AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BY AND AMONG CHARLESTON BASICS, INC., PANELTECH PRODUCTS, INC. AND PANELTECH INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C. DECEMBER 23, 2009
Exhibit 2.1
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY
AND AMONG
CHARLESTON
BASICS, INC.,
PANELTECH
PRODUCTS, INC.
AND
PANELTECH
INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.
DECEMBER
23, 2009
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
MERGER (this “Agreement”)
is made and entered into as of December 23, 2009, by and among CHARLESTON
BASICS, INC, a Delaware corporation (“Pubco”),
PANELTECH PRODUCTS, INC., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Pubco (the “Merger
Sub”), and PANELTECH INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C. a Washington limited liability
company (the “Company”). Pubco,
Merger Sub and the Company each, individually, a “Party” or,
collectively, the “Parties.”
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to
set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which Pubco shall combine with
the Company pursuant to a merger (the “Merger”)
in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”),
the Washington Limited Liability Company Act (the “Washington LLC
Act”) and the terms of this Agreement whereby the Company will merge with
and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving corporation in
the Merger and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pubco (the “Surviving
Corporation”);
WHEREAS, is intended that the
Merger qualify, for federal income tax purposes, as a reverse triangular merger
under Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Code (as defined below);
WHEREAS, the respective boards
of directors of Pubco, Merger Sub and the Company have approved the Parties’
entry into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, this Agreement, the
Merger and the other matters contemplated hereby have been approved by the sole
stockholder of Merger Sub and Members (as defined below) of the Company, as
required pursuant to the requirements of the DGCL, the Washington LLC Act and
the Operating Agreement (as defined below); and
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties, agreements
and covenants herein contained, and for good and other valuable consideration,
the receipt and legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:
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ARTICLE
I
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
The
following terms, undefined in the text of this Agreement, shall have the
following meanings:
“Affiliate”
shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other Person, directly or
indirectly, controlling, controlled by or under common control with such
Person. For purposes of this definition a Person is deemed to
“control” an Entity if such Person, directly or indirectly, (i) has the
power to direct the management or policies of such Entity; or (ii) owns,
beneficially or of record (a) an amount of voting securities or other
interests in such Entity that is sufficient to enable such Person to elect at
least a majority of the members of such Entity’s board of directors or other
governing body or (b) at least fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding
equity or financial interests of such Entity.
“Business
Day” shall mean means any day except Saturday, Sunday, any day which is a
federal legal holiday in the United States or any day on which banking
institutions in the State of New York are authorized or required by law or other
governmental action to close.
“Closing
Documents” shall mean documents, certificates or other instruments
delivered or to be delivered by or on behalf of the Company, the Merger Sub and
Pubco at the Closing pursuant to Article V, the
Schedules and Exhibits of this Agreement.
“Code”
shall mean United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Commission”
shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Company
Contract” shall mean any agreement, contract, obligation, arrangement or
understanding, whether oral or written, including any amendment, supplement,
restatement, renewal or replacement thereto: (i) to which the Company is a
party; (ii) by which the Company or any of its assets is or may become bound or
under which the Company has, or may become subject to, any obligation; or (iii)
under which the Company has or may acquire any right or interest.
“Consent” shall mean any approval,
consent, ratification, permission, waiver or authorization of any third party
(including any Governmental Body).
“Employee Benefit
Plan” shall mean any “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA, any “employee welfare benefit plan” (as defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA), and any other written or oral plan, agreement or
arrangement involving direct or indirect compensation, including, without
limitation, insurance coverage, severance benefits, disability benefits,
deferred compensation, bonuses, options, or other forms of incentive
compensation or post-retirement compensation.
“Entity”
shall mean any corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, company (including any limited
liability company or joint stock company), firm or other enterprise,
association, organization or entity.
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“ERISA”
shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“ERISA
Affiliate” shall mean any Entity which is a member of (i) a controlled
group of corporations (as defined in Section 414(b) of the Code), (ii) a group
of trades or businesses under common control (as defined in Section 414(c) of
the Code), or (iii) an affiliated service group (as defined under Section 414(m)
of the Code or the regulations under Section 414(o) of the Code), any of which
includes the Company.
“Exchange
Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
“GAAP” shall
mean generally accepted accounting principles applicable in the United States of
America.
“Governmental
Body” shall
mean any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county,
municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) federal,
state, local, municipal, foreign, supranational or other government (including
the European Union); or (iii) governmental, self-regulatory or
quasi-governmental authority of any nature, including any governmental division,
department, agency, commission, instrumentality, official, organization, unit,
body or Entity and any court or other tribunal.
“including”,
“include”,
“includes”,
shall be construed as if followed by the phrase “without
limitation”.
“Intellectual
Property” shall mean all intellectual property owned or used in the
conduct of the business of any Party, as it is currently conducted, including,
but not limited to, (i) all United States and foreign patents (both issued and
applied for) listed on the Company Disclosure Schedule or Pubco Disclosure
Schedule, as applicable, (ii) all trademarks, trade names, service marks,
copyrights, and all applications for such trademarks, trade names, service marks
and copyrights, and all patent rights in each case listed on the Company
Disclosure Schedule or Pubco Disclosure Schedule, as applicable, and (iii) all
trade secrets, schematics, technology, know-how, computer software programs or
applications and tangible or intangible proprietary information or material, and
all Third Party Intellectual Property Rights including, without limitation,
issued United States and foreign patents, patent rights and patent applications
(excluding packaged commercially available licensed software programs sold to
the public) owned by or for which any Party has acquired the rights to use
whether by license or otherwise.
“Intellectual
Property Rights” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
3.11.
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“Knowledge”
shall mean, (a) when made with reference to the Company, the actual knowledge of
the executive officers of the Company, and (b) when made with reference to
Pubco, the actual knowledge of the executive officers of the Pubco.
“Legal
Proceeding” shall mean any ongoing or threatened action, suit,
litigation, arbitration, proceeding (including any civil, criminal,
administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), hearing, inquiry, audit,
examination or investigation commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or
before, or otherwise involving, any court or other Governmental Body or any
arbitrator or arbitration panel.
“Legal
Requirements” shall mean any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign,
international, multinational or other law, statute, constitution, principle of
common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, regulation, ruling
or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise
put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body.
“Liabilities”
shall mean any debt, obligation, duty or liability of any nature (including
unknown, undisclosed, unmatured, unaccrued, contingent, or indirect) regardless
of whether such debt, obligation, duty or liability would be required to be
disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP and regardless of
whether such debt, obligation, duty or liability is immediately due and
payable.
“Lien”
shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, charge, or
other lien (whether arising by contract or by operation of law), other than (i)
mechanic’s, materialmen’s, and similar liens, (ii) liens arising under worker’s
compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement, and similar
legislation, (iii) liens on goods in transit incurred pursuant to documentary
letters of credit, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business of
the Company and not material to the Company, and (iv) liens for current Taxes
that are being contested in good faith.
“Manager”
shall mean each individual appointed as a manager of the Company, as provided
for in Article IV of the Washington LLC Act, whether or not such position is
referred to as a manager or a director of the Company.
“Material Adverse
Effect” when used in connection with a Party means any change, event,
circumstance or effect whether or not such change, event, circumstance or effect
is caused by or arises in connection with a breach of a representation,
warranty, covenant or agreement of such Party in this Agreement that is or is
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to the business, assets (including
intangible assets), capitalization, financial condition, operations or results
of operations or employees of such Party taken as a whole with its subsidiaries,
except to the extent that any such change, event, circumstance or effect results
from (i) changes in general economic conditions, (ii) changes
affecting the industry generally in which such Party operates (provided that
such changes do not affect such Party in a substantially disproportionate
manner), or (iii) changes in the trading prices for such Party’s capital
stock.
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“Material
Contract” shall mean a contract, series of contracts or a commitment
requiring payments or other consideration by or from the Company in excess of
Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) during the term of the Contract.
“Members”
shall mean the holders of the Membership Interests immediately prior to the
Effective Time.
“Membership
Interests” shall mean all of the issued and outstanding membership
interests of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Merger
Shares” shall mean Pubco Common Stock issued to the Members in
consideration for the conversion of the Membership Interests as a result of the
Merger, pursuant to the provisions of Article II
hereafter.
“Merger Sub Common
Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of
Merger Sub.
“Operating
Agreement” shall mean the Company’s Amended and Restated Operating
Agreement, dated February 24, 1999, as amended.
“Order” shall mean any writ,
decree, permanent injunction, order or similar action used in a Legal
Proceeding.
“Permits”
shall mean all permits, licenses, registrations, certificates, Orders or
approvals received from any Governmental Body (including, without limitation,
those issued or required under applicable export laws or
regulations).
“Person”
shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited
liability company, limited liability partnership, trust or incorporated
organization.
“Private
Placement” shall mean a private placement offering pursuant to which
Pubco intends to raise a minimum of $1,500,000 and up to a maximum of
$3,000,000, pursuant to the sale of the Pubco Securities, and which the initial
closing of such offering is to be consummated immediately after the closing of
the Merger in accordance with the Securities Purchase Agreement. The
consummation of the Merger is one of the conditions to the initial closing of
the Private Placement.
“Private
Placement Documents” shall mean the Securities Purchase Agreement, along
with the Certificate of Designations, the Warrants, the Escrow Agreement, the
Management Lock-Up Agreements, and the Investor Rights Agreement (as each of
such terms are defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement and each of which is
attached as an exhibit to the Securities Purchase Agreement), as well any other
documents or agreements executed and/or delivered in connection with the
transactions contemplated under the Securities Purchase Agreement.
“Pubco Common
Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.0001 of
Pubco.
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“Pubco
Contract” shall mean any
agreement, contract, obligation, arrangement or understanding, whether oral or
written, including any amendment, supplement, restatement, renewal or
replacement thereto: (i) to which Pubco is a party; (ii) by which Pubco or any
of its assets is or may become bound or under which Pubco has, or may become
subject to, any obligation; or (iii) under which Pubco has or may acquire any
right or interest.
“Pubco
Securities” shall mean the Pubco Preferred Stock and the Warrants to be
issued in accordance with the terms of the Private Placement
Documents.
“Pubco Common
Stock” shall mean common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of
Pubco.
“Sarbanes–Oxley Act” shall
mean the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
“Securities
Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securities Laws”
shall mean the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act,
the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, each as amended, and the rules and regulations of
any Governmental Body promulgated thereunder.
"Securities
Purchase Agreement" shall mean that certain Securities Purchase
Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to be
entered into in connection with the Private Placement.
“Tax” or
“Taxes”
shall mean all taxes, charges, fees, levies or other similar assessments or
liabilities, including, without limitation, income, gross receipts, ad valorem,
premium, value-added, excise, real property, personal property, sales, use,
transfer, withholding, employment, payroll and franchise taxes imposed by the
United States of America or any state, local or foreign government, or any
agency thereof, or other political subdivision of the United States or any such
government, and any interest, fines, penalties, assessments or additions to tax
resulting from, attributable to or incurred in connection with any tax or any
contest or dispute thereof and any amounts of Taxes of another person that the
Company, Pubco, Merger Sub, or any subsidiary of any of the foregoing, as
applicable, is liable to pay by law or otherwise.
“Tax
Returns” shall mean all reports, returns, declarations, statements or
other information supplied or required to be supplied to a taxing authority in
connection with Taxes including, without limitation, any schedules, attachments
or amendments thereto.
“Third Party
Intellectual Property Rights” shall mean all material written licenses,
sublicenses and other agreements as to which the Company, Pubco or Merger Sub,
as applicable, is a party and pursuant to which any of them is authorized to use
any third party patents, patent rights, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets
or copyrights, including software which is used in
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such
Party’s business or which form a part of any existing product or service of such
Party, excluding commercially available licensed software programs sold to the
public.
“Transaction
Documents” shall mean this Agreement, including all schedules and
exhibits hereto, along with any and all other documents entered into by the
Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder.
ARTICLE
II
THE
TRANSACTION
2.1
The Merger.
Upon and subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall merge with and into Merger Sub
(such merger is referred to herein as the “Merger”)
at the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time (as such
term is defined in Section 2.2
hereafter), the separate corporate existence of the Company shall cease and
Merger Sub shall continue as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “Surviving
Corporation”). Following the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation shall be operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Pubco. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the
Effective Time, except as otherwise provided herein, all of the property,
rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall
vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the
Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the
Surviving Corporation.
2.2
Closing;
Effective Time.
The
closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”)
shall take place at the offices of Xxxxxxx LLP, 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite
2620, New York, New York,
or such other location mutually agreed upon by the Parties, concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement by the Parties, provided that such shall occur on or
prior to December 31, 2009 (the “Closing
Date”). Contemporaneously with the Closing, a properly
executed certificate of merger conforming to the requirements of the DGCL (the
“Delaware
Certificate of Merger”) shall be filed with the office of the Secretary
of State of Delaware and a properly executed articles of merger conforming to
the requirements of the Washington LLC Act (the “Washington
Articles of Merger”) also shall be filed with the office of the Secretary
of State of Washington. The Merger shall become effective only upon
the acceptance of the Delaware Certificate of Merger and the Washington Articles
of Merger by the Secretary of State of Delaware and the Secretary of State of
Washington, respectively (the “Effective
Time”). The Merger shall have the effects specified in this
Agreement, the Delaware Certificate of Merger, the Washington Articles of Merger
and the applicable provisions of the DGCL and the Washington LLC
Act.
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2.3 Corporate Structure of the Surviving
Corporation; Appointment of New Directors and Resignation of Existing Directors
and Officers of the Surviving Corporation.
Unless otherwise mutually determined by
the Parties hereto prior to the Effective Time: (i) the certificate of
incorporation of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation upon and after the
Effective Time, until hereafter amended pursuant to the DGCL and (ii) the bylaws
of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation upon and after the Effective Time. In addition,
upon the Closing of the Merger the officers and directors of Merger Sub shall become the
officers and directors of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective
Time, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.3
hereafter, the sole director of the Surviving Corporation shall appoint the
individuals set forth on Exhibit B attached as
new directors of the Surviving Corporation, to serve until such time as their
successors are duly elected and qualified, and the existing director immediately
thereafter shall resign as a director of the Surviving
Corporation. Furthermore, at the Effective Time, and in accordance
with the provisions of Section 6.3
hereafter, the sole officer of the Surviving Corporation also shall resign from
all positions held by him in the Surviving Corporation. The remaining
directors of the Surviving Corporation, in accordance with the provisions of
Section 6.3
hereafter, shall thereafter appoint the individuals listed on Exhibit B as the new
officers of the Surviving Corporation, to hold such offices also set forth on
Exhibit B until
such time as their successors are duly elected and qualified.
2.4
Consideration; Conversion of Membership Interests.
(a) As
a result of the Merger, Pubco shall issue to all of the Members an aggregate of
61,759,852 Merger Shares as determined pursuant to provisions of Section 2.4(b)
hereafter.
(b) At
the Effective Time and without any further action on the part of Pubco, the
Company, the Surviving Corporation or any other Person, each of the Membership
Interests outstanding, immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any
Membership Interests that are Dissenting Interests) shall be converted into the
right to receive approximately
4,597.53254 Merger Shares, subject to nominal rounding adjustments.
(c) Within
ten (10) days after the Closing Date, Pubco shall deliver to the Members in
connection with the Merger and in consideration for the conversion of the
Membership Interests, stock certificates representing the Merger Shares issued
in the names of such Members and in the amounts set forth in Schedule 2.4(c) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule (as such term is defined in Article III
hereafter).
(d) If
any of the stock certificates issuable with respect to the Merger Shares are to
be issued in the name of a person other than a Member of record of the Company,
it shall be a condition to the issuance of such Merger Shares that (A) the
request shall be in writing and properly documented (e.g., assigned,
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate transfer powers, (B) such transfer shall
otherwise be proper and in accordance with all applicable federal and state
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laws,
rules, regulations or Orders, and (C) the Person requesting such transfer shall
pay to Pubco any transfer or other taxes payable by reason of the foregoing or
establish to the satisfaction of Pubco that such taxes have been paid or are not
required to be paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of Pubco,
the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any of their Affiliates, subsidiaries,
directors, officers, agents or employees shall be liable to any Member for any Merger Shares
issued to such Member pursuant to this Section 2.4(d) that
are delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar laws.
(e) In
the event any certificate or other instrument representing Membership Interests
shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors of Pubco may,
in its sole discretion and as condition precedent to the issuance of the Merger
Shares in consideration therefor pursuant to this Agreement, require the owner
of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or other instrument representing
Membership Interests to submit to Pubco an affidavit stating that such
certificate or other instrument representing Membership Interests was lost,
stolen or destroyed and to give Pubco an indemnity in customary form against any
claim that may be made against Pubco with respect to the certificate or other
instrument representing Membership Interests alleged to have been lost, stolen
or destroyed.
2.5
Closing of Transfer Books.
At the Effective Time, each of the
Members shall cease to have any rights as a Member of the Company and shall not
have any rights as a stockholder or otherwise with respect to the Surviving
Corporation (except as set forth in this Agreement with respect to the Merger
Shares), and the transfer books of the Company shall be closed with respect to
all Membership Interests outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time. No further transfer of any such Membership Interests shall be
made on such transfer books after the Effective Time. If, after the
Effective Time, a valid certificate or other instrument previously representing
any Membership Interests is presented to Pubco, such certificate or other
instrument shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article
II.
2.6 Actions at the
Closing.
(a) The
Company shall deliver the following to Pubco at the
Closing: (i) certificates or any other instruments representing
the Membership Interests, accompanied by appropriate transfer powers duly
executed in blank or duly executed instruments of transfer and any other
documents that are necessary to transfer to Pubco good and valid title to the
Membership Interests free and clear of all liens; and (ii) the various
certificates, instruments and documents referred to in Section 6.2 to be
delivered by the Company. All certificates or other instruments
representing the Membership Interests surrendered to the Pubco shall be canceled
after such delivery. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.6, each
such certificate or other instrument representing Membership Interests (other
than any certificate or other instrument representing Dissenting Interests, as
defined below) shall be deemed, from and after the Effective Time, to represent
only the right to receive the applicable Merger Shares in accordance with this
Agreement.
(b) Pubco
shall deliver to the Company, at the Closing, the various certificates,
instruments and documents referred to in Section 6.2
hereafter. In addition, Pubco shall deliver to each Person entitled
to be issued Merger Shares, certificates representing the applicable number of
Merger Shares issuable to such Person in accordance with Section 2.4
hereof.
2.7
Effect on Membership Interests.
(a) At
the Effective Time, the Membership Interests shall, except for with respect to
any Dissenting Interests, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of any Party or the holder thereof, automatically be canceled and
extinguished and converted into the right to receive the Merger
Shares.
(b) At
the Effective Time, each Membership Interest issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for approximately
4,597.53254 (subject to nominal rounding adjustments) validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable shares of Pubco Common Stock.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no fractional shares of Pubco Common Stock shall be issued as
part of the Merger Shares. In lieu of issuance of any fractional
shares of Pubco Common Stock that would otherwise be issuable, such fractional
shares shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number.
(d) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no amounts shall be payable at or after the Effective Time with
respect to any Dissenting Interests or any Membership Interests with respect to
which dissenters’ rights have not terminated. In the case of
Dissenting Interests, payment shall be made in accordance with the
provisions of Section
2.11 hereafter. In the case of any Membership Interests with
respect to which dissenters’ rights have not terminated as of the Effective
Time, if such Membership Interests become Dissenting Interests, payment shall be
made in accordance with Section 2.11
hereafter and if, instead, the dissenters’ rights with respect to such
Membership Interests irrevocably terminate after the Effective Time, such
Membership Interests shall only entitle the holders thereof to receive the
applicable Merger Shares upon delivery of the certificate(s) or other
instrument(s) representing the applicable Membership Interests.
2.8Certificate Legends.
The
Merger Shares to be issued pursuant to this Article II shall not
have been registered and shall be characterized as “restricted securities” under
the federal securities laws, and under any applicable state securities
laws. As a result, the Merger Shares may be resold without
registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws
only in certain limited circumstances. Each certificate evidencing
Merger Shares to be issued pursuant to this Article II shall bear
the following legend:
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THESE
SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES
ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO
SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE
COMPANY.
2.9
Tax and Accounting
Consequences.
For
federal income tax purposes, the Merger is intended to constitute a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, and the Parties
shall report the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents
consistent with such intent and shall take no position in any Tax filing or
Legal Proceeding inconsistent therewith. The Parties to this
Agreement hereby adopt this Agreement as a “plan of reorganization” within the
meaning of Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the United States Treasury
Regulations. None of Pubco, Merger Sub or the Company has taken or
failed to take, and after the Effective Time, Pubco and the Surviving
Corporation shall not take or fail to take, any action which reasonably could be
expected to cause the Merger to fail to qualify as a reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
2.10
Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action.
If, at any time after the Effective
Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of
this Agreement and to vest the Surviving Corporation with full right, title and
possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of
the Company and Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation and the officers and
directors of the Company and Merger Sub are fully authorized in the name of
their respective corporations or otherwise to take, and will take, all such
lawful and necessary action, so long as such action is not inconsistent with
this Agreement.
2.10 Dissenters’ Rights.
Membership
Interests that have not been voted for approval of this Agreement and the Merger
contemplated hereunder, or consented thereto in writing, and with respect to
which a demand for payment of “fair value” (as such term is defined in Section
25.15.425 of the Washington LLC Act) for such Membership Interests have been
properly made in accordance
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with
Article XII of the Washington LLC Act (“Dissenting
Interests”) will not be converted into the right to receive the Merger
Shares otherwise payable with respect to such Membership Interests at or after
the Effective Time, but will be converted into the right to receive from the
Surviving Corporation such consideration as may be determined to be due with
respect to such Dissenting Interests pursuant to Article XII of the Washington
LLC Act and any other applicable laws of the state of Washington. If
a holder of Dissenting Interests (a “Dissenting
Interest Holder”) withdraws his or her demand for such payment and
appraisal or becomes ineligible for such payment and appraisal, then, as of the
Effective Time or the occurrence of such event of withdrawal or ineligibility,
whichever last occurs, such holder’s Dissenting Interests will cease to be
Dissenting Interests and will be converted into the right to receive, and will
be exchangeable for, the Merger Shares in accordance with Section 2.4 of this
Agreement. The Company will give Pubco and Merger Sub prompt notice
of any demand received by the Company from a Dissenting Interest Holder for
appraisal of such Dissenting Interest Holder’s Membership Interests, and Pubco
shall have the right to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with
respect to such demand. The Company agrees that, except with the
prior written consent of Pubco, or as required under the Washington LLC Act, it
will not voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer or
agree to settle, any such demand for appraisal. Each Dissenting
Interest Holder who, pursuant to the provisions of the Washington LLC Act,
becomes entitled to payment of the “fair value” of the Dissenting Interests will
receive payment therefor but only after the “fair value” has been determined
pursuant to such provisions. Any portion of the Merger Shares that
would otherwise have been payable with respect to Dissenting Interests if such
Membership Interests were not Dissenting Interests will be retained by
Pubco.
ARTICLE
III
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the Company
Disclosure Schedule attached to this Agreement (the “Company
Disclosure Schedule”), the Company hereby represents and warrants to
Pubco and Merger Sub as follows:
3.1 Organization,
Qualification and Corporate Power.
The
Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Washington. The Company
has all necessary power and authority: (i) to conduct its
business in the manner in which its business is currently being conducted; (ii)
to own and use its assets in the manner in which its assets are currently owned
and used; and (iii) to perform its obligations under all Company
Contracts. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Company, together with its predecessors, has not
conducted any business under or otherwise used, for any purpose or in any
jurisdiction, any fictitious name, assumed name, trade name or other name, other
than the name “Paneltech International, L.L.C.” The Company is not and has not
been required to be qualified, authorized, registered or licensed to do business
as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction other than any
11
jurisdictions
set forth in Schedule
3.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.1 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has no subsidiaries. Except
as otherwise set forth in Schedule 3.1 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not own any controlling interest
in any Entity and has never owned, beneficially or otherwise, any shares or
other securities of, or any direct or indirect equity or other financial
interest in, any Entity. The Company has not agreed and is not
obligated to make any future investment in or capital contribution to any
Entity. Neither the Company nor any of the Members of the Company has
ever approved, or commenced any Legal Proceeding or made any election, in either
case, contemplating the dissolution or liquidation of the Company’s business or
affairs.
3.2 Certificate
of Formation and Operating Agreement; Records.
The
Company has delivered to Pubco accurate and complete (through the date hereof)
copies of: (i) the Company’s certificate of formation including all
amendments thereto (hereinafter the “Company
Charter”); (ii) the Company’s Operating Agreement and all amendments
thereto (the “Operating
Agreement”); (iii) the records of the Members and Membership
Interests of the Company; and (iv) the minutes and other records of the
meetings and other proceedings (including any actions taken by written consent
or otherwise without a meeting) of the Members, the Managers of the Company and
any committees established by the Managers of the Company (the items described
in the foregoing clauses “(i)”, “(ii)”, “(iii)” and “(iv)” of this Section 3.2 being
collectively referred to herein as the “Company
Documents”). There have been no formal meetings held of, or
material corporate actions taken by, the Members of the Company, the Managers of
the Company or any committee that are not fully reflected in the Company
Documents. There has not been any violation of any of the Company
Documents, and at no time has the Company taken any action that is inconsistent
in any material respect with the Company Documents. The books of
account, membership interest records, minute books and other records of the
Company are accurate, up-to-date and complete in all material respects, and have
been maintained in accordance with prudent business practices.
3.3Capitalization.
(a) There
are currently
13,433.26 Membership Interests issued and
outstanding. Schedule 3.3(a) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all
Members of the Company, indicating the number of Membership Interests held by
each Member and their respective addresses. Each Membership Interest
represents an equity interest in the Company equal to approximately 0.0074% of
the total outstanding equity interests of the Company. All issued and
outstanding Membership Interests prior to the Effective Time have been duly
authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and
nonassessable. All of the outstanding Membership Interests of the
Company have been duly and validly issued in compliance with the Company
Documents and all applicable federal and state securities laws including,
without limitation, applicable exemptions from any requirements for registration
or qualification. The Membership Interests are free and clear of any liens,
pledges, encumbrances, charges, agreements adversely effecting title to such
Membership Interests or claims (other than those created by virtue of this
Agreement or by Pubco), and the certificates or other instruments evidencing the
ownership of such Membership Interests are in proper form for the enforcement of
the rights and limitations of rights pertaining to said Membership Interests
which are set forth in the Company Charter and the Operating
Agreement.
12
(b) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.3(b) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no: (i) outstanding subscriptions,
options, calls, warrants, rights or agreements (whether or not currently
exercisable) to acquire any Membership Interests of the Company; (ii)
outstanding notes, instruments or obligations that are or may become convertible
into or exchangeable for any Membership Interests of the Company; (iii) Company
Contracts (other than this Agreement) under which the Company is or may become
obligated to sell, transfer, exchange or issue any Membership Interests of the
Company; (iv) agreements, voting trusts, proxies or understandings with respect
to the voting, or registration under the Securities Act, or any Membership
Interests of the Company; or (v) conditions or circumstances that may give rise
to or provide a basis for the assertion of a claim by any Person to the effect
that such Person is entitled to acquire or receive any Membership Interests of
the Company.
3.4
Authorization of Transaction.
The
Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter into and to
perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents, and the execution,
delivery and performance by the Company of the Transaction Documents have been
duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company, its Managers
and its Members. Each of the Transaction Documents to which the
Company is a party constitutes the valid and binding obligation of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to: (i)
laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of
debtors; and (ii) rules of law governing specific performance, injunctive relief
and other equitable remedies.
3.5Noncontravention.
Neither
the execution, delivery or performance of the Transaction Documents, nor the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated thereby, will directly or
indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time): (i) result in a violation
of any of the provisions of the Company Documents; (ii) to the Company’s
Knowledge, result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Body or other
Person the right to challenge any of the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under any,
Legal Requirement or any Order to which the Company, or any of the assets owned,
used or controlled by the Company, is subject; or (iii) result in a
violation or breach of, or result in a default under, with or without notice or
lapse of time, any provision of any Material Contract of the Company, except for
any violations or breaches which may be caused by the Company’s failure to
secure a consent to assign such Company Contract; provided, however, that any
such violation or breach would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company or the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
13
3.6Financial
Statements.
The
audited financial statements of the Company for the years ended December 31,
2007 and 2008 and the unaudited interim financial statements for the nine (9)
month period ended September 30, 2009 (the “Balance Sheet
Date”) are attached hereto on Schedule 3.6 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule (the “Company Financial
Statements”), which Company Financial Statements are in final draft form
and have been prepared in connection with the Merger. Such financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, except as may be
otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except
that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by
GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the
Company as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash
flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements,
to normal year-end audit adjustments.
3.7Absence of Certain
Changes.
Since the
Balance Sheet Date, the Company has conducted its business as ordinarily
conducted consistent with past practice and there has not occurred any change,
event or condition (whether or not covered by insurance) that has resulted in,
or would reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.
3.8Undisclosed
Liabilities.
Except as
set forth in Schedule
3.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has no Liabilities
(whether known or unknown, whether absolute or contingent, whether liquidated or
unliquidated and whether due or to become due), except for (a) Liabilities
accrued, reflected, or reserved against in the Company Financial Statements, (b)
Liabilities which have arisen since the Balance Sheet Date, in the ordinary
course of business, (c) contractual or statutory Liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business, none of which are material in nature or exceed
$25,000, in the aggregate (d) Liabilities incurred in connection with the
negotiation of the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated
thereby and (e) Liabilities which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company.
3.9Tax
Matters.
All Tax
Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of the Company with any
Governmental Body before the Closing Date (the “Company
Returns”): (i) have been or will be filed on or before the
applicable due date (including any extensions of such due date); (ii) have
been, or will be when filed, accurately and completely prepared in all material
respects in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements; and (iii) have
been provided or made available to Pubco and Merger Sub. All Taxes
owed by the Company have been paid when due, whether or not such amounts are
shown on any Company Returns. The Company Financial Statements fully
accrue all actual and contingent Liabilities for unpaid Taxes with respect to
all periods through the date thereof and the Company has made adequate provision
for unpaid Taxes after that date in its books and records. No Company
Return is currently under examination or
14
audit by
any Governmental Body. No claim or Legal Proceeding is pending or has
been threatened against or with respect to the Company in respect of any
Tax. There are no unsatisfied Liabilities for Taxes, including
Liabilities for interest, additions to tax and penalties thereon and related
expenses, with respect to which any notice of deficiency or similar document has
been received by the Company (other than Liabilities for Taxes asserted under
any such notice of deficiency or similar document which are being contested in
good faith by the Company and with respect to which adequate reserves for
payment have been established). There are no Liens for Taxes upon any
of the assets of the Company except Liens for current Taxes not yet due and
payable.
3.10Assets; Equipment
and Real Property
(a) Schedule 3.10(a)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all
inventory, machinery, equipment, furniture, office equipment, raw materials,
vehicles and other material items of tangible personal property of every kind
owned by the Company and used in connection with its
business included on the most recent balance sheet at a
book value of more than $2,000 (the “Company Personal
Property”). The Company has good and marketable title to the
Company Personal Property, and the Company Personal Property is owned free and
clear of all Liens of every kind and nature. All of the Company
Personal Property and other tangible assets owned by or leased to the Company
are in good condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted.
(b) Schedule 3.10(b) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all real
property or interests in real property owned by the Company (the “Company Owned
Real Property”). The Company has good and marketable title to the Company
Owned Real Property and the Company Owned Real Property is owned free and clear
of all Liens of every kind and nature.
(c) Schedule 3.10(c) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all real
property or interests in real property leased by the Company (the “Company Leased
Real Property” and together with the Company Owned Real Property,
the
“Company Real Property”). The Company has delivered to Pubco and Merger
Sub accurate and complete copies of all leases and agreements pertaining to the
Company Leased Real Property. With respect to each lease and sublease
listed in Schedule
3.10(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except as set forth on
such Schedule
3.10(c):
(i) the
lease or sublease is legal, valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and
effect with respect to the Company and, to the Company’s Knowledge, is legal,
valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect with respect to each
other party thereto, and will continue to be so following the Closing in
accordance with the terms thereof as in effect prior to the Closing (in each
case except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally, and except that the
availability of equitable remedies, including specific performance, is subject
to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought);
15
(ii) the
Company is not in breach or default under any such lease or sublease and, to the
Company’s Knowledge, no other party to the lease or sublease is in breach or
default, and, no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time, would
constitute a breach or default or permit termination, modification, or
acceleration thereunder;
(iv) there
are no oral agreements or forbearance programs in effect as to the lease or
sublease;
(v) the
Company has not received any written notice of any dispute with regards to any
lease or sublease; and
(vi) the
Company has not assigned, transferred, conveyed, mortgaged, deeded in trust or
encumbered any interest in the leasehold or subleasehold.
(d) The
Company is not in violation of any zoning, building, safety or environmental
ordinance, regulation or requirement or other law or rule applicable to the
operation of the owned or leased assets (the violation of which would have a
Material Adverse Effect on its business), nor has the Company received any
written notice of violation with which it has not complied.
3.11Intellectual
Property.
Schedule 3.11 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule is a true and complete list of (i) all Intellectual
Property presently owned or held by the Company and (ii) any license agreements
under which Company has access to any confidential information used by the
Company in its business (such licenses and agreements, collectively, the “Intellectual
Property Rights”) necessary for the conduct of the Company’s business as
conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted by the
Company. The Company owns, or has the right to use, free and clear of
all Liens, all of the Intellectual Property and the Intellectual Property
Rights. There are no outstanding options, licenses or agreements of
any kind relating to the Intellectual Property and the Intellectual Property
Rights, nor is the Company bound by or a party to any options, licenses or
agreements of any kind with respect to any of the Intellectual Property, the
Intellectual Property Rights and the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade
names, copyrights, trade secrets, licenses, information and other proprietary
rights and processes of any other person or entity other than such licenses or
agreements arising from the purchase of “off the shelf” or standard
products. The Company has not received any communications alleging
that the Company has violated or, by conducting its business as conducted and as
currently proposed to be conducted by the Company, violates any Third Party
Intellectual Property Rights and to the Company’s Knowledge, the business as
conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted by the Company will not
cause the Company to infringe or violate any Third Party Intellectual Property
Rights. There is no defect in the title to any of the Intellectual
Property or, to the extent that the Company has title to Intellectual Property
Rights to any Intellectual Property Rights. To the Company’s
Knowledge, no officer, employee or Manager is obligated under any contract
(including any license, covenant or commitment of any nature) or other
agreement, or subject to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
administrative agency, that would conflict or interfere with the performance of
such person’s duties as an officer, employee or Manager of the
16
Company,
the use of such person’s best efforts to promote the interests of the Company or
the Company’s business as conducted or as currently proposed to be conducted by
the Company. No prior employer of any current or former employee of
the Company has any right, title or interest in the Intellectual Property and to
the Company’s Knowledge, no person or entity has any right, title or interest in
any Intellectual Property. It is not and will not be with respect to
the business as currently proposed to be conducted necessary for the Company to
use any inventions of any of its employees made prior to their employment by the
Company. Schedule 3.11 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the applicable exceptions and
qualifications to this Section
3.11.
3.12Contracts.
Schedule 3.12 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule identifies each Material Contract and provides an
accurate description of the terms of each Material Contract that is not in
written form. The Company has delivered to Pubco accurate and
complete copies of all written Material Contracts. Each Material
Contract is valid, binding and enforceable by the Company in accordance with its
terms subject to: (i) laws of general application relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (ii) rules of law governing specific
performance, injunctive relief and other equitable remedies. Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.12 to the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not violated or breached, or
committed any default under, any Material Contract, and, to the Company’s
Knowledge, no other Person has violated or breached, or committed any default
under, any Material Contract. Schedule 3.12 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule provides an accurate and complete list of all
Consents required under any Material Contract to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
3.13
Finder’s Fee.
Except as
set forth on Schedule
3.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no broker, finder or investment
banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in
connection with the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents based upon any arrangements or agreements made by or on
behalf of the Company.
3.14Insurance.
(a) Schedule 3.14(a) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule lists each insurance policy (including fire,
theft, casualty, general liability, director and officer, workers compensation,
business interruption, environmental, product liability and automobile insurance
policies and bond and surety arrangements) to which the Company is a party, a
named insured, or otherwise the beneficiary of coverage at any time within the
past year. Schedule 3.14(a) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule lists each person or entity required to be
listed as an additional insured under each such policy. Each such
policy is in full force and effect and by its terms and with the payment of the
requisite premiums thereon will continue to be in full force and effect
following the Closing.
17
(b) The
Company is not in breach or default, and does not anticipate being in breach or
default after Closing (including with respect to the payment of premiums or the
giving of notices) under any such policy, and no event has occurred which, with
notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a breach or default or permit
termination, modification or acceleration, under such policy; except for any
breach, default, event, termination, modification or acceleration that would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company; and the Company has not received
any written notice or to the Company’s Knowledge, oral notice, from the insurer
disclaiming coverage or reserving rights with respect to a particular claim or
such policy in general. The Company has not incurred any material
loss, damage, expense or liability covered by any such insurance policy for
which it has not properly asserted a claim under such policy.
3.15Litigation.
(a) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.15(a) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, there is no pending Legal Proceeding, and to
the Company’s Knowledge, no Person has threatened to commence any Legal
Proceeding, that (i) involves or affects the Company or any of the assets owned
or used by the Company, or (ii) that challenges the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. Except as set
forth on Schedule
3.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Legal Proceeding currently
exists that involves or affects the Company or the assets owned by the
Company. There is no Order in which the Company is named or to which
any of the assets of the Company is subject.
(b) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.15(b) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no material agreements or other
documents or instruments settling any Legal Proceeding.
3.16Legal Compliance;
Restrictions on Business Activities.
Except as
set forth in Schedule 3.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company is,
and has at all times been, in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements,
except to the extent that failure to comply would not be likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has never received any notice or other
communication from any Person regarding any actual or possible violation of, or
failure to comply with, any Legal Requirement. The Company has
obtained all material Permits, certificates and licenses required by any Legal
Requirement for the conduct of its business and the ownership of its
assets. The Company is not in violation of any such Permit,
certificate or license, and no Legal Proceedings are pending or, to the
Knowledge of the Company, threatened to revoke or limit any such Permit,
certificate or license.
3.17Employees.
(a) To
the Company’s Knowledge, no employee has any plans to terminate employment with
the Company within six months of the date hereof. The Company is not
a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, nor has it
experienced any material strikes, grievances, claims of unfair labor practices
or other collective bargaining disputes. The
18
Company
has no Knowledge of any organizational effort made or threatened, either
currently or within the past two years, by or on behalf of any labor union with
respect to employees of the Company. The Company is in compliance in
all material respects with all currently applicable laws and regulations
respecting wages, hours, occupational safety, or health, fair employment
practices, and discrimination in employment terms and conditions, and is not
engaged in any unfair labor practice except, in each case, where such practice
or failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. There are no pending claims against the Company under any
workers compensation plan or policy or for long term
disability. There are no proceedings pending or, to the Company’s
Knowledge, threatened, between the Company and its employees, which proceedings
have or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.
(b) Schedule 3.17 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule contains a list of employees whose employment has
been terminated by the Company in the ninety (90) days prior to Closing;
including the name, address, date and reason for such termination.
3.18Employee
Benefits.
(a) Schedule 3.18(a) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all
Employee Benefit Plans maintained, or contributed to, by the Company, or any
ERISA Affiliate. Complete and accurate copies of (i) all such
Employee Benefit Plans which have been reduced to writing, (ii) written
summaries of all such unwritten Employee Benefit Plans, (iii) all related
trust agreements, insurance contracts and summary plan descriptions and
(iv) all annual reports filed on IRS Form 5500, 5500C or 5500R for the last
three plan years (or such shorter period with respect to which the Company or
any ERISA Affiliate has an obligation file Form 5500) for each Employee Benefit
Plan, have been delivered or made available to Pubco. Each Employee
Benefit Plan has been administered in all material respects in accordance with
its terms and each of the Company, and the ERISA Affiliates has met its
obligations in all material respects with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan
and has made all required contributions thereto within the time frames as
prescribed by ERISA and the Code. The Company and all Employee
Benefit Plans are in material compliance with the currently applicable
provisions of ERISA and the Code and the regulations thereunder.
(b) To
the Company’s Knowledge, there are no investigations by any Governmental Body,
termination proceedings or other claims (except claims for benefits payable in
the normal operation of the Employee Benefit Plans and proceedings with respect
to qualified domestic relations orders), suits or proceedings against or
involving any Employee Benefit Plan or asserting any rights or claims to
benefits under any Employee Benefit Plan that could give rise to any material
liability.
(c) All
the Employee Benefit Plans that are intended to be qualified under Section
401(a) of the Code have received determination letters from the Internal Revenue
Service to the effect that such Employee Benefit Plans are qualified and the
plans and the trusts related thereto are exempt from federal income taxes under
Sections 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code, or the remedial amendment
period for requesting such determination has not yet expired,
19
no such
determination letter has been revoked and revocation has not been threatened,
and no such Employee Benefit Plan has been amended since the date of its most
recent determination letter or application therefor in any respect, and no act
or omission has occurred, that would adversely affect its
qualification.
(d) Neither
the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate has ever maintained an Employee Benefit Plan
subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA.
(e) At
no time has the Company or any ERISA Affiliate been obligated to contribute to
any “multi-employer plan” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA).
(f) There
are no unfunded obligations under any Employee Benefit Plan providing benefits
after termination of employment to any employee of the Company (or to any
beneficiary of any such employee), including but not limited to retiree health
coverage and deferred compensation, but excluding continuation of health
coverage required to be continued under Section 4980B of the Code and insurance
conversion privileges under federal or state law.
(g) No
act or omission has occurred and no condition exists with respect to any
Employee Benefit Plan maintained by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate that
would subject the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to any material fine, penalty,
tax or liability of any kind imposed under ERISA or the Code.
(h) No
Employee Benefit Plan is funded by, associated with, or related to a “voluntary
employee’s beneficiary association” within the meaning of Section 501(c)(9) of
the Code.
(i) No
Employee Benefit Plan, plan documentation or agreement, summary plan description
or other written communication distributed generally to employees by its terms
prohibits the Company from amending or terminating any such Employee Benefit
Plan.
(j) Schedule 3.18(j) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule discloses each: (i) agreement with any
Manager, Director, executive officer or other key employee of the Company (A)
the benefits of which are contingent, or the terms of which are altered, upon
the occurrence of a transaction involving the Company of the nature of any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (B) providing any term of
employment or compensation guarantee, or (C) providing severance benefits or
other benefits after the termination of employment of such Manager, executive
officer or key employee; (ii) agreement, plan or arrangement under which any
person may receive payments from the Company that may be subject to the tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or included in the determination of
such person’s “parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code; and (iii)
agreement or plan binding the Company, including, without limitation, any option
plan, equity appreciation right plan, restricted equity plan, equity purchase
plan, severance benefit plan, or any Employee Benefit Plan, any of the benefits
of which will be increased, or the vesting of the benefits of which will be
accelerated, by the occurrence of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the
basis of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
20
3.19
Permits.
Schedule 3.19 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a list of all material Permits issued to
or held by the Company. Such listed Permits are the only Permits that
are required for the Company to conduct its business as presently conducted,
except for those the absence of which would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company. Each such Permit is in full force and effect and to
the Company’s Knowledge, no suspension or cancellation of such Permit is
threatened and there is no basis for believing that such Permit will not be
renewable upon expiration. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.19 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, each such Permit will continue in full force and
effect following the Closing.
3.20Books and Records.
The minute books and other similar
records of the Company contain true and complete records of all material actions
taken at any meetings of the Managers or any committee thereof
and of all written consents executed in lieu of the holding of any such
meetings.
3.21Banking Relationships and
Investments.
Schedule 3.21 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth an accurate, correct and complete list of
all banks and financial institutions in which the Company has an account,
deposit, safe-deposit box or borrowing relationship, factoring arrangement or
other loan facility or relationship, including the names of all persons
authorized to draw on those accounts or deposits, or to borrow under loan
facilities, or to obtain access to such boxes. The Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth an accurate, correct and complete list of all certificates
of deposit, debt or equity securities and other investments owned, beneficially
or of record, by the Company (the “Investments”). The
Company has good and legal title to all Investments.
3.22 Environmental
Protection.
(a) Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.22
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, to the Company’s Knowledge no substances
that are defined by any Governmental Body of the United States of America
concerning the environment as toxic materials, hazardous wastes or hazardous
substances (including without limitation any asbestos, oils, petroleum-derived
compound or pesticides) (collectively, “Hazardous
Materials”) are or have been located in, on or about any of the Company’s
Leased Real Property in contravention of applicable Legal
Requirements.
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, to the Company’s Knowledge: (i) the Company’s
Leased Real Property has not been used for the storage, manufacture or disposal
of Hazardous Materials; (ii) the Company has not used, or provided permission to
others to use, its Leased Real Property for the storage, manufacture or disposal
of Hazardous Materials; (iii) there are and have been no storage tanks located
on any of the Company’s Leased Real Property; and (iv) no Hazardous Materials
have been transported off site from the Company’s leased real property, in
contravention of applicable Legal Requirements
21
3.23Dissenting
Interests.
No holder of Membership Interests who
has the right to dissent to the Merger and demand payment for such Membership
Interests has dissented and demanded payment for the “fair value” of such
Membership Interests in accordance with the Washington LLC Act in connection
with the Merger, including any such holder that subsequently has withdrawn,
failed to perfect or otherwise lost such holder’s right to such
payment.
3.24
Related Party
Transactions.
Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.24 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company Contracts do not include any agreement
with or any other commitment to (a) any officer or Manager of the Company; (b)
any individual related by blood or marriage to any such officer or Manager; (c)
any Entity in which the Company or any such officer, Manager or related person
has an equity or participating interest or (d) any other Affiliate of the
Company.
3.25 Officer and Manager
Information.
During
the past five (5) years, neither the Company, nor any of its officers or
Managers, nor any person intended upon consummation of the Merger to be
appointed by the Company to become an officer or director of the Surviving
Corporation or Pubco or any successor entity or subsidiary, has been the subject
of:
(a) a
petition under the federal bankruptcy laws or any other insolvency or moratorium
law or a petition seeking to appoint a receiver, fiscal agent or similar officer
for the business or property of the Company or such person, or any partnership
in which the Company or any such person was a general partner at or within two
(2) years before the time of such filing, or any corporation or business
association of which any such person was an executive officer at or within two
years before the time of such filing;
(b) a
conviction in a criminal proceeding or a named subject of a pending criminal
proceeding (excluding traffic violations which do not relate to driving while
intoxicated or driving under the influence of an intoxicating
substance);
(c) any
order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of
any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining the
Company or any such person from, or otherwise limiting, the following
activities:
(i) Acting
as a futures commission merchant, introducing broker, commodity trading advisor,
commodity pool operator, floor broker, leverage transaction merchant, any other
person regulated by the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission or an
associated person of any of the foregoing, or as an investment adviser,
underwriter, broker or dealer in securities, or as an affiliated person,
director or employee of any investment company, bank, savings and loan
association or insurance company, or engaging in or continuing any conduct or
practice in connection with such activity;
(ii) Engaging
in any type of business practice; or
22
(iii) Engaging
in any activity in connection with the purchase or sale of any security or
commodity or in connection with any violation of federal, state or other
securities laws or commodities laws;
(d) any
order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of
any federal, state or local authority barring, suspending or otherwise limiting
for more than 60 days the right of the Company or any such person to engage in
any activity described in the preceding sub-paragraph, or to be associated with
persons engaged in any such activity;
(e) a
finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the
Commission to have violated any securities law, regulation or decree and the
judgment in such civil action or finding by the Commission has not been
subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated; or
(f) a
finding by a court of competent jurisdiction in a civil action or by the United
States Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated any federal
commodities law, and the judgment in such civil action or finding has not been
subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated.
3.26Access to Information.
The Company has allowed Pubco and its
agents reasonable access to the files, books, records and offices of the
Company, including, without limitation, any and all information relating to the
Company’s taxes, commitments, contracts, leases, licenses, and real, personal
and intangible property and financial condition. The Company has
caused its accountants to cooperate with Pubco and its agents in making
available all financial information reasonably requested, including without
limitation the right to examine all working papers pertaining to the Company
Financial Statements.
3.27Disclosure.
The Company has not made any
representation, warranty, covenant or statement in this Agreement, or in any of
the schedules or exhibits attached to this Agreement, that contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made herein and therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
23
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PUBCO
AND
MERGER SUB
Each of Pubco and Merger Sub, jointly
and severally, represents and warrants to the Company that, as of the date
hereof, the statements contained in this Article IV are true
and correct, except as set forth in the schedule provided by Pubco and Merger
Sub to the Company and attached hereto (the “Pubco Disclosure
Schedule”) or in the SEC Reports (defined hereafter):
4.1Organization, Qualification and
Corporate Power.
Pubco is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware. Merger Sub is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware. Each of Pubco and Merger Sub has all necessary power and
authority: (i) to conduct its business in the manner in which
its business is currently being conducted and proposed to be conducted after the
Merger, as applicable; (ii) to own and use its assets in the manner in which its
assets are currently owned and used and as proposed after the Merger as
applicable; and (iii) to perform its obligations under all Pubco
Contracts. Except as set forth in SEC Reports, Pubco, together with
its predecessors, has not conducted any business under or otherwise used, for
any purpose or in any jurisdiction, any fictitious name, assumed name, trade
name or other name, other than the name “Charleston Basics, Inc.” Neither Pubco
nor Merger Sub is and has not been required to be qualified, authorized,
registered or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction other than any jurisdictions identified in the SEC
Reports. Except for Merger Sub and as otherwise set forth in the SEC
Reports, Pubco has no subsidiaries, does not own any controlling interest in any
Entity and has never owned, beneficially or otherwise, any shares or other
securities of, or any direct or indirect equity or other financial interest in,
any Entity. Except as set forth in the SEC Reports, neither Pubco nor
Merger Sub has agreed and is not obligated to make any future investment in or
capital contribution to any Entity.
4.2
Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws
Pubco
has delivered to the Company accurate and complete (through the date hereof)
copies of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws, including all amendments
thereto, of Pubco and (ii) the certificate of incorporation and bylaws,
including all amendments thereto, of Merger Sub (collectively, the “Pubco
Documents”). There has not been any violation of any of the
Pubco Documents, and at no time has Pubco taken any action that is inconsistent
in any material respect with the Pubco Documents. The books of
account, stock records, minute books and other records of Pubco and Merger Sub
are accurate, up-to-date and complete in all material respects, and have been
maintained in accordance with Legal Requirements and prudent business
practices.
24
4.3Capitalization.
(a) The
authorized capital stock of Pubco consists of: (i) 700,000,000 shares of Pubco
Common Stock, of which 6,543,720 shares are issued outstanding immediately prior
to the Closing Date; and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$0.0001 of which no shares are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Closing Date. The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of
10,000 shares of Merger Sub Common Stock, of which 1,000 shares are issued and
outstanding, all of which are owned by Pubco. All of the outstanding
shares of Pubco capital stock and Merger Sub capital stock have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable. All of the outstanding shares of Pubco capital stock
and Merger Sub capital stock have been issued in compliance with the Pubco
Documents and all applicable federal and state securities laws and other
applicable Legal Requirements and all requirements set forth in the applicable
Pubco Documents, and are owned, beneficially and of record, by those
stockholders set forth on the most recent stockholders list held by Pubco’s
transfer agent.
(b) Except as
set forth in the SEC Reports or the Transaction Documents, there are no, (i)
outstanding subscriptions, options, calls, warrants, rights or agreements
(whether or not currently exercisable) to acquire any shares of capital stock or
other securities of Pubco; (ii) outstanding securities, notes, instruments or
obligations that are or may become convertible into or exchangeable for any
shares of capital stock or other securities of Pubco; (iii) outstanding or
authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock or similar rights with respect to
the capital stock of Pubco; (iv) contracts (other than this Agreement) under
which the Pubco is or may become obligated to sell, transfer, exchange or issue
any shares of capital stock or any other securities; (v) agreements, voting
trusts, proxies or understandings with respect to the voting, or registration
under the Securities Act, of any shares of capital stock of Pubco; or (vi)
conditions or circumstances that may give rise to or provide a basis for the
assertion of a claim by any Person to the effect that such Person is entitled to
acquire or receive any shares of capital stock or other securities of
Pubco.
4.4 Authorization of
Transaction.
Each of
Pubco and Merger Sub has all necessary corporate power and authority to enter
into and to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents, and the
execution, delivery and performance by Pubco and Merger Sub of the Transaction
Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Pubco
and Merger Sub and their respective board of directors and Managers and, in the
case of Merger Sub, the sole stockholder, Pubco. For each of Pubco
and Merger Sub, the Transaction Documents to which each is a party constitutes
the legal, valid and binding obligation of it, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms, subject to: (i) laws of general application relating
to bankruptcy, insolvency and the relief of debtors; and (ii) rules of law
governing specific performance, injunctive relief and other equitable
remedies.
25
4.5Noncontravention.
Neither
the execution, delivery or performance of the Transaction Documents, nor the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated thereby, will directly or
indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time): (i) result in a violation
of any of the provisions of the Pubco Documents; (ii) to Pubco’s or Merger Sub’s
Knowledge, result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Body or other
Person the right to challenge any of the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under any,
Legal Requirement or any Order to which Pubco or Merger Sub, or any of the
assets owned, used or controlled by Pubco or Merger Sub, is subject; or
(iii) result in a violation or breach of, or result in a default under,
with or without notice or lapse of time, any provision of any material Pubco
Contract.
4.6 SEC Reports; Pubco Financial
Statements.
(a) Pubco has
filed all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, since
inception (the foregoing materials, together with all documents or reports filed
by the Company under the Exchange Act that were not required to be filed, being
collectively referred to herein as the “SEC
Reports” and, together with this Agreement and the Schedules to this
Agreement, the “Disclosure
Materials”). The SEC Reports filed since September 30,
2009, (i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other applicable Legal
Requirements and (ii) did not, at the time they were filed (or, if amended or
superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of
such amended or subsequent filing or, in the case of registration statements, at
the effective date thereof) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated in such SEC Reports or
necessary in order to make the statements in such SEC Reports, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Since September 30,
2009, Pubco’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have
made the certifications required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act and the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act thereunder with respect to
SEC Reports filed by Pubco under the Exchange Act (the “Exchange Act Reports”) to the
extent such rules or regulations applied at the time of the
filing. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “principal executive
officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the meanings given to such
terms in the Sarbanes–Oxley Act. Such certifications contain no
qualifications or exceptions to the matters certified therein and have not been
modified or withdrawn; and neither Pubco nor any of its officers has received
notice from any Governmental Body questioning or challenging the accuracy,
completeness, content, form or manner of filing or submission of such
certifications. Pubco is not a “Business Combination Shell Company” as such term
is defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
(b) The financial
statements of Pubco included in the SEC Reports (the “Pubco Financial
Statements”) comply in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect
thereto as in effect at the time of filing. The Pubco Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, except as may be
otherwise specified in the Pubco Financial Statements or the notes thereto, and
fairly
26
present
in all material respects the assets, liabilities, financial position and results
of operations of Pubco as of and for the dates thereof and the results of
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of
unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit
adjustments.
(c) Since
September 30, 2009, each of Pubco’s independent public accountants, which have
expressed their opinion with respect to the financial statements of Pubco
included in Pubco’s Exchange Act Reports (including the related notes), is and
have been throughout the periods covered by such Pubco Financial Statements,
registered public accounting firms with respect to Pubco within the meaning of
the Securities Laws and is registered with the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board. With respect to Pubco, to the best of Pubco’s
Knowledge, Pubco’s current independent public accountants are not and have not
been in violation of auditor independence requirements of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act
and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection
therewith. None of the non-audit services performed by Pubco’s
independent public accountants for Pubco were prohibited services under the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act.
(d) Since
September 30, 2009, Pubco has maintained disclosure controls and procedures
required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act; such controls
and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information concerning
Pubco is made known on a timely basis to the principal executive officer and the
principal financial officer.
4.7 Absence of Certain
Changes.
(a) Since the Balance
Sheet Date, Pubco has conducted its business as ordinarily conducted consistent
with past practice and there has not occurred any change, event or condition
(whether or not covered by insurance) that has resulted in, or would reasonably
be expected to result in any Material Adverse Effect on Pubco or Merger
Sub.
(b) Since the
Balance Sheet Date, except as contemplated by the Merger and the Private
Placement Documents, Pubco has not issued, transferred, sold, encumbered or
pledged the Pubco Common Stock, shares of or other securities (including
securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or options or rights to
acquire, shares of Pubco Common Stock or other securities) of
Pubco.
(d) Since the
Balance Sheet Date, except as contemplated by the Merger, Pubco has not entered
into or amended any (i) employment agreements or any other type of
employment arrangements, (ii) severance or change of control agreements or
arrangements, or (iii) deferred compensation agreements or
arrangements.
4.8 Undisclosed
Liabilities.
Except as
set forth in Schedule
4.7 of the Pubco Disclosure Schedule, neither Pubco nor Merger Sub has
any Liability (whether known or unknown, whether absolute or contingent, whether
liquidated or unliquidated and whether due or to become due), except for (a)
Liabilities
27
accrued,
reflected, reserved against in the Pubco Financial Statements, (b) Liabilities
which have arisen since the Balance Sheet Date, in the ordinary course of
business, (c) contractual or statutory Liabilities incurred in the ordinary
course of business, the aggregate when combined with those shown in the
Financial Statements shall not exceed $25,000, none of which are material
in nature and (d) Liabilities which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Pubco or Merger Sub.
4.9 Tax Matters
(a) All Tax
Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of Pubco with any Governmental Body
before the Closing Date (the “Pubco
Returns”): (i) have been or will be filed on or before the
applicable due date (including any extensions of such due date); (ii) have
been, or will be when filed, accurately and completely prepared in all material
respects in compliance with all applicable Legal Requirements; and (iii) have
been provided or made available to the Company. All Taxes owed by
Pubco have been paid when due, whether or not such amounts are shown on any
Pubco Returns. The Pubco Financial Statements fully accrue all actual
and contingent Liabilities for unpaid Taxes with respect to all periods through
the date thereof and Pubco has made adequate provision for unpaid Taxes after
that date in its books and records. No Pubco Return is currently
under examination or audit by any Governmental Body. No claim or
Legal Proceeding is pending or has been threatened against or with respect to
Pubco in respect of any Tax. There are no unsatisfied Liabilities for
Taxes, including Liabilities for interest, additions to tax and penalties
thereon and related expenses, with respect to which any notice of deficiency or
similar document has been received by Pubco (other than Liabilities for Taxes
asserted under any such notice of deficiency or similar document which are being
contested in good faith by Pubco and with respect to which adequate reserves for
payment have been established). There are no Liens for Taxes upon any
of the assets of Pubco except Liens for current Taxes not yet due and
payable.
(b) Merger Sub is
a newly-formed corporation and does not (nor has it ever had) more than
nominal assets.
4.10 Assets; Equipment and Real
Property
Pubco currently does not own or lease
any real property. Except for approximately $50,000 in assets
consisting of inventory receivables and cash, Pubco does not currently have any
other assets. Merger Sub is a newly-formed corporation and does not (nor has it
ever had) more than nominal assets nor has it ever owned or leased any real
property.
4.11 Intellectual
Property.
Pubco does not currently own or have
rights to any Intellectual Property other than the name “Charleston Basics” and
certain trademarks and other Intellectual Property related to its business.
Merger Sub is a newly-formed corporation and does not (nor has it never had) any
rights to Intellectual Property.
28
4.12Finder’s Fees.
No
broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or
other fee or commission in connection with the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents based upon any
arrangements or agreements made by or on behalf of Pubco or Merger
Sub.
4.13Litigation.
(a) Except
as disclosed in the SEC Reports, there is no pending Legal Proceeding, and to
Pubco’s Knowledge, no Person has threatened to commence any Legal Proceeding,
that (i) involves or affects Pubco or Merger Sub or any of the assets owned or
used by either of them, or (ii) that challenges the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. No Legal
Proceeding has ever been commenced that involves or affects Pubco or Merger Sub
or the assets owned by either of them. There is no Order in which
Pubco or Merger Sub is named or to which any of their assets is
subject.
(b) Except
as disclosed in the SEC Reports, there are no material agreements or other
documents or instruments settling any Legal Proceeding.
4.14Merger Shares.
The Merger Shares have been duly
authorized and, when issued in consideration for the conversion of the
Membership Interests, as a result of the Merger and pursuant to the terms
hereof, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and not subject
to any Liens, restrictions of any kind, preemptive rights or any other rights or
interests of third parties or any other encumbrances, except for applicable
securities law restrictions on transfer, including those imposed by Regulation D
under the Securities Act (“Regulation
D”) or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 144 promulgated under
the Securities Act and under applicable “blue sky” state securities
laws. Assuming that all of the holders of Membership Interests are
“accredited investors,” as such term is defined in Regulation D, and that all
such Persons have complied with all of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and subject to the completion of applicable state notice filings and
the filing of a Form D with the Commission following the Effective Time, the
offer and sale of the Merger Shares under this Agreement will be exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act and in compliance with all
federal and state securities laws.
4.15Business of Merger Sub.
Merger Sub is not and has never been a
party to any material agreements and has not conducted any activities other than
in connection with the organization of Merger Sub, the issuance of Merger Sub
Common Stock, the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Merger Sub has
not incurred or assumed any expenses or liabilities prior to the
Closing.
29
4.16
Loans to Executive Officers and Directors.
Since
September 30, 2009, Pubco has not extended or maintained credit, arranged for
the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a
personal loan to any director or executive officer of Pubco in violation of
Section 402 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act.
ARTICLE
V
CONDITIONS
TO CONSUMMATION OF MERGER
5.1Conditions to Each Party’s
Obligations.
The respective obligations of each
Party to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions unless any such
condition is waived, in writing, by the other Party:
(a) Pubco
shall have received, on or before the Closing Date, the Private Placement
Documents, in connection with the Private Placement, executed by investors
identified therein, including the Lead Investor (as such term is defined in the
Securities Purchase Agreement), along with good and cleared funds, in escrow,
representing subscriptions in an aggregate amount of at least $1,500,000, the
closing of which shall be subject only to the Closing of the Merger, and the
initial closing of the Private Placement shall be held immediately after the
Closing of the Merger;
(b)
Pubco shall have received, on or before the Closing Date, all documents relating
to the Xxxxxxx Repurchase (as such term is defined in the Securities Purchase
Agreement), executed by Xxxxxxx Timber Company LLC;
(c) Pubco,
Merger Sub and the Company shall be satisfied that the issuances of the Merger
Shares in the transaction shall be exempt from registration with the Commission
under Regulation D of the Securities Act and Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act;
(d) no
temporary restraining order, preliminary or permanent injunction or other order
issued by any court of competent jurisdiction or other legal or regulatory
restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger shall have
been issued, nor shall any proceeding brought by any Governmental Body, seeking
any of the foregoing be pending; nor shall there be any action taken, or any
statute, rule, regulation or Order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed
applicable to the Merger which makes the consummation of the Merger illegal;
and
(e) no
proceeding in which the Company, Pubco or Merger Sub shall be a debtor,
defendant or party seeking an Order for its own relief or reorganization shall
have been brought or be pending by or against the Company, Pubco or Merger Sub
under any United States or state bankruptcy or insolvency law.
30
5.2Conditions to Obligations of Pubco and
Merger Sub.
The
obligation of each of Pubco and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger is subject
to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, unless any such
condition is waived, in writing, by Pubco:
(a) this
Agreement and the Merger shall have been approved and adopted by (i) the
Managers of the Company and (ii) the Members in accordance with the Company’s
Operating Agreement and the Washington LLC Act;
(b) the
Company shall have obtained all of the waivers, Permits, Consents, assignments,
approvals or other authorizations, and effected all of the registrations,
filings and notices, referred to in the Company Disclosure Schedule, except for
any which if not obtained or effected would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company or on the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) the
representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article III shall be
true and correct as of the Closing Date, except for representations and
warranties made as of a specified date, which shall be true and correct as of
such date;
(d) the
Company shall have performed or complied with, in all material respects, its
agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with under this
Agreement as of or prior to the Effective Time;
(e) Pubco
and Merger Sub shall have received from the Secretary of the Company a
certificate (i) certifying the Company Charter, (ii) certifying the
Operating Agreement, (iii) certifying the resolutions of the Managers of
the Company, (vi) certifying the resolutions of the Members of the Company,
and (v) attesting to the incumbency of the officers of the
Company;
(f) Pubco
and Merger Sub shall have received from the President of the Company a
certificate certifying (i) the Company has satisfied and complied with all of
its obligations under this Agreement which are required to consummate the
Merger; and (ii) all of the Company’s representations and warranties set forth
in this Agreement are true and accurate as of the Closing Date;
(g) the
Company shall have delivered the certificates or other instruments representing
the Membership Interests, in the manner described in Section 2.6(a)
hereof, as well as all other documents required to be delivered to Pubco on or
before the Closing Date;
(h) the
Company shall have delivered an opinion from its counsel, in the form of opinion
annexed hereto as Exhibit C;
and
(j) all
actions to be taken by the Company in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, and all certificates, opinions, instruments
and other
31
documents
required to effect the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Pubco and Merger Sub and their legal
counsel.
5.3Conditions to Obligations of
the Company.
The obligation of the Company to
consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of the following additional
conditions, unless any such condition is waived, in writing, by the
Company:
(a) this
Agreement and the Merger shall have been approved and adopted by (i) the
respective boards of directors of Pubco and Merger Sub and (ii) Pubco, the sole
stockholder of Merger Sub in accordance with the DGCL;
(b) Pubco
and Merger Sub shall have obtained all of the waivers, Permits, Consents,
approvals or other authorizations, and effected all of the registrations,
filings and notices (including, but not limited to any filings that are required
pursuant to applicable federal and state securities laws), except for any which
if not obtained or effected would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Pubco or
Merger Sub or on the ability of the Parties to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement;
(c) each
of Pubco and Merger Sub shall have performed or complied with in all material
respects its agreements and covenants required to be performed or complied with
under this Agreement as of or prior to the Effective Time;
(d) the
representations and warranties of Pubco and Merger Sub set forth in Article IV shall be
true and correct as of the Closing Date, except for representations and
warranties made as of a specified date, which shall be true and correct as of
such date;
(e) the
Company shall have received from the Secretary of Pubco a certificate (i)
certifying the Certificate of Incorporation of Pubco; (ii) certifying the Bylaws
of Pubco; (iii) certifying the resolutions of the Board of Directors of Pubco,
and (iii) attesting to the incumbency of the officers of Pubco;
(f) the
Company shall have received from the Secretary of Merger Sub a certificate (i)
certifying the Certificate of Incorporation of Merger Sub, (ii) certifying the
Bylaws of Merger Sub, (iii) certifying the resolutions of the Board of Directors
and the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, and (iv) attesting to the incumbency of
the officers of Merger Sub;
(g) the
Company shall have received from the President of Pubco a certificate certifying
(i) Pubco has satisfied and complied with all of its obligations under this
Agreement which are required to consummate the Merger; and (ii) all of the
Pubco’s representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement are true and
accurate as of the Closing Date;
(h) the
Company shall have received from the President of Merger Sub a certificate
certifying (i) Merger Sub has satisfied and complied with all of its obligations
under this Agreement which are required to consummate the Merger; and (ii) all
of the Merger Sub’s
32
representations
and warranties set forth in this Agreement are true and accurate as of the
Closing Date;
(i) Pubco
shall have delivered all other documents required to be delivered to the Company
on or before the Closing Date; and
(j) all
actions to be taken by the Pubco and the Merger Sub in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and all certificates,
instruments and other documents required to effect the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the
Company.
ARTICLE
VI
POST-CLOSING
COVENANTS
6.1 Closing of the
Private Placement.
Immediately after the Closing of the
Merger, Pubco shall consummate the initial closing of the Private Placement in
accordance with the terms and conditions described in the Private Placement
Documents.
6.2 Closing
of Xxxxxxx Repurchase.
Concurrently with or immediately
following the closing of the Private Placement, Pubco shall consummate the
closing of the Xxxxxxx Repurchase in accordance with the terms applicable
thereto.
6.3 Appointment
of New Directors of Pubco and the Surviving Corporation; Resignation of Sole
Director and Officer of Pubco and the Surviving Corporation.
Immediately after the Closing of the
Merger and prior to the initial closing of the Private Placement and the closing
of the Xxxxxxx Repurchase, the sole director of Pubco and the Surviving
Corporation shall appoint the individuals set forth on Exhibit B attached as
new directors of Pubco and the Surviving Corporation, respectively, to serve
until such time as their successors are duly elected and qualified, and the
existing director immediately thereafter shall resign as a director of Pubco and
the Surviving Corporation. Furthermore, at such time, the sole
officer of Pubco and the Surviving Corporation also shall resign from all
positions held by him in Pubco and the Surviving Corporation,
respectively. The remaining directors of Pubco and the Surviving
Corporation shall thereafter appoint the individuals listed on Exhibit B as the new
officers of Pubco and the Surviving Corporation, respectively, to hold such
offices also set forth on Exhibit B until such
time as their successors are duly elected and qualified.
33
6.4 Indemnification of
Officers and Directors.
All rights to indemnification and
advancement of expenses existing in favor of those Persons who are or were
directors, officers, agents or employees of the Company (the “Indemnified
Persons”) for acts and omissions occurring prior to the Closing Date, as
provided in the Company Charter and the Operating Agreement (in each case as in
effect as of the date of this Agreement), shall survive the Merger, be assumed
by the Surviving Corporation, and shall be fully complied with by Pubco and the
Surviving Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State
Delaware, as applicable.
6.5 Securities Laws
Disclosure.
Pubco shall, within four (4) Business
Days after the Closing Date, file a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K”)
with the Commission which shall summarize the transactions consummated pursuant
to the Transaction Documents. Additionally, as soon as possible, but in any
event not more than seventy-five (75) days after the Closing Date, Pubco shall
file an amendment to the Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K
Amendment”) for the purpose of filing with the Commission the Company
Financial Statements, along with any applicable pro forma financial information.
In addition, Pubco shall use its best efforts to include in the Form 8-K (i) any
material information about the Company and its business that has been provided
to management and/or stockholders of Pubco prior to the Merger, or to investors,
in connection with the Private Placement and (ii) any other material non-public
information provided to such Persons; provided, however, that if
Pubco is unable to include all of such information in the Form 8-K, for any
reason, it shall publicly file such information no later than its filing of the
Form 8-K Amendment.
6.6 Name Change.
Promptly after the Closing, Pubco shall
merge with Paneltech International Holdings, Inc., a newly formed Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Pubco, with Pubco being the
surviving corporation, and Pubco shall change its name to Paneltech
International Holdings, Inc. as a result of such merger.
6.7 Securing of Consents
for Assignment of Material Contracts.
Promptly after the Closing, and to the
extent that such has not been secured on or prior to the Closing Date, Pubco
and/or its applicable subsidiary of the Company shall use its best efforts to
secure the consents of the applicable parties to all Material Contracts, as
required, in order to comply with the assignment provisions of such Material
Contracts.
6.8 Best Efforts and Further
Assurances.
Each of the Parties shall use its best
efforts to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby and to fulfill and
cause to be fulfilled the conditions to Closing under this Agreement. Each Party
hereto, at the reasonable request of another Party hereto, shall execute and
deliver such other instruments and do and perform such other acts and things as
may be necessary or desirable for effecting completely the consummation of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
34
ARTICLE
VII
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Survival
of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.
(a) All
representations and warranties of the parties contained in this Agreement will
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of the other Parties to this Agreement, until two (2) years
after the Closing Date (the “Survival
Period”), whereupon such representations, warranties and covenants will
expire (except for covenants that by their terms survive for a longer period).
The Parties post-closing remedies for a breach are not limited by the
pre-closing discovery of a breach.
(b) All
covenants of the parties contained in this Agreement shall remain operative for
such periods of time as necessary for the applicable Party to fulfill such
covenant, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the other Parties.
7.2 Indemnification
of Pubco.
Subject
to any limitations set forth in this Article VII, from and
after the Closing Date until the expiration of the Survival Period, the Company
shall reimburse and hold harmless Pubco and the following persons existing
immediately prior to the Effective Time: (i) Pubco’s officers, directors,
stockholders, agents and employees and (ii) each person, if any, who controlled
Pubco within the meaning of the Securities Act (each such Person and its heirs,
executors, administrators, agents, successors and assigns is referred to herein
as a “Pubco
Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all losses, costs, damages,
liabilities and expenses arising from claims, demands, actions, causes of
action, including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees, (collectively,
“Damages”)
arising out of (i) any breach of representation or warranty made by the
Company in this Agreement, and in any certificate delivered by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) any breach by the Company of any covenant,
obligation or other agreement made the Company in this Agreement, and
(iii) a third-party claim based on any acts or omissions by the
Company. The foregoing are collectively referred to as the “Pubco Indemnity
Claims.”
7.3 Indemnification of the
Company.
Subject
to any limitations set forth in this Article VII, from and
after the Closing Date until the expiration of the Survival Period, Pubco shall
reimburse and hold harmless the Company and the following persons existing prior
to the Effective Time: (i) the Company’s officers, Managers, Members, agents and
employees and (ii) each person, if any, who controlled the Company within the
meaning of the Securities Act (each such Person and its heirs, executors,
administrators, agents, successors and assigns is referred to herein as a “Company
Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all Damages arising out of
(i) any breach of representation or
35
warranty
made by Pubco or Merger Sub in this Agreement, and in any certificate delivered
by Pubco or Merger Sub pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) any breach by Pubco
or Merger Sub of any covenant, obligation or other agreement made by either of
them in this Agreement, and (iii) a third-party claim based on any acts or
omissions by Pubco or Merger Sub. The foregoing are collectively
referred to as the “Company
Indemnity Claims. The Company Indemnity Claims together with the Pubco
Indemnity Claims are collectively referred to as the “Indemnity
Claims.”
7.4 General Notice and Procedural
Requirements for Indemnity Claims.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the party or person having the indemnity obligation under this
Article VII
(the “Indemnifying
Party”), shall be obligated to indemnify and hold harmless the party or
person entitled to indemnity under this Article VII (the
“Indemnified
Party”), only with respect to any Indemnity Claims of which the
Indemnified Party notifies with specificity the Indemnifying Party in accordance
with Section
8.8 of this Agreement and, if applicable, within the following time
period: (i) with regard to any representation or warranty under this Agreement,
prior to the end of the Survival Period of such representation or warranty
(unless such Indemnity Claim relates to a claim arising prior to the termination
of the Survival Period, in which case the time period shall be extended to
thirty (30) days after such Indemnity Claim is first received by an Indemnified
Party); or (ii) with regard to any covenant under this Agreement which by its
terms expires, prior to the end of the survival period relating to such covenant
(unless such Indemnity Claim relates to a claim arising prior to the termination
of the applicable survival period, in which case the time period shall be
extended to thirty (30) days after such Indemnity Claim is first received by an
Indemnified Party).
7.5 Notice and Procedural Requirements
for Third Party Claims.
If a
complaint, claim or legal action is brought by a third party (a “Third Party
Claim”) as to which an Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification,
the Indemnified Party shall give written notice of such Third Party Claim to the
Indemnifying Party in accordance with Section 8.8 of this
Agreement promptly after the Indemnified Party receives notice thereof, which
notice shall include a copy of any letter, complaint or similar writing received
by the Indemnified Party; provided however, that any failure to provide or delay
in providing such information shall not constitute a bar or defense to
indemnification except to the extent the Indemnifying Party has been prejudiced
thereby.
The
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense of such Third
Party Claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party. After notice from the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified
Party of the Indemnifying Party’s election so to assume the defense of such
Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified
Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified
Party in connection with the defense of such Third Party Claim except as
hereinafter provided. If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume such
defense and select counsel, the Indemnified Party may participate in such
defense through its own separate counsel, but the fees and expenses of such
counsel shall be borne by the Indemnified Party unless: (i) otherwise
specifically agreed by the Indemnifying Party; or (ii) counsel
selected by the Indemnifying Party determines that because
36
of a
conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party
such counsel for the Indemnifying Party cannot adequately represent both parties
in conducting the defense of such action. In the event the
Indemnified Party maintains separate counsel because counsel selected by the
Indemnifying Party has determined that such counsel cannot adequately represent
both parties because of a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party
and the Indemnified Party, then the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right
to direct the defense of such Third Party Claim on behalf of the Indemnified
Party.
The
failure of the Indemnifying Party to notify an Indemnified Party of its election
to defend such Third Party Claim within thirty (30) days after notice thereof
was given to the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed a waiver by the Indemnifying
Party of its rights to defend such Third Party Claim.
If the
Indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, the obligations
of the Indemnifying Party shall include taking all steps necessary in the
defense of such Third Party Claim and holding the Indemnified Party harmless
from and against any and all Damages caused or arising out of any settlement
approved by the Indemnified Party or any judgment in connection with the claim
or litigation.
If the
Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of such Third Party Claim in
accordance with this Section 7.5, the
Indemnified Party may defend against such claim or litigation in such manner as
it deems appropriate; provided, however, that the
Indemnified Party may not settle such Third Party Claim without the prior
written consent of the Indemnifying Party; provided that the Indemnifying Party
may not withhold such consent unless it has provided security of a type and in
an amount reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party for the payment of its
indemnification obligations with respect to such Third Party
Claim. The Indemnifying Party shall promptly reimburse the
Indemnified Party for the amount of Damages caused or arising out of any
judgment rendered with respect to such Third Party Claim, and for all costs and
expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party in the defense of such
claim.
The
Indemnifying Party may settle any Third Party Claim in its sole discretion
without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, provided that such
settlement involves only the payment of cash by the Indemnifying Party to the
claimant and does not impose any other obligation on the Indemnifying Party or
any liability or obligation on the Indemnified Party.
7.6 Notice and Procedural Requirements
for Direct Claims.
Any claim
for indemnification by an Indemnified Party on account of Damages which do not
result from a Third Party Claim (a “Direct
Claim”) shall be asserted by giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably
prompt notice thereof in accordance with Section 8.8 of this
Agreement; provided,
however, that any failure to provide, or delay in providing, such
notification shall not constitute a bar or defense to indemnification except to
the extent the Indemnifying Party has been prejudiced thereby. After
receiving notice of a Direct Claim, the Indemnifying Party will have a period of
thirty (30) days within which to respond in writing to such Direct
Claim. If the Indemnifying Party rejects such claim or does not
respond within such
37
thirty
(30) day period (in which case the Indemnifying Party will be deemed to have
rejected such claim), the Indemnified Party will be free to pursue such remedies
as may be available to the Indemnified Party on the terms and subject to the
provisions of this Article
VII.
ARTICLE
VIII
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1
No Third Party Beneficiaries.
Except as may otherwise be specifically
provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not confer any rights or
remedies upon any person other than the Parties and their respective successors
and permitted assigns.
8.2
Entire Agreement.
This
Agreement, the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Pubco Disclosure Schedule, along
with all other schedules and exhibits hereto, constitute the entire agreement
among the Parties and supersede any prior understandings, agreements or
representations by or among the Parties, written or oral, with respect to the
subject matter hereof.
8.3Succession and
Assignment.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named
herein and their respective successors, heirs, legal representatives and
permitted assigns. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any
of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written
approval of the other Parties.
8.4
Public
Announcement.
Promptly
after the Closing of the Merger, Pubco and the Surviving Corporation will issue
a press release announcing the Merger. Thereafter, Pubco and the
Surviving Corporation may issue such press releases, and make such other
disclosures regarding the Merger, as each determines are required under
applicable securities laws or regulatory rules. Any press releases by
Pubco will be filed under a Current Report on Form 8-K with the
Commission.
8.5Confidentiality.
Pubco and
the Company each recognize that they have received confidential information
concerning the other during the course of the Merger negotiations and
preparations. Accordingly, Pubco and the Company each agrees
(a) to use its respective best efforts to prevent the unauthorized
disclosure of any confidential information concerning the other that was or is
disclosed during the course of such negotiations and preparations, and is
clearly designated in writing as confidential at the time of disclosure, and
(b) to not make use of or permit to be used any such confidential
information other than for the purpose of effectuating the Merger and
38
related
transactions. The obligations of this Section 8.5 will not
apply to information that (i) is or becomes part of the public domain,
(ii) is disclosed by the disclosing party to third parties without
restrictions on disclosure, (iii) is received by the receiving party from a
third party without breach of a nondisclosure obligation to the other party, or
(iv) is required to be disclosed by law, including with the
Commission.
8.6Counterparts, Facsimile
Signatures.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. The exchange of copies of this Agreement or amendments
thereto and of signature pages by facsimile transmission or by email
transmission in portable digital format, or similar format, shall constitute
effective execution and delivery of such instrument(s) as to the parties and may
be used in lieu of the original Agreement or amendment for all
purposes. Signatures of the parties transmitted by facsimile or by
email transmission in portable digital format, or similar format, shall be
deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
8.7Headings.
The
section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement.
8.8Notices.
All
notices and other communications given or made pursuant hereto shall be in
writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal
delivery to the party to be notified; (ii) when sent by confirmed electronic
mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if not,
then on the next Business Day; (iii) three (3) Business Days after having been
sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid;
or (iv) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized
overnight courier, specifying next-day delivery, with written verification of
receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective Parties
at the following addresses (or at such other addresses as shall be specified by
notice given in accordance with this Section
8.8):
If to the Company | ||
Paneltech International, L.L.C. | ||
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxx Xxx | ||
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
39
Copy to: | ||
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Frome Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
|
||
Park
Avenue Tower
|
||
00
Xxxx 00xx
Xxxxxx
|
||
Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
|
||
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
|
||
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Esq.
|
||
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
|
If to the Pubco or Merger Sub:
|
||
Charleston Basics, Inc. | ||
c/o Paragon Capital, LP | ||
000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx | ||
00xx Xxxxx | ||
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
Copy to: | ||
Xxxxxxx LLP | ||
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 | ||
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 | ||
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq. | ||
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
|
8.9Governing Law;
Jurisdiction.
All
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to
the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each Party agrees that
all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other Transaction
Documents (whether brought against a party hereto or its respective Affiliates,
directors, Managers, officers, shareholders, Members, employees or agents) shall
be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of
New York. Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York,
borough of Manhattan for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in
connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed
herein (including with respect to the enforcement of any of the Transaction
Documents), and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit,
action or proceeding, any claim that it is not
40
personally
subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or
proceeding is improper or is an inconvenient venue for such
proceeding. Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of
process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or
proceeding by mailing a copy thereof via registered or certified mail or
overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in
effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall
constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way
any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by
law.
8.10Severability.
If any term or other provision of this
Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law,
or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement will
nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal
substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner
adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other
provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto
will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the
original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to
the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the maximum
extent possible.
8.11Expenses; Attorney’s
Fees.
The Company shall pay all federal and
state regulatory and transfer agent fees of Pubco and Merger Sub in connection
with the Merger. In addition, with respect to all other costs and
expenses relating to the Merger, each of Pubco and the Company shall be
responsible for and bear all of their own costs and expenses; provided, however, at the
Closing, the Company shall pay to the Lead Investor a non-accountable sum of
$50,000 for its legal fees and expenses relating to the Merger. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if any Party hereto initiates any legal action arising out of or
in connection with this Agreement, the prevailing party in such legal action
shall be entitled to recover from the other Party all reasonable attorneys’
fees, expert witness fees and expenses incurred by the prevailing party in
connection therewith.
8.12Construction.
The Parties agree that they have been
represented by counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of this
Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and, therefore, waive the
application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing
that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the
Party drafting such agreement or document. Any reference to any
federal, state, local, or foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to refer
to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires
otherwise.
8.13Incorporation of Exhibits and
Schedules.
The Exhibits, the Schedules, the Pubco
Disclosure Schedule and the Company Disclosure Schedule identified in this
Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof.
[Signature
Page Follows]
41
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto
have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
PUBCO:
|
CHARLESTON BASICS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Title: President |
MERGER
SUB:
|
PANELTECH PRODUCTS, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Title: President |
COMPANY:
|
PANELTECH INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C. | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx Xxxx | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxx | |||
Title:
President
|
42
Exhibit
A
[Form
of Securities Purchase Agreement]
43
Exhibit
B
Officers and Directors to be
Appointed after Closing of Merger
Pubco
Directors
Xxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Lead
Investor Designee
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxx
Officers
Name
|
Office
|
Xxxxx
Xxxx
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
Secretary
and Chief Financial Officer
|
Surviving
Corporation
Directors
Xxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Lead
Investor Designee
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxx
Officers
Name
|
Office
|
Xxxxx
Xxxx
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
|
Secretary
and Chief Financial
Officer
|
44
Exhibit
C
[Form
of Opinion of Company Counsel]
45