AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF SHARE EXCHANGE by and among FORTUNE INDUSTRIES, INC., CRAIG ALLRED, DEE HENDERSON, GARTH ALLRED, DAVID DYCHES, KURT ROBINSON, KIRA REISCH, ESG ACHIEVEMENT, INC. ESG ADMINISTRATION, INC. ESG ASSISTANCE, INC. ESG CONSULTING, INC....
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF SHARE EXCHANGE
by
and among
XXXXX
XXXXXX,
XXX
XXXXXXXXX,
XXXXX
XXXXXX,
XXXXX
XXXXXX,
XXXX
XXXXXXXX,
XXXX
XXXXXX,
ESG
ACHIEVEMENT, INC.
ESG
ADMINISTRATION, INC.
ESG
ASSISTANCE, INC.
ESG
CONSULTING, INC.
ESG
DIRECTION, INC.
ESG
ENTITIES, INC.
ESG
FULFILLMENT, INC.
ESG
MANAGEMENT, INC.
ESG
OFFERINGS, INC.
ESG
SERVICES, INC.
ESG
SUCCESS, INC.
ESG
SUPERVISION, INC.
EMPLOYER
STAFFING GROUP, INC.
ESG
INSURANCE, INC. d/ba/ ASPEN COVE INSURANCE, INC.
EMPLOYER
SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.
EMPLOYER
SOLUTIONS GROUP OF UTAH, INC.
EMPLOYER
SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SLC, INC.
SAGELAND
FLAGGING, INC. d/b/a/ EMPLOYER SOLUTIONS STAFFING GROUP, INC.
EMPLOYER
SOLUTIONS GROUP OF IDAHO, INC.
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF SHARE EXCHANGE
THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF SHARE EXCHANGE (this "Agreement") is entered into the
___
day of April, 2007 (“Execution Date”) by and among Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx
Xxxxxx
(collectively the “Sellers”), ESG
Achievement, Inc., ESG Administration, Inc., ESG Assistance, Inc., ESG
Consulting, Inc., ESG Direction, Inc., ESG Entities, Inc., ESG Fulfillment,
Inc., ESG Management, Inc., ESG Offerings, Inc., ESG Services, Inc., ESG
Success, Inc., ESG Supervision, Inc., Employer Staffing Group, Inc. (Flagging),
ESG Insurance d/b/a/ Aspen Cove Insurance, Inc., Employer Solutions Group,
Inc.,
Employer Solutions Group of Utah, Inc., Employer Solutions Group of SLC, Inc.,
Sageland Flagging, Inc. d/b/a Employer Solutions Staffing Group, Inc., Employer
Solutions Group of Idaho, Inc.
(collectively the “Affiliated Companies”), and Fortune
Industries, Inc.,
an
Indiana corporation (the "Buyer").
RECITALS
A. The
“Affiliated Companies are in the business of providing personnel management
services (including, but not limited to, benefits administration, payroll
processing/administration, health and workmen’s compensation insurance
management, personnel records management, employee liability management, testing
and assessment services for management or employees, performance management,
training and development services and human resources consulting services)
and
insurance brokerage services. The services provided by the Affiliated Companies
are performed in the States of Utah and Colorado and are referred to in this
Agreement as (the “Business”).
B. Approximately
eighty-eight percent (88%) of the Affiliated Companies’ common stock is owned by
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx (collectively the “Controlling
Sellers”).
C. The
Boards of Directors of the Affiliated Companies have determined that the
acquisition of the Affiliated Companies by the Buyer is desirable and is in
the
best interest of the shareholders of the Affiliated Companies.
D. The
Boards of Directors of the Affiliated Companies have approved the acquisition
by
the Buyer of all the outstanding common shares of the Affiliated Companies
pursuant to a share exchange under section 1102 of the Utah Revised Business
Corporation Act (the “Act”), Indiana Code Section 23-1-40-1 et
seq.,
and
Idaho Code Section 30-1-1102 upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth herein.
E. The
parties desire to set forth certain representations, warranties, and covenants
made by each to the other as an inducement to the consummation of the share
exchange and the transactions contemplated thereby.
1
AGREEMENT
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto,
intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
SECTION
1.
THE SHARE EXCHANGE
1.1 The
Share Exchange.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as herein
defined), Buyer shall acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Affiliated
Companies (the “Shares”) pursuant to a share exchange (the “Share Exchange”)
under section 1002 of the Act, Indiana Code Section 23-1-40-1 et
seq.,
and
Idaho Code Section 30-1-1102 and the Affiliated Companies shall continue their
corporate existence under the laws of the state of Utah and Idaho, as
applicable.
On
the
Execution Date, the parties hereto will cause Articles of Share Exchange to
be
filed with the Division of Corporations and Commercial Code of Utah (the
“Division of Corporations”), the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office
(Corporations Division) and the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office (Commercial
Division) (copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit
A).
The
Share Exchange shall become effective at such time as is specified in the
Articles of Share Exchange pursuant to the mutual agreement of the parties
(the
“Effective Time”).
Subject
to the adjustments described in Section 1.3, the acquisition price (the
“Purchase Price”) for the Shares shall consist of (a) Eight Million Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($8,500,000.00) in cash, which shall be paid by wire
transfer pursuant to instructions set forth in a document to be used at Closing
detailing the deliveries and other related items necessary for the Closing
(the
"Closing Memorandum"), (b) three hundred sixty thousand and 00/100 (360,000)
shares of the Buyer’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), and (c) subject to the
following contingencies and conditions, three hundred sixty thousand and 00/100
(360,000) shares of the Buyer’s common stock (the “Contingent Stock”). In the
alternative, the Sellers may, in their discretion, elect to receive up to
$600,000 in cash in lieu of shares of Common Stock (converted at a price of
$4.20 per share) to a maximum amount of 142,857 shares. The Buyer shall issue
the Common Stock and Contingent Stock pursuant to the terms of the Closing
Memorandum. The Contingent Stock shall initially be unvested and the certificate
for such shares shall be retained by the Buyer’s law firm, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Vornehm, LLP, prior to vesting, if any. The Contingent Stock shall vest as
follows:
EBITDA
TARGET
|
||||||
Earnout
Period
|
Minimum
|
Maximum
|
Contingent
Shares
|
|||
3/1/07
- 2/29/08
|
$1,600,000
|
$1,800,000
|
120,000
|
|||
3/1/08
- 2/28/09
|
$1,600,000
|
$2,000,000
|
120,000
|
|||
3/1/09
- 2/28/10
|
$1,600,000
|
$2,400,000
|
120,000
|
The
Contingent Stock shall vest based upon the EBITDA attained by the Affiliated
Companies during the period March 1, 2007 to February 28, 2010. A maximum of
120,000 shares of the Contingent Stock shall vest during each Earnout Period.
If
the Affiliated Companies do not attain the Minimum EBITDA Target during an
Earnout Period, 120,000 shares of the Contingent Stock shall not vest. If the
Affiliated Companies attain the Maximum EBITDA Target ($1,800,000, $2,000,000
or
$2,400,000) during an Earnout Period, 120,000 shares of the Contingent Stock
shall vest. If the Affiliated Companies attain EBITDA in an amount greater
than
the Minimum EBITDA Target but less than the Maximum EBITDA Target during an
Earnout Period, a prorata portion of the 120,000 shares of Contingent Stock
shall vest. For example, if the Affiliated Companies attain EBITDA of $1,700,000
during the Earnout Period of March 1, 2007 to February 29, 2008, then 60,000
shares of Contingent Stock shall vest. The EBITDA attained during each Earnout
Period shall be calculated independently of the EBITDA attained during any
other
Earnout Period (i.e., EBITDA shall not carry forward or backward).
2
EBITDA
shall be defined as accrued earnings before any interest, income taxes,
depreciation or amortization. In calculating accrued earnings and EBITDA, the
Buyer shall allocate corporate overhead to the Affiliated Companies in an amount
not to exceed: (i) $55,000.00 (to the extent audit fees and tax fees are not
paid directly by the Affiliated Companies ) during the first Earnout Period;
and
(ii) SEC fees of $30,000.00, the actual cost of the audit fees and tax fees
(to
the extent not paid directly by the Affiliated Companies) and a prorata portion
of the actual cost of the appraisal relating to goodwill impairment during
the
second and third Earnout Periods. The Buyer shall calculate EBITDA as soon
as
reasonably possible after the conclusion of each Earnout Period, and shall
provide Sellers with an interim calculation on a fiscal quarterly basis. Sellers
shall have reasonable access to the financial statements and work papers used
in
the EBITDA calculation. EBITDA shall be calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in a manner consistent with those
principles used by the Affiliated Companies. The Buyer's calculation of EBITDA
shall be final and binding upon the parties unless the Sellers object to such
calculation within fifteen (15) days of the receipt thereof, in which case
the
Buyer and the Sellers shall exercise their respective best efforts to resolve
such dispute within fifteen (15) days of the Sellers' objection. If the Buyer
and the Sellers are unable to agree on a final calculation of EBITDA within
this
fifteen (15) day period, then the parties shall select a neutral accounting
firm
(the “Arbitrating Accounting Firm”) which shall make a final determination. In
such case, each of the Buyer and the Sellers shall inform the Arbitrating
Accounting Firm of their respective calculations of EBITDA, and each shall
be
granted the opportunity to provide to the Arbitrating Accounting Firm verbal
and
written explanations of their respective calculations. The Arbitrating
Accounting Firm shall be instructed to complete its calculations within thirty
(30) days of its engagement. The determination of the Arbitrating Accounting
Firm shall be final and binding upon the parties. The fees of the Arbitrating
Accounting Firm shall be paid by the non-prevailing party in any such dispute,
as determined by the Arbitrating Accounting Firm. Any deposit required by the
Arbitrating Accounting Firm shall be paid initially by the Buyer, but if the
Buyer prevails in such dispute, the Sellers shall reimburse the Buyer for the
deposit. Upon a final calculation of EBITDA for each Earnout Period, the Buyer
shall cause Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Vornehm, LLP to return the stock certificates
representing the Contingent Stock to the Buyer and the Buyer shall promptly
reissue new stock certificates representing the vested Contingent Stock to
the
Sellers, if any. If all of the Contingent Stock vests then the Buyer shall
cancel the stock certificates representing the 360,000 shares of unvested
Contingent Stock and shall reissue new stock certificates representing the
360,000 shares of vested Contingent Stock to the Sellers. Upon receipt, the
Buyer shall cancel the shares representing the unvested Contingent Stock, if
any.
3
1.2 Put
Rights.
Subject
to the limitations and restrictions described below and applicable securities
laws, each of the Sellers may, in his sole discretion, sell any or all of his
Common Stock received by him pursuant to this Agreement to the Buyer and the
Buyer shall purchase any of such Seller’s shares of Common Stock offered by such
Seller. The put price per share shall be three and 75/100 dollars ($3.75).
The
Sellers may only exercise this put option during the thirty (30) day period
that
begins on March 1, 2010.
Subject
to the above restrictions, any closing on a sale of any or all of the Common
Stock to the Buyer shall occur within ninety (90) days of the Buyer’s receipt of
written notice from a Seller requesting exercise of his put option. The number
of shares of Common Stock and Contingent Stock and the put price per share
of
the Common Stock shall be proportionately adjusted to reflect any stock
dividend, stock split or share combination of Buyer’s common stock or any
recapitalization of Buyer.
1.3 Purchase
Price Adjustments.
As of
February 28, 2007, the Affiliated Companies must have a tangible net worth
(total tangible assets (total assets minus goodwill) minus total liabilities
determined in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting
principles), consistent with past practice, of at least one dollar ($1.00).
If
the Affiliated Companies do not have this minimum tangible net worth, the
Purchase Price shall be reduced dollar-for-dollar in an amount of the
deficiency. Any reduction in the Purchase Price shall be implemented by each
of
the Sellers promptly returning the certificates representing the Common Stock
to
the Buyer. Upon receipt, the Buyer shall cause the original stock certificates
to be cancelled and new certificates to be issued. The Common Stock shall be
valued at $4.20 per share for the purpose of determining the number of shares
to
cancel and reissue. For example, if the actual net worth was
<$100,000.00,> the certificates representing 23,810 shares would be
cancelled and new certificates representing 336,190 shares would be reissued.
The
Buyer
shall cause its outside accountant to review the Affiliated Companies’ books and
records as soon as reasonably possible following the Closing (as herein
defined). As part of the review, the outside accountants will calculate the
Affiliated Companies’ tangible net worth as of February 28, 2007 in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles in a manner
consistent with those principles used by the Buyer’s other subsidiaries engaged
in similar businesses. The outside accountant’s calculation of the Affiliated
Companies’ tangible net worth shall be final and binding upon the parties unless
the Sellers object to such calculation within fifteen (15) days of the receipt
thereof, in which case, the Buyer and the Sellers shall follow the procedures
described in Section 1.1 (relating to a disagreement regarding EBITDA) to
resolve the disagreement.
1.4 Payment
of Notes Receivable.
The
Affiliated Companies have a note receivable from Riverwoods Holdings, LC in
the
amount of $379,882.77 and a note receivable from ESG Building, LC in the amount
of $700,250.00. At Closing, the Controlling Sellers shall cause these notes
receivable to be paid in full by wire transfer.
4
1.5 Section
338 Election.
At the
Buyer’s election, the Sellers and the Affiliated Companies shall join in making
an election under Code Section 338(h)(10) and any corresponding elections under
state, local, or foreign tax law (collectively a “Section 338(h)(10) Election”)
with respect to the acquisition of the Shares hereunder. The Sellers and the
Buyer acknowledge that for federal income tax purposes (and for state income
tax
purposes in those states whose income tax provisions follow the federal income
tax treatment), the acquisition of the Shares combined with the Section
338(h)(10) Election will be treated as a sale of assets by the Affiliated
Companies to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer followed by a complete
liquidation of the Affiliated Companies. The Buyer and the Sellers will report
(and will cause their respective affiliates to report) any transactions that
occur under this Agreement consistent with the Section 338(h)(10) Election.
The
Sellers and the Buyer shall each provide to the other all necessary information
to permit the Section 338(h)(10) Elections to be made including the information
to complete the Forms 8883 Asset Allocation Statements within thirty (30) days
of the Closing Date. The Sellers and the Buyer agree that the book value (tax
basis) of the property, plant and equipment owned by the Affiliated Companies
approximates its fair market value and agree to prepare the Forms 8883 in
conformity with this agreement. For the purpose of making the Section 338(h)(10)
Elections for federal income tax purposes on the Closing Date, the Sellers
shall
deliver to the Buyer, within thirty (30) days of the Closing Date, executed
IRS
Forms 8023 signed by all the Sellers. The Buyer shall be responsible for the
preparation and filing of all forms (including Forms 8023 and 8883) and
documents required to effectuate the Section 338(h)(10) Elections and will
provide the Sellers a copy of such filing. Any taxes imposed on the Sellers
as a
result of the Section 338(h)(10) Elections shall be paid by the
Sellers.
SECTION
2.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES REGARDING SELLERS.
Each
of
the Controlling Sellers hereby jointly and severally represents and warrants
to
the Buyer as follows:
2.1 Power
and Authorization.
Each of
the Sellers has full capacity, legal right, power and authority to enter into
and perform the Sellers' obligations under this Agreement and under the other
agreements and documents (the "Sellers Transaction Documents") required to
be
executed and delivered by the Sellers prior to or at the Closing. This Agreement
has been duly and validly executed and delivered by each of the Sellers and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Sellers
enforceable against each of the Sellers in accordance with its terms, except
as
the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent
conveyance, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’
rights in general, and except that the enforceability of this Agreement is
subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or law) and of public
policy. When executed and delivered as contemplated herein, and assuming
enforceability thereof against all other parties, each of the Sellers
Transaction Documents shall constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation
of each of the Sellers, enforceable against each of the Sellers in accordance
with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights in general, and except that the enforceability
of the Sellers Transaction Documents is subject to general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in
equity or law) and of public policy.
5
2.2 Noncontravention.
Neither
the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, does or will, after the giving of notice,
lapse of time or otherwise (i) violate any statute, regulation, rule,
judgment, order, decree, stipulation, injunction, charge or other restriction
of
any government, governmental agency, or court to which any Seller is subject
or
(ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, amend or modify, constitute a
default under, result in the acceleration or termination of, create in any
party
the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, abandon, or cancel, or require
any
notice under, any contract, lease, sublease, license, sublicense, franchise,
permit, indenture, agreement, mortgage, instrument of indebtedness or other
arrangement to which any Seller is a party or by which he or it is bound or
to
which any of his or its assets is subject.
2.3 Ownership
of the Shares.
The
Sellers hold of record and own beneficially the Shares set forth next to his
or
her name in Schedule
3.3
and the
listed Shares represent the entire ownership of the Affiliated Companies. Each
Seller has the right and power to transfer and assign his or her Shares, free
and clear of any restrictions on transfer, claims, taxes, liens, security
interests, encumbrances, options or other demands or liabilities. None of the
Sellers is a party to any option, warrant, right, contract, call, put or other
agreement or commitment providing for the disposition or acquisition of any
shares or other securities of the Affiliated Companies (other than this
Agreement). Each Seller has the exclusive right, power and authority to vote
the
Shares owned by that Seller and no Seller is a party to any voting trust, proxy,
or other agreement or understanding with respect to the voting of any shares
of
the Affiliated Companies. The Sellers are the only shareholders of the
Affiliated Companies, and will remain and continue to be the only shareholders
through the Closing Date and will not sell, pledge or otherwise transfer or
assign any of their Shares prior to the Closing Date.
2.4 Brokers.
No
person acting on behalf of any of the Sellers or the Affiliated Companies or
under the authority of any of the Sellers or the Affiliated Companies except
for
Capital Alliance Corporation is or will be entitled to any brokers' fee,
finders' fee, consulting fee or any other commission or similar fee in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Any
broker’s fee, finder’s fee, consulting fee or any other commission or similar
fee shall be paid by the Sellers and not by the Affiliated
Companies.
2.5 Full
Disclosure.
All
documents and other papers (or copies thereof) included as part of the schedules
attached to this Agreement are in the same form as they were maintained by
the
Sellers, without alteration and are accurate and complete as to items in the
custody of the Sellers.
2.6 Investment
Representations and Covenants.
(a) Each
of
the Sellers understands that the Common Stock and the Contingent Stock will
not
be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), or any state securities laws on the grounds that the issuance of the
Common Stock and the Contingent Stock is exempt from registration pursuant
to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or Regulation D promulgated under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, and that the reliance
of
the Buyer on such exemptions is predicated in part on each of the Sellers'
representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgments set forth in this
Section 2.6.
6
(b) Each
of
the Sellers represents and warrants that the Common Stock and the Contingent
Stock to be acquired by him upon consummation of the transactions and/or
conditions contemplated herein will be acquired by him for his own account,
not
as a nominee or agent, and without a view to resale or other distribution within
the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder
other
than as contemplated by this Agreement, and that he will not distribute all
or
any portion of the Common Stock or the Contingent Stock in violation of the
Securities Act.
(c) Each
of
the Sellers acknowledges that the shares of the Common Stock and the Contingent
Stock are characterized as "restricted securities" under the federal securities
laws inasmuch as they are being acquired in a transaction not involving a public
offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities
may
be resold without registration under the Securities Act, only in certain limited
circumstances.
(d) Each
of
the Sellers represents and warrants that he has such knowledge and experience
in
financial and business matters such that he is capable of evaluating the merits
and risks of his investment in the Common Stock and the Contingent
Stock.
(e) Each
of
the Sellers is in a financial position to afford to hold the Common Stock and
the Contingent Stock indefinitely and each of the Sellers' financial condition
is such that he is not presently under (and does not contemplate any future)
necessity or constraint to dispose of the Common Stock or the Contingent Stock
to satisfy any existing or contemplated debt or undertaking. Each of the Sellers
recognizes that it may not be possible for him to liquidate his investment
in
the Common Stock or the Contingent Stock and, accordingly, he may have to hold
the Common Stock and the Contingent Stock, and bear the economic risk of this
investment, indefinitely.
(f)
Each
of
the Sellers understands that neither the Securities and Exchange Commission
nor
any other federal or state agency has recommended, approved or endorsed the
purchase of the Common Stock or the Contingent Stock as an
investment.
(g) Each
of
the Sellers confirms that the Common Stock and the Contingent Stock was not
offered to him by any means of general solicitation or general advertising,
and
that he has received no representations or warranties with respect to the Common
Stock or the Contingent Stock other than those contained or described in this
Agreement or in the Buyer's public filings.
(h) Each
of
the Sellers acknowledges that he has been provided or that the Buyer has made
available to him copies of the Buyer's most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and
any
Form 8-Ks and Form 4s filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission since
the most recent Form 10-Q was filed.
7
(i)
Each
of
the Sellers acknowledges that the Buyer has given him a reasonable opportunity
to ask questions and receive answers concerning his receipt of the Common Stock
and the Contingent Stock and to obtain any additional information which the
Buyer possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that
is
necessary to verify the accuracy of information.
2.7 No
Litigation.
There
are no judicial, administrative or other governmental actions, proceedings
or
investigations pending or, to the knowledge of any of Sellers, threatened,
that
question any of the transactions contemplated by, or the validity of, this
Agreement or which, if adversely determined, would have an adverse effect upon
the ability of any of the Sellers to enter into or perform his obligations
under
this Agreement. No Seller has received any written request from any governmental
agency or instrumentality for information with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby.
SECTION
3.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES REGARDING THE AFFILIATED
COMPANIES
Each
of
the Controlling Sellers hereby jointly and severally represents and warrants
to
the Buyer as follows:
3.1 Organization
and Good Standing.
The
Affiliated Companies are corporations validly existing under the laws of the
States of Utah or Idaho and have all necessary corporate power and authority
to
carry on its business, to own and lease the assets which it owns and leases,
and
to perform all of its obligations. The Affiliated Companies are duly qualified
to do business and are in good standing (if and to the extent the concept of
good standing is recognized) under the laws of the state of Utah.
3.2 No
Conflicts.
(a) The
execution, delivery and performance of any documents required to be executed
and
delivered by the Affiliated Companies at or prior to Closing (the “Affiliated
Companies Transaction Documents”) do not and will not (with or without the
passage of time or the giving of notice):
(i)
violate
or conflict with the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws (or other
organizational documents) of the Affiliated Companies or any law binding upon
the Affiliated Companies, if the violation of such law would have a material
negative effect on the Affiliated Companies;
(ii) violate
or conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default or otherwise
cause any loss of benefit under any material agreement or other material
obligation to which the Affiliated Companies are a party or by which it or
its
assets are bound, or give to others any right (including rights of termination,
foreclosure, cancellation or acceleration), in or with respect to the Affiliated
Companies or any of their assets; or
(iii) result
in, require or permit the creation or imposition of any restriction, mortgage,
deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest or other charge, claim or
encumbrance of any nature upon or with respect to the Shares, or upon or with
respect to the Affiliated Companies or any of the Affiliated Companies’
assets.
8
(b) Each
consent or approval of, or registration, notification, filing and/or declaration
with, any court, government or governmental agency or instrumentality, creditor,
lessor or other person required to be given or made by the Affiliated Companies
in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of the Affiliated
Companies Transaction Documents has been made or will be obtained or made prior
to the Closing. There are no such consents, approvals, registrations,
notifications, filings or declarations which have been obtained or made
involving payment of premium or penalty by, or loss of benefit to, the
Affiliated Companies as a result of entering into this Agreement, and upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Affiliated
Companies will be entitled to continue to use all of the assets and properties
now used by them in the same manner such assets and properties were used prior
to Closing.
(c) There
are
no judicial, administrative or other governmental actions, proceedings or
investigations pending or, to the actual knowledge of any of the Controlling
Sellers, threatened that question any of the transactions contemplated by,
or
the validity of, this Agreement or any of the Affiliated Companies Transaction
Documents or which, if adversely determined, would materially interfere with
the
Affiliated Companies' ability to enter into or perform its obligations under
any
of the Affiliated Companies Transaction Documents. The Affiliated Companies
have
not received any written request from any governmental agency or instrumentality
for information with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby.
3.3 Capitalization.
Schedule
3.3
fully
and accurately describes the authorized, issued and outstanding shares and
other
securities of the Affiliated Companies. No person has any preemptive or other
right with respect to any such shares or other securities. There are no offers,
options, warrants, rights, agreements or commitments of any kind (contingent
or
otherwise) relating to the issuance, conversion, registration, voting, sale
or
transfer of any shares or other securities of the Affiliated Companies
(including, without limitation, the Shares) or obligating the Affiliated
Companies or any other person to purchase or redeem any such shares or other
securities. The Shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares
of
the Affiliated Companies and have been duly authorized and are validly issued
and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, and have been issued in
compliance with applicable securities and other laws.
3.4 Investments
and Subsidiaries.
The
business of the Affiliated Companies is and has been conducted solely by and
through the Affiliated Companies. The Affiliated Companies do not directly
or
indirectly own, control or have any investment or other interest in any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, business trust or other entity except
as described on Schedule
3.4.
3.5 Compliance
with Laws.
The
Affiliated Companies are in compliance with all applicable domestic laws, and
neither the Affiliated Companies nor any of the Sellers has received any notice,
order or other written communication from any governmental agency or
instrumentality of any alleged, actual or potential violation of or failure
to
comply with any law, except where failure to do so will not result in a material
adverse effect. All federal, state, local and other governmental consents,
licenses, permits, franchises, grants and authorizations (collectively,
"Authorizations") required for the operation of the Business as currently
conducted are in full force and effect without any default or violation
thereunder by the Affiliated Companies or by any other party thereto. The
Affiliated Companies have not received any notice of any claim or charge that
the Affiliated Companies is in violation of or in default under any such
Authorization. No proceeding is pending or, to the actual knowledge of any
of
the Controlling Sellers, threatened by any person to revoke or deny the renewal
of any Authorization of the Affiliated Companies or the Sellers. The Affiliated
Companies or any of the Sellers has not been notified in writing that any such
Authorization may not in the ordinary course be renewed upon its expiration
or
that by virtue of the transactions contemplated herein any such Authorization
may not be granted or renewed. All Authorizations necessary or required to
complete the transactions contemplated herein have been obtained.
9
3.6 Litigation.
There
are no claims, actions, suits, proceedings (arbitration or otherwise) or
investigations involving or, to the knowledge of the Controlling Sellers,
affecting the Affiliated Companies or its business or assets, or its directors,
officers or shareholders in their capacities as such, before or by any court
or
governmental agency or instrumentality, or before an arbitrator of any kind.
No
pending claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, if determined
adversely, would either individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
effect on the Affiliated Companies. To the knowledge of the Controlling Sellers,
no such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation is presently threatened
or contemplated. There are no unsatisfied judgments, penalties or awards against
or affecting the Affiliated Companies or its business, properties or
assets.
3.7 Financial
Statements.
Schedule
3.7
contains
the internally prepared consolidated unaudited financial statements of the
Affiliated Companies as of December 31, 2006 (the “Affiliated Companies
Financial Statements"). The Affiliated Companies Financial Statements fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition and results of the
consolidated operations (excluding, however, footnotes and normal year end
adjusting entries which are not material in amount) of the Affiliated Companies
as of the date thereof and for the period referred to in accordance with United
states generally accepted accounting principles. Except as set forth in
Schedule
3.7,
as of
the date of Closing, the Affiliated Companies will not have any material
liability or obligation of any nature that is not reflected in the Affiliated
Companies Financial Statements, other than current liabilities arising in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or otherwise
disclosed in this Agreement or a Schedule attached hereto.
3.8 Company’s
Business Operations.
The
Affiliated Companies have no liabilities of any nature, whether accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise, asserted or unasserted (including without
limitation liabilities as guarantor or otherwise with respect to obligations
of
others, or liabilities for taxes due or then accrued or to become due or
contingent or potential liabilities relating to activities of the Business
or
the conduct of the Business) which will materially and adversely affect the
conduct of the Business subsequent to Closing.
3.9 Insurance.
The
Sellers provided to the Buyer each:
10
(a) Insurance
policy (including policies providing property, casualty, liability and workers’
compensation coverage and bond and surety arrangements) maintained by the
Affiliated Companies with respect to its properties, assets and businesses,
and
each such policy is in full force and effect as of the Closing. The Affiliated
Companies are not in default with respect to its obligations under any insurance
policy maintained by it, and the Affiliated Companies have not been denied
insurance coverage. The insurance coverage of the Affiliated Companies is
carried with financially sound and reputable insurers, and is adequate and
customary for corporations of similar size engaged in similar lines of business.
Each worker’s compensation policy issued to the Affiliated Companies recognized
that the Affiliated Companies are professional employer organizations and not
a
temporary staffing agency. To the best of each of the Controlling Seller’s
knowledge, each insurer will not terminate any existing policies due to the
closing of the transaction described herein.
(b) Each
such
self-insurance, retention, or co-insurance program to which the Affiliated
Companies are a party remains in full force and effect as of Closing. The
Affiliated Companies are not in default with respect to its obligations under
any self-insurance, retention, or co-insurance program. The Affiliated
Companies’ reserves or segregated or escrowed accounts (including, but not
limited to, those relating to the Affiliated Companies’ client benefit plans
(medical, dental and short-term disability) workers compensation and employer
practices) maintained for the purpose of any such self-insurance, retention,
or
co-insurance program are funded equal to the claims incurred and in accordance
with all requirements of Lumbermans Underwriting Alliance.
3.10 Permits,
Consents.
(a) The
Affiliated Companies maintain all material permits, registrations, licenses,
franchises, authorizations, certifications and other approvals (collectively,
the “Approvals”) that are necessary for the conduct of the Business. The
Affiliated Companies have obtained all such Approvals, which are valid and
in
full force and effect and are operating in compliance therewith. Such Approvals
include but are not limited to those required under federal, state or local
statutes, ordinances, orders, requirements, rules, regulations or laws
pertaining to environmental protection, public health and safety, worker health
and safety, buildings, highways or zoning. All such Approvals will remain in
full force and effect subsequent to the Closing Date for the applicable periods
reflected in such Approvals.
(b) No
approval, consent, authorization, notification or exemption from or filing
with
any person or entity not a party to this Agreement (collectively, the
“Consents”) is required to be obtained or made in connection with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein, including, without limitation, any Consent necessary to
permit the Affiliated Companies’ continuation of the Business, except where
failure to obtain such Consent would not have a material adverse effect..
3.11 Collectability
of Accounts Receivable.
All of
the accounts receivable of the Affiliated Companies arose out of bona fide
sales
and deliveries of goods, performance of services or other business transactions
and are valid and enforceable claims not subject to any setoffs or counterclaims
and will be collectible in accordance with their terms within ninety (90) days
of the Closing Date. The Affiliated Companies have no accounts or loans
receivable from any person, firm or corporation which is affiliated with the
Affiliated Companies or from any director, officer or employee of the Affiliated
Companies, or from any of their respective spouses or family members (excluding
travel advances).
11
3.12
Directors
and Officers.
All
agreements with its managers, directors and officers are terminable at will
by
the Affiliated Companies and, there are no contracts, arrangements or agreements
in place with any manager, director or officer which would require the payment
of any severance or change of control payment.
3.13
Affiliate
Agreements.
Except
as described on Schedule
3.13,
there
are no agreements, arrangements or understandings between the Affiliated
Companies on the one hand and any of the Sellers or any present or former
director, shareholder or officer of the Affiliated Companies or any member
of
the immediate family of or any person or entity controlling or controlled by
any
of such persons (a "Related Party"). Except as described on Schedule
3.13,
all
agreements and arrangements between the Affiliated Companies and all Related
Parties are terminable by the Affiliated Companies upon written notice, without
payment of penalty or premium of any kind. None of the Sellers has any claim
or
right against the Affiliated Companies.
3.14
Company
Books.
The
copies of the Articles of Incorporation of the Affiliated Companies, as
certified by the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization, and
of
its Bylaws (or of its other comparable organizational documents), as certified
by the Sellers, which have been delivered to the Buyer, are true, complete
and
correct and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof. The stock
records of the Affiliated Companies fairly and accurately reflect the record
ownership of all of its outstanding Shares. The minute books of the Affiliated
Companies contain materially complete and accurate records of all meetings
held
of, and corporate action taken by, the shareholders, the board of directors
and
each committee of the board of directors of the Affiliated Companies.
3.15
Taxes.
The
Affiliated Companies have filed in a timely manner, (on behalf of itself and
all
of its clients (to the extent required by any contract between the Affiliated
Companies and its client)) or caused to be filed in a timely manner all United
States Federal tax returns and all other tax returns required to be filed and
has paid in a timely manner all taxes due pursuant to said returns or pursuant
to any assessment against the Affiliated Companies and all of its clients (to
the extent required by any contract between the Affiliated Companies and its
client), except such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and
as
to which adequate reserves have been provided and as to which no mortgage,
pledge, security interest, hypothecation, assignment, encumbrance or preference,
priority or other security agreement, preferential arrangement, lien, charge
or
deposit arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (a "Lien") exists (other
than potential liens for taxes not yet due). No tax liens have been filed and
no
claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes.
3.16
Employee
Benefits.
(a) Schedule
3.16(a)
contains
a complete and correct list of all benefit plans, arrangements, commitments
and
payroll practices, (whether or not employee benefit plans (“Employee Benefit
Plans”) as defined in Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)), including, without limitation, sick leave,
vacation pay, severance pay, salary continuation for disability, consulting
or
other compensation arrangements, retirement, deferred compensation, bonus,
incentive compensation, stock purchase, stock option, health including
hospitalization, medical and dental, life insurance, xxxxxxx’x compensation
insurance and scholarship programs maintained by the Affiliated Companies for
the benefit of any present or former employees of the Affiliated Companies
(including, but not limited to, the employees of each of the Affiliated
Companies’ clients or customers) or to which the Affiliated Companies have
contributed or is or was within the last three years obligated to make
payments.
12
(b) With
respect to each Employee Benefit Plan required to be listed on Schedule
3.16(a):
(i)
each
Employee Benefit Plan has been administered in material compliance with its
terms, and is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code
and all other applicable laws (including, without limitation, funding, filing,
termination, reporting and disclosure and continuation coverage obligations
pursuant to Title V of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1985, as amended (“COBRA”));
(ii) the
Affiliated Companies or other co-employers of the employees have made or
provided for all contributions required under the terms of such Plans;
(iii) except
as
listed on Schedule 3.16(b), there have been no “prohibited transactions” (as
described in Section 4975 of the Code or in Part 4 of Subtitle B of Title I
of
ERISA) with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan;
(iv) except
as
listed on Schedule 3.16(b), there are and during the past three years there
have
been no inquiries, proceedings, claims or suits pending or, to each of the
Controlling Sellers’ knowledge, threatened by any governmental agency or
authority or by any participant or beneficiary against any of the Employee
Benefit Plans, the assets of any of the trusts under such Plans or the Plan
sponsor or the Plan administrator, or against any fiduciary of any of such
Employee Benefit Plans with respect to the design or operation of the Employee
Benefit Plans;
(v) any
plans
intended to be “qualified” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code have
from their inception been so qualified, and any trust created pursuant to such
plans are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code and
the Internal Revenue Service has issued such plans a favorable determination
letter, which is currently applicable; and
(vi) except
as
listed on Schedule 3.l6(b), there is not any circumstance or event which would
reasonably be expected to jeopardize the tax-qualified status of the plans
or
the tax-exempt status of any related trust, or which would cause the imposition
of any liability, penalty or tax under ERISA or the Code with respect to any
Employee Benefit Plan.
(c) The
Affiliated Companies do not maintain and has not ever maintained or been
obligated to contribute to a “Multi-employer Plan” (as such term is defined by
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or a money purchase plan or a defined benefit
plan
which is subject to the minimum funding requirements of Part 3 of subtitle
B of
Title I of ERISA or subject to Section 412 of the Code.
13
(d) With
respect to each Employee Benefit Plan maintained by the Affiliated Companies,
no
unsatisfied liabilities to participants, the IRS, the United States Department
of Labor (“DOL”), the PBGC or to any other person or entity have been incurred
as a result of the termination of any Employee Benefit Plan.
(e) All
reports and information required to be filed with the DOL, IRS and PBGC or
with
plan participants and their beneficiaries with respect to each Employee Benefit
Plan required to be listed on Schedule
3.16(a)
have
been filed, except where failure to do so would not have a material adverse
effect.
(f)
All
employee benefit plans required to be listed on Schedule
3.16(a)
may,
without liability, be amended, terminated or otherwise discontinued except
as
specifically prohibited by federal law, except as indicated on Schedule
3.16(a).
(g) Any
bonding required under ERISA with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan required
to be listed on Schedule
3.16(a)
has been
obtained and is in full force and effect and no funds held by or under the
control of Sellers are plan assets.
(h) The
Affiliated Companies does not maintain any retired life and/or retired health
insurance plans which provide for continuing benefits or coverage for any
employee or any beneficiary of an employee after such employee’s termination of
employment.
(i)
The
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, alone
or together with any other event, (i) entitle any person to severance pay,
unemployment compensation or any other payment; (ii) accelerate the time of
payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due to any such
employee; or (iii) result in any liability under Title IV of ERISA or
otherwise.
(j)
The
Affiliated Companies have not improperly classified any employees as leased
employees or independent contractors under federal or state law.
(k) The
Affiliated Companies have complied in all material respects with the privacy
provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(l) With
respect to each Employee Benefit Plan listed on Schedule 3.16(a), the Affiliated
Companies have made available for inspection by the Buyer true, complete and
correct copies of (to the extent applicable):
(i)
all
documents pursuant to which the Plan is maintained, funded and
administered,
(ii) the
most
recent annual report (Form 5500 series) filed with the IRS (with applicable
attachments),
14
(iii) the
most
recent financial statements,
(iv) the
most
recent actuarial valuation of benefit obligations,
(v) the
most
recent summary plan description provided to participants, and
(vi) the
most
recent determination letter received from the IRS.
With
respect each Employee Benefit Plan, all required payments, premiums,
contributions, reimbursements or accruals for all periods (or partial periods)
ending prior to or as of the Closing Date shall have been made or properly
accrued on the Affiliated Companies Financial Statements. None of the Plans
has
any unfunded liabilities which are not reflected on the Affiliated Companies
Financial Statements.
3.17
Material
Agreements.
The
Affiliated Companies are not a party to any agreement or instrument or subject
to any other restriction which is reasonably expected to have a material adverse
effect on the Affiliated Companies during the period March 1, 2007 to
August 31, 2007. To the best of the Controlling Sellers’ knowledge, the
Affiliated Companies are not in default in the performance, observance or
fulfillment of any of the material obligations, covenants or conditions
contained in (a) any agreement to which it is a party which default could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Affiliated
Companies or (b) any agreement or instrument evidencing or governing
indebtedness.
3.18 Ownership
of Properties.
Except
as disclosed on Schedule
3.18,
("Permitted Liens") on the date of this Agreement, the Affiliated Companies
have
good title, free and clear of all liens other than Permitted Liens, to all
of
its respective assets.
3.19 Intellectual
Property.
(a) The
Affiliated Companies have exclusive ownership of, or valid license or authority
to use, all United States and foreign patents, patent applications, copyrights,
licenses, trademarks, trademark applications and registrations, service marks,
trade or product names, Affiliated Companies names (including, but not limited
to “Employer Solutions Group”) and logos (collectively, "Intellectual Property")
used in the Business as presently conducted. Schedule
3.19(a)
contains
a correct and complete list of the Affiliated Companies' United States and
foreign patent, trademarks and copyrights, both registered and pending.
(b) All
licenses or other agreements under which the Affiliated Companies are granted
rights in any of the Intellectual Property are in full force and effect and
there is no material default by any party thereto.
(c) The
Affiliated Companies' use of any Intellectual Property does not infringe in
any
material respect on any rights of any other person and the Affiliated Companies
are not making unauthorized use of any confidential information or trade secrets
of any person, including without limitation any former employer or any past
or
present employee of the Affiliated Companies.
15
3.20
Real
Property.
Schedule
3.20
describes each interest in real property owned or leased by the Affiliated
Companies, including the location and a brief description thereof. The
Affiliated Companies own all right, title and interest in all leasehold estates
and other rights purported to be granted to it by the leases and other
agreements listed in Schedule
3.20,
in each
case free and clear of any restriction, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien,
security interest or other charge, claim, lien or encumbrance not shown on
Schedule
3.20.
All
governmental permits, approvals and licenses required in connection with the
use
by the Affiliated Companies of the real property leased by the Affiliated
Companies and all improvements thereon and the conduct of the Affiliated
Companies’ business thereon have been duly obtained, are in full force and
effect and no proceedings are pending or, to the Controlling Sellers’ knowledge,
threatened which could reasonably be expected to lead to a revocation or other
impairment of any thereof.
3.21
List
of Properties, Contracts, etc.
Schedule
3.21
lists or
adequately describes the following:
(a) The
Affiliated Companies’ fixed asset depreciation schedule, which schedule
accurately represents the fixed assets owned by the Affiliated
Companies.
(b) A
list of
all assets leased by the Affiliated Companies which list accurately represents
the assets leased by the Affiliated Companies.
(c) Each
outstanding loan or advance (excluding advances to employees for ordinary and
necessary business expenses made in the ordinary course of business) by the
Affiliated Companies to any person (including Sellers and any director, officer,
employee or shareholder of the Affiliated Companies).
(d) Each
policy and binder of insurance, (including, without limitation, property,
casualty, liability, life, health, accident, workers’ compensation and
disability insurance and bonding arrangements) owned by, or maintained for
the
benefit of, or respecting which any premium is paid directly or indirectly
by
the Affiliated Companies.
(e) Each
outstanding power-of-attorney or similar power granted by the Affiliated
Companies for any purpose whatsoever.
(f) Each
evidence of indebtedness, note, advance, guaranty or letter of credit entered
into, issued or to be issued, contingently or otherwise, by or for the benefit
of the Affiliated Companies, and all loan and other agreements relating thereto,
which are not released at Closing.
(g) Each
restriction, deed of trust, pledge, lien, security interest or other charge,
claim and encumbrance of any nature relating to or affecting any of the assets
or properties of the Affiliated Companies.
(h) Each
bank
or other financial institution in which the Affiliated Companies have a deposit
account, line of credit or safe deposit box, the relevant account or other
identifying number, and the names of all persons authorized to act or deal
in
connection therewith.
16
3.22 Contracts.
Attached as Schedule
3.22
is a
copy of each material contract, agreement and commitment to which the Affiliated
Companies are a party or by which it or its assets are bound. Each contract
was
made in the ordinary course of business, is in full force and effect and is
valid, binding and enforceable against the Affiliated Companies and, to the
knowledge of each of the Controlling Sellers, the other parties thereto, each
in
accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws
affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights in general, and general
principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered
in
a proceeding in equity or law). The Affiliated Companies have performed all
obligations required to be performed by it under each such contract, agreement
and commitment as of the Closing Date, and no condition exists or event has
occurred which with notice or lapse of time would constitute a default or a
basis for delay or non-performance by the Affiliated Companies or, to the
knowledge of each of the Controlling Sellers, by any other party thereto. Each
other party to each contract, commitment and agreement has consented or been
given sufficient notice (where such consent or notice is necessary) that the
same shall remain in full force and effect following the Closing. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Affiliated Companies has performed all obligations
required to be performed by it and is not in default under or in breach of
nor
in receipt of any claim of default or breach under any contract, agreement
or
instrument by which the Affiliated Companies provides its primary services
and
benefits (“Professional Services Agreement”); and (e) with respect to the
Professional Services Agreements with clients of the Affiliated
Companies,
(i) no
event
has occurred which with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both
would result in a default, breach or event of noncompliance by the Affiliated
Companies;
(ii) the
Affiliated Companies do not have any present expectation or intention of not
fully performing all obligations under its Professional Services Agreements;
and
(iii) the
Affiliated Companies have no knowledge of any breach or anticipated breach
by
the other parties to any Professional Services Agreement.
3.23 Worksite
Employees.
Except
as described on Schedule
3.23,
with
respect to any client of the Affiliated Companies, and with respect to any
employee physically located at a client of the Affiliated Companies (“Worksite
Employees”), to the best of each of the Controlling Sellers’ knowledge there is
not:
(a) any
applicable collective bargaining agreement or relationship with any labor
organization;
(b) any
labor
organization or group of employees who has filed any representation petition
against or made any written or oral demand of the Affiliated Companies or any
of
its clients for recognition;
17
(c) any
pending or threatened union organizing efforts that might impose collective
bargaining obligations on the Affiliated Companies or its clients;
(d) any
labor
strike, work stoppage, slowdown, or other material labor dispute has
occurred;
(e) any
employment-based charge, complaint, grievance, investigation, inquiry or
obligation of any kind, served against the Affiliated Companies or threatened,
relating to an alleged violation or breach by the Affiliated Companies of any
law, regulation or contract;
(f) any
employee of the Affiliated Companies or of any client having committed any
act
or omission giving rise to liability against the Affiliated Companies;
or
(g) any
plant
closing or layoff of Worksite Employees that could implicate the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or any similar
foreign, state or local law, regulation or ordinance and no such action will
be
implemented without advance notification to Buyer;
3.24 Liability.
There
is no liability or obligation of the Affiliated Companies (or of Buyer as
successor) resulting from liability claims, (whether based in tort, contract
or
otherwise) relating to any services or products provided by the Affiliated
Companies on or prior to the Closing Date, except where such liability or
obligation would not have a material adverse effect.
3.25 Material
Adverse Change.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
3.25,
since
December 31, 2006, the Affiliated Companies have carried on its business only
in
the ordinary course consistent with past practice and except in the ordinary
course there has been no:
(a) declaration
or payment of any dividend or other distribution or payment in respect of the
stock of the Affiliated Companies or any repurchase or redemption of any such
stock;
(b) payment
by the Affiliated Companies of any bonus or increase of any compensation payable
to any shareholder, director, officer or employee or entry into (or amendment
of) any written employment, severance or similar agreement with any shareholder,
director, officer or employee;
(c) adoption
of or change in any employee benefit plan;
(d) damage,
destruction or loss to any material tangible asset or property of the Affiliated
Companies whether or not covered by insurance;
(e) the
sale,
assignment, conveyance, lease, or other disposition of any asset or property
of
the Affiliated Companies or mortgage, pledge, or imposition of any lien or
other
encumbrance on any asset or property of the Affiliated Companies;
18
(f) incurrence
or repayment of any liability or obligation (whether absolute or contingent)
to
any officer, director or shareholder of the Affiliated Companies or, other
than
current liabilities incurred and obligations under agreements entered into
in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, to any other
person or any discharge or satisfaction of any material lien, claim or
encumbrance, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past
practice;
(g) write-down
or write-off of the value of any asset (including, but not limited to accounts
receivable), or any cancellation or waiver of any other claims or
rights;
(h) any
material change in the business or operations of the Affiliated Companies or
in
the manner of conducting the same or entry by the Affiliated Companies into
any
material transaction, other than in the ordinary course of
business;
(i)
any
change in the accounting methods, principles or practices followed by the
Affiliated Companies or any change in any of the assumptions underlying, or
methods of calculating, any bad debt, contingency or other reserves or
expenditures); or
(j)
agreement,
whether or not in writing, to do any of the foregoing by Affiliated
Companies.
3.26 Client
Retention.
Attached as Schedule
3.26
is a
copy of the Professional Services Agreement with each of the Affiliated
Companies’ five (5) largest (based on the gross receipts received by the
Affiliated Companies during the 2006 calendar year) clients (“Largest Clients”).
The Affiliated Companies has not received any notice, communication, or other
indication from any of the Largest Clients indicating that it: (i) is displeased
with any of the services provided by the Affiliated Companies; (ii) is
displeased with the cost of the services provided by the Affiliated Companies;
or (iii) intends to terminate its Professional Services Agreement with the
Affiliated Companies. The Affiliated Companies has performed all of its services
to the Largest Clients pursuant to the terms of the applicable Professional
Services Agreement and is not in breach of any of the Professional Services
Agreements with any of the Largest Clients.
3.27 Shareholder
Matters.
Since
December 1, 2006: (i) certain of the Affiliated Companies’ shareholders had all
of their shares redeemed by the Affiliated Companies or purchased by other
shareholders; and (ii) certain of the Affiliated Companies’ option holders had
their stock options cashed out by certain shareholders. Also, over a period
of
time, certain of the Affiliated Companies’ shareholders had their ownership
percentages of the Affiliated Companies diluted. None of the Affiliated
Companies or the Buyer shall have any liability or obligation to any of the
Affiliated Companies’ current or former shareholders relating to the redemption,
purchase or dilution of their shares (including but not limited to any claim
that the redemption price or purchase price was insufficient or that their
ownership percentage should not have been diluted). In addition, none of the
Affiliated Companies or the Buyer shall have any liability or obligation to any
of the Affiliated Companies’ current or former option holders relating to the
cash-out of their stock options (including, but not limited to any claim that
the cash-out price was insufficient).
19
SECTION
4. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
The
Buyer
hereby represents and warrants to the Sellers as follows:
4.1 Organization
and Good Standing.
The
Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Indiana and has all necessary corporate power
and
authority to carry on its business as presently conducted, to own and lease
the
assets which it owns and leases and to perform all its obligations under each
agreement and instrument by which it is bound.
4.2 Power
and Authorization.
The
Buyer has full capacity, legal right, power and authority to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement and under the other agreements
and
documents (the "Buyer Transaction Documents") required to be executed and
delivered by it prior to or at the Closing. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Buyer of this Agreement and the Buyer Transaction Documents
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. This Agreement
has
been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Buyer and constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer
in accordance with its terms except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws
affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights in general, and except that the
enforceability of the Buyer Transaction Documents is subject to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered
in
a proceeding in equity or law) and of public policy. When executed and delivered
as contemplated herein, and assuming enforceability thereof against all other
parties, each of the Buyer Transaction Documents shall constitute the legal,
valid and binding obligation of the Buyer, enforceable against the Buyer in
accordance with its terms except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws
affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights in general, and except that the
enforceability of the Buyer Transaction Documents is subject to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered
in
a proceeding in equity or law) and of public policy.
4.3 No
Conflicts.
(a) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Buyer Transaction
Documents do not and will not (with or without the passage of time or the giving
of notice):
(i)
violate
or conflict with the Buyer’s Articles of Incorporation, or Bylaws of the Buyer
or any law binding upon the Buyer;
(ii) violate
or conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default or otherwise
cause any loss of benefit under any material agreement or other material
obligation to which the Buyer is a party or by which it or its assets are bound,
or give to others any right (including rights of termination, foreclosure,
cancellation or acceleration), in or with respect to the Buyer, its assets
or
any of its Affiliates’ assets; or
20
(iii) violate
any resolution adopted by the board of directors or stockholders of the
Buyer.
(b) Each
consent or approval of, or registration, notification, filing and/or declaration
with, any court, government or governmental agency or instrumentality, creditor,
lessor or other person required to be given or made by the Buyer in connection
with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other
agreements and instruments contemplated herein has been obtained or made, or
will be obtained or made prior to the Closing.
(c) There
are
no judicial, administrative or other governmental actions, proceedings or
investigations pending or, to the knowledge of the Buyer, threatened, that
question any of the transactions contemplated by, or the validity of, this
Agreement or any of the other agreements or instruments contemplated hereby
or
which, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect upon the
ability of the Buyer to enter into or perform its obligations under this
Agreement or any such other agreements or instruments. The Buyer has not
received any written request from any governmental agency or instrumentality
for
information with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.
4.4 Accuracy
of Filings.
All
publicly-available filings made by the Buyer with the Securities and Exchange
Commission since September 1, 2000 are true and complete in all material
respects, do not contain any untrue statement of material fact and do not omit
to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
4.5 Compliance
With Securities Law.
The
shares of the Common Stock and the Contingent Stock to be issued to the Sellers
will be fully issued, non-assessable, valid and outstanding as of the Closing.
The Common Stock and the Contingent Stock will be validly issued in reliance
upon an exemption from registration under, and in material compliance with,
applicable federal and state securities laws, including without limitation
the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934,
as amended.
4.6 Brokers.
No
person acting on behalf of the Buyer or any of its affiliates or under the
authority of any of the foregoing is or will be entitled to any brokers’ or
finders’ fee or any other commission or similar fee, directly or indirectly,
from any of such parties in connection with any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
4.7 Full
Disclosure.
All
documents and other papers (or copies thereof) delivered by or on behalf of
the
Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are
in
the same form as maintained by the Buyer internally, without alteration, and
are
accurate and complete as to items in the custody of the Buyer in all material
respects.
4.8 Investment.
The
Buyer is not acquiring the Shares with a view to or for sale in connection
with
any distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.
4.9 Restricted
Securities.
Buyer
acknowledges its understanding that this sale is intended to be exempt from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and any state “blue sky” or
similar laws. Buyer further acknowledges that no filings have been made under
the Securities Act or any state “blue sky” or similar laws, and to the extent
permitted by law, Buyer waives any filings or notifications. In furtherance
thereof, Buyer represents and warrants to and agrees as
follows:
21
(a) Buyer
realizes that the basis for the exemption may not be present if, notwithstanding
such representations, Buyer has in mind merely acquiring the Affiliated
Companies Shares for a fixed or determinable period in the future, or for a
market rise, or for sale if the market does not rise.
(b) Buyer
is
an investor experienced in the purchase of securities that are offered pursuant
to an exemption under the Securities Act and understands that such securities
are not liquid or marketable. Buyer has such knowledge and experience in
financial and business matters as to enable it to evaluate the merits and risks
of purchasing the Affiliated Companies Shares and to make an informed decision
to do so.
(c) Buyer
represents, warrants and agrees that it will not sell or otherwise transfer
the
Affiliated Companies Shares without registration under the Securities Act or
an
exemption therefrom and fully understands and agrees that it must bear the
economic risk of its purchase because, among other reasons, the Affiliated
Companies Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act or under
the
securities laws of any state and, therefore, cannot be resold, pledged, assigned
or otherwise disposed of unless they are subsequently registered under the
Securities Act and under the applicable securities laws of such states or an
exemption from such registration is available.
(d) Buyer
understands and agrees that each certificate for the Affiliated Companies Shares
shall bear the following legend and any other legends as may be required by
state law until (i) such securities shall have been registered under the
Securities Act and effectively been disposed of in accordance with the
registration statement; or (ii) in the opinion of counsel for the Affiliated
Companies such securities may be sold without registration under the Securities
Act:
"THESE
SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
(THE "SECURITIES ACT") OR ANY STATE SECURITIES ACT, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED,
SOLD, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, ASSIGNED OR TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (i) PURSUANT TO
A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE
AND
IS CURRENT WITH RESPECT TO THESE SECURITIES, OR (ii) PURSUANT TO A SPECIFIC
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT BUT ONLY UPON A HOLDER
HEREOF FIRST HAVING OBTAINED THE WRITTEN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE CORPORATION,
OR OTHER COUNSEL REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE CORPORATION, THAT THE PROPOSED
DISPOSITION IS CONSISTENT WITH ALL APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES
ACT
AS WELL AS ANY APPLICABLE "BLUE SKY" OR SIMILAR SECURITIES LAW. INVESTORS SHOULD
BE AWARE THAT THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF THIS
INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME."
22
4.10 Investigation
by Buyer.
Buyer
has been given full access to and the opportunity to review the Affiliated
Companies, and has been given the opportunity to meet with officers and other
representatives of the Affiliated Companies for the purpose of investigating
and
obtaining information regarding the Affiliated Companies. Buyer acknowledges
that Buyer has had ample opportunity to inspect the Business. Buyer further
acknowledges that (1) Buyer has not relied upon any oral statement or oral
declaration of Sellers or the Affiliated Companies as an inducement to entering
into this Agreement; and (2) the sole consideration for execution of this
Agreement by Buyer is set forth in this Agreement (including the schedules
and
exhibits attached hereto).
SECTION
5.
CLOSING.
5.1 Time
and Place of Closing.
The
closing of this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place promptly before the
Effective Time (the "Closing Time"). The Closing shall be effective on the
Closing Time except as otherwise specified in this Agreement. The date upon
which the Closing Time occurs shall be referred to as the “Closing
Date”.
5.2 Deliveries
at the Closing.
At the
Closing, in addition to the other actions contemplated elsewhere
herein:
(a) the
Sellers shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, to the Buyer the
following:
(i)
certificates
representing all of the Shares duly endorsed for transfer or with stock powers
affixed thereto, executed in blank in proper form for transfer;
(ii) resignations,
effective as of the Closing Date, of each director, and officer of the
Affiliated Companies, other than those specified in writing by
Buyer;
(iii) the
Affiliated Companies' Articles of Incorporation certified as of a recent date
by
the Secretary of State of Utah and the Secretary of State of Idaho (as
applicable) and by the Secretary of the Affiliated Companies, and the Affiliated
Companies' Bylaws (or similar document in foreign jurisdictions) certified
by
the Controlling Sellers, each including any and all amendments to date;
(iv) a
Certificate of Existence (or similar document in Utah or Idaho (as applicable))
of a recent date for the Affiliated Companies, certified by the appropriate
governmental agency;
(v) the
original minute books and stock transfer and record books of the Affiliated
Companies, as they exist on the Closing and such of its files, books and records
as the Buyer may reasonably request;
23
(vi) counterparts,
duly executed by the Affiliated Companies of Articles of Share Exchange (Utah
version, Indiana version and Idaho version) in substantially the forms of those
attached hereto as Exhibit
A;
(vii)
a
counterpart, duly executed by each of the Controlling Sellers of the Employment
Agreements between the Affiliated Companies and each of the Controlling Sellers
in substantially the forms of those attached hereto as Exhibit
B;
(viii) a
counterpart, duly executed by each of the Sellers of the Closing Memorandum
among the Sellers and the Buyer in substantially the form of that attached
hereto as Exhibit
C;
(ix) wire
transfers of immediately available funds from Riverwoods Holdings, LC in the
amount of $379,882.77 and from ESG Building, LC in the amount of
$700,250.00;
(x) a
copy of
the resolutions of the Boards of Directors of the Affiliated Companies
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Affiliated Companies certified as of the Closing by the Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Affiliated Companies;
(xi) a
copy of
the resolutions of the Sellers authorizing the execution, delivery and
performance by the Sellers of this Agreement and the other agreements and
instruments referred to herein;
(xii) a
counterpart, duly executed by the Affiliated Companies and the Sellers of the
Operating Agreement among the Affiliated Companies, the Sellers and the Buyer
in
substantially the form of that attached hereto as Exhibit
D;
and
(xiii)
such
other documents and instruments as the Buyer may reasonably request to
effectuate or evidence the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(b) the
Buyer
shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, to the Sellers the items
described below:
(i)
wire
transfers of immediately available funds in the aggregate amount of Eight
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($8,500,000.00) as specified in the
Closing Memorandum;
(ii) stock
certificates representing the Common Stock (to be provided within fifteen (15)
days of the Closing Date) and the Contingent Stock as specified in the Closing
Memorandum;
(iii) a
copy of
the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Buyer authorizing the
execution, delivery and performance by the Buyer of this Agreement and the
other
agreements and instruments referred to herein, certified as of the Closing
by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Buyer;
24
(iv) counterparts
duly executed by the Buyer of the Articles of Share Exchange (Utah version,
Indiana version and Idaho version) in substantially the forms of those attached
hereto as Exhibit A;
(v) a
counterpart, duly executed by the Affiliated Companies, of the Employment
Agreements between the Affiliated Companies and each of the Controlling Sellers,
in substantially the forms of those attached hereto as Exhibit
B;
(vi) a
counterpart, duly executed by the Buyer of the Closing Memorandum among the
Sellers and the Buyer: in substantially the form of that attached hereto as
Exhibit
C;
(vii)
such
documents as necessary to release Sellers from any and all personal guarantees
of the KeyBank line of credit (to be provided within fifteen (15) days of the
Closing Date);
(viii) a
counterpart, duly executed by the Buyer of the Operating Agreement among the
Affiliated Companies, the Sellers and the Buyer in substantially the form of
that attached hereto as Exhibit
D;
and
(ix)
such
other documents and instruments as the Sellers may reasonably request to
effectuate or evidence the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
SECTION
6.
CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION.
For
purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" shall be deemed to
include all information and materials with respect to the Business, including,
but not limited to, all proprietary information, specifications, models,
diagrams, flow charts, videotapes, audio tapes, forms, data structures,
graphics, other original works of authorship, product plans, technologies,
formulas, trade secrets, trade names or proposed trade names, know how, ideas,
marketing materials, lists of potential or actual customers, contracts, pricing
information, financial information, business plans and strategies, and other
financial and intellectual property with respect to the Business.
Except
as
authorized in writing by the Buyer or in order to perform their obligations,
responsibilities and/or duties as employees of the Buyer, or the Affiliated
Companies (after the Closing), as the case may be, each of the Sellers shall
not
for a period of five (5) years after the date of this Agreement, disclose,
communicate, publish or use for the benefit of himself or any third party any
Confidential Information received, acquired, or obtained with respect to the
Business. Each of the Sellers also agrees that: (a) the Confidential Information
will be held in confidence by each of the Sellers using the same degree of
care,
but no less than a reasonable degree of care, as each of the Sellers uses to
protect his own confidential information of a like nature; (b) he will take
such
steps as may be reasonably necessary to prevent disclosure of the Confidential
Information to others; and (c) in the event each of the Sellers is legally
required to disclose any portion of the Confidential Information, each of the
Sellers shall promptly notify the Buyer so that the Buyer may take steps to
protect its Confidential Information.
25
The
obligations of this Section 6 shall not apply with respect to any particular
portion of Confidential Information which: (a) is in the public domain; (b)
entered the public domain through no fault of any of the Sellers; or (c) was
rightfully communicated by a third party to any of the Sellers free of any
obligation of confidence.
In
no
event shall any of the Sellers be deemed by virtue hereof to have acquired
any
right or interest in or to the Confidential Information.
SECTION
7.
NON-COMPETITION.
For
a
period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the fifth (5th) anniversary
of the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of the Buyer (which
consent may be withheld in the Buyer’s sole and absolute discretion) each of the
Sellers, excluding Xxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx, shall not, directly or
indirectly, for himself or for any other person, proprietorship, partnership,
corporation or trust, or any other entity, as an individual or as an owner,
investor, employee, officer, director, manager, trustee, agent or in any other
capacity:
(a) solicit,
participate or aid in the solicitation of orders for any Restricted Products
or
Services, or perform or sell any Restricted Products or Services to any of
the
Affiliated Companies' customers who were serviced by any of the Sellers,
solicited by any of the Sellers or who became customers of the Affiliated
Companies as a result of any actions taken by any of the Sellers;
(b) solicit,
participate or aid in the solicitation of, or perform or sell any Restricted
Products or Services to any of the Affiliated Companies customers who were
customers, or had an ongoing business relationship with the Affiliated
Companies, at any time during the three (3) year period preceding the Closing
Date;
(c) contact,
or aid or participate in the contact, including allowing the use of any of
the
Sellers’ names in connection with the contact of, any of the Affiliated
Companies’ customers who were customers, or had an ongoing business relationship
with the Affiliated Companies, at any time during the three (3) year period
preceding the Closing Date, for the purpose of diverting their purchases of
any
Restricted Products or Services from the Affiliated Companies;
(d) perform
any Restricted Products or Services for any of the Affiliated Companies’
customers who were customers, or had an ongoing business relationship with
the
Affiliated Companies at any time during the three (3) year period preceding
the
Closing Date;
(e) solicit
or contact or aid or participate in the contact, including allowing the use
any
of the Seller’s
names in connection with the contact of, the Affiliated Companies’ employees,
for the purpose of inducing them to terminate their employment with the
Affiliated Companies; or
(f) engage
in, conduct, promote, or participate in either as an owner, investor, employee,
officer, director, manager, trustee, agent, or in any other capacity whatsoever,
a business in competition with the Affiliated Companies in the sale and offering
of any Restricted Products or Services either directly or indirectly. The
prohibitions and covenants enumerated in this Section 7(f) shall bind each
of
the Sellers in all of the following geographic areas: (i) the City of Provo,
Utah and the area within two hundred and fifty (250) miles of Provo, Utah;
(ii)
the City of Loveland, Colorado and the area within two hundred and fifty (250)
miles of Loveland, Colorado; (iii) the City of Phoenix, Arizona and the area
within one hundred and fifty (150) miles of Phoenix, Arizona; and (iv) the
City
of Las Vegas, Nevada and the area within one hundred and fifty (150) miles
of
Las Vegas, Nevada.
26
"Restricted
Products and Services" shall be defined as any of the following: (i) providing
products and services in the areas of personnel management services (including,
but not limited to, benefits administration, payroll processing/administration,
health and workmen’s compensation insurance management, personnel records
management, employee liability management, testing and assessment services
for
management or employees, performance management, training and development
services and human resources consulting services); (ii) providing insurance
brokerage services; or (iii) providing any of the services or products that
were
provided by the Affiliated Companies during the three (3) year period preceding
the Closing Date.
The
Buyer
and each of the Sellers agree that due to the nature of the Affiliated
Companies’ business and the scope of its operations, and due to the nature of
each of the Sellers’ position within the Affiliated Companies and his access to
and knowledge of Confidential Information of the Affiliated Companies, and
in
further consideration of the Buyer’s, and the Affiliated Companies’ legitimate
protectible interests in a highly competitive business environment, the
covenants and restrictions, placed on each of the Sellers’ ability to engage in
any activity competitive with the Affiliated Companies, are required to be
broad
in scope and the parties acknowledge that such breadth is reasonable. Each
of
the Sellers further acknowledges and agrees that the breadth of such
restrictions is reasonable because he has become acquainted with the affairs
of
the Affiliated Companies, its officers and employees, its services, products,
business practices, business relationships, and the needs and requirements
of
its customers and prospective customers, trade secrets, intellectual property,
Confidential Information, and other information proprietary to the Affiliated
Companies. Each of the Sellers acknowledges and agrees that the Buyer and the
Affiliated Companies have a need to protect, through the above restrictions,
each of the foregoing interests, the Affiliated Companies’ goodwill, and to
prevent unfair competition and the inevitable use or disclosure of Confidential
Information or trade secrets.
The
Buyer
and each of the Sellers agree that in the event of a breach of any of the
covenants and prohibitions contained in Sections 6 or 7 by any of the Sellers,
the Buyer shall suffer immediate, immeasurable and irreparable harm and damage,
and accordingly, the parties agree as follows:
(a) These
covenants shall be construed as agreements independent of any other provision
of
this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of action by any of
the
Sellers against the Buyer whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise,
shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement of these covenants by the
Buyer;
27
(b) In
the
event of a violation of any of these covenants, the terms of all covenants
shall
be automatically extended for a period equal to the violation and the Buyer
shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorney’s fees incurred in the
enforcement of these covenants;
(c) Each
covenant is separate and distinct from every other covenant, and in the event
of
the invalidity of any one covenant, the remaining covenants shall be deemed
independent and enforceable. Further, although the parties agree that the scope,
duration and territorial restrictions herein are reasonable and necessary for
the protection of the Buyer, in the event a Court should consider the scope,
duration or territory too extensive, the Court shall modify the provisions
so as
to be valid and fully enforceable for the maximum scope, duration and territory
(but never for a larger scope, longer period or larger territory than set forth
above) as the Court shall find to be reasonable, necessary, valid and legally
enforceable;
(d) These
covenants are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Buyer’s
business interests, that irreparable injury will result to the Buyer if any
of
the Sellers breaches any of these covenants, and that in the event of actual
or
threatened breach of any of these covenants, the Buyer will have no adequate
remedy at law. Each of the Sellers accordingly agrees that in the event of
any
actual or threatened breach by him of any of these covenants, the Buyer shall
be
entitled to immediate temporary injunctive and other equitable relief, subject
to hearing as soon thereafter as possible. Nothing contained herein shall be
construed as prohibiting the Buyer from pursuing any other remedies available
to
it for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of any damages
which it is able to prove; and
(e) The
Buyer
would not have entered into this Agreement but for each of the Sellers’
agreement (i) to be bound by and comply with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, including, without limitation, Sections 6 and 7 hereof, (ii) that
the
scope, duration and territorial restrictions of these covenants are reasonable;
and (iii) to be bound by and comply with the terms and conditions of his/her
Employment Agreement.
SECTION
8.
INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 Indemnification
by the Controlling Sellers.
Each of
the Controlling Sellers shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold the
Buyer and its successors and assigns harmless from and against any and all
losses, costs, expenses, claims, damages, obligations and liabilities, including
interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements
("Damages"), which the Buyer or any such indemnitee may suffer, incur or become
subject to arising out of, based upon or otherwise in respect of: (i) any
misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty of any of the
Sellers made in or pursuant to this Agreement or a Schedule attached hereto;
(ii) any breach or nonfulfillment of any covenant or obligation of any of
the Sellers contained in this Agreement or a Schedule attached hereto; or (iii)
any breach or nonfulfillment of any covenant or obligation of any of the Sellers
contained in the Closing Memorandum..
(a) Notwithstanding
any provision of the Agreement except the following sentence, the Controlling
Sellers shall not have any obligation to indemnify the Buyer from and against
any Damages which are less than $150,000 in the aggregate (the “Indemnification
Threshold”), after which point the Controlling Sellers shall be obligated to
indemnify the Buyer pursuant to Section 8.1 for such Damages in excess of the
Indemnification Threshold until the Controlling Sellers have reimbursed the
Buyer pursuant to Section 8.1 in an aggregate amount equal to $4,000,000 (the
“Indemnification Cap”). The Indemnification Threshold and the Indemnification
Cap shall not apply to any Damages resulting from or caused by any of the
following: (i) any breach of any representation or warranty described in the
following sections of this Agreement: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6, 2.7, 3.3, 3.15 and
3.27; (ii) any breach or nonfulfillment or any covenant or obligation described
in the following sections of this Agreement: 6 and 7; (iii) any breach or
nonfulfillment of any covenant or obligation of any of the Sellers contained
in
the Closing Memorandum; and (iv) any fraud or intentional acts. For example,
if
there were $5,000,000.00 of Damages that were not subject to the Indemnification
Threshold and Indemnification Cap and $1,000,000.00 of Damages that were subject
to the Indemnification Threshold and Indemnification Cap, the Controlling
Sellers would be obligated to indemnify the Buyer in the amount of
$5,850,000.00.
28
(b) The
amount of any claim for indemnification shall be reduced by any insurance
recovery from a third party that Buyer or its affiliates receive in respect
of
or as result of such claim or the facts or circumstances relating thereto.
If
any indemnifiable Damages for which indemnification is provided hereunder are
subsequently reduced by any insurance payment or other recovery from a third
party, the amount of such reduction shall be remitted immediately to the
Controlling Sellers. Each of the Buyer, its affiliates Sellers and their
affiliates and Affiliated Companies acknowledge and agree that its sole and
exclusive remedy with respect to any and all claims arising from this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby (excluding, however, the Employment
Agreements) shall be pursuant to the indemnification remedies set forth in
this
Section 8.
8.2 Indemnification
by the Buyer.
The
Buyer shall indemnify and hold the Sellers and each of their successors, heirs
and assigns harmless from and against any and all Damages which the Sellers
or
any such indemnitee may suffer, incur or become subject to arising out of,
based
upon or otherwise in respect of: (a) any misrepresentation or breach of any
representation or warranty of the Buyer made in or pursuant to this Agreement;
or (b) any breach or nonfulfillment of any covenant or obligation of the Buyer
contained in this Agreement.
8.3 Inter-Party
Claims.
Any
party seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section (the "Indemnified Party")
shall promptly notify in writing the other party or parties from whom such
indemnification is sought (the "Indemnifying Party") of the Indemnified Party’s
assertion of such claim for indemnification, specifying the basis of such claim.
The Indemnified Party shall upon reasonable written request give the
Indemnifying Party reasonable access to the books, records and assets of the
Indemnified Party which evidence or support such claim or the act, omission
or
occurrence giving rise to such claim and the right, upon prior reasonable
written notice during normal business hours, to interview any appropriate
personnel of the Indemnified Party related thereto. Any disputes regarding
inter-party claims that cannot be settled by the parties shall be submitted
to
arbitration pursuant to Section 10.6 of this Agreement.
29
8.4 Third
Party Claims.
(a) Each
Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party of the assertion
by any third party of any claim with respect to which the indemnification set
forth in this Section relates. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right,
upon
notice to the Indemnified Party within twenty (20) business days after the
receipt of any such notice, to undertake the defense of such claim with counsel
reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party, or, with the consent of the
Indemnified Party (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld), to settle
or compromise such claim. The failure of the Indemnifying Party to give such
notice and to undertake the defense of or to settle or compromise such a claim
shall constitute a waiver of the Indemnifying Party’s rights under this Section
8.4(a) and shall preclude the Indemnifying Party from disputing the manner
in
which the Indemnified Party may conduct the defense of such claim or the
reasonableness of any amount paid by the Indemnified Party in satisfaction
of
such claim.
(b) The
election by the Indemnifying Party, pursuant to Section 8.4(a), to undertake
the
defense of a third-party claim shall not preclude the party against which such
claim has been made also from participating or continuing to participate in
such
defense, so long as such party bears its own legal fees and expenses for so
doing.
(c) Except
as
expressly provided herein, the Sellers shall have no rights, hereunder or
otherwise, to indemnification or contribution from the Affiliated Companies
with
respect to any matter occurring prior to or on the Effective Time and the
Sellers hereby irrevocably release the Affiliated Companies from any liability
for any such claim.
(d) The
indemnification obligations of the parties contained herein are not intended
to
waive or preclude any other claims, rights or remedies which may exist at law
(whether statutory or otherwise) or in equity with respect to the matters
covered by the indemnifications.
SECTION
9.
TAX
RETURNS
The
Buyer
and the Sellers shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent required by any
other party, in connection with the preparation and filing of the Short-Year
Return (for the period January 1, 2007 to February 28, 2007), and in connection
with any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to the Short-Year
Return.
SECTION
10.
MISCELLANEOUS.
10.1 Survival
of Representations and Warranties.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the representations and warranties
made
by the parties in this Agreement and in the certificates, documents and
schedules delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated and for a period of twenty (20) months
thereafter. The representations and warranties: (i) described in the following
sections of this Agreement: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6, 2.7, 3.3, 3.15 and 3.27; and
(ii) the misrepresentation or breach of which involved fraud or intentional
acts
shall survive the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated for
a
period equal to the applicable statute of limitations.
30
10.2 Further
Assurances.
Each
party hereto shall, from time to time and without further consideration, either
before or after the Closing, execute such further instruments and take such
other actions as any other party hereto shall reasonably request in order to
fulfill its obligations under this Agreement and to effectuate the purposes
of
this Agreement and to provide for the orderly and efficient transition of the
ownership of the Affiliated Companies to the Buyer.
10.3 Costs
and Expenses.
Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, each party shall bear its own expenses
in connection herewith. Any and all legal and accounting fees, transfer, sales,
use, documentary and similar taxes and recording and filing fees, incurred
in
connection with the transactions contemplated herein on behalf of the Sellers
or
the Affiliated Companies prior to Closing shall be paid by the Sellers and
not
by the Affiliated Companies.
10.4 Notices.
All
notices or other communications permitted or required under this Agreement
shall
be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if and when hand delivered to
the
persons set forth below or if sent by documented overnight delivery service
or
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or
by
facsimile, receipt acknowledged, addressed as set forth below or to such other
person or persons and/or at such other address or addresses as shall be
furnished in writing by any party hereto to the others. Any such notice or
communication shall be deemed to have been given as of the date received, in
the
case of personal delivery, or on the date shown on the receipt or confirmation
therefor in all other cases.
To
the Sellers:
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
______________________
|
______________________
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
______________________
|
______________________
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx
|
______________________
|
______________________
|
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
______________________
|
______________________
|
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
|
______________________
|
______________________
|
31
With
a copy (which shall not constitute notice)
to:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
c/o
Holme Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP
|
000
Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx #0000
|
Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
|
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
To
the Buyer:
|
Attention:
CEO
|
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
Fax
No.: 000-000-0000
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Vornehm, LLP
|
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
10.5 Assignment
and Benefit.
(a) The
Buyer
may assign this Agreement in whole or in part to any subsidiary or to any person
which becomes a successor in interest (by purchase of assets or membership
interests, or by merger, or otherwise) to the Buyer; provided, however, that,
notwithstanding any such assignment, the Buyer shall remain liable for its
obligations hereunder; and provided further, that any such assignment shall
not
enlarge or expand in any manner any of the Sellers’ obligations or liabilities
under this Agreement or any related instrument or agreement, executed by the
Sellers in connection with this Agreement beyond those obligations or
liabilities that the Sellers would have absent such assignments. The Sellers
shall not assign this Agreement or any rights hereunder, or delegate any
obligations hereunder, without prior written consent of the Buyer. Subject
to
the foregoing, this Agreement and the rights and obligations set forth herein
shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto, and
each
of their respective successors, heirs and assigns.
(b) This
Agreement shall not be construed as giving any person, other than the parties
hereto and their permitted successors, heirs and assigns, any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any of the
provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all provisions and conditions
hereof being intended to be, and being, for the sole and exclusive benefit
of
such parties, and permitted successors, heirs and assigns and for the benefit
of
no other person or entity.
32
10.6 Arbitration.
(a) All
disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Affiliated Companies
Transaction Documents, the Sellers Transaction Documents, or the Buyer
Transaction Documents, including any dispute related to the parties’ obligations
set forth in Section 8 hereof (Indemnification), which cannot be settled by
the parties shall promptly be submitted to and determined by binding arbitration
in Salt Lake City, Utah by three (3) arbitrators (one selected by the Sellers,
one selected by the Buyer and one selected by the two previously selected
arbitrators), and the matter shall be decided by those arbitrators pursuant
to a
procedure agreed upon by the parties, or, in the absence of an agreement with
in
thirty (30) days of a demand for arbitration, in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”) in effect
on the date that the demand for arbitration is given; provided that nothing
herein shall preclude either party from seeking, in any court of competent
jurisdiction, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies in the case of
any
breach or threatened breach by the Sellers of Sections 6 or 7 hereof. The
decision of the arbitrators shall be final and binding upon the parties and
judgment upon such decision may be entered in any court of competent
jurisdiction; provided, however, that errors of law may be appealed to a court
of competent jurisdiction for review.
(b) Any
demand for arbitration shall include detail sufficient to establish the nature
of the dispute (including claims asserted and the material issues with respect
thereto) and shall be delivered to the other party concurrently with delivery
to
the arbitrators or the AAA, as applicable. Discovery shall be allowed pursuant
to the United States Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and as the arbitrators
determine appropriate under the circumstances.
(c) The
arbitrators' decision shall be in writing, and shall describe in detail the
legal reasoning adopted by the arbitrators in support of the decision. In
rendering a decision, the arbitrators shall follow the substantive law of the
State of Indiana, and shall not use equitable or other principles which would
permit the arbitrators to ignore this Agreement, the Affiliated Companies
Transaction Documents, the Sellers Transaction Documents, the Buyer Transaction
Documents or the law of the State of Indiana.
10.7 Amendment,
Modification and Waiver.
The
parties may amend or modify this Agreement in any respect. Any such amendment,
modification, extension or waiver shall be in writing and signed by all parties
hereto. The waiver by a party of any breach of any provision of this Agreement
shall not constitute or operate as a waiver of any other breach of such
provision or of any other provision hereof, nor shall any failure to enforce
any
provision hereof operate as a waiver of such provision or of any other provision
hereof.
10.8 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement is made pursuant to, and shall be construed and enforced in accordance
with, the laws of the State of Indiana (and United States federal law, to the
extent applicable), irrespective of the principal place of business, residence
or domicile of the parties hereto, and without giving effect to otherwise
applicable principles of conflicts of law. The parties consent to the
jurisdiction of the federal and state courts presiding in Indianapolis, Indiana,
and agree to accept service of process by mail and hereby waive any and all
jurisdictional and venue defenses otherwise available. Nothing contained herein
or in the Affiliated Companies Transaction Documents, the Sellers Transaction
Documents, or the Buyer Transaction Document shall prevent or delay any party
from seeking, in any court of competent jurisdiction, specific performance
or
other equitable remedies in the event of any breach or intended breach by any
other party of any of its obligations hereunder.
33
10.9 Section
Headings and Defined Terms.
The
section headings contained herein are for reference purposes only and shall
not
in any way affect the meaning and interpretation of this Agreement. The terms
defined herein and in any agreement executed in connection herewith include
the
plural as well as the singular and the singular as well as the plural, and
the
use of masculine pronouns shall include the feminine and neuter. Except as
otherwise indicated, all agreements defined herein refer to the same as from
time to time amended or supplemented or the terms thereof waived or modified
in
accordance herewith and therewith.
10.10
Severability.
The
invalidity or unenforceability of any particular provision, or part of any
provision, of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions or parts
hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if such invalid
or unenforceable provisions or parts were omitted.
10.11
Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original; and any person may become a party hereto by executing a
counterpart hereof, but all of such counterparts together shall be deemed to
be
one and the same instrument.
10.12
Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, together with the agreements, exhibits, schedules and certificates
referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto, constitute the entire agreement
between the parties hereto with respect to the purchase and sale of the Shares
and supersede all prior agreements and understandings. The submission of a
draft
of this Agreement or portions or summaries thereof does not constitute an offer
to purchase or sell the Shares, it being understood and agreed that neither
the
Buyer or the Sellers shall be legally obligated with respect to such a purchase
or sale or to any other terms or conditions set forth in such draft or portion
or summary unless and until this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by all parties.
10.13 Exhibits
and Schedules.
The
Exhibits and Schedules identified in this Agreement are incorporated herein
by
reference and made a part hereof.
10.14
Knowledge.
All
references in this Agreement to Seller’s knowledge respecting a particular
matter shall conclusively be deemed and presumed to include, without limitation,
all facts, circumstances and conclusions known to the Affiliated Companies.
Each
reference to “knowledge” made in this Agreement shall refer to the actual
knowledge of the officers, directors and shareholders of the party to which
the
reference relates and to the knowledge a prudent individual/entity could be
expected to discover or otherwise become aware in the course of conducting
a
reasonably comprehensive investigation.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
34
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement,
under seal, all as of the date first above written.
EMPLOYER
SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.
|
|||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
||||
ESG
ACHIEVEMENT, INC.
|
ESG
ADMINISTRATION, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
Its:
|
President
|
||
ESG
ASSISTANCE, INC.
|
ESG
CONSULTING, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
Its:
|
President
|
||
ESG
DIRECTION, INC.
|
ESG
ENTITIES, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
Its:
|
President
|
||
ESG
FULFILLMENT, INC.
|
ESG
MANAGEMENT, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
Its:
|
President
|
||
ESG
OFFERINGS, INC.
|
ESG
SERVICES, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
Its:
|
President
|
||
ESG
SUCCESS, INC.
|
ESG
SUPERVISION, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
|
Its:
|
President |
35
EMPLOYER
STAFFING GROUP, INC.
|
ESG
INSURANCE d/b/a ASPEN COVE INSURANCE, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
Its: |
President
|
||
|
|||||
EMPLOYER
SOLUTIONS GROUP OF UTAH, INC.
|
EMPLOYER
SOLUTIONS GROUP OF SLC, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
|
Its
|
President | |
SAGELAND
FLAGGING, INC. d/b/a EMPLOYER SOLUTIONS STAFFING GROUP,
INC.
|
EMPLOYER
SOLTUIONS GROUP OF, IDAHO, INC.
|
||||
By:
|
By:
|
||||
Its:
|
President
|
Its:
|
President
|
||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx
|
||||
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
||||
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
|
Signature
Page for Share Exchange Agreement by and among Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx ESG Achievement, Inc.,
ESG Administration, Inc., ESG Assistance, Inc., ESG Consulting, Inc., ESG
Direction, Inc., ESG Entities, Inc., ESG Fulfillment, Inc., ESG Management,
Inc., ESG Offerings, Inc., ESG Services, Inc., ESG Success, Inc., ESG
Supervision, Inc., Employer Staffing Group, Inc. (Flagging), ESG Insurance
d/b/a/ Aspen Cove Insurance, Inc., Employer Solutions Group of Utah, Inc.,
Employer Solutions Group of SLC, Inc., Sageland Flagging, Inc. d/b/a Employer
Solutions Staffing Group, Inc., Employer Solutions Group of Idaho, Inc., and
Fortune Industries, Inc.
36
EXHIBIT
A
Forms
of Articles of Share Exchange
(Utah,
Indiana and Idaho)
37
EXHIBIT
B
Forms
of Employment Agreements
38
EXHIBIT
C
Form
of Closing Memorandum
39
EXHIBIT
D
Form
of Operating Agreement
40