ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Exhibit
10.21
This
Asset Purchase Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of the 6th day of October, 2006 (the "Effective Date" or
"Closing Date") by and among Xxxx Truckways, Ltd. d/b/a Digby Truck Line,
Inc.,
a Delaware corporation ("Digby"), Digby's sole shareholder, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
(the "Shareholder") (Digby and the Shareholder are referred to herein
collectively, and when the context so requires, individually as "Seller"),
and
Celadon Trucking Services, Inc., a New Jersey corporation (the
"Purchaser").
RECITALS
Digby
owns and operates a commercial van trucking business that
operates and provides services to customers throughout the United States
(the
"Business").
Purchaser
desires to purchase certain assets and assume certain
liabilities of the Business, and Seller desires to sell such assets and assign
such liabilities to Purchaser upon the terms and conditions set forth in
this
Agreement.
Seller,
singly or collectively, constitutes the sole legal and
beneficial owner(s) of the Purchased Assets (as hereinafter defined).
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and
covenants contained in this Agreement, the parties hereby agree as
follows:
1. PURCHASE
AND SALE
OF ASSETS.
1.1 Purchase
and
Sale.
(a)
Simultaneous
with the execution
of this Agreement, Purchaser shall purchase from Seller, and Seller shall
sell
to Purchaser, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to the assets
described on Exhibit A, which is attached to this Agreement and incorporated
by
this reference herein (collectively the "Purchased Assets").
(b)
Notwithstanding
anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Purchased Assets shall not include any item
not
specifically identified in Section 1.1(a) (the "Excluded Assets"). The Excluded
Assets shall include, without limitation, the following:
(i)
Seller's
articles of
incorporation, bylaws, minute books, income tax returns, books and
records;
(ii)
All
cash and cash equivalents,
including cash on hand or in bank accounts, certificates of deposit, commercial
paper and securities;
(iii)
All
governmental permits that are not
transferable by the terms thereof or by operation of law;
(iv)
All
of Seller's customer accounts
receivables, notes receivable, negotiable instruments, chattel paper and
driver
receivables;
(v)
All
of Seller's supplies, furniture,
fixtures and inventories;
(vi)
All
of Seller's real estate, including any
buildings and improvements owned by Seller and all real estate leases;
(vii)
All
of Seller's prepaid amounts, insurance policies
(including any premium refunds), insurance proceeds, deposits, advances,
tax
refunds, rights to payments under letters of credit and/or other prepaid
expenses;
(viii) All
of Seller's additional property, assets, capital
stock, rights, claims, causes of action, contracts, records and goodwill
relating to the Business other than the Purchased Assets; and
(ix) Seller's
rights under this Agreement and the
other agreements, certificates and instruments to be executed by Seller in
connection with or pursuant to this Agreement.
1.2 Excluded
Liabilities. Purchaser does not assume and shall not be responsible for any
liabilities or obligations of Seller, of any kind or nature, whether or not
relating to the Business or the Purchased Assets, whether known or unknown,
absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, or whether due or to become due,
arising out of events or transactions or facts occurring on, prior to, or
after
the Effective Date (collectively the "Excluded Liabilities"), including,
but not
limited to, the following Excluded Liabilities:
(a)
all
liabilities and obligations
of any kind existing as of the Effective Date owed or owing by the Business
to
any shareholder of Digby and/or any affiliate of either Seller;
(b)
all
liabilities and obligations
relating to current or former employees, agents, consultants or other
independent contractors of the Seller, whether or not such persons are employed
by the Purchaser after the Effective Date, relating to services performed,
benefit accruals or claims accrued or incurred prior to the Effective Date
or
with respect to employee benefit plans, programs or arrangements at any time
on
or after the Effective Date, including but not limited to, any "employee
benefit plan," as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, ("ERISA") and all retirement, stock, stock
option, welfare benefit, savings, deferred compensation, incentive compensation,
paid time off, severance pay, salary continuation, disability, fringe benefit,
compensation, accrued payroll, accrued vacation pay, sick leave, severance,
worker's compensation, unemployment compensation, employee welfare or retirement
benefits (including any liability or obligation of the Seller under any welfare
plan or policy for continuing health coverage), and other employee benefit
arrangements, plans, policies, or practices maintained, contributed to, or
required to be contributed by the Seller or any ERISA Affiliate (defined
as any
person, entity, any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that
is
treated as a single employer with the Seller under Section 414 of the Code)
or
with respect to which the Seller or any ERISA Affiliate may have any liability
(collectively the "Benefit Plans") or obligations under any employment agreement
or arrangement, liabilities under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification ("WARN") Act and obligations or agreements to rehire or give
preferential treatment to laid-off or terminated employees;
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(c)
all
liabilities and obligations,
whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, for federal, state, county,
local, foreign or other income, sales, use, real estate, property, excise,
employee payroll or other taxes or assessments (including interest and
penalties) of any kind whatsoever relating to the Business for periods up
to and
including the Effective Date and any income taxes resulting from the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(d)
any
and all damages, losses,
liabilities, actions, claims, costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
closure costs, fines, penalties, expenses of investigation and remediation
and
ongoing monitoring and reasonable attorneys' fees) directly or indirectly
based
upon, arising out of, resulting from or relating to (i) any violation of
any
Environmental Law by the Seller or any person or entity acting on behalf
of the
Seller or the person from or through which the Seller acquired title on or
prior
to the Effective Date (including, without limitation, any failure to obtain
or
comply with any permit, license or other operating authorization under
provisions of any Environmental Law), (ii) any and all liabilities under
any
Environmental Law arising out of or otherwise in respect of any act, omission,
event, condition or circumstance occurring or existing in connection with
the
Business or the Purchased Assets on or prior to the Effective Date (including,
without limitation, liabilities relating to (X) removal, remediation,
containment, cleanup or abatement of the presence of any Regulated Substance,
whether on-site or off-site and (Y) any claim by any third party, including
without limitation, tort suits for personal or bodily injury, property damage
or
injunctive relief; and
(e)
all
liabilities and obligations
arising out of any lawsuit, action, proceeding, inquiry, claim, order or
investigation by or before any governmental authority related to the Business
arising out of events, transactions, facts, acts or omissions which occurred
prior to or on the Effective Date, including, without limitation, personal
injury or property damage, product liability or strict liability.
1.3 Purchase
Price. The aggregate purchase price to be paid by Purchaser to Seller for
the Purchased Assets ("Purchase Price") shall be $21,200,000.00, subject
to any
post-Closing adjustment required by Sections 1.5 of this Agreement.
1.4 Payment
of the
Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be payable by Purchaser upon
execution of this Agreement to Boult, Cummings, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxx, PLC (the
"Escrow Agent") to be held in a non-interest bearing escrow account subject
to
the terms of the Equipment Payoff Escrow Agreement dated the Effective Date
among Seller, Purchaser and Escrow Agent. A copy of the Equipment Payoff
Escrow
Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated by this reference
herein. Once the equipment vendors and lenders on the
purchased assets have been paid from the Equipment Payoff Escrow, the remaining
balance, if any, shall be paid to Seller or at Seller's direction by wire
transfer or other form of readily available funds.
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1.5 Post-Closing
Adjustments.
Within
forty five (45) days following the Effective Date Seller
shall deposit with the Escrow Agent the sum of $300,000.00 (the "Escrow Amount")
to be held in an interest-bearing, escrow account subject to the terms of
the
Escrow Agreement dated the Effective Date among Seller, Purchaser and Escrow
Agent. A copy of the Escrow Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit C and
incorporated by this reference herein (the "Escrow Agreement"). Seller's
obligation to deposit the Escrow Amount shall be secured by a security interest
in Seller's accounts receivable granted pursuant to a security agreement
in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit D and incorporated herein by reference. As
soon
as practicable following the Effective Date, Purchaser, at Purchaser's expense,
shall have the condition of all rolling stock included in the Purchased Assets
inspected by an independent inspector (the "Inspections") to (i) determine
whether all units meet the Department of Transportation ("DOT") vehicle
inspection requirements and (ii) to determine whether any units have damage
(excluding normal wear and tear) in excess of $500.00 for tractor units and
$250.00 for trailer units ("Excess Damage"). For all tractors included in
the
rolling stock, the Inspections shall be performed by the earlier of (x) the
third dispatch of the tractor immediately following the Effective Date or
(y)
the thirtieth (30th) day following the Effective Date. Each tractor
Inspection shall be performed by a certified Freightliner dealership located
near the Purchaser's turn-in locations for such tractor. For all trailers
included in the rolling stock, the Inspections shall be performed by the
earlier
of (1) the third dispatch of the trailer immediately following the Effective
Date or (2) the sixtieth (60th) day following the Effective Date.
Each trailer Inspection shall be performed by a certified GE Equipment Services
facility located near the Purchaser's turn-in locations for such trailer.
Immediately upon completion of the Inspections, but in any event within sixty
(60) days of the Effective Date, Purchaser shall submit to Seller a written
report (the "Inspection Report") regarding the condition on the Effective
Date
of each item of rolling stock included in the Purchased Assets that failed
to
meet the DOT vehicle inspection requirements and/or had Excess Damage (the
"Nonconforming Items"). The Inspection Report shall include the following
information as of the Effective Date for each of the Nonconforming Items:
(a)
The
description of the
Nonconforming Item on Exhibit A of this Agreement, including any vehicle
identification number or other identifying number.
(b)
A
detailed description of (i)
the violation(s) of DOT vehicle inspection requirements and/or (ii) the Excess
Damage that existed on the Effective Date.
(c)
For
each tractor, the good faith
estimate of the Freightliner dealership that performed the Inspection, and
for
each trailer, the good faith estimate of the GE Equipment Services facility
that
performed the Inspection of the dollar amount of repairs in excess of $500.00
for each tractor and the $250.00 for each trailer required for each
Nonconforming Item to meet the requirements set forth in this Section 1.5
as of
the Effective Date (the "Nonconforming Amount"). These dollar amounts are
thresholds and are not to be considered deductible amounts for purposes of
calculating repair expenses.
(d)
The
total of all Nonconforming
Amounts claimed by Purchaser.
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Seller
shall promptly review the Inspection Report and notify
Purchaser in writing regarding any disputed Excess Damage Amounts. Within
ninety
(90) days immediately following the Effective Date, Purchaser and Seller
shall
use commercially reasonable efforts to resolve such disputes. If the parties
are
unable to resolve such disputes, the dispute resolution provisions of Section
8.8 shall apply. If the Nonconforming Amount for any individual tractor exceeds
$10,000.00 and/or if the Nonconforming Amount for any individual trailer
exceeds
$2,000.00 then Seller may, in its sole discretion, elect to (i) accept the
Nonconforming Amount or (ii) substitute as the Nonconforming Amount for such
Nonconforming Item the amount stated on Exhibit A for such Nonconforming
Item.
As
soon as practicable after the Effective Date, but in any event
within ten (10) business days immediately following the Effective Date,
Purchaser shall take inventory of the Rolling Stock to determine its location.
Purchaser shall promptly submit to Seller a written list of any and all missing
Rolling Stock (the "Missing Rolling Stock"). Until the expiration of the
45-day
inspection period, Purchaser shall use diligent efforts to locate the Missing
Rolling Stock. Upon the earlier of the first dispatch by Purchaser of any
item
of Missing Rolling Stock or Purchaser's discovery of the location of such
item
of Missing Rolling Stock, Purchaser shall promptly notify Seller and such
item
of Missing Rolling Stock shall be removed from the list of Missing Rolling
Stock. All items of Missing Rolling Stock that are not dispatched and/or
located
by Purchaser by the 60th day following the Effective Date shall be
treated as Nonconforming Items and the dollar amount included on Exhibit
A for
each item of Missing Rolling Stock shall be treated as a Nonconforming Amount.
Purchaser
shall be entitled to a credit against the Purchase Price
(the "Post-Closing Credit") for (y) the amount of any unpaid repair bills,
towing charges, storage expenses and any other expenses Purchaser is required
to
pay to take possession, due on the Effective Date that are applicable to
Rolling
Stock in the possession on the Effective Date of the person or entity that
performed the repairs and (z) the aggregate Nonconforming Amount (including
amounts for Missing Rolling Stock) agreed upon by the parties. Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the amount of the Post-Closing
Credit shall be limited to $300,000.00. Purchaser's sole remedy for Damaged
Items and/or Missing Rolling Stock shall be the Post-Closing Credit.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Purchaser shall
not
be entitled to a Post-Closing Credit for any item of Rolling Stock set forth
on
Schedule 1.5.
If
the Post-Closing Credit is less than $300,000.00, then the
Escrow Agent shall (i) return the portion of the Escrow Amount equal to the
Post-Closing Credit, plus accrued interest on the returned portion, to Purchaser
and (ii) pay the remainder of the Escrow Amount, plus accrued interest on
the
remainder portion, to Seller. If the Post-Closing Credit is equal to or greater
than $300,000.00, then the Escrow Agent shall return the entire Escrow Amount,
plus accrued interest, to Purchaser.
As
soon as practicable, but in any event within ten (10) days
after the parties agree on the amount of the Post-Closing Credit, Purchaser
shall return to Seller (a) all Nonconforming Items for which Seller elected
to
substitute the Exhibit A amount as the Nonconforming Amount in the calculation
of the Post-Closing Credit and (b) all title certificates, lien releases
and/or
other documents relating to the Missing Rolling Stock.
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1.6 Allocation
of
Income and Expenses. All revenue from loads picked up prior to 11:59 p.m.
CDT on the Effective Date shall belong to Seller, and all revenue from loads
picked up after 11:59 p.m. CDT on the Effective Date (the "Post-Closing Loads")
shall belong to Purchaser. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective
Date, but in any event within thirty (30) days following the Effective Date,
representatives of Seller and Purchaser shall examine all relevant books
and
records of the Business as of the Effective Date to determine (i) the time
and
date of delivery and the division of revenue from loads in transit immediately
prior to and/or immediately after the Effective Date and (ii) the amount
of
direct expenses incurred by Seller for Post-Closing Loads (the "Direct
Expenses"). Direct Expenses shall be calculated at One Dollar ($1.00) per
mile
for the billed miles and return miles of the Post-Closing Load. Purchaser
shall
promptly reimburse Seller for the Direct Expenses within ten (10) business
days
after determination. If the parties are unable to agree on the amount of
the
reimbursement for Direct Expenses, the dispute resolution provisions of Section
8.8 shall apply.
1.7 Allocation
of
Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be allocated among the Purchased
Assets as set forth on Schedule 1.7 which is attached hereto and incorporated by
this reference herein. Seller and Purchaser each agree to comply with the
requirements of Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code and to report the
federal, state and local income and other tax consequences of the transactions
contemplated herein in a manner consistent with the purchase price allocation
set forth on Schedule 1.7.
1.8 Sales,
Use and
Other Taxes. In the event that any sales, use, transfer, license, title or
other similar taxes or charges are assessed on or after the Effective Date
as a
result of the transactions described in this Agreement, upon transfer and/or
reissue of vehicle titles or at any time thereafter on the transfer of any
of
the Purchased Assets, then in each instance such taxes or charges incurred
as a
result of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by Purchaser.
2. CLOSING.
Simultaneous
with the execution of this Agreement on the Effective
Date, Seller has executed and delivered to Purchaser such lease assignments,
bills of sale and instruments of assignment and assumption as are necessary
to
convey title to the Purchased Assets and Purchaser has paid the Purchase
Price
to Seller and the Escrow Agent. All such actions shall be deemed to have
been
taken simultaneously at the time the last of any such actions is taken or
completed.
3. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER. Seller hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser
as follows:
3.1 Organization
and
Good Standing. Digby is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware.
3.2 Corporate
Power. Seller has the corporate power, authority and legal right to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement.
6
3.3 Authorization,
Binding Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other agreements, documents and instruments required to be delivered
by
Seller in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement (collectively
the
"Seller Documents") and the underlying transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Seller Documents have been duly authorized by Seller. This
Agreement and the Seller Documents have been duly executed and delivered
by
Seller. This Agreement is and the Seller Documents are the legal, valid and
binding obligations of Seller enforceable in accordance with their terms
except
as their enforceability may be limited by laws and/or equitable principles
relating to or affecting creditors' rights.
3.4 No
Conflicts;
Consents and Approvals. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Seller Documents, the consummation of the transactions herein and therein
contemplated, and the performance of, fulfillment of and compliance with
the
terms and conditions hereof and thereof by Seller do not and will not conflict
with or result in a breach of the articles of incorporation or the bylaws
of
Seller. No authorization, approval, consent of, and no registration or filing
with, any governmental or regulatory official body or authority is required
in
connection with Seller's execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement
or
the Seller Documents.
3.5 Title
to
Properties. Seller has good and marketable title to the Purchased Assets,
except as to any Purchased Assets held under lease. On the Effective Date,
Purchaser will acquire all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to
all
of the Purchased Assets, free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance.
Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the original title
certificates for all rolling stock included in the Purchased Assets to be
delivered to Purchaser within five (5) business days following the Effective
Date.
3.6 Brokers
and
Finders. Except for Xxxxx Financial Services, Inc., Seller has not engaged
any person or entity to act or render services as a broker, finder or similar
capacity that would be entitled to receive a fee and/or commission from Seller
in connection with the transactions contemplated herein. No person or entity
has, as a result of any agreement or action by Seller, any right or valid
claim
against Purchaser or any of Purchaser's affiliates for any commission, fee
or
other compensation as a broker or finder, or in any similar capacity in
connection with the transactions contemplated herein.
3.7 Adverse
Events. To Seller's knowledge, without investigation and subject to the
impact of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other asset
sale transactions Seller has and/or intends to enter into, Seller is not
aware
of any past, present or impending action or event, or threatened action or
event, that would cause a material adverse affect on the Business in its
current
condition on the Effective Date.
3.8 Post-Closing
Actions. To the extent such efforts would not conflict with the interests of
Seller's creditors and/or shareholders, violate the terms of any agreement
to
which Seller is a party and/or violate any statute, law, rule, regulation,
license, permit or other governmental authority, Seller shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to reduce any expense and/or damage Purchaser might incur
as
a result of any voluntary bankruptcy filing or assignment for the benefit
of
creditors by Seller after the Effective Date.
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4. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER. Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to
Seller as follows:
4.1 Organization
and
Good Standing. Purchaser is a duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the Laws of the State of New Jersey.
4.2 Corporate
Power
and Authority. Purchaser has the corporate power and authority to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement.
4.3 Authorization,
Binding Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
and the other agreements, documents and instruments required to be delivered
by
Purchaser in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement (collectively
the
"Purchaser Documents") and the underlying transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Purchaser Documents have been duly authorized by Purchaser.
This Agreement and the Purchaser Documents have been duly executed and delivered
by Purchaser. This Agreement is and the Purchaser Documents are the legal,
valid
and binding obligations of Purchaser enforceable in accordance with their
terms
except as their enforceability may be limited by laws and/or equitable
principles relating to or affecting creditors' rights.
4.4 Brokers
and
Finders. Purchaser has not engaged any Person to act or render services as a
broker, finder or similar capacity in connection with the transactions
contemplated herein and no Person has, as a result of any agreement or action
by
Purchaser any right or valid claim against Seller, or any of its affiliates
for
any commission, fee or other compensation as a broker or finder, or in any
similar capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated herein.
5. CERTAIN
COVENANTS.
5.1 Consents
and
Approvals.
(a)
Each
of the parties hereto
shall, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, use its reasonable efforts
in
good faith to obtain at the earliest practicable date any approvals,
authorizations and consents, including but not limited to the third party
consents necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and take such actions as the other parties may reasonably request to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. For a period of up to thirty
(30) days immediately following the Effective Date, Seller shall use
commercially reasonable efforts (which shall not require Seller to incur
any
expense) to cooperate with Purchaser in connection with Purchaser's application
for the transfer, renewal or issuance of any permits, licenses, plates,
approvals or authorizations required to transfer the Purchased Assets from
Seller to Purchaser.
(b)
Nothing
in this Section 5.1
shall require a party to expend any monies to obtain any approval or consent
required hereunder, except for customary attorneys' fees and filing fees
incident to the transactions contemplated hereby or as otherwise specifically
required under this Agreement.
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5.2 Employees.
(a)
Schedule
5.2(a) (the "Driver
List") sets forth the name of and other employment information for each employee
driver, owner-operator driver and lease-purchase driver of Seller (collectively
the "Drivers") on the Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, Purchaser shall, on the Effective Date, offer employment
(at
the base compensation and wage levels and on other terms and conditions as
the
Purchaser shall determine in its sole discretion) to all Drivers on the Driver
List, except those Drivers that fail to meet Purchaser's standard driver
employment requirements. Simultaneous with the execution of this Agreement,
Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a list of the Drivers to whom Purchaser
intends to make offers of employment (the "Hired Driver List") and a list
of the
Drivers to whom Purchaser does not intend to make offers of employment (the
"Non-hired Drivers List"). By 5:00 p.m. CDT on the fifth (5th)
business day immediately following the Effective Date, Purchaser shall deliver
to Seller a list of the Drivers that accepted employment with Purchaser.
(b)
On
the Effective Date, Seller
and/or Purchaser shall contact all of the Drivers on the Non-hired Driver
List
and instruct them to deliver to the nearest Purchaser turn-in location any
rolling stock and/or other assets included in the Purchased Assets. The
following Purchaser turn-in locations shall be used: Richmond, Virginia,
Indianapolis, Indiana, Waxahachie and Laredo, Texas and Nashville, Tennessee.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Non-hired
Drivers shall not be deemed to be employees of Purchaser for any reason,
including but not limited to repositioning the rolling stock to Purchaser's
turn-in locations. Purchaser shall arrange and pay for the reasonable
transportation expense to relocate all Non-hired Drivers from the Purchaser
turn-in location to the Non-Hired Driver's home. Within ten (10) business
days
following the Effective Date, (i) Seller and Purchaser shall calculate and
agree
on the amount of repositioning expense incurred by Seller at the rate of
One
Dollar ($1.00) per billed mile and return mile to get the rolling stock
delivered to the Purchaser's turn-in locations and (ii) Purchaser shall
reimburse Seller at the rate of One Dollar ($1.00) per billed mile and return
mile for repositioning expenses incurred by Seller. If the parties are unable
to
agree on the amount of the reimbursement for repositioning expenses, the
dispute
resolution provisions of Section 8.8 shall apply.
(c)
To
facilitate the repositioning
of rolling stock in the possession of Non-Hired Drivers on the Effective
Date,
Purchaser shall lease all such rolling stock to Seller from the Effective
Date
until such rolling stock is delivered to one of the Purchaser's turn-in
locations.
(d)
Schedule
5.2(d) (the "Non-Driver
List") sets forth the name of and other employment information for each
non-driver employee of Seller (the "Non-Drivers") on the Effective Date.
Simultaneous with the execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser shall deliver
to Seller a list of the Non-Drivers to whom Purchaser intends to offer
employment (at the base compensation and wage levels and on other terms and
conditions as the Purchaser shall determine in its sole discretion). By 5:00
p.m. CDT on the fifth (5th) business day immediately following the
Effective Date, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller a list of the Non-Drivers
that
accepted employment with Purchaser.
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(e)
On
or after the Effective Date,
Seller shall send the notices required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
("WARN") Act and be responsible for any costs and expenses connected therewith.
(f)
Notwithstanding
anything set
forth below or herein to the contrary, (i) nothing in this Agreement shall
create any obligation on the part of the Purchaser to continue the employment
of
any employee hired from Seller for any definite period following the Effective
Date, and (ii) nothing in this Agreement shall preclude the Purchaser from
altering, amending, or terminating any of its employee benefit plans, or
the
participation of any of its employees in such plans, at any time. No employee
or
former employee of the Seller, including any beneficiary or dependent thereof,
or any other person not a party to this Agreement, shall be entitled to assert
any claim hereunder as a third-party beneficiary to this Agreement.
5.3 Driver
Escrow
Accounts. Within thirty (30) days after Seller receives the list of Drivers
that accepted employment from Purchaser, Seller shall pay each Driver hired
by
Purchaser an amount equal to the difference between (i) the driver escrow
amount, if any, held by Seller on the Effective Date and (ii) any amounts
the
Driver owes Seller on the Effective Date.
5.4 Collection
of
Seller Account Receivables.
(a)
From
and after the Effective
Date, Purchaser shall provide Seller with reasonable assistance with respect
to
Seller's collection of its existing accounts receivables associated with
the
Business and which are not Purchased Assets. Within five (5) days of receipt,
Purchaser shall remit to Seller all payments received by Purchaser from
customers for revenue that accrued prior to the Effective Date (which, for
the
avoidance of doubt, shall exclude revenues relating to Post-Closing Loads).
(b)
From
and after the Effective
Date, Seller shall provide Purchaser with reasonable assistance with respect
to
Purchaser's collection of accounts receivables associated with the Business.
Within five (5) days of receipt, Seller shall remit to Purchaser all payments
received by Seller from customers for revenue that accrued after the Effective
Date (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include revenues relating
to
Post-Closing Loads).
(c)
For
not less than 180 days after
the Effective Date, Purchaser and Seller shall keep accurate records of all
payments received in connection with the Business and allow each other
reasonable access to such records for the purpose of verifying the amount
and
application of such payments to the period before or after the Effective
Date.
10
5.5 "As
Is"
Transaction. Purchaser hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, Seller makes no representations
or warranties whatsoever, express or implied, with respect to any matter
relating to the Purchased Assets, including, without limitation, income to
be
derived or expenses to be incurred in connection with the Purchased Assets,
the
physical condition of any of the Purchased Assets, the value of the Purchased
Assets (or any portion thereof), the transferability of the Purchased Assets,
THE MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS OF THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OR ANY OTHER PORTION
OF
THE PURCHASED ASSETS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER OR THING
RELATING TO THE PURCHASED ASSETS OR ANY PORTION THEREOF. WITHOUT IN ANY WAY
LIMITING THE FOREGOING, SELLER HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE AS TO ANY
PORTION OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS. Purchaser further acknowledges that Purchaser
has conducted an independent inspection and investigation of the physical
condition of the Purchased Assets and all such other matters relating to
or affecting the Purchased Assets as Purchaser deemed necessary or appropriate
and that in proceeding with its acquisition of the Purchased Assets, except
for
any representations and warranties expressly set forth in this Agreement,
Purchaser is doing so based solely upon such independent inspections and
investigations. ACCORDINGLY, EXCEPT WITH RESPECT TO ANY REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF SELLER EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, PURCHASER WILL
ACCEPT THE PURCHASED ASSETS ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE "AS IS," "WHERE IS," AND
"WITH
ALL FAULTS." Purchaser hereby irrevocably waives all claims against Seller
with
respect to the Purchased Assets, other than the Post-Closing Credit and/or
claims for breach of the representations, warranties and covenants specifically
set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing and subject to
any
manufacturer restrictions, Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts
to
assign to Purchaser any and all manufacturers' warranties applicable to the
Purchased Assets if such manufacturers' warranties are transferable.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 5.5 to the contrary, nothing
in this Section 5.5 shall limit Purchaser's right to conduct the Inspections
or
to make claims against the Escrow Amount for any Post-Closing Credit resulting
from such Inspections.
5.6 Transition
Services. For a period of thirty (30) days immediately following the
Effective Date, Seller shall (i) continue to employ the Non-Drivers not offered
employment by Purchaser and required for the transition activities and (ii)
use
reasonable efforts to assist Purchaser with transition of the Business from
Seller to Purchaser. Purchaser shall reimburse Seller for (a) the cost of
continuing to employ the Non-Drivers that are required for transition activities
for this 30-day period and (b) other direct and indirect expenses incurred
by
Seller during the 30-day transition period.
5.7 Employment
and
Non-Compete Agreements. At the Closing, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
shall execute and deliver a consulting agreement in the form attached hereto
as
Exhibit E (the "Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxx X. Xxxxx Consulting Agreement"),
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall execute and deliver a non-competition agreement in
the
form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the "Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Non-Compete
Agreement") and Xxxxx X. Xxxxx shall execute and deliver a non-competition
agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G (the "Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Non-Compete Agreement").
11
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
6.1 Indemnification
of
Purchaser. Subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 6.3 and 6.4,
Seller shall indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless from, against, for and
in
respect of (i) any and all damages, losses, settlement payments, obligations,
liabilities, claims, actions or causes of action and encumbrances suffered,
sustained, incurred or required to be paid by Purchaser, net of any resulting
income tax benefits or insurance proceeds to Purchaser, (A) because of the
breach of any written representation, warranty, agreement or covenant of
Seller
contained in this Agreement or the Seller Documents or (B) in respect of
any
liability arising out of any transaction or event relating to the Purchased
Assets or the operation of the Business occurring prior to or on the Effective
Date; and (ii) all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
attorneys' fees, interest and penalties) incurred by Purchaser in connection
with any action, suit, proceeding, demand, assessment or judgment incident
to
any of the matters indemnified against in this Section 6.1.
6.2 Indemnification
of
Seller. Subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 6.3 and 6.4,
Purchaser shall indemnify and hold Digby, Shareholder and Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
(the
"Seller Indemnitees") harmless from, against, for and in respect of (i) any
and
all damages, losses, settlement payments, obligations, liabilities, claims,
actions or causes of action and encumbrances suffered, sustained, incurred
or
required to be paid by the Seller Indemnitees, net of any resulting income
tax
benefits or insurance proceeds received by the Seller Indemnitees, (A) because
of the breach of any written representation, warranty, agreement or covenant
of
Purchaser contained in this Agreement or the Purchaser Documents or (B) in
respect of any liability arising out of any transaction or event relating
to the
Purchased Assets occurring after the Effective Date; and (ii) all reasonable
costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, interest
and
penalties) incurred by the Seller Indemnitees in connection with any action,
suit, proceeding, demand, assessment or judgment incident to any of the matters
indemnified against in this Section 6.2.
6.3 Survival
of
Representations, Warranties and Covenants. All representations and
warranties made by any party to this Agreement or pursuant hereto shall be
deemed to be material and to have been relied upon by the parties hereto,
and
shall survive the execution hereof, notwithstanding any investigation conducted
at any time with respect to such representations and warranties, for six
(6)
months immediately following the Effective Date or until the resolution,
pursuant to the dispute resolution provisions of Section 8.8, of any dispute
for
which written notice of such dispute was received by the Indemnifying Party
(as
defined below) prior to the expiration of such 6-month period. Notice of
any
claim, whether made under the indemnification provisions hereof or otherwise,
based on a breach of a representation or agreement must be given prior to
the
expiration of such representation or warranty; and any claim not made within
such period shall be of no force or effect.
6.4 General
Rules
Regarding Indemnification. The obligations and liabilities of each
indemnifying party hereunder with respect to claims resulting from the assertion
of liability by the other party shall be subject to the following terms and
conditions:
12
(a)
The
indemnified party shall give
prompt written notice (which in no event shall exceed 30 days from the date
on
which the indemnified party first became aware of such claim or assertion)
to
the indemnifying party of any claim which might give rise to a claim by the
indemnified party against the indemnifying party based on the indemnity
agreements contained in Sections 6.1 or 6.2 hereof, stating the nature and
basis
of said claims and the amounts thereof, to the extent known. The failure
to
give, or any delay in giving, a notice of an indemnity claim shall not relieve
the indemnifying party of its indemnification obligations unless and then
only
to the extent: (i) that the failure to give, or delay in giving, such notice
prevents the indemnifying party from raising a defense to the claim or otherwise
materially and adversely affects the indemnifying party's ability to defend
against the claim or (b) the indemnification rights hereunder have lapsed
because of the survival provisions of Section 6.3.
(b)
If
any action, suit or
proceeding is brought against the indemnified party with respect to which
the
indemnifying party may have liability under the indemnity agreements contained
in Sections 6.1 or 6.2 hereof, the action, suit or proceeding shall, at the
election of the indemnifying party, be defended (including all proceedings
on
appeal or for review which counsel for the indemnified party shall deem
appropriate) by the indemnifying party. The indemnified party shall have
the
right to employ its own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses
of
such counsel shall be at the indemnified party's own expense unless the
employment of such counsel and the payment of such fees and expenses both
shall
have been specifically authorized in writing by the indemnifying party in
connection with the defense of such action, suit or proceeding. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (A) if there are defenses available to the indemnified party
which are inconsistent with those available to the indemnifying party to
such
extent as to create a conflict of interest between the indemnifying party
and
the indemnified party, the indemnified party shall have the right to direct
the
defense of such action, suit or proceeding insofar as it relates to such
inconsistent defenses, and the indemnifying party shall be responsible for
the
reasonable fees and expenses of the indemnified party's counsel insofar as
they
relate to such inconsistent defenses (but shall not otherwise be obligated
to
raise or pursue such inconsistent defenses), and (B) if such action, suit
or
proceeding involves or could have an effect on matters beyond the scope of
the
indemnity agreements contained in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 hereof, the indemnified
party shall have the right to direct (at its own expense) the defense of
such
action, suit or proceeding insofar as it relates to such other matters (but
shall not otherwise be obligated to raise or pursue such other matters).
The
indemnified party shall be kept fully informed of such action, suit or
proceeding at all stages thereof whether or not it is represented by separate
counsel.
(c)
The
indemnified party shall make
available to the indemnifying party and its attorneys and accountants all
books
and records of the indemnified party relating to such proceedings or litigation
and the parties hereto agree to render to each other such assistance as they
may
reasonably require of each other in order to ensure the proper and adequate
defense of any such action, suit or proceeding.
13
(d)
The
indemnified party shall not
make any settlement of any claims without the written consent of the
indemnifying party. The indemnifying party shall not settle any claims without
the written consent of the indemnified party if the settlement would impose
any
cost or admission of liability upon the indemnified party.
(e)
An
indemnified party shall not
make any claim hereunder unless and until it has incurred claims, liabilities,
damages and expenses of a cumulative aggregate in an amount (the "Basket
Amount") equal to $25,000, and shall thereafter be entitled to make a claim
only
for amounts in excess of such Basket Amount; provided, however, that this
provision shall not limit or apply to any claim by Seller under Section 6.2
(B)
or to any adjustment of the Purchase Price described in Section 1.3.
(f)
Except
for any reduction in the
Purchase Price for the Post-Closing Credit, the Seller shall not be liable
hereunder for damages in excess of a cumulative aggregate of $250,000 in
excess
of the Basket Amount.
(g)
In
no event shall the
indemnifying party be liable hereunder for consequential, exemplary, punitive
or
other speculative damages incurred by the indemnified party as a result of
an
indemnified claim, but shall be liable for such damages asserted by any third
party against the indemnified party, subject to the limitations of this Article
6.
7. CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO CLOSING.
7.1 Conditions
Precedent to Purchaser's Obligations. All obligations of Purchaser under
this Agreement are, at Purchaser's discretion, subject to the fulfillment
or
satisfaction, at the times indicated herein, of each of the following conditions
precedent:
(a)
Representations
and
Warranties True as of the Closing Date. The representations and warranties
of Seller contained in this Agreement or in any schedule, certificate or
document delivered by Seller to Purchaser pursuant to the provisions hereof
shall be true on the date hereof and shall be true on the Closing Date with
the
same effect as though such representations and warranties were made as of
such
date.
(b)
Compliance
with this
Agreement. Seller shall have performed and complied with all agreements and
conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
it
prior to or at the Closing.
(c)
Closing
Certificate.
Purchaser shall have received a certificate from Seller dated the Closing
Date,
certifying in such detail as Purchaser may reasonably request that the
conditions specified in Sections 7.1(a) and (b) hereof have been fulfilled
and
certifying that Seller has obtained all consents and approvals required with
respect to the transaction contemplated herein.
14
(d)
No
Threatened or Pending
Litigation. On the Closing Date, no suit, action or other proceeding, or
injunction or final judgment relating thereto, shall be threatened or be
pending
before any court or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority
in
which it is sought to restrain or prohibit or to obtain damages or other
relief
in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, and Seller shall be aware of no investigation that might
result in any such suit, action or proceeding shall be pending or
threatened.
(e)
Requisite
Approvals.
Prior to Closing, Purchaser shall have obtained requisite approvals from
its
Board of Directors and any approvals required of its lenders, if
applicable.
(f)
Consents,
Approvals and
Notices. To the extent required by applicable law:
(i)
The
holders of any indebtedness
of Seller, the lessors or lessees of any real or personal property or assets
leased by Seller, the parties (other than Purchaser) to any contract, commitment
or agreement to which Seller is a party or subject, any governmental or
regulatory official, body or authority or any other person which owns or
has
authority to grant any authorization and any governmental, judicial or
regulatory official, body or authority having jurisdiction over Seller or
Purchaser to the extent that their consent or approval is required or necessary
under the pertinent debt, lease, contract, commitment, agreement, other document
or instrument, authorization or under applicable orders, laws, rules or
regulations, for the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
in the
manner herein provided, shall have granted such consent or approval.
(ii)
Purchaser
shall have obtained all
necessary governmental and quasi-governmental permits, licenses, authorizations,
plates and similar matters to allow it to operate the Business as a common
carrier in a manner comparable to that of the Seller prior to Closing.
(iii)
If
any consent or approval shall not be
obtained or if any attempted assignment would be ineffective or would impair
Purchaser's rights under the Purchased Assets in question so that Purchaser
would not in effect acquire the benefit of all such rights, and Purchaser
elects
to close this transaction without such consent, approval or assignment,
Purchaser shall have the discretion to require that Seller, to the maximum
extent permitted by law, cooperate with Purchaser and act after the Closing
as
Purchaser's agent in order to obtain for it the benefits of such asset.
(g)
Customer
Commitment.
Purchaser shall have received written consent to the assignment to Purchaser
of
various shipper contracts between Seller and its ten (10) largest customers,
along with the commitment of such customers, satisfactory to Purchaser in
its
sole discretion, that no major changes are expected in current business
volumes.
15
(h)
Material
Adverse Changes.
The business, operations, assets, properties or prospects of the Business
shall
not have been and shall not be threatened to be materially adversely affected
in
any way as a result of any event or occurrence.
(i)
Approval
of Counsel;
Corporate Matters. All instruments and documents required to carry out this
Agreement or incidental hereto shall have been approved on the Closing Date
by
the General Counsel of Purchaser, in the exercise of its reasonable judgment.
Seller shall also have delivered to Purchaser such other documents, instruments,
certifications and further assurances as such counsel may reasonably
require.
(j)
Seller's
Deliveries.
Seller shall have delivered to the Purchaser at or prior to the Closing the
following, all of which shall be in a form reasonably satisfactory to the
Purchaser:
(i)
Such
bills of sale, deeds and
assignments with covenants of warranty, assignments, endorsements and other
good
and sufficient instruments and documents of conveyance and transfer, in form
reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser and its General Counsel, as shall be
necessary and effective to transfer and assign to, and vest in, Purchaser
(aa)
good and valid title in and to the Purchased Assets free and clear of all
liens
and encumbrances except as provided herein, and (bb) Seller's rights under
all
agreements, warranties, contracts, commitments, leases, plans, quotations,
proposals, instruments and other documents included in the Purchased Assets.
(ii)
Agreements,
contracts, commitments,
leases, plans, bids, quotations, proposals, instruments, computer programs
and
software, data bases whether in the form of computer tapes or otherwise,
related
object and source codes, manuals and guidebooks, price books and price lists,
customer and subscriber lists, supplier lists, sales records, files,
correspondences, legal opinions, rulings issued by governmental entities,
and
other documents, books, records, papers, files, office supplies and data
belonging to Seller which are part of the Purchased Assets; and simultaneously
with such delivery, all such steps will be taken as may be required to put
Purchaser in actual possession and operating control of the Purchased
Assets.
(iii)
Evidence
satisfactory to Purchaser that,
as of the Closing Date, all tax liabilities pertaining to the Purchased Assets
which might otherwise inure to the detriment of Purchaser (including, but
not
limited to, federal highway use tax, excise taxes, sales, use and transaction
privilege taxes, etc.) have been paid through the Closing.
(iv)
Retention
of Customers. Seller shall
continue to operate in the normal course of business and shall continue to
maintain its equipment and vehicles in a manner consistent with industry
standards.
16
7.2 Conditions
Precedent to the Obligations of Seller. All obligations of Seller under this
Agreement are subject to the fulfillment or satisfaction, prior to or at
the
Closing, of each of the following conditions precedent:
(a)
Representations
and
Warranties True as of the Closing Date. The representations and warranties
of Purchaser contained in this Agreement or in any schedule, certificate
or
document delivered by Purchaser to Seller pursuant to the provisions hereof
shall be true on the Closing Date with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties were made as of such date.
(b)
Compliance
with this
Agreement. Purchaser shall have performed and complied with all agreements
and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with
by
them prior to or at the Closing.
(c)
No
Threatened or Pending
Litigation. On the Closing Date, no suit, action, or other proceeding, or
injunction or final judgment relating thereto, shall be threatened or be
pending
before any court or governmental or regulatory official, body or authority
in
which it is sought to restrain or prohibit or to obtain damages or other
relief
in connection with this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, and no investigation that might result in any such suit,
action or proceeding shall be pending or threatened.
(d)
Approval
of Counsel;
Corporate Matters. All instruments and documents required to carry out this
Agreement or incidental hereto shall have been approved on the Closing Date
by
counsel for Seller in the exercise of their reasonable judgment. Purchaser
shall
also have delivered to Seller such other documents, instruments, certifications
and further assurances as such counsel for Seller may reasonably require.
8. POST
CLOSING
MATTERS.
8.1 Employee
Benefits. Purchaser is not assuming any liability under any Benefit Plan
with respect to any employee, former employee, dependent, beneficiary, or
independent contractor and regardless of whether such liability is incurred
prior to or after the Effective Date. All employees of Seller who accept
employment with Purchaser on or after the Effective Date shall be new employees
of Purchaser and any prior employment by Seller of such employees shall not
affect entitlement to, or the amount of, salary or other cash compensation,
current or deferred, which Purchaser may make available to its employees.
8.2 Employees.
For
a period of thirty (30) days immediately following the Effective Date, Seller,
at no expense to Seller, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to assist
Purchaser in employing as new employees of Purchaser, the Drivers on the
Hired
Driver List and those Non-Drivers that Purchaser desires to hire.
17
8.3 Maintenance
of
Books and Records. Seller shall retain all material records relating to the
Purchased Assets and/or the Business (the "Seller Records") until the first
(1st) anniversary of the Effective Date. After the expiration of
the
60-day period covered by the Transition Services Agreement, Seller shall
continue to provide Purchaser with reasonable access to the Seller Records
during regular business hours. After expiration of the 60-day period covered
by
the Transition Services Agreement, Purchaser shall have the right to make
copies
of the Seller Records at Purchaser's sole cost and expense. Without the prior
written consent of Seller, Purchaser and its officers, directors and
representatives shall not disclose trade secrets or confidential business
information of Seller contained in the Seller Records except (i) as such
disclosure is required by law or (ii) where such information becomes generally
known or available to the public and/or to Purchaser's competitors through
sources other than Purchaser, its affiliates or its officers, directors or
representatives.
8.4 Payments
Received. Seller and Purchaser each agree that after the Effective Date they
will hold and will promptly transfer and deliver to the other, from time
to time
as and when received by them, any cash, checks with appropriate endorsements
(using commercially reasonable efforts not to convert such checks into cash),
or
other property that they may receive on or after the Effective Date that
properly belongs to the other party, including without limitation any insurance
proceeds, and will account to the other for all such receipts.
8.5 Use
of Name.
As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, Seller will sign such consents
and take such other action as Purchaser shall reasonably request in order
to
permit Purchaser to use the name "Digby Truck Line" and variants thereof.
From
and after the Effective Date, Seller shall discontinue use of the name "Digby
Truck Line" or any names similar thereto or variants thereof.
8.6 Phase
I.
Seller will deliver to Purchaser the most recent Phase I Environmental
Assessment for Seller's headquarters terminal in La Vergne, Tennessee (near
Nashville, Tennessee), together with a certificate from Seller that to the
knowledge of Seller there has been no change in the environmental condition
of
the property since the date of the Assessment.
8.7 Further
Assurances. From time to time after the Effective Date, Seller shall upon
reasonable request from Purchaser, execute, acknowledge and deliver to Purchaser
such other instruments and take such other actions and execute and deliver
such
other documents, certifications and further assurances as Purchaser may
reasonably require to vest more effectively in Purchaser, or to put Purchaser
more fully in possession of, any of the Purchased Assets. Each of the parties
hereto shall cooperate with the other and execute and deliver to the other
parties hereto such other instruments and documents and take such other actions
as may be reasonably requested from time to time by any other party hereto
as
necessary to carry out, evidence and confirm the intended purposes of this
Agreement.
8.8 Dispute
Resolution. It is the intention of the parties that in the event any dispute
arises under this Agreement, the parties shall first meet and confer with
one
another to attempt to negotiate a resolution of such dispute without recourse
to
arbitration and/or litigation. If, after commercially reasonable efforts
to
resolve any dispute arising under this Agreement, the parties are unable
to
agree, the dispute shall be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association ("Rules"),
and further subject to the following:
18
(a)
There
shall be one (1)
independent arbitrator ("Arbitrator") selected according to the Rules.
(b)
The
Arbitrator shall determine
what discovery shall be permitted, consistent with the goal of limiting the
cost
and time which the parties must expend for discovery; provided the arbitrator
shall permit such discovery as he or she deems necessary to permit an equitable
resolution of the dispute.
(c)
The
determination of the
Arbitrator shall be binding on the parties hereto, and shall not, absent
bad
faith on the part of the Arbitrator, be appealable or otherwise subject to
challenge.
(d)
Judgment
on any award rendered
by the Arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
(e)
The
right to arbitration
hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
(f)
The
Arbitrator shall select an
exclusive location for arbitration of any such dispute, controversy, or claim
and such selection shall be limited to Nashville, TN or Indianapolis, IN.
(g)
The
Arbitrator shall be directed
that any arbitration under this Agreement shall be completed as soon a
practicable after the filing of notice of a request for such arbitration,
but in
any event within ninety (90) days of the request for arbitration.
(h)
All
payments determined by the
Arbitrator shall be paid in U.S. funds by the responsible party within five
(5)
business days following determination thereof. A disputed performance or
suspended performance pending the resolution of the arbitration shall be
completed within a reasonable time period following the final decision of
the
arbitrator.
(i)
The
arbitration proceedings and
the decision shall not be made public without the joint consent of the parties
and each party shall maintain the confidentiality of such proceedings and
decision unless otherwise permitted by the other party.
(j)
The
fees and expenses payable to
the Arbitrator in connection with such determination will be borne 50% by
Seller
and 50% by Purchaser.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
9.1 Expenses.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the Purchaser and
Seller
shall pay its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and
the
transactions contemplated hereby. Purchaser shall be responsible for transfer
taxes, title registration fees and similar charges incurred in connection
with
the sale of the Purchased Assets.
19
9.2 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and the exhibits and Schedules hereto contain the
complete agreement among the parties with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby and supersede all prior agreements and understandings,
oral
or written, among the parties with respect to such transactions. Section
and
other headings are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the
interpretation or construction of this Agreement. The parties hereto make
no
representations or warranties except as expressly set forth in this Agreement
or
in any duly executed certificate or schedule delivered pursuant hereto.
9.3 Public
Announcements. No party to this Agreement shall issue any press release
relating to, or otherwise publicly disclose the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement without the prior approval of the other party, which approval
may
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
party may make such disclosure as may be required by law, provided the
disclosing party provides to the other party reasonable advance written notice
of such required disclosure describing the substance of the proposed disclosure
(such as the content of a proposed press release).
9.4 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
when
so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and such counterparts
together shall constitute only one original.
9.5 Notices.
All
notices, demands, requests or other communications that may be or are required
to be given, served or sent by any party to any other party pursuant to this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be transmitted by a reputable overnight
courier service or by hand delivery or facsimile transmission, addressed
as
follows:
(a)
|
If
to Seller:
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
00000
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Tel: (000)
000-0000
Fax: (615)
______
|
w/ a copy to:
|
Xxxx
X. Xxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx
& XxXxxxxx, PLLC
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Tel: (000)
000-0000
Fax: (000)
000-0000
|
|
(b)
|
If
to Purchaser:
|
Xxxx
Will, CFO
Celadon
Trucking Services, Inc.
Xxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Tel:
000-000-0000
Fax:
000-000-0000
|
20
Each
party may designate by notice in writing a new address to
which any notice, demand, request or communication may thereafter be so given,
served, or sent. Each notice, demand, request or communication that is mailed,
delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed
sufficiently given, served, sent and received for all purposes at such time
as
it is delivered to the addressee (with the return receipt, the delivery receipt,
fax confirmation sheet or the affidavit of courier or messenger being deemed
conclusive evidence of such delivery) or at such time as delivery is refused
by
the addressee upon presentation.
9.6 Assignment;
Successors and Assigns. This Agreement may be assigned by either of the
parties hereto by providing the other party with prior written notice of
such
assignment. This Agreement and the rights, interests and obligations hereunder
shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
9.7 Governing
Law. This Agreement is made pursuant to and shall be construed and enforced
according to the substantive laws of the State of Indiana and without regard
to
its laws concerning choice of law. The parties agree that any legal action
brought by either party hereto in connection with this Agreement shall be
maintained only in the federal district court or state court sitting in
Indianapolis, Indiana. and each party hereby irrevocably submits to the sole
jurisdiction and venue of said courts.
9.8 Waiver
and Other
Action. This Agreement may be amended, modified, or supplemented only by a
written instrument executed by the parties against which enforcement of the
amendment, modification or supplement is sought.
9.9 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable, and this Agreement
shall
be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision
were never a part hereof; the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in
full
force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provision or by its severance; and in lieu of such illegal,
invalid or unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as
part
of this Agreement, a provision as similar in its terms to such illegal, invalid
or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and
enforceable so as to give effect to the intention of the parties.
9.10 Third-Party
Beneficiaries. This Agreement and the rights, obligations, duties and
benefits hereunder are intended for the parties hereto, and no other person
or
entity shall have any rights, obligations, duties and benefits pursuant
hereto.
9.11 Mutual
Contribution. The parties to this Agreement and their counsel have mutually
contributed to its drafting. Consequently, no provision of this Agreement
shall
be construed against any party on the ground that such party drafted the
provision or caused it to be drafted or the provision contains a covenant
of
such party.
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9.12 Business
Days.
Whenever any obligation hereunder is required to be performed on a day which
is
not a "business day," the time required for such performance shall be extended
to the next succeeding calendar day which is a business day. As used herein,
the
term "business day" shall mean any day other than (i) a Saturday, (ii) a
Sunday
or (iii) a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to close
in
Nashville, TN or Indianapolis, IN.
[This
space intentionally left blank. Signature page
follows.]
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be effective as of the
Effective Date.
Seller:
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||
Xxxx
Truckways, Ltd. d/b/a Digby Truck Line, Inc.,
A
Delaware corporation
|
||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Name:
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
|
|
Title:
|
President
|
|
Purchaser:
|
||
Celadon
Trucking Services, Inc.,
a
New Jersey corporation
|
||
By:
|
/s
Xxxx Will
|
|
Name:
|
Xxxx
Will
|
|
Title:
|
Chief
Financial Officer
|
23