STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among Marine Systems, Inc. as the Buyer,
Exhibit
10.1
by
and among
Marine
Systems, Inc.
as
the Buyer,
The
Stockholders of Global Power Holding Company
as
the Sellers
and
Global
Power Holding Company
Table
of Contents
Page
|
||
ARTICLE
I
|
The
Purchase
|
1
|
1.1
|
Sale
and Delivery of the Shares
|
1
|
1.2
|
Closing
Date
|
1
|
1.3
|
Consideration;
Escrow Payments
|
2
|
1.4
|
Purchase
Price Adjustment
|
3
|
1.5
|
Closing
Deliveries
|
6
|
1.6
|
Further
Assurances
|
8
|
ARTICLE
II
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Company and the Sellers
|
9
|
2.1
|
Authority
|
9
|
2.2
|
Organization
|
10
|
2.3
|
Organizational
Documents
|
10
|
2.4
|
Title
to Securities
|
10
|
2.5
|
Capitalization
|
10
|
2.6
|
Subsidiaries
and Other Interests; Non-Operating Entity
|
11
|
2.7
|
Title
to Assets
|
12
|
2.8
|
Condition
and Sufficiency of Assets
|
13
|
2.9
|
No
Violation
|
13
|
2.10
|
Governmental
Consents
|
13
|
2.11
|
Financial
Statements
|
13
|
2.12
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
14
|
2.13
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
14
|
2.14
|
Taxes
|
16
|
2.15
|
Litigation
|
18
|
2.16
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
18
|
2.17
|
Permits
|
18
|
2.18
|
Environmental
Matters
|
19
|
2.19
|
Employee
Matters
|
20
|
2.20
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
20
|
2.21
|
Material
Contracts
|
22
|
2.22
|
Customers;
Suppliers
|
24
|
2.23
|
Intellectual
Property Rights
|
24
|
2.24
|
Illegal
Payments
|
25
|
2.25
|
Insurance
|
25
|
2.26
|
Bank
Accounts and Powers of Attorney
|
25
|
2.27
|
Brokers
|
25
|
ARTICLE
III
|
Representations
and Warranties of the Buyer
|
25
|
3.1
|
Organization
|
25
|
3.2
|
Authority
|
25
|
3.3
|
No
Violation
|
26
|
3.4
|
Governmental
Consents
|
26
|
3.5
|
Securities
Matters
|
26
|
3.6
|
Restricted
Securities
|
26
|
3.7
|
Brokers
|
26
|
3.8
|
No
Reliance
|
26
|
i
Table
of Contents
(continued)
Page
|
||
3.9
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
27
|
3.10
|
Financing
|
27
|
ARTICLE
IV
|
Covenants
and Agreements
|
27
|
4.1
|
Conduct
of Business
|
27
|
4.2
|
Access
and Information
|
28
|
4.3
|
Environmental
Investigations
|
29
|
4.4
|
Supplemental
Disclosure
|
29
|
4.5
|
Assistance
with Permits and Filings
|
29
|
4.6
|
Fulfillment
of Conditions by the Sellers
|
30
|
4.7
|
Fulfillment
of Conditions by the Buyer
|
30
|
4.8
|
Publicity
|
30
|
4.9
|
Transaction
Costs
|
30
|
4.10
|
No-Shop
Provisions
|
30
|
4.11
|
Nondisclosure
|
31
|
4.12
|
Release
by the Sellers
|
31
|
4.13
|
Certain
Tax Matters
|
32
|
4.14
|
Records
|
37
|
4.15
|
Indemnification
|
37
|
4.16
|
HSR
|
37
|
4.17
|
Employee
Benefit Arrangements
|
38
|
ARTICLE
V
|
Closing
Conditions
|
39
|
5.1
|
Conditions
to Obligations of the Buyer
|
39
|
5.2
|
Conditions
to Obligations of the Sellers
|
39
|
ARTICLE
VI
|
Indemnification
|
40
|
6.1
|
Indemnification
of the Buyer
|
40
|
6.2
|
Indemnification
of the Sellers
|
41
|
6.3
|
Survival
|
41
|
6.4
|
Further
Limits on Indemnification
|
42
|
6.5
|
Notice
|
44
|
6.6
|
Defense
of Claims
|
44
|
6.7
|
Escrow
|
44
|
ARTICLE
VII
|
Noncompetition
Agreement
|
45
|
7.1
|
Noncompetition
|
45
|
ARTICLE
VIII
|
Miscellaneous
|
46
|
8.1
|
Termination
|
46
|
8.2
|
Notices
|
47
|
8.3
|
Counterparts
|
47
|
8.4
|
Interpretation
|
47
|
8.5
|
Assignment
|
47
|
8.6
|
Entire
Agreement, Amendment
|
48
|
8.7
|
Specific
Performance, Exclusivity
|
48
|
8.8
|
Governing
Law
|
48
|
8.9
|
Usage
|
48
|
8.10
|
Certain
Definitions
|
48
|
ii
Table
of Contents
(continued)
Page
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8.11
|
Seller
Representative
|
52
|
8.12
|
Expenses
|
53
|
8.13
|
Severability
|
53
|
iii
This
Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”)
is
made and entered into as of May 3, 2006, by and among Marine Systems, Inc.,
a Louisiana corporation (the
“Buyer”)
and
the stockholders of Global Power Holding Company, a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”),
set
forth on Exhibit
A
hereto
(each a “Seller”
and,
collectively, the “Sellers”),
and
the Company.
Recitals
WHEREAS,
the Sellers are the record and beneficial owners of all of the issued and
outstanding shares (collectively, the “Shares”)
of the
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common
Stock”);
WHEREAS,
the Company is the record and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding
membership interests (the “Subsidiary
Equity”)
in
Global
Power Systems L.L.C., a Louisiana limited liability company (the “Subsidiary”);
WHEREAS,
the Subsidiary is engaged in the business of
high-speed diesel engine and parts sales and service in marine applications
(the
“Business”);
WHEREAS,
an index of defined terms used in this Agreement appears in Section
8.10;
and
WHEREAS,
the Sellers desire to
sell the
Shares to Buyer, and the Buyer desires to purchase the Shares from Sellers,
for
the consideration and on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants
and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
Agreement
ARTICLE
I
The
Purchase
1.1 Sale
and Delivery of the Shares.
Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the
Buyer
hereby agrees to purchase from the Sellers, and the Sellers hereby agree
to sell
to the Buyer, the Shares, which constitute all of the issued and outstanding
equity interests of the Company, for the consideration set forth in Section 1.3.
1.2 Closing
Date.
The
closing of the sale and purchase of the Shares (the “Closing”)
will
take place at the offices of Fulbright & Xxxxxxxx L.L.P., Fulbright Tower,
0000 XxXxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx, at 10:00 a.m. local time on the
second business day following the satisfaction or waiver of each of the
conditions set forth in Article
V
(other
than those conditions to be satisfied at the Closing) or on such other date
or
at such other place as the parties mutually agree in writing (such date of
closing being herein called the “Closing
Date”).
1.3 Consideration;
Escrow Payments.
As
consideration in full for the sale and purchase of the Shares, the cancellation
and surrender of the Options (as defined in this Section below), the
cancellation and surrender of the Warrant (as defined in this Section below)
and
the noncompetition agreements in Article
VII,
the
Buyer will pay an amount equal to $100,000,000, subject to adjustment as
provided in Section
1.4
below
(the “Purchase
Price”),
such
Purchase Price to be paid to the Persons and in the amounts further provided
in
this Article
I
below:
(a) At
the
Closing, the Buyer shall pay an amount equal to $7,000,000 (the “Escrow
Amount”)
to
U.S. Bank National Association (the “Escrow
Agent”)
to
hold in an escrow account (the “Escrow
Account”)
in
accordance with the escrow agreement attached hereto as Exhibit
B
(the
“Escrow
Agreement”);
(b) At
the
Closing, the Buyer shall pay an amount equal to the unpaid Transaction Costs
(as
defined in Section
1.4(a)
below)
to the Persons entitled thereto in accordance with the instructions to be
delivered by the Company to the Buyer prior to the Closing Date pursuant to
Section
1.5(c).
(c) At
the
Closing, upon the terms of this Agreement, the Buyer shall pay to the Company,
as disbursing agent for each person then holding an option to purchase shares
of
Common Stock (each an “Option”
and
each holder thereof an “Optionholder”),
an
amount equal to the positive difference between (i) the Purchase Price (as
adjusted pursuant to Section
1.4)
plus
the
aggregate exercise price of the Warrant and all Options outstanding immediately
prior to the Closing Date and minus
the
Escrow Amount and the unpaid Transaction Costs, all multiplied by a fraction,
(A) the numerator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
subject to the Options outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, and (B)
the
denominator of which is the number of Fully Diluted Shares (as defined in this
Section below), and (ii) the aggregate exercise price for all Options
outstanding immediately prior to the Closing (such difference being the
“Option
Amount”).
The
Option Amount shall be paid by the Company to the Optionholders in accordance
with Schedule
1.3(c)
(which
Schedule may be updated at Closing), in each case, without interest, and also
subject to Section
1.3(g).
(d) At
the
Closing, upon the terms of this Agreement, the Buyer shall pay to LEG Partners
Debenture SBIC, L.P. (the “Warrantholder”),
in
exchange for the surrender and cancellation of the warrant to purchase Common
Stock held by the Warrantholder (the “Warrant”),
an
amount equal to the positive difference between (i) the Purchase Price (as
adjusted pursuant to Section
1.4)
plus
the
aggregate exercise price of the Warrant and all Options outstanding immediately
prior to the Closing Date and minus
the
Escrow Amount and the unpaid Transaction Costs, all multiplied by a fraction,
(A) the numerator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
subject to the Warrant, and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Fully
Diluted Shares (as defined in this Section below), and (ii) the aggregate
exercise price of the Warrant (such difference being the “Warrant
Amount”).
2
(e) At
the
Closing, upon the terms of this Agreement, the Buyer shall pay to the Seller
Representative (as defined in Section
8.11
below),
as disbursing agent for each Seller, an amount equal to the Purchase Price
(as
adjusted pursuant to Section
1.4)
minus
(i) the Escrow Amount, (ii) the Option Amount, (iii) the Warrant
Amount and (iv) the unpaid Transaction Costs (the “Aggregate
Share Amount”).
The
Aggregate Share Amount shall be paid by the Seller Representative to the Sellers
in accordance with Schedule
1.3(e).
(f)
“Fully
Diluted Shares”
means
the total number of Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Closing
plus
the
total number of shares of Common Stock subject to Options and the Warrant
immediately prior to the Closing.
(g) The
Company shall withhold and deduct from any amount payable to an Optionholder
under this Agreement such amounts as it is required to withhold and deduct
under
applicable Law, and any amount so withheld and deducted shall be treated for
all
purposes as having been paid to such Optionholder.
1.4 Purchase
Price Adjustment.
(a) “Working
Capital”
means
(i) the aggregate book value of the current assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries (excluding cash and cash equivalents, net of outstanding checks)
minus (ii) the aggregate book value of the current liabilities of the Company
and its subsidiaries (net of outstanding checks related to current liabilities
and excluding the current portion of any indebtedness, accrued Income Taxes,
book overdrafts, accrued but unpaid interest and prepayment penalties), in
each
case calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied (“GAAP”).
The
computation of Working Capital expressly excludes Transaction Costs and amounts
owed under the Company Debt Agreements. An example of the determination of
Working Capital is set forth on Schedule
1.4(a).
“Transaction
Costs”
means
all out-of-pocket costs, fees and expenses of the Company and its subsidiaries
related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement including, without
limitation, legal and professional fees and expenses and broker fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) “Net
Debt” means
(i)
the amount of indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company and its
subsidiaries (including the current portion of any such indebtedness, book
overdrafts and including capital lease obligations) plus (ii) the amount of
accrued but unpaid interest for borrowed money and prepayment penalties, minus
the amount of cash and cash equivalents on hand or in bank accounts (net of
outstanding checks). An example of the determination of Net Debt is set forth
on
Schedule
1.4(b).
(c) “Stated
Working Capital”
means
the amount of $34,250,000.
(d) Not
later
than five (5) calendar days prior to the Closing Date, the Seller Representative
will, in good faith, estimate the amount of the Working Capital (the
“Estimated
Working Capital”)
and
Net Debt (the “Estimated
Net Debt”)
as of
the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Closing Date. The
Estimated Working Capital and the Estimated Net Debt will be computed in a
manner consistent with the computation of Working Capital and Net Debt as set
forth on Schedules 1.4(a)
and
1.4(b),
respectively. At the Closing, the Purchase Price will be:
3
(i)
increased
by
an amount equal to the amount by which the Estimated Working Capital is greater
than Stated Working Capital;
(ii) decreased
by
an amount equal to the amount by which the Estimated Working Capital is less
than Stated Working Capital; and
(iii) decreased
or
increased, as applicable, in an amount equal to the amount of Estimated Net
Debt.
(e) Within
sixty (60) calendar days after the Closing, the Buyer will calculate the actual
Working Capital and actual Net Debt as of the close of business on the day
immediately preceding the Closing Date in the same manner as the Estimated
Working Capital and the Estimated Net Debt were calculated, and will notify
the
Seller Representative in writing of such calculation. If the Seller
Representative disputes the accuracy of the Buyer’s calculation and notifies the
Buyer of such dispute in writing within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt
thereof, and the parties are unable in good faith to settle such dispute within
an additional fifteen (15) calendar days, then the Seller Representative will
provide its own calculation of actual Working Capital or actual Net Debt, as
applicable, in writing and the dispute shall be submitted promptly to the
Houston, Texas office of Ernst & Young LLP or, if such accounting firm is
unable or unwilling to act in such capacity, such other nationally known
certified public accounting firm selected by agreement of the Buyer and the
Seller Representative (the “Accountant”).
In
resolving such dispute, the Accountant shall consider only those items that
are
in dispute and not modify any element of Working Capital or Net Debt that is
not
disputed by the parties. The fees and expenses of the Accountant will be
allocated one-half to the Buyer and one-half to the Sellers. If the Seller
Representative does not dispute the accuracy of the Buyer’s calculation within
the time period set forth above, then the Seller Representative and the Sellers
will be deemed to have agreed with the Buyer’s calculation. The actual Working
Capital and the actual Net Debt as of the close of business on the day
immediately preceding the Closing Date determined by the Buyer, by agreement
between the parties or by the Accountant (as provided in this paragraph), are
referred to as the “Actual
Working Capital”
and
the
“Actual
Net Debt,”
respectively.
(f) If
the
Actual Working Capital exceeds the Estimated Working Capital (the “Working
Capital Excess”),
then
within three (3) business days of such determination, the Buyer will pay
(i)
|
to
the Seller Representative, as disbursing agent on behalf of the Sellers,
an amount in cash equal to (A) the Working Capital Excess, multiplied
by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Shares
outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, and the denominator
of which
is the Fully Diluted Shares;
|
4
(ii)
|
to
the Company, for the benefit of the Optionholders, an amount in cash
equal
to (A) the Working Capital Excess, multiplied by (B) a fraction,
the numerator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock
into which the Options are convertible, and the denominator of which
is
the Fully Diluted Shares; and
|
(iii)
|
to
the Warrantholder, an amount in cash equal to (A) the Working Capital
Excess, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock into which the Warrant
is
convertible, and the denominator of which is the Fully Diluted
Shares.
|
The
Seller Representative shall hold such funds that it receives pursuant to this
Section
1.4(f)
in trust
for the benefit of the Sellers and shall promptly disburse the allocable portion
of such funds, without interest, to the Sellers as soon as practicable after
receipt from the Buyer. The Company shall pay to each Optionholder, in each
case, without interest and subject to Section
1.3(g),
an
amount equal to (A) the Working Capital Excess, multiplied by (B) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock into
which such Option is convertible, and the denominator of which is the Fully
Diluted Shares.
(g) If
the
Actual Working Capital is less than the Estimated Working Capital (such
shortfall being the “Working
Capital Shortfall”),
then
the Buyer and the Seller Representative will issue joint written instructions
to
the Escrow Agent to release to the Buyer an amount in cash equal to the Working
Capital Shortfall, such amount to be released in accordance with the Escrow
Agreement, by wire transfer of immediately available funds (to an account
specified in writing by the Buyer) within three (3) business days after
determination of the Actual Working Capital. To the extent there are
insufficient funds in the Escrow Account at such time to pay the full amount
of
such shortfall to Buyer, then the Sellers shall pay the remaining shortfall
(to
an account specified in writing by Buyer) within fifteen (15) calendar days
after determination of the Actual Working Capital;
(h) If
the
Actual Net Debt exceeds the Estimated Net Debt (such excess being the
“Net
Debt Excess”),
then
the Buyer and the Seller Representative will issue joint written instructions
to
the Escrow Agent to release to the Buyer the amount of the Net Debt Excess,
in
accordance with the Escrow Agreement, by wire transfer of immediately available
funds (to an account specified in writing by the Buyer) within three (3)
business days after determination of the Actual Net Debt. To the extent there
are insufficient funds in the Escrow Account at such time to pay the full amount
of such Net Debt Excess to Buyer, then Sellers shall pay the remaining excess
to
Buyer (to an account specified in writing by Buyer) within fifteen (15) calendar
days after determination of the Actual Net Debt;
(i)
If
the
Actual Net Debt is less than the Estimated Net Debt (such shortfall being the
“Net
Debt Shortfall”),
then,
within three (3) business days of such determination, the Buyer will pay
5
(i)
|
to
the Seller Representative, as disbursing agent on behalf of the Sellers,
an amount in cash equal to (A) the Net Debt Shortfall multiplied by
(B) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of Shares
outstanding immediately prior to the Closing, and the denominator
of which
is the Fully Diluted Shares;
|
(ii)
|
to
the Company, for the benefit of the Optionholders, an amount in cash
equal
to (A) the Net Debt Shortfall, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the
numerator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
into
which the Options are convertible, and the denominator of which is
the
Fully Diluted Shares; and
|
(iii)
|
to
the Warrantholder, an amount in cash equal to (A) the Net Debt
Shortfall, multiplied by (B) a fraction, the numerator of which is
the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock into which the Warrant
is
convertible, and the denominator of which is the Fully Diluted
Shares.
|
The
Seller Representative shall hold such funds that it receives pursuant to this
Section
1.4(i)
in trust
for the benefit of the Sellers and shall promptly disburse the allocable portion
of such funds, without interest, to the Sellers as soon as practicable after
receipt from the Buyer. The Company shall pay to each Optionholder, in each
case, without interest and subject to Section
1.3(g),
an
amount equal to (A) the Net Debt Shortfall multiplied by (B) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock into
which such Option is convertible, and the denominator of which is the Fully
Diluted Shares.
(j)
For
purposes of complying with the terms set forth in this Section 1.4,
each
party shall cooperate with and make available to the other parties and their
respective representatives all information, records, data and working papers,
and shall permit reasonable access to its facilities and personnel, as may
be
reasonably required in connection with the preparation and analysis of the
Estimated Working Capital, Estimated Net Debt, Actual Working Capital and Actual
Net Debt and the resolution of any disputes related thereto.
1.5 Closing
Deliveries.
At the
Closing:
(a) the
Buyer
will pay to the Company, the Escrow Agent, the Seller Representative and the
Warrantholder the amounts specified to be paid to such Persons in Section
1.3
(as
adjusted pursuant to Section
1.4)
by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the account specified by each such
Person in writing;
(b) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer payoff letters in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer evidencing payoff of all indebtedness
under
the Company Debt Agreements other than the Subordinated Note (the “Payoff
Letters”);
(c) the
Buyer
will pay the unpaid Transaction Costs to the Persons and in the amounts
indicated in written instructions such instructions to be delivered by the
Company to the Buyer at least three (3) business days prior to the Closing
Date;
6
(d) the
Buyer
will pay the amounts indicated in the Payoff Letters to the Persons entitled
thereto as indicated in such Payoff Letters;
(e) the
Sellers will deliver certificates representing the Shares, accompanied by stock
powers duly executed in blank;
(f)
the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer certificates representing the Subsidiary
Equity;
(g) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer the originals or copies of all of the
Company’s and its subsidiaries’ books, records, ledgers, disks, proprietary
information and all other written or electronic depositories of information;
(h) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation
of
the Company certified as of the most recent practicable date by the Delaware
Secretary of State;
(i)
the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer copies of the Articles of Organization of
each
of the subsidiaries of the Company certified as of the most recent practicable
date by the Louisiana Secretary of State;
(j)
the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer true and correct copies of the limited
liability company agreements (or other governing agreements) for each subsidiary
of the Company;
(k) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer a certificate of the Delaware Secretary of
State certifying as to the good standing of the Company as of the most recent
practicable date;
(l)
the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer a certificate of the Louisiana Secretary
of
State certifying as to the good standing of each subsidiary of the Company
as of
the most recent practicable date;
(m) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer duly executed counterparts of an agreement
in
the form of Exhibit
C
to this
Agreement, terminating the Management Agreement dated as of February 9, 2005
between IGP Industries, LLC and the Subsidiary;
(n) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer written agreements in the form of
Exhibit
D
to this
Agreement, and executed by the Company and each Optionholder, evidencing the
cancellation of each Option, which agreement may be conditioned upon the
Closing;
(o) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer a written agreement in the form of
Exhibit
E
to this
Agreement, and executed by the Company and the Warrantholder, evidencing the
cancellation of the Warrant, which agreement may be conditioned upon the
Closing;
7
(p) the
Sellers and the Buyer will deliver counterparts of the Escrow Agreement duly
executed by the Seller Representative and the Buyer, respectively;
(q) the
Buyer
will deliver to the Seller Representative a closing certificate in the form
of
Exhibit
F
to this
Agreement; and
(r)
the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer a closing certificate substantially in the
form of Exhibit G
to this
Agreement;
(s) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer UCC Termination Statements and other releases
reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer that, when filed, will evidence the release
of any Liens placed on the assets of the Company or its subsidiaries in
connection with indebtedness for borrowed money, including, without limitation,
Liens placed on the assets of the Company pursuant to the Company Debt
Agreements;
(t)
the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer written resignations of each director, officer
and manager, as applicable, of the Company and its subsidiaries from their
position, as a director, officer or manager, but not as an employee, with the
Company and the applicable subsidiary of the Company substantially in the form
of Exhibit H
to this
Agreement;
(u) each
Seller will deliver to the Buyer a non-foreign affidavit dated as of the Closing
Date, executed under penalty of perjury and in form and substance required
under
Treasury Regulation issued pursuant to Section 1445 of the Code stating
that each such Seller is not a foreign person as defined in Section 1445 of
the Code;
(v) the
Buyer
will deliver to the Seller Representative the articles of incorporation of
the
Buyer certified as of the most recent practicable date by the Secretary of
State
of Louisiana;
(w) the
Buyer
will deliver to the Seller Representative a certificate of the Louisiana
Secretary of State as to the good standing of the Buyer in such jurisdiction
as
of the most recent practicable date;
(x) the
Sellers will deliver to the Buyer written agreements in the form of
Exhibit I to this Agreement terminating the consulting agreements between
the Subsidiary and each of Xxxxxxx XxXxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xx.
duly executed by the Subsidiary and each such Person; and
(y) the
Buyer
and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx will deliver to the Seller Representative executed
counterparts of the letter agreement attached hereto as Exhibit
J
to this
Agreement.
1.6 Further
Assurances.
At or
after the Closing, and without further consideration, each party hereto will
execute and deliver to the other parties hereto such further instruments of
conveyance and transfer as such other party may reasonably request in order
to
more effectively convey and transfer the Shares to the Buyer, or for aiding,
assisting, collecting and reducing to possession any of the Shares and the
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and exercising rights with respect
thereto.
8
ARTICLE
II
Representations
and Warranties of the Company and the Sellers
The
Company hereby represents and warrants to the Buyer as follows, provided,
however,
that
with regard to the representations and warranties made in Sections
2.1(a)
and
2.4(a),
each
Seller makes such representations and warranties severally to the Buyer, but
solely with regard to such Seller:
2.1 Authority.
(a) Each
Seller has all requisite capacity, power and authority, to execute, deliver
and
perform under this Agreement and the other agreements, certificates and
instruments to be executed by each such Seller pursuant to this Agreement
(collectively, the “Seller
Ancillary Documents”)
to
which such Seller is a party. The execution, delivery and performance by each
Seller of this Agreement and each Seller Ancillary Document to which such Seller
is a party has been duly authorized by all necessary action on such Seller’s
part. This Agreement has been, and at the Closing the Seller Ancillary Documents
will be, duly executed and delivered by each Seller (to the extent each is
a
party thereto). This Agreement is, and, upon execution and delivery by each
Seller at the Closing, each of the Seller Ancillary Documents will be, a legal,
valid and binding agreement of each Seller (to the extent each is a party
thereto), enforceable against each Seller in accordance with its terms, except
as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’
rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of
whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(b) The
Company has all requisite capacity, power and authority, to execute, deliver
and
perform under this Agreement and the other agreements, certificates and
instruments to be executed by the Company or its officers pursuant to this
Agreement (collectively, the “Company
Ancillary Documents”
and
together with the Seller Ancillary Documents, the “Ancillary
Documents”).
The
execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and each
Ancillary Document to which the Company is a party has been duly authorized
by
all necessary action on Company’s part. This Agreement has been, and at the
Closing the Company Ancillary Documents will be, duly executed and delivered
by
the Company. This Agreement is, and, upon execution and delivery by the Company
at the Closing, each of the Company Ancillary Documents will be, a legal, valid
and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity).
9
2.2 Organization.
(a) The
Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware and has full power to own its properties
and to conduct its business as presently conducted. The Company is duly
authorized, qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in
each
state or other jurisdiction in which its business or operations as presently
conducted make such qualification necessary except where the failure to be
so
qualified or to be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on
the Company. The Company is required to be qualified to do business as a foreign
entity in the jurisdictions set forth on Schedule
2.2(a).
The
Company does not operate under any assumed names.
(b) Each
subsidiary of the Company is a limited liability company duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Louisiana and
has
full power to own its properties and to conduct its business as presently
conducted. Each subsidiary of the Company is duly authorized, qualified or
licensed to do business and is in good standing in each state or other
jurisdiction in which its business or operations as presently conducted make
such qualification necessary except where the failure to be so qualified or
to
be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
The
subsidiaries of the Company are required to be qualified to do business as
a
foreign entity in the jurisdictions set forth on Schedule
2.2(b).
The
subsidiaries of the Company do not operate under any assumed names.
2.3 Organizational
Documents.
The
Company has delivered to the Buyer:
(a) true,
correct and complete copies of the Company’s certificate of incorporation,
bylaws, minute books and stock record books; and
(b) for
each
subsidiary of the Company, true, correct and complete copies of such
subsidiary’s certificate of formation, operating agreement, minute books and
equity record books.
2.4 Title
to Securities.
(a) Such
Seller owns the Shares set forth next to such Seller’s name on Schedule
2.5(a),
of
record and beneficially, free and clear of any lien, legal restriction, claim,
pledge, security interest, charge, spousal interest (community or otherwise),
contingency or other encumbrance of any nature (each, a “Lien”).
Upon
sale of the Shares and delivery of certificates therefor to the Buyer hereunder,
the Buyer will acquire the entire legal and beneficial interests in the Shares,
free and clear of any Lien except for liens created by the Buyer.
(b) The
Company owns the Subsidiary Equity, of record and beneficially, free and clear
of any Lien.
10
2.5 Capitalization.
(a) The
authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 40,000 shares of Common
Stock and 10,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share. There
are
(i) 26,505.75 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and (ii)
335.00949 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the
Warrant. As of the date of this Agreement, there are 2,579.09 shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding Options. As of the Closing
Date, there will be no more than 3,216.091139 shares of Common Stock reserved
for issuance pursuant to outstanding Options. The Shares and other interests
set
forth in the preceding three sentences of this Section constitute all of the
issued outstanding equity interests of the Company. The Shares have been duly
authorized and validly issued in compliance with all applicable Laws (as defined
in Section
2.16),
and
are fully paid and nonassessable and, except as set forth in Schedule
2.5(a),
free of
preemptive rights. The Company does not hold any of its capital stock in
treasury, nor are any shares of capital stock reserved for issuance, except
as
set forth in this Section
2.5(a).
Set
forth on Schedule
2.5(a)
is the
name of each holder of Shares and the number of Shares that each such holder
holds as of the date hereof.
(b) The
Subsidiary Equity constitutes all of the issued outstanding equity interests
of
the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary Equity has been duly authorized and validly
issued in compliance with all applicable Laws, and is fully paid and
nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. The Subsidiary does not hold any
of
its equity interests in treasury, nor are any equity interests reserved for
issuance. Each subsidiary of the Company other than the Subsidiary is
wholly-owned by the Subsidiary and there are no outstanding equity interests
in
each such subsidiary other than those owned by the Subsidiary.
(c) Other
than as set forth in Schedule
2.5(a)
(which
schedule may be updated with respect to Options at Closing), there are no
outstanding options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities or other
rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments obligating the Company, any
subsidiary of the Company or any Seller, directly or indirectly, to issue,
sell,
purchase, acquire or otherwise transfer or deliver any equity interest in the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any agreement, document, instrument
or
obligation convertible or exchangeable therefor. Except as set forth on
Schedule
2.5(a),
there
are no agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character (contingent
or
otherwise) pursuant to which any Person (as defined in Section
2.15)
is or
may be entitled to receive any payment based on the revenues or earnings, or
calculated in accordance therewith, of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
There are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements or understandings to
which the Company or any Seller is a party or by which the Company or any Seller
is bound with respect to the voting of any equity interests in the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries. None
of
the Shares was issued in violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Act”),
or
any state securities Laws.
2.6 Subsidiaries
and Other Interests; Non-Operating Entity.
(a) Other
than as set forth on Schedule
2.6,
the
Company has no subsidiaries and owns no assets or equity or debt interest or
any
form of proprietary interest in any Person, or any obligation, right or option
to acquire any such interest. Other than the Subsidiary Equity, the Company
owns
no assets of any kind.
11
(b) Other
than as set forth on Schedule
2.6,
the
Subsidiary has no subsidiaries and owns no equity or debt interest or any form
of proprietary interest in any Person, or any obligation, right or option to
acquire any such interest.
(c) During
the last five (5) years, the Company has
not
conducted any operations or engaged in any activities of any nature whatsoever
other than the ownership and management of the Subsidiary.
2.7 Title
to Assets.
(a) Set
forth
on Schedule
2.7(a)
is a
complete list (including the street address, where applicable) of: (i) all
real
property owned by the Company and its subsidiaries; and (ii) all real
property leased by the Company and its subsidiaries or otherwise used in
connection with the Business (the “Real
Property”).
Except as set forth on Schedule
2.7(a),
no
tangible or intangible asset used in connection with the Business is owned
or
leased by any Seller or any Affiliate (as defined in Section 8.10(a))
of any
Seller (other than the Company or its subsidiaries).
(b) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.7(b),
each of
the Company and its subsidiaries has good and marketable title to all of the
assets each purports to own, and each owns all of such assets free and clear
of
any Liens,
other than statutory
Liens securing current Taxes (as defined in Section
2.14)
and
other obligations that are not yet due and payable and, with regard to the
Real
Property, other than (a) easements, restrictions and encroachments,
(b) any matters revealed by an accurate survey and (c) zoning
ordinances, building codes and similar restrictions, all of the foregoing which
do not materially affect the use or value of such Real Property.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
2.7(b),
the
Company
or one of its subsidiaries
holds a
valid leasehold interest in or otherwise has a valid and enforceable right
to
use, all of the tangible assets used in connection with the Business that they
do not own, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance
or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and
subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement
is
sought in a proceeding at law or in equity). Neither the Company, any of its
subsidiaries, the Sellers nor, to
the
Knowledge of the Company,
any
other Person, has granted any rights, options, rights of first refusal, or
any
other agreement of any kind to purchase or to otherwise acquire any interest
in
the Real Property (as defined in Section 2.7(c)),
or any
part thereof.
(c) There
are
no actions pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened that would
alter the current zoning classification of the Real Property or alter any
applicable Laws, covenants, conditions or restrictions that would adversely
affect the use of the Real Property in the Business. Neither the Company, any
of
its subsidiaries nor any Seller has received written notice from any insurance
company or Governmental Body (as defined in Section
2.10)
of any
defects or inadequacies in the Real Property or the improvements thereon that
would adversely affect the insurability or usability of the Real Property or
such improvements or prevent the issuance of new insurance policies thereon
at
rates not materially higher than present rates. None of the Sellers is a
“foreign person” as that term is defined in § 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
and
applicable regulations.
12
2.8 Condition
and Sufficiency of Assets.
The
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including any assets held under
leases or licenses, except for cash and cash equivalents, constitute all assets
(other than intellectual property) used by the Company and its subsidiaries
in
the conduct of the Business.
2.9 No
Violation.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
2.9,
neither
the execution nor delivery of this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Documents
nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
including without limitation the sale of the Shares to the Buyer, will conflict
with or result in the material breach of any term or provision of, require
consent or violate or constitute a default under (or an event that with notice
or the lapse of time or both would constitute a material breach or default),
or
result in the creation of any Lien on the Shares, the Subsidiary Equity or
the
assets of the Company or its subsidiaries pursuant to, or relieve any third
party of any obligation to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or give any
third party the right to terminate or accelerate any obligation under, any
(i) charter provision, (ii) bylaw, (iii) Material Contract (as
defined in Section 2.21(a)),
(iv) Permit (as defined in Section
2.17)
or
(v) Law to which the Company, its subsidiaries or any Seller is a party or
by which any asset owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or otherwise
used in connection with the Business is in any way bound or obligated except,
in
the case of (iii), such as would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company.
2.10
Governmental
Consents.
Except
as required in connection with the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements
Act
of 1976, as amended (the “HSR
Act”),
no
consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, qualification,
designation, declaration or filing with, any governmental or quasi-governmental
agency, authority, commission, board or other body (each, a “Governmental
Body”)
is
required on the part of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any Seller
in connection with the sale and purchase of the Shares or any of the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary
Documents.
2.11
Financial
Statements.
(a) Attached
as Schedule
2.11(a)
are true
and complete copies of: (i) (A) the unaudited consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and the
related unaudited consolidated statements of income, stockholder’s equity and
cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended
and (B) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
subsidiaries (the “Latest
Balance Sheet”)
as of
March 31, 2006 (the “Latest
Balance Sheet Date”)
and
the related unaudited consolidated statements of income, stockholder’s equity
and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries for the three month period
then ended (collectively, the “Interim
Financial Statements”);
and
(ii) the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its subsidiaries
as of December 31, 2004, and the related audited consolidated statements of
income, stockholder’s equity and cash flows for the year then ended
(collectively, the “Financial
Statements”).
The
Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries at the dates specified
and the results of their operations for the periods specified and have been
prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with GAAP. The Financial
Statements and the Interim Financial Statements have been prepared from the
books and records of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Interim Financial
Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
condition of the Company and its subsidiaries at the dates specified and the
results of their operations for the periods specified and have been prepared,
in
all material respects, in accordance with GAAP, except for the absence of
footnote disclosure and customary year-end adjustments.
13
(b) All
accounts receivable reflected in the Latest Balance Sheet or included in the
assets of the Company or its subsidiaries arose in the ordinary course of
business.
2.12
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities.
Neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has any direct or indirect debts,
obligations or liabilities of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent,
liquidated or otherwise, and whether due or to become due, asserted or
unasserted (collectively, “Liabilities”)
except
for: (i) Liabilities reflected in the Latest Balance Sheet; (ii) current
Liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past
practice after the Latest Balance Sheet Date; (iii) Liabilities incurred in
the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice under the
Material Contracts (as defined in Section
2.21(a))
and
under other agreements entered into by the Company or its subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business that are not included within the definition of
Material Contracts set forth in Section
2.21(a),
which
Liabilities are not required by GAAP to be reflected in the Latest Balance
Sheet
and (iv) Liabilities that would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company and its subsidiaries.
2.13
Absence
of Certain Changes.
Since
the Latest Balance Sheet Date, except as set forth in Schedule
2.13,
there
has not been:
(a) any
change,
event or occurrence regarding the Company and its subsidiaries that constitutes
a Material Adverse Effect with regard to the Company;
(b) any
declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividends or distributions in
respect of any equity capital of the Company or its subsidiaries, or any
redemption, purchase or other acquisition by the Company or its subsidiaries
of
any of their respective equity interests;
(c) any
payment
or transfer of assets (including without limitation any distribution or any
repayment of indebtedness) to or for the benefit of any Seller, other than
compensation and expense reimbursements paid in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with past practice;
(d) any
revaluation by the Company or its subsidiaries of any of its assets, including
the writing down or writing off of notes or accounts receivable and the writing
down of the value of inventory, other than in the ordinary course of business
and consistent with past practice;
(e) any
incurrence by the Company or its subsidiaries of capital expenditures in excess
of $100,000, individually or in the aggregate;
(f)
any
increase
in indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or its subsidiaries, or any
issuance
or sale
by the Company or its
subsidiaries
of any
debt securities, or any assumption, guarantee or endorsement by the Company
or
its
subsidiaries
of any
Liability of any other Person, or any loan or advance by the Company or
its
subsidiaries
to any
other Person;
14
(g) any
breach or
default (or event that with notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach
or
default) of the Company or its subsidiaries, termination or to the Knowledge
of
the Company threatened termination under any Material Contract;
(h) any
material
change by the Company or its
subsidiaries
in its
accounting methods, principles or practices;
(i)
any
material
increase in the benefits under, or the establishment or amendment of, any bonus,
insurance, severance, deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit sharing
or other employee benefit plan, or any increase in the compensation payable
or
to become payable to managers, officers or employees of the Company or
its
subsidiaries,
except
for annual merit increases in salaries or wages in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice;
(j)
except
as
required hereby, any termination of employment (whether voluntary or
involuntary) of any officer or key employee of the Company or its
subsidiaries
or any
termination of employment (whether voluntary of involuntary) of employees of
the
Company or its
subsidiaries
in
excess of historical attrition in personnel;
(k) any
theft,
condemnation or eminent domain proceeding or any damage, destruction or casualty
loss affecting any asset used in connection with the Business that, in any
event, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, whether or not
covered by insurance;
(l)
any
sale,
assignment or transfer of any asset used in connection with the Business, except
sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice;
(m) any
waiver by the
Company, any of its subsidiaries or any Seller of any material rights related
to
the Business;
(n) any
action by the Company or its
subsidiaries
other
than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice,
to
pay, discharge, settle or satisfy any claim or Liability;
(o) any
settlement or compromise by the Company or its
subsidiaries
of any
pending or threatened suit or legal action;
(p) any
issuance, sale or disposition of, or agreement to issue, sell or dispose of,
any
equity interest in the Company or its subsidiaries, or any instrument or other
agreement convertible or exchangeable for any equity interest in the Company
or
its subsidiaries;
(q) any
authorization,
recommendation, proposal or announcement of an intention to adopt a plan of
complete or partial liquidation or dissolution of the Company or
any of
its subsidiaries;
(r) any
acquisition of, or investment by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in
the
equity or debt securities of any Person (including in any joint venture or
similar arrangement);
15
(s) any
other
transaction, agreement or commitment entered into by the Company or its
subsidiaries or affecting the Business, the Company or its subsidiaries, except
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice; or
(t)
any
agreement or understanding to do or resulting in any of the
foregoing.
2.14
Taxes.
(a) The
Company
and each of its subsidiaries have filed all Tax Returns that they were required
to file under applicable laws and regulations. All such Tax Returns were correct
and complete in all respects. All Taxes due and owing by the Company and
subsidiaries (whether shown on any Tax Return) have been paid.
(b) Except
as
described in Schedule
2.14(b),
neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is the beneficiary of any extension
of
time within which to file any Tax Return.
(c) Neither
the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of a claim by a Taxing
Authority in a jurisdiction where such entity does not file Tax Returns that
it
is or may be subject to Tax by that jurisdiction that has not been settled
or
otherwise resolved.
(d) Neither
the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries has given any currently effective waiver
of
any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any currently
effective extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or
deficiency.
(e) There
are no
security interests on any of the assets of the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure)
to
pay any Tax, other than Taxes not yet due and payable.
(f)
No
audits or
administrative or judicial proceedings are pending or being conducted, or to
the
Knowledge of the Company, are threatened with respect to the Taxes of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(g) Except
as
described in Schedule
2.14(g),
neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is liable for the Taxes of another
Person (other than the Company or one of its subsidiaries) (i) under Section
1.1502-6 of the Treasury Regulations (or comparable provisions of state, local,
or foreign Law), (ii) as a transferee or successor, or (iii) by Contract or
indemnity. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any
tax
sharing agreement.
(h) Except
as set
forth on Schedule
2.14(h),
neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any agreement, contract,
arrangement or plan that, as a result of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, could result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of
any
“excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code or any
corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law.
(i)
The
Company
and each of its subsidiaries have withheld and paid all Taxes required to have
been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third party.
16
(j)
The
unpaid Taxes of the Company and its subsidiaries (i) did not, as of the date
of
the Latest Balance Sheet, exceed the reserve for Tax liability (as distinguished
from any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences
between book and Tax income) included in the Latest Balance Sheet (without
reference to any notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) do not exceed
that reserve as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in
accordance with the past custom and practice of the Company and its subsidiaries
in filing their Tax Returns. Since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet, neither
the Company nor its subsidiaries has incurred any liability for Taxes arising
from extraordinary gains or losses, as that term is used in GAAP, outside the
ordinary course of business.
(k) Neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has undertaken or participated in any
listed transaction (or transaction substantially similar thereto) or other
reportable transaction described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4, or
any
comparable provision of applicable foreign, state or local Tax
laws.
(l)
Neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has distributed stock of another entity
or had its stock distributed by another entity in a transaction that was
intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code or
Section 361 of the Code.
(m) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.14(m),
neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been a member of an affiliated
group
(as defined in Section 1504(a) of the Code) filing a consolidated federal Income
Tax Return.
(n) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
2.14(n),
neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is required to include any item of
income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable
period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any:
(i)
change
in
method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date;
or
(ii) closing
agreement as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or
similar provision of state, local or foreign income Tax law) executed on or
prior to the Closing Date.
For
purposes of this Agreement:
“Income
Tax”
means
federal, state, local or foreign tax measured solely by or imposed solely on
net
income.
“Income
Tax Returns”
means
all Tax Returns pertaining to Income Taxes.
“Tax”
or
“Taxes”
means
any tax (including any income, capital gains, value-added, sales, property,
withholding, social security (or similar), unemployment, profits, secondary,
capital duties, franchise, use, employment, payroll, transfer, occupation,
severance, production, excise, gross receipts, stamp, premium, customs, duties,
capital stock, windfall profit, environmental, disability, registration,
alternative or add on minimum, estimated or other taxes), levy, assessment,
tariff, duty (including any customs duty), deficiency or other fee, and any
related charge or amount (including any fine, penalty, interest or addition
to
tax, together with any interest in respect of such penalties, additions or
additional amounts) imposed, assessed or collected by or under the authority
of
any Taxing Authority.
17
“Tax
Return”
means
any return (including any information return), report, statement, schedule,
notice, form or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or
required to be filed with or submitted to, any Taxing Authority in connection
with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax or in
connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or
compliance with any law, regulation or other legal requirement relating to
any
Tax.
“Taxing
Authority”
means
any:
(a) nation,
state, county, city, town, village, district or other jurisdiction of any
nature;
(b) federal,
state, local, municipal, foreign or other government;
(c) governmental
or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental
agency, branch, department, official or entity and any court or other
tribunal);
(d) multi-national
organization or body; or
(e) body
exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive, judicial,
legislative, police, regulatory or taxing authority or power of any
nature.
2.15 Litigation.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
2.15,
there
is currently no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened material
lawsuit, administrative proceeding or review or complaint or investigation
(collectively, “Litigation”)
by any
individual, corporation, partnership, Governmental Body or other entity (each,
a
“Person”)
against the Company or its subsidiaries or, to the Knowledge of the Company,
any
member, manager, director, officer, employee or agent (in their capacities
as
such) of the Company or its subsidiaries or to which any of the assets of the
Company or its subsidiaries is subject, or to which any of the Shares or the
Subsidiary Equity is subject, or relating to the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement or the consummation thereof. Neither the Company nor any of
its
subsidiaries is subject to or bound by any currently existing judgment, order,
writ, injunction or decree.
2.16
Compliance
with Laws.
The
Company and each of its subsidiaries are currently in compliance with each
applicable statute, law, ordinance, decree, order, rule or regulation of any
Governmental Body, including without limitation all federal, state and local
laws relating to zoning and land use, occupational health and safety, and
employment and labor matters (collectively, “Laws”).
2.17
Permits.
The
Company and each of its subsidiaries owns or possesses from each appropriate
Governmental Body all right, title and interest in and to all material permits,
licenses, authorizations, approvals, quality certifications, franchises or
rights (collectively, “Permits”)
issued
by any Governmental Body necessary for the Company and its subsidiaries to
conduct the Business as they are currently conducting the Business. Each of
such
Permits is listed on Schedule 2.17.
No loss
or expiration of any such Permit is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company,
threatened, other than expiration in accordance with the terms thereof of
Permits that may be renewed in the ordinary course of business without
lapsing.
18
2.18
Environmental
Matters.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
2.18:
(a) The
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and for the past five years
have been in material compliance with Environmental Laws (as defined below).
(b) The
Company and its subsidiaries have obtained and are in material compliance with
all permits, licenses, authorizations, registrations and other governmental
consents required by applicable Environmental Laws for the Company’s and its
subsidiaries’ activities and operations at the Real Property as currently
conducted.
(c) There
have been no releases by the Company or its subsidiaries of Hazardous Materials
(as defined below) at, on, under, from or affecting any Real Property in such
quantities that would give rise to an obligation to report or remediate such
Hazardous Materials and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
disposed of any Hazardous Materials on any Real Property in material violation
of any Environmental Law.
(d) There
are
no pending or to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened actions, suits, claims or
other legal proceedings based on (i) the presence of any Hazardous
Materials on, at, an underlying any Real Property, (ii) any release or
threatened release into the environment of Hazardous Materials from any Real
Property, (iii) the off-site disposal, transport or arrangement for
disposal of Hazardous
Materials originating on or from any Real Property or the Business or assets
of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iv) any violation or alleged
violation of Environmental Laws by the Company
or any of its subsidiaries.
(e) No
underground storage tanks or underground piping associated with any such tanks
(“UST
Systems”)
are
present at or under any Real Property and to the Knowledge of the Company,
no
UST Systems have been located on any Real Property.
(f)
Sellers
and the Company have provided Buyer all environmental assessment reports, audits
and correspondence with any Governmental Body in their possession and control
relating to the release of any Hazardous Materials or non-compliance with
Environmental Laws at any Real Property that are set forth on Schedule 2.18(f).
19
As
used
herein, “Environmental
Laws”
means
all applicable laws, regulations, orders, decrees, judgments, or injunctions
issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Body pertaining to
the
protection of human health with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials
or
the environment, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments
and Reauthorization Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., the Solid Waste Disposal
Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901
et seq., the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by the Clean Water
Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq., the
Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., and any similar state or
local statutes. As used herein, “Hazardous
Materials”
means
any pollutants, contaminants, asbestos, PCBs, urea formaldehyde, oils, petroleum
and petroleum substances or byproducts, or fractions thereof, or other toxic
or
hazardous wastes, materials or substances, as those or any similar terms are
defined in any Environment Laws, or any other substance or waste regulated
pursuant to any Environmental Law. The representations and warranties in this
Section
2.18
are the
sole representations and warranties of the Sellers relating to compliance with
the Liabilities arising under Environmental Laws.
2.19
Employee
Matters.
Set
forth on Schedule 2.19
is a
complete list of all current employees of the Subsidiary and its subsidiaries,
including first date of employment, current title and compensation, and date
and
amount of last increase in compensation. Neither the
Company
nor any of its subsidiaries has any collective bargaining, union or labor
agreements, contracts or other arrangements with any group of employees, labor
union or employee representative and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there
is
no organization effort currently being made or threatened by or on behalf of
any
labor union with respect to employees of the Subsidiary or its subsidiaries.
Neither the Subsidiary nor any of its subsidiaries has experienced
any strike, material labor trouble, work stoppage, slow down or other
interference with or impairment of the Business. The Company does not now have,
and has not in the past had, any employees of any kind.
2.20
Employee
Benefit Plans.
(a) Set
forth
in Schedule
2.20(a)
is a
complete and correct list of all “Employee Benefit Plans.”
The
term
“Employee
Benefit Plans”
means
(a) any “employee benefit plan” or “plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”),
and
(b) all plans or policies providing for “fringe benefits” (including but not
limited to vacation, paid holidays, personal leave, employee discounts,
educational benefits or similar programs), and all other bonus, incentive
compensation, deferred compensation, profit sharing, stock, severance,
retirement, health, life, disability, group insurance, employment, stock option,
stock purchase, stock award stock appreciation right, performance share,
supplemental unemployment, layoff, consulting golden parachute agreements,
change of control agreements, severance pay plans, dependent care plans,
cafeteria plans, employee assistance programs, scholarship programs, employment
contracts or any other similar plans, agreements, policies or understandings
(whether written or oral, qualified or nonqualified), and any trust, escrow
or
other agreement related thereto, which (i) is or has been established,
maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries
with
respect to the Business, or
with
respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has or may have any
Liability, or (ii) provides benefits to any present or former director, officer
or employee (or their dependent or beneficiary) of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, regardless of whether funded, with respect to which the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries has or may have any Liability.
20
(b) The
Sellers have provided to the Buyer a true and complete copy of each Employee
Benefit Plan listed
in
Schedule
2.20(a)
(and, if
applicable, related trust agreements,
group
annuity contracts or other documents that provide the funding for the plan,
agreement or arrangement)
and all
amendments thereto and written interpretations thereof, together with (i) the
most recent favorable determination letter, if any, with respect to each
Employee Benefit Plan and
all
rulings or determinations requested from the Internal Revenue Service
(“IRS”)
after
the date of that determination letter,
(ii)
the three most recent annual reports prepared in connection with any such
Employee Benefit Plan (Form 5500, 990,
and
1041 reports
including, all applicable schedules), (iii) the most recent actuarial report
or
valuation statement
prepared
in connection with any such Employee Benefit Plan, (iv) the most recently
disseminated summary plan description,
or
other descriptive written materials, and each summary of material modifications
prepared after the last summary plan description, (v) the most recent statement
filed with the Department of Labor pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 2520.104-23, (vi) a
written summary of the legal basis for an exemption from the obligations to
file
annual Form 5500 reports, and (vii) all other correspondence from the IRS or
the
Department of Labor received that relate to one or more of the plans, agreements
or arrangements with respect to any matter, audit or inquiry that is still
pending..
(c) None
of
the Sellers, the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries has any formal
plan or commitment, whether legally binding or not, to create any additional
Employee Benefit Plan or modify or change any existing Employee Benefit Plan
that would affect any present or former director, officer or employee of Company
or any of its subsidiaries, or such present or former director’s, officer’s or
employee’s dependents or beneficiaries, other than as required by
Law.
(d) Neither
the Company or any of its subsidiaries sponsors, has an obligation to contribute
to, or has any liability with respect to a “defined benefit plan” as defined in
Section 3(35) of ERISA, a pension plan subject to the funding standards of
Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, a “multiemployer plan” as
defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or Section 414(f) of the Code or a “multiple
employer plan” within the meaning of Section 210(a) of ERISA or Section 413(c)
of the Code.
(e) Each
Employee Benefit Plan is in compliance with ERISA, applicable tax qualification
requirements and all other applicable laws in all material respects, including
but not limited to all reporting and disclosure requirements of Part I of
Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan;
the appropriate Form 5500 has been timely filed, for each year of its existence;
there has been no transaction described in Section 406 or 407 of ERISA or
section 4975 of the Code relating to the plan that could result in any material
liability or excise tax under ERISA or the Code being imposed on the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries unless exempt under section 408 of ERISA or Section
4975
of the Code, as applicable; the bonding requirements of section 412 of ERISA
have been satisfied; and all contributions required to have been made with
respect to the plan have been timely made. Except as set forth in Schedule
2.20(e),
there
is no material litigation, action, proceeding, investigation or claim asserted
or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened or contemplated, with respect
to
any Employee Benefit Plan (other than the payment of benefits in the normal
course) nor any issue if resolved adversely to the Company or an ERISA Affiliate
that may subject the Company or the any of its subsidiaries to the payment
of a
material penalty, interest, tax or other amount.
21
(f)
All
Employee Benefit Plans that are intended to qualify under section 401 (a) of
the
Code either (i) have been determined by the IRS to be qualified under section
401 (a) of the Code or (ii) have applicable remedial amendment periods that
will
not have ended before the Closing. To the Knowledge of the Company, no facts
have occurred that if known by the IRS could cause disqualification of any
of
those plans.
(g) Except
as
disclosed on Schedule
2.20(g),
neither
the Company nor any of its subsidiaries provides, nor is either of them
obligated to provide, benefits, including without limitation death, health,
medical, or hospitalization benefits (whether or not insured), with respect
to
current or former directors, officers or employees of the Business, their
dependents or beneficiaries beyond their retirement or other termination of
employment other than (i) coverage mandated by applicable Law, (ii) death
benefits or retirement benefits under any “employee pension benefit plan”, as
that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, or (iii) deferred compensation
benefits accrued as liabilities on the books of the Company or its
subsidiaries
and
disclosed on its financial statements.
(h) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
2.20(h),
the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, either alone
or
in conjunction with another event (such as a termination of employment), will
not (i) entitle any current or former employee or officer of the Company or
any
of its subsidiaries, to severance pay from the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, or any other payment under an agreement, plan, arrangement or
other contract, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting of benefits
under
an agreement, plan, arrangement or other Contract, or (iii) increase the amount
of compensation due any such employee or officer by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
2.21
Material
Contracts.
(a) Schedule
2.21(a)
lists
each of the following contracts, leases, licenses and other agreements, whether
written or oral and including all amendments thereto (“Contracts”)
to
which the Company or one of its subsidiaries is a party or a beneficiary or
by
which the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective assets
is
bound that is in effect on the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date (each
a “Material
Contract”
and
collectively, the “Material
Contracts”):
(i)
each
partnership or joint venture Contract;
(ii) each
Contract containing covenants or agreements that in any way purport to restrict
the business activity of any of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any
employee, director, officer, member or manager of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries;
(iii) each
Contract that requires the Company or any of its subsidiaries to make payments
of more than $50,000 per annum;
22
(iv) each
Contract by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries will receive payments
of more than $50,000 per annum (other than oral Contracts with customers of
the
Business regarding pricing);
(v) each
lease, rental or occupancy agreement, license, installment sale agreement or
other applicable Contract affecting the ownership of, leasing of, title to,
use
or any leasehold or other interest in real property or personal property (other
than personal property leases and installment sales agreements having a value
per item or aggregate payments of less than $50,000);
(vi) each
employment Contract and each collective bargaining Contract and other Contract
to or with any labor union or other employee representative of a group of
employees;
(vii)
each
licensing agreement or other applicable Contract with respect to copyrights,
patents, trademarks or other intellectual property, other than licenses for
generally commercially available software;
(viii)
each
Contract relating to indebtedness for borrowed money or creating a security
interest in the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(ix) each
guarantee of the indebtedness of any other Person;
(x) each
power of attorney;
(xi) each
sales agency, sales representative or distributor agreement or similar Contract;
(xii)
each
written product warranty Contract and each Contract providing for the
indemnification by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any other Person;
(xiii) each
agreement with or for the benefit of any shareholder, member, manager, director,
officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any immediate
family member thereof; and
(xiv)
each
other Contract that is in the reasonable belief of the Company material to
the
Business or operation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
Schedule
2.21(a)
also
lists each material oral Contract with customers of the Business regarding
pricing.
23
(b) The
Sellers have delivered to the Buyer a copy of each written Material Contract
and
a written summary of each oral Material Contract. Except as described on
Schedule
2.21(b):
(i)
each Material Contract is valid and binding on the Company or its applicable
subsidiary, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto,
and
is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms against
the Company or its applicable subsidiary, and, to the Knowledge of the Company,
any other party thereto, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and subject to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding at law or in equity); (ii) the Company or its applicable
subsidiary, has performed all of its obligations under every Material Contract
to which it is a party, and there exists no breach or default (or event that
with notice or lapse of time would constitute a breach or default) on the part
of the Company or its applicable subsidiary or, to the Knowledge of the Company,
on the part of any other Person under any Material Contract; (iii) there
has been no termination or written notice of default or, to the Knowledge of
the
Company, any threatened termination under any Material Contract; and (iv) to
the
Knowledge of the Company, no party to a Material Contract intends to terminate
its relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable,
as
a result of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
2.22
Customers;
Suppliers.
(a) Set
forth
on Schedule
2.22(a)
is a
complete list of each customer of the Company or its subsidiaries that accounted
for more than $500,000 of
revenues for the year ended December 31, 2005 (the “Material
Customers”),
which
list indicates the amount of revenues attributable to each such Material
Customer during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005. None of the Material
Customers has, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, or notified the
Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries in writing of any intention, to
terminate its relationship with the Company or its subsidiaries. Since the
Latest Balance Sheet Date, there
has
been no materially adverse change in the relationship of the Company or its
subsidiaries with any Material Customer and there has been no material reduction
in the level of purchases with any Material Customer outside the ordinary course
of business.
(b) Set
forth
on Schedule
2.22(b)
is a
complete list of all suppliers, manufacturers and distributors with which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries has any distributor, dealer or authorized
service center Contract (“Suppliers”).
None
of the Suppliers has, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, or notified
the Company or any of its subsidiaries in writing of any intention, to terminate
or materially adversely alter its relationships with the Company or its
subsidiaries. Since the Latest Balance Sheet Date, there has been no materially
adverse change in the relationship of the Company or its subsidiaries with
any
Suppliers.
2.23
Intellectual
Property Rights.
Schedule
2.23
identifies each material registered form of intellectual property that is owned
by the Company or its subsidiaries. The Subsidiary or its subsidiaries has
the
right to use all intellectual property used by the Subsidiary and its
subsidiaries in connection with the operation of the Business without infringing
on or otherwise acting adversely to the rights or claimed rights of any Person,
and, to the Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is obligated to pay any royalty or other consideration to any
Person in connection with the use of any such intellectual property except
as
set forth in the Material Contracts or licenses for generally commercially
available software. To the Knowledge of the Company, no other Person is
infringing the intellectual property rights of the Company or its
subsidiaries.
24
2.24
Illegal
Payments.
To the
Knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries
has: (i)
used any funds of the Company or its subsidiaries for unlawful contributions,
gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses, in each case, relating to
political activity; or (ii) made any payment in violation of applicable Law
to
any foreign or domestic government official or employee or to any foreign or
domestic political party or campaign or violated any provision of the Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
2.25
Insurance.
Set
forth on Schedule 2.25
is a
complete and accurate list of all primary, excess and umbrella policies, bonds
and other forms of insurance currently owned or held by or on behalf, or
providing insurance coverage to, the Company, its
subsidiaries,
the
Business or the Company’s or
its
subsidiaries’
assets,
managers, officers, employees or agents. All such policies are in full force
and
effect. Neither the Company nor
its
subsidiaries
has
received any written notice of default under any such policy or received written
notice of any pending or threatened termination or cancellation, coverage
limitation or reduction, or material premium increase with respect to any such
policy. Schedule 2.25
also
sets forth a complete and accurate summary of all of the self-insurance coverage
provided by or for the benefit of the Company or its subsidiaries. No letters
of
credit have been posted and no cash has been restricted to support any reserves
for insurance.
2.26
Bank
Accounts and Powers of Attorney.
Set
forth on Schedule
2.26
is a
list of (a) each bank, trust company and stock or other broker with which the
Company or any of its subsidiaries has an account, credit line or safe deposit
box of vault (collectively, “Bank
Accounts”),
(b)
all Persons authorized to draw on, or to have access to, each of the Bank
Accounts, and (c) all Persons authorized by proxies, powers of attorney or
other
like instruments to act on behalf of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.
2.27
Brokers. Except
for Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Company Inc., whose fees and expenses will be borne
entirely by the Sellers, none of the Sellers, the Company or any subsidiary
of
the Company has incurred or will incur any liability for brokers’ or finders’
fees or agents’ commissions in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE
III
Representations
and Warranties of the Buyer
The
Buyer
represents and warrants to the Sellers and the Company as follows:
3.1 Organization.
The
Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Louisiana and
has
full power to own its properties and to conduct its business as presently
conducted. The Buyer is duly authorized, qualified or licensed to do business
and is in good standing in each state or jurisdiction in which its business
or
operations as presently conducted make such qualification necessary, except
where the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing would not have
a
Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer.
25
3.2 Authority.
The
Buyer has all requisite power and authority, to execute, deliver and perform
under this Agreement and the other agreements, certificates and instruments
to
be executed by the Buyer in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement
(collectively, the “Buyer
Documents”).
The
execution, delivery and performance by the Buyer of this Agreement and each
Buyer Document has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part
of
the Buyer. This Agreement has been, and at the Closing the other Buyer Documents
will be, duly executed and delivered by the Buyer. This Agreement is, and,
upon
execution and delivery by the Buyer at the Closing, each of the other Buyer
Documents will be, a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Buyer,
enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
conveyance or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights
generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).
3.3 No
Violation.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Buyer Documents
by
the Buyer will not (a) conflict with or result in the breach of any term or
provision of, (b) require consent, or (c) violate or constitute a default under
any charter provision or bylaw or under any material agreement, order or Law
to
which the Buyer is a party or by which the Buyer is in any way bound or
obligated, in each case that would prevent the Buyer from consummating the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.4 Governmental
Consents.
Except
as required in connection with the HSR Act, no consent, approval, order or
authorization of, or registration, qualification, designation, declaration
or
filing with, any Governmental Body is required on the part of the Buyer in
connection with the sale and purchase of the Shares or any other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Buyer Documents.
3.5 Securities
Matters.
The
Buyer is acquiring the Shares for its own account and not with a view to their
distribution within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Act. The Buyer has
sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as
to
be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Shares,
and the Buyer is capable of bearing the economic risk of such investment,
including a complete loss thereof.
3.6 Restricted
Securities.
The
Buyer understands that the Shares constitute “restricted securities” within the
meaning of Rule 144 under the Act and may not be sold, pledged or otherwise
disposed of unless they are subsequently registered under the Act and applicable
state securities laws or unless an exemption from registration is
available.
3.7 Brokers.
The
Buyer has not incurred any liability for brokers’ or finders’ fees or agents’
commissions in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
3.8 No
Reliance.
The
Buyer or its representatives have inspected and conducted such reasonable review
and analysis (financial and otherwise) of the Company and its subsidiaries
as
desired by the Buyer. The purchase of the Shares by the Buyer and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder by the Buyer are not
done in reliance upon any warranty or representation by, or information from,
any Seller, the Company or any subsidiary of the Company of any sort, oral
or
written, except the representations and warranties specifically set forth in
this Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto) and in any
certificates required to be delivered to the Buyer by the Sellers or the Company
hereunder and thereunder. Such purchase and consummation are instead done
entirely on the basis of the Buyer’s own investigation, analysis, judgment and
assessment of the present and potential value and earning power of the Company
as well as those representations and warranties by the Sellers or the Company
specifically set forth in this Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits
hereto) and in any certificates required to be delivered to the Buyer by the
Sellers or the Company hereunder and thereunder.
26
3.9 Legal
Proceedings.
There
are no material lawsuits, legal proceedings, administrative enforcement
proceedings or arbitration proceedings before any Governmental Body pending
or,
to the Buyer’s Knowledge, threatened against the Buyer that would adversely
affect the Buyer’s performance under this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
3.10
Financing.
The
Buyer has sufficient funds available to pay all amounts required to be paid
pursuant to Article I
and to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE
IV
Covenants
and Agreements
4.1 Conduct
of Business.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.1,
prior
to the Closing, unless the Buyer otherwise consents in writing, the Company
will
and will cause its subsidiaries to:
(a) operate
in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice and use
their respective commercially reasonable efforts to preserve the goodwill of
the
Company, its subsidiaries and of each of their respective officers, employees,
customers, suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and others having business
dealings with the Company or its subsidiaries;
(b) use
their
commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact the business organization
of
the Company and its subsidiaries, keep available the services of their
respective present officers and key employees, consultants, advisors and
managers and maintain satisfactory relationships with customers, agents,
insurers, manufacturers, suppliers and other Persons having business
relationships with the Company or its subsidiaries;
(c) not
make
any material expenditure, investment or commitment outside the ordinary course
of business, consistent with past practice or enter into any material agreement
or arrangement that would be a Material Contract if entered into prior to the
date of this Agreement;
(d) maintain,
on the same terms that exist as of the date hereof, all insurance policies
and
all Permits that are currently held by the Company and its subsidiaries to
carry
on the Business;
(e) maintain
books of account and records consistent with past practice;
27
(f)
not
acquire any Person by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets
or
make any investment in any Person either by purchase of stock or securities,
contributions to capital, property transfer or purchase of any material amount
of property or assets (other than inventory, raw materials and supplies in
the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice);
(g) not
amend
the organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, split,
combine, subdivide or reclassify the Company’s or any of its subsidiaries’
membership or equity interests, or, except for the issuance of options under
the
Company’s Stock Option Plan to Persons who are Sellers, alter through merger,
liquidation, reorganization, restructuring or in any other fashion the corporate
structure or ownership of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(h) not
make
or change any election, change an annual accounting period, adopt or change
any
accounting method, file any amended Tax Return, enter into any closing
agreement, settle any Tax claim or assessment relating to the Company or any
of
its subsidiaries, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, consent to
any
extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or
assessment relating to the Company or its subsidiaries or take any similar
action relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the payment of any Tax,
if
such election, adoption, change, amendment, agreement, settlement, surrender,
consent or other action would have the effect of materially increasing the
Tax
liability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries for any period beginning
after the Closing Date (“Post
Closing Period”);
(i)
not
enter
into any Material Contract with suppliers, distributors or manufacturers, unless
such Contract is terminable by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as
applicable, on thirty (30) days’ notice or otherwise entered into in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(j)
not
enter
into any noncompetition, exclusivity or most favored nation agreement that
binds
the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(k) not
enter
into or amend any collective bargaining agreement; and
(l)
not
agree
to bear, pay or repay the tax liability of any Person receiving or holding
Options after the date hereof.
4.2 Access
and Information.
From
and after the date hereof until the Closing Date or the earlier termination
of
this Agreement pursuant to Section
8.1,
the
Company will permit the Buyer and its representatives, upon reasonable notice,
to have reasonable access to the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ members,
managers, officers, employees, agents, assets, properties, books, records and
documents of or relating to the Business and the Company’s and its subsidiaries’
assets during normal business hours and will furnish to the Buyer such
information, financial records and other documents as the Buyer may reasonably
request. From and after the date hereof until the Closing Date or the earlier
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section
8.1,
the
Company will permit the Buyer and its representatives reasonable access to
the
Company’s and its subsidiaries’ accountants and auditors for consultation or
verification of any information obtained by the Buyer and will use its
commercially reasonable efforts, and will cause its subsidiaries to use its
commercially reasonable efforts, to cause such Persons to cooperate with the
Buyer and its representatives in such consultations and in verifying such
information. From
and
after the date hereof until the Closing Date or the earlier termination of
this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1, the Buyer shall not contact suppliers and
customers of the Company and its subsidiaries without the prior consent of
the
Seller Representative, provided,
however,
that (i)
the Buyer or its representatives may respond to unsolicited questions from
customers and suppliers of the Company and its subsidiaries as long as such
responses are consistent with an agreed upon communications plan approved by
both the Seller Representative and the Buyer, and (ii) nothing in this Agreement
shall be interpreted as limiting in any way the Buyer and its Affiliates from
communicating freely with their customers and suppliers regarding matters other
than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
28
4.3 Environmental
Investigations.
After
the
date hereof, the Buyer may not conduct any environmental testing or analysis
of
the soil, groundwater, surface water, or structures of the Real Property,
without the prior written consent of the Seller Representative; provided,
however, the Seller Representative agrees that the Buyer may conduct
environmental testing or analysis after the date hereof, with the prior written
consent of the Seller Representative, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, if, after the date hereof, (a) an event occurs or (b) information
becomes known to the Buyer that was not disclosed in the Schedules to this
Agreement or otherwise known to the Buyer on the date hereof, in any case with
respect to the soil, groundwater, surface water or structures of the Real
Property that the Buyer reasonably believes could (i) result in a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company or (ii) cause a representation or warranty of
the
Company to not be true and correct in all material respects (such testing
hereinafter referred to as “Permitted
Testing”).
The
cost and expenses of any Permitted Testing shall be borne by the Buyer. The
Sellers will assist the Buyer with securing approval for any Permitted Testing
to be performed on those Real Properties that are leased. Should the landlord
under any such leased property refuse to permit Permitted Testing on the same,
the Buyer will not be allowed to conduct Permitted Testing on such Real
Property. At least three (3) business days prior to conducting Permitted
Testing, the Buyer will provide to the Seller Representative for review and
approval a written scope of work from its consultant, along with a plot plan
or
map depicting the proposed boring or sample locations. Upon written request,
the
Buyer shall furnish the Seller Representative with copies of all Permitted
Testing reports prepared in connection with any of the Permitted
Testing.
4.4 Supplemental
Disclosure.
The
Sellers will promptly supplement or amend each of the Schedules hereto with
respect to any matter that arises or is discovered after the date hereof that,
if existing or known at the date hereof, would have been required to be set
forth or listed in the Schedules hereto; provided,
however,
that for
purposes of determining whether the condition in Section
5.1(a)
has been
satisfied or is capable of being satisfied, any such supplemental or amended
disclosure will not be deemed to have been disclosed to the Buyer unless the
Buyer otherwise expressly consents in writing. If the Closing occurs, Buyer
will
not have any right to indemnification for any event or occurrence to the extent
such event or occurrence was disclosed in an updated Schedule provided by the
Sellers or the Company pursuant to this Section
4.4;
provided,
however,
that
this sentence does not affect the rights of the Buyer, the Company or any of
the
Company’s Affiliates, successors or assigns under the Prior Purchase
Agreement.
4.5 Assistance
with Permits and Filings.
Subject
to such confidentiality restrictions as may be reasonably requested,
the
Sellers will furnish, and will cause the Company and its subsidiaries to
furnish, the Buyer with all information concerning the Sellers, the Company
or
its subsidiaries that is required for inclusion in any application or filing
made by the Buyer to any Governmental Body in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
29
4.6 Fulfillment
of Conditions by the Sellers.
The
Sellers agree not to take any action that would cause the conditions on the
obligations of the parties to effect the transactions contemplated hereby not
to
be fulfilled, including without limitation by taking or causing to be taken
any
action that would cause the representations and warranties made by the Sellers
herein not to be true and correct as of the Closing.
4.7 Fulfillment
of Conditions by the Buyer.
The
Buyer agrees not to take any action that would cause the conditions on the
obligations of the parties to effect the transactions contemplated hereby not
to
be fulfilled, including without limitation by taking or causing to be taken
any
action that would cause the representations and warranties made by the Buyer
herein not to be true and correct as of the Closing.
4.8 Publicity.
Except
as may be required to comply with the requirements of any applicable Law or
listing standard, neither the Buyer, on the one hand, nor the Company or any
Seller, on the other hand, will issue any press release or other public
announcement relating to the subject matter of this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby without the prior approval (which approval
will
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the Seller Representative or the
Buyer, respectively.
4.9 Transaction
Costs.
The
Sellers will pay all transaction
costs and expenses (including legal, accounting and other professional fees)
incurred by the Company or any Seller in connection with the
negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby. The
Buyer
will pay all transaction costs and expenses (including legal, accounting and
other professional fees) that it incurs in connection with the
negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby.
4.10
No-Shop
Provisions.
Each
Seller
hereby
covenants and agrees that, unless this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section
8.1:
(i) it
will not, and will not permit any of its Affiliates (including the Company
or
any of its subsidiaries) to, directly or indirectly (through agents or
otherwise), initiate, encourage or solicit (including by way of furnishing
information or assistance), or take any other action to facilitate, any
inquiries or the making of any proposal relating to, or that may reasonably
be
expected to lead to, any Competing Transaction (as defined below), or enter
into
or engage in any discussions or negotiations with any Person in furtherance
of
such inquiries or to obtain a Competing Transaction, or endorse or agree to
endorse any Competing Transaction, or authorize or permit any manager, director,
officer or employee of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any Seller,
or any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other
representative retained by any Seller
or any
of their Affiliates (including the Company or any of its subsidiaries) to take
any such action; and (ii) it will promptly notify the Buyer of all relevant
terms of any such inquiries and proposals received by it or any of its
Affiliates (including the Company or any of its subsidiaries) or by any such
manager, director, officer, employee, investment banker, financial advisor,
attorney, accountant or other representative relating to any such matters,
and
if such inquiry or proposal is in writing, it will promptly deliver or cause
to
be delivered to the Buyer a copy of such inquiry or proposal. For purposes
of
this Agreement, “Competing
Transaction”
means
any of the following (other than the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement) involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries: (i) any merger,
consolidation, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction;
(ii)
any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition
of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
(other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practice); or (iii) any offer, sale or other transfer of any
equity interests in the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
30
4.11
Nondisclosure.
Each
Seller acknowledges and agrees that all customer, prospect and marketing lists,
sales data, intellectual property and other confidential information of the
Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Confidential
Information”)
are
valuable assets constituting part of the assets of the Company and, following
the Closing, will be owned exclusively by the Buyer, the Company or its
subsidiaries. Each Seller agrees to, and agrees to use reasonable efforts to
cause its representatives to, treat the Confidential Information, together
with
any other confidential information furnished to it by the Buyer, as confidential
and not to make use of such information for its own purposes or for the benefit
of any other Person (other than the Company or its subsidiaries prior to the
Closing or the Buyer after the Closing). The parties agree that the terms of
the
confidentiality agreement between the Seller Representative and Xxxxx
Corporation, dated December 27, 2005, will remain in force until the
Closing.
4.12
Release
by the Sellers.
Effective
upon the Closing, each Seller, for itself and its successors and assigns, hereby
fully and unconditionally releases and forever discharges and holds harmless
the
Company and its subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, managers,
employees, agents, Affiliates, successors and assigns from any and all claims,
demands, losses, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and
expenses), obligations, Liabilities and/or damages of every kind and nature
whatsoever, whether now existing, known or unknown, that such Seller may now
have or may hereafter claim to have against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of such directors, officers, managers, employees, agents,
Affiliates, successors or assigns, relating to events or circumstances existing
or occurring on or prior to the Closing Date and that relate in any way,
directly or indirectly, to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby; provided,
however,
that
the foregoing release will not affect any obligations of the Buyer to the
Sellers under this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents or the Buyer Documents;
provided
further,
that
the foregoing release does not apply to the rights any Seller or any of its
Affiliates may have (a) in its capacity as a lender under the Credit Agreement,
dated as of February 9, 2005, by and among the Subsidiary, Antares Capital
Corporation, Keybank National Association and the other financial institutions
party thereto, including all amendments, extensions, renewals and modifications
thereto (the “Credit
Agreement”),
and
the documents, instruments and agreements entered into in connection with such
Credit Agreement, or (b) under the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated
February 9, 2005, by and among the Company, the Subsidiary, the
Warrantholder and Xxxxx Capital Incorporated, including all amendments,
extensions, renewals and modifications thereto (the “Note
and Warrant Purchase Agreement”),
and
the documents, instruments and agreements entered into in connection with such
Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement.
31
4.13
Certain
Tax Matters.
The
following provisions shall govern the allocation of responsibility as between
the Buyer on the one hand and the Sellers on the other hand for certain Tax
matters following the Closing:
(a) Tax
Returns.
The
following provisions shall govern the filing of Tax Returns.
(i)
The
Sellers and the Buyer will, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, elect
with the appropriate Taxing Authority to close the periods of the Company and
subsidiaries as of and including the Closing Date. In any case in which
applicable Law does not require or permit such a Tax period of the Company
and
its subsidiaries to be closed as of and including the Closing Date, any Tax
pertaining to a period that begins on or before the Closing Date and ends after
the Closing Date (a “Straddle
Period”)
shall
be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.13(a).
(ii) For
purposes of this Agreement, all Income Taxes of the Company and any of its
subsidiaries that relate to a Straddle Period will be allocated between the
Pre-Closing Tax Period portion of the Straddle Period (the “Pre-Closing
Straddle Period”)
and
the post-Closing portion of the Straddle Period. The Income Taxes allocated
to
the Pre-Closing Straddle Period will be deemed equal to the amount of Income
Taxes which would be payable if the relevant Tax period ended at the end of
the
day on the Closing Date and shall be determined by an interim closing of the
books as of the close of business on the Closing Date. The portion of Tax
related to the portion of the Straddle Period that extends after the Closing
Date to the end of the Straddle Period (the “Post-Closing
Straddle Period”)
shall
be calculated in a corresponding manner. For purposes of this clause (ii),
any
exemption, deduction, credit or other item that is calculated on an annual
basis
will be allocated between the Pre-Closing Straddle Period and the Post-Closing
Straddle Period on a pro rata basis by multiplying the total amount of such
item
for the Straddle Period by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
of
calendar days in the Pre-Closing Straddle Period and the denominator of which
is
the number of calendar days in the Straddle Period.
If a net
operating loss results for a Pre-Closing Straddle Period upon an interim closing
of the books as of the end of the day on the Closing Date, then the Buyer shall
pay or cause to be paid to the Sellers the net actual reduction in Income Taxes
for the Post-Closing Straddle Period attributable to such net operating loss
upon the filing of the relevant Straddle Period Tax Return (without regard
to
extensions).
(iii) The
Sellers shall cause the Company and its subsidiaries to properly and correctly
prepare and timely file any and all Tax Returns, the due date of which
(including extensions) is on or before the Closing Date, which are required
to
be filed for, by, on behalf of or with respect to the Company and its
subsidiaries with the appropriate Taxing Authority and to pay to the appropriate
Taxing Authority the amount of Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Returns.
Sellers shall deliver a copy of any Tax Return required to be filed by it under
this Section
4.13(a)(iii)
to the
Buyer within ten (10) calendar days after filing such Tax Return.
32
(iv) (A) The
Seller Representative, on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries, shall
properly and correctly prepare or cause to be properly and correctly prepared
(which may include direction to the Company or any of its subsidiaries that
it
undertake such preparation under the direction of the Seller Representative)
the
Income Tax Returns for the Company and its subsidiaries for the period (I)
ending on December 31, 2005 (the “2005
Income Tax Returns”)
and
(II) commencing on January 1, 2005, and ending on and including the Closing
Date
(the “Stub
Period Returns”).
The
Buyer and the Seller Representative acknowledge and agree that the Stub Period
Returns will include deductions from the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ income
for the items set forth on Schedule 4.13(a)(iv)
(collectively, the “Deductions”).
The
Sellers will be entitled to any refunds or overpayments of Income Taxes with
respect to such Income Tax Returns when received. The Sellers will pay to the
Buyer any increased Income Taxes payable by the Company as the result of any
Deductions that are disallowed. The Buyer shall pay or cause to be paid all
Income Taxes imposed on the Company and its subsidiaries shown as due and owing
on such Income Tax Returns. The Sellers shall reimburse the Buyer for any such
Income Taxes (or in the case of a Straddle Period (as defined above), Income
Taxes attributable to the Pre-Closing Straddle Period (as described above))
paid, or caused to be paid, by the Buyer pursuant to the preceding sentence.
(B) The
Seller Representative may file the 2005 Income Tax Returns and Stub Period
Returns at anytime prior to the due date for filing thereof, including
extensions; provided
that the
Seller Representative complies with the provisions of this Section 4.13(a)(iv)(B).
The
Seller Representative shall provide final drafts of each 2005 Income Tax Return
and Stub Period Return to the Buyer for its review and approval (which approval
will not be unreasonably withheld) not less than thirty (30) days prior to
the
date on which such 2005 Income Tax Return or Stub Period Return is due to be
filed with the appropriate Governmental Body, including extensions. It will
be
unreasonable for the Buyer to withhold its approval of such Income Tax Return
if
the filing of such Tax Return (or the reporting of any item thereon) would
not
subject the Buyer, the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, or any of
their respective employees, officers, directors, managers, members or
shareholders to any fine or penalty, and the reporting of such item is
consistent with this Section 4.13(a).
If the
Buyer does not respond within twenty (20) days after delivery of such 2005
Income Tax Returns or Stub Period Returns, the Buyer will be deemed to have
approved such Income Tax Returns, and the Buyer shall timely file or cause
to be
timely filed such Income Tax Returns on behalf of the Company and its
subsidiaries. If the Buyer, within twenty (20) days after delivery of such
2005
Income Tax Returns or Stub Period Returns, notifies the Seller Representative
in
writing that it objects to any item in any 2005 Income Tax Return or Stub Period
Return, the Buyer and the Seller Representative shall negotiate in good faith
to
attempt to resolve any issue arising as a result of such review. If the Seller
Representative and the Buyer are unable to resolve such dispute by the earlier
of (i) fifteen (15) days after Seller Representative’s receipt of the written
notice of objection, or (ii) five (5) days before the due date for filing the
Stub Period Returns or 2005 Income Tax Returns, then the Buyer shall timely
file, or cause to be timely filed, such Income Tax Returns; provided
that
(I) the Sellers’ obligations to reimburse the Buyer for Income Taxes shown
as due and owing on such Income Tax Returns will be determined by taking into
account the resolution of such item and ignoring the reporting of such item
on
the Income Tax Return as filed and (II) the Buyer shall pay to the Sellers
the excess (if any) of the (x) amount of Seller Refunds (as defined below)
calculated by taking into account the resolution of such item and ignoring
the
reporting of such item on the Income Tax Returns as filed, over (y) amount
of Seller Refunds calculated based on the Income Tax Returns as filed.
Furthermore, the Seller Representative and the Buyer shall jointly engage the
Accountant to make its final independent determination with respect to the
items
in dispute and the amounts related to those items, such determination to be
consistent with Section
4.13(a).
Any
expenses relating to the engagement of the Accountant shall be shared equally
by
the Buyer, on the one hand, and the Sellers, on the other hand. The
determination of the Accountant shall be final and binding on the Buyer and
the
Sellers.
33
(C) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, the Sellers will not be liable to any Buyer
Party for any Income Taxes of the Company or any of its subsidiaries resulting
from: (I) actions taken or caused to be taken by the Buyer or any of
its Affiliates (including the Company or any of its subsidiaries) after the
Closing on the Closing Date, (II) actions initiated by the Buyer at the Closing
that are not contemplated by this Agreement or (III) the manner in which
the Buyer or any of its Affiliates finances the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
(v) The
Buyer, the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries shall carry back any item of
loss, deduction, or credit (including any such items resulting from any
Deductions) on the Stub Period Returns to the fullest extent permitted by Law
(a
“Carryback”),
and
the Seller Representative, on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries shall
prepare or cause to be prepared (which may include direction to the Company
that
it undertake such preparation under the direction of the Seller Representative)
and the Buyer shall file or cause to be filed as soon as reasonably possible,
any claim for refund (including by filing IRS Form 1139, IRS Form 4466
or any successor form, and any comparable foreign, state, or local forms) or
amended Income Tax Returns to effect such Carryback as part of, and at the
same
time as, the preparation and filing of the Stub Period Returns (and the Buyer
shall have the same review and approval rights described in Section 4.13(a)(iv)(A)).
34
(vi) Any
refund or credit of Income Taxes paid by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
for any period ending on or before the Closing Date (a “Pre-Closing
Tax Period”),
including refunds of Income Taxes that are received by the Buyer, the Company,
or any of their respective Affiliates resulting from a Carryback (collectively,
“Seller
Refunds”)
will
be for the account of the Sellers. The Buyer shall, or shall cause its
Affiliates to, forward to the Seller Representative, on behalf of the Sellers,
any Seller Refunds within five days after such refund is received or in the
case
of a credit within five days after the credit is allowed or applied against
other Income Tax liabilities. The parties shall treat any payments under the
preceding sentence as an adjustment to the proceeds received by the Sellers
pursuant to Article II,
unless
otherwise required by Law. Other than as provided in Section 4.13(a)(iv),
at the
Seller Representative’s request, the Buyer shall cooperate with the Seller
Representative in obtaining such refunds or credit, including through the filing
of amended Income Tax Returns or refund claims as prepared by the Seller
Representative, at the Sellers’ expense.
(vii)
The
Buyer
shall cause to be properly and correctly prepared and timely filed each Income
Tax Return for the Company and its subsidiaries for the Straddle Period with
the
appropriate Taxing Authority and to pay to the appropriate Taxing Authority
the
amount of Income Taxes shown to be due on such Income Tax Returns. With respect
to an Income Tax Return covering a Straddle Period, the Buyer shall determine
the portion of the Income Taxes shown as due on such Income Tax Return that
is
allocable to a Pre-Closing Straddle Period in accordance with Section 4.12(a)(ii),
and set
forth its calculation in a statement (“Statement”)
prepared by the Buyer. The Buyer shall deliver a copy of any such Income Tax
Return required to be filed by it pursuant to this Section 4.13(a)(vii)
and any
related Statement to the Seller Representative at least thirty (30) calendar
days before filing such Income Tax Return.
(viii)
All
Income Tax Returns referred to in Section 4.13(a)
shall,
subject to Section
4.13(a)(iv),
be
prepared (x) on a basis consistent with past custom and practices of the
Company and its subsidiaries to the extent permitted under applicable Law,
and
(y) to the extent any items are not covered by past practices, in
accordance with reasonable Tax accounting practices. Without limiting the
foregoing, the Income Tax Returns shall be prepared without making or changing
any election, changing an annual accounting period (other than an annual
accounting period that is terminated at the end of the day on the Closing Date
as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under applicable
Law or pursuant to Section
4.13(a)(i)),
or
adopting or changing any accounting method.
35
(ix) The
amount of Income Taxes shown to be due on any Income Tax Return and any
Statement described in Section 4.13(a)(vii)
shall be
final and binding on the Sellers, unless Seller Representative shall have
delivered to the Buyer (within twenty (20) days after the date of Seller
Representative’s receipt of the Tax Return and any related Statement) a written
report (the “Written
Report”)
containing all changes that Seller Representative proposes to make to the Tax
Return and any related Statement. The Buyer and Seller Representative shall
undertake in good faith to resolve any issues raised in any such Written Report
before the due date (including any extension thereof) for filing the Tax Return
and mutually consent to the filing of such Tax Return and, if applicable, to
agree on the determination set forth in the Statement. If Seller Representative
and the Buyer are unable to resolve any dispute by the earlier of
(i) fifteen (15) days after Buyer’s receipt of Seller Representative’s
Written Report, or (ii) five (5) days before the due date for filing of the
Tax Return in question (including any extension thereof), Seller Representative
and the Buyer shall jointly engage the Accountant to make its independent
determination with respect to the items in dispute and the amounts related
to
those items, such determination to be consistent with Section 4.13(a)(vii).
Any
expenses relating to engagement of the Accountant shall be shared equally by
the
Buyer and the Sellers. The determination by the Accountant shall be final and
binding on Buyer and Sellers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
Section 4.13(a)(ix)
shall
prohibit the Buyer from causing the timely filing of any Income Tax Returns
required to be filed under Section 4.13(a)(vii),
but the
Buyer shall file, or cause to be filed, amended Income Tax Returns to the extent
necessary to reflect the Parties’ resolution pursuant to the procedures set
forth in this Section 4.13(a)(ix).
In the
case of any Income Tax Return required to be filed by Buyer under Section 4.13(a)(vii),
the
Buyer shall pay or cause to be paid all Income Taxes imposed on the Company
and
its subsidiaries shown as due and owing on such Income Tax Returns.
The
Sellers shall reimburse the Buyer for any Income Taxes attributable to the
Pre-Closing Straddle Period as determined pursuant to the procedures described
herein.
(x)
In
connection with the preparation of Tax Returns, audit examinations and any
administrative or judicial proceedings relating to the Tax liabilities imposed
on the Company and its subsidiaries for all Pre-Closing Tax Periods or Straddle
Periods, the Buyer, the Company and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and
Seller Representative, on the other hand, shall reasonably cooperate with each
other, including the furnishing or making available during normal business
hours
of records, personnel (as reasonably required), books of accounts and other
materials reasonably necessary or helpful for the preparation of such Tax
Returns, the conduct of audit examinations or the defense of claims by Taxing
Authorities as to the imposition of Taxes; provided,
however,
the
party requesting assistance shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the party providing such assistance; provided,
further,
no
party will be required to provide assistance at times or in amounts that would
unreasonably interfere with the business and operations of such
party.
(xi) Neither
the Buyer nor any of its Affiliates shall amend, refile, revoke or otherwise
modify any Tax Return or Tax election of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
relating or otherwise covering any period ending on or before the Closing Date
that would, or would reasonably be expected to, increase Taxes for which the
Sellers are responsible under this Agreement without the prior written consent
of Seller Representative, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed.
(b) Tax
Sharing Agreements.
All tax
sharing or similar agreements between the Company or any of its subsidiaries,
on
the one hand, and another of the Company’s subsidiaries, on the other hand,
shall be cancelled on or before the Closing Date and neither the Company nor
any
of its subsidiaries shall have any liability thereunder.
36
(c) Nature
of Payments.
Any
payment pursuant to Section 6.1
or this
Section 4.13
shall be
treated for Tax purposes as an adjustment to the Purchase Price unless otherwise
required by applicable law.
(d) Transfer
Taxes.
All
transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes
and
fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with this
Agreement (the “Transfer
Taxes”)
shall
be paid by Sellers when due, and Seller Representative will, at its own expense,
file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all
such
Transfer Taxes, and, if required by applicable law, Seller Representative will
join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other
documentation.
(e) Statute
of Limitations.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the provisions
of
this Section 4.13
shall
survive for the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving
effect to any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof); provided
that
claims are made by the indemnified party prior to the expiration of the
applicable statute of limitations (giving effect to any waiver, mitigation
or
extension thereof).
4.14
Records.
With
respect to the financial books and records and minute books of the Company
and
its subsidiaries relating to matters on or prior to the Closing Date:
(a) for a period of five (5) years after the Closing Date, the Buyer shall
not cause or permit their destruction or disposal without first offering to
surrender them to the Seller Representative, and (b) where there is
legitimate, non-competitive purpose, including, without limitation, an audit
of
any Seller by the IRS or any other Taxing Authority, the Buyer shall allow
such
Seller and its representatives access to such books and records during regular
business hours upon reasonable prior request from such Seller.
4.15
Indemnification.
(a) For
six
(6) years following the Closing Date, the Buyer agrees to indemnify each of
the
present and former directors, officers and employees of the Company or any
of
its subsidiaries to the same extent as is currently provided for such Persons
under the certificates of incorporation, articles of organization, bylaws or
similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
or
under indemnification agreements, if any, in existence and effect on the date
hereof, for acts or omissions occurring on or prior to the Closing in such
capacities.
(b) The
provisions of this Section
4.15 are
intended to be for the benefit of, and will be enforceable by, each indemnified
party or insured Person, his or her heirs and his or her representatives and
are
in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other right to indemnification
or contribution that any such Person may have by contract or
otherwise.
4.16
HSR.
37
(a) The
Company and the Buyer shall, as promptly as practicable, but in no event later
than three (3) business days following the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, submit all requisite documents and notifications required by Title
II
of the HSR Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the
“HSR
Filing”)
and
thereafter provide any supplemental information reasonably requested in
connection therewith pursuant to the HSR Act and make any similar filing with
any other Governmental Body for which such filing is required. Any such filing
or supplemental information will be in substantial compliance with the
requirements of the HSR Act or other applicable antitrust regulation. Subject
to
such confidentiality restrictions as may be reasonably requested, the Company
and the Buyer shall furnish to the other such necessary information and
reasonable assistance as the other may request in connection with its
preparation of any filing or submission that is necessary under the HSR Act
or
other applicable antitrust regulation. The Company and the Buyer shall request
early termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act and any
other applicable antitrust regulation. Each of the Company and the Buyer, will
promptly inform the other party of any material communication received by such
party from any Governmental Body in respect of the HSR Filing. The Buyer shall
pay all filing fees under the HSR Act.
(b) Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties hereto agrees
to use its reasonable best efforts, to take, or cause to be taken, all
reasonable action and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably
necessary and appropriate to consummate and make effective the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Agreement, neither the Company, any subsidiary of the Company,
or any of their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, nor the Buyer or any
of
its Affiliates, on the other hand, shall be required to divest themselves of
any
assets or properties or agree to limit the ownership or operation of the
Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any of their respective Affiliates,
on
the one hand, nor the Buyer or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand, of
any
assets or properties, including, without limitation, the Shares or any of the
assets owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
4.17
Employee
Benefit Arrangements.
The
Buyer agrees that the individuals who are employed by the Company or any of
its
subsidiaries as of the Closing Date (the “Company
Employees”)
shall,
for so long as they continue to be full-time employees of the Company or any
of
its subsidiaries, be eligible to receive employee benefits that are
substantially comparable to those benefits provided to the Company Employees
under the Employee Benefit Plans in effect immediately prior to the Closing
Date. The Buyer will ensure that any employee benefit plans or programs it
adopts with respect to the Company Employees treat employment with the Company
or any of its subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date the same as employment
with
the Buyer, the Company or any of its subsidiaries from and after the Closing
Date for purposes of eligibility and vesting (including, without limitation,
the
satisfaction of any waiting periods under any welfare benefit plans maintained
by the Buyer (the “Buyer
Welfare Plans”))
and,
for purposes of any vacation plan or policy it adopts with respect to the
Company Employees, benefit accrual. No pre-existing condition limitations,
exclusions or waiting periods applicable with respect to life and accidental
death and dismemberment insurance, disability, sickness and accident and medical
benefits under the Buyer Welfare Plans shall apply to Company Employees to
the
extent that such limitations, exclusions or waiting periods exceed those in
effect under the welfare benefit plans maintained by the Company or any of
its
subsidiaries as of the Closing Date. The Buyer Welfare Plans in which a Company
Employee participates after the Closing Date shall recognize, for purposes
of
satisfying any deductible, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums during 2006,
any
payment made by such Company Employee in 2006 prior to the Closing Date toward
deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximums in any welfare plan of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and
after the Closing Date, the Buyer, the Company and the Company’s subsidiaries
will have sole discretion over employment decisions with respect to Company
Employees, will not be obligated to continue the employment of any Company
Employee and will have the right to amend, modify or terminate any and all
employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements in which a Company Employee
participates.
38
ARTICLE
V
Closing
Conditions
5.1 Conditions
to Obligations of the Buyer.
The
obligations of the Buyer under this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction
at
or prior to the Closing of the following conditions, but compliance with any
such conditions may be waived by the Buyer in writing:
(a) All
representations and warranties of the Company and the Sellers
contained in this Agreement will be true and correct in all material respects
(if not qualified by materiality including, without limitation, Material Adverse
Effect) or in all respects (if qualified by materiality including, without
limitation, Material Adverse Effect) at and as of the Closing with the same
effect as though such representations and warranties were made at and as of
the
Closing.
(b) The
Company and the Sellers
will
have performed and complied in all material respects with all the covenants
and
agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by them
at or prior to the Closing, including, without limitation, the delivery of
all
items required to be delivered by them pursuant to Sections
1.5 (b),
(e),
(f),
(m),
(n),
(o),
(p),
(r),
(s),
(t),
(u),
and
(x).
(c) All
contractual and governmental consents, notices, approvals, orders or
authorizations listed on Schedule
5.1(c)
will
have been obtained or given, as applicable. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, all filings pursuant to the HSR Act
will have been made by the Buyer, the Sellers and their respective Affiliates
and the required waiting period under the HSR Act will have expired or been
terminated.
(d) As
of the
Closing Date, there will be no pending
action or proceeding before any court of competent jurisdiction or other
Governmental Body by any Person seeking to enjoin or prohibit any material
aspect of the operation of the Business or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and no such action or proceeding seeking to
enjoin or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement will have been threatened in writing.
5.2 Conditions
to Obligations of the Sellers.
The
obligations of the Sellers
under
this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of
the
following conditions, but compliance with any such conditions may be waived
by
the Seller
Representative
in
writing:
(a) All
representations and warranties of the Buyer contained in this Agreement will
be
true and correct in all material respects (if not qualified by materiality
including, without limitation, Material Adverse Effect) or in all respects
(if
qualified by materiality, including, without limitation, Material Adverse
Effect) at and as of the Closing with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing.
39
(b) The
Buyer
will have performed and complied in all material respects with the covenants
and
agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it
at
or prior to the Closing, including without limitation the delivery of all items
required to be delivered by the Buyer pursuant to Sections
1.5 (a),
(c),
(d),
(p),
(q)
and
(y).
(c) All
HSR
Filings will have been made by the Buyer, the Sellers and their respective
Affiliates and the required period under the HSR Act will have expired or been
terminated.
(d) As
of the
Closing Date, there will be no pending action or proceeding before any court
of
competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Body by any Person seeking to
enjoin or prohibit any material aspect of the operation of the Business or
the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and no such
action or proceeding
seeking
to enjoin or prohibit the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement
will
have been threatened in writing.
ARTICLE
VI
Indemnification
6.1 Indemnification
of the Buyer.
Notwithstanding any investigation by the Buyer or its representatives, the
Sellers, jointly and severally, (but only severally to the extent that proceeds
other than amounts in the Escrow Account are sought) will indemnify and hold
the
Buyer, its Affiliates (including, after the Closing, the Company and its
subsidiaries) and their respective managers, directors, officers, employees
and
agents (collectively, the “Buyer
Parties”)
harmless from any and all Liabilities, obligations, claims, contingencies,
damages, costs and expenses, including all court costs, litigation expenses
and
reasonable attorneys’ fees (collectively, “Losses”),
that
any Buyer Party actually incurs as a result of or relating to:
(a) the
breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company or the Sellers
in this
Agreement or any Ancillary Document;
(b) the
breach of any covenant or agreement made by the Company or the Sellers
in this
Agreement or any Ancillary Document;
(c) any
claim
for brokers’ or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions arising from or through the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, any Seller or any of their respective
Affiliates in connection with the negotiation or consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or
(d) any
Taxes
of the Company or its subsidiaries attributable to the change in accounting
request filed by the Subsidiary on July 29, 2004 (the “Section
481 Taxes”);
40
provided,
however,
that
(A) except with respect to (1) the breach of the representations and
warranties set forth in Section
2.1
(Authority), Section
2.2
(Organization), Section
2.4
(Title
to Securities) or Section
2.5
(Capitalization) (collectively, the “Excluded
Representations”)
or
(2) any
fraud by the party from whom indemnification is sought in connection with this
Agreement, the documents executed in connection herewith or the transactions
contemplated hereby, for which no such limitations will apply, the Buyer Parties
will not be entitled to indemnification under Section
6.1(a)
unless
the aggregate amount of all Losses for which the Buyer Parties are entitled
to
indemnification pursuant to such paragraph exceeds $600,000 in which case the
Buyer Parties will be entitled to indemnification for the amount of such Losses
in excess of such amount up to a maximum amount equal to the then remaining
Escrow Amount then held in the Escrow Account; and (B) the Buyer Parties
will not be entitled to assert any claims for indemnification under Section
6.1(a)
with
respect to any individual item or matter unless the amount of Losses with
respect to such item or matter exceeds $25,000.
6.2 Indemnification
of the Sellers.
The
Buyer will indemnify and hold the Sellers,
their
respective Affiliates and their respective managers, directors, officers,
employees and agents (collectively, the “Seller
Parties”)
harmless from any and all Losses that any Seller Party actually incurs as a
result of or relating to:
(a) the
breach of any representation or warranty made by the Buyer in this Agreement
or
any Buyer Document;
(b) the
breach of any covenant or agreement made by the Buyer in this Agreement or
any
Buyer Document; or
(c) any
claim
for brokers’ or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions arising from or through the
Buyer or any of its Affiliates in connection with the negotiation or
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
provided,
however, that
(A)
except with respect to (1) the breach of the representations and warranties
set
forth in Section
3.1
(Organization) or Sections
3.2
(Authority) and (2) any fraud by the Buyer or (or any of Affiliate of the Buyer)
in connection with this Agreement, the documents executed in connection herewith
or the transactions contemplated hereby, for which no such limitation will
apply, the Seller
Parties
will not be entitled to indemnification under Section 6.2(a)
unless
the aggregate amount of all Losses for which indemnification the Seller Parties
are entitled to indemnification pursuant to such paragraph exceeds $600,000
in
which case the Seller Parties will be entitled to indemnification for the amount
of such Losses in excess of such amount up to a maximum amount equal to
$7,000,000, and (B) the Seller Parties will not be entitled to assert any claims
for indemnification under Section
6.2(a)
with
respect to any individual item or matter unless the amount of Losses with
respect to such item or matter exceeds $25,000.
41
6.3 Survival.
The
representations and warranties of the Sellers and the Buyer made in this
Agreement or any Ancillary Document will survive the execution and delivery
of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
until the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date,
provided
however,
that the
Excluded Representations
shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of
the
transactions contemplated hereby indefinitely.
Any
representation or warranty the violation of which is made the basis of a claim
for indemnification pursuant to Sections
6.1(a)
or
6.2(a)
will
survive until such claim is finally resolved if the Buyer notifies the Seller
Representative, or if the Seller Representative notifies the Buyer, as
applicable, of such claim in accordance with Section
6.5
prior to
the date on which such representation or warranty would otherwise expire
hereunder.
Without
limiting the foregoing, no claim for indemnification pursuant to Sections
6.1(a)
or
6.2(a)
based on
the breach of a representation or warranty may be asserted after the date on
which such representation or warranty expires hereunder. The
covenants and agreements of the Buyer, on the one hand, and the Sellers and
the
Company, on the other hand, made in this Agreement or any Ancillary Document
will survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby in accordance with their
terms.
6.4 Further
Limitations on Indemnification.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the right of the Buyer Parties
and the Seller Parties to indemnification hereunder is further limited as
follows:
(a) “Losses”
shall be net of (i) any insurance or other third-party recoveries actually
received by a party entitled to receive indemnification pursuant to this
Article
VI
(an
“Indemnified
Party”)
in
connection with the facts giving rise to the right of indemnification, (ii)
any
Tax benefit actually received by such Indemnified Party resulting from such
Losses, and (iii) any amounts for which the Indemnified Party has been
compensated under Section
1.4.
The
Buyer Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to claim and recover
any
Losses suffered by the Buyer Parties under any such insurance policy or other
third party indemnification (subject to the limitations in Section 6.4(b)),
but
except as provided in Section
6.4(b),
the
Buyer Parties shall not be required to pursue any such claims or recoveries
prior to making a claim and receiving indemnification payments under this
Agreement.
(b) If
the
events or circumstances which are the basis for a claim for indemnification
by a
Buyer Party under this Article
VI
also
constitute a basis for a claim for indemnification by the Company against the
sellers under the Prior Purchase Agreement, then the Buyer will cause the
Company to use commercially reasonable efforts to pursue a recovery under the
Prior Purchase Agreement before pursuing a recovery pursuant to Article
VI
of this
Agreement; provided,
however,
that
the Company may pursue a recovery under this Agreement without having obtained
a
recovery under the Prior Purchase Agreement when, in the good faith judgment
of
the Buyer, it is not commercially reasonable to pursue a recovery under the
Prior Purchase Agreement in light of the time, expense and likelihood of
recovery involved. In such event, the Buyer shall, at the request of the Seller
Representative, cause the Company to assign to the Sellers its rights under
the
Prior Purchase Agreement with respect to such matter. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, other than in connection with a claim for indemnification under
Section
6.1(d)
(for
which the Buyer must cause the Company to exercise any right of set-off it
may
have against the Subordinated Note before seeking indemnification under this
Agreement), in no event shall the Buyer Parties’ be obligated to cause the
Company to exercise any right of set-off against amounts due under the
Subordinated Note before pursuing a claim for indemnification under this
Agreement to the extent that such set-off would reduce the principal amount
of
the Subordinated Note below the amount of Section 481 Taxes reasonably estimated
by the Buyer to still be owing; provided,
however,
subject
to the first sentence of this Section 6.14(b), after all amounts owing with
respect to the Section 481 Taxes have been paid, the Buyer shall cause the
Company to exercise its right of set-off against the Subordinated Note before
pursuing a claim for indemnification under this Agreement. The Buyer shall
not,
and shall not permit the Company to, amend any provisions of the Prior Purchase
Agreement in any manner adverse to the Sellers without the prior written consent
of the Seller Representative. In any such case, the full amount of the claim
by
the Buyer shall be considered Losses alleged in good faith in an unresolved
claim for indemnification for purposes of Section
6.7,
except
to the extent that the Company has actually received payments with respect
to
its claim under the Prior Purchase Agreement. The fees and expenses incurred
by
the Company in pursuing a claim for indemnification under the Prior Purchase
Agreement shall be included in Buyer’s indemnified Losses under this Agreement.
For the purposes of this Section
6.4,
“Prior
Purchase Agreement”
means
that certain Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated February 9, 2005,
by
and among the Company and the former members of the Subsidiary.
42
(c) If
an
Indemnified Party recovers any amount from a Person other than the Indemnifying
Party with respect to a Loss for which the Indemnified Party has already
obtained an indemnification payment hereunder, then the Indemnified Party shall
pay an amount equal to the amount the Indemnified Party has already received
as
an indemnification payment hereunder to the Escrow Agent if at such time there
are any funds remaining in the Escrow Account, and thereafter to the Seller
Representative, as disbursing agent for the Sellers, the Company as disbursing
agent for the Optionholders, and the Warrantholder, such amounts to be
distributed by them in the same manner as distributions are effected under
Section
6.7.
(d) No
Indemnified Party will be entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 6.1
or
Section
6.2
for
punitive damages, or for lost profits, consequential, exemplary or special
damages, provided,
however,
that
this provision shall not limit a Buyer Party’s right to indemnification under
Section
6.1
to
recover Losses that arise as the result of a third-party Claim against the
Buyer
Party, the Company or any of its subsidiaries for punitive damages, lost
profits, consequential, exemplary or special damages.
(e) An
Indemnified Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to mitigate any
and
all Losses that would otherwise be reimbursable under this
Agreement.
(f)
Any
amounts for which the Buyer Parties are entitled to indemnification pursuant
to
this Article VI
will be
satisfied from the Escrow Account; provided,
however,
that if
the Escrow Amount is not sufficient to satisfy a claim for indemnification
under
(i) Section
6.1(a)
in
connection with a breach of an Excluded Representation, or
(ii) Section
6.1 (b),
(c)
or
(d)
(other
than with regard to breaches of Section
4.10,
Section
4.11,
Section
4.12
or
Article
VII),
then
such claim may be satisfied individually from each Seller on a several basis
based on the portion of the Purchase Price received by each such Seller
hereunder, provided
further,
that
the Buyer Parties shall seek to satisfy claims for indemnification for breaches
of Section
4.10,
Section
4.11,
Section
4.12
or
Article
VII
from the
Seller or Sellers who committed such breach (and from no other Seller),
severally, without resort to amounts held in the Escrow Account.
43
6.5 Notice.
Each
Indemnified Party agrees to give prompt written notice to the party or parties
required to provide such indemnification (the “Indemnifying
Parties”)
upon
the occurrence of any indemnifiable Loss or the assertion of any claim or the
commencement of any action or proceeding in respect of which such a Loss may
reasonably be expected to occur (each, a “Claim”),
but
the Indemnified Party’s failure to give such notice will not affect the
obligations of the Indemnifying Party under this Article
VI
except
to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced thereby.
Such
written notice will include (a) a description of the event or events forming
the
basis of such Loss or Claim, (b) the amount involved, unless such amount is
uncertain or contingent, in which event the Indemnified Party will state the
estimated amount and give a later written notice when the amount becomes fixed,
and (c) copies of written documents and summaries of relevant oral information
actually known or in good faith believed by the Indemnified Party to exist
sufficient to establish the basis for such Loss or Claim.
6.6 Defense
of Claims.
(a) The
Indemnifying Party may elect to assume and control the defense of any Claim,
including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party and the payment of expenses related thereto, if: (i) the Claim does not
seek to impose any Liability on the Indemnified Party other than money damages,
and (ii) the Claim does not relate to a material Supplier of the
Company.
(b) If
the
conditions of Section
6.6(a)
are
satisfied and the Indemnifying Party elects to assume and control the defense
of
a Claim, then: (i) the Indemnifying Party will not be liable for any settlement
of such Claim effected without its consent; (ii) the Indemnifying Party may
settle such Claim without the consent of the Indemnified Party but only if
(A) there is no finding or admission of any violations of Law or any
violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any other claims that
may
be made against the Indemnified Party, (B) the sole relief provided is
monetary damages that are paid in full by the Indemnifying Party and
(C) such settlement provides for a full release of the Indemnified Party;
and (iii) the Indemnified Party may employ separate counsel and participate
in
the defense thereof, but the Indemnified Party will be responsible for the
fees
and expenses of such counsel unless: (A) the Indemnifying Party has failed
to
actively conduct the defense of such Claim or to employ counsel with respect
thereto; or (B) in the reasonable opinion of the Indemnified Party, a conflict
of interest exists between the interests of the Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party that requires representation by separate counsel, in which
case the fees and expenses of such separate counsel will be paid by the
Indemnifying Party.
(c) If
the
conditions of Section
6.6(a)
are not
satisfied of if the Indemnifying Party does not elect to assume and control
the
defense of any Claim under Section
6.6(a)
above,
then the Indemnified Party may assume the exclusive right to defend, compromise
or settle such Claim, but the Indemnifying Party will not be bound by any
determination of a Claim so defended or any compromise or settlement effected
without its consent.
44
6.7 Escrow.
The
funds held in the Escrow Account shall serve as security for Sellers’
indemnification obligations hereunder and shall be released upon the Escrow
Agent’s receipt of joint written instructions from the Buyer and the Seller
Representative, or as otherwise provided under the terms of the Escrow
Agreement. On the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date, the Seller
Representative and the Buyer shall issue joint written instructions to the
Escrow Agent instructing the Escrow Agent to release all funds in the Escrow
Account in excess of the sum of the amount of actual Losses alleged in good
faith in any unresolved claim for indemnification, to the Company, as disbursing
agent for the Optionholders, the Warrantholder, and the Seller Representative
as
disbursing agent for the Sellers, in proportion to the amounts in which the
Sellers, the Company on behalf of the Optionholders and the Warrantholder
received funds on the Closing Date. If there are any remaining claims for
indemnification, the Seller Representative and the Buyer shall issue joint
written instructions to the Escrow Agent to release any remaining funds in
the
Escrow Account when such claims are resolved, which funds shall be released
to
the Company, as disbursing agent for the Optionholders, the Warrantholder,
and
the Seller Representative as disbursing agent for the Sellers, in proportion
to
the amounts in which the Sellers, the Company on behalf of the Optionholders
and
the Warrantholder received funds on the Closing Date. The Company shall disburse
any amounts it receives from the Escrow Agent in its capacity as disbursing
agent for the Optionholders, including earnings on the escrowed funds, to such
Optionholders in the percentages set forth on Schedule
1.3(c)(as
such
schedule may be updated at Closing).
ARTICLE
VII
Noncompetition
Agreement
7.1 Noncompetition.
(a) As
a material
inducement to Buyer to enter into this Agreement, each of Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xx. and Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (each a
“Restricted
Seller”)
agrees
that, for a period of two (2) years from the Closing Date, no such Restricted
Seller will, directly or indirectly, as an employee, agent, representative,
consultant, advisor, lender, independent contractor, principal, owner, partner,
joint venturer, member, manager, officer, director, shareholder or otherwise,
engage in or have any financial interest (other than a less than 1% interest
in
a corporation whose shares are actively traded on a regional or national
securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market) in the business of high
speed diesel engine and parts sales and service in marine applications in the
Restricted Territory, including solicitation of customers or employees of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, except as an employee or authorized
representative of the Company or any of its affiliated entities.
(b) Each
Restricted Seller acknowledges that any remedy at law will not adequately
compensate Buyer for damages resulting from a breach of this noncompetition
agreement and agree that Buyer may seek and obtain injunctive relief against
the
breach or threatened breach of this noncompetition agreement, in addition to
any
other legal remedies which may be available.
(c) Each
Restricted Seller and Buyer agree that the restrictions contained in
Section
7.1(a)
are
reasonable with respect to time, geographical area and scope of activity.
However, if any court shall determine that the time, geographical area or scope
of activity of any restriction contained in Section
7.1(a)
is
unenforceable, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction shall
not thereby be terminated but shall be deemed amended to the extent required
to
render it valid and enforceable.
45
ARTICLE
VIII
Miscellaneous
8.1 Termination.
(a) This
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby may be terminated and
abandoned:
(i)
at
any time
prior to the Closing Date by mutual written consent of the Buyer and the Seller
Representative;
(ii) by
either the
Buyer, on the one hand, or the Seller Representative, on the other hand, upon
written notice to the other, if (A) the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement have not been consummated on or prior to July 31, 2006, or (B) any
condition to such party’s obligation (or the Sellers’ obligation in the case of
the Seller Representative) to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
is
incapable of being satisfied on or prior to July 31, 2006; provided,
however, that:
(1) the
Buyer may
not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
8.1(a)(ii)
if the
Closing has not occurred because of the Buyer’s willful failure to perform or
observe any of its covenants or agreements set forth herein or if the Buyer
has
materially breached this Agreement; and
(2) the
Seller
Representative may not terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section
8.1(a)(ii)
if the
Closing has not occurred because of the willful failure of any Seller to perform
or observe any of the covenants or agreements set forth herein or if any Seller
has materially breached this Agreement;
(iii) by
the
Buyer, on the one hand, or the Seller, on the other hand, if any court of
competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Body shall have issued an order,
decree, or ruling enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (unless such order, decree, or ruling has been
withdrawn, reversed, or otherwise made inapplicable); or
(iv) by
the
Buyer, if, since the Latest Balance Sheet Date, there shall have occurred any
event or occurrence that would constitute a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company; provided,
however,
that
the Buyer must exercise its right to terminate pursuant to this Section
8.1(a)(iv)
within
five (5) business days of the Buyer’s discovery of the event or occurrence that
is the basis for such Material Adverse Effect.
(b) In
the
event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(a),
no
party hereto will have any liability or any further obligation to any other
party, except as provided in this Section 8.1(b)
and
except that nothing herein releases, or may be construed as releasing, any
party
hereto from any liability or damage to any other party hereto arising out of
the
breaching party’s willful and material breach in the performance of any of its
covenants arising under this Agreement. The obligations of the parties to this
Agreement under Section 4.11,
this
Section 8.1(b),
and
this Article VIII
will
survive any termination of this Agreement.
46
8.2 Notices.
All
notices and other communications under this Agreement must be in writing and
will be deemed given: (a) when delivered personally; (b) on the third business
day after being mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested; (c) the
next
business day after delivery to a recognized overnight courier; or (d) upon
transmission and confirmation of receipt by a facsimile operator if sent by
facsimile, to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers (or
to
such other address or facsimile number as such party may have specified by
notice given to the other party pursuant to this provision):
if
to the Buyer:
|
with
copies to:
|
|
Marine
Systems, Inc.
|
Fulbright
& Xxxxxxxx L.L.P.
|
|
00
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
0000
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
|
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
|
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
|
|
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
|
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
|
|
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
|
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
|
|
if
to the Sellers:
|
with
copies to:
|
|
Industrial
Growth Partners II, X.X.
|
Xxxxx
Day
|
|
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
|
|
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
|
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
Xxxxxxxxx,
Xxxx 00000-0000
|
|
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
||
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
|
Telecopy:
(000) 000-0000
|
8.3 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile)
for the convenience of the parties hereto, each of which will be deemed an
original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
agreement.
8.4 Interpretation.
The
article and section headings contained in this Agreement are solely for the
purpose of reference, are not part of the agreement of the parties and will
not
in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Unless
expressly stated otherwise, references to Sections, Exhibits or Schedules refer
to sections, exhibits or schedules to this Agreement.
8.5 Assignment.
Neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder may
be
assigned or delegated by any Seller, the Company or the Buyer without the prior
written consent of the other parties and any purported assignment or delegation
in violation thereof will be null and void; except that the Buyer may assign
its
rights and obligations under this Agreement to any of its Affiliates or to
any
successor to its business. This Agreement is not intended to confer any rights
or benefits on any Person other than the parties hereto, except to the extent
specifically provided in Section
4.11,
Section
4.15
and
Article
VI.
47
8.6 Entire
Agreement, Amendment.
This
Agreement and the related documents contained as Exhibits and Schedules hereto
or expressly contemplated hereby contain the entire understanding of the parties
relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior written or oral
and all contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings relating to the
subject matter hereof. The exhibits, schedules and the recitals to this
Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference into and made a part of this
Agreement for all purposes. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented or
modified only by written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement
signed by the Buyer and the Seller Representative, and any provision hereof
may
be waived, only by written instrument making specific reference to this
Agreement signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.
8.7 Specific
Performance, Exclusivity.
The
parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the failure of any party to perform
its agreements and covenants hereunder, including its failure to take all
actions reasonably required on its part to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, will cause irreparable injury to the other parties for
which damages, even if available, will not be an adequate remedy. Accordingly,
each party hereby consents to the issuance of injunctive relief by any court
of
competent jurisdiction to compel performance of such party’s obligations and to
the granting by any court of the remedy of specific performance of its
obligations hereunder. The
parties agree that, from and after the Closing Date, except as otherwise
provided under Article
VI
and
Article
VII,
the
exclusive remedies of the parties for any Losses based upon, or arising out
of
or otherwise in respect of the matters set forth in this Agreement are the
indemnification obligations of the parties set forth in Article
VI.
8.8 GOVERNING
LAW.
THIS
AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY
CONFLICTS OF LAW RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT RESULT IN THE APPLICATION OF
THE
LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
8.9 Usage.
Whenever the plural form of a word is used in this Agreement, that word will
include the singular form of that word. Whenever the singular form of a word
is
used in this Agreement, that word will include the plural form of that word.
The
term “or” will not be interpreted as excluding any of the items described. The
term “include” or any derivative of such term does not mean that the items
following such term are the only types of such items.
8.10
Certain
Definitions.
For
purposes of this Agreement:
(a) The
term
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to a specified Person, any relative by blood or marriage, or any
other Person or member of a group of Persons acting together that, directly
or
indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by
or is
under common control with the specified Person.
(b) The
term
“Company
Debt Agreements”
means
(i) the Credit Agreement, (ii) Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement,
and (iii) the Subordinated Promissory Note, dated February 9, 2005, by
the Company in favor of Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx, for the benefit of the former
members of the Subsidiary (the “Subordinated
Note”)..
48
(c) The
term
“control”
(including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control
with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
(d) The
terms
“Knowledge”
and
“known”
and
words of similar import mean:
(i)
with
respect to the Company, the Company will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a
particular matter, and the particular matter will be deemed to be “known” by the
Company, if (A) the Company’s President or Chief Financial Officer has actual
knowledge of such matter or would have knowledge of such matter following
reasonable inquiry, or (B) any of the Persons listed on Schedule
8.10(d)
has
actual knowledge of such matter; and
(ii) with
respect to Buyer, the Buyer will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular
matter, and the particular matter will be deemed to be “known” by the Buyer, if
any manager, director, officer or any supervisory level employee of the Buyer
has actual knowledge of such matter or would have knowledge of such matter
following or reasonable inquiry.
(e) The
term
“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to the Company, the Buyer or the
Subsidiary, as applicable, any change, occurrence or development that has or
would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business,
results of operations or financial condition of such party and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole, but excluding any effect (i) resulting from general
economic conditions (whether as a result of acts of terrorism, war (whether
or
not declared), armed conflicts or otherwise), or (ii) generally affecting
companies in the industry in which it conducts its business.
(f)
The
uncapitalized terms “subsidiary” or “subsidiaries” when used in relation to an
entity shall include both the direct and indirect subsidiaries of such
entity.
(g) The
term
“Restricted
Territory”
means
(i) the geographic area(s) within a one hundred (100) mile radius of any
and all location(s) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to which the
Restricted Seller had any responsibility immediately prior to the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and at any time during the
two (2) year period prior to the Closing Date, (ii) the Gulf of Mexico and
(iii) all of the specific customer accounts, whether within or outside the
geographic locations of the Company and its subsidiaries, to which the
Restricted Seller had any responsibility immediately prior to the Closing Date
or at any time during the two (2) year period prior to the Closing Date
provided,
however,
that
with respect to Louisiana, the Restricted Territory includes only the Gulf
of
Mexico and the following parishes: Iberia, Lafayette, LaFourche, Plaquemines,
St. Xxxxxx, St. Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxxxx; provided further,
that to
the extent that the Company, a subsidiary of the Company or any
successor-in-interest to the Company or any subsidiary of the Company ceases
to
operate the Business in any such parish, such parish will no longer be
considered part of the Restricted Territory.
49
(h) In
addition, the following terms are defined in the indicated section of this
Agreement:
Defined
Term
|
Section
|
|
2005
Income Tax Returns
|
4.13(a)(iv)(A)
|
|
Accountant
|
1.4(e)
|
|
Act
|
2.5(c)
|
|
Actual
Net Debt
|
1.4(e)
|
|
Actual
Working Capital
|
1.4(e)
|
|
Affiliate
|
8.10(a)
|
|
Aggregate
Share Amount
|
1.3(e)
|
|
Agreement
|
First
paragraph
|
|
Ancillary
Documents
|
2.1(b)
|
|
Bank
Accounts
|
2.26
|
|
Business
|
Recitals
|
|
Buyer
|
First
paragraph
|
|
Buyer
Documents
|
3.2
|
|
Buyer
Parties
|
6.1
|
|
Buyer
Welfare Plans
|
4.17
|
|
Carryback
|
4.13(a)(v)
|
|
Claim
|
6.5
|
|
Closing
|
1.2
|
|
Closing
Date
|
1.2
|
|
Code
|
2.7(c)
|
|
Common
Stock
|
Recitals
|
|
Company
|
First
paragraph
|
|
Company
Ancillary Documents
|
2.1(b)
|
|
Company
Debt Agreements
|
8.10(b)
|
|
Company
Employees
|
4.17
|
|
Competing
Transaction
|
4.10
|
|
Confidential
Information
|
4.11
|
|
Contracts
|
2.21(a)
|
|
control
|
8.10(c)
|
|
Credit
Agreement
|
4.12
|
|
Buyer
|
First
paragraph
|
|
Buyer
Documents
|
3.2
|
|
Deductions
|
4.13(a)(iv)
|
|
Employee
Benefit Plan(s)
|
2.20(a)
|
|
Environmental
Law
|
2.18
|
|
ERISA
|
2.20(a)
|
|
Escrow
Account
|
1.3(a)
|
|
Escrow
Agent
|
1.3(a)
|
|
Escrow
Agreement
|
1.3(a)
|
50
Defined
Term
|
Section
|
|
Escrow
Amount
|
1.3(a)
|
|
Estimated
Net Debt
|
1.4(d)
|
|
Estimated
Working Capital
|
1.4(d)
|
|
Excluded
Representations
|
6.1
|
|
Financial
Statements
|
2.11(a)
|
|
Fully
Diluted Shares
|
1.3(f)
|
|
GAAP
|
1.4(a)
|
|
Governmental
Body
|
2.10
|
|
Guaranteed
Obligations
|
Signature
Page
|
|
Hazardous
Material
|
2.18
|
|
HSR
Act
|
2.10
|
|
HSR
Filing
|
4.15
|
|
Income
Tax
|
2.14
|
|
Income
Tax Returns
|
2.14
|
|
Indemnified
Party
|
6.4(a)
|
|
Indemnifying
Parties
|
6.5
|
|
Interim
Financial Statements
|
2.11(a)
|
|
IRS
|
2.20(b)
|
|
Knowledge
and Known
|
8.10(d)
|
|
Latest
Balance Sheet
|
2.11(a)
|
|
Latest
Balance Sheet Date
|
2.11(a)
|
|
Laws
|
2.16
|
|
LEG
|
8.11(a)
|
|
Liabilities
|
2.12
|
|
Lien
|
2.4(a)
|
|
Litigation
|
2.15
|
|
Losses
|
6.1
|
|
Majority-in-Interest
|
8.11(b)
|
|
Material
Adverse Effect
|
8.10(e)
|
|
Material
Customers
|
2.22(a)
|
|
Material
Contracts
|
2.21(a)
|
|
Net
Debt
|
1.4(b)
|
|
Net
Debt Excess
|
1.4(h)
|
|
Net
Debt Shortfall
|
1.4(i)
|
|
Note
and Warrant Purchase Agreement
|
4.12(b)
|
|
Option
|
1.3(c)
|
|
Option
Amount
|
1.3(c)
|
|
Optionholder
|
1.3(c)
|
|
Parent
|
Signature
Page
|
|
Payoff
Letters
|
1.5(b)
|
|
Permits
|
2.17
|
|
Permitted
Testing
|
4.3
|
|
Person
|
2.15
|
|
Post-Closing
Period
|
4.1(h)
|
|
Post-Closing
Straddle Period
|
4.13(a)
|
51
Defined
Term
|
Section
|
|
Pre-Closing
Straddle Period
|
4.13(a)(ii)
|
|
Pre-Closing
Tax Period
|
4.13(a)(vi)
|
|
Prior
Purchase Agreement
|
6.4(b)
|
|
Purchase
Price
|
1.3
|
|
Real
Property
|
2.7(a)
|
|
Restricted
Seller
|
7.1(a)
|
|
Restricted
Territory
|
8.10(g)
|
|
Section
481 Taxes
|
6.1(d)
|
|
Seller(s)
|
First
paragraph
|
|
Seller
Ancillary Documents
|
2.1(a)
|
|
Seller
Parties
|
6.2
|
|
Seller
Refunds
|
4.13(a)(vi)
|
|
Seller
Representative
|
8.11(a)
|
|
Shares
|
Recitals
|
|
Stated
Working Capital
|
1.4(c)
|
|
Statement
|
4.13(a)(vii)
|
|
Straddle
Period
|
4.13(a)(i)
|
|
Stub
Period Returns
|
4.13(a)(iv)
|
|
Subordinated
Note
|
8.10(b)
|
|
Subsidiary
|
Recitals
|
|
subsidiary
or subsidiaries
|
8.10(f)
|
|
Subsidiary
Equity
|
Recitals
|
|
Suppliers
|
2.22(b)
|
|
Tax(es)
|
2.14
|
|
Taxing
Authority
|
2.14
|
|
Tax
Return
|
2.14
|
|
Transaction
Costs
|
1.4(a)
|
|
Transfer
Taxes
|
4.13(d)
|
|
UST
Systems
|
2.18(e)
|
|
Warrant
|
1.3(d)
|
|
Warrant
Amount
|
1.3(d)
|
|
Warrantholder
|
1.3(d)
|
|
Working
Capital
|
1.4(a)
|
|
Working
Capital Excess
|
1.4(f)
|
|
Working
Capital Shortfall
|
1.4(g)
|
|
Written
Report
|
4.13(a)(ix)
|
8.11
Seller
Representative.
For
purposes of this Agreement:
52
(a) Industrial
Growth Partners II, L.P. is hereby appointed as the “Seller
Representative”
and
is
hereby granted the full power and authority, on behalf of each Seller and his,
her or its successors and assigns, to (i) interpret the terms and provisions
of
this Agreement and
the
documents to be executed and delivered in connection herewith, including,
without limitation, Article VI
and the
Ancillary Documents, (ii) execute and deliver and receive deliveries of all
agreements, certificates, statements, notices, approvals, extensions, waivers,
undertakings, amendments, updates of Schedules and other documents required
or
permitted to be given in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, (iii) receive
service of process in connection with any claims under this Agreement or the
Ancillary Documents, (iv) agree to negotiate, enter into settlements and
compromises of, assume the defense of claims, demand arbitration and comply
with
orders of courts and awards of arbitrators with respect to such claims and
to
take all actions necessary or appropriate in the sole judgment of the Seller
Representative for the accomplishment of the foregoing, including, without
limitation, taking all such actions as may be necessary under
Article
VI,
(v)
give and receive notices and communications, (vi) authorize delivery or release
to Buyer of funds held in the Escrow Account, (vii) receive and disburse funds
hereunder to the Sellers and the Warrantholder in accordance with the terms
of
this Agreement (including the schedules and exhibits attached hereto) and (viii)
take all actions necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the Seller
Representative on behalf of the Sellers in connection with this Agreement and
the Ancillary Documents. The Seller Representative shall not amend or modify
this Agreement in any manner that (y) treats the Sellers differently from each
other except in the manner and to the extent such Sellers are treated
differently as of the date of this Agreement or (z) treats the Warrantholder
and
LEG Partners III, SBIC, L.P. (“LEG”)
in a
manner that would violate Section 4.3 of the Stockholders Agreement, dated
as of
February 9, 2005, by and among the Company, Industrial Growth Partners II,
L.P.,
the Warrantholder, LEG and the other investors named therein, and as the same
is
in effect on the date hereof.
(b) Such
agency may be changed by Sellers who held, immediately prior to the Closing,
Shares representing a majority in interest of all Shares outstanding at such
time (the “Majority-in-Interest”)
from
time to time upon not less than five (5) days prior written notice to the Buyer.
The Seller Representative, or any successor hereafter appointed, may resign
at
any time by written notice to Buyer and the Seller Representative. A successor
Seller Representative will be named by a Majority-in-Interest. All power,
authority, rights and privileges conferred in this Agreement to the Seller
Representative will apply to any successor Seller Representative.
(c) The
Seller Representative will not be liable to any Seller for any act done or
omitted under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document as Seller Representative
while acting in good faith, and any act taken or omitted to be taken pursuant
to
the advice of counsel will be conclusive evidence of such good
faith.
8.12
Expenses.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, whether or not the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement are consummated, all costs and expenses (including all legal,
accounting, broker, finder or investment banker fees) incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are to be paid
by
the party incurring such expenses except as expressly provided
herein.
8.13 Severability.
Any
term
or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction will, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such
invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the
remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity
or
enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other
jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be
unenforceable, the provision will be interpreted to be only so broad as is
enforceable.
53
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the
date
first above written.
THE
BUYER:
|
|||
MARINE
SYSTEMS, INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/
XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX
|
||
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, President
|
|||
THE
SELLERS:
|
|||
INDUSTRIAL
GROWTH PARTNERS II, L.P.
|
|||
By:
|
IGP
Capital Partners II, LLC,
|
||
its
General Partner
|
|||
By:
|
/s/
XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
|
||
Name:
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
|
|||
Title:
Managing Director
|
|||
ANTARES
CAPITAL CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
/s/
XXXXXXX X. XXXX
|
||
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxx
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
||
LEG
PARTNERS III, SBIC, L.P.
|
|||
By:
|
Xxxxx
XX-XX, LLC
|
||
its
General Partner
|
|||
By:
|
/s/
XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXX
|
||
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|||
Title:
|
/s/
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXX
|
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
|
/s/
XXXXX
X. XXXXX
|
|
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
|
|
/s/
XXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
|
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|
/s/
XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
|
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
|
|
/s/
XXXXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
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Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
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Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
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Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXX
XXXXXXX
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXXXX
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXXX
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Xxxxxxx
X. XxXxxx
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/s/
XXXXXX
X. XXXXXX
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Xxxxxx
X. XxXxxx
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/s/
XXXXXXXXXXX
X. XXXXXXXXXX
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Xxxxxxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXX
X. XXXXXXXXXX
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Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXX
XXXXXXXX
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
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Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXXX
XXXXXX
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Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXXX
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
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/s/
XXXX
XXXXXX XX.
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Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xx.
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/s/
XXXXXXX
XXXXXX
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Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXX
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Xxxxx
XxXxxx
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/s/
XXXXXXX
X. XXXXXX
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Xxxxxxx
X. XxXxxx
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/s/
XXXXX
XXXXXXX
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
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/s/
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X. XXXX
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxx
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/s/
XXX
XXXXXXX
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Xxx
Xxxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
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/s/
XXXXX
XXXXXX
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Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
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THE
COMPANY:
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||
GLOBAL
POWER HOLDING COMPANY
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||
By
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/s/
XXXX
X. XXXXXXXX
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Name:
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Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |
Title:
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President |
Parent
Guarantee
Xxxxx
Corporation, a Nevada corporation (“Parent”),
hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the Sellers the full and
timely performance, payment and discharge by Buyer of all obligations and
liabilities of Buyer pursuant to this Agreement to be performed on or before
the
Closing Date, as the same may from time-to-time be amended, modified,
substituted, extended or renewed (the “Guaranteed
Obligations”),
and
agrees that if Buyer shall fail to pay or perform any Guaranteed Obligation
when
and as required by the terms of this Agreement, Parent will promptly pay or
perform any such Guaranteed Obligation as required of Buyer pursuant to the
terms of the Agreement.
This
Parent Guarantee is an absolute, unconditional and continuing guarantee of
payment and performance and not merely of collection, and will be binding upon
and a primary obligation of Parent, irrespective of (i) the bankruptcy,
insolvency, dissolution or liquidation of Buyer or the discharge of Buyer’s
obligations in bankruptcy; (ii) any assignment, amendment, modification or
termination of or any change in the term, manner or place of performance or
payment of, or any other term of, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations,
this Agreement or any other agreement or instrument relating thereto; (iii)
any
merger or consolidation of Parent or Buyer with or into any other Person or
any
sale, lease or transfer of any of the stock or assets of Parent or Buyer to
any
other Person, or any change in the name, stock ownership, membership,
constitution or place of formation or incorporation of Parent or Buyer, or
any
change of Parent or Buyer into another form of business entity; or (iv) any
failure, neglect or omission on the part of the Seller Representative before
the
Closing Date to give Parent notice of the occurrence of any default or event
of
default.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, this Parent Guarantee will continue
to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment
of any of the Guaranteed Obligations by or on behalf of Parent or Buyer is
rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Person upon the insolvency,
bankruptcy or reorganization of Parent or Buyer or otherwise, all as though
such
payment had not been made.
XXXXX
CORPORATION,
a
Nevada
corporation
By:
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/s/
XXXX
X. XXXXX
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Name:
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Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
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Title:
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Senior
Vice President
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Exhibits
A
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Sellers
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B
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Form
of Escrow Agreement
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C
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Form
of Termination of Management
Agreement
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D
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Form
of Option Cancellation Agreement
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E
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Form
of Warrant Cancellation Agreement
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F
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Form
of Buyer’s Closing Certificate
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G
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Form
of Sellers’ Closing Certificate
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H
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Form
of Resignation
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I
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Form
of Termination of Consulting
Agreement
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J
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Form
of Letter Agreement
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Schedules
Schedule
1.3(c)
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Option
Amount Allocation
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Schedule
1.3(e)
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Aggregate
Share Amount Allocation
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Schedule
1.4(a)
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Working
Capital Calculation
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Schedule
1.4(b)
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Net
Debt Calculation
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Schedule
2.2(a)
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Foreign
Qualifications
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Schedule
2.2(b)
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Subsidiary
Foreign Qualifications
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Schedule
2.5(a)
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Capitalization
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Schedule
2.6
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Subsidiaries
and Other Interests
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Schedule
2.7(a)
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Title
to Assets
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Schedule
2.7(b)
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Exceptions
to Title
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Schedule
2.9
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Consents
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Schedule
2.11(a)
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Financial
Statements
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Schedule
2.13
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Absence
of Certain Changes
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Schedule
2.14(b)
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Tax
Extensions of Time
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Schedule
2.14(g)
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Tax
Liability
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Schedule
2.14(h)
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280G
Matters
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Schedule
2.14(m)
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Tax
Affiliated Groups
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Schedule
2.14(n)
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Change
in Accounting Method
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Schedule
2.15
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Litigation
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Schedule
2.17
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Permits
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Schedule
2.18
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Environmental
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Schedule
2.18(f)
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Environmental
Report
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Schedule
2.19
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Employees
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Schedule
2.20(a)
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Employee
Benefit Plans
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Schedule
2.20(e)
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Employee
Benefit Plan Litigation
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Schedule
2.20(g)
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Benefits
Beyond Retirement or Other
Termination
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Schedule
2.20(h)
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Benefits
Triggered by Transaction
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Schedule
2.21(a)
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Material
Contracts
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Schedule
2.21(b)
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Material
Contracts Full Force and Effect
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Schedule
2.22(a)
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Material
Customers
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Schedule
2.22(b)
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Suppliers
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Schedule
2.23
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Intellectual
Property
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Schedule
2.25
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Insurance
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Schedule
2.26
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Bank
Accounts and Powers of Attorney
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Schedule
4.1
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Conduct
of Business
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Schedule
4.13(a)(iv)
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Deductions
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Schedule
5.1(c)
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Buyer’s
required Closing Consents
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Schedule
8.10(d)
|
Additional
Knowledge Persons
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