UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among FORTUNE INDUSTRIES, INC., CARTER M. FORTUNE, JOHN F. FISBECK, WILLIAM T. LICKLITER, LAWRENCE C. BAILLIERE and CHARMAINE HAYES
by
and among
FORTUNE
INDUSTRIES, INC.,
XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX,
XXXX
X. XXXXXXX,
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXXXXXX,
XXXXXXXX
X. XXXXXXXXX
and
XXXXXXXXX
XXXXX
THIS
UNIT
PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into effective the ___ day
of
February, 2007 (“Effective Date”) by and among Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
(collectively “the Sellers”), Fortune
Industries, Inc.,
an
Indiana corporation ("the Buyer"), Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
(“Fortune”), and Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
(“Xxxxxxx”).
BACKGROUND
Precision
Employee Management, LLC , an Arizona limited liability company d/b/a Checkmate
Professional Employer (the “Company”) is 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 Company are performed
in the State of Arizona and are referred to in this Agreement as (the
“Business”).
The
parties hereto desire to provide for the acquisition by the Buyer of the Company
through the sale by the Sellers to the Buyer of all the outstanding membership
units of the Company, which are owned beneficially and of record by the Sellers,
all on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto,
intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
SECTION
1.
|
ACQUISITION
OF UNITS.
|
1.1 Sale
and Purchase of Units of the Company.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as herein
defined), the Sellers shall sell, transfer and deliver to the Buyer all of
the
outstanding membership units of the Company (the “Units”), and the Buyer shall
purchase the Units for the consideration set forth below.
Subject
to the adjustments described in Section 1.3, the purchase price (the “Purchase
Price”) for the Units shall consist of (a) One Million, One Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($1,100,000.00) 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)two hundred fifty-eight thousand, eight hundred twenty-four
and
00/100 (258,824) shares of the Buyer’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), and
(c) subject to the following contingencies and conditions, forty seven thousand,
fifty-nine and 00/100 (47,059) shares of the Buyer’s common stock (the
“Contingent Stock”). The Buyer shall issue the Common Stock and Contingent Stock
to the Sellers within fifteen (15) days of Closing. 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: (i) one (1) share of Contingent Stock
(up to a maximum of 47,059 shares) for each eight dollars and fifty cents
($8.50) of EBITDA (as defined below) in excess of eight hundred thousand dollars
($800,000.00) but not more than one million, two hundred thousand dollars
($1,200,000.00) attained by the Company during the period from February 1,
2007
to January 31, 2009 (the “Test Period”). If the Company does not attain EBITDA
of at least eight hundred thousand dollars ($800,000.00) during the Test Period,
none of the Contingent Stock shall vest. If the Company attains EBITDA of at
least one million, two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000.00) during the
Test
Period, all of the Contingent Stock shall vest. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary: (i) if Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx are
not
employed by the Company on January 31, 2009 (except due to termination without
cause by the Company (as defined in the Employment Agreements)), all of the
Contingent Stock shall not vest and shall be returned to the Buyer; and (ii)
if
any of the Sellers are not employed by the Company on January 31, 2009 and
either or both of Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx are employed
by
the Company on January 31, 2009, then the Contingent Stock that vests pursuant
to the above-described formula shall be prorated among each of the Sellers
based
upon the number of months he/she is employed and his/her ownership percentage.
For example, if Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx were employed by the
Company on January 31, 2009, and Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx’x employment was
terminated on January 31, 2008, the Sellers would be issued the shares of vested
Contingent Stock in the following percentages: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx: 64.03%;
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx: 3.96% and Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx: 32.01%.
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 Company in an amount equal to
two
percent (2%) of sales (GAAP net revenues). The Buyer shall cause its outside
accountant to calculate EBITDA as soon as reasonably possible after the
conclusion of the Test Period. EBITDA shall be calculated in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in a manner consistent with
those principles used by the Buyer’s other subsidiaries engaged in similar
businesses. 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, 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, if any. Upon receipt, the Buyer shall cancel the shares representing
the
unvested Contingent Stock, if any.
2
1.2 Put
Rights and Call 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 Fortune and Xxxxxxx
and Fortune and Xxxxxxx shall purchase any of such Seller’s shares of Common
Stock offered by such Seller. Xxxxxxx and Fortune may, in their sole discretion,
purchase any or all of the Common Stock received by the Sellers pursuant to
this
Agreement and each of the Sellers shall sell any of such Seller’s shares of
Common Stock requested by Xxxxxxx and Fortune. The obligations of Fortune and
Xxxxxxx to purchase Common Stock pursuant to the put rights under this Agreement
shall be joint and several. The put price per share shall be three and 75/100
dollars ($3.75). The call price per share shall be six dollars ($6.00). The
Sellers may only exercise this put option and Xxxxxxx and Fortune may only
exercise this call option (except as described in the next paragraph) during
the
thirty (30) day period that begins on February 1, 2009.
If,
however, during the period February 1, 2008 to January 31, 2009, any of the
Sellers desires to sell part or all of his Common Stock (the “Offered Shares”)
in the open market, he shall notify Xxxxxxx and Fortune of his intent. Within
seven (7) days of receipt of the written notice, Xxxxxxx and Fortune may elect
in writing to exercise their call rights and purchase the Offered Shares at
the
call price. If Xxxxxxx and Fortune do not exercise their call rights, within
seven (7) days of their receipt of the written notice from Seller(s), the Seller
may, within thirty (30) days of the end of the seven (7) day notice period
to
Xxxxxxx and Fortune (the “Thirty Day Sales Period”), sell the Offered Shares in
the open market. If the Seller does not sell the Offered Shares in the open
market, within the Thirty Day Sales Period, the Offered Shares shall no longer
be subject to the put rights but shall continue to be subject to the call
rights. Except as provided in this paragraph, each of the Sellers shall retain
all of his Common Stock until Xxxxxxx and Fortune exercise their call rights
or
their call rights expire.
Subject
to the above restrictions, any closing on a sale of any or all of the shares
of
Common Stock to Fortune and Xxxxxxx shall occur within ninety (90) days of
a
party’s receipt of written notice from another party requesting exercise of his
put or call option. The number of shares of Common Stock and Contingent Stock
and the put/call 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
the Effective Date, the Company must have a net worth (total assets minus total
liabilities determined in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles) of at least one hundred, forty nine thousand dollars
($149,000.00). If the Company does not have this minimum 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
$4.25 per share for the purpose of determining the number of shares to cancel
and reissue. For example, if the actual net worth was $129,000.00, the
certificates representing 258,824 shares would be cancelled and new certificates
representing 254,118 shares would be reissued.
3
The
Buyer
shall cause its outside accountant to audit the Company’s books and records as
soon as reasonably possible following closing. As part of the audit, the outside
accountants will calculate the Company’s net worth as of the Effective Date 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
Company’s 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.
SECTION
2.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES REGARDING
SELLERS.
|
Each
of
the 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 creditor's
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 creditor's 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.
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.
4
2.3 Ownership
of the Units.
The
Sellers hold of record and own beneficially the Units set forth next to his
or
its name in Schedule
3.3
and the
listed Units represent the entire ownership of the Company. Each Seller has
the
right and power to transfer and assign his or its Units, 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 membership unit
of the Company (other than this Agreement). Each Seller has the exclusive right,
power and authority to vote the Units owned by that Seller and no Seller is
a
party to any voting trust, proxy, or other agreement or understanding with
respect to voting of any membership unit of the Company. The Sellers are the
only Unit holders of the Company, and will remain and continue to be the only
membership unit holders through the Closing Date and will not sell, pledge
or
otherwise transfer or assign any of their Units prior to the Closing
Date.
2.4 Brokers.
No
person acting on behalf of any of the Sellers or the Company or under the
authority of any of the Sellers or the Company except for Xxxxx Capital
Solutions is or will be entitled to any brokers' fee, finders' fee, consulting
fee or any other commission or similar fee, directly or indirectly, from the
Company 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.
2.5 Full
Disclosure.
All
documents and other papers (or copies thereof) delivered by or on behalf of
the
Sellers in connection with the transactions contemplated by 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
FDI
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.
(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.
5
(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.
(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.
6
SECTION
3.
|
Representations
and Warranties Regarding the Company
|
Each
of
the Sellers hereby jointly and severally represents and warrants to the Buyer
as
follows:
3.1 Organization
and Good Standing.
The
Company is a limited liability company duly organized and validly existing
under
the laws of the State of Arizona and has 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 Company is duly qualified
to do business and is in good standing (if and to the extent the concept of
good
standing is recognized) under the laws of the State of Arizona.
3.2 No
Conflicts.
(a) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and any other documents
required to be executed and delivered by the Company at or prior to Closing
(the
“Company 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 Organization or Operating Agreement (or other
organizational documents) of the Company or any law binding upon the Company,
if
the violation of such law would have a material negative effect on the
Company;
(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 Company 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 Company
or
any of its 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 Units, upon or with
respect to the Company or any of the Company's assets.
(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 Company in connection
with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Company
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 Company as a result of
entering into this Agreement, and upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, the Company will be entitled to continue to
use
all of the assets and properties now used by it in the same manner such assets
and properties were used prior to Closing.
7
(c) There
are
no judicial, administrative or other governmental actions, proceedings or
investigations pending or, to the actual knowledge of any of the Sellers,
threatened that question any of the transactions contemplated by, or the
validity of, this Agreement or any of the Company Transaction Documents or
which, if adversely determined, would materially interfere with the Company's
ability to enter into or perform its obligations under this Agreement or any
of
the Company Transaction Documents. The Company has 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 membership
units
and other securities of the Company. No person has any preemptive or other
right
with respect to any such equity interests 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 equity interests or other securities of the
Company (including, without limitation, the Units) or obligating the Company
or
any other person to purchase or redeem any such equity interests or other
securities. The Units constitute all of the issued and outstanding membership
units of the Company 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 Company is and has been conducted solely by and through the
Company and by and through no other person or entity. The Company does not
directly or indirectly own, control or have any investment or other interest
in
any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business trust or other
entity.
3.5 Compliance
with Laws.
The
Company is in compliance with all applicable domestic and foreign laws, and
neither the Company 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.
All federal, foreign, 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 Company
or
by any other party thereto. The Company has not received any notice of any
claim
or charge that the Company is in violation of or in default under any such
Authorization. No proceeding is pending or, to the actual knowledge of any
of
the Sellers, threatened by any person to revoke or deny the renewal of any
Authorization of the Company or the Sellers. The Company 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.
3.6 Litigation.
There
are no claims, actions, suits, proceedings (arbitration or otherwise) or
investigations involving or, to the knowledge of the Sellers, affecting the
Company 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 Company.
To the knowledge of 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 Company or its business,
properties or assets.
8
3.7 Financial
Statements.
Schedule
3.7
contains
the financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2006 (the
“Company Financial Statements"). The Company Financial Statements accurately
and
fairly present the financial condition and results of the operations of the
Company 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 Company will not have any liability or obligation
of
any nature that is not reflected in the Company 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.
To the
best of the Sellers’ knowledge, the Company has no liabilities of any nature,
whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, asserted or unasserted,
known or unknown (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:
(a) Insurance
policy (including policies providing property, casualty, liability and workers’
compensation coverage and bond and surety arrangements) maintained by the
Company with respect to its properties, assets and businesses, and each such
policy is in full force and effect as of the Closing. The Company is not in
default with respect to its obligations under any insurance policy maintained
by
it, and the Company has not been denied insurance coverage. To each of Sellers’
knowledge after reasonable investigation, the insurance coverage of the Company
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 policy issued to the Company recognized that the Company is a professional
employer organization and not a temporary staffing agency. The Company has
notified each insurer concerning the transaction described herein and each
insurer has agreed that it 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 Company is
a
party remains in full force and effect as of Closing. The Company is not in
default with respect to its obligations under any self-insurance, retention,
or
co-insurance program. The Company’s reserves, or segregated or escrowed accounts
(including, but not limited to, those relating to the Company’s 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 actuarially sound, exceed conservative
benchmarks and are adequate for their intended purposes.
9
3.10
Permits,
Consents.
(a) Schedule
3.10(a)
attached
hereto and made a part hereof lists all material permits, registrations,
licenses, franchises, authorizations, certifications and other approvals
(collectively, the “Approvals”) that are necessary for the conduct of the
Business. The Company has obtained all such Approvals, which are valid and
in
full force and effect and is 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 Company’s continuation of the Business.
3.11
Collectibility
of Accounts Receivable.
All of
the accounts receivable of the Company 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 Company has no accounts or loans receivable from any
person, firm or corporation which is affiliated with the Company or from any
director, officer or employee of the Company, or from any of their respective
spouses or family members (excluding travel advances).
3.12 Directors
and Officers.
All
agreements with its managers, directors and officers are terminable at will
by
the Company 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 Company on the
one
hand and any of the Sellers or any present or former director, shareholder
or
officer of the Company or any member of the immediate family of or any person
or
entity controlling or controlled by any of such persons (a "Related Party").
All
agreements and arrangements between the Company and all Related Parties are
terminable by the Company upon written notice, without payment of penalty or
premium of any kind. None of the Sellers has any claim or right against the
Company.
3.14
Company
Books.
The
copies of the Articles of Organization of the Company, as certified by the
Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization, and of its Operating
Agreement (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 membership
records of the Company fairly and accurately reflect the record ownership of
all
of its outstanding membership interests/Units. The minute books of the Company
contain materially complete and accurate records of all meetings held of, and
corporate action taken by, the members, the board of directors and each
committee of the board of directors of the Company. All such minute books and
membership records have been delivered to the Buyer.
10
3.15
Taxes.
The
Company has filed, or caused to be filed (on behalf of itself and all of its
clients (to the extent required by any contract between the Company and its
client)), all United States Federal tax returns and all other tax returns
required to be filed and has paid all taxes due pursuant to said returns or
pursuant to any assessment against the Company (or its client, as applicable),
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 for the benefit of any present
or
former employees of the Company (including, but not limited to, the employees
of
each of the Company’s clients or customers) or to which the Company has
contributed or is or was within the last three years obligated to make
payments.
(b)
To
the
best of Sellers’ knowledge, 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 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
Company has made or provided for all contributions required under the terms
of
such Plans;
(iii)
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)
there
are
and during the past three years there have been no inquiries, proceedings,
claims or suits pending or, to each of 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;
11
(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) 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
Company does 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.
(d) With
respect to each Employee Benefit Plan maintained by the Company, 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.
(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.
(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
Company 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.
12
(j)
The
Company has not improperly classified any employees as leased employees or
independent contractors under federal or state law.
(k) The
Company has 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, the Company has 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),
(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 Company December Balance Sheet. None of the Plans has any
unfunded liabilities which are not reflected on the Company December Balance
Sheet.
3.17
Material
Agreements.
The
Company is 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 Company. The Company is 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 Company 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 Company has good title,
free and clear of all liens other than Permitted Liens, to all of its respective
assets.
3.19
Intellectual
Property.
(a) Except
as
otherwise disclosed on Schedule
3.19(a),
the
Company has 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, company names (including, but not limited to “Checkmate”) and
logos (collectively, "Intellectual Property") used in the Business as presently
conducted. Prior to closing, the Company shall pay the license or franchise
fee,
execute any documents and take any other actions that are necessary to ensure
that the Company has the fully paid-up right to use the name “Checkmate” during
the period March 1, 2007 to February 28, 2008. Schedule
3.19(a)
contains
a correct and complete list of the Company's United States and foreign patent,
trademarks and copyrights, both registered and pending.
13
(b) All
licenses or other agreements under which the Company is 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) To
the
best of Sellers’ knowledge, the Company's use of any Intellectual Property does
not infringe in any material respect on any rights of any other person and
the
Company is 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 Company.
3.20
Real
Property.
Schedule
3.20
describes each interest in real property owned or leased by the Company,
including the location and a brief description thereof. The Company owns 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 Company of the real property leased by the Company and all improvements
thereon and the conduct of the Company’s business thereon have been duly
obtained, are in full force and effect and no proceedings are pending or, to
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
Company’s fixed asset depreciation schedule, which schedule accurately
represents the fixed assets owned by the Company.
(b) A
list of
all assets leased by the Company which list accurately represents the assets
leased by the Company.
(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
Company to any person (including Sellers and any director, officer, employee
or
shareholder of the Company).
(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 Company.
14
(e) Each
outstanding power-of-attorney or similar power granted by the Company 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 Company, 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 Company.
(h) Each
bank
or other financial institution in which the Company has 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.
3.22
Contracts.
Attached as Schedule
3.22
is a
copy of each material contract, agreement and commitment to which the Company
is
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 Company and, to the knowledge of each of 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 Company
has
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 Company or, to the
knowledge of each of 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
Company 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 Company provides
its primary services and benefits (“Professional Services Agreement”); and (e)
with respect to the Professional Services Agreements with clients of the
Company,
(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
Company;
(ii) the
Company does not have any present expectation or intention of not fully
performing all obligations under its Professional Services Agreements;
and
(iii) the
Company has 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 Company, and with respect to any employee
physically located at a client of the Company (“Worksite Employees”), to the
best of each of Sellers’ knowledge there is not:
15
(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 Company or any of its clients
for recognition;
(c) any
pending or threatened union organizing efforts that might impose collective
bargaining obligations on the Company 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 Company or threatened, relating
to an
alleged violation or breach by the Company of any law, regulation or
contract;
(f)
any
employee of the Company or of any client having committed any act or omission
giving rise to liability against the Company.
(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;
(h) any
oral
or written notice, report or information regarding any liabilities (whether
accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise) or any corrective,
investigatory or remedial obligations arising under environmental or safety
requirements for Worksite Employees, including, but not limited
to:.
(i)
any
underground storage tanks or surface impoundments;
(ii) any
asbestos-containing materials in any form or condition;
(iii) any
materials or equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls; or
(iv) any
hazardous substance located at any client site or to which any Worksite Employee
is or has been exposed.
3.24 Liability.
To the
best of Sellers’ knowledge, there is no liability or obligation of the Company
(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 Company on or prior to the Closing Date.
16
3.25 Material
Adverse Change.
Except
as described on Schedule
3.25,
since
September 30, 2006, the Company has carried on its business only in the ordinary
course consistent with past practice and there has been no:
(a) declaration
or payment of any dividend or other distribution or payment in respect of the
membership interests/units of Company or any repurchase or redemption of any
such membership interests/units;
(b) payment
by Company of any bonus or increase of any compensation payable to any member,
director, officer or employee or entry into (or amendment of) any written
employment, severance or similar agreement with any member, 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 Company
whether or not covered by insurance;
(e) the
sale,
assignment, conveyance, lease, or other disposition of any asset or property
of
Company or mortgage, pledge, or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance
on
any asset or property of Company;
(f) incurrence
or repayment of any liability or obligation (whether absolute or contingent)
to
any officer, director or member of Company 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 Company or in the manner of
conducting the same or entry by Company into any material transaction, other
than in the ordinary course of business;
(i)
any
change in the accounting methods, principles or practices followed by Company
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 Company.
3.26
Accuracy
of Information.
No
representation or warranty by the Sellers contained in this Agreement or in
a
Schedule attached hereto contains any material misstatement of fact or omits
to
state a material fact or any material fact necessary to make the statements
contained therein not misleading.
17
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
(iii) violate
any resolution adopted by the board of directors or stockholders of the
Buyer.
18
(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.
SECTION
5.
|
CLOSING.
|
5.1 Time
and Place of Closing.
The
closing of this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place on or before February
13, 2007, at
the
offices of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Vornehm, LLP, 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000, commencing at 10:00 a.m. local time or at such
other date, time or place as may be agreed to by the Buyer and the Sellers
(the
"Closing Date"). The Closing shall be effective on the Effective Date except
as
otherwise specified in this Agreement.
19
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 Units, 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, manager and officer of
the
Company, other than those specified in writing by Buyer.
(iii) the
Company's Articles of Organization certified as of a recent date by the
Secretary of State of Arizona and by the Secretary of the Company, and the
Company's Operating Agreement (or similar document in foreign jurisdictions)
certified by the Sellers, each including any and all amendments to date;
(iv) a
Certificate of Existence (or similar document in Arizona) of a recent date
for
the Company, certified by the appropriate governmental agency;
(v) the
original minute books and membership Unit transfer and record books of the
Company as they exist on the Closing and such of its files, books and records
as
the Buyer may reasonably request;
(vi) a
counterpart, duly executed by each of the Sellers, of the Employment Agreements
between the Company and each of the Sellers, in substantially the form of that
attached hereto as Exhibit
A;
(vii)
a
counterpart, duly executed by Venture Investment Properties, LLC of a lease
between the Company and Venture Investment Properties, LLC, in substantially
the
form of that attached hereto as Exhibit
B;
and
(viii)
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 One Million,
One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,100,000.00) in the amounts and to the accounts
specified by the Sellers in the Closing Memorandum;
(ii) stock
certificates representing the Common Stock and the Contingent Stock (to be
issued within fifteen (15) days of the Closing Date);
(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;
20
(iv) a
counterpart, duly executed by the Company, of the Employment Agreements between
the Company and each of the Sellers, in substantially the form of that attached
hereto as Exhibit
A;
(v) a
counterpart, duly executed by the Company, of the lease between the Company
and
Venture Investment Properties, LLC, in substantially the form of that attached
hereto as Exhibit
B;
and
(vi) 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, any of its Affiliates
or the Company (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.
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.
21
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 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
Company's customers who were serviced by any of the Sellers, solicited by any
of
the Sellers or who became customers of the Company 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 Company's customers who were customers,
or
had an ongoing business relationship with the Company, 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 Company's customers
who were customers, or had an ongoing business relationship with the Company,
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 Company;
(d) perform
any Restricted Products or Services for any of the Company’s customers who were
customers, or had an ongoing business relationship with the Company 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 Company’s employees, for the
purpose of inducing them to terminate their employment with the Company;
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 Company 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
the following geographic area: The City of Tucson, Arizona and the area within
one hundred and fifty (150) miles of Tucson, Arizona.
"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 Company during the three (3) year period preceding the Closing
Date.
22
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein shall prohibit Sellers, or
any
individual Seller, from establishing and operating a payroll service during
the
period commencing on the date of termination of such Seller’s Employment
Agreement so long as the payroll service is not offered (i) by, through or
on
behalf of a Professional Employer Organization; (ii) to any of the Company’s
customers, who were customers, or had an ongoing business relationship with
the
Company, at any time during the three (3) year period proceeding the date of
termination of such Seller’s Employment Agreement; or (iii) by, through or on
behalf of a group or entity in which Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxx is an owner, investor, employee, officer, director, manager, trustee,
agent or in any other capacity whatsoever.
For
purposes of this Agreement, “Professional Employer Organization” means any
business in any entity or individual form which offers as part of its products
or services temporary staffing, co-employment, or leasing of
employees.
The
Buyer
and each of the Sellers agree that due to the nature of the Company’s business
and the scope of its operations, and due to the nature of each of the Sellers’
position within the Company and his access to and knowledge of Confidential
Information of the Company, and in further consideration of the Buyer’s, and the
Company’s 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 Company, 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 Company, 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 Company.
Each
of the Sellers acknowledges and agrees that the Buyer and the Company have
a
need to protect, through the above restrictions, each of the foregoing
interests, the Company’s 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, or Buyer against Sellers, or any of them, whether
predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to
the
enforcement of these covenants or this Agreement by the Buyer or
Seller(s);
(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;
23
(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 Sellers.
Each of
the 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: (a) 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; or (b) any breach
or nonfulfillment of any covenant or obligation of any of the Sellers contained
in this Agreement or a Schedule attached hereto.
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.
24
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.
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 Company with respect
to
any matter occurring prior to or on the Effective Date, including, without
limitation, any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty of
the
Company made in or pursuant to this Agreement, or any breach or nonfulfillment
of any covenant or obligation of the Company contained in this Agreement, and
the Sellers hereby irrevocably release the Company from any liability for any
such claim.
(d) Buyer
and
Company shall have no rights, hereunder or otherwise, to indemnification or
contribution from Sellers, or any of them, with respect to any matter occurring
after the Effective Date, from any source, including, Third Party Claims,
arising from Company’s and or Buyer’s (or any assignee thereof) operation of the
Business after the Effective Date (unless such matter is caused by the gross
negligence or wilful misconduct of such Seller).
25
(e) 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 the Effective Date), 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.
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.
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 Company 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 Company prior to Closing shall be paid by the Sellers and not by the
Company.
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:
|
Xxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
0000
X. Xx. Xxxxxxx Xx.
|
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
26
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
|
Law
Offices of Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, P.C.
|
0000
X. Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X-0
|
Xxxxxx,
XX 00000
|
To
the Buyer:
|
Fortune
Industries, Inc.
|
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.
27
10.6 Arbitration.
(a) All
disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Company 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
Indianapolis, Indiana 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 arbitrator 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 Company 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. Nothing contained herein or in the
Company 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.
28
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 Units
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 Units, 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 Company. Each reference
to
“knowledge” made in this Agreement shall refer to the actual knowledge of the
officers, directors and managers 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.
10.15
Certain
Obligations and Rights Hereunder Are Independent.
Buyer,
Fortune and Xxxxxxx recognize and agree that because Sellers are three (3)
individuals, to wit, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx ( each an "Individual Seller"), that certain obligations and rights due
to
and from each Individual Seller hereunder are independent of those owed to
or
from any other Individual Seller, and that therefore any alleged failure of
any
Individual Seller to perform any obligation in Sections 6, 7 or 8.4(d) of this
Agreement, or in his/her Employment Agreement, shall not affect the
obligation(s) of Buyer, Fortune and or Xxxxxxx under this or any other
agreement, owed to any non breaching Individual Seller(s). Similarly, in the
event of any breach of Sections 6, 7 or 8.4(d) of this Agreement by any
Individual Seller(s), the non breaching Individual Seller(s) shall have no
indemnification obligations to Buyer or Company.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
29
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this Agreement,
under seal, all as of the date first above written.
FORTUNE
INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:
|
||
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
||
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxx
|
||
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
|
SIGNATURE
PAGE FOR UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG FORTUNE INDUSTRIES, INC., XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX, XXXX X. XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXX AND
XXXXXXXXX XXXXX.
30