant certificate(s)
representing all of the Shares;
(b) written
resignations, effective on the Closing Date, of those officers and directors
of
the Company that Purchaser shall have requested not less than ten (10) days’
prior to the Closing (the intent of this provision is the resignation of
so-called statutory officers and members of the board of directors of Seller,
and not director-level employees, and further nothing set forth herein shall
be
deemed to terminate the employment of officers and directors who are also
employees, such employment to continue on an at-will basis in the absence of
an
agreement to the contrary);
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(c) the
certificate of incorporation, by-laws, minute books, share register, common
seal, share certificates and all books and records of the Company including,
without limitation all cancelled and un-issued share certificates and signed
minutes of the Company;
(d) without
limiting Section
7.3(c)
above,
all corporate and other records of the Company, including but not limited to,
books of account, leases and contracts,
Tax Returns, reports and relevant workpapers, financial records and personnel
records;
(e) an
opinion of counsel of the Company and the Shareholders, dated as of the Closing
Date, as to the matters described in Exhibit
F;
(f) certified
copies of minutes or unanimous written consents of the Board of Directors of
the
Company approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement,
the
consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement,
revoking all existing banking mandates of the Company and substituting therefor
such banking mandates as Purchaser shall direct;
(g) a
certificate of good standing for the Company from the State of Wyoming; and
(h) such
other documents required to be delivered by the Shareholders hereunder or as
Purchaser or its counsel may reasonably request to carry out the purposes of
this Agreement.
7.4. Orders
and Laws.
There
shall not be in effect on the Closing Date any Order or Law restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of any
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.5. Regulatory
Consents and Approvals.
All
consents, approvals and actions of, filings with and notices to any Governmental
or Regulatory Authority necessary to permit Purchaser and the Shareholders
to
perform their obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall have been duly obtained,
made
or given and shall be in full force and effect, and all terminations or
expirations of waiting periods imposed by any Governmental or Regulatory
Authority necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall have occurred.
7.6. Third
Party Consents.
The
consents (or in lieu thereof waivers) listed in Section 2.2
of the Disclosure Schedule
shall
have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect.
7.7. Employment
Agreement.
Xxxxxxxx
and the Company shall have entered into the Employment Agreement in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit
D.
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7.8. Consulting
Agreement.
Strategic
Alliance Group, Inc. (the “Consultant”)
and
the Company shall have entered into a Consulting Agreement in the form attached
as Exhibit E.
ARTICLE
VIII
CONDITIONS
TO OBLIGATIONS OF SHAREHOLDERS
The
obligations of the Shareholders hereunder are subject to the fulfillment, at
or
before the Closing, of each of the following conditions (all or any of which
may
be waived in whole or in part by the Shareholders in their sole
discretion):
8.1. Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties made by Purchaser in this Agreement, taken as
a
whole, shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date.
8.2. Performance.
Purchaser
shall have performed and complied with the agreements, covenants and obligations
required by this Agreement to be so performed or complied with by Purchaser
at
or before the Closing or will hinder or impede the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
8.3. Deliveries.
Purchaser
shall have delivered, or shall have caused to be delivered, to the Shareholders,
all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Shareholders, the
following:
(a) a
wire
transfer of immediately available funds in respect of the Cash Portion;
(b) duly
executed Notes;
(c) Pledge
Agreement duly executed by Purchaser,
(d) certified
copies of minutes or unanimous written consents of the Board of Directors of
Purchaser approving the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement,
the Notes, the Pledge Agreement and all other documents as contemplated by
this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this
Agreement;
(e) Employment
Agreement duly executed by Purchaser;
(f) Consulting
Agreement duly executed by Purchaser; and
(g) such
other documents required to be delivered by Purchaser or as the Shareholders
or
their counsel may reasonably request to carry out the purposes of this
Agreement.
8.4. Orders
and Laws.
There
shall not be in effect on the Closing Date any Order or Law restraining,
enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of any
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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8.5. Regulatory
Consents and Approvals.
All
consents, approvals and actions of, filings with and notices to any Governmental
or Regulatory Authority necessary to permit the Shareholders and Purchaser
to
perform their obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, shall have been duly obtained,
made or given and shall be in full force and effect, and all terminations or
expirations of waiting periods imposed by any Governmental or Regulatory
Authority necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall have occurred.
8.6. Third
Party Consents.
The
consents (or in lieu thereof waivers) listed in Section 4.3
of the Disclosure Schedule
shall
have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect.
8.7. Release
of Xxxxxxxx.
Xxxxxxxx
shall have been released from his personal guaranties of the Company’s loans
with Vectra Bank.
ARTICLE
IX
POST
CLOSING COVENANTS
9.1. Tax
Matters and Regulatory Filings.
(a) Purchaser,
the Company and the Shareholders shall provide each other with such assistance
as may reasonably be requested by the others in connection with the preparation
of any Tax Return, any audit or other examination by any Governmental or
Regulatory Authorities, any judicial or administrative proceedings relating
to
liabilities for Company Taxes, or any filings required by Governmental or
Regulatory Authorities. Such assistance shall include: (i) making employees
available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information
or
explanation of material provided hereunder; (ii) providing copies of relevant
Tax Returns and supporting material; and (iii) providing reasonable cooperation
to the others in making all filings with and giving all notices to Governmental
or Regulatory Authorities. Purchaser, the Company and the Shareholders will
retain all Tax Returns, schedules and work papers and all material records
and
other documents relating to Company Tax matters for one hundred eighty (180)
days after the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations including
any
extensions thereof.
(b) From
the
date of this Agreement through and after the Closing Date, Xxxxxxxx shall
prepare, or cause to be prepared, and file, or cause to be filed, in a timely
manner all Tax Returns relating to the Company for any taxable period ending
on
or before the Closing Date, and Purchaser shall do the same for any taxable
period ending after the Closing Date.
(c) Any
refunds received by Purchaser or the Company of Company Taxes (and any
equivalent benefit obtained through a reduction in tax liability for taxable
period or portions thereof ending after the Closing Date) relating to taxable
periods or portions thereof ending on or before the Closing Date shall be
retained by and shall be the property of the Company.
(d) Any
Tax
liability incurred by Purchaser or the Company relating to the taxable period
or
portions thereof ending on or prior to the Closing Date shall be the
responsibility of the Company without reimbursement from or claim against the
Shareholders.
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(e) If
it is
determined that any of the Benefit Plans were not fully funded prior to the
Closing Date for obligations that apply to the periods prior to the Closing
Date, then, notwithstanding that the representations and warranties of Xxxxxxxx
in Section 2.18 of this Agreement are limited to his Knowledge, Xxxxxxxx will
indemnify the Company for the amount of the deficiency in funding. Any damages
that Purchaser may incur by reason of any breach of any representation or
warranty in Section 2.18 of this Agreement shall be subject to the terms of
Sections 9.2 - 9.6 of this Agreement. The amount to be paid by Xxxxxxxx under
this paragraph is limited to any unpaid funding or claim that by law was
required to be paid prior to the Closing Date and for which there was no
provision for the payment of such obligation on the Company's books. Xxxxxxxx'x
indemnification under this paragraph does not extend to any accrued funding
obligations (i) owing as of the Closing Date unless such payment was required
to
be paid prior to the Closing Date (it being understood that unpaid benefits
that
are for a period that straddles the Closing Date that the Company has
customarily deferred payment until on or about the due date are outside of
Xxxxxxxx'x obligation hereunder), or (ii) for which provision for such payment
has otherwise been made by the Company on its books.
9.2. Indemnification
by
Xxxxxxxx.
Xxxxxxxx
agrees to indemnify and hold Purchaser and its officers, directors,
shareholders, employees, agents and attorneys harmless from and against any
and
all damages, liabilities, losses, claims, obligations, liens, assessments,
judgments, taxes, fines, penalties, reasonable costs and expenses (including
reasonable fees of counsel), as the same are incurred, of any kind or nature
whatsoever (whether or not arising out of third-party claims and including
all
reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of the
foregoing) which may be sustained or suffered by Purchaser based upon, arising
out of, or by reason of the
breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement
of
Xxxxxxxx contained in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Document.
9.3. Indemnification
by Purchaser.
Purchaser
agrees to indemnify and hold the Shareholders and the Company and their
officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and attorneys (the
“Seller
Indemnified Persons”)
harmless from and against any and all damages, liabilities, losses, claims,
obligations, liens, assessments, judgments, taxes, fines, penalties, reasonable
costs and expenses (including reasonable fees of counsel), as the same are
incurred, of any kind or nature whatsoever (whether or not arising out of third
party claims and including all reasonable amounts paid in investigation, defense
or settlement of the foregoing) which may be sustained or suffered by any of
the
Seller Indemnified Persons based upon, arising out of, or by reason of the
breach or inaccuracy of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement
of
any of Purchaser contained in this Agreement, in any Ancillary Document, or
any
other document executed by Purchaser for the benefit of the Company or any
of
the Shareholders in connection with this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
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9.4. Limitations
on Indemnity.
(a) Indemnification
Period.
The indemnities and all representations and warranties contained herein shall
expire on the one (1) year anniversary of the Closing Date; provided,
however,
that if
at the stated expiration date of any indemnity right there shall then be a
pending claim duly made in accordance with this Agreement, the party asserting
such claim shall continue to have the right to such indemnification rights
with
respect to such claim notwithstanding such expiration. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (i) Purchaser shall be entitled to assert any right of
indemnification hereunder against Xxxxxxxx for any Purchaser Excluded Claim
within three (3) years following the Closing Date; (ii) Purchaser shall be
entitled to assert any right of indemnification hereunder against a Minority
Shareholders for any fraud or intentional misrepresentation by such Minority
Shareholder within three (3) years following the Closing Date; and (iii) the
Shareholders shall be entitled to assert any right of indemnification hereunder
against Purchaser for any Shareholder Excluded Claim within three (3)
years
following the Closing Date.
For
purposes of this Agreement, (y) the term “Purchaser Excluded Claims” shall mean
claims based upon fraud by Xxxxxxxx and claims based upon a breach of Sections
2.1, 2.2, 2.3, and 2.12 and (z) the term “Shareholder Excluded Claim” shall mean
claims based upon fraud by Purchaser.
(b) Deductible.
No Person shall seek indemnification for monetary damages pursuant to Section
9.2 or 9.3 unless and until such Person has suffered aggregate indemnifiable
losses or damages individually or in the aggregate in excess of Twenty Thousand
Dollars ($20,000.00), and such Person shall only have the right to be
indemnified for damages in excess of such amount. For purposes of the foregoing,
all of the indemnifiable losses or damages of the Seller Indemnified Persons
shall be aggregated as if they were incurred by the same Person.
(c) Cap
on
Liability.
After the Closing, the maximum aggregate amount that any indemnified party
and
its respective officers, directors, agents and affiliates, successors and
assigns (“Indemnified
Persons”)
collectively shall be entitled to be indemnified for is the principal amount
of
the Note, and no Indemnified Person shall be entitled to any additional amounts;
provided,
however,
there
shall be no limitation on the amount (individually or in the aggregate) of
liability for any claim resulting from fraud or an intentional
misrepresentation.
9.5. Indemnification
Notification.
Upon
obtaining Knowledge of any claim or demand which has given rise to, or could
reasonably give rise to, a claim for indemnification hereunder, the Person
requesting indemnification (“Indemnitee”)
shall
give prompt written notice of such claim or demand to the Person from whom
indemnification is requested (the “Indemnitor”)
(“Notice
of Claim”).
Indemnitee shall furnish to Indemnitor in reasonable detail such information
as
Indemnitee may have with respect to such indemnification claim (including copies
of any summons, complaint or other pleading which may have been served on it
and
any written claim, demand, invoice, billing or other document evidencing or
asserting the same).
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9.6. Indemnification
Procedure.
If
the
claim or demand set forth in the Notice of Claim given by Indemnitee pursuant
to
Section
9.5
hereof
is a claim or demand asserted by a third party, the Indemnitor shall have thirty
(30) days after the date of the Notice of Claim to notify Indemnitee in writing
of its election to defend such third party claim or demand on behalf of the
Indemnitee. The Indemnitor shall be entitled to assume the defense of any such
claim by giving Indemnitee written notice of such assumption within twenty
(20)
days of its receipt of Indemnitee’s notice of such claim and by appointing
reputable counsel reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee to be the lead counsel
in
connection with such defense. If, subject to the foregoing, the Indemnitor
elects to defend such third party claim or demand, Indemnitee shall make
available to Indemnitor and his agents and representatives all records and
other
materials which are reasonably required in the defense of such third party
claim
or demand and shall otherwise cooperate with, and assist the Indemnitor in
the
defense of, such third party claim or demand, and so long as the Indemnitor
defending such third party claim in good faith, Indemnitee shall not pay, settle
or compromise such third party claim or demand. If the Indemnitor elects to
defend such third party claim or demand, Indemnitee shall have the right to
participate in the defense of such third party claim or demand, at Indemnitee’s
own expense. If the Indemnitor does not elect to defend such third party claim
or demand or does not defend such third party claim or demand in good faith,
Indemnitee shall have the right, in addition to any other right or remedy it
may
have hereunder, at the Indemnitor’s expense, to defend such third party claim or
demand; provided, however, that (a) Indemnitee shall not have any obligation
to
participate in the defense of, or defend, any such third party claim or demand;
and (b) Indemnitee’s defense of or its participation in the defense of any such
third party claim or demand shall not in any way diminish or lessen the
obligations of the Indemnitor under the agreements of indemnification set forth
in this Article
IX.
ARTICLE
X
SHAREHOLDERS’
REPRESENTATIVE
10.1. Appointment.
By
the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, each
Minority
Shareholder hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints Xxxxxxxx as
Shareholders’ Representative and the initial true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the Minority Shareholders with full authority and power
of
substitution to act in the name, place and stead of such Shareholders with
respect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder. This
appointment is coupled with an interest.
10.2. Reliance.
Purchaser,
and any other Person, may conclusively and absolutely rely, without inquiry,
upon any consent, approval or action of the Shareholders’ Representative as the
consent, approval or action, as the case may be, of each Shareholder
individually and all Shareholders as a group in all matters referred to in
this
Agreement, and each Shareholder confirms all that the Shareholders’
Representative shall do or cause to be done by virtue of his or her appointment
as the Shareholders’ Representative.
10.3. Irrevocable.
Each
Shareholder covenants and agrees that he or she will not voluntarily revoke
the
power of attorney conferred in this Article. If any Minority Shareholder dies
or
becomes incapacitated, disabled or incompetent (such deceased, incapacitated,
disabled or incompetent Shareholder being a “Former
Shareholder”)
and,
as a result, the power of attorney conferred by this Article is revoked by
operation of law, it shall not be a breach by such Former Shareholder under
this
Agreement if the heirs, beneficiaries, estate, administrator, executor,
guardian, conservator or other legal representative of such Former Shareholder
(each a “Successor
Shareholder”)
confirm the appointment of the Shareholders’ Representative as agent and
attorneys-in-fact for such Successor Shareholder. If Xxxxxxxx dies or becomes
incapacitated, disabled or incompetent and as a result is unable to act as
Shareholders’ Representative, the Minority Shareholders may, but are not
obligated to, appoint a successor Shareholders’ Representative.
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10.4. Indemnification.
Each
of
the Shareholders hereby consents and agrees to all actions or inactions taken
or
omitted to be taken in good faith by the Shareholders’ Representative under this
Agreement and hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Shareholders’
Representative from and against all damages, losses, liabilities, charges,
penalties, costs and expenses (including court costs and legal fees and
expenses) incurred in any claim, action, dispute or proceeding between any
such
person or persons and the Shareholders (or any of them) or between any such
person or persons and any third party or otherwise incurred or suffered as
a
result of or arising out of such actions or inactions.
ARTICLE
XI
TERMINATION
11.1. Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions contemplated hereby may be
abandoned:
(a) at
any
time before the Closing, by mutual written agreement of the Shareholders, the
Company and Purchaser;
(b) at
any
time before the Closing, by the Shareholders or Purchaser in the event that
any
Order or Law becomes effective restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
or making illegal the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement, upon written notification of the terminating party;
(c) at
any
time before the Closing, by the Shareholders upon written notification to
Purchaser by the Shareholders, if Purchaser is in material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement which
is
not curable or, if curable, is not cured within thirty (30) calendar days after
notice from Xxxxxxxx (and Xxxxxxxx is not in material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement);
(d) at
any
time before the Closing, by Purchaser upon written notification to the
Shareholders by Purchaser, if any Shareholder is in material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement which
is
not curable or, if curable, is not cured within thirty (30) calendar days after
notice from Purchaser (and Purchaser is not in material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement under this Agreement); or
(e) at
any
time after January 31, 2008, by Xxxxxxxx if the Closing has not occurred by
that
date (and Xxxxxxxx is not in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
or
agreement under this Agreement).
11.2. Effect
of Termination.
If
this
Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section
11.1,
this
Agreement will forthwith become null and void, and there will be no liability
or
obligation on the part of the Shareholders, the Company or Purchaser (or any
of
their respective Representatives or Affiliates), except the obligations in
Sections
5.4, 6.3, 6.4 and 13.3
shall
survive termination of this Agreement.
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30
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ARTICLE
XII
DEFINITIONS
12.1. Definitions.
(a) As
used
in this Agreement, the following defined terms shall have the meanings indicated
below:
Affiliate:
means
any Person that directly or indirectly through one of more intermediaries,
controls or is controlled by or is under common control with the Person
specified. For purposes of this definition, control of a Person means the power,
direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of such Person whether by Contract or otherwise and, in any event
and
without limitation of the previous sentence, any Person owning more than fifty
percent (50%) of the voting securities of a second Person shall be deemed to
control that second Person.
Agreement:
means
this Stock Purchase Agreement and the Exhibits and the Disclosure Schedule
hereto as the same shall be amended from time to time.
Ancillary
Documents:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.1(b).
Background
Materials:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.5.
Balance
Sheet:
shall
mean the balance sheet of the Company as of June 30, 2007, included in the
Financial Statements.
Balance
Sheet Date:
shall
mean June 30, 2007.
Benefit
Plan:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.18.
Cash
Portion:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.3.
Closing:
means
the closing of the transactions contemplated by Section 1.5.
Closing
Date:
means
(a) January 31, 2008, or (b) such other date as Purchaser, the Company
and Xxxxxxxx mutually agree upon in writing.
Code:
shall
mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Company:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.
Company
Business:
shall
mean the Company’s business of providing market research services, including:
(a) research field services, (b) circulation - subscription renewal
and acquisitions, (c) sales lead qualification program and specialized
services, (d) relational database creation and list consolidation, and
(e) print-to-electronic file conversion.
Company
Taxes:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.11.
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31
-
Confidential
Information:
shall
mean any confidential or proprietary information of a party that is furnished
to
the other party in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby, including without
limitation, information relating to a party’s business activities, research,
development, plans, productions, facilities, financial condition, products,
services, equipment, marketing, processes, methodologies, software, technical
knowledge, intellectual property, data, employees, customers, prospects and/or
other information that has been identified as, or by its nature may be
reasonably determined to be, confidential; provided,
however,
that
Confidential Information shall not include any information (A) which, at
the time of disclosure, is available publicly, (B) which, after disclosure,
becomes available publicly through no fault of the receiving party or its
representatives, (C) which the receiving party knew or had access to prior
to disclosure as reasonably demonstrated by such party, (D) which a party
lawfully and rightfully obtains from a third party as reasonably demonstrated
by
such party, or (E) which a receiving party is required to disclose by Law,
Order, rule, regulation or Governmental or Regulatory Authority.
Consultant:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
7.8.
Consulting
Agreement:
means
the form of Consulting Agreement attached as Exhibit
E
hereto
between the Consultant and Purchaser.
Contract:
means
any agreement, lease, evidence of indebtedness, mortgage, indenture, security
agreement or other contract.
Disclosure
Schedule:
means
the record attached hereto and dated as of the date hereof, containing all
lists, descriptions, exceptions and other information and materials as are
required to be included therein pursuant to this Agreement.
Employment
Agreement:
means
the form of Employment Agreement attached as Exhibit
D
hereto
between Xxxxxxxx and Purchaser.
ERISA:
shall
mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
Financial
Statements:
shall
mean those certain audited financial statements of the Company for its last
two
(2) fiscal years and any stub year, in a form reasonably satisfactory to
Purchaser attached hereto as Exhibit
C.
GAAP:
means
United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the
date
of this Agreement, applied on a consistent basis.
Governmental
or Regulatory Authority:
means
any court, tribunal, arbitrator, authority, agency, commission, official or
other instrumentality of the United States or any foreign government, state,
county, city or other political subdivision.
Indemnification
Cap:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.4(c).
Indemnitee:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.5.
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32
-
Indemnitor:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.5.
Key
Employees:
means
each of Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx X. Xxxxxx III, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, and Xxxxxx
X.
Xxxx.
Knowledge:
means
the
actual knowledge of the identified natural person or, in the case of a
corporation, the officers of that corporation, without any duty to
investigate.
Laws:
means
all laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances and other pronouncements
having the effect of Law of the United States or any foreign government, state,
county, city or other political subdivision or of any Governmental or Regulatory
Authority.
Liens:
means
any mortgage, pledge, assessment, security interest, lease, lien, adverse claim,
levy, charge or other encumbrance.
Material
Contracts:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.9(a).
Minority
Shareholders:
means
all of the Shareholders other than Xxxxxxxx.
Notes:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.3.
Notice
of Claim:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.5.
Order:
means
any writ, judgment, decree, injunction or similar order of any Governmental
or
Regulatory Authority (in each such case whether preliminary or final).
Ownership
Interest:
means
with respect to a Shareholder, the percentage of all of the issued and
outstanding Shares owned by the Shareholder.
Person:
means
any natural person, company, corporation, general partnership, limited
partnership, limited liability company, proprietorship, other business
organization, trust, union, association or Governmental or Regulatory
Authority.
Pledge
Agreement:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.4.
Purchase
Price:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
1.2.
Purchaser:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.
Purchaser
Excluded Claims:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.4(a).
Purchaser
Indemnified Persons:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.4(c).
Purchaser
SEC Reports:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
4.5.
Representatives:
means a
Person’s officers, directors, employees, counsel, accountants, financial
advisors, consultants and other representatives of such Person.
Shareholders
Excluded Claims:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.4(a).
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33
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SEC:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
4.5.
Seller
Indemnified Persons:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in Section
9.3.
Shareholders:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in the preamble.
Shareholders’
Representative:
means
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx.
Shares:
has the
meaning ascribed to it in the Recitals.
Tax
Return:
means any return, filing, questionnaire, information return or other document
required to be filed, including requests for extensions of time, filings made
with estimated tax payments, claims for refund and amended returns that may
be
filed, for any period with any taxing authority (whether domestic or foreign)
in
connection with any Company Tax (whether or not a payment is required to be
made
with respect to such filing).
(b) Unless
the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender
include each other gender; (ii) words using the singular or plural number
also include the plural or singular number, respectively; (iii) the terms
“hereof,” “herein,” “hereby” and derivative or similar words refer to this
entire Agreement; (iv) the terms “Article” or “Section” refer to the
specified Article or Section of this Agreement; and (v) the phrase
“ordinary course of business” refers to the business of the Company. Any
representation or warranty contained herein as to the enforceability of a
Contract shall be subject to the effect of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar Law affecting the enforcement of
creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
Law).
ARTICLE
XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1. Notices.
All
notices required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall
be
given by personal delivery or sent to the address of the party set forth below
by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by reputable
overnight courier, prepaid, receipt acknowledged. Notices shall be deemed
received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or, in the case of notice
by mail or overnight courier, the date of receipt marked on the acknowledgment
of receipt. Rejection or refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because
of change of address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be received
as of the date such notice was deposited in the mail or delivered to the
courier.
If
to Purchaser:
|
Cable
& Co Worldwide, Inc.
|
00
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
|
|
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
|
|
Attn:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
|
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34
-
with
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxx LLP
|
Financial
Centre
|
|
000
Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
|
|
Attn:
Xxxx X. Xxxx, Esq. and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
|
|
If
to Xxxxxxxx or
|
|
any
Minority Shareholder to:
|
c/o
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxx
|
|
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
|
with
a copy to:
|
Rothgerber
Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx LLP
|
0000
Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
|
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
|
|
Attn:
Xxxx X. XxXxxxxx
|
Any
party
may change its address to which notices should be sent to it by giving the
other
parties written notice of the new address in the manner set forth in this
paragraph. A party may give any notice, instruction or communication in
connection with this Agreement using any other means (including facsimile,
e-mail or first class mail), but no such notice, instruction or communication
shall be deemed to have been delivered unless and until it is actually received
by the party to whom it was sent and such party acknowledges such
receipt.
13.2. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement supersedes all prior discussions and agreements between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof.
13.3. Expenses.
Except
as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, whether or not the transactions
contemplated hereby are consummated, each party will pay its own costs and
expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, execution and closing
of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
13.4. Public
Announcements.
The
parties hereto shall advise and consult with each other prior to the making
of
any public announcement with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby
and, in any event, shall not issue any press releases, make any public
announcement or statement without the consent of the other parties, except
for
filings, or registrations which may be required by Law.
13.5. Further
Assurances; Post-Closing Cooperation.
At
all
times before and after the Closing, the parties hereto shall each perform such
acts, execute and deliver such instruments and documents and do all such other
things consistent with the terms of this Agreement as may be reasonably
necessary to accomplish the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or
to
otherwise carry out the purpose of this Agreement.
13.6. Waiver.
Any
term
or condition of this Agreement may be waived at any time by the party that
is
entitled to the benefit thereof, but no such waiver shall be effective unless
set forth in a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of the party
waiving such term or condition. No waiver by any party of any term or condition
of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be or
construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or condition of this
Agreement on any future occasion. All remedies, either under this Agreement
or
by Law or otherwise afforded, will be cumulative and not
alternative.
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35
-
13.7. Amendment.
This
Agreement may be amended, supplemented or modified only by a written instrument
duly executed by or on behalf of each party hereto.
13.8. No
Third
Party Beneficiary.
The
terms
and provisions of this Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of each
party hereto and their respective successors or permitted assigns and the
Company, and it is not the intention of the parties to confer third-party
beneficiary rights upon any other Person.
13.9. No
Assignment;
Binding Effect.
Neither
this Agreement nor any right, interest or obligation hereunder may be assigned
without the prior written consent of the other parties to this Agreement and
any
attempt to do so will be void; provided,
however, that
the
parties to this Agreement hereby consent to the assignment by Purchaser of
its
rights and interests under this Agreement to a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Purchaser if (a) the assignee assumes in writing all of the obligations of
Purchaser under this Agreement, (b) Purchaser continues to be bound by all
of
its obligations hereunder and co-signs the Notes, (c) Purchaser gives Xxxxxxxx
prompt written notice of the assignment, and (d) both Purchaser and the assignee
shall be jointly and severally liable for all obligations under this Agreement
and all Ancillary Documents. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement
is binding upon, inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the parties
hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
13.10. Headings. The
headings used in this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference
only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.
13.11. Invalid
Provisions.
If
any
provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable
under any present or future Law, and if the rights or obligations of any party
hereto under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected
thereby, (a) such provision will be fully severable, (b) this
Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, (c) the
remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect
and
will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or
by
its severance herefrom and (d) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision, there will be added automatically as a part
of
this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms
to
such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be
possible.
13.12. Governing
Law.
This
Agreement and any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this
Agreement shall be governed by the Laws of the State of Colorado without giving
effect to the principles of conflicts of Laws. Each party to this Agreement,
on
behalf of itself and its successors in interest and assigns, hereby submits
to
the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in the County
of Boulder, State of Colorado, in connection with any dispute related to this
Agreement or any of the matters contemplated hereby. Each of the parties hereto
irrevocably waives any objection (including, without limitation, any objection
to the laying of venue in any such court or based on the grounds of forum
non conveniens
or any
similar ground) which it may now or hereafter have to the bringing of any such
action or proceeding in any such court. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon
payment in full of the Notes by Purchaser, any controversy or claim arising
out
of or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by the Laws of the State
of
Connecticut without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of Laws and
each party to this Agreement, on behalf of itself and its successors in interest
and assigns, hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and
state courts located in the County of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, in
connection with any dispute related to this Agreement or any of the matters
contemplated hereby at such time.
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36
-
13.13. Counterparts
and
Execution.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will
be
deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument. The parties hereto may execute this Agreement on a date different
from the effective date hereof.
[Signature
Page Follows]
-
37
-
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each
party hereto as of the date first above written.
SHAREHOLDERS:
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxx
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxx III
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
PURCHASER:
|
CABLE
& CO WORLDWIDE, INC.
|
By:
|
|
Name:
|
|
Title:
|
S-1
EXHIBIT
A
FORM
OF NOTE
A
-
1
EXHIBIT
B
FORM
OF PLEDGE AGREEMENT
B
-
1
EXHIBIT
C
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
C
-
1
EXHIBIT
D
FORM
OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
D
-
1
EXHIBIT
E
FORM
OF CONSULTING AGREEMENT
E
-
1
EXHIBIT
F
FORM
OF OPINION