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EXHIBIT 10.2
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
THIS STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (this "Stockholders Agreement") dated as
of November 27, 1996, is entered into by and among Atrium Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the securityholders listed on the
signature pages hereof (collectively, the "Holders"), and Hicks, Muse, Xxxx &
Xxxxx Incorporated, a Texas corporation (including its successors and assigns,
"HMTF").
In consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements
hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree
as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions.
"Accredited Investor" means an "Accredited Investor," as defined in
Regulation D, or any successor rule then in effect.
"Accredited Offeree" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1
hereof.
"Additional Securities" means any shares of Preferred Stock, Common
Stock or Common Stock Equivalents to be issued or sold in a Preemptive Rights
Transaction.
"Advice" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.5 hereof.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any Person who,
directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control
with that Person.
"Authorization Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.1
hereof.
"Business Day" means a day that is not a Legal Holiday.
"Common Stock" means shares of the Common Stock, $0.01 par value per
share, of the Company, and any capital stock into which such Common Stock
thereafter may be changed.
"Common Stock Equivalents" means, without duplication with any other
Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, any rights, warrants (including,
without limitation, the Xxxxxxxx Warrant), options, convertible securities or
indebtedness, exchangeable securities or indebtedness, or other rights,
exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or indirectly,
Common Stock of the Company or securities convertible or exchangeable into
Common Stock of the Company, whether at the time of issuance or upon the
passage of time or the occurrence of some future event.
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"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph hereof.
"Co-Seller" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1 hereof.
"Demand Holder" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.5
hereof.
"Demand Registration" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.1.1 hereof.
"Demand Request" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.1
hereof.
"Designee" means any of the Xxxxxxxx Designee, the Heritage Designee
and the HMC Group Designees.
"Election Notice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.1
hereof.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
"Excluded Registration" means a registration under the Securities Act
of (i) securities issued in an exchange offer or solely to the Company's
existing securityholders, (ii) securities registered on Form S-8 or any similar
successor form, (iii) securities registered to effect the acquisition of, or
combination with, another Person, and (iv) securities registered pursuant to
the Exhange and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of the date hereof among
Atrium Companies, Inc., all of its subsidiaries and BT Securities Corporation.
"Xxxxxxxx" means Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx.
"Xxxxxxxx Designee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.
"Xxxxxxxx Group" means Xxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and such individuals' Permitted Transferees.
"Xxxxxxxx Ownership Threshold" means a number of shares of Common
Stock equal to 25% of the sum of (i) the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock held by the members of the Xxxxxxxx Group as of the date of this
Agreement, plus (ii) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of the Common Stock Equivalents held
by the members of the Xxxxxxxx Group as of the date of this Agreement; as such
sum may be adjusted from time to time to account for the effects of stock
splits, stock combinations, stock dividends or similar adjustments to the
Company's Common Stock.
"Xxxxxxxx Warrant" means the Warrant to acquire up to 2,195,222 shares
of Common Stock issued by the Company to Xxxxxxxx as of the date hereof.
"Fully-Diluted Common Stock" means, at any time, the then outstanding
Common Stock of the Company plus (without duplication) all shares of Common
Stock issuable, whether at such time
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or upon the passage of time or the occurrence of future events, upon the
exercise, conversion, or exchange of all then outstanding Common Stock
Equivalents.
"Group" means any of the Xxxxxxxx Group, the Heritage Group or the HMC
Group.
"HMC Group" means HMTF and its Affiliates and its and their respective
officers, directors and employees (and members of their respective families and
trusts for the primary benefit of such family members).
"HMC Group Designee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1
hereof.
"HMTF" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph
hereof.
"Heritage" means Heritage Fund I, L.P.
"Heritage Group" means Heritage and its Affiliates.
"Heritage Designee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.
"Holder" means (i) a securityholder listed on the signature page
hereof and (ii) any direct or indirect transferee of any such Holder who shall
become a party to this Stockholders Agreement.
"Inspectors" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4 hereof.
"Legal Holiday" shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.2 hereof.
"Material Adverse Effect" shall have the meaning provided in Section
3.1.4 hereof.
"NASD" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4 hereof.
"NASDAQ" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4 hereof.
"Non-HMC Group Holder" means each Holder other than holders who are
members of the HMC Group.
"Offer Notice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 hereof.
"Offered Securities" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.3
hereof.
"Participation Offer" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.2
hereof.
"Permitted Transfer" shall mean a Transfer of a Security by any Holder
to an Affiliate of such Holder or to a member of such Holder's immediate
family; provided, that such Affiliate or family member shall agree in writing
to take and hold such Security subject to the provisions and upon the
conditions specified in this Stockholders Agreement.
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"Person" or "person" means any individual, corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"Preemptive Rights Offer" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
6.1 hereof.
"Preemptive Rights Transaction" means either (i) an issuance or sale
by the Company of any shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents, or
(ii) a sale for cash by the Company of any shares of Preferred Stock to any
Holder or any Affiliate of a Holder.
"Preferred Stock" shall mean any class or series of the Company's
preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, which is not a Common Stock
Equivalent.
"Qualified IPO" means a firm commitment underwritten public offering
of Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act
where both (i) the proceeds to the Company (prior to deducting any
underwriters' discounts and commissions) exceed $10 million, and (ii) upon
consummation of such offering, the Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange or authorized to be quoted or listed on the NASDAQ National Market.
"Records" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.4 hereof.
"Registrable Shares" means at any time the Common Stock of the Company
then owned by the HMC Group, the Heritage Group, the Xxxxxxxx Group or the
Holders, whether owned on the date hereof or acquired hereafter; provided,
however, that Registrable Shares shall not include any shares (i) the sale of
which has been registered pursuant to the Securities Act and which shares have
been sold pursuant to such registration, or (ii) which have been sold to the
public pursuant to Rule 144 or 144A of the SEC under the Securities Act.
"Registration Expenses" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.6
hereof.
"Regulation D" means Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act
by the SEC.
"Requesting Holders" shall mean the Holders requesting a Demand
Registration, or on whose behalf a Demand Registration is requested, and shall
include parties deemed "Requesting Holders" pursuant to Section 3.1.5 hereto.
"Required Filing Date" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 3.1.1(c) hereof.
"Required Holders" means, at any time, Holders who then own
beneficially (a) more than 50% of the aggregate number of Registrable Shares
held by the Xxxxxxxx Group, or (b) more than 50% of the aggregate number of
Registrable Securities held by the Heritage Group, or (c) more than 50% of the
aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by the HMC Group.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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"Securities" means the Common Stock.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
"Seller Affiliates" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.7
hereof.
"Significant Sale" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.1
hereof.
"Stockholders Agreement" means this Stockholders Agreement, as such
from time to time may be amended.
"Subsidiary" of any Person means (i) a corporation a majority of whose
outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests with voting
power, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors, is at the time,
directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more subsidiaries of
such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person, and
(ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which such Person, a
subsidiary of such Person or such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such
Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has (x)
at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or direct the
election of the directors or other governing body of such Person.
"Suspension Notice" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.5
hereof.
"Transfer" means any disposition of any Security or any interest
therein that would constitute a "sale" thereof within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
"Transfer Notice" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.3
hereof.
Section 1.2 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise
requires
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) "or" is not exclusive;
(3) words in the singular include the plural, and words
in the plural include the singular;
(4) provisions apply to successive events and
transactions; and
(5) "herein," "thereof" and other words of similar import
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other subdivision.
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ARTICLE 2
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY AND CERTAIN ACTIVITIES
Section 2.1 Board of Directors.
2.1.1 Board Representation. HMTF, the Company and each Holder shall
take all actions within their respective power, including, but not limited to,
the voting of Common Stock, required to cause the Board of Directors of the
Company to at all times consist of at least 5 directors to be designated as
follows:
(i) one member (the "Xxxxxxxx Designee") shall be a
designee of Holders of 50% or more of the Registrable Shares then
owned by the Xxxxxxxx Group (excluding the Registrable Shares owned by
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and his Permitted Transferees) as long as the
Xxxxxxxx Group (excluding Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and his Permitted
Transferees) owns beneficially more than the Xxxxxxxx Ownership
Threshold; provided that, if the Xxxxxxxx Group (excluding Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx and his Permitted Transferees) owns beneficially less than the
Xxxxxxxx Ownership Threshold, then such director shall be designated
by the HMC Group;
(ii) one member (the "Heritage Designee") shall be a
designee of the Holders of 50% or more of the Registrable Shares then
owned by Heritage Group as long as the Heritage Group owns
beneficially more than 3.965 percent of the Fully-Diluted Common
Stock; provided that, if the Heritage Group owns beneficially 3.965
percent or less of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock, then such director
shall be designated by the HMC Group; and
(iii) all other members shall be designees of the HMC Group
(each, an "HMC Group Designee").
Each Holder shall vote his or its shares of Common Stock at any regular or
special meeting of stockholders of the Company or in any written consent
executed in lieu of such a meeting of stockholders and shall take all other
actions necessary to give effect to the agreements contained in this Agreement
(including without limitation the election of persons designated by any Group
to be elected as directors as described in the preceding sentence) and to
ensure that the certificate of incorporation and bylaws as in effect
immediately following the date hereof do not, at any time thereafter, conflict
in any respect with the provisions of this Agreement. In order to effectuate
the provisions of this Section 2, each Holder hereby agrees that when any
action or vote is required to be taken by such Holder pursuant to this
Agreement, such Holder shall use his or its best efforts to call, or cause the
appropriate officers and directors of the Company to call, a special or annual
meeting of stockholders of the Company, as the case may be, or execute or cause
to be executed a consent in writing in lieu of any such meetings pursuant to
Section 228(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
2.1.2 Vacancies. If, prior to his election to the Board of
Directors of the Company pursuant to Section 2.1.1 hereof, any Designee shall
be unable or unwilling to serve as a director of the
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Company, the Group which designated such Designee shall be entitled to nominate
a replacement who shall then be a Designee of such Group for purposes of this
Section 2. If, following an election to the Board of Directors of the Company
pursuant to Section 2.1.1 hereof, any Designee shall resign or be removed or be
unable to serve for any reason prior to the expiration of his term as a
director of the Company, the Group which designated such Designee shall, within
30 days of such event, notify the Board of Directors of the Company in writing
of a replacement Designee, and either (i) the Holders shall vote their shares
of Common Stock, at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose of
filling positions on the Board of Directors of the Company or in any written
consent executed in lieu of such a meeting of stockholders, and shall take all
such other actions necessary to ensure the election to the Board of Directors
of the Company of such replacement Designee to fill the unexpired term of the
Designee originally designated by such Group, or (ii) the Board of Directors
shall elect such replacement Designee to fill the unexpired term of the
Designee originally designated by such Group. If any Group requests that its
Designee (or one or more of its Designees) be removed as a Director (with or
without cause) by written notice thereof to the Company, then the Company shall
take all actions necessary to effect, and each of the Holders shall vote all
its or his capital stock in favor of, such removal upon such request.
2.1.3 Termination of Rights. The right of any Group to designate
directors under Section 2.1.1, and the obligation of the Holders to vote their
shares as provided herein, shall terminate pursuant to the terms of Section
2.1.1 or upon the first to occur of (i) the termination or expiration of this
Stockholders Agreement, (ii) such time as such Group elects in writing to
terminate its rights under this Article 2, or (iii) such time as the HMC Group
ceases to own any shares of Common Stock.
2.1.4 Costs and Expenses. The Company will pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Designee in connection with such
Designee's participation in meetings of the Board of Directors (and committees
thereof) of the Company and the Boards of Directors (and committees thereof) of
the Subsidiaries of the Company.
Section 2.2 Voting of Capital Stock. Except as otherwise
provided in Section 2.1, to the extent any Holder owns shares of any class or
series of capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company which
it may vote on any particular matter which comes before such corporation's
stockholders, as a class or series separate from the common stock of such
corporation ordinarily entitled to vote for the election of directors, such
Holder shall vote all such shares on such matter in such separate class or
series vote as holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock
of such corporation vote thereon; provided, however, that such Holder may
nevertheless vote such shares as a separate class or series without regard to
the provisions of this Section 2.2 in respect of (a) amendments to the
certificate of incorporation of such corporation, or the certificate of
designation which created such class or series, which change the provisions
thereof expressly applicable to such separate class or series, and (b) any
matter as to which such class or series is expressly entitled to vote as a
separate class or series pursuant to such corporation's certificate of
incorporation or the certificate of designation which created such class or
series; provided further, however, that any statement in such certificate of
incorporation or certificate of designation that such class or series may vote
as a separate class or series "as required by law" or
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similar language shall not permit such class or series to be voted without
regard to the provisions of this Section 2.2.
Section 2.3 Other Activities of the Holders; Fiduciary Duties.
It is understood and accepted that the Holders and their Affiliates have
interests in other business ventures which may be in conflict with the
activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries and that, subject to applicable
law, nothing in this Stockholders Agreement shall limit the current or future
business activities of the Holders whether or not such activities are
competitive with those of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Nothing in this
Agreement, express or implied, shall relieve any officer or director of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Holder, of any fiduciary or other
duties or obligations they may have to the Company's stockholders.
Section 2.4 Information. The Company shall provide to Heritage
(so long as the Heritage Group has the right to designate a director under
Section 2.1.1) and to Xxxxxxxx (so long as the Xxxxxxxx Group owns beneficially
more than the Xxxxxxxx Ownership Threshold), as the case may be, copies of (i)
all financial statements and other information which the Company and/or its
Subsidiaries are required to deliver from time to time to their respective
senior lenders, and (ii) all information provided to the other members of the
Company's Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 3
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 3.1 Demand Registration.
3.1.1 Request for Registration.
(a) At any time and from time to time, HMTF, on behalf of
the HMC Group, may request the Company, in writing (a "Demand Request"), to
effect the registration under the Securities Act (a "Demand Registration") of
all or part of the HMC Group's Registrable Shares; provided that such offering
shall be either (i) a Qualified IPO, or (ii) at any time beginning 270 days
after consummation of a Qualified IPO and the Registrable Shares proposed to be
sold by the Requesting Holders represent, in the aggregate, more than 4% of the
Fully-Diluted Common Stock or have an aggregate gross offering price of at
least $5,000,000.
(b) At any time beginning 270 days after the consummation
of a Qualified IPO, either of Xxxxxxxx, on behalf of the Xxxxxxxx Group, or
Heritage, on behalf of the Heritage Group, may make one Demand Request for a
Demand Registration of all or a part of the Registrable Securities held by the
Xxxxxxxx Group and the Heritage Group; provided that the Registrable Securities
proposed to be sold by the Requesting Holders represent, in the aggregate, more
than 4% of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock or have an aggregate gross offering
price of at least $5,000,000.
(c) Each Demand Request shall specify the number of
Registrable Shares proposed to be sold. Subject to Section 3.1.6, the Company
shall file the Demand Registration
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within 90 days after receiving a Demand Request (the "Required Filing Date")
and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause the same to be
declared effective by the SEC as promptly as practicable after such filing;
provided, that the Company need effect only three Demand Registrations
requested by HMTF on behalf of the HMC Group pursuant to paragraph (a) above,
and only one Demand Registration requested by Heritage and/or Xxxxxxxx on
behalf of the Heritage Group and/or the Xxxxxxxx Group, respectively, pursuant
to paragraph (b) above; provided, further, that if any Registrable Shares
requested to be registered by HMTF, Xxxxxxxx or Heritage, as the case may be,
pursuant to a Demand Request under this Section 3.1 are excluded from a
registration pursuant to Section 3.1.4 below, HMTF, on behalf of the HMC Group,
Xxxxxxxx, on behalf of the Xxxxxxxx Group, and Heritage, on behalf of the
Heritage Group, shall have the right, with respect to each such exclusion, to
one additional Demand Registration under this Section 3.1 with respect to such
excluded Registrable Shares.
3.1.2 Effective Registration and Expenses. A registration will not
count as a Demand Registration until it has become effective (unless the
Requesting Holders withdraw all their Registrable Shares and the Company has
performed its obligations hereunder in all material respects, in which case
such demand will count as a Demand Registration unless the Requesting Holders
pay all Registration Expenses, as hereinafter defined, in connection with such
withdrawn registration); provided, that if, after it has become effective, an
offering of Registrable Shares pursuant to a registration is interfered with by
any stop order, injunction, or other order or requirement of the SEC or other
governmental agency or court, such registration will be deemed not to have been
effected and will not count as a Demand Registration.
3.1.3 Selection of Underwriters. The offering of Registrable Shares
pursuant to a Demand Registration shall be in the form of a "firm commitment"
underwritten offering. The Requesting Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Shares to be registered in a Demand Registration shall select the investment
banking firm or firms to manage the underwritten offering; provided that such
selection shall be subject to the consent of the Company, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
3.1.4 Priority on Demand Registrations. No securities to be sold
for the account of any Person (including the Company) other than a Requesting
Holder shall be included in a Demand Registration unless the managing
underwriter or underwriters shall advise the Company or the Requesting Holders
in writing that the inclusion of such securities will not materially and
adversely affect the price or success of the offering (a "Material Adverse
Effect"). Furthermore, in the event the managing underwriter or underwriters
shall advise the Company or the Requesting Holders that even after exclusion of
all securities of other Persons pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence,
the amount of Registrable Shares proposed to be included in such Demand
Registration by Requesting Holders is sufficiently large to cause a Material
Adverse Effect, the Registrable Shares of the Requesting Holders to be included
in such Demand Registration shall equal the number of shares which the Company
is so advised can be sold in such offering without a Material Adverse Effect
and such shares shall be allocated pro rata among the Requesting Holders on the
basis of the number of Registrable Shares requested to be included in such
registration by each such Requesting Holder.
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3.1.5 Rights of Nonrequesting Holders. If the Company shall
receive, within a period of 30 days, a Demand Request from more than one person
who has the right to require the Company to effect a Demand Registration (each,
a "Demand Holder"), all such requesting Persons shall be considered "Requesting
Holders" for purposes of this Section 3.1; provided, that if the first request
received by the Company is from Xxxxxxxx and/or Heritage pursuant to Section
3.1.1(b), then only the members of the Xxxxxxxx Group and the Heritage Group
requesting registration shall be considered "Requesting Holders" and that no
other Person who has tendered a request shall be deemed to have requested a
Demand Registration with respect to such Person's Registrable Securities for
purposes of this Agreement. Upon receipt of any Demand Request from any Demand
Holder, the Company shall promptly (but in any event within 10 days) give
written notice of such proposed Demand Registration to all other Demand
Holders.
3.1.6 Deferral of Filing. The Company may defer the filing (but not
the preparation) of a registration statement required by Section 3.1 until a
date not later than 180 days after the Required Filing Date (or, if longer, 180
days after the effective date of the registration statement contemplated by
clause (ii) below) if (i) at the time the Company receives the Demand Request,
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are engaged in confidential negotiations
or other confidential business activities, disclosure of which would be
required in such registration statement (but would not be required if such
registration statement were not filed), and the Board of Directors of the
Company determines in good faith that such disclosure would be materially
detrimental to the Company and its stockholders or would have a material
adverse effect on any such confidential negotiations or other confidential
business activities, or (ii) prior to receiving the Demand Request, the Board
of Directors had determined to effect a registered underwritten public offering
of the Company's securities for the Company's account and the Company had taken
substantial steps (including, but not limited to, selecting a managing
underwriter for such offering) and is proceeding with reasonable diligence to
effect such offering. A deferral of the filing of a registration statement
pursuant to this Section 3.1.6 shall be lifted, and the requested registration
statement shall be filed forthwith, if, in the case of a deferral pursuant to
clause (i) of the preceding sentence, the negotiations or other activities are
disclosed or terminated, or, in the case of a deferral pursuant to clause (ii)
of the preceding sentence, the proposed registration for the Company's account
is abandoned. In order to defer the filing of a registration statement
pursuant to this Section 3.1.6, the Company shall promptly (but in any event
within 10 days), upon determining to seek such deferral, deliver to each
Requesting Holder a certificate signed by an executive officer of the Company
stating that the Company is deferring such filing pursuant to this Section
3.1.6 and a general statement of the reason for such deferral and an
approximation of the anticipated delay. Within 20 days after receiving such
certificate, the holders of a majority of the Registrable Shares held by the
Requesting Holders and for which registration was previously requested may
withdraw such Demand Request by giving notice to the Company; if withdrawn, the
Demand Request shall be deemed not to have been made for all purposes of this
Agreement. The Company may defer the filing of a particular registration
statement pursuant to this Section 3.1.6 only once.
Section 3.2 Piggyback Registrations.
3.2.1 Right to Piggyback. Each time the Company proposes to
register any of its equity securities (other than pursuant to an Excluded
Registration) under the Securities Act for sale to the
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public (whether for the account of the Company or the account of any
securityholder of the Company) and the form of registration statement to be
used permits the registration of Registrable Shares, the Company shall give
prompt written notice to each Holder of Registrable Shares (which notice shall
be given not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of the Company's
registration statement), which notice shall offer each such Holder the
opportunity to include any or all of its or his Registrable Shares in such
registration statement, subject to the limitations contained in Section 3.2.2
hereof. Each Holder who desires to have its or his Registrable Shares included
in such registration statement shall so advise the Company in writing (stating
the number of shares desired to be registered) within 20 days after the date of
such notice from the Company. Any Holder shall have the right to withdraw such
Holder's request for inclusion of such Holder's Registrable Shares in any
registration statement pursuant to this Section 3.2.1 by giving written notice
to the Company of such withdrawal. Subject to Section 3.2.2 below, the Company
shall include in such registration statement all such Registrable Shares so
requested to be included therein; provided, however, that the Company may at
any time withdraw or cease proceeding with any such registration if it shall at
the same time withdraw or cease proceeding with the registration of all other
equity securities originally proposed to be registered.
3.2.2 Priority on Registrations. If the Registrable Shares
requested to be included in the registration statement by any Holder differ
from the type of securities proposed to be registered by the Company and the
managing underwriter advises the Company that due to such differences the
inclusion of such Registrable Shares would cause a Material Adverse Effect,
then (i) the number of such Holder's or Holders' Registrable Shares to be
included in the registration statement shall be reduced to an amount which, in
the judgment of the managing underwriter, would eliminate such Material Adverse
Effect or (ii) if no such reduction would, in the judgment of the managing
underwriter, eliminate such Material Adverse Effect, then the Company shall
have the right to exclude all such Registrable Shares from such registration
statement provided no other securities of such type are included and offered
for the account of any other Person in such registration statement. Any
partial reduction in number of Registrable Shares to be included in the
registration statement pursuant to clause (i) of the immediately preceding
sentence shall be effected pro rata based on the ratio which the number of such
Holder's requested shares bears to the total number of shares requested to be
included in such registration statement by all Persons who have requested that
their shares be included in such registration statement. If the Registrable
Shares requested to be included in the registration statement are of the same
type as the securities being registered by the Company and the managing
underwriter advises the Company that the inclusion of such Registrable Shares
would cause a Material Adverse Effect, the Company will be obligated to include
in such registration statement, as to each Holder, only a portion of the shares
that such Holder has requested be registered equal to the ratio which such
Holder's requested shares bears to the total number of shares requested to be
included in such registration statement by all Persons who have requested that
their shares be included in such registration statement (other than (i) the
Company, if such registration has been initiated by the Company for securities
to be offered by the Company and (ii) Persons exercising their right to cause a
Demand Registration). It is acknowledged by the Holders, that pursuant to the
foregoing provision, the securities to be included in such registration shall
be allocated (x) first, to the Company, if such registration has been initiated
by the Company for securities to be offered by the Company, (y) second, to
securities offered by Persons exercising their right to cause a Demand
Registration, if such registration is a Demand Registration and (z) third, to
the Holders and all other
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persons requesting securities to be included therein in accordance with the
above described ratio. If as a result of the provisions of this Section 3.2.2
any Holder shall not be entitled to include all Registrable Securities in a
registration that such Holder has requested to be so included, such Holder may
withdraw such Holder's request to include Registrable Shares in such
registration statement. No Person may participate in any registration
statement hereunder unless such Person (x) agrees to sell such person's
Registrable Shares on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Company and (y) completes and executes all questionnaires,
powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, and other documents
reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements;
provided, however, that no such Person shall be required to make any
representations or warranties in connection with any such registration other
than representations and warranties as to (i) such Person's ownership of his or
its Registrable Shares to be sold or transferred free and clear of all liens,
claims, and encumbrances, (ii) such Person's power and authority to effect such
transfer, and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws
as may be reasonably requested; provided further, however, that the obligation
of such Person to indemnify pursuant to any such underwriting arrangements
shall be several, not joint and several, among such Persons selling Registrable
Shares, and the liability of each such Person will be in proportion to, and
provided further that such liability will be limited to, the net amount
received by such Person from the sale of his or its Registrable Shares pursuant
to such registration.
3.3 Holdback Agreement. Unless the managing underwriter otherwise
agrees, each of the Holders and the Company agree, in connection with any
underwritten registration, to use its reasonable efforts to cause its
Affiliates to agree, not to effect any public sale or private offer or
distribution of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents during the ten
Business Days prior to the effectiveness under the Securities Act of any
underwritten registration and during such time period after the effectiveness
under the Securities Act of any underwritten registration (not to exceed 180
days) (except, if applicable, as part of such underwritten registration) as the
Company and the managing underwriter may agree.
3.4 Registration Procedures. Whenever any Holder has requested
that any Registrable Shares be registered pursuant to this Stockholders
Agreement, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect
the registration and the sale of such Registrable Shares in accordance with the
intended method of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company will
as expeditiously as possible:
(i) prepare and file with the SEC a registration
statement on any appropriate form under the Securities Act with
respect to such Registrable Shares and use its commercially reasonable
efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective;
(ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments,
post-effective amendments, and supplements to such registration
statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be
necessary to keep such registration statement effective for a period
of not less than 180 days (or such lesser period as is necessary for
the underwriters in an underwritten offering to sell unsold
allotments) and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with
respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such
registration
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statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods
of disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such registration
statement;
(iii) furnish to each seller of Registrable Shares and the
underwriters of the securities being registered such number of copies
of such registration statement, each amendment and supplement thereto,
the prospectus included in such registration statement (including each
preliminary prospectus), any documents incorporated by reference
therein and such other documents as such seller or underwriters may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Shares owned by such seller or the sale of such securities
by such underwriters (it being understood that, subject to Section 3.5
and the requirements of the Securities Act and applicable State
securities laws, the Company consents to the use of the prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto by each seller and the
underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the
Registrable Shares covered by the registration statement of which such
prospectus, amendment or supplement is a part);
(iv) use its commercially reasonable efforts to register
or qualify such Registrable Shares under such other securities or blue
sky laws of such jurisdictions as the managing underwriter reasonably
requests; use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep each such
registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective
during the period in which such registration statement is required to
be kept effective; and do any and all other acts and things which may
be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each seller to
consummate the disposition of the Registrable Shares owned by such
seller in such jurisdictions (provided, however, that the Company will
not be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but
for this subparagraph or (B) consent to general service of process in
any such jurisdiction);
(v) promptly notify each seller and each underwriter and
(if requested by any such Person) confirm such notice in writing (A)
when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment has been filed and, with respect to a registration statement
or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective,
(B) of the issuance by any state securities or other regulatory
authority of any order suspending the qualification or exemption from
qualification of any of the Registrable Shares under state securities
or "blue sky" laws or the initiation of any proceedings for that
purpose, and (C) of the happening of any event which makes any
statement made in a registration statement or related prospectus
untrue or which requires the making of any changes in such
registration statement, prospectus or documents so that they will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and, as promptly as practicable
thereafter, prepare and file with the SEC and furnish a supplement or
amendment to such prospectus so that, as thereafter deliverable to the
purchasers of such Registrable Shares, such prospectus will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit a material
fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
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(vi) make generally available to the Company's
securityholders an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act no later than 30 days after the
end of the 12-month period beginning with the first day of the
Company's first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of
a registration statement, which earnings statement shall cover said
12-month period, and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied
if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms
10-Q, 10-K and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with
Rule 158 under the Securities Act;
(vii) if requested by the managing underwriter or any
seller, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter
or any seller reasonably requests to be included therein, including,
without limitation, with respect to the Registrable Shares being sold
by such seller, the purchase price being paid therefor by the
underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the underwritten
offering of the Registrable Shares to be sold in such offering, and
promptly make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment;
(viii) as promptly as practicable after filing with the SEC
of any document which is incorporated by reference into a registration
statement (in the form in which it was incorporated), deliver a copy
of each such document to each seller;
(ix) cooperate with the sellers and the managing
underwriter to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates (which shall not bear any restrictive legends unless
required under applicable law) representing securities sold under any
registration statement, and enable such securities to be in such
denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriter
or such sellers may request and keep available and make available to
the Company's transfer agent prior to the effectiveness of such
registration statement a supply of such certificates;
(x) promptly make available for inspection by any seller,
any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to any
registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent or
representative retained by any such seller or underwriter
(collectively, the "Inspectors"), all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company
(collectively, the "Records"), as shall be reasonably necessary to
enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause
the Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all
information requested by any such Inspector in connection with such
registration statement; provided, that, unless the disclosure of such
Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in
the registration statement or the release of such Records is ordered
pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent
jurisdiction, the Company shall not be required to provide any
information under this subparagraph (x) if (A) the Company believes,
after consultation with counsel for the Company, that to do so would
cause the Company to forfeit an attorney-client privilege that was
applicable to such information or (B) if either (1) the Company has
requested and been granted from the SEC confidential treatment of such
information contained in any filing with the SEC or documents provided
supplementally or otherwise or
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(2) the Company reasonably determines in good faith that such Records
are confidential and so notifies the Inspectors in writing unless
prior to furnishing any such information with respect to (A) or (B)
such Holder of Registrable Securities requesting such information
agrees to enter into a confidentiality agreement in customary form and
subject to customary exceptions; and provided, further that each
Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that it will, upon learning
that disclosure of such Records is sought in a court of competent
jurisdiction, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its
expense, to undertake appropriate action and to prevent disclosure of
the Records deemed confidential;
(xi) furnish to each seller and underwriter a signed
counterpart of (A) an opinion or opinions of counsel to the Company,
and (B) a comfort letter or comfort letters from the Company's
independent public accountants, each in customary form and covering
such matters of the type customarily covered by opinions or comfort
letters, as the case may be, as the sellers or managing underwriter
reasonably requests;
(xii) cause the Registrable Shares included in any
registration statement to be (A) listed on each securities exchange,
if any, on which similar securities issued by the Company are then
listed, or (B) authorized to be quoted and/or listed (to the extent
applicable) on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotation System or the NASDAQ National Market System if the
Registrable Shares so qualify;
(xiii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Shares
included in any registration statement not later than the effective
date of such registration statement;
(xiv) cooperate with each seller and each underwriter
participating in the disposition of such Registrable Shares and their
respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made
with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
(xv) during the period when the prospectus is required to
be delivered under the Securities Act, promptly file all documents
required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
(xvi) notify each seller of Registrable Shares promptly of
any request by the SEC for the amending or supplementing of such
registration statement or prospectus or for additional information;
(xvii) prepare and file with the SEC promptly any amendments
or supplements to such registration statement or prospectus which, in
the opinion of counsel for the Company or the managing underwriter, is
required in connection with the distribution of the Registrable
Shares;
(xviii) enter into such agreements (including underwriting
agreements in the managing underwriter's customary form) as are
customary in connection with an underwritten registration; and
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(xix) advise each seller of such Registrable Shares,
promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of
the issuance of any stop order by the SEC suspending the effectiveness
of such registration statement or the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its best efforts to
prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal at
the earliest possible moment if such stop order should be issued.
3.5 Suspension of Dispositions. Each Holder agrees by acquisition
of any Registrable Shares that, upon receipt of any notice (a "Suspension
Notice") from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described
in Section 3.4(v)(C), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of
Registrable Shares until such Holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended prospectus, or until it is advised in writing (the
"Advice") by the Company that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and has
received copies of any additional or supplemental filings which are
incorporated by reference in the prospectus, and, if so directed by the
Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than
permanent file copies then in such Holder's possession, of the prospectus
covering such Registrable Shares current at the time of receipt of such notice.
In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding
the effectiveness of registration statements set forth in Section 3.4(ii)
hereof shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and
including the date of the giving of the Suspension Notice to and including the
date when each seller of Registrable Shares covered by such registration
statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended
prospectus or the Advice. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts and take such actions as are reasonably necessary to render the Advice
as promptly as practicable.
3.6 Registration Expenses. All expenses incident to the Company's
performance of or compliance with this Article 3 including, without limitation,
all registration and filing fees, all fees and expenses associated with filings
required to be made with the NASD (including, if applicable, the fees and
expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter" as such term is defined in
Schedule E of the By-Laws of the NASD, and of its counsel), as may be required
by the rules and regulations of the NASD, fees and expenses of compliance with
securities or "blue sky" laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel in connection with "blue sky" qualifications of the Registrable
Shares), rating agency fees, printing expenses (including expenses of printing
certificates for the Registrable Shares in a form eligible for deposit with
Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if the printing of
prospectuses is requested by a holder of Registrable Shares), messenger and
delivery expenses, the Company's internal expenses (including without
limitation all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing
legal or accounting duties), the fees and expenses incurred in connection with
any listing of the Registrable Shares, fees and expenses of counsel for the
Company and its independent certified public accountants (including the
expenses of any special audit or "cold comfort" letters required by or incident
to such performance), securities acts liability insurance (if the Company
elects to obtain such insurance), the fees and expenses of any special experts
retained by the Company in connection with such registration, and the fees and
expenses of other persons retained by the Company and reasonable fees and
expenses of one firm of counsel for the sellers (which shall be selected by the
holders of a majority of the Registrable Shares being included in any
particular registration statement) (all such expenses being herein called
"Registration Expenses") will be borne by the Company whether or not any
registration statement
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becomes effective; provided that, except as expressly provided above, in no
event shall Registration Expenses include any underwriting discounts,
commissions, or fees attributable to the sale of the Registrable Shares or to
any counsel, accountants or other persons retained or employed by the Holders.
3.7 Indemnification.
3.7.1 The Company agrees to indemnify and reimburse, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, each seller of Registrable Shares, and each of its
employees, advisors, agents, representatives, partners, officers and directors
and each Person who controls such seller (within the meaning of the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act) and any agent or investment advisor thereof
(collectively, the "Seller Affiliates") (A) against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and expenses, joint or several (including, without
limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements except as limited by Section
3.7.3) based upon, arising out of, related to or resulting from any untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration
statement, prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, (B) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage, and expense
whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
settlement of any litigation or investigation or proceeding by any governmental
agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon,
arising out of, related to or resulting from any such untrue statement or
omission or alleged untrue statement or omission, and (C) against any and all
costs and expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) as
may be reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing, or defending against
any litigation, or investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon, arising out
of, related to or resulting from any such untrue statement or omission or
alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense or
cost is not paid under subparagraph (A) or (B) above; except insofar as the
same are made in reliance upon and in strict conformity with information
furnished in writing to the Company by such seller or any Seller Affiliate for
use therein or arise from such seller's or any Seller Affiliate's failure to
deliver a copy of the registration statement or prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such seller or Seller
Affiliate with a sufficient number of copies of the same. The reimbursements
required by this Section 3.7.1 will be made by periodic payments during the
course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or
expenses incurred.
3.7.2 In connection with any registration statement in which a
seller of Registrable Shares is participating, each such seller will furnish to
the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company
reasonably requests for use in connection with any such registration statement
or prospectus and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each such seller
will indemnify the Company and its directors and officers and each Person who
controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange
Act) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses
(including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements
except as limited by Section 3.7.3) resulting from any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus, or any preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material
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fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission is contained in any
information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such seller or any of its
Seller Affiliates specifically for inclusion in the registration statement;
provided that the obligation to indemnify will be several, not joint and
several, among such sellers of Registrable Shares, and the liability of each
such seller of Registrable Shares will be in proportion to, and provided
further that such liability will be limited to, the net amount received by such
seller from the sale of Registrable Shares pursuant to such registration
statement; provided, however, that such seller of Registrable Shares shall not
be liable in any such case to the extent that prior to the filing of any such
registration statement or prospectus or amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, such seller has furnished in writing to the Company information
expressly for use in such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto which corrected or made not misleading
information previously furnished to the Company.
3.7.3 Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder will (A) give
prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to
which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give such notice
shall not limit the rights of such Person) and (B) unless in such indemnified
party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and
indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such
indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party; provided, however, that any person
entitled to indemnification hereunder shall have the right to employ separate
counsel and to participate in the defense of such claim, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such person unless (i) the
employment of separate counsel shall have been authorized in writing by any
such indemnifying party, (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to have charge of such
third-party action, (iii) the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be defenses available to such indemnified party that are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or
(iv) the indemnified party's counsel shall have advised the indemnified party
in writing, with a copy to the indemnifying party, that there is a conflict of
interest that could make it inappropriate under applicable standards of
professional conduct to have common counsel. If such defense is not assumed by
the indemnifying party as permitted hereunder, the indemnifying party will not
be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party
without its consent (but such consent will not be unreasonably withheld). If
such defense is assumed by the indemnifying party pursuant to the provisions
hereof, such indemnifying party shall not settle or otherwise compromise the
applicable claim unless (1) the terms of such settlement or compromise include
a full and unconditional release of the indemnified party or (2) the
indemnified party otherwise consents in writing. An indemnifying party who is
not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be
obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties
indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in
the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party, a conflict of interest may
exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties
with respect to such claim, in which event the indemnifying party shall be
obligated to pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such additional
counsel or counsels.
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3.7.4 Each party hereto agrees that, if for any reason the
indemnification provisions contemplated by Section 3.7.1 or Section 3.7.2 are
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect
of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the actions
which resulted in the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such
indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates
to information supplied by such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and
the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity
to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree
that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this
Section 3.7.4 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders or
any underwriters or all of them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or
by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in this Section 3.7.4. The amount paid or payable by
an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed
to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such
indemnified party in connection with investigating or, except as provided in
Section 3.7.3, defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 3.7.4, no Holder shall be required to contribute an
amount greater than the dollar amount by which the net amount received by such
Holder with respect to the sale of any Registrable Shares exceeds the amount of
damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
statement or omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled
to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations in this Section 3.7.4 to
contribute shall be several in proportion to the amount of Registrable Shares
registered by them and not joint.
If indemnification is available under this Section 3.7, the
indemnifying parties shall indemnify each indemnified party to the full extent
provided in Section 3.7.1 and Section 3.7.2 without regard to the relative
fault of said indemnifying party or indemnified party or any other equitable
consideration provided for in this Section 3.7.4.
3.7.5 The indemnification and contribution provided for under this
Stockholders Agreement will remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer,
director, or controlling Person of such indemnified party and will survive the
transfer of securities.
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ARTICLE 4
TRANSFERS OF SECURITIES
Section 4.1 Drag Along Rights.
4.1.1 Applicability. In connection with any Transfer by members of
the HMC Group of shares of Common Stock representing more than 50% of the
shares of Common Stock then held by the HMC Group (a "Significant Sale"), the
HMC Group shall have the right to require each non-selling Holder (each, a
"Co-Seller") to Transfer a portion of its Common Stock which represents the
same percentage of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock held by such Co-Seller as the
shares being disposed of by the HMC Group represent of the Fully-Diluted Common
Stock held by the HMC Group. (For example, if the HMC Group is selling 50% of
their Fully-Diluted Common Stock position, each Co-Seller shall be required to
sell 50% of its Fully-Diluted Common Stock position.) All Common Stock
Transferred by Holders pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be sold at the same
price and otherwise treated identically with the Common Stock being sold by the
HMC Group in all respects; provided, that the Co-Seller shall not be required
to make any representations or warranties in connection with such Transfer
other than representations and warranties as to (i) such Co-Seller's ownership
of his or its Common Stock to be Transferred free and clear of all liens,
claims and encumbrances, (ii) such Co-Seller's power and authority to effect
such Transfer, and (iii) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities
laws as the transferee may reasonably require except that the transferee may
not require that each Transferring Co-Seller be an Accredited Investor.
4.1.2 Notice of Significant Sale. HMTF, on behalf of the HMC Group,
shall give each Co-Seller at least 30 days' prior written notice of any
Significant Sale as to which the HMC Group intends to exercise its rights under
Section 4.1. If the HMC Group elects to exercise its rights under Section 4.1,
the Co-Sellers shall take such actions as may be reasonably required and
otherwise cooperate in good faith with the HMC Group in connection with
consummating the Significant Sale (including, without limitation, the voting of
any Common Stock or other voting capital stock of the Company to approve such
Significant Sale). At the closing of such Significant Sale, each Co-Seller
shall deliver certificates for all shares of Common Stock to be sold by such
Co-Seller, duly endorsed for transfer, with the signature guaranteed, to the
purchaser against payment of the appropriate purchase price.
Section 4.2 Tag Along Rights.
4.2.1 Applicability. In connection with any sale (other than a
Permitted Transfer) by members of the HMC Group of any shares of Common Stock
(and, if such sale is a Significant Sale, the HMC Group does not elect to
exercise its rights under Section 4.1 hereof), at least 30 days prior to the
closing of such sale, HMTF shall cause the HMC Group to make an offer (the
"Participation Offer") to each Co-Seller to include in the proposed sale a
portion of its Common Stock which represents the same percentage of such
Co-Seller's Fully Diluted Common Stock as the shares being sold by the HMC
Group represent of the HMC Group's Fully-Diluted Common Stock; provided that,
if the consideration to be received by the HMC Group includes any securities,
only Co-Sellers who
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have certified to the reasonable satisfaction of HMTF that they are Accredited
Investors shall be entitled to participate in such transfer, unless the
transferee consents otherwise.
4.2.2 Terms of Participation Offer. The Participation Offer shall
describe the terms and conditions of the proposed sale and shall be conditioned
upon (i) the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Participation
Offer with the transferee named therein, and (ii) each Co-Seller's execution
and delivery of all agreements and other documents as the members of the HMC
Group are required to execute and deliver in connection with such sale
(provided that the Co-Seller shall not be required to make any representations
or warranties in connection with such sale other than representations and
warranties as to (A) such Co-Seller's ownership of his Common Stock to be sold
or transferred free and clear of all liens, claims, and encumbrances, (B) such
Co-Seller's power and authority to effect such sale and (C) such matters
pertaining to compliance with securities laws as the transferee may reasonably
require). If any Co- Seller shall accept the Participation Offer, HMTF shall
cause the HMC Group to reduce, to the extent necessary, the number of shares of
Common Stock it otherwise would have sold in the proposed sale so as to permit
those Co-Sellers who have accepted the Participation Offer to sell the number
of shares of Common Stock that they are entitled to sell under this Section
4.2, and HMTF shall cause the HMC Group to transfer and such Co-Sellers shall
transfer the number of shares Common Stock specified in the Participation Offer
to the proposed transferee in accordance with the terms of such transfer as set
forth in the Participation Offer.
Section 4.3 Certain Events Not Deemed Transfers. In no event
shall any exchange, reclassification, or other conversion of shares into any
cash, securities or other property pursuant to a merger or consolidation of the
Company or any Subsidiary with, or any sale or transfer by the Company or any
Subsidiary of all or substantially all of its assets to, any Person constitute
a Significant Sale of shares of Common Stock by the HMC Group for purposes of
Section 4.1 or a sale of such shares for purposes of Section 4.2. In addition,
Sections 4.1 and 4.2 hereof shall not apply to any transfer, sale, or
disposition of shares of Common Stock solely among members of the HMC Group.
Section 4.4 Transfer and Exchange. When Securities are presented
to the Company with a request to register the transfer of such Securities or to
exchange such Securities for Securities of other authorized denominations, the
Company shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if the
requirements of this Stockholders Agreement for such transaction are met;
provided, however, that the Securities surrendered for transfer or exchange
shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in
form satisfactory to the Company, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its
attorney and duly authorized in writing. No service charge shall be made for
any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment
of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge
payable in connection therewith.
Section 4.5 Replacement Securities. If a mutilated Security is
surrendered to the Company or if the Holder of a Security claims and submits an
affidavit or other evidence, satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that
the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall
issue a replacement Security if the Company's requirements are met. If
required by the Company, such Securityholder must provide an indemnity bond, or
other form of
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indemnity, sufficient in the judgment of the Company to protect the Company
against any loss which may be suffered. The Company may charge such
Securityholder for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in replacing a
Security which has been mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken.
ARTICLE 5
LIMITATION ON TRANSFERS
Section 5.1 Restrictions on Transfer. The Securities shall not
be Transferred or otherwise conveyed, assigned or hypothecated before
satisfaction of (i) the conditions specified in this Section 5.1 and Sections
5.2 through 5.3, which conditions are intended to ensure compliance with the
provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the Transfer of any Security
and (ii) if applicable, Article 4 hereof. Any purported Transfer in violation
of this Article 5 and/or, if applicable, Article 4 hereof shall be void ab
initio and of no force or effect. Other than Transfers subject to Article IV
hereof (it being understood that transactions pursuant to such Article are not
subject to Section 5.3) and other than Transfers to the public pursuant to an
effective registration statement or sales to the public pursuant to Rule 144
under the Securities Act otherwise permitted hereunder, each Holder will cause
any proposed transferee of any Security or any interest therein held by it to
agree in writing to take and hold such securities subject to the provisions and
upon the conditions specified in this Stockholders Agreement. Each Holder
shall not Transfer, convey, assign or hypothecate any Securities to any
Affiliate of such Holder or any member of such Holder's immediate family unless
such Holder shall have and retain all voting rights with respect to such
Securities.
Section 5.2 Restrictive Legends.
5.2.1 Securities Act Legend. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 5.4 hereof, each Security held by a Holder, and each Security issued to
any subsequent transferee of such Security, shall be stamped or otherwise
imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, NOR PURSUANT TO THE
SECURITIES OR "BLUE SKY" LAWS OF ANY STATE. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE
OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED OR OTHERWISE ASSIGNED, EXCEPT
PURSUANT TO (i) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH SECURITIES WHICH
IS EFFECTIVE UNDER SUCH ACT, (ii) RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT, OR (iii) ANY OTHER
EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH ACT.
5.2.2 Other Legends. Each Security issued to each Holder or a
subsequent transferee shall include a legend in substantially the following
form:
THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, VOTING AND OTHER
TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT DATED AS OF
NOVEMBER 27, 1996, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM ATRIUM CORPORATION AT
ITS PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES.
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Section 5.3 Right of First Refusal.
5.3.1 Right of First Refusal. Prior to any Transfer or attempted
Transfer by any Non-HMC Group Holder of any Securities or Common Stock
Equivalents (the "Offered Securities") other than a Permitted Transfer or a
Transfer pursuant to a registration under the Securities Act, the Non-HMC Group
Holder of such Offered Securities shall give prior written notice (a "Transfer
Notice") to HMTF of such Non-HMC Group Holder's intention to effect such
Transfer, describing the terms and conditions of the proposed Transfer,
including the identity of the prospective transferee(s), the number of shares
of Offered Securities such Non-HMC Group Holder desires to sell and the
purchase price. After receipt of the Transfer Notice, HMTF (or as provided in
Section 5.3.3, an assignee of HMTF who is a member of the HMC Group) shall have
the option for 15 days from the date of receipt of the Transfer Notice to elect
to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Offered Securities upon the same
terms and conditions as those set forth in the Transfer Notice by delivering a
written notice (the "Election Notice") of such election to such Non-HMC Group
Holder within such 15-day period. The Non-HMC Group Holder shall not
consummate such Transfer until the earlier to occur of the lapse of the 15-day
period or the date on which HMTF notifies such Non-HMC Group Holder in writing
that it will not exercise its rights under this Section 5.3 (the "Authorization
Date"). If HMTF has not elected to purchase all of the Offered Securities or
has failed to make a timely election, such Non-HMC Group Holder may Transfer
all, but not less than all, of the Offered Securities to the prospective
transferee(s) thereof specified in the Transfer Notice, at a price and on terms
no more favorable to such prospective transferee(s) than as specified in the
Transfer Notice, during the 30-day period immediately following the
Authorization Date; provided that, if required by the Company, such Non-HMC
Group Holder shall either (i) provide to the Company an opinion reasonably
satisfactory to the Company (or supply such other evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Company) that the proposed Transfer may be effected without
registration under the Securities Act, or (ii) certify to the Company that the
Non-HMC Group Holder reasonably believes that each proposed transferee is a
"qualified institutional buyer" and that such Non-HMC Group Holder has taken
reasonable steps to make each proposed transferee aware that such Holder may
rely on Rule 144A under the Securities Act in effecting such Transfer. Each
Security issued upon such Transfer shall bear the restrictive legend set forth
in Section 5.2, unless in the reasonable judgment of counsel for the Company
such legend is not required in order to ensure compliance with the Securities
Act. If the Offered Securities are not so transferred within such 30-day
period, such Offered Securities must be reoffered to HMTF in accordance with
the provisions of this Section 5.3 if such Non-HMC Group Holder still desires
to transfer the Offered Securities.
5.3.2 Closing. If HMTF exercises the right to purchase the Offered
Securities by timely delivery of the Election Notice, unless otherwise agreed
by the Non-HMC Group Holder of the Offered Securities and HMTF, the closing of
such purchase will take place at the offices of the Company in Dallas, Texas on
the fifth Business Day after the date of the Election Notice. At the closing,
HMTF will pay the purchase price set forth in the Transfer Notice in cash (by
certified or cashier's check) solely upon such Holder's delivery to HMTF of
valid certificates or agreements evidencing all of the Offered Securities then
being purchased pursuant to the Election Notice. Certificates or agreements
representing the Offered Securities will be duly endorsed (with signature
guaranteed) for transfer to HMTF. By delivery of such certificates or
agreements to HMTF, such Non-HMC Group Holder will be deemed to represent and
warrant to HMTF that the transferred
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Offered Securities are owned by such Non-HMC Group Holder free and clear of all
liens, adverse claims and other encumbrances other than as provided in this
Stockholders Agreement. The Non-HMC Group Holder will promptly perform,
whether before or after any such closing, such additional acts (including
without limitation executing and delivering additional documents) as are
reasonably required by either such party to effect more fully the transactions
contemplated by this Section 5.3.
5.3.3 Assignment. The rights of HMTF under this Section 5.3 may be
assigned or transferred in whole or in part by HMTF, without any consent or
other action on the part of any other party hereto, to any one or more members
of the HMC Group.
Section 5.4 Termination of Certain Restrictions. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, the restrictions imposed by Section
5.3.1 upon the transferability of the Securities and the legend requirements of
Section 5.2.1 shall terminate as to any Security (i) when and so long as such
Security shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act and
disposed of pursuant thereto or disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Rule
144 or (ii) when the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel
reasonably satisfactory to it that such Security may be transferred without
registration thereof under the Securities Act and that such legend may be
removed. Whenever the restrictions imposed by Section 5.2 shall terminate as
to any Security, the Holder thereof shall be entitled to receive from the
Company, at the Company's expense, a new Security not bearing the restrictive
legend set forth in Section 5.2.
ARTICLE 6
PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
Section 6.1 Preemptive Rights.
6.1.1 Rights to Participate in Future Sales. In case the Company or
any Affiliated Successor (as hereinafter defined) proposes to issue or sell any
Additional Securities in a Preemptive Rights Transaction, the Company shall, no
later than twenty days prior to the consummation of such Preemptive Rights
Transaction, give notice in writing (the "Offer Notice") to each Holder of such
Preemptive Rights Transaction. The Offer Notice shall describe the proposed
Preemptive Rights Transaction, identify the proposed purchaser, and contain an
offer (the "Preemptive Rights Offer") to sell to each Holder who certifies (to
the reasonable satisfaction of the Company) that such Holder is an Accredited
Investor (an "Accredited Offeree"), at the same price and for the same
consideration to be paid by the proposed purchaser, all or part of such
Accredited Offeree's pro rata portion of the Additional Securities (which shall
be the percentage ownership of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock held by such
Holder, excluding, for the purposes of such calculation, any shares of Common
Stock issuable upon exercise of any Common Stock Equivalents granted pursuant
to any employee, officer or director benefit plan or arrangement). As used
herein, the term "Affiliated Successor" means a successor entity to the Company
(whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) in which the
HMC Group owns at least the same percentage of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock
of such entity (giving effect to the merger, consolidation, reorganization or
other transaction) as the HMC Group owns of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock of
the Company. If any such Holder fails
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to accept the Preemptive Rights Offer by written notice to the Company within
fifteen days after its receipt of the Offer Notice, the Company or such
Affiliated Successor may proceed with the proposed issue or sale of the
Additional Securities, free of any right on the part of such Holder under this
Section 6.1.1 in respect thereof.
6.1.2 Exceptions to Preemptive Rights. This Section 6.1 shall not
apply to (i) issuances or sales of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents to
employees, officers, and/or directors of the Company and/or any of its
Subsidiaries pursuant to employee benefit or similar plans or arrangements of
the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, (ii) issuances or sales of Common Stock or
Common Stock Equivalents upon exercise of any Common Stock Equivalent which,
when issued, was subject to or exempt from the preemptive rights under this
Section 6.1, (iii) securities distributed or set aside ratably to all holders
of Common Stock and Common Stock Equivalents (or any class or series thereof)
on a per share equivalent basis, or (iv) issuances or sales of Common Stock or
Common Stock Equivalents pursuant to a registered underwritten public offering,
a merger of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company into or with another
entity or an acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or
another business or corporation. In the event of any issuances or sales of
Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents as a unit with any other security of
the Company or its Subsidiaries, the preemptive rights under this Section shall
be applicable to the entire unit rather than only the Common Stock or Common
Stock Equivalent included in the unit.
ARTICLE 7
TERMINATION
The provisions of this Agreement shall terminate immediately prior to
the tenth anniversary of the date of this Stockholders Agreement; provided,
however, that Sections 4.1 and 4.2 and Articles 5 (other than Sections 5.2 and
5.4), 6 and 7 of this Agreement shall terminate immediately prior to the
consummation (prior to the expiration of such 10-year period) of a Qualified
IPO.
ARTICLE 8
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 8.1 Notices. Any notices or other communications
required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be sufficiently
given if made by hand delivery, by telex, by telecopier or registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, addressed as follows
(or at such other address as may be substituted by notice given as herein
provided):
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If to the Company, to
Atrium Corporation
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000X
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to HMTF, to
HMTF Acquisition Corp.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P.
3700 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Center
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to any Holder, at its address listed on the signature pages hereof.
Any notice or communication hereunder shall be deemed to have been
given or made as of the date so delivered if personally delivered; when
answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and
five calendar days after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail
(except that a notice of change of address shall not be deemed to have been
given until actually received by the addressee).
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in
it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice
or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given,
whether or not the addressee receives it.
Section 8.2 Legal Holidays. A "Legal Holiday" used with respect
to a particular place of payment is a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions at such place are not required to be open. If a payment
date is a Legal Holiday at such place, payment may be made at such place on the
next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest on the amount
of such payment shall accrue for the intervening period.
Section 8.3 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. THIS STOCKHOLDERS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
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THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
Section 8.4 Successors and Assigns. Whether or not an express
assignment has been made pursuant to the provisions of this Stockholders
Agreement, provisions of this Stockholders Agreement that are for the Holders'
benefit as the holders of any Securities are also for the benefit of, and
enforceable by, all subsequent holders of Securities, except as otherwise
expressly provided herein. This Stockholders Agreement shall be binding upon
the Company, each Holder, and their respective successors and assigns.
Section 8.5 Duplicate Originals. All parties may sign any number
of copies of this Stockholders Agreement. Each signed copy shall be an
original, but all of them together shall represent the same agreement.
Section 8.6 Severability. In case any provision in this
Stockholders Agreement shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such
provision in every other respect and the remaining provisions shall not in any
way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 8.7 No Waivers; Amendments.
8.7.1 No failure or delay on the part of the Company or any Holder
in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or
remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or remedy. The remedies provided for herein are cumulative
and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to the Company or
any Holder at law or in equity or otherwise.
8.7.2 Any provision of this Stockholders Agreement may be amended or
waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by
the Company and the Required Holders; provided that no such amendment or waiver
shall, (i) unless signed by all of the Holders, amend the provisions of Section
2.1, (ii) unless signed by all of the Holders affected, (A) amend the
provisions of this Section 8.7.2 or (B) change the number of Holders which
shall be required for the Holders or any of them to take any action under this
Section 8.7.2 or any other provision of this Stockholders Agreement, and (iii)
unless signed by a majority of the Holders who are not members of the HMC
Group, amend Section 4.1, Section 4.2 or Articles 5 or 6, or grant a waiver
thereunder, so as to (A) impose additional obligations on Holders who are not
members of the HMC Group that are not imposed on Holders who are members of the
HMC Group or (B) adversely affect the rights granted to the Holders who are not
members of the HMC Group where such amendment or waiver does not apply to the
same extent to the rights granted thereunder to the Holders who are members of
the HMC Group.
Section 8.8 Third Parties. Each member of the HMC Group is an
intended third party beneficiary of this Stockholders Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Stockholders
Agreement to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.
THE COMPANY:
ATRIUM CORPORATION
By: /s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President
HOLDERS:
HERITAGE FUND I, L.P.
By: HF Partners I, L.P., its general
partner
By: /s/ XXXXXX XXXXXXXX
------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
----------------------------------
Title: General Partner
---------------------------------
Address: Heritage Fund I, L.P.
00 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
/s/ XXX FOTJASEK
----------------------------------------
Xxx Fotjasek
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
/s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Fotjasek
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT]
S-1
29
/s/ XXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXX
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
/s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXX
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
00 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
HICKS, MUSE, XXXX & XXXXX
EQUITY FUND III, L.P.
By: HM3/GP Partners, L.P.,
its General Partner
By: Xxxxx, Muse GP Partners III, L.P.,
its General Partner
By: Xxxxx Muse Fund III Incorporated,
its General Partner
By: /s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXXXX
------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Vice President
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT]
X-0
00
XX0 XXXXXXXXXXX, L.P.,
By: Xxxxx, Xxxx XX Partners III, L.P.,
its General Partner
By: Xxxxx, Muse Fund III Incorporated,
its General Partner
By: /s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXXXX
------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Vice President
HMTF:
HICKS, MUSE, XXXX & XXXXX
INCORPORATED
By: /s/ XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXXXX
------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Vice President
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT]
S-3
