ACQUISITION AGREEMENT DATED AS OF MAY 19, 2008 AMONG CALAVO GROWERS, INC. AND LECIL E. COLE, SUZANNE COLE-SAVARD, GUY COLE, ERIC WEINERT, AND LECIL E. COLE AND MARY JEANETTE COLE, AS TRUSTEES OF THE LECIL E. AND MARY JEANETTE COLE REVOCABLE TRUST...
Exhibit 2.1
DATED AS OF MAY 19, 2008
AMONG
CALAVO GROWERS, INC.
AND
XXXXX X. XXXX, XXXXXXX XXXX-XXXXXX, XXX XXXX, XXXX XXXXXXX, AND
XXXXX X. XXXX AND XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, AS TRUSTEES OF THE XXXXX X.
AND XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX REVOCABLE TRUST DATED OCTOBER 19, 1993
XXXXX X. XXXX AND XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, AS TRUSTEES OF THE XXXXX X.
AND XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX REVOCABLE TRUST DATED OCTOBER 19, 1993
This Acquisition Agreement (the “Acquisition Agreement”) is entered into as of May 19,
2008 among Calavo Growers, Inc., a California corporation (“Calavo”), and Xxxxx X. Xxxx
(“Xx. Xxxx”), Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxx-Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, and Xxxxx X. Xxxx and Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, acting jointly and severally as trustees of the Xxxxx X. and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Revocable Trust dated October 19, 1993, also known as the Xxxxx X. and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Revocable
1993 Trust (the “Xxxx Trust”).
RECITALS
A. The Xxxx Trust, Xxxxxxx Xxxx-Xxxxxx, and Xxx Xxxx (referred to in this Acquisition
Agreement as the “HS Shareholders”) are the only shareholders of Hawaiian Sweet, Inc. (also
known as Tropical Hawaiian Products), a corporation formed under the laws of the State of
California (“HS”), and Xx. Xxxx is the Chief Executive Officer of HS. The HS Shareholders
desire to sell to Calavo, and Calavo desires to purchase from the HS Shareholders, all of the
outstanding shares of the capital stock of HS (referred to in this Acquisition Agreement as the
“HS Shares”) on the terms set forth in this Acquisition Agreement. The Xxxx Trust owns
68.0% of the HS Shares, and 16.0% of the HS Shares are owned by each of Xxxxxxx Xxxx-Xxxxxx and Xxx
Xxxx.
B. Xx. Xxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxxx (referred to in this Acquisition Agreement as the “HP
Owners”) are the only members of CW Hawaii Pride, LLC (also known as Hawaii Pride, LLC), a
limited liability company formed under the laws of the State of Hawaii (“HP”). The HP
Owners desire to sell to Calavo, and Calavo desires to purchase from the HP Owners, all of the
outstanding limited liability company membership and ownership interests of HP (referred to in this
Acquisition Agreement as the “HP LLC Interests”) on the terms set forth in this Acquisition
Agreement. Xx. Xxxx owns 90.0% of the HP LLC Interests, and Xx. Xxxxxxx owns 10.0% of the HP LLC
Interests.
C. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Acquisition Agreement, Calavo and the
Xxxx Trust have entered into an Agreement and Escrow Instructions for Purchase and Sale of Real
Property (Farmlands) (referred to in this Acquisition Agreement as the “Real Estate
Contract”), dated the same date as this Acquisition Agreement, pursuant to which Calavo or its
assignee will purchase from the Xxxx Trust approximately 727 acres of agricultural land located in
Pahoa, Hawaii (the “727 Acres”) for a purchase price of $1,500,000. The closing of the
transactions contemplated by this Acquisition Agreement will occur on the same date as the closing
of Calavo’s (or its assignee’s) purchase of the 727 Acres under the Real Estate Contract.
D. As described in Section 4.10 of this Acquisition Agreement, (1) Calavo is entitled to make
an election under Section 338(h)(10) (the “Section 338(h)(10) Election”) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), with respect to Calavo’s purchase of the HS
Shares, and, (2) if Calavo decides to make the Section 338(h)(10) Election, the HS Shareholders
shall also make the Section 338(h)(10) Election based upon Calavo’s agreement to reimburse them for
the additional taxes that may be paid by them as a result of the election.
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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt of which hereby is acknowledged, Calavo, the HS Shareholders, and the HP Owners hereby
agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
PURCHASE OF THE HS SHARES AND HP LLC INTERESTS; PURCHASE PRICE
PURCHASE OF THE HS SHARES AND HP LLC INTERESTS; PURCHASE PRICE
1.1 Purchase and Sale of the HS Shares. Subject to the terms of this Acquisition
Agreement, at the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Acquisition Agreement (the
“Closing”), the HS Shareholders shall sell to Calavo, and Calavo shall purchase from the HS
Shareholders, all of the HS Shares, which shall constitute all issued and outstanding shares of the
capital stock of HS. The Closing shall occur on May 30, 2008, which is referred to in this
Acquisition Agreement as the “Closing Date.”
1.2 Purchase and Sale of the HP LLC Interests. At the Closing, the HP Owners shall
sell to Calavo, and Calavo shall purchase from the HP Owners, all of the HP LLC Interests, which
shall constitute all issued and outstanding membership and ownership interests of HP.
1.3 The Closing. Article 5 of this Acquisition Agreement describes the documents that
the parties shall deliver to each other at the Closing.
1.4 Purchase Price for the HS Shares and HP LLC Interests.
(a) The aggregate purchase price payable by Calavo for the HS Shares and the HP LLC Interests
(the “Purchase Price”) is (1) $3,500,000 plus (2) the earn-out payments calculated and paid
in the manner described in Section 1.6 (the “Earn-Out Payments”). The Purchase Price shall
be allocated to the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners as follows:
HS Shareholders |
71.4 | % | ||
HP Owners |
28.6 | % |
(b) The portion of the Purchase Price allocable to the HS Shareholders shall be paid by Calavo
to each HP Shareholder in accordance with the shareholder’s ownership interest in HS, and the
portion of the Purchase Price allocable to the HP Owners shall be paid by Calavo to each HP Owner
in accordance with his ownership interest in HP, as shown below:
Percentage of Purchase | ||||
Price Payable to the HS | ||||
Name of HS Shareholder or HP Owner | Shareholder or HP Owner | |||
The Xxxx Trust, an HS Shareholder |
68.0% x 71.4% = 48.6% | |||
Xxxxxxx Xxxx-Xxxxxx, an HS Shareholder |
16.0% x 71.4% = 11.4% | |||
Xxx Xxxx, an HS Shareholder |
16.0% x 71.4% = 11.4% |
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Percentage of Purchase | ||||
Price Payable to the HS | ||||
Name of HS Shareholder or HP Owner | Shareholder or HP Owner | |||
Xxxxx X. Xxxx, an HP Owner |
90.0% x 28.6% = 25.7% | |||
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, an HP Owner |
10.0% x 28.6% = 2.90% |
(c) The purchase price payable by Calavo or its assignee to the Xxxx Trust for the 727 Acres
is $1,500,000 and shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the Real Estate Contract.
1.5 Initial Purchase Price Payment. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, Calavo shall make an initial Purchase Price payment to the HS Shareholders and the
HP Owners in the aggregate amount of $3,500,000, payable by immediately available funds to accounts
designated by the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners or by cashier’s checks, allocated as follows:
The Xxxx Trust, an HS Shareholder |
$ | 1,701,000 | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxx-Xxxxxx, an HS Shareholder |
399,000 | |||
Xxx Xxxx, an HS Shareholder |
399,000 | |||
Xxxxx X. Xxxx, an HP Owner |
899,500 | |||
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, an HP Owner |
101,500 | |||
Total Payment |
$ | 3,500,000 |
1.6 Earn-Out Payments. Based upon the performance of HS and HP during each of the
twelve-month periods ending May 31, 2009 and May 31, 2010, the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners
shall be entitled to receive Earn-Out Payments from Calavo ranging from a minimum aggregate amount
of $5,000,000 to a maximum aggregate amount of $9,000,000, calculated and paid as follows:
(a) Calculation of the Earn-Out Payments. Each year’s Earn-Out Payment shall equal
the combined EBITDA of HS and HP for the twelve-month period ending May 31, 2009 or May 31, 2010,
as applicable, multiplied by 2.5, and payable within 30 days after EBITDA has been calculated and
the calculation has been approved by Calavo’s independent registered public accounting firm,
Calavo’s Board of Directors, and the Special Committee of Calavo’s independent directors formed in
connection with this Acquisition Agreement (the “Special Committee”). Calavo shall
calculate the Earn-Out Payment for each year in accordance with the following principles.
• | The Earn-Out Payment shall be calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), except as otherwise described in this Section 1.6; | ||
• | Only revenues from Hawaiian-sourced fruit (excluding revenues from pineapples or attributable to contracts with Maui Pineapple Company, Ltd.) shall be included in EBITDA, and commissions earned by Calavo from sales shall be excluded from EBITDA; |
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• | EBITDA shall exclude allocations by Calavo of corporate expenses to HS and HP and shall exclude other intercompany transactions between Calavo and HS or HP; | ||
• | Regardless of the results of operations of HS and HP but subject to the adjustment provisions of Section 1.6(g), the Earn-Out Payment for the twelve-month period ending May 31, 2009 shall not be less than $2,500,000 or more than $4,500,000; | ||
• | Regardless of the results of operations of HS and HP but subject to the adjustment provisions of Section 1.6(g), the Earn-Out Payment for the twelve-month period ending May 31, 2010 shall not be less than (1) $5,000,000, reduced by (2) the Earn-Out Payment for the twelve-month period ending May 31, 2009 (without giving effect to any reduction or increase in such Earn-Out Payment that is attributable to the adjustment provisions described in Section 1.6(g) below); and | ||
• | Exhibit 1.6 attached to this Acquisition Agreement and incorporated herein contains an example of the calculation of the Earn-Out Payments. |
(b) Earn-Out Payment Payable to Each HS Shareholder and HP Owner. The amount of each
year’s Earn-Out Payment owed to each HS Shareholder and HP Owner shall equal the aggregate Earn-Out
Payment calculated for such year multiplied by the HS Shareholder’s or HP Owner’s respective
ownership percentage that is set forth above in Section 1.4(b).
(c) Operation of HS and HP After the Closing. During each of the twelve-month periods
ending May 31, 2009 and May 31, 2010, HS and HP shall be accounted for by Calavo as separate profit
and accounting units in order to permit calculation of the Earn-Out Payments. However, Calavo
shall have the right at any time to merge HS and/or HP into Calavo or into any subsidiary of Calavo
so long as Calavo is able to continue accounting for HS and HP as separate profit and accounting
units prior to May 31, 2010. The HS Shareholders and the HP Owners acknowledge and agree that,
after the Closing, Calavo shall control the operations of HS and HP by reason of its ownership of
the HS Shares and the HP LLC Interests and that Calavo shall have the right to appoint the board of
directors and management of HS and HP. Any material changes to the operations of HS or HP after
the Closing must be approved by the Special Committee.
(d) Imputed Interest or Original Issue Discount on the Earn-Out Payments. The HS
Shareholders and HP Owners acknowledge and agree that, as required by the Code, interest or
original issue discount on the Earn-Out Payments will be imputed based on the applicable federal
rate specified by the Internal Revenue Service in accordance with the Code and the regulations
thereunder, which will result in deductible interest for Calavo and ordinary income for the HS
Shareholders and HP Owners.
(e) Payments by Calavo. Calavo is entitled to make Earn-Out Payments via company
checks payable to the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners.
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(f) Limits on Payments. Regardless of the performance of HS and HP, the aggregate
Earn-Out Payments shall under no circumstances exceed $9,000,000, and the HS Shareholders and HP
Owners shall not be entitled to any Earn-Out Payments with respect to the performance of HS and HP
after May 31, 2010.
(g) Adjustments to Earn-Out Payments. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
in this Section 1.6:
(1) If the Closing Date aggregate working capital of HS and HP (as calculated by Calavo in
accordance with GAAP) is less than $700,000, then the aggregate Earn-Out Payments owed by Calavo to
the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners under this Acquisition Agreement shall be reduced by an
amount equal to the difference between $700,000 and the Closing Date aggregate working capital of
HS and HP and such amount shall be applied as a reduction to the Earn-Out Payment that is otherwise
payable by Calavo for the twelve-month period ending May 31, 2009;
(2) If the Closing Date aggregate working capital of HS and HP (as calculated by Calavo in
accordance with GAAP) is more than $700,000, then the aggregate Earn-Out Payments owed by Calavo to
the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners under this Acquisition Agreement shall be increased by an
amount equal to the difference between $700,000 and the Closing Date aggregate working capital of
HS and HP and such amount shall be applied as an increase to the Earn-Out Payment that is otherwise
payable by Calavo for the twelve-month period ending May 31, 2009;
(3) If and to the extent that, prior to May 31, 2009, Calavo does not collect all of the
accounts receivable that are shown on the Closing Date balance sheets of HS and HP (as such balance
sheets are prepared by Calavo in accordance with GAAP), then the aggregate Earn-Out Payments owed
by Calavo to the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners under this Acquisition Agreement shall be
reduced by an amount equal to such uncollected accounts receivable and such amount shall be applied
as a reduction to the Earn-Out Payment that is otherwise payable by Calavo for the twelve-month
period ending May 31, 2009; and
(4) If and to the extent that, prior to May 31, 2009, Calavo does not realize through
product sales all inventory that is shown on the Closing Date balance sheets of HS and HP (as such
balance sheets are prepared by Calavo in accordance with GAAP), then the aggregate Earn-Out
Payments owed by Calavo to the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners under this Acquisition Agreement
shall be reduced by an amount equal to the unrealized inventory and such amount shall be applied as
a reduction to the Earn-Out Payment that is otherwise payable by Calavo for the twelve-month period
ending May 31, 2009.
(5) Subject to a maximum aggregate reduction of $200,000, Calavo is entitled to reduce the
Earn-Out Payments that are otherwise owed to the HP Owners by all expenses that Calavo and/or HP
incur after May 19, 2008 but prior to May 31, 2010 in connection with taking all corrective action
that Calavo determines in its sole discretion is required or appropriate to ensure that all of HP’s
real and personal property is in good operating condition and is free of defects or any other
adverse conditions, and that such property is in full compliance with all applicable statutes,
rules, and regulations, regardless as to whether third
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parties are responsible for any such defects or adverse conditions. To avoid double counting,
the expenses described in the preceding sentence that are incurred by Calavo and/or HP shall not be
included in the determination of EBITDA for purposes of calculating the amount of the Earn-Out
Payments. The provisions of this Section 1.6(g)(5) are not intended in any manner to reduce the
indemnification liability of the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners for a breach of any of their
representations and warranties contained in Article 2 of this Acquisition Agreement, and the
provisions of this Section 1.6(g)(5) are in addition to Calavo’s indemnification remedies under
Article 7 of this Acquisition Agreement. The HS Shareholders are not entitled to receive the
Earn-Out Payments that Calavo withholds from the HP Owners pursuant to this Section 1.6(g)(5).
ARTICLE 2
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
THE HS SHAREHOLDERS AND THE HP OWNERS
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
THE HS SHAREHOLDERS AND THE HP OWNERS
Except as otherwise specifically described in the disclosure schedule (the “Disclosure
Schedule”) delivered to Calavo by the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners concurrently with, or
prior to, the execution and delivery of this Acquisition Agreement, Xx. Xxxx and all other HP
Owners and HS Shareholders jointly and severally represent and warrant to Calavo that the following
representations and warranties (in addition to any representations and warranties made by any of
them elsewhere in this Acquisition Agreement) are accurate and complete as of the date of this
Acquisition Agreement and that such representations and warranties will be accurate and complete as
of the Closing Date as though remade on the Closing Date with references to the Closing Date
substituted for references to the date of this Acquisition Agreement:
2.1 Organization and Good Standing of HS and HP. HS is a corporation duly
incorporated and organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
California. HP is a limited liability company duly formed and organized, validly existing, and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Hawaii. Each of HS and HP is duly qualified and
licensed to do its business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the business
transacted by it or the nature or location of its assets makes such qualification or licensing
necessary. The HS Shareholders and the HP Owners have delivered to Calavo an accurate and complete
copy, as amended to date, of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of HS and of the Articles of
Organization and Operating Agreement of HP.
2.2 Capitalization of HS.
(a) The following table lists the shareholders of HS and the number of HS Shares owned by each
HS Shareholder. The shares listed in the following table constitute all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of HS and, except with respect to the rights granted to Calavo pursuant
to this Acquisition Agreement, there are no outstanding options, warrants, contracts,
subscriptions, commitments, or other rights of any character which may entitle any person to
acquire any of the issued or unissued capital stock of HS.
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Number of HS Shares | ||||
Owned by Each HS | ||||
Name of HS Shareholder | Shareholder | |||
The Xxxx Trust |
3,883.48 | Shares | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxx-Xxxxxx |
913.76 | Shares | ||
Xxx Xxxx |
913.76 | Shares |
(b) The HS Shareholders have good, lawful, and marketable title to, and record and beneficial
ownership of, all of the issued and outstanding shares of the outstanding capital stock of HS. All
such outstanding shares have been duly authorized, are fully paid and non-assessable, and were
validly issued in compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, and other laws. Each HS
Shareholder owns his shares of the outstanding capital stock of HS free and clear of all liens,
security agreements, shareholders’ agreements, voting trust agreements, and other claims and
encumbrances.
(c) At the Closing, upon the delivery to Calavo of the HS Shares by the HS Shareholders,
Calavo will own all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of HS free and clear of all liens,
security agreements, shareholders’ agreements, voting trust agreements, and other claims and
encumbrances.
2.3 Capitalization of HP.
(a) Xx. Xxxx owns 90.0% of the issued and outstanding HP LLC Interests, and Xxxx Xxxxxxx owns
10.0% of the issued and outstanding HP LLC Interests. Except with respect to the rights granted to
Calavo pursuant to this Acquisition Agreement, there are no outstanding options, warrants,
contracts, subscriptions, commitments, or other rights of any character which may entitle any
person to acquire any membership interest, economic interest, voting interest, or other right or
interest in HP.
(b) The HP Owners have good, lawful, and marketable title to, and record and beneficial
ownership of, all of the issued and outstanding membership interests, economic interests, voting
interests, and other rights and interests in HP. All such outstanding interests have been duly
authorized, are fully paid and non-assessable, and were validly issued in compliance with all
applicable statutes, regulations, and other laws. Each HP Owner owns his HP LLC Interests free and
clear of all liens, security agreements, owners’ agreements, voting trust agreements, and other
claims and encumbrances.
(c) At the Closing, upon the delivery to Calavo of the HP LLC Interests by the HP Owners,
Calavo will own all of the issued and outstanding membership interests, economic interests, voting
interests, and other rights and interests in HP free and clear of all liens, security agreements,
owners’ agreements, voting trust agreements, and other claims and encumbrances.
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2.4 Corporate Powers. Each of HS and HP has and holds the right and power, and all
licenses, permits, authorizations, and approvals (governmental or otherwise), necessary to entitle
it to use its name, to own and operate its properties and assets, and to carry on its business.
2.5 Authority of the HS Shareholders and HP Owners. Each HP Shareholder and each HS
Owner has the full right, power, and authority to execute and deliver this Acquisition Agreement
and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. All acts and other proceedings required to
be taken by each HP Shareholder and each HS Owner in order to enable such person to carry out this
Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been taken. Xx. Xxxx and his
spouse, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, have the full right, power, and authority to execute and deliver this
Acquisition Agreement as trustees of the Xxxx Trust and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby as trustees of the Xxxx Trust, and all acts and other proceedings required to be taken by
Mr. and Xxx. Xxxx in order to enable them to carry out this Acquisition Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby as trustees of the Xxxx Trust have been taken.
2.6 Binding Effect. This Acquisition Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners and (together with any agreements or instruments to be
executed and delivered at the Closing by any such person) constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of each such person, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
2.7 No Breach. Neither the execution and delivery of this Acquisition Agreement nor
the consummation of any transaction contemplated hereby will, with or without notice or the passage
of time, (1) violate any statute, rule, regulation, law, or judicial or administrative order,
judgment or decree applicable to HS, HP, any HS Shareholder, or any HP Owner, (2) result in the
breach of, cause an acceleration of the obligations under, permit the termination of, or otherwise
constitute a default under, any corporate charter, bylaw, limited liability company operating
agreement, lease, license, loan agreement, promissory note, deed of trust, mortgage, or other
instrument, undertaking, commitment, or agreement to which HS, HP, any HS Shareholder, or any HP
Owner is a party or is otherwise subject, (3) result in the creation of any lien or other
encumbrance upon any of HS’s or HP’s assets, or (4) have a material adverse effect on the business
or results of operations of HS or HP.
2.8 Consents. Neither the execution and delivery of this Acquisition Agreement nor
the consummation of any transaction contemplated hereby requires HS, HP, any HS Shareholder, or any
HP Owner to obtain any consent, permit, or approval, or to make any filing or registration, under
any statute, rule, regulation, law, or judicial or administrative order, judgment or decree
applicable to HS, HP, any HS Shareholder, or any HP Owner or under any corporate charter, bylaw,
limited liability operating agreement, lease, license, loan agreement, promissory note, deed of
trust, mortgage, or other instrument, undertaking, commitment, or agreement to which HS, HP, any HS
Shareholder, or any HP Owner is a party or is otherwise subject.
2.9 Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments. HS and HP do not, directly or
indirectly, own any stock or other equity interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, association, or other entity or business venture, and neither HS nor HP has any agreement or
commitment to acquire any such equity interest.
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2.10 Interests of Owners of HS and HP. Except with respect to Xx. Xxxx’x business
operations on the 727 Acres, no HS Shareholder or HP Owner (1) has any direct or indirect ownership
interest in any supplier, customer, lessor, sublessor, or other person or entity which does
business with HS or HP or (2) has any direct or indirect ownership interest in any assets or
properties of HS or HP (other than solely by reason of such person’s ownership of HS Shares or HP
LLC Interests). The business of HS and HP has been conducted only through HS and HP.
2.11 Financial Statements. The HS Shareholders and the HP Owners have provided Calavo
with an accurate and complete copy of (1) the balance sheet of HS as of December 31, 2007 and the
related statements of income for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2007
(the “HS Financial Statements”), and (2) the balance sheet of HP as of December 31, 2007
and the related statements of income for each of the years in the two-year period ended December
31, 2007 (the “HP Financial Statements”). The HS Financial Statements and the HP Financial
Statements fairly present the financial position of HS and HP as of the respective dates of the
balance sheets included in those financial statements and the results of HS’s and HP’s operations
for the specified periods indicated therein. The aggregate working capital of HS and HP as of the
Closing Date will not be less than $700,000.
2.12 Undisclosed Liabilities. As of the respective dates of the balance sheets that
are contained in the HS Financial Statements and the HP Financial Statements, neither HS nor HP had
any liability of any nature (whether fixed, accrued, contingent, or otherwise) that was not fully
reflected and reserved against in the HS Financial Statements or HP Financial Statements,
respectively.
2.13 Absence of Certain Changes. Since December 31, 2007:
(a) Neither HS nor HP has incurred any liabilities of any nature (whether fixed, accrued,
contingent, or otherwise), except liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(b) There has been no material adverse change in the assets, liabilities, or financial
condition of HS or HP;
(c) There has been no material adverse change in the business prospects of HS or HP;
(d) Neither HS nor HP has entered into (or agreed to enter into) any leases, loan agreements,
or other agreements, except in the ordinary course of business;
(e) Neither HS nor HP has purchased or otherwise acquired or sold, mortgaged, pledged, leased,
or otherwise disposed of any of its assets (or agreed to take any of such actions), except in the
ordinary course of business;
(f) Neither HS nor HP has paid any dividends, or made any other distributions, to the HS
Shareholders or the HP Owners, as applicable;
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(g) There has been no material damage, destruction, or other casualty loss with respect to
property owned or leased by HS or HP (whether or not covered by insurance); and
(h) The business of HS and HP in all other respects has been conducted only in its ordinary
course.
2.14 Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Each of HS and HP has established and
maintains internal control over financial reporting that (1) provides reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation of its financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, (2) maintains records in reasonable
detail accurately and reflecting its transactions and dispositions of assets, (3) provides
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with GAAP and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in
accordance with the authorization of management, and (4) provides reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of assets that
could have a material effect on financial statements. The internal control over financial
reporting maintained by HS does not contain any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses,
and the internal control over financial reporting maintained by HP does not contain any significant
deficiencies or material weaknesses. Neither HS nor HP has used any improper accounting practices
to incorrectly reflect or not reflect any of its assets, liabilities, revenues, or expenses.
2.15 Receivables. The receivables of HS and HP are reflected properly on their books
and records and are valid receivables subject to no setoffs or counterclaims, and all such
receivables that exist as of the Closing Date will be reflected properly on each such entity’s
books and records and will constitute valid receivables subject to no setoffs or counterclaims.
All such receivables described in the preceding sentence have been or will be collected in the
ordinary course of business at their recorded amounts.
2.16 Real Property.
(a) Except with respect to approximately 20 acres of land owned by HP located at 00-000 Xxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxx, Xxxxxx and County of Hawaii, State of Hawaii, and identified as Third Division
Tax Map Key 1-6-03, Parcel 19 (the “HP Real Estate”), neither HS nor HP owns, directly or
indirectly, any real property, and neither HS nor HP occupies any real property other than as the
lessee or sublessee thereof. The HP Real Estate is in compliance with all any applicable statutes,
rules, and regulations (including, without limitation, zoning, land use and environmental statutes,
rules, and regulations), and HP has not violated any such statutes, rules, or regulations in
connection with its use of the HP Real Estate.
(b) HP has good and marketable title to the HP Real Estate free and clear of any and all
security interests, deeds of trust, mortgages, covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements,
charges, claims, assessments, and other liens and encumbrances, except for: (1) current taxes
(including assessments collected with taxes) not yet due and payable; (2) encumbrances, if any,
that are not substantial in character, amount, or extent and do not materially detract from the
value, or interfere with present use, or the ability of the owner of the
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HP Real Estate to dispose of such real property; (3) a purchase money mortgage dated May 12,
2006, in the original principal amount of $1,304,550.73, in favor of Xx. Xxxx (the “Xxxx
Mortgage”); and (4) a financing statement recorded on May 17, 2006 in favor of Xx. Xxxx (the
“Xxxx Financing Statement”).
(c) The Disclosure Schedule describes each lease and sublease of real property to which HS or
HP is a party. An accurate and complete copy of each such lease or sublease has been delivered to
Calavo by the HS Shareholders or the HP Owners. With respect to each such lease and sublease: (1)
the lease or sublease is in full force and effect and is valid, binding, and enforceable, and the
tenant or subtenant to the lease or sublease is entitled to quiet possession thereunder; (2) all
rent and all other amounts owing under the lease or sublease are fully paid; (3) neither HS nor HP
has assigned to any other person any of its right, title, and interest in and to the lease or
sublease; (4) neither HS nor HP has violated any applicable statutes, rules, or regulations
(including, without limitation, zoning, land use, and environmental statutes, rules, and
regulations) in connection with its use of the property covered by the lease or sublease; and (5)
neither HS nor HP is a party to any disputes regarding the lease or sublease.
2.17 Leases of Personal Property.
(a) Neither HS nor HP leases or subleases any personal property to any other person.
(b) The Disclosure Schedule describes each lease or sublease by which HS or HP leases or
subleases personal property from another person. With respect to each such lease and sublease:
(1) the lease or sublease is in full force and effect and is valid, binding, and enforceable, and
HS or HP is entitled to possession of the personal property thereunder; (2) all rent and all other
amounts owing under the lease or sublease are fully paid; (3) neither HS nor HP has assigned to any
other person any of its right, title, and interest in and to the lease or sublease; (4) neither HS
nor HP has violated any applicable statutes, rules, or regulations (including, without limitation,
zoning, land use, and environmental statutes, rules, and regulations) in connection with its use of
the property covered by the lease or sublease; and (5) neither HS nor HP is a party to any disputes
regarding the lease or sublease.
2.18 Ownership and Use of Assets. Each of HS and HP is the lawful owner, lessee, or
sublessee of each of the assets that is used in its business. Each of HS and HP owns, leases, or
subleases such assets free and clear of all liens, security interests, or other claims or
encumbrances, except as otherwise described in this Agreement. All such assets that consist of
machinery, equipment, motor vehicles, or other tangible personal property or fixtures are free of
material defects, are commercially usable and are in good operating condition and repair, ordinary
wear and tear excepted.
2.19 Bank Accounts. The Disclosure Schedule identifies all checking accounts, deposit
accounts, securities accounts, safety deposit boxes, and other accounts and safekeeping
arrangements constituting assets of HS and HP, together with the authorized signatories on each
such account or arrangement.
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2.20 Insurance. The Disclosure Schedule describes all insurance policies that are
currently maintained by each of HS and HP, listing the insurer, the type and period of coverage,
the scope and amount of coverage, and deductible amounts. Each insurance policy is in full force
and effect, and neither HS nor HP is in default of its obligations under the policy.
2.21 Guarantees. Neither HS nor HP has guaranteed the liabilities or obligations of
any other person.
2.22 Loan Agreements. The Disclosure Schedule every loan or credit agreement,
promissory note, letter of credit, or other borrowing arrangement under which HS or HP currently
has borrowed any money, or is entitled to borrow, and lists the outstanding principal and accrued
interest thereunder. Neither HS nor HP has made any outstanding loan to any person who is an
officer or director of Calavo.
2.23 Supplier and Customer Relationships.
(a) The Disclosure Schedule lists (1) the top ten suppliers of agricultural products to HS and
HP for the year ended December 31, 2007 and (2) the top ten customers of HS and HP for the year
ended December 31, 2007. No such supplier or customer within the past twelve months has terminated
its business relationship with HS or HP, and no such supplier or customer has threatened to
terminate its business relationship with HS or HP.
(b) The HS Shareholders and the HP Owners have not received written or oral notice that any
supplier or customer of HS or HP intends to terminate its business relationship with HS or HP prior
to or after the Closing Date.
2.24 Other Agreements. In addition to agreements that are described in the Disclosure
Schedule pursuant to any other section of this Article 2, the Disclosure Schedule describes each of
the following agreements (written or oral) to which HS or HP is a party or is otherwise bound: (1)
each agreement involving total payments by HS or HP over its term of more than $50,000; (2) each
agreement under which the consequences of a default would have a material adverse effect on HS or
HP; (3) each agreement with a term of over one year unless the agreement is terminable without
penalty by HS or HP on no more than thirty days’ notice; and (4) each agreement not entered into by
HS or HP in the ordinary course of business.
2.25 Absence of Defaults. With respect to each lease, sublease, license, loan
agreement, promissory note, deed of trust, mortgage, supply agreement, sales agreement, and other
agreement to which HS or HP is a party or is otherwise subject: (1) neither HS nor HP is in
default or breach of its obligations thereunder; and (2) no claim of default or breach has been
made against HS or HP thereunder, and no event has occurred which, with the passage of time or the
giving of notice, will result in the occurrence of a default or breach by HS or HP.
2.26 Litigation. There is no litigation, arbitration, investigation, tax audit, or
other claim or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners,
threatened against HS or HP. Neither HS nor HP is in default under any judgment, order, writ,
injunction, or decree of any Governmental Authority to which it is bound or otherwise subject. The
HS Shareholders and the HP Owners are not aware of any audit, investigation, review, or other
inquiry (or proposed audit, investigation, review, or inquiry) by any Governmental
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Authority regarding any assets or business of HS or HP, and the HS Shareholders and the HP
Owners are not aware of the existence of any dispute or potential dispute with any Governmental
Authority regarding any aspect of the assets or business of HS or HP. As used in this Acquisition
Agreement, the term “Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, local, or foreign
governmental department, agency, court, or official and any arbitral body the decrees of which have
the force of law.
2.27 Compliance with Laws. Each of HS and HP is in compliance with all applicable
statutes, rules, regulations, and other laws pertaining to its assets or the operation of its
business. No claim has been made to HS or HP by any Governmental Authority (and no such claim is
anticipated) to the effect that the business conducted by HS or HP fails to comply with any
statute, rule, regulation, or other law or that a license, permit, certificate, or authorization
(which has not promptly thereafter been obtained) is required with respect to the operation of such
business.
2.28 Environmental Matters. Each of HS and HP is conducting and has at all times
conducted its business and operations (including, without limitation, its use and occupancy of the
real property that it owns, leases, or subleases) in full compliance with all applicable statutes,
rules, regulations, laws, permits, orders, and decrees pertaining to the protection of the
environment, the treatment, emission, and discharge of pollutants and the use, handling,
generation, storage, treatment, removal, transport, spillage, clean up, decontamination, discharge,
or disposal (whether accidental or intentional) of any hazardous, toxic, or radioactive substances,
materials, emissions, or wastes (collectively, “Environmental Laws”). Neither HS nor HP
has received any written notice of claims or actions pending or threatened against it by any
Governmental Authority or any other person relating to a violation or an alleged violation of any
Environmental Laws, and there is no basis for any such claim or action.
2.29 Proprietary Information. The Disclosure Schedule describes all copyrights,
service marks, trademarks, trade names, logos, patents, licenses, and royalty rights, and
registrations and applications for the foregoing items, under which the business of HS and HP is
operated or in which either HS or HP possesses an interest (collectively, the “Proprietary
Rights”). Except as described in the Disclosure Schedule: (1) there are no assignments,
licenses, or sublicenses with respect to any of the Proprietary Rights; (2) there are no pending
or, to the knowledge of the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners, threatened claims by any person with
respect to the use by HS or HP of the Proprietary Rights; (3) no Shareholder or employee of HS or
HP has an ownership interest in any of the Proprietary Rights; (4) to the knowledge of the HS
Shareholders and the HP Owners, the Proprietary Rights do not infringe on the rights of any other
person; and (5) HS and HP own or possess adequate rights to use all intellectual property used by
them in connection with their respective businesses.
2.30 Tax Matters.
(a) HS and HP have filed, on a timely basis, all tax returns and estimates for all years and
periods for which such tax returns and estimates were due, and all such returns and estimates were
prepared in the manner required by applicable law. Each such tax return properly reflected, and
did not understate, the income, the taxable income, and the liability for taxes of HS or HP in the
relevant taxation period covered by the tax return. HS and HP have paid in full all
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taxes that are (or were) due and payable by them, and HS and HP have properly accrued all
taxes payable by them and reflected such accrued taxes on their balance sheets. Neither HS nor HP
has ever received written notice from any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where it does
not currently file tax returns to the effect that it is or may be subject to taxation by that
jurisdiction.
(b) Each of HS and HP has withheld amounts from its employees in compliance with the tax
withholding provisions of applicable law. Each of HS and HP has filed all tax returns and reports
for all years and periods for which any such tax returns and reports were due with respect to
employee income tax withholding and social security and unemployment taxes, and all such tax
returns and reports were prepared in the manner required by applicable law. All payments due from
each of HS and HP as shown on such tax returns and reports on account of employee income tax
withholding or social security and unemployment taxes have been paid.
(c) Each HS Shareholder and each HP Owner has filed, on a timely basis, all tax returns and
estimates for all years and periods for which such tax returns and estimates were due with respect
to income or other distributions received by such person from HS or HP, and all such returns and
estimates were prepared in the manner required by applicable law. Each such tax return properly
reflected, and did not understate, the income, the taxable income, and the liability for taxes of
such HS Shareholder or HP Owner with respect to the operations of HS or HP, as applicable, in the
relevant taxation period covered by the tax return. Each HS Shareholder and each HP Owner has paid
in full all taxes that are (or were) due and payable by such person with respect to the operations
of HS or HP, as applicable. No HS Shareholder or HP Owner has ever received written notice from
any Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where such person does not currently file tax returns
to the effect that such person is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction arising out of
the operations of HS or HP.
(d) In this Acquisition Agreement, (1) “tax” means any federal, state, local, or
foreign income, gross receipts, license, payroll, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental (including, without limitation, taxes under
Code Section 59A), customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social security
(or similar), employment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer,
registration, value added, alternative, add-on minimum, or estimated tax or other tax, assessment
or charge of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, any interest, fine, penalty, or
addition thereto, whether or not disputed, and (2) “tax return” means any return,
declaration, report, estimate, form, claim for refund, or information or statement relating to
taxes and any exhibit, schedule, attachment, or amendment thereto.
(e) HS has been a validly electing S corporation within the meaning of Code Sections 1361 and
1362 at all times during its existence, and HS will be an S corporation up to and including the
Closing Date. HS will not be liable for any tax under Code Section 1374 in connection with the
deemed sale of HS’s assets caused by the Section 338(h)(10) Election. During the past ten years,
HS has not (1) acquired assets from another corporation in a transaction in which HS’s tax basis
for the acquired assets was determined, in whole or in part, by reference to the tax basis of the
acquired assets (or any other property) in the hands of the transferor or (2) acquired the stock of
any corporation that is a qualified subchapter S subsidiary.
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(f) At all times during its existence, HP has operated as a limited liability company and has
qualified for taxation as a partnership under the Code and state, local, and foreign tax laws,
rules, and regulations.
2.31 Employees.
(a) Except as described in the Disclosure Schedule, none of the employees of HS or HP is
represented by a labor union or is covered by a collective bargaining, union, or similar agreement.
There are no material controversies, grievances, or complaints pending or threatened between HS or
HP and any of its employees or current or threatened work stoppages, strikes, or other labor
actions.
(b) Each of HS and HP is in compliance with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, laws,
and judicial and administrative orders, judgments, and decrees respecting employment and employment
practices and the terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours. No current or former
employee of HP or HS has ever been exposed to radiation at hazardous levels, or to any other
dangerous condition, hazardous substance, or hazardous emission, at either the HP Real Estate or at
any other real property owned or leased by HP or HS.
(c) The Disclosure Schedule lists each director, officer, and employee for each of HS and HP.
Except as described in the Disclosure Schedule: (1) neither HS nor HP has entered into any
employment or severance agreement with any of its directors, officers, or employees; (2) neither HS
nor HP has entered into any agreement with any officer or employee prohibiting or restricting the
termination of his or her employment provided that at least thirty days’ notice of termination is
given; (3) neither HS nor HP is subject to any pension plan, retirement plan, profit sharing plan,
stock option plan, deferred compensation plan, or other employee benefit plan; (4) no current
officer or employee of HS or HP will be entitled to any severance payments upon his or her
termination of employment, and no such former officer or employee currently is receiving such
severance payments; and (5) no director, officer, or employee of HS or HP is entitled to receive a
bonus or other compensation payment based upon the completion of the transactions contemplated by
this Acquisition Agreement.
(d) With respect to each pension plan, retirement plan, profit sharing plan, deferred
compensation plan, or other employee benefit plan maintained by HS or HP, all contributions or
other payments required by such plan or by applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and laws to
have been made have in fact been made, and no funding deficiency exists with respect to any such
plan. Each such plan has been maintained, operated, and administered in accordance with all
applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and laws.
2.32 Finders and Brokers. No person has acted as a finder, broker, or other
intermediary on behalf of HS, HP, or any HS Shareholder or HP Owner in connection with this
Acquisition Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and no person is entitled to any
broker’s or finder’s fee or similar fee with respect to this Acquisition Agreement or such
transactions as a result of actions taken by HS, HP, or any HS Shareholder or HP Owner.
2.33 Accuracy and Completeness. No representation or warranty of any HS Shareholder
or any HP Owner contained in this Acquisition Agreement, in the Disclosure
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Schedule, or in any other schedule, exhibit, agreement, or document delivered pursuant to this
Acquisition Agreement contains, or will contain, any untrue statement of a material fact or omits,
or will omit, to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The HS Shareholders and the HP
Owners have delivered to Calavo an accurate and complete copy of each agreement and other document
(as fully amended) that is described in or referred to in the Disclosure Schedule.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CALAVO
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CALAVO
Calavo represents and warrants to the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners that the following
representations and warranties (in addition to any representations and warranties made by Calavo
elsewhere in this Acquisition Agreement) are accurate and complete as of the date of this
Acquisition Agreement, and that such representations and warranties will be accurate and complete
as of the Closing Date as though remade on the Closing Date with references to the Closing Date
substituted for references to the date of this Acquisition Agreement throughout this Article 3:
3.1 Organization and Good Standing. Calavo is a corporation duly incorporated and
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of California.
3.2 Corporate Powers. Calavo has and holds the corporate right and power, and all
licenses, permits, authorizations, and approvals (governmental or otherwise), necessary to entitle
it to use its corporate name, to own and operate its properties, and to carry on its business as
such business exists as of the date hereof.
3.3 Authority. Calavo has the full right, power, and authority to execute and deliver
this Acquisition Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. All acts and
other proceedings required to be taken by Calavo in order to enable it to carry out this
Acquisition Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been taken.
3.4 Binding Effect. This Acquisition Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by Calavo and (together with any agreements and instruments to be executed and delivered by Calavo
at the Closing) constitutes its legal, valid, and binding obligation, enforceable in accordance
with its terms.
3.5 No Breach. Neither the execution and delivery of this Acquisition Agreement nor
the consummation of any transaction contemplated hereby will, with or without notice or the passage
of time, (1) violate any United States statute, rule, regulation, law, or judicial or
administrative order, judgment, or decree applicable to Calavo, (2) result in the breach of, cause
an acceleration of the obligations under, permit the termination of, or otherwise constitute a
default under, any corporate charter, bylaw, lease, license, loan agreement, promissory note, deed
of trust, mortgage, or other instrument, undertaking, commitment, or agreement to which Calavo
currently is subject, or (3) result in the creation of any lien or other encumbrance upon any of
Calavo’s assets.
3.6 Consents. Neither the execution and delivery of this Acquisition Agreement nor
the consummation of any transaction contemplated hereby requires Calavo to obtain any consent,
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permit, or approval, or to make any filing or registration, under any United States statute,
rule, regulation, law, or judicial or administrative order, judgment, or decree applicable to
Calavo or under any corporate charter, bylaw, lease, license, loan agreement, promissory note, deed
of trust, mortgage, or other instrument, undertaking, commitment, or agreement to which Calavo
currently is a party or is otherwise subject.
3.7 Finders and Brokers. There is no investment banker, broker, finder, or other
intermediary retained by Calavo who might be entitled to any fee or commission in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Acquisition Agreement and for which the HS Shareholders or
the HP Owners would be responsible.
3.8 Litigation. Except for a proceeding brought by Mexican tax authorities (Hacienda)
that is described in Calavo’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2007 filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 14, 2008, there is no litigation,
arbitration, investigation, tax audit, or other claim or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of
Calavo, threatened against Calavo that could have a material adverse effect on Calavo’s results of
operations or financial condition. Calavo is not in default under any judgment, order, writ,
injunction, or decree of any Governmental Authority to which it is bound or otherwise subject.
Calavo is not aware of any audit, investigation, review, or other inquiry (or proposed audit,
investigation, review, or inquiry) by any Governmental Authority regarding any assets or business
of Calavo, and Calavo is not aware of the existence of any dispute or potential dispute with any
Governmental Authority regarding any aspect of the assets or business of Calavo.
3.11 Accuracy and Completeness. No representation or warranty of Calavo contained in
this Acquisition Agreement or in any schedule, exhibit, agreement, or document delivered pursuant
to this Acquisition Agreement contains, or will contain, any untrue statement of a material fact or
omits, or will omit, to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.
ARTICLE 4
MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
In addition to their agreements contained in other sections of this Acquisition Agreement,
Calavo, the HS Shareholders, and the HP Owners agree as follows:
4.1 Access and Confidentiality.
(a) Prior to the Closing, Calavo and its authorized representatives shall have full access to
the premises and the books, records, agreements, and other documents of HS and HP during all
reasonable hours, and Calavo shall be furnished with copies of all such books, records, agreements,
and other documents as may be reasonably requested by it. Prior to the Closing, Calavo shall
maintain the confidentiality of all confidential information about HS or HP that it acquires in
connection with its investigation, except to the extent that disclosure thereof is required by a
court of competent jurisdiction.
(b) Calavo’s investigation of HS and HP and their business, assets, and liabilities shall in
no manner be construed as relieving any HS Shareholder or HP Owner from liability under this Acquisition Agreement for a breach of any representation or warranty made
in this Acquisition Agreement.
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4.2 Conduct of HS and HP Prior to the Closing. Prior to the Closing, the HS
Shareholders and the HP Owners shall cause HS and HP to conduct their business only in the ordinary
and regular course (that is, reasonably consistent with past custom and practice), except as
otherwise approved in writing by Calavo. Without limiting the generality of the preceding
sentence, except as otherwise approved in writing by Calavo, neither HS nor HP shall:
(a) Amend its charter documents;
(b) Issue or purchase any shares of its capital stock or limited liability company membership
interests or grant any options, warrants, subscriptions, commitments, or other rights of any
character to acquire any of its capital stock or limited liability company membership interests;
(c) Declare or pay any dividend, or make any other distribution or payment, with respect to
its capital stock or limited liability company membership interests;
(d) Amend or terminate any of its supply or customer contracts or other agreements, except in
the ordinary course of business;
(e) Make any capital expenditure or guarantee or incur any indebtedness or other liabilities,
except in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Enter into any supply or customer contract or other agreement, except in the ordinary
course of business;
(g) Sell, lease, license, transfer, pledge, or assign any of its assets, except in the
ordinary course of business;
(h) Alter the manner of keeping its books, accounts, or records; or
(i) Agree to take any of the actions described above in this Section 4.2 or otherwise take any
action (or agree to take any action) that would cause a breach of any of the HS Shareholders’ and
the HP Owners’ representations and warranties contained in this Acquisition Agreement.
4.3 Preservation of the Business. Prior to the Closing, the HS Shareholders and the
HP Owners shall cause HS and HP to use their best efforts to preserve their business, agreements,
and relationships with suppliers and customers.
4.4 Transfer of HS Shares or HP LLC Interests. Prior to the Closing, (1) no HS
Shareholder shall sell, assign, encumber, or otherwise transfer any of such shareholder’s HS Shares
or agree to take any of such actions, and (2) no HP Owner shall sell, assign, encumber, or
otherwise transfer any of such person’s HP LLC Interests or agree to take any of such actions.
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4.5 Consents from Third Parties; Governmental Filings; Cooperation; Estoppel Letters.
(a) The HS Shareholders and the HP Owners, with the cooperation of Calavo, shall use their
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all consents, permits, and approvals from lessors,
lenders, Governmental Authorities, and other third parties that Calavo determines are required in
order to prevent Calavo’s acquisition of the HS Shares and the HP LLC Interests from (1) violating
any statute, rule, regulation, law, or judicial or administrative order, judgment, or decree
applicable to Calavo, HS, or HP or (2) resulting in the breach of, default under, or acceleration
of the obligations under, any lease, loan agreement, license, deed of trust, mortgage, or other
agreement to which HS or HP is a party or is otherwise subject.
(b) Calavo and the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners shall cooperate in complying fully and on
a timely basis with any and all filings with Governmental Authorities that are required as a result
of this Acquisition Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Acquisition Agreement.
(c) Calavo, on the one hand, and the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners, on the other hand,
shall cooperate with each other in the performance of all obligations under this Acquisition
Agreement and shall use its (or their) reasonable efforts to satisfy or cause to be satisfied, at
or prior to the Closing, the conditions to the Closing obligations of the other party or parties
under this Acquisition Agreement.
(d) Each party to this Acquisition Agreement shall promptly notify the other parties to this
Acquisition Agreement upon learning that (1) any third party has alleged that its consent is
required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Acquisition Agreement or (2) a
claim or legal proceeding is pending or threatened before any Governmental Authority that presents
a substantial risk of the restraint or rescission of the transactions contemplated by this
Acquisition Agreement.
(e) If requested by Calavo, the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners shall obtain, prior to the
Closing, an estoppel letter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Calavo from each
lessor of real property that is leased or subleased by HS or HP and from each holder of secured
debt on the HP Real Estate. Among other things, each estoppel letter shall state that neither HS
nor HP is in default under the lease, sublease, or agreement regarding the secured debt and that no
default shall occur thereunder as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Acquisition Agreement.
4.6 Publicity. Prior to the Closing, except as otherwise required by law, no party to
this Acquisition Agreement shall publicly disseminate any statement concerning this Acquisition
Agreement without the prior written consent of Calavo (if the statement is to be made by the HS
Shareholders or the HP Owners) or the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners (if the statement is to be
made by Calavo). However, the parties agree that Calavo is entitled to make public announcements
of the execution of this Acquisition Agreement and of the Closing through press releases and the
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Current Reports on Form 8-K and Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q. Calavo shall provide the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners with an
opportunity to review and comment upon such documents.
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4.7 Contribution of Loans. Prior to the Closing, Xx. Xxxx shall make a capital
contribution to HP consisting of the loan made by Xx. Xxxx to HP that is secured by the Xxxx
Mortgage and, prior to the Closing, any and all other loans that have been made by Xx. Xxxx or
other HS Shareholders or HP Owners to HS or HP shall also be contributed to HS or HP, as
applicable. HS and HP shall have no further liability under any such loans after the Closing Date.
HS and HP shall provide Calavo with written evidence of (1) the contribution of such loans and (2)
the cancellation and re-conveyance to HP of the Xxxx Mortgage and the termination of the Xxxx
Financing Statement.
4.8 Employees. The HS Shareholders and HP Owners acknowledge and agree that Calavo is
not making any representation or agreement regarding whether, or the terms on which, any current
officers and employees of HS and HP will continue as officers and employees after the Closing Date.
4.9 No Solicitation of Other Transactions. Prior to the Closing, neither Xx. Xxxx
nor any other HS Shareholder or HP Owner shall directly or indirectly solicit or initiate
negotiations, or engage in negotiations or enter into a sale agreement, with any person other than
Calavo regarding the acquisition of HS, HP, or the 727 Acres or any portion of HS, HP, or the 727
Acres or regarding the acquisition of any of the HS Shares or HP LLC Interests.
4.10 Tax Matters.
(a) Section 338(h)(10) Election for HS. Prior to December 31, 2008, Calavo shall
determine whether or not the Section 338(h)(10) Election shall be made with respect to Calavo’s
purchase of the HS Shares, and Calavo shall notify the HS Shareholders of its determination. At
the Closing, Calavo and each HS Shareholder shall complete, execute, and deliver to each other an
Internal Revenue Service Form 8023, Elections Under Section 338 for Corporations Making Qualified
Stock Purchases (the “Form 8023”), evidencing the Section 338(h)(10) Election. Each HS
Shareholder shall also complete, execute, and deliver to Calavo any comparable election forms under
state, local, and foreign tax law, either at the Closing or within ten days after a request for the
executed form is made by Calavo after the Closing Date. If Calavo determines to make the Section
338(h)(10) Election, Calavo shall file the Form 8023 with the Internal Revenue Service as promptly
as practicable after Calavo has determined to make the Section 338(h)(10) Election and Calavo shall
file such state, local, and foreign tax election forms as promptly as practicable. If Calavo makes
the Section 338(h)(10) Election, the HS Shareholders shall include any and all income, gain, loss,
deduction, or other tax items resulting from the Section 338(h)(10) Election (and comparable
elections under state, local, and foreign tax law) on their tax returns to the extent required by
applicable law. Prior to the Closing, the HS Shareholders shall not take any action that would
revoke HS’s election to be taxed as an S corporation or that would result in the termination of
HS’s status as a validly existing S corporation.
(b) Reimbursement by Calavo of Additional Taxes Paid by the HS Shareholders.
(1) If, but only if, Calavo elects to make the Section 338(h)(10) Election, then Calavo
shall be obligated to make a payment to each HS Shareholder equal to the amount
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by which (A) the federal and state income taxes that were paid by the HS Shareholder upon the
receipt of the portion of the Purchase Price that is attributable to Calavo’s purchase of the HS
Shares exceeds (B) the federal and state income taxes that would have been paid by the HS
Shareholder upon the receipt of such Purchase Price if Calavo had not required the Section
338(h)(10) Election to be made. The purpose of Calavo’s covenant set forth in the preceding
sentence is to reimburse each HS Shareholder in an amount equal to any additional federal and state
income taxes that are paid by the HS Shareholder as a result of the taxation of a portion of the
Purchase Price at ordinary income tax rates rather than at capital gains tax rates arising from the
Section 338(h)(10) Election, including, without limitation, by reason of Code Section 1245, and
regulations thereunder, regarding “deprecation recapture.” Calavo’s covenant is not intended to
reimburse any HS Shareholder for taxes that the HS Shareholder would have been required to pay in
the absence of the Section 338(h)(10) Election.
(2) An HS Shareholder shall be entitled to the tax reimbursement payment described in
Section 4.10(b)(1) only following delivery by the HS Shareholder to Calavo of (A) a copy of the
relevant portions of the HS Shareholder’s federal and state tax returns showing the federal and
state income taxes paid by the HS Shareholder upon the receipt of the Purchase Price attributable
to the sale of the HS Shareholder’s HS Shares and (B) a calculation setting forth in reasonable
detail the federal and state income taxes that would have been paid by the HS Shareholder on such
Purchase Price if Calavo had not required the Section 338(h)(10) Election to be made and if the
sale of the HS Shares had therefore been treated as a sale of stock rather than as a sale of
assets. Calavo shall make the reimbursement payment to the HS Shareholder within thirty days after
reaching agreement with the HS Shareholder regarding the additional income taxes that were paid by
the HS Shareholder as a result of the Section 338(h)(10) Election. An HS Shareholder shall be
entitled to seek reimbursement from Calavo each time that the HS Shareholder files federal and
state tax returns for a tax year in which taxes were paid upon the receipt of the portion of the
Purchase Price that is attributable to the sale of the HS Shares.
(3) If Calavo and the HS Shareholder are unable to reach agreement on the amount of
Calavo’s reimbursement obligation within thirty days after the date that Calavo receives the
documents described in Section 4.10(b)(2) from the HS Shareholder, then the matter shall be
submitted for resolution to an accountant selected by Calavo and the HS Shareholder. The
accountant shall make his determination within sixty days after appointment, and Calavo and the HS
Shareholder shall each be entitled to make presentations and deliver supporting documents to the
accountant, whose determination shall be final and binding upon the parties absent evidence of
gross negligence, fraud, or other misconduct by the accountant in making the determination. The
fees and expenses of the accountant shall be borne by Calavo. Calavo and the HS Shareholder shall
each bear the fees and expenses of its own tax advisors and accountants in connection with
determining the amount of Calavo’s tax reimbursement obligation under this Section 4.10(b). If
Calavo and the HS Shareholder are unable to agree upon the selection of an accountant within sixty
days after the date that Calavo receives the documents described in Section 4.10(b)(2), the matter
shall be submitted to arbitration pursuant to Section 8.14 of this Acquisition Agreement, in which
event the matter shall be resolved in accordance with the terms of Sections 8.13, 8.14, and 8.15 of
this Acquisition Agreement.
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(c) Section 754 Election for HP. Following its purchase of the HP LLC Interests,
Calavo shall be entitled to make an election under Code Section 754 on behalf of HP regarding a
step-up in the basis of HP’s assets.
(d) Tax Returns. Calavo shall prepare and file (or cause to be prepared and filed)
all tax returns for HS and HP for all periods ending on, prior to, or after the Closing Date that
are to be filed after the Closing Date, and all refunds attributable to such tax returns shall
belong to Calavo. With respect to their own tax returns that are required to be filed after the
Closing Date, each of Calavo, each HP Shareholder, and each HS Owner agrees to prepare each such
tax return in a manner that is consistent with the provisions of this Section 4.10, including,
without limitation, Section 4.10(a) pertaining to the Section 338(h)(10) Election for HS and
Section 4.10(e) regarding the allocation of the Purchase Price.
(e) Allocation of the Purchase Price; Form 8594.
(1) As promptly as practicable after the Closing, Calavo shall allocate the Purchase Price
in accordance with Code Sections 755 and 1060 among the HS Shares and the HP LLC Interests
(including among the assets and liabilities of HS and HP), and Calavo shall advise Xx. Xxxx of the
allocation.
(2) Calavo shall prepare and file an Internal Revenue Service Form 8594, Asset Acquisition
Statement Under Section 1060 (“Form 8594”), that is consistent with the allocation of the
Purchase Price described in this Section 4.10(e). Upon the request of Calavo, the HS Shareholders
and the HP Owners shall execute the Form 8594 and deliver it to Calavo within ten days after a
request for the executed Form 8594 is made by Calavo. If required by applicable law, Calavo shall
also prepare and file amendments to Form 8594 after the exact amount of the Earn-Out Payments has
been determined and, within ten days after receiving Calavo’s request, the HS Shareholders and the
HP Owners shall execute and deliver to Calavo each such amended Form 8594.
(3) Calavo, the HS Shareholders, and the HP Owners agree to be bound Calavo’s allocation of
the Purchase Price described in this Section 4.10(e) in the preparation, filing, and audit of all
tax returns, and each party agrees that (if required by applicable law) it shall file the Form 8594
with its tax return for the taxable year that includes the Closing Date and, if required by
applicable law, each party shall file an amended Form 8594 consistent with the allocation
principles described in this Section 4.10(e) with respect to the allocation of the Earn-Out
Payments after the exact amount of the Earn-Out Payments has been determined.
(f) Cooperation on Tax Matters. Calavo, the HS Shareholders, and the HP Owners shall
cooperate with each other in connection with the filing of tax returns described in this Section
4.10 and in connection with any audit, litigation, or other proceeding brought by any Governmental
Authority with respect to such tax returns or with respect to the allocations described in this
Section 4.10. Such cooperation shall include the retention and, upon another party’s request, the
provision of records and other information reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation, or
other proceeding.
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(g) Indemnification. As provided in Article 7, the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners
shall be liable to Calavo for breaches of their representations and warranties in this Acquisition
Agreement regarding taxes. Subject to Section 4.10(b), the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners shall
be responsible for paying any and all taxes that are incurred as a result of the transfer of the HS
Shares and HP LLC Interests to Calavo.
ARTICLE 5
CLOSING
CLOSING
5.1 Time, Place, and Date. The Closing shall take place at Calavo’s principal
business office in Santa Paula, California, on May 30, 2008.
5.2 Calavo’s Closing Deliveries. At the Closing, Calavo shall deliver to the HS
Shareholders and the HP Owners a certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
HS Shareholders and the HP Owners, stating that (1) each representation and warranty of Calavo
contained in this Acquisition Agreement (including any exhibit, schedule, or other agreement or
document delivered pursuant hereto) is true and correct in all respects on and as of the Closing
Date with the same effect as if such representation and warranty had been made on and as of the
Closing Date, and (2) Calavo has performed in all material respects all agreements required by this
Acquisition Agreement to be performed by it prior to or at the Closing.
5.3 Shareholders’ Closing Deliveries. At the Closing, the HS Shareholders and the HP
Owners shall deliver to Calavo the following instruments, agreements, and documents, duly executed
where applicable, each of which must be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Calavo:
(a) Certificates evidencing all of the HS Shares, together with stock assignments duly
executed by the HS Shareholders transferring to Calavo their entire right, title, and interest in
and to all of the HS Shares and any other documents requested by Calavo that are required or
appropriate in order to transfer the HS Shares to Calavo in the manner contemplated by this
Acquisition Agreement;
(b) Assignments to Calavo of the HP LLC Interests, executed by the HP Owners;
(c) Evidence of (1) the contribution to HS or HP, as applicable, of all outstanding principal
and interest on all loans that have been made by Xx. Xxxx and the other HS Shareholders and the HP
Owners to HS or HP (including, without limitation, the loan to HP that is secured by the Xxxx
Mortgage), (2) the cancellation and re-conveyance to HP of the Xxxx Mortgage, and (3) the
termination of the Xxxx Financing Statement;
(d) All resignations from the Board of Directors of HS or the Management Committee or other
governing body of HP that are requested by Calavo;
(e) A certificate stating that (1) each representation and warranty of the HS Shareholders and
the HP Owners contained in this Acquisition Agreement (including any exhibit, schedule, or other
agreement or document delivered pursuant hereto) is true and correct in all respects on and as of
the Closing Date with the same effect as if such representation and
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warranty had been made on and as of the Closing Date, and (2) each HS Shareholder and HP Owner
has performed in all material respects all agreements required by this Acquisition Agreement to be
performed by each such person prior to or at the Closing; and
(f) The Form 8023 regarding the Section 338(h)(10) Election, to be filed by Calavo if it
elects to make the Section 338(h)(10) Election, executed by each HS Shareholder, and any comparable
election forms requested by Calavo under state, local, and foreign tax law, executed by each HS
Shareholder.
ARTICLE 6
POST-CLOSING CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETITION COVENANTS
POST-CLOSING CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETITION COVENANTS
6.1 Confidentiality. No HS Shareholder or HP Owner shall at any time after the
Closing use or disclose to any person, directly or indirectly, any confidential information
concerning the business of Calavo, HS, or HP, including, without limitation, any business secret,
trade secret, financial information, proprietary software, internal procedure, business plan,
marketing plan, pricing strategy or policy, supplier list, or customer list, except to the extent
that such use or disclosure is (x) necessary to the performance of the HS Shareholder’s or HP
Owner’s employment with Calavo during the period that he or she is so employed, (y) required by an
order of a court of competent jurisdiction (provided that the HS Shareholder or HP Shareholder must
promptly give Calavo written notice of such order), or (z) authorized in writing by the Chief
Financial Officer of Calavo. The prohibition that is contained in the preceding sentence shall not
apply to any information that is disclosed to the public by Calavo or that otherwise becomes
generally available to the public other than through a disclosure by an HS Shareholder or an HP
Owner or by a person acting in concert with such person.
6.2 Non-Competition and Unfair Competition Covenant. To provide Calavo the full value
of its acquisition of the HS Shares and the HP LLC Interests, and as a material inducement to
Calavo to enter into this Acquisition Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby, each HS Shareholder and HP Owner agrees to refrain from competing with Calavo to the extent
provided in this Article 6. Without the prior written consent of Calavo, no HS Shareholder or HP
Owner shall, at any time during the period described in Section 6.3, directly or indirectly
(whether as owner, principal, agent, partner, officer, employee, independent contractor,
consultant, or otherwise):
(a) Solicit for the purpose of hiring, or cause any person to solicit for the purpose of
hiring, any officer or employee of Calavo, HS, or HP; or
(b) Compete with (or have any ownership interest in any corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, or other entity that competes with) any business that is conducted by Calavo,
HS, or HP (1) in any county, city, or other geographic area in the United States (including,
without limitation, each county in the States of California and Hawaii) or foreign country in which
Calavo, HS, or HP has conducted its business prior to the date of this Acquisition Agreement so
long as Calavo, HS, or HP carry on such business or a similar business in such place or places, or
(2) in any other domestic or foreign geographic area in which Calavo, HS, or HP subsequently
conducts its business; provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 6.2 shall not be
construed as prohibiting any HS Shareholder or HP Owner from acquiring and passively owning up to one percent of the outstanding securities of any
corporation whose common shares are traded on a national securities exchange.
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6.3 Duration.
(a) With respect to each HS Shareholder and HP Owner who is not employed by Calavo, HS, or HP
as of the Closing Date, the non-competition and unfair competition covenant of Section 6.2 shall be
effective for a period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary of the
Closing Date.
(b) With respect to Xx. Xxxx and every other HS Shareholder and HP Owner who is employed by
Calavo, HS, or HP as of the Closing Date, the non-competition and unfair competition covenant of
Section 6.2 shall be effective for a period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the later
to occur of (1) the third anniversary of the Closing Date or (2) the first anniversary of the date
of the termination for any reason of Xx. Xxxx’x or such other HS Shareholder’s or HP Owner’s
employment with Calavo, HS, or HP.
6.4 Scope and Reasonableness. Calavo, the HS Shareholders, and the HP Owners agree
that it is not their intention to violate any public policy or statutory or common law. The
parties intend that the non-competition and unfair competition covenant contained in Sections 6.2
and 6.3 shall be construed as a series of separate covenants by each HS Shareholder and HP Owner,
one for each area included in the geographical scope described in Section 6.2 and for each year (or
portion thereof) described in Section 6.3. Except for geographical coverage and duration, each
such covenant of each HS Shareholder and HP Owner shall contain all of the terms of the covenants
of this Article 6. If any arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction refuses to enforce any
covenant contained in this Article 6, then such unenforceable covenant shall be deemed to have been
deleted from this Acquisition Agreement to the extent necessary to permit the remaining separate
covenants to be enforceable. Each HS Shareholder and HP Owner has considered the nature and extent
of the restrictions upon competition set forth in this Article 6 and agrees that they are
reasonable with respect to duration and geographical scope and in all other respects.
6.5 Calavo’s Remedies. Each HS Shareholder and HP Owner agrees that the provisions of
this Article 6 are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of Calavo.
If an HS Shareholder or an HP Owner breaches any of the provisions of Section 6.1 or 6.2, Calavo
may, among its other remedies, retain all Earn-Out Payments that are otherwise owed to the HS
Shareholder or HP Owner under this Acquisition Agreement, and Calavo shall be relieved of any
obligation to make such payments to the HS Shareholder or HP Owner. Furthermore, each HS
Shareholder and HP Owner agrees and acknowledges that damages and such termination of payments
would be an inadequate remedy for his or her breach of any of the provisions of Section 6.1 or 6.2,
and that his or her breach of any of such provisions will result in immeasurable and irreparable
harm to Calavo. Therefore, in addition to any other remedy to which Calavo may be entitled by
reason of the HS Shareholder’s or HP Owner’s breach of any such provision, Calavo shall be entitled
to seek and obtain temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief from any court of
competent jurisdiction restraining the HS Shareholder or HP Owner from committing or continuing any
breach of any provision of Section 6.1 or 6.2.
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6.6 Venue. For purposes of injunctive relief, each HS Shareholder and HP Owner agrees
to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts located in the jurisdiction or jurisdictions where it
is alleged that Calavo is at the time being damaged by an alleged breach or violation of the
provisions of this Article 6.
ARTICLE 7
INDEMNIFICATION
INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Agreements.
(a) Except as otherwise described in this Section 7.1(a), all representations and warranties
of the parties that are contained in this Acquisition Agreement shall survive the Closing Date for
a period of eighteen months, and any claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 7.2(a) or 7.3(a)
that is based upon the alleged breach of a representation or warranty must be brought not later
than eighteen months after the Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(1) Representations and warranties that are made fraudulently by a party shall survive
forever;
(2) The HS Shareholders’ and the HP Owners’ representations and warranties that are
contained in the following sections of this Acquisition Agreement shall survive forever: Sections
2.1 (Organization and Good Standing of HS and HP), 2.2 (Capitalization of HS), 2.3 (Capitalization
of HP), 2.4 (Corporate Powers), 2.5 (Authority of HS Shareholders and HP Owners), 2.6 (Binding
Effect), 2.26 (Litigation), 2.27 (Compliance with Laws), 2.28 (Environmental Matters), 2.30 (Tax
Matters), 2.31 (Employees), and 2.32 (Finders and Brokers); and
(3) Calavo’s representations and warranties that are contained in the following sections of
this Acquisition Agreement shall survive forever: Sections 3.1 (Organization and Good Standing),
3.2 (Corporate Powers), 3.3 (Authority), 3.4 (Binding Effect), and 3.7 (Finders and Brokers).
A claim for indemnification made by any party that alleges that a representation or warranty
was made fraudulently may be brought at any time after the Closing, and a claim for indemnification
made by any party that alleges a breach of a representation or warranty contained in one or more of
the sections of this Agreement described above in paragraph (2) or (3) may be brought at any time
after the Closing.
(b) A claim with respect to a breach of a representation or a warranty shall not be foreclosed
if the maker of such claim shall have made such claim in writing to the other party prior to the
expiration of the survival period described in Section 7.1(a). Each representation or warranty
made by any HS Shareholder or HP Owner shall be deemed to have been made jointly and severally by
all of the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners.
(c) All agreements of the parties made in this Acquisition Agreement to perform obligations
before, at, or after the Closing shall survive forever except for those agreements, that, by their
terms, contemplate a shorter survival period. All representations,
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warranties, and agreements of the parties that are contained in the Disclosure Schedule or in
any exhibit or other schedule to this Acquisition Agreement or in any other agreement or document
that is delivered pursuant to this Acquisition Agreement shall be deemed to be contained in this
Acquisition Agreement.
7.2 Indemnification by the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners. Subject to the
provisions of this Article 7, the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners jointly and severally shall
indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Calavo (including HS and HP) from and against any and all
losses, damages, obligations, liabilities, and other costs and expenses, including, without
limitation, settlement costs, judgments, interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys’ fees,
accountants’ fees, and other costs and expenses for investigating or defending any actions, claims,
and proceedings (all of the foregoing being collectively referred to herein as “Losses”)
that Calavo (including HS and HP) may incur based upon, arising out of, relating to, or resulting
from:
(a) Any breach of any representation or warranty of any HS Shareholder or HP Owner made in
this Acquisition Agreement (including any exhibit, schedule, or other agreement or document
delivered pursuant to this Acquisition Agreement);
(b) Any breach of, or failure to perform, any agreement of any HS Shareholder or HP Owner that
is contained in this Acquisition Agreement (including any exhibit, schedule, or other agreement or
document delivered pursuant to this Acquisition Agreement);
(c) Any liability of HS or HP as of the Closing that is not reflected and fully and adequately
reserved against on the balance sheet for HS or HP which is contained in the HS Financial
Statements or the HP Financial Statements, except for liabilities incurred subsequent to the date
of such balance date and prior to the Closing in the ordinary course of business;
(d) With respect to the agreements to which HS or HP is a party or is otherwise bound as of
the Closing, any breaches or defaults (or events giving rise to such breaches or defaults) by HS or
HP that occurred prior to the Closing or that occur as a result of the Closing; or
(e) Any litigation, arbitration, investigation, or other claim or legal proceeding (including,
without limitation, any claims and legal proceedings that are described in the Disclosure Schedule)
whether brought before or after the Closing, that is based upon or arises out of any actions or
omissions made or taken by any HS Shareholder or HP Owner or HS or HP prior to the Closing.
7.3 Indemnification by Calavo. Subject to the provisions of this Article 7, Calavo
shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners from and against
any and all Losses that the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners may incur based upon, arising out of,
relating to, or resulting from:
(a) Any breach of any representation or warranty of Calavo made in this Acquisition Agreement
(including any exhibit, schedule, or other agreement or document delivered pursuant to this
Acquisition Agreement); or
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(b) Any breach of, or failure to perform, any agreement of Calavo that is contained in this
Acquisition Agreement (including any exhibit, schedule, or other agreement or document delivered
pursuant to this Acquisition Agreement).
7.4 Notice of Claims; Contest of Claims.
(a) If any indemnified party believes that it has incurred any Losses, or if any claim or
legal proceeding is instituted by a third party with respect to which any indemnified party intends
to claim any Losses under this Article 7, the indemnified party shall notify the indemnifying
party. The notice shall describe the Losses, the amount of the Losses, if known, and the method of
computation of the Losses, all with reasonable particularity and shall contain a reference to the
provisions of this Acquisition Agreement in respect of which the Losses shall have been incurred;
and, in the case of a claim or legal proceeding by a third party, shall include a copy of all
documents received by the indemnified party in connection therewith and any other information known
to the indemnified party with respect to the claim or legal proceeding. The notice shall be given
promptly after the indemnified party becomes aware of each such Loss, claim, or legal proceeding,
but failure to give such prompt notice shall not affect an indemnifying party’s obligations
hereunder except to the extent (if any) that the indemnifying party has suffered Losses as a result
of such notification failure.
(b) With respect to any indemnification notice that does not involve a claim or legal
proceeding by a third party, the indemnifying party shall, within ten days after receipt of such
notice of Losses, pay or cause to be paid to the indemnified party the amount of Losses incurred by
the indemnified party and described in the notice. With respect to an indemnification notice that
involves a claim or legal proceeding by a third party, the indemnifying party shall, within ten
days after receipt of such notice, notify the indemnified party if it elects to conduct and control
the defense of the claim or legal proceeding, provided that any such election must be accompanied
by a written acknowledgement by the indemnifying party of its obligation to indemnify the
indemnified party with respect to all elements of such claim or legal proceeding. If the
indemnifying party does not so notify the indemnified party of its election to conduct and control
the defense of the claim or legal proceeding, the indemnified party shall have the right to defend,
contest, settle, or compromise the claim or legal proceeding, and the indemnifying party shall,
within ten days after receipt of notice from the indemnified party, pay to the indemnified party
the amount of any Losses resulting from the indemnified party’s liability to the third-party
claimant.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.4(b), the indemnifying party shall have the right
to undertake, conduct, and control, through counsel of its own choosing (if such counsel is
reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party) and at the sole expense of the indemnifying party,
the defense of a claim or legal proceeding brought by a third party. At the expense and request of
the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall cooperate in connection with such defense; the
indemnified party shall otherwise be entitled to participate in (but not control) the defense of
the claim or legal proceeding at its own expense. So long as the indemnifying party is defending
the claim or legal proceeding in good faith and on a reasonable basis, and so long as the
indemnified party does not incur any Losses by reason of the defense of the claim or legal
proceeding, the indemnified party shall not pay or settle the claim or legal proceeding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnified party shall have the right to pay or
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settle the claim or legal proceeding at any time, provided that in such event the indemnified
party shall waive any right to indemnity therefor by the indemnifying party. The indemnifying
party shall not settle the claim or legal proceeding without the written consent of the indemnified
party, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that the indemnified party
shall not be required to give its consent unless the third-party claimant delivers to the
indemnified party an unconditional release of all liability with respect to the claim or legal
proceeding.
7.5 Additional Indemnification Limitations.
(a) The maximum aggregate indemnification obligation of any HS Shareholder or HP Owner shall
not exceed the sum of the amount of the Purchase Price payable to such person on the date of this
Acquisition Agreement plus the aggregate amount of Earn-Out Payments to which such person is
entitled. For example, if Xx. Xxxx is entitled to Purchase Price payments of $3,212,500 (an
initial payment of $899,500 plus Earn-Out Payments of $2,313,000) and if the Xxxx Trust is entitled
to Purchase Price payments of $6,075,000 (an initial payment of $1,701,000 plus Earn-Out Payments
of $4,374,000), then Xx. Xxxx’x maximum aggregate indemnification obligation shall be $3,212,500
and the Xxxx Trust’s maximum aggregate indemnification obligation shall be $6,075,000. The maximum
aggregate indemnification obligation of Calavo shall not exceed the amount of the Purchase Price
payable by Calavo under this Acquisition Agreement.
(b) No claims shall be made by Calavo for indemnification from Xxxx Xxxxxxx for Losses that do
not relate to HP. Calavo acknowledges and agrees that Xx. Xxxxxxx has not been not involved in the
operations of HS during the period prior to the Closing Date.
(c) No claims shall be made by Calavo for indemnification from the HS Shareholders and the HP
Owners pursuant to Section 7.2(a), 7.2(c), and/or 7.2(d) unless and until the aggregate amount of
the Losses incurred by Calavo exceeds $50,000, in which event Calavo shall become entitled to full
indemnification for all of its Losses.
(d) No claims shall be made by the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners for indemnification from
Calavo pursuant to Section 7.3(a) unless and until the aggregate amount of the Losses incurred by
the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners exceeds $50,000, in which event the HS Shareholders and the
HP Owners shall become entitled to full indemnification for all of their Losses.
(e) The indemnification limitations described in Sections 7.5(c) and 7.5(d) shall not apply to
a claim that is made under Section 7.2(b) or 7.3(b) based upon an alleged breach of, or failure to
perform, any agreement of Calavo or any HS Shareholder or HP Owner or to a claim made under Section
7.2(e).
(f) The amount of any recovery by an indemnified party pursuant to this Article 7 shall be net
of any insurance proceeds actually received by the indemnified party (but not to the extent that
such proceeds are repaid by the indemnified party through increased insurance premiums). Any
indemnification payment made pursuant to this Acquisition Agreement shall be treated by the parties to this Acquisition Agreement as an adjustment to
the Purchase Price for tax purposes.
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(g) This Article 7 and Section 1.6 of this Acquisition Agreement set forth the sole and
exclusive remedies of Calavo, on the one hand, and of the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners, on the
other hand, for monetary damages after the Closing arising out of a breach of this Acquisition
Agreement by the other party or parties.
(h) If Calavo becomes entitled to receive an indemnification payment under the terms of this
Article 7, Calavo shall have the right to apply any unpaid Earn-Out Payments that are otherwise
payable to the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners pursuant to Section 1.6 above as an offset
against, and in full or partial satisfaction of, the amounts that are owed to Calavo pursuant to
the indemnification provisions of this Article 7. However, the amount or duration of the
indemnification obligations pursuant to this Article 7 shall not be limited to the Earn-Out
Payments.
7.6 Shareholder Representative.
(a) Xx. Xxxx is hereby designated by the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners to serve as their
“Shareholder Representative” under this Acquisition Agreement with respect to the matters
set forth in this Article 7 and, by his signature below, Xx. Xxxx hereby acknowledges such
appointment and agrees to serve in such capacity on the terms set forth herein. Effective only
upon the Closing, the Shareholder Representative shall act as the representative of the HS
Shareholders and the HP Owners with respect to the matters set forth in this Article 7 and shall be
authorized to act on behalf of such persons and to take any and all actions required or permitted
to be taken by the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners under this Article 7 with respect to any
claims (including the settlement thereof) made by Calavo for indemnification pursuant to this
Article 7 (including, without limitation, the exercise of the power to agree to, negotiate, enter
into settlements and compromises of, and comply with orders of courts and arbitrators with respect
to, any claims for indemnification). Xx. Xxxx, during the period that he serves as the Shareholder
Representative, shall be the only party entitled to assert the rights of the HS Shareholders and
the HP Owners under this Article 7 after the Closing. Any person shall be entitled to rely on all
statements, representations, and decisions of the Shareholder Representative.
(b) The HS Shareholders and the HP Owners shall be bound by all actions taken by the
Shareholder Representative in his capacity as such. The Shareholder Representative shall promptly,
and in any event within ten days, provide written notice to the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners
of any action taken on behalf of them by the Shareholder Representative pursuant to the authority
delegated to the Shareholder Representative under this Article 7. The Shareholder Representative
shall not be liable to any HS Shareholder or HP Owner for any error of judgment, or any action
taken, or omitted to be taken, under this Acquisition Agreement, except in the case of its gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The Shareholder Representative shall not be entitled to any
compensation for his services. Xx. Xxxx agrees not to resign his position as the Shareholder
Representative except by reason of his disability or death.
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ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
8.1 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted by this
Acquisition Agreement to be given by one party to another party shall be delivered in writing, by
registered or certified United States mail (postage prepaid and return receipt requested), by
reputable overnight delivery service, or by facsimile transmission, to the address for the party
appearing in Exhibit 8.1 (or such other address or facsimile number as the party may designate to
the other parties to this Acquisition Agreement). Any such notice or communication that is sent in
the foregoing manner shall be deemed to have been delivered upon actual receipt by facsimile
transmission, or three days after deposit in the United States mail, or one day after delivery to
an overnight delivery service.
8.2 Amendments and Termination; Entire Agreement. This Acquisition Agreement may be
amended or terminated only by a writing executed by each party to this Acquisition Agreement.
Together with the Disclosure Schedule and any and all exhibits and schedules to this Acquisition
Agreement, this Acquisition Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties relating to
the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral and written understandings and agreements
relating to such subject matter.
8.3 Incorporation of Exhibits and Schedules. Any and all exhibits and schedules that
are attached to this Acquisition Agreement are incorporated into this Acquisition Agreement and
shall be deemed to be part of this Acquisition Agreement.
8.4 Successors and Assigns. This Acquisition Agreement shall be binding upon, and
shall benefit, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (1) the rights and obligations of the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners are not
assignable to another person without Calavo’s prior written consent, and (2) the rights and
obligations of Calavo hereunder are not assignable to another person without Xx. Xxxx’x prior
written consent, except that Calavo may assign its rights and obligations hereunder without
obtaining such consent in connection with Calavo’s merger with and into another corporation or in
connection with the sale of all or substantially all of Calavo’s assets or capital stock to another
person, provided that such other person assumes in a writing delivered to the HS Shareholders and
the HP Owners all of the obligations of Calavo set forth in this Acquisition Agreement. Subject
to the preceding sentences of this paragraph, this Acquisition Agreement is not intended to benefit
any person, or to be enforceable by any person, other than the parties to this Acquisition
Agreement.
8.5 Calculation of Time. Wherever in this Acquisition Agreement a period of time is
stated in a number of days, unless otherwise stated it shall be deemed to mean calendar days
starting with the first day after the event or delivery of notice and ending at the end of the last
day of the applicable time period. However, when any period of time so stated would end upon a
Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, such period shall be deemed to end upon the next day following
that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.
8.6 Further Assurances. Each party to this Acquisition Agreement shall perform any
further acts and execute and deliver any further documents that may be requested by another
party and that are reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this Acquisition
Agreement.
31
8.7 Provisions Subject to Applicable Law. All provisions of this Acquisition
Agreement shall be applicable only to the extent that they do not violate any applicable law, and
are intended to be limited to the extent necessary so that they will not render this Acquisition
Agreement invalid, illegal, or unenforceable under any applicable law. If any provision of this
Acquisition Agreement or any application thereof shall be held to be invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of other provisions of this Acquisition
Agreement or of any other application of such provision shall in no way be affected thereby.
8.8 Waiver of Rights. No party to this Acquisition Agreement shall be deemed to have
waived any right or remedy that it has under this Acquisition Agreement unless this Acquisition
Agreement expressly provides a period of time within which such right or remedy must be exercised
and such period has expired or unless such party has expressly waived the same in writing. The
waiver by any party of a right or remedy hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other
right or remedy or of any subsequent right or remedy of the same kind.
8.9 Headings; Gender and Number; Interpretation.
(a) The headings contained in this Acquisition Agreement are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect in any manner the meaning or interpretation of this Acquisition Agreement.
(b) Where appropriate to the context of this Acquisition Agreement, use of the singular shall
be deemed also to refer to the plural, and use of the plural to the singular, and pronouns of one
gender shall be deemed to comprehend either or both of the other genders.
(c) The terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” and variations thereof shall, whenever used in
this Acquisition Agreement, refer to this Acquisition Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular section hereof. The term “person” refers to any natural person, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, or other association or entity.
(d) The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” as used in this Acquisition Agreement
shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” Any statute, rule, or regulation
defined or referred to in this Acquisition Agreement means such statute, rule, or regulation as
from time to time amended, including by successor statutes, rules, and regulations.
8.10 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in this Acquisition Agreement, each party
to this Acquisition Agreement shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with
this Acquisition Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, Calavo
shall not be responsible for the payment of costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred
by any party other than Calavo in negotiating, interpreting, or enforcing this Acquisition
Agreement, except as provided otherwise in Section 8.15.
8.11 Counterparts. This Acquisition Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which shall be deemed an
original but all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
This Acquisition Agreement may be executed by facsimile.
32
8.12 Representation by Counsel. The HS Shareholders and the HP Owners understand and
acknowledge that: (1) TroyGould PC (“TroyGould”) has served as counsel to Calavo (and not
to them) in connection with this Acquisition Agreement; (2) they have been advised to consult with
their personal attorneys about this Acquisition Agreement and have had a sufficient opportunity to
do so; and (3) no representations have been made to them by Calavo or TroyGould regarding the tax
consequences to them of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Acquisition
Agreement. In the event of any dispute between any parties to this Acquisition Agreement, no
presumption or burden of proof shall be imposed on or against a party as a result of the
preparation of this Acquisition Agreement by its counsel.
8.13 Governing Laws. This Acquisition Agreement shall be governed by, and construed
and enforced in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of California without giving effect
to such state’s conflict-of-law principles.
8.14 Arbitration of Disputes; Jury Trial Waiver.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all disputes arising at any time
between two or more parties to this Acquisition Agreement concerning the interpretation or
enforcement of this Acquisition Agreement shall be submitted to final and binding confidential
arbitration, before one arbitrator, in accordance with the JAMS arbitration rules and procedures
that are in effect on the date of such arbitration including, without limitation, any discovery
rights that are expressly provided by such rules. If JAMS is not in operation as of the date of
such dispute, references in this Section 8.14 to JAMS shall instead mean the American Arbitration
Association.
(b) All arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in Los Angeles, California and shall be
administered by JAMS. Each party to this Acquisition Agreement consents to such venue and
jurisdiction and agrees that personal jurisdiction over such party for purposes of the arbitration
proceeding or for any court action that is permitted by this Acquisition Agreement may be effected
by service of process addressed and delivered as provided in Section 8.1.
(c) A party shall be entitled to initiate an arbitration proceeding if a dispute cannot be
resolved amicably within thirty days after the other party has been notified in writing of the
existence of the dispute. The parties to the dispute shall attempt to agree upon the arbitrator,
who shall be a retired California state or federal court judge from the Los Angeles, California
office of JAMS. If the parties cannot agree upon an arbitrator within fifteen days after the
matter is submitted for arbitration, a retired California state or federal court judge from the Los
Angeles, California office of JAMS promptly shall be appointed in accordance with the applicable
rules of JAMS to serve as the sole arbitrator. Each party shall have the right to be represented
by counsel in the arbitration proceeding.
(d) The arbitrator hereby is instructed to interpret and enforce this Acquisition Agreement in
strict accordance with its terms, and the arbitrator shall not have the right or power to alter or
amend any term of this Acquisition Agreement except to the limited extent expressly
33
provided above in Section 8.7, entitled Provisions Subject to Applicable Law. The arbitrator
is required to apply applicable substantive law in making an award, and the arbitrator is required
to issue a written decision that summarizes the findings and conclusions upon which the award is
based. The arbitrator’s award shall be final and binding and may be enforced in any court having
jurisdiction over the matter; provided, however, that an award of the arbitrator that is in
violation of the requirements of either of the two immediately preceding sentences shall constitute
an action that exceeds the arbitrator’s power under this Acquisition Agreement and may be vacated
by a court of competent jurisdiction to the extent permitted by applicable California law.
(e) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Section 8.14, each party to this
Acquisition Agreement is entitled to bring an action for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief
at any time in any court of competent jurisdiction in order to prevent immeasurable and irreparable
injury that might result from a breach of this Acquisition Agreement.
(f) Each party hereto agrees that all rights to a trial by a jury of any claim arising out
of or relating to this Acquisition Agreement are forever and absolutely waived.
8.15 Attorneys’ Fees and Other Expenses. To the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, the unsuccessful party to any arbitration proceeding or to any court action that is
permitted by this Acquisition Agreement shall pay to the prevailing party all costs and expenses,
including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in the arbitration proceeding
or the court action by the successful party, all of which shall be included in and as a part of the
award rendered in the proceeding or action. For purposes of this Section 8.15, attorneys’ fees
shall include, without limitation, fees incurred in connection with post-judgment and post-award
actions.
[signature page follows]
34
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Calavo, the HS Shareholders, and the HP Owners have executed and delivered
this Acquisition Agreement as of the date first written above.
CALAVO GROWERS, INC. | ||||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |||||||
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | |||||||
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||||||
Chairman of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors | ||||||||
/s/ XXXXX X. XXXX | ||||||||
XXXXX X. XXXX | ||||||||
/s/ XXXX XXXXXXX | ||||||||
XXXX XXXXXXX | ||||||||
/s/ XXXXXXX XXXX-XXXXXX | ||||||||
XXXXXXX XXXX-XXXXXX | ||||||||
/s/ XXX XXXX | ||||||||
XXX XXXX | ||||||||
/s/ XXXXX X. XXXX | ||||||||
XXXXX X. XXXX, AS TRUSTEE OF THE XXXXX X. AND XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX REVOCABLE TRUST DATED OCTOBER 19, 1993 | ||||||||
/s/ XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX | ||||||||
XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, AS TRUSTEE OF THE XXXXX X. AND XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX REVOCABLE TRUST DATED OCTOBER 19, 1993 |
35
EXHIBIT 1.6
EARN-OUT PAYMENTS EXAMPLE
Estimated - 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
Financial Forecast Combined Operations | 2007 | May 31, 2009 | May 31, 2010 | Total | ||||||||||||
Minimum EBITDA (from Hawaiian Fruit Only) |
$ | 1,333,800 | $ | 1,400,000 | $ | 1,400,000 |
Payments if Minimums are Met | May 19, 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Total | ||||||||||||
Purchase land fee simple |
$ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,500,000 | ||||||||||||
Purchase of Operating Businesses |
||||||||||||||||
Purchase Contract |
$ | 3,500,000 | ||||||||||||||
Non-competes etc. |
$ | — | ||||||||||||||
Closing Payments for Operating Businesses |
$ | 3,500,000 | ||||||||||||||
EBITDA Multiple on business only |
Approx. 2.5 | X | 2.5 | 2.5 | 7.5 | X | ||||||||||
Annual Payments based on EBITDA multiple |
$ | 3,500,000 | $ | 3,500,000 | ||||||||||||
Total Payments |
$ | 3,500,000 | $ | 3,500,000 | $ | 3,500,000 | $ | 10,500,000 | ||||||||
Total Payments including Land |
$ | 5,000,000 | $ | 12,000,000 | ||||||||||||
“Floor and “Cap” Provisions on Earn-Out Payments (not including land) | ||||||||||||||||
Total
Payments including the first payment cannot be Less Than |
$ | 8,500,000 | ||||||||||||||
Total
Payments including the first payment cannot be More Than |
$ | 12,500,000 | ||||||||||||||
What “If” Scenarios |
||||||||||||||||
If EBITDA falls to |
$ | 1,200,000 | $ | 1,200,000 | ||||||||||||
Then Payments to Xxxx would be |
$ | 3,500,000 | $ | 3,000,000 | $ | 3,000,000 | $ | 9,500,000 | ||||||||
If EBITDA rises to |
$ | 1,600,000 | $ | 1,600,000 | ||||||||||||
Then Payments to Xxxx would be |
$ | 3,500,000 | $ | 4,000,000 | $ | 4,000,000 | $ | 11,500,000 | ||||||||
If EBITDA falls to |
$ | 750,000 | $ | 750,000 | ||||||||||||
Then Payments to Xxxx would be |
$ | 3,500,000 | $ | 2,500,000 | $ | 2,500,000 | $ | 8,500,000 | ||||||||
If EBITDA rises to |
$ | 2,000,000 | $ | 2,000,000 | ||||||||||||
Then Payments to Xxxx would be |
$ | 3,500,000 | $ | 4,500,000 | $ | 4,500,000 | $ | 12,500,000 |
EXHIBIT 8.1
ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES
Calavo Growers, Inc.
|
Calavo Growers, Inc. | |
0000X Xxxxxxxx Xxxx | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Attention: Chief Financial Officer | ||
Fax: (000) 000-0000 | ||
Any HS Shareholder or HS Owner
|
c/o Xxxxx X. Xxxx | |
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxx | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 | ||
Fax: (000) 000-0000 |
Table of Contents
Page | ||||
ARTICLE 1 PURCHASE OF THE HS SHARES AND HP LLC INTERESTS; PURCHASE PRICE |
2 | |||
1.1 Purchase and Sale of the HS Shares |
2 | |||
1.2 Purchase and Sale of the HP LLC Interests |
2 | |||
1.3 The Closing |
2 | |||
1.4 Purchase Price for the HS Shares and HP LLC Interests |
2 | |||
1.5 Initial Purchase Price Payment |
3 | |||
1.6 Earn-Out Payments |
3 | |||
ARTICLE 2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE HS SHAREHOLDERS AND THE
HP OWNERS |
6 | |||
2.1 Organization and Good Standing of HS and HP |
6 | |||
2.2 Capitalization of HS |
6 | |||
2.3 Capitalization of HP |
7 | |||
2.4 Corporate Powers |
8 | |||
2.5 Authority of the HS Shareholders and HP Owners |
8 | |||
2.6 Binding Effect |
8 | |||
2.7 No Breach |
8 | |||
2.8 Consents |
8 | |||
2.9 Subsidiaries and Other Equity Investments |
8 | |||
2.10 Interests of Owners of HS and HP |
9 | |||
2.11 Financial Statements |
9 | |||
2.12 Undisclosed Liabilities |
9 | |||
2.13 Absence of Certain Changes |
9 | |||
2.14 Internal Control Over Financial Reporting |
10 | |||
2.15 Receivables |
10 | |||
2.16 Real Property |
10 | |||
2.17 Leases of Personal Property |
11 | |||
2.18 Ownership and Use of Assets |
11 | |||
2.19 Bank Accounts |
11 | |||
2.20 Insurance |
12 | |||
2.21 Guarantees |
12 | |||
2.22 Loan Agreements |
12 | |||
2.23 Supplier and Customer Relationships |
12 | |||
2.24 Other Agreements |
12 | |||
2.25 Absence of Defaults |
12 | |||
2.26 Litigation |
12 | |||
2.27 Compliance with Laws |
13 | |||
2.28 Environmental Matters |
13 | |||
2.29 Proprietary Information |
13 | |||
2.30 Tax Matters |
13 | |||
2.31 Employees |
15 | |||
2.32 Finders and Brokers |
15 |
i
Table of Contents
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
2.33 Accuracy and Completeness |
15 | |||
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CALAVO |
16 | |||
3.1 Organization and Good Standing |
16 | |||
3.2 Corporate Powers |
16 | |||
3.3 Authority |
16 | |||
3.4 Binding Effect |
16 | |||
3.5 No Breach |
16 | |||
3.6 Consents |
16 | |||
3.7 Finders and Brokers |
17 | |||
3.8 Litigation |
17 | |||
3.11 Accuracy and Completeness |
17 | |||
ARTICLE 4 MISCELLANEOUS AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES |
17 | |||
4.1 Access and Confidentiality |
17 | |||
4.2 Conduct of HS and HP Prior to the Closing |
18 | |||
4.3 Preservation of the Business |
18 | |||
4.4 Transfer of HS Shares or HP LLC Interests |
18 | |||
4.5 Consents from Third Parties; Governmental Filings; Cooperation;
Estoppel Letters |
19 | |||
4.6 Publicity |
19 | |||
4.7 Contribution of Loans |
20 | |||
4.8 Employees |
20 | |||
4.9 No Solicitation of Other Transactions |
20 | |||
4.10 Tax Matters |
20 | |||
ARTICLE 5 CLOSING |
23 | |||
5.1 Time, Place, and Date |
23 | |||
5.2 Calavo’s Closing Deliveries |
23 | |||
5.3 Shareholders’ Closing Deliveries |
23 | |||
ARTICLE 6 POST-CLOSING CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-COMPETITION COVENANTS |
24 | |||
6.1 Confidentiality |
24 | |||
6.2 Non-Competition and Unfair Competition Covenant |
24 | |||
6.3 Duration |
25 | |||
6.4 Scope and Reasonableness |
25 | |||
6.5 Calavo’s Remedies |
25 | |||
6.6 Venue |
26 | |||
ARTICLE 7 INDEMNIFICATION |
26 | |||
7.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties, and Agreements |
26 | |||
7.2 Indemnification by the HS Shareholders and the HP Owners |
27 | |||
7.3 Indemnification by Calavo |
27 | |||
7.4 Notice of Claims; Contest of Claims |
28 |
ii
Table of Contents
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
7.5 Additional Indemnification Limitations |
29 | |||
7.6 Shareholder Representative |
30 | |||
ARTICLE 8 GENERAL PROVISIONS |
31 | |||
8.1 Notices |
31 | |||
8.2 Amendments and Termination; Entire Agreement |
31 | |||
8.3 Incorporation of Exhibits and Schedules |
31 | |||
8.4 Successors and Assigns |
31 | |||
8.5 Calculation of Time |
31 | |||
8.6 Further Assurances |
31 | |||
8.7 Provisions Subject to Applicable Law |
32 | |||
8.8 Waiver of Rights |
32 | |||
8.9 Headings; Gender and Number; Interpretation |
32 | |||
8.10 Expenses |
32 | |||
8.11 Counterparts |
32 | |||
8.12 Representation by Counsel |
33 | |||
8.13 Governing Laws |
33 | |||
8.14 Arbitration of Disputes; Jury Trial Waiver |
33 | |||
8.15 Attorneys’ Fees and Other Expenses |
34 |
iii
Index to Definitions
Page | ||||
727 Acres |
1 | |||
Acquisition Agreement |
1 | |||
Calavo |
1 | |||
Closing |
2 | |||
Closing Date |
2 | |||
Code |
1 | |||
Xxxx Financing Statement |
11 | |||
Xxxx Mortgage |
11 | |||
Xxxx Trust |
1 | |||
Disclosure Schedule |
6 | |||
Earn-Out Payments |
2 | |||
Environmental Laws |
13 | |||
Form 8023 |
20 | |||
Form 8594 |
22 | |||
GAAP |
3 | |||
Governmental Authority |
13 | |||
HP |
1 | |||
HP Financial Statements |
9 | |||
HP LLC Interests |
1 | |||
HP Owners |
1 | |||
HP Real Estate |
10 | |||
HS |
1 | |||
HS Financial Statements |
9 | |||
HS Shareholders |
1 | |||
HS Shares |
1 | |||
Losses |
27 | |||
Xx. Xxxx |
1 | |||
Proprietary Rights |
13 | |||
Purchase Price |
2 | |||
Real Estate Contract |
1 | |||
Section 338(h)(10) Election |
1 | |||
Shareholder Representative |
30 | |||
Special Committee |
3 | |||
tax |
14 | |||
tax return |
14 | |||
TroyGould |
33 |
iv