ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG ferro corporation, FERRO (BELGIUM) SPRL, FERRO Mexicana S.A. de C.V. AND Polymer additives, Inc.
Exhibit 2.1
BY AND AMONG
ferro corporation,
FERRO (BELGIUM) SPRL,
FERRO Mexicana S.A. de C.V.
AND
Polymer additives, Inc.
DATED AS OF
DECEMBER 19, 2014
DM_US 56631789-14.066497.0323
Table of Contents
Definitions |
|
|
Section 1.01 |
Definitions |
1 |
Section 1.02 |
Certain Interpretive Matters |
14 |
ARTICLE II |
Purchase and Sale |
|
Section 2.01 |
Purchase and Sale of the Sold Assets |
16 |
Section 2.02 |
Excluded Assets |
18 |
Section 2.03 |
Assumption of Liabilities |
19 |
Section 2.04 |
Excluded Liabilities |
20 |
Section 2.05 |
Non-Assignable Sold Contracts |
20 |
Section 2.06 |
Purchase and Sale of Mexican Inventory |
21 |
ARTICLE III |
PURCHASE PRICE |
|
Section 3.01 |
Payment of Purchase Price |
22 |
Section 3.02 |
Net Working Capital Adjustment |
22 |
Section 3.03 |
Allocation of the Total Consideration |
24 |
Section 3.04 |
Value Added Tax |
25 |
ARTICLE IV |
CLOSING; DELIVERIES AT CLOSING |
|
Section 4.01 |
Closing |
25 |
Section 4.02 |
Deliveries by Sellers |
25 |
Section 4.03 |
Deliveries by Buyer |
28 |
Section 4.04 |
Further Assurances |
29 |
Section 4.05 |
Mexico Invoice |
29 |
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Table of Contents
(continued)
ARTICLE V |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FERRO |
|
Section 5.01 |
Organization |
29 |
Section 5.02 |
Authorization; Enforceability |
29 |
Section 5.03 |
No Approvals or Conflicts |
30 |
Section 5.04 |
Financial Information |
30 |
Section 5.05 |
Absence of Certain Changes, Events and Conditions |
31 |
Section 5.06 |
Compliance with Laws; Permits |
33 |
Section 5.07 |
Proceedings |
33 |
Section 5.08 |
Tax Matters |
33 |
Section 5.09 |
Intellectual Property |
34 |
Section 5.10 |
Contracts |
35 |
Section 5.11 |
Title to and Condition of Assets |
37 |
Section 5.12 |
Sold Real Property and Leased Real Property |
38 |
Section 5.13 |
Environmental Matters |
38 |
Section 5.14 |
Employee Relations |
40 |
Section 5.15 |
Employee Benefit Plans |
40 |
Section 5.16 |
Customers and Suppliers |
41 |
Section 5.17 |
Product Warranty and Liability |
42 |
Section 5.18 |
No Brokers’ or Other Fees |
42 |
Section 5.19 |
Inventory |
42 |
Section 5.20 |
Accounts Receivable |
42 |
Section 5.21 |
Transactions with Affiliates |
42 |
Section 5.22 |
Restrictions on Business Activities |
43 |
Section 5.23 |
No Other Representations or Warranties |
43 |
ARTICLE VI |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER |
|
Section 6.01 |
Organization |
44 |
Section 6.02 |
Authorization; Enforceability |
44 |
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Table of Contents
(continued)
Section 6.03 |
No Approvals or Conflicts |
44 |
Section 6.04 |
Compliance with Laws |
45 |
Section 6.05 |
Proceedings |
45 |
Section 6.06 |
Financing |
45 |
Section 6.07 |
No Brokers’ or Other Fees |
45 |
Section 6.08 |
No Other Representations or Warranties |
45 |
ARTICLE VII |
|
|
Section 7.01 |
General |
46 |
Section 7.02 |
Cooperation |
47 |
Section 7.03 |
Real and Personal Property Taxes |
46 |
Section 7.04 |
Transfer and Other Taxes |
47 |
ARTICLE VIII |
EMPLOYEE MATTERS |
|
Section 8.01 |
Employees; Employment Matters |
48 |
Section 8.02 |
Collective Bargaining Agreements |
54 |
Section 8.03 |
Workers’ Compensation |
54 |
ARTICLE IX |
OTHER COVENANTS |
|
Section 9.01 |
Access to Books and Records; Cooperation |
55 |
Section 9.02 |
Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation |
56 |
Section 9.03 |
Severability; Reformation |
57 |
Section 9.04 |
Materiality |
58 |
Section 9.05 |
Corporate Names |
58 |
Section 9.06 |
Further Actions |
59 |
Section 9.07 |
Wrong Pocket |
59 |
Section 9.08 |
Bulk Transfer Laws |
59 |
Section 9.09 |
Confidentiality |
59 |
Section 9.10 |
Public Announcements |
60 |
Section 9.11 |
Product Warranty Claims |
60 |
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Table of Contents
(continued)
Section 9.12 |
ISRA Compliance |
61 |
Section 9.13 |
Declaration of Easement |
64 |
Section 9.14 |
Financial Assurances |
64 |
Section 9.15 |
AOC |
64 |
Section 9.16 |
Belgium Assets |
64 |
Section 9.17 |
Historical Data |
64 |
Section 9.18 |
S160 Inventory |
65 |
Section 9.19 |
Environmental Insurance |
65 |
Section 9.20 |
Certain Letters of Credit |
65 |
Section 9.21 |
Sellers’ Trade Secrets |
66 |
Section 9.22 |
Title Insurance |
66 |
ARTICLE X |
SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION |
|
Section 10.01 |
Indemnification by Ferro |
66 |
Section 10.02 |
Sellers’ Indemnification Limitations |
67 |
Section 10.03 |
Indemnification by Buyer |
68 |
Section 10.04 |
Buyer’s Indemnification Limitations |
68 |
Section 10.05 |
Indemnification as Exclusive Remedy |
68 |
Section 10.06 |
Environmental Indemnification Exclusive Remedy and Limitations |
69 |
Section 10.07 |
Indemnification Calculations |
71 |
Section 10.08 |
Survival |
71 |
Section 10.09 |
Notice and Opportunity to Defend |
72 |
Section 10.10 |
Additional Limitations |
73 |
ARTICLE XI |
MISCELLANEOUS |
|
Section 11.01 |
Fees and Expenses |
74 |
Section 11.02 |
Governing Law |
74 |
Section 11.03 |
Projections |
74 |
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Table of Contents
(continued)
Section 11.04 |
Amendment |
74 |
Section 11.05 |
No Assignment |
74 |
Section 11.06 |
Waiver |
75 |
Section 11.07 |
Notices |
75 |
Section 11.08 |
Complete Agreement |
76 |
Section 11.09 |
Counterparts |
76 |
Section 11.10 |
Severability |
76 |
Section 11.11 |
Third Parties |
77 |
Section 11.12 |
Non-Recourse |
77 |
Section 11.13 |
Dispute Resolution |
77 |
Section 11.14 |
Specific Performance |
78 |
Section 11.15 |
Legal and Tax Advice |
78 |
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EXHIBITS
Exhibit A |
Allocation |
Exhibit B |
Xxxx of Sale |
Exhibit C |
Assignment and Assumption Agreement |
Exhibit D |
Lease Assignment |
Exhibit E |
IP Assignment |
Exhibit F |
TSA |
Exhibit G |
Supply Agreement |
Exhibit H |
Toll Manufacturing Agreement |
Exhibit I |
Posnick Lease Agreement |
Exhibit J |
Deeds |
Exhibit K |
China Employee Transfer Agreements |
Exhibit L |
Malaysia Employee Transfer Agreements |
Exhibit M |
Mexico Employee Transfer Agreements |
Exhibit N |
Declaration of Easement |
Exhibit O |
Passaic Valley Agreement |
DM_US 56631789-14.066497.0323
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 19, 2014 by and among Ferro Corporation, an Ohio corporation (“Ferro”), Ferro (Belgium) Sprl, a company organized under the Laws of Belgium and a subsidiary of Ferro (“Ferro Belgium”), Ferro Mexicana S.A. de C.V., a company organized under the Laws of Mexico and a subsidiary of Ferro (“Ferro Mexico”), and Polymer Additives, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”). Each of Ferro, Ferro Belgium and Ferro Mexico is sometimes referred to herein as a “Seller,” and Ferro, Ferro Belgium and Ferro Mexico are collectively referred to herein as “Sellers.” Buyer and Sellers are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Parties” and individually referred to herein as a “Party.”
RECITALS:
A.Sellers are engaged in the Polymer Additives Business (as defined below).
X.Xxxxxxx desire to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Sellers, the Sold Assets (as defined below), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement..
Accordingly, the Parties agree as follows:
Section 1.01 Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms will have the meanings set forth below: |
“Accounts Receivable” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.20.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person as of the date on which, or at any time during the period for which, the determination of affiliation is made. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“AIP” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(b)(i).
“Allocation” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03.
1
“Ancillary Agreements” means the Bills of Sale, the Assignment and Assumption Agreements, the Lease Assignments, the IP Assignments, the TSA, the Supply Agreement, the Toll Manufacturing Agreement, the Lien Release, the Posnick Lease Agreement, the Deeds and the other deliverable documents set forth in Sections 4.02 and 4.03.
“Annual Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(a).
“Antwerp Business” means Sellers’ businesses and operations at the Antwerp, Belgium facility, including, but not limited to, the manufacture, sale and distribution of the Retained Products at such facility.
“Antwerp Business Sale” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(e).
“AOC” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c).
“Assignment and Assumption Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(b).
“Assumed Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
“BASF” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(a)(ii).
“BASF Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(a)(ii).
“Basket” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
“Belgium Branch Office” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(ii).
“Bills of Sale” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(a).
“Bridgeport Facility” means the Ferro Delaware River Plant and property located at 000 X.X. Xxxxx 000 Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of Ohio or State of Florida are authorized or required by Law or other governmental action to close.
“Buyer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Buyer Mexico” means Polymer Additives Mexico Holdings, S. de X.X. de C.V., a company formed under the Laws of Mexico.
“Buyer UK” means Polyadd Limited, a company formed under the Laws of the United Kingdom.
“Buyer Indemnified Persons” means, collectively, Buyer, its Affiliates and their respective successors, assigns, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives.
2
“Buyer’s Accountants” means KPMG LLP.
“Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
“China Employee Transfer Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(ii).
“China Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(ii).
“Claim Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.09.
“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.
“Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.
“Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(b)(i).
“Closing Working Capital” means (a) the Current Assets minus (b) the Current Liabilities, in each case determined as of 12:01 a.m. on the Closing Date and in accordance with the policies, principles, practices and procedures used by Seller in preparing Schedule 3.02(a)(ii), which are consistent with the policies, principles, practices and procedures used by Seller in preparing the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and subsequent interim balance sheets, which is consistent with GAAP as applied by Sellers.
“Closing Working Capital Deficit” means the amount by which the Closing Working Capital is less than $30,520,000.
“Closing Working Capital Surplus” means the amount by which the Closing Working Capital is greater than $31,020,000.
“COBRA” means Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Commercially Reasonable Manner” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.06(c).
“Competitive Products” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(b)(i)(A)(1).
“Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 15, 2014, between H.I.G. Capital Management LLC and Ferro.
“Credit Support Obligations” means all letters of credit, performance bonds, keepwells, guarantees and other similar items issued and outstanding in connection with (and to the extent relating to) the Polymer Additives Business, the Sold Assets or the Assumed Liabilities.
3
“Current Assets” means the current assets included in the Sold Assets of the categories of current assets set forth on the Estimated Closing Statement, as calculated in accordance with the policies, principles, practices and procedures used by Seller in preparing Schedule 3.02(a)(ii), which are consistent with the policies, principles, practices and procedures used by Seller in preparing the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and subsequent interim balance sheets, which is consistent with GAAP as applied by Sellers, but excluding the S160 Inventory.
“Current Liabilities” means the current liabilities included in the Assumed Liabilities of the categories of current liabilities set forth on the Estimated Closing Statement as calculated in accordance with the policies, principles, practices and procedures used by Seller in preparing Schedule 3.02(a)(ii), which are consistent with the policies, principles, practices and procedures used by Seller in preparing the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and subsequent interim balance sheets, which is consistent with GAAP as applied by Sellers,.
“Data Room” means that certain virtual data room relating to the Polymer Additives Business established by Sellers through Intralinks as such data room existed and was accessible by Buyer and its advisors on the third Business Day immediately preceding the date of this Agreement.
“Deeds” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(i).
“Disputed Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c)(iii).
“Employee” means the individuals set forth on Schedule 1.01(a).
“Employee Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.15(a).
“Encumbrances” means all security interests, pledges, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, transfer restrictions, leases, charges, options, easements, claims or rights of first refusal, charges, rights of way, covenants, conditions, restrictions, encroachments or other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever.
“Engineering Control” means any physical mechanism to contain or stabilize contamination or ensure the effectiveness of a remedial action. An Engineering Control may include a cap, cover, building, dike, trench, leachate collection system, fence, physical access control, and ground water contamination system including a slurry wall and a ground water pumping system (but not a ground water treatment or recovery system).
“Environment” means soil, soil vapor, surface and subsurface strata, surface waters, navigable waters, groundwater, waste water, drinking water, storm water, sediments, wetlands and ambient or indoor air.
“Environmental Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
4
“Environmental Insurance Policy” means the Z Choice® Pollution Legal Liability insurance policy issued by Zurich on the Closing Date.
“Environmental Laws” means Laws concerning public health and safety with respect to exposure to or management of Hazardous Materials, worker and occupational health and safety with respect to exposure to or management of Hazardous Materials, pollution or protection of the environment and natural resources, including without limitation: (i) all those relating to the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, Release, threatened Release, control, or cleanup of any Hazardous Materials, (ii) Registration Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (“REACH”) and (iii) the Safe Drinking Water & Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, California Health & Safety Code § 25249 et seq. (“Proposition 65”).
“Environmental Permits” means all Permits required to operate the Facilities and the Polymer Additives Business pursuant to applicable Environmental Law.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“Estimated Closing Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a).
“Estimated Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a).
“Excluded Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.
“Excluded Liabilities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.04.
“Facility” or “Facilities” means the Sold Real Property and the Leased Real Property.
“Ferro” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Ferro Belgium” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Ferro Mexico” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(a).
“Five-Year Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(a).
“Forfeited Employer Contributions” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(e).
“Fort Worth Union” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.17.
“FSA Year” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(c)(iv).
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
5
“General Enforceability Exceptions” means, collectively, the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar Laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles (whether considered in a Proceeding in equity or at Law).
“Governmental Authority” means (i) any federal, state, supranational, local or foreign government, (ii) any governmental, regulatory or administrative authority, agency or commission, (iii) any self-regulated organization or other non-governmental regulatory authority, quasi-governmental authority or multinational organization (to the extent that such organization or authority exercises judicial, legislative or regulatory power) or (iv) any court, tribunal, judicial body or arbitrator (public or private).
“Governmental Order” means any order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment, decision, ruling, charge, subpoena, verdict, award, assessment or arbitration award of a Governmental Authority.
“Hazardous Materials” means (a) petroleum or petroleum products and any fractions of byproducts thereof, natural gas, crude oil, explosives, radioactive materials, radon gas, asbestos, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing PCBs, (b) any chemicals or other materials or substances which are defined as or included in the definition of “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “toxic substances,” “toxic pollutants,” “contaminants,” “pollutants,” or words of similar import under any applicable Environmental Law, and (c) any other chemical, material or substance exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated under any applicable Environmental Law.
“HSR Act” means the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.
“HSWA” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.12(c).
“Improvements” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(j).
“Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.09.
“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.09.
“Independent Accountants” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c)(iii).
“Initial North America Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(b)(i)(A)(1).
“Institutional Control” means a mechanism used to provide notice of residual contamination and, therefore, the need to limit human activities at or near a contaminated site in order to ensure the effectiveness of the remedial action over time. Institutional Controls may include structure, land and natural resource use restrictions,
6
well restriction areas, ground water classification exception areas, deed notices, and declarations of environmental restrictions.
“Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property recognized anywhere in the world including (a) all inventions (whether patentable or un-patentable and whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all patents, utility models, patent applications (and foreign counterparts), utility model applications (and foreign counterparts), patent disclosures and invention disclosures, together with all re-issuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions and re-examinations thereof; (b) all trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos and trade names and other source indicators, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations, and combinations thereof and including all goodwill associated therewith, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith specific to the Sold Assets, but specifically excluding the Retained Names and Marks; (c) all copyrightable works, all copyrights, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith; (d) all trade secrets, methods, processes, ideas, and proprietary or confidential business information (including documented ideas, research and development, know-how, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, lab journals (from current and past employees), reports, handwritten and electronic presentations, analytic procedures, protocols and results, retained samples, visiting customer reports and tech service reports, and business and marketing plans and proposals) whether or not reduced to writing and in whatever form, including information retained in an individual’s mind or memory; (e) all computer software (including data and related documentation and any CRM tools); (f) all websites and internet domain name registrations; (g) all copies and tangible embodiments of the foregoing items in (a)-(f) (in whatever form or medium); (h) all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing and (i) any and all rights to xxx for past infringement of, and any other claims with respect to, any and/or all of the rights arising from (a)-(h).
“Interim Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04(a).
“IP Assignment” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(d).
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“ISRA” means the New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act, N.J.S.A. 13:1K-6 et seq., as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Knowledge of Buyer” means the actual knowledge of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxx.
“Knowledge of Sellers” or “Sellers’ Knowledge” means the actual knowledge, after making reasonable inquiry of his or her direct reports, of any one or more of Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx.
7
“Land Use Covenants and Restrictions” means Institutional Controls and Engineering Controls.
“Law” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, regulation, rule, consent agreement, order, constitution or treaty of any Governmental Authority, including common law.
“Leases” means all leases, lease guaranties, subleases, licenses, and agreements, whether written or oral, for the leasing, use or occupancy of, or otherwise granting a right in or relating to the Leased Real Property, including all amendments, terminations and modifications thereof, and listed on Schedule 2.01(k).
“Lease Assignments” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(c).
“Leased Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(k).
“Leave Employees” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(i).
“Liability” or “Liabilities” means any debts, liabilities or obligations of any nature whatsoever (whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, liquidated or unliquidated or due or to become due), including all costs and expenses relating thereto.
“License” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(b).
“Licensed Marks” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(b).
“Lien Release” means the release by PNC Bank and certain other lenders of any Encumbrances applicable to the Sold Assets pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated August 24, 2010 (as amended).
“Losses” means, collectively, all losses, damages, costs, deficiencies, actions, demands, judgments, claims, awards, Governmental Orders, amounts paid in settlement, fines, fees, penalties, dues, interest and expenses (including expenses and reasonable fees of attorneys and accountants).
“LSRP” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.12(a).
“Malaysia Employee Transfer Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(ii).
“Malaysia Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(ii).
“Material Adverse Effect” means any event, occurrence, circumstance, effect, fact, condition or change that individually or in the aggregate is, or could reasonably be expected to become, materially adverse to (a) the Sold Assets or the Assumed Liabilities, (b) the business, results of operations, financial condition, assets or Liabilities of the Polymer Additives Business, taken as a whole or (c) the ability of Sellers or any of
8
its Affiliates to timely consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that “Material Adverse Effect” does not include any event, occurrence, circumstance, effect, fact, condition or change, directly or indirectly, arising out of or attributable to: (i) any changes in general economic or political conditions; (ii) any changes that generally affect the industries in which the Polymer Additives Business operates; (iii) any changes in financial, banking or securities markets in general, including any disruption thereof and any decline in the price of any security or any market index or any change in prevailing interest rates; (iv) outbreaks of acts of war (whether or not declared), armed hostilities or terrorism, or the escalation or worsening thereof; (v) any action required by this Agreement or any action taken (or omitted to be taken) with the written consent of or at the written request of Buyer; (vi) any changes in applicable Laws or accounting rules (including GAAP) or the enforcement, implementation or interpretation of such Laws or accounting rules; (vii) any natural or man-made disaster or acts of God; (viii) the announcement, pendency or completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including losses or threatened losses of employees, customers, suppliers, distributors or others having relationships with the Polymer Additives Business; or (ix) any failure by the Polymer Additives Business to meet any projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions (provided that the underlying causes of such failures (subject to the other provisions of this definition) will not be excluded); except, with respect to clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (vi) and (vii) above, to the extent that any such event, occurrence, circumstance, effect, fact, condition or change disproportionately impacts the Polymer Additives Business as compared to other companies operating in the same industries and markets in which the Polymer Additives Business operates.
“Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(a).
“Material Customers” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.16(a).
“Material Suppliers” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.16(b).
“Mexico Employee Transfer Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(ii).
“NJDEP” means the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
“ordinary course of business” means the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and custom (including with respect to quantity and frequency).
“Other Adjustments” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(a).
“Parties” or “Party” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Permits” means permits, licenses, franchises, certificates, registrations, waivers, approvals, authorizations and other consents issued by, obtained from or filed with Governmental Authorities.
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“Permitted Encumbrances” means (a) Encumbrances for Taxes, assessments and other charges of Governmental Authorities not yet due and payable or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in a timely manner, in each case for which adequate reserves have been established and shown in the Closing Statement, (b) statutory liens incurred in the ordinary course of business (and not in connection with the borrowing of money), such as carriers’, warehousemens’, materialmens’ and mechanics’ liens and other similar liens and with respect to amounts not yet due and payable or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings in a timely manner, in each case for which adequate reserves have been established and shown in the Closing Statement, (c) pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure obligations under workers’ compensation or similar Laws, (d) with respect to the Facilities (i) the effect of zoning, entitlement and other land use restrictions that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impact the present use or occupancy of the Facilities, (ii) Encumbrances of record that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impact the present use or occupancy of the Facilities, (iii) leases, subleases, license agreements and other occupancy agreements set forth on Schedule 1.01(b), (iv) any utility company or Governmental Authority rights, easements or franchises for electricity, water, sanitary sewer, steam, surface water drainage, gas, telephone or other service or the right to use and maintain poles, lines, wires, cables, pipes, boxes and other fixtures and facilities in, over, under and upon any of the Facilities or other general easements granted to Governmental Authorities in the ordinary course of developing or operating any of the Facilities, in each case that are of record and do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impact the present use or occupancy of the real property subject thereto, and (e) Encumbrances that may be created by or on behalf of Buyer and (g) any other matters disclosed on Schedule 1.01(b).
“Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture, limited liability company, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“Phosphate Ester Adjustment” means the incremental margin included in the Financial Statements to reflect sales of phosphate esters on a third party basis.
“Polymer Additives Business” means the business of manufacturing, developing, marketing, distributing and selling polymer modifiers (including but not limited to phosphate esters whether or not manufactured by Seller at the Facilities), lubricants and stabilizers and any other products that are manufactured, developed, marketed, distributed or sold at or from any of the Facilities, and providing services relating thereto, in each case as conducted by Sellers and their Subsidiaries during the 12 months prior to the date hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the Polymer Additives Business specifically (i) excludes the business of manufacturing, developing, marketing, distributing and selling the Retained Products at the Antwerp Facility and (ii) includes the products set forth on Schedule 1.01(c).
“Posnick Facility” means the real property located at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Ohio.
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“Posnick Lease Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(h).
“Post-Closing Adjustment” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(b)(ii).
“Post-Remediation Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.12(g).
“Pre-Closing Appeals” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.03(b).
“Pre-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date and, with respect to any taxable period beginning before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such taxable period ending on and including the Closing Date.
“Proceeding” means any civil, criminal, judicial, administrative, regulatory or arbitral actions, investigations, demands, audits, notices of violation, inquiries, claims, complaints, suits or proceedings (public or private) by or before any Governmental Authority.
“Prohibited Business” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(b)(ii).
“Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.
“XXX” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.12(a).
“Recovery Proceeds” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.07.
“Release” means (i) any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, dumping, disposing, or other release of any Hazardous Material into the Environment; or (ii) the abandonment or discard of barrels, containers, tanks, or other receptacles containing any Hazardous Material into the Environment.
“Resolution Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c)(ii).
“Response Action” means any environmental investigation, assessment, monitoring, cleanup, containment, restoration, removal, remediation or other corrective or response action.
“Retained Businesses” means the Antwerp Business.
“Retained Names and Marks” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.05(a).
“Retained Products” means adipates, benzoic acid and dibenzoates.
“Retroactive Wage Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.17.
“Review Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c)(i).
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“S160 Inventory” means any inventory of Santicizer 160 owned by Sellers or any of their Affiliates and not located at one of the Facilities.
“Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury or the U.S. Department of State.
“Sanctioned Country” means a country or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (at the time of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran Myanmar (Burma), North Korea, Sudan and Syria).
“Sanctioned Person” means: (i) any Person listed in a Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State or (ii) any Person organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country in violation of applicable Law or (iii) any Person owned in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more such Persons; provided that if a Person is included in a Sanctions-related list described in this definition, but its inclusion on that list is limited to a specific purpose or purposes (e.g., the provision of goods in support of deep water oil-producing projects), such Person would be considered a “Sanctioned Person” for purposes of this Agreement only to the extent that such specific purpose or purposes implicates activities relating to the Polymer Additives Business.
“Seller” and “Sellers” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Seller Indemnified Persons” means, collectively, Sellers, their respective Affiliates and their respective successors, assigns, officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives.
“Seller Retirement Contribution” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(e).
“Sellers’ Accountants” means Deloitte & Touche LLP.
“Sellers’ Fundamental Representations and Warranties” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.08.
“Sold Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01.
“Sold Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(c).
“Sold Equipment” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).
“Sold Intellectual Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(e).
“Sold Inventory” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).
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“Sold Real Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(j).
“Solutia Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.12(j).
“Solutia Corrective Action” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c).
“Statement of Objections” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c)(ii).
“Sub-Basket” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
“Subsequent North America Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(b)(i)(A)(2).
“Subsidiaries” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person 50% or more of the voting equity of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by such first Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries.
“Supply Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(f).
“Surveys” means, with respect to each parcel of Sold Real Property, an up-to-date ALTA Land Title Survey, acceptable to Buyer in form and substance, certified within sixty (60) days prior to the Closing, prepared by a surveyor licensed in the jurisdiction where such Sold Real Property is located, completed in accordance with the most current “Minimum Standard Detail Requirements for ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys,” including Table A items which Buyer requests and certified to Buyer, the Title Company, Buyer's lender, if any, XxXxxxxxx Will & Xxxxx LLP and any other parties designated by Buyer.
“Tax” or “Taxes” means any taxes of any kind, including those on or measured by or referred to as income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, franchise, profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, real property transfer, real property transfer gains, value added, property or windfall profits taxes, customs, duties or similar fees, similar levies, similar assessments or similar charges, together with any related interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Governmental Authority.
“Tax Returns” means any return, form, report or statement required to be filed with any Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto or amendment thereof.
“Taxing Authority” means any Governmental Authority responsible for the administration or imposition of any Tax.
“Third Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.09.
“Three-Year Restricted Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.02(b)(i)(B).
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“Title Commitment” means, with respect to each parcel of Sold Real Property, an owner’s preliminary report on title covering a date within sixty (60) days prior to the Closing, issued by the Title Company, which preliminary report shall contain a commitment of the Title Company to issue an owner's title insurance policy on the most current form of ALTA fee owner's title insurance policy, with extended coverage (a “Title Policy”), insuring the good and marketable fee simple title of Buyer or its nominee in such Sold Real Property, with liability in the amount of the approximated fair market value of the subject Sold Real Property as reasonably agreed to between Sellers and Buyer, together with legible and complete copies of all exceptions and matters referred to therein, and with such affirmative coverages and endorsements as Buyer and/or its lender shall require.
“Title Company” means Chicago Title Insurance Company.
“Title Policy” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Title Commitment.
“Toll Manufacturing Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(g).
“Tolling Assets Cap” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.02.
“Total Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01.
“Transferring Belgium Employee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(ii).
“TSA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(e).
“Transferred Employee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(a)(i).
“Transfer Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.04(a).
“UK Sold Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04.
“Undisputed Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(c)(iii).
“Union Employee” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02.
“U.S. EPA” means the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
“USIP” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(b)(i).
“VAT” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04.
“VATA” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.08(c).
any Article, Section or Schedule refer to this Agreement unless otherwise expressly specified. |
(c) References to agreements and other documents will be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto. |
(d) Any reference to any Law will be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated under such Law, unless the context expressly requires otherwise. |
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(c) all rights and incidents of interest of, and benefits accruing to, each Seller or its Affiliates in and to (i) all contracts and agreements (including sales orders and purchase orders) primarily relating to the Polymer Additives Business, including those set forth on Schedule 2.01(c), and (ii) any other contract or agreement (including sales orders and purchase orders) entered into by Sellers or their Affiliates after the date of this Agreement primarily for the Polymer Additives Business (collectively, the “Sold Contracts”); |
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(f) all Permits primarily used or held for use in the Polymer Additives Business, including the Permits listed on Schedule 2.01(f), but only to the extent such Permits may be transferred under applicable Law; |
(g) all guarantees, indemnities and warranties and similar rights against third parties arising out of or relating to any other Sold Asset or any Assumed Liabilities or primarily relating to the Polymer Additives Business; |
(h) all accounts and notes receivable, trade receivable, deferred charges, chattel paper and other rights to receive payments, in each case primarily relating to the Polymer Additives Business (including any arising from the sale of phosphate esters), and any security, claim, remedy or other right related to any of the foregoing; |
(i) other than as provided in Section 2.02(i), all pre-paid expenses (including prepaid rentals, prepared utility services, prepaid fees for permits, prepaid memberships, prepaid advertising and prepaid database subscriptions), deposits, credits, allowances, rebates, and refunds, including advances to suppliers, in each case primarily relating to the Polymer Additives Business; |
(k) all rights in respect of the real property leased by Ferro pursuant to the Leases, together with all right, title and interest of Seller in and to the real property demised thereunder, including any rights, title, interests, privileges or easements appurtenant thereto as more fully described and at the street addresses or other
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method of identification (as set forth in the applicable Lease) set forth on Schedule 2.01(k) (the “Leased Real Property”); |
(l) all cars, trucks, forklifts and other vehicles primarily used or held for use in the Polymer Additives Business; |
(m) all rights to any actions, suits, claims defenses and rights of set-off available to or being pursued by Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates against any third party relating to the other Sold Assets or any Assumed Liability or primarily relating to the Polymer Additives Business, including claims in bankruptcy; |
(o) all rights in and to products sold or leased (including products returned after the Closing and rights of rescission, replevin and reclamation) in the operation of the Polymer Additives Business; and |
(p) any insurance claims and proceeds to the extent arising from or relating to any other Sold Asset or any Assumed Liability or primarily relating to the Polymer Additives Business. |
(b) all cash and cash equivalents owned by Sellers, other than (for the avoidance of doubt) any deposits primarily used or held for use in the Polymer Additives Business and not included in the Closing Working Capital; |
(c) all contracts and agreements that are not Sold Contracts, including the contracts listed on Schedule 2.02(c); |
(d) all Intellectual Property that is not Sold Intellectual Property, including the Retained Names and Marks; |
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(f) all rights and incidents of interest of, and benefits accruing to, each Seller pursuant to any leases in and to real property that are not Sold Contracts or related to the Leased Real Property; |
(g) any rights to any insurance policies, premiums or proceeds from Sellers’ insurance coverage (other than to the extent that such rights and proceeds are Sold Assets pursuant to Section 2.01(p)); |
(i) any rights to any refunds, credits, overpayments, prepayments and deposits, in each case relating to Taxes, (i) of each Seller with any Governmental Authority, or (ii) with respect to the Sold Assets for any Pre-Closing Tax Period; |
(j) all Tax Returns of each Seller relating to the Sold Assets and all records (including working papers) related thereto; |
(a) all Liabilities to be performed under the Sold Contracts after the Closing (but not any Liability arising out of or in connection with any failure to pay, violation or breach of such Sold Contract occurring on or prior to the Closing Date); |
(b) all accounts and notes payable and other accrued operating expenses of Sellers, in each case arising from the ordinary course operation of the Polymer Additive Business prior to the Closing, but only to the extent included as a Current Liability in the calculation of Closing Working Capital as determined pursuant to Section 3.02; and |
(c) all Liabilities relating to or arising out of the Sold Assets under Environmental Laws and relating to or arising out of Releases at, upon, under or migrating to or from the Facilities, except for Liabilities: (i) arising from any locations formerly owned, leased or operated by Sellers in connection with the Polymer Additives Business (for the avoidance of doubt, the Facilities will not constitute formerly owned, leased or operated property of Sellers for purposes of this provision), (ii) arising from any off-site locations to which Hazardous Materials generated by the Polymer Additives Business have been transported for treatment, storage, disposal, reclamation or
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recycling prior to Closing (for the avoidance of doubt, such locations will not include the Facilities), (iii) arising from any ISRA proceedings or cases commenced prior to the Closing Date or that are triggered by the transactions covered by this Agreement, (iv) arising from any Response Actions required of Solutia Inc. by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments Permit No. NOD001700707 or related Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., or similar state corrective action proceedings as a result of Hazardous Materials Released on, at, under or migrating from the Bridgeport Facility prior to the Closing Date (the “Solutia Corrective Action”), (v) arising from or related to Hazardous Materials Released in the Environment prior to or present as of Closing on, at, under or migrating from the Sold Real Property at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx for actions required under the RCRA Section 3008(h) Administrative Order on Consent entered into on September 29, 2011 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Ferro Corporation (U.S. EPA Docket No. RCRA-05-2011-0018) (“AOC”) and any Response Actions for Hazardous Materials Released in the Environment prior to or present as of Closing triggered as a result of activities, investigation or contamination found or uncovered as a result of work done pursuant to the AOC, and (vi) arising from or related to Hazardous Materials Released in the Environment by Ferro prior to or present as of Closing on, at, under or migrating from the property at 000 Xxxx Xxxxx Road, Zachary, Louisiana. |
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, and subject to the provisions of this Section 2.05, to the extent that the sale, assignment or transfer, or attempted sale, assignment or transfer to Buyer of any Sold Contract or Permit would result in a violation of applicable Law, or would require the consent, authorization, approval or waiver of a Person who is not a party to this Agreement or an Affiliate of a party to this Agreement (including any Governmental Authority), and such consent, authorization, approval or waiver has not been obtained prior to the Closing, this Agreement will not constitute a sale, assignment or transfer, or an attempted sale, assignment or transfer of such Sold Contract or Permit. Following the Closing, Sellers will use their reasonable best efforts, and Buyer will cooperate with Sellers to obtain any such required consent, authorization, approval or waiver; except that neither of the Sellers nor Buyer will be required to pay any consideration to obtain any of the foregoing. Once such consent, authorization, approval or waiver is obtained, the applicable Seller will sell, assign and transfer to Buyer the relevant Sold Contract or Permit to which such consent, authorization, approval or waiver relates for no additional consideration. |
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(c) The provisions of this Section 2.05 shall in no way excuse Sellers from responsibility for breach of any of its representations and warranties or covenants hereunder. |
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(a) Estimated Purchase Price. Sellers have delivered to Buyer (i) a certificate signed by an officer of the Ferro setting forth Sellers’ best estimate of the Closing Working Capital, the Closing Working Capital Surplus (if any), the Closing Working Capital Deficit (if any), the adjustment amounts set forth on Schedule 3.02(a)(i) (the “Other Adjustments”), and, based on such estimates, the Estimated Purchase Price, which certificate is attached as Schedule 3.02(a)(ii) (the “Estimated Closing Statement”) and (ii) all records and work papers used to compute and verify the information set forth in such Estimated Closing Statement. The “Estimated Purchase Price” is an amount equal to the Purchase Price, plus the Closing Working Capital Surplus (if any) set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement, minus the Closing Working Capital Deficit (if any) set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement, minus the Other Adjustments set forth in the Estimated Closing Statement. |
(i) Within 90 days after the Closing Date, Buyer will prepare and deliver to Sellers a statement setting forth Buyer’s good faith calculation of Closing Working Capital, the Closing Working Capital Surplus (if any), the Closing Working Capital Deficit (if any), the Other Adjustments and the Post-Closing Adjustment, which statement will contain at least the same level of details as the Estimated Closing Statement (the “Closing Statement”). The Estimated Closing Statement and the Closing Statement, and all calculations of Closing Working Capital, will be prepared in accordance with the policies, principles, practices and procedures used by Seller in preparing Schedule 3.02(a)(ii), which are consistent with the policies, principles, practices and procedures used by Seller in preparing the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 and subsequent interim balance sheets, which is consistent with GAAP as applied by Sellers. |
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(ii) The “Post-Closing Adjustment” will be an amount equal to the difference between (A) the amount equal to the Purchase Price, plus the Closing Working Capital Surplus (if any) set forth in the Closing Statement, minus the Closing Working Capital Deficit (if any) set forth in the Closing Statement, minus the Other Adjustments set forth in the Closing Statement less (B) the Estimated Purchase Price. If the Post-Closing Adjustment is a positive number, Buyer will pay to Sellers an amount equal to the Post-Closing Adjustment. If the Post-Closing Adjustment is a negative number, Sellers will pay to Buyer an amount equal to the Post-Closing Adjustment. |
(c) Examination and Review. |
(i) After receipt of the Closing Statement, Sellers will have 30 days (the “Review Period”) to review the Closing Statement. During the Review Period, Sellers and Sellers’ Accountants will have reasonable access to the relevant books and records of Buyer (including those acquired by Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement), the personnel of, and work papers (if any) prepared by, Buyer and Buyer’s Accountants to the extent that they relate to the Closing Statement (and in the case of work papers prepared by Buyer’s Accountants, subject to Sellers executing any waivers or other documents reasonably requested by Buyer’s Accountants), in each case as Sellers may reasonably request for the purpose of reviewing the Closing Statement and to prepare a Statement of Objections, provided that such access will be in a manner that does not interfere with Buyer’s normal business operations. |
(ii) On or prior to the last day of the Review Period, Sellers may object to the Closing Statement by delivering to Buyer a written statement setting forth Sellers’ objections in reasonable detail, indicating each disputed item or amount and the basis for Sellers’ disagreement (the “Statement of Objections”). If Sellers fail to deliver a Statement of Objections before the expiration of the Review Period, the Closing Statement and the Post-Closing Adjustment reflected in the Closing Statement will be deemed accepted by Sellers. If Sellers deliver a Statement of Objections before the expiration of the Review Period, Buyer and Sellers will negotiate in good faith to resolve such objections within 30 days after the delivery of the Statement of Objections (the “Resolution Period”). If all objections set forth in the Statement of Objections are resolved within the Resolution Period, the Post-Closing Adjustment and the Closing Statement with such changes as Buyer and Sellers may agree in writing during the Resolution Period will be final and binding. |
(iii) If Sellers and Buyer fail to reach an agreement with respect to all of the matters set forth in the Statement of Objections before expiration of the Resolution Period, then any amounts remaining in dispute (“Disputed Amounts” and any amounts not so disputed, the “Undisputed Amounts”) will be submitted for resolution to the office of Ernst & Young LLP or, if Ernst & Young LLP is unable to serve, Buyer and Sellers will appoint by mutual agreement the
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office of an impartial nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants other than Sellers’ Accountants or Buyer’s Accountants (the “Independent Accountants”) who, acting as experts and not arbitrators, will resolve the Disputed Amounts only and make any adjustments to the Post-Closing Adjustment, as the case may be, and the Closing Statement. The Independent Accountants will only decide the specific items under dispute by the Parties and their decision for each Disputed Amount must be equal to one of the values assigned to such item in the Closing Statement and the Statement of Objections, respectively. The Independent Accountants will make a determination as soon as practicable within 30 days (or such other time as the Parties may agree in writing) after their engagement, and their resolution of the Disputed Amounts and their adjustments to the Closing Statement and the Post-Closing Adjustment will be conclusive and binding upon the Parties. Each of Buyer on the one hand and Sellers on the other hand will pay 50% of the fees and expenses of the Independent Accountants. Any Undisputed Amounts will be final and binding unless such amounts relate to the Disputed Amounts or could change based on the final determination of the Disputed Amounts. |
(iv) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any payment of the Post-Closing Adjustment, together with interest calculated as set forth below, will (A) be due within five Business Days of the date on which the Post-Closing Adjustment is finally determined pursuant to this Section 3.02; and (B) be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as is directed by Buyer or Sellers, as the case may be. The amount of any Post-Closing Adjustment will bear interest from and including the Closing Date to and including the date of payment at a rate per annum equal to the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal in effect on the date of such payment. Such interest will be calculated daily on the basis of a 365 day year and the actual number of days elapsed. The Parties will treat any payment made pursuant to this Section 3.02 as an adjustment to the Purchase Price for Tax purposes unless otherwise required by Law. |
prior written consent of the other Parties, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. |
Section 4.02 Deliveries by Sellers. At the Closing, Sellers are delivering or causing to be delivered to Buyer the following items: |
(a) one or more bills of sale in the form attached as Exhibit B (the “Bills of Sale”) duly executed by Sellers; |
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(b) one or more assignment and assumption agreements in the form attached as Exhibit C (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreements”) duly executed by Sellers; |
(c) an assignment and assumption of lease in the form attached as Exhibit D (the “Lease Assignments”) for each of the leases set forth on Schedule 2.01(k), duly executed by the applicable Seller; |
(d) an Intellectual Property assignment in the form attached as Exhibit E (the “IP Assignment”) duly executed by Ferro, transferring the Sold Intellectual Property to Buyer; |
(e) a transition services agreement in the form attached as Exhibit F (the “TSA”) duly executed by Sellers; |
(f) a supply agreement in the form attached as Exhibit G (the “Supply Agreement”) duly executed by Ferro Belgium; |
(g) a toll manufacturing agreement in the form attached as Exhibit H (the “Toll Manufacturing Agreement”) duly executed by Ferro Mexico; |
(h) a lease agreement in the form attached as Exhibit I, pursuant to which Buyer will lease portions of the Posnick Facility back to Ferro (the “Posnick Lease Agreement”) duly executed by Ferro; |
(j) a certificate of good standing of (i) Ferro, issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Ohio and (ii) Ferro Belgium, issued by the applicable Governmental Authority of its jurisdiction of incorporation, formation or organization, to the extent available in such jurisdiction, in each case dated as of the most recent practicable date; |
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(m) evidence that the Lien Release (and any other releases of Encumbrances, other than Permitted Encumbrances, which exist on any of the Sold Assets) has been effected such that Sellers can deliver title to the Sold Assets free and clear of any Encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances; |
(n) copies of the approvals, consents and waivers identified on Schedule 4.02(n), in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer and in full force and effect as of the date hereof; |
(o) a properly completed and executed General Information Notice (as defined under ISRA) and a properly completed and executed Remediation Certification (as defined under ISRA), both of which have been filed with NJDEP and identify Ferro as the responsible party for ISRA for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Bridgeport Facility and documentation that the necessary financial assurance required by ISRA has been established in connection with such Remediation Certification; |
(p) written evidence in a form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer that Ferro has established arrangements that satisfy its obligations with respect to establishing financial assurance under Section 9.14; |
(q) keys and combinations in Sellers’ possession relating to the operation of the Sold Real Property and Leased Real Property; |
(r) a certificate of title or other evidence of transfer for each vehicle included in the Sold Assets duly endorsed for transfer to Buyer; |
(s) a certificate pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(b) that Ferro is not a foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code, duly executed by Ferro; |
(t) a pro forma Title Policy or “marked-up” Title Commitment, signed by the Title Company, insuring Buyer’s or its nominee’s good and marketable fee simple title to the subject Sold Real Property and title to all recorded easements, if any, appurtenant to the subject Sold Real Property, free and clear of all Encumbrances (including, without limitation, any and all of the Title Company’s standard exceptions including with respect to survey matters), other than Permitted Encumbrances, together with payment of half of the premiums therefor (the other half to be Buyer’s responsibility); and |
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(u) all real property transfer tax declarations and all affidavits and other documents required by the Title Company in connection with the issuance of the Title Policies; and |
(v)
with respect to the Posnick Facility, a subordination, |
Section 4.03 Deliveries by Buyer. At or prior to the Closing, Buyer is delivering or causing to be delivered to Sellers or their designees the following items: |
(b) the Xxxx of Sale, duly acknowledged by Buyer; |
(e) the IP Assignment, duly acknowledged by Buyer; |
(h) the Toll Manufacturing Agreement, duly executed by Buyer; |
(i) the Posnick Lease Agreement, duly executed by Buyer; |
(j) (i) a certificate of good standing of Buyer, issued by the Secretary of State of Delaware, dated as of the most recent practicable date, (ii) a certified copy of the organizational documents of each of Buyer UK and Buyer Mexico, and (iii) where such document is generally available, a certificate of good standing or equivalent certificate from the jurisdiction in which each of Buyer UK and Buyer Mexico was incorporated or formed; and |
(k) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary (or equivalent officer) of Buyer certifying that (i) attached thereto are true and complete copies of all resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of Buyer authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (ii) identifying the name and title and bearing the signatures of the officers of Buyer authorized to execute this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. |
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Ferro hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
terms, subject to the General Enforceability Exceptions. When each of the Ancillary Agreements to which a Seller is or will be a party has been duly executed and delivered by such Seller, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Buyer, such Ancillary Agreement will constitute a legal, valid and binding agreement of such Seller enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to the General Enforceability Exceptions. |
(a) Sellers have provided to Buyer (i) the internally prepared unaudited balance sheets and related unaudited statements of income of the Polymer Additives Business for and as of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 attached as Schedule 5.04(a)(i) (the “Annual Financial Statements”) and (ii) an internally prepared unaudited balance sheet and the related unaudited statements of income for and as of the eleven-month period ended November 30, 2014 attached as Schedule 5.04(a)(ii) (the “Interim Financial Statements” and, together with the Annual Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”). The Financial Statements (A) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Polymer Additives Business as of the respective dates thereof and for the periods indicated therein, (B) have been prepared from the books and records of Ferro for the periods indicated, and (C) are derived from financial statements and financial information of Ferro consistent with Sellers’ standard practices, procedures and policies (taking into account materiality thresholds appropriate for the size of the Polymer Additives Business and not Ferro as a whole). The Financial Statements do not include any assets that are not included in the Sold Assets (other than inventory sold in the ordinary course of business) or any revenues that were not generated by the Polymer Additives Business (other than the Phosphate Ester Adjustment). Schedule 5.04(a)(ii) sets forth the calculations and assumptions used to make the Phosphate Ester Adjustment as of the respective dates of each of the Financial Statements and for the periods indicated
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therein. The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (it being understood that the Financial Statements are not audited and that the Interim Financial Statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments, which will not be material). Sellers have maintained and maintain a system of internal accounting controls with respect to the Polymer Additives Business sufficient to permit the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. |
(b) Schedule 5.04(b) sets forth a list of all Credit Support Obligations (including those satisfied by a guarantee) of, or required to be satisfied by, Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the operation of the Sold Assets or the Polymer Additives Business. |
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.04(c), from December 31, 2012 until the date hereof, there has not been, with respect to the Polymer Additives Business, any change in the method of accounting, accounting policy or accounting practice. |
(a) sale or other disposition of any of the Sold Assets, except for the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business and except for any Sold Assets having an aggregate value of less than $100,000; |
(b) capital expenditures in an aggregate amount exceeding $100,000 which would constitute an Assumed Liability, or any failure to make any capital expenditures with respect to the Polymer Additives Business that are contemplated by the capital expenditures budget attached to Schedule 5.05(b); |
(c) imposition of any Encumbrance upon any of the Sold Assets, except for Permitted Encumbrances; |
(d) purchase or other acquisition of any property or asset that constitutes a Sold Asset for an amount in excess of $100,000, except for purchases of inventory or supplies in the ordinary course of business; |
(e) cancelation, relinquishment, waiver or release of any rights or claims having a value in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate primarily related to the Polymer Additives Business (including the cancellation, compromise, release or assignment of any indebtedness owed to, or claims held by, the Polymer Additives Business), or write-down of the value of any asset of the Polymer Additives Business; |
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(f) (i) acceleration or alteration in any material respect of practices and policies relating to the rate of collection of accounts receivable or payment of accounts payable, (ii) acceleration of the production of any products of the Polymer Additives Business in a manner inconsistent with the ordinary course of business, or (iii) failure to pay or satisfy any Liabilities when due and payable, except for such Liabilities and obligations being contested in good faith by Sellers or their Affiliates as of the date hereof; |
(g) acquisition, by merger or consolidation with, or by purchase of all or a portion of the assets or stock of, or by any other manner, any business or entity or division thereof which would constitute a Sold Asset or Assumed Liability, or entry into any joint venture, partnership, or other similar arrangement for the conduct of the Polymer Additives Business; |
(h) investment in a Person, whether by purchase of shares of capital stock, contributions to capital or any property transfer; |
(i) adoption of a plan of complete or partial liquidation or authorization or undertaking of a dissolution, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization, or other reorganization; |
(j) (i) except for an increase under any applicable minimum wage Law, increase in the level of compensation or remuneration of any Employee or individual independent contractor of the Polymer Additives Business, (ii) granting of any bonus, equity or equity-based compensation benefit to any Employee or individual independent contractor of the Polymer Additives Business, (iii) except as provided by Law, increase in the coverage or benefits available under any (or create any new), or acceleration of the timing of payments or vesting under any Employee Plan with respect to any Employee, (iv) except entering into offer letters and non-competition agreements with new Employees with annual base salary or wages or consulting fees not exceeding $100,000 in the ordinary course of business, entry into any employment, consulting, deferred compensation, non-competition, or similar agreement (or amend any such agreement) involving any Employee or individual independent contractor of the Polymer Additives Business, (v) other than transfers to fill vacancies arising from employee departures in the ordinary course of business, transfer of the employment of any employee of any Seller to or from the Polymer Additives Business (including transfers of employment to or from any Seller or Sellers’ Affiliates) or other material changes in the job functions of any employee so as to either (x) cause such employee to cease to primarily serve the Polymer Additives Business or (y) cause any employee who does not primarily serve the Polymer Additives Business to primarily serve the Polymer Additives Business; or (vi) termination without “cause” of any employee of any Seller who works primarily for the Polymer Additives Business, except in the ordinary course of business; or |
(k) any agreement to do any of the foregoing, or any action or omission that would result in any of the foregoing. |
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(b) In connection with the operation of the Polymer Additives Business, no Seller and none of their respective directors, employees, agents or Affiliates, nor any other Person acting on behalf of Sellers, has (i) used any funds of Sellers or their respective Affiliates for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense, in each case relating to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or non-United States anti-bribery Laws; or (iv) made, or offered, agreed or authorized to make any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other similar unlawful payment. |
(c) In connection with the operation of the Polymer Additives Business, no Seller and none of their respective directors, employees, agents or Affiliates, or any other Person acting on behalf of Sellers, has furthered or supported any foreign boycott in violation of the Anti-Boycott laws and regulations of the United States promulgated pursuant to the Export Administration Act of 1979. |
(d) In connection with the operation of the Polymer Additives Business, (i) each Seller and their respective directors, employees, agents or Affiliates and any other Person acting on behalf of the Sellers are in compliance with applicable Sanctions in all material respects and (ii) no Seller and to the Knowledge of Sellers, none of their respective directors, employees, agents or Affiliates nor any other Person acting on behalf of the Sellers, is a Sanctioned Person. |
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(b) All documents under which the Seller derives title to any of the Sold Assets and which attract stamp duty have been duly stamped and are in the possession of the Seller or under its control. The Seller has filed all land transaction returns and paid all stamp duty land tax that it is liable to file or pay in respect of the U.K. Sold Assets. |
(c) Paragraphs 11 and 12 of Schedule 17A to the Finance Xxx 0000 of the United Kingdom will not apply to any Lease Assignments which relate to any of the UK Sold Assets. |
(d) In relation to the expenditure incurred by the Seller on any of the Assets that is a fixture for the purposes of Chapter 14 of Part 2 of the Capital Xxxxxxxxxx Xxx 0000 and on which the Sellers are entitled to claim capital allowances, the Sellers have satisfied the pooling requirement as defined by section 187A(4) of the Capital Allowances Xxx 0000. |
(e) Ferro Belgium is registered for VAT and is a taxable person for the purposes of the Value Added Tax Xxx 0000 of the United Kingdom (“VATA”). Neither Ferro Belgium nor any relevant associate (as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 10 to VATA) has opted to tax (or elected to waive exemption) any of the UK Sold Assets. None of the UK Sold Assets is a building or engineering work falling within item 1(a) of Group 1 of Schedule 9 to VATA. None of the UK Sold Assets is a capital item, the input tax on which could be subject to adjustment under Part XV of the Value Added Tax Regulations 1995. |
fees associated with the Sold Intellectual Property and payable to a Governmental Authority as of the Closing Date have been paid in full. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.09, within the last three years from the date hereof, no Seller has received any written notice of any claim and, to the Knowledge of Sellers, there is no threatened claim, against any Seller asserting that any of such Seller’s activities with respect to the Sold Assets or operation of the Polymer Additives Business infringes upon or otherwise conflicts with the Intellectual Property of any Person, nor has any Seller within the last three years from the date hereof given any notice to any Person asserting infringement by any such Person of any of the Sold Intellectual Property. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.09, Ferro has not granted any license or made any assignment of any of the Sold Intellectual Property, and no Person other than Sellers has any right to use any of the Sold Intellectual Property, except for customers and suppliers who may be using the Sold Intellectual Property on an implied basis for the benefit of the Sold Assets. Except pursuant to shrink wrap or click wrap software licenses, no Seller licenses from any other Person or pays any royalties or other consideration for the right to use any Intellectual Property rights of any other Person in connection with the Sold Assets or operation of the Polymer Additives Business. Each Seller has made a commercially reasonable effort to maintain the confidentiality of all Sold Intellectual Property to the extent necessary to maintain all material proprietary rights therein. Each employee and independent contractor of Sellers that has assisted in the creation of the Sold Intellectual Property has entered into an assignment of inventions agreement or similar contract requiring the transfer of Sold Intellectual Property to Sellers. |
(i) each contract or agreement with any Material Customer or Material Supplier; |
(ii) each lease, rental or occupancy agreement, license, installment and conditional sale agreement, and other contract affecting the ownership of, leasing of, title to, use of, or any leasehold or other interest in, any real or personal property (except personal property leases and installment and conditional sales agreements having aggregate payments of less than $10,000 and with terms of less than one year); |
(iii) each joint venture, partnership or contract involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs or liabilities with any other Person; |
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(iv) each contract or agreement providing for the payment of any cash or other compensation or benefits upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; |
(v) each contract or agreement with any labor or trade union or organization, or any individual severance agreement with any of Sellers’ officers, managers, directors or employees; |
(vi) each contract or agreement under which any Seller has advanced or loaned to any other Person amounts in the aggregate exceeding $10,000; |
(vii) each employment, consulting or other contract with any of Sellers’ officers, managers, directors or employees; |
(viii) all contracts and agreements (other than Employee Plans) involving, or that would reasonably be expected to involve, aggregate consideration or value in excess of $100,000 per annum or $250,000 in the aggregate; |
(ix) all contracts and agreements relating to indebtedness or Credit Support Obligations; |
(x) all licenses or other contracts or agreements under which any Seller or any of its Affiliates has obtained or granted a license to use or other rights in any Intellectual Property used in the Polymer Additives Business (except for (A) any non-exclusive license implied by the sale of a product and (B) any perpetual, paid-up commercially-available software licenses under which a Seller is the licensee, in each case, with fees of less than $25,000 per year); |
(xi) all leases or subleases for the Leased Real Property and any other real property rights or interests used or held for use by Sellers and its Affiliates in the Polymer Additives Business; |
(xii) all contracts and agreements with a Governmental Authority (whether as prime contractor, indirectly as subcontractor or otherwise); |
(xiii) all contracts and agreements that grant any customer of the Polymer Additives Business “most favored nation” or similar terms (whether in respect of pricing, volume or otherwise); |
(xiv) all contracts and agreements relating to the Polymer Additives Business between either of the Sellers or their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and either of the Sellers or their respective Affiliates, on the other hand; and |
(xv) all powers of attorney that would be binding on Buyer or the Polymer Additives Business after the Closing. |
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(b) The contracts and agreements listed on Schedule 5.10(a) that are not Sold Contracts have an asterisk next to them. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.10(b), each Sold Contract (i) is in full force and effect, (ii) is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Seller that is a party to such Sold Contract and, to the Knowledge of Sellers, each of the other parties thereto, and (iii) is enforceable by or against such Seller, and, to the Knowledge of Sellers, each of such other parties thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to the General Enforceability Exceptions. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.10(b), with respect to each such Sold Contract, Sellers have performed in all material respects the obligations required to be performed by Sellers under the Sold Contracts, and no Seller nor, to Sellers’ Knowledge, any other party to the Sold Contract, is in material breach or material default under the Sold Contract. |
(c) Neither of the Sellers nor any of their respective Affiliates has entered into any Material Contract with any customer or supplier of the Polymer Additives Business which is used in or held for use in the Polymer Additives Business but under which the benefits and burdens thereof do not inure exclusively to the Polymer Additives Business. |
(a) (i) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.11(a)(i), (A) Sellers have good title to and, in the case of leased or licensed assets, valid leasehold interests or licenses in, Sold Assets (other than the Sold Intellectual Property), and (B) except as set forth on Schedule 5.09, Ferro has good title to the Sold Intellectual Property, in each case free and clear of all Encumbrances except for Permitted Encumbrances, and (ii) to the actual knowledge of the Persons identified on Schedule 5.11(a)(ii), BASF (as defined below) has not asserted that it owns any of the Tolling Assets (as defined in the BASF Agreement) under that certain expired Toll Manufacturing Agreement dated October 11, 2008 between Ferro Corporation and Novolyte Technologies, Inc. (as predecessor to BASF Corporation (“BASF”)) (the “BASF Agreement”) and (iii) notwithstanding any disclosure contained in any Disclosure Schedule, at no time during the twelve months following Closing will BASF make any claim that it owns any of the Tolling Assets. |
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.11(b), the Sold Equipment is in reasonable operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and is adequate for the uses to which it is being put, and is not in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not material in nature or cost. All of the Sold Inventory is of a quality, quantity and condition useable or saleable in the ordinary course of business. |
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.11(c), the Sold Assets are sufficient for the continued conduct of the Polymer Additives Business by Buyer after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted by Sellers prior to the Closing and constitute all of the rights, property and assets necessary to conduct the Polymer Additives Business as currently conducted. |
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(d) Schedule 5.11(d) lists all of the Excluded Assets (and lists the owner of each) that are used in connection with the operation of the Polymer Additives Business. |
(a) Ferro has good and marketable title in fee simple to all of the Sold Real Property, free and clear of all Encumbrances except for Permitted Encumbrances. Schedule 2.01(j) lists all Sold Real Property, showing a complete and accurate legal description with respect to each such parcel of Sold Real Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.12(a), no Person other than Seller occupies such Sold Real Property or any portion thereof. |
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.12(b), Sellers have not received any written notice of the intention of any Governmental Authority or other Person to take or use all or any part of the Facilities. |
(c) To Sellers’ Knowledge, the Sold Real Property and the Leased Real Property, including the Improvements thereon, are in adequate operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and are not in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not material in nature or cost. |
(d) Schedule 2.01(k) lists all Leases (correct and complete copies of which have been delivered or made available to Buyer). Except as set forth on Schedule 2.01(k), no Person other than Sellers occupies or has the right to use such Leased Real Property or any portion thereof. |
(e) Each parcel of Sold Real Property and Leased Real Property is supplied with utilities and other services necessary for the effective operation of the Polymer Additives Business. |
(a) Sellers are and have been in compliance during the prior three (3) years, in all material respects, with all applicable Environmental Laws in connection with its ownership and operation of the Sold Assets and the Polymer Additives Business. |
(b) Sellers are and have been in compliance during the prior three (3) years, in all material respects, with all Environmental Permits held by Sellers or their respective Affiliates in connection with their ownership and operation of the Sold Assets and the Polymer Additives Business, all such Environmental Permits are valid and in good standing and there is no action pending or, to the Knowledge of Sellers,
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threatened to revoke, cancel, terminate, modify or otherwise limit any Environmental Permit. |
(c) All Environmental Permits that are currently owned, held, or possessed by Sellers in connection with the Sold Assets and the Polymer Additives Business are listed on Schedule 5.13 and Sellers have provided to Buyer copies of all such Environmental Permits. |
(d) No Seller has received any written or, to Sellers’ Knowledge, oral complaint, order, citation, demand, claim, special notice letter, general notice letter, CERCLA Section 104(e) request, potentially responsible party letter or other Governmental Authority information request regarding any actual or alleged material violation of any Environmental Laws or any actual or alleged material Liability arising under any Environmental Laws, including, without limitation, any investigatory, remedial or corrective obligation, relating to the Sold Assets or the Polymer Additives Business, in each case that was either received in the past three (3) years or is outstanding or unresolved. |
(e) To the Knowledge of Sellers, there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at, on or under the Facilities in material violation of Environmental Law or in concentrations or quantities that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material Liability under Environmental Laws or any obligation to undertake any material Response Action. |
(f) Sellers have no outstanding or unresolved Liabilities under any Environmental Law with respect to the third party manufacturing operations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Newport, Wales and Sellers are not aware of facts, circumstances or conditions which would reasonably be expected to form the basis of any claim against or result in liability to Sellers under any Environmental Law with respect to the third party manufacturing operations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana or Newport, Wales. |
(g) Sellers have provided to Buyer true and correct copies of all material written environmental site assessments, audits, soil and groundwater sampling reports, orders or decrees prepared in the prior five (5) years in the possession, custody or, to Sellers’ Knowledge, control of Sellers or obtained or commissioned at the request of Sellers concerning: (i) the environmental condition of the Facilities, (ii) Sellers’ compliance or non-compliance with any Environmental Laws with respect to the Sold Assets or the Polymer Additives Business or (iii) any material Liability of Sellers under Environmental Laws with respect to the Sold Assets or the Polymer Additives Business. |
(h) No Seller is subject, as of the date hereof, to any outstanding Governmental Order under any Environmental Law regarding either the Polymer Additives Business or the Facilities. |
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(a) Schedule 5.14(a)(i) contains a list of all employees, independent contractors and consultants of the Polymer Additives Business as of the date hereof, including any employee who is on a leave of absence of any nature, and sets forth for each such individual the following: (i) name; (ii) title or position (including whether full or part time); (iii) hire date; (iv) current annual base compensation rate; (v) commission, bonus or other incentive-based compensation; (vi) a description of the fringe benefits provided to each such individual as of the date hereof; (vii) active or inactive status; and (viii) reason for leave, start date and anticipated return to work. Schedule 5.14(a)(ii) contains a list of all employees of any Seller or any of its Subsidiaries who are engaged in research and development or sales and marketing activities primarily for the Polymer Additives Business not listed on Schedule 1.01(a). Except as set forth on Schedule 5.14(a)(iii), Sellers have not committed themselves to materially increase the remuneration of any Employees or otherwise materially change the terms and conditions of their employment. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.14(a)(iv), Sellers have not involuntarily terminated, reduced by more than 50% the hours of, or laid off any employees of the Polymer Additive Business in the 90 days prior to the Closing Date. |
(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.14(b), no Seller is involved in or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, threatened with, any labor dispute, grievance, litigation or other Proceeding relating to employment, labor, safety or discrimination matters involving any Employee, prospective employee of the Polymer Additives Business, former employee of the Polymer Additives Business, labor organization or other representative of such employees, including charges of unfair labor practices or discrimination complaints. Since January 1, 2012, there has not been, nor, to Sellers’ Knowledge, has there been any threat of, any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, concerted refusal to work overtime or other similar labor activity or dispute affecting any of the employees of the Polymer Additive Business. To Sellers’ Knowledge, since January 1, 2012, no campaigns have been conducted to solicit cards from any employees of the Polymer Additive Business to authorize representation by any labor organization. |
(c) Payment in full and/or accrual on Sellers’ books and records has been made with respect to all Employees of all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, benefits and other compensation currently due to such Employees. |
(d) No individual has been engaged by Sellers with respect to the Polymer Additives Business as or in the capacity of an exempt employee or independent contractor who does not qualify for such status under all Laws and contracts or agreements applicable to the individual. |
(a) Schedule 5.15(a) sets forth a complete list of (i) all “employee benefit plans,” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and (ii) all other severance pay,
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salary continuation, bonus, incentive, stock option, retirement, pension, profit sharing or deferred compensation plans, contracts, programs, funds or arrangements of any kind maintained by each Seller in respect of any Employees (all of the above being hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as an “Employee Plan” or “Employee Plans,” respectively). |
(b) Each Employee Plan has been maintained, operated and administered in material compliance with its terms and any related documents or agreements and in material compliance with all applicable Laws. Each Employee Plan intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter regarding such Employee Plan’s qualified status or is entitled to rely on an IRS opinion letter on the form of such Employee Plan. |
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15(c), the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) result in any payment or benefit becoming due or payable, or required to be provided, to any Employee, (ii) increase the amount or value of compensation or benefits due or payable to any Employee or (iii) accelerate the time of payment, vesting or funding of any such benefit or compensation. |
(a)
Schedule 5.16(a) lists the top twenty customers of the Polymer Additives Business (by aggregate consideration paid for goods or services in the |
(b) Schedule 5.16(b) lists the top ten suppliers of the Polymer Additives Business (by aggregate consideration paid by Sellers for goods or services in the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013 and for the ten-month period ending October 31, 2014) (collectively, the “Material Suppliers”) and sets forth the amounts of such aggregate consideration paid to each such supplier during each such time period. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.16(b), no Seller has received any written or, to Sellers’ Knowledge, oral notice that any of the Material Suppliers has ceased, or intends to cease, to supply goods or services to the Polymer Additives Business or to otherwise terminate, materially reduce or materially alter or change the terms of its supply relationship with the Polymer Additives Business and, to Sellers’ Knowledge, no event has occurred that would cause such Material Suppliers to stop or materially decrease or
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delay the rate of supplying materials, products or services to the Polymer Additives Business in any material respect, or materially alter or change the terms thereof. |
Section 5.21 Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.21, none of Sellers, nor any officer, manager or partner of Sellers nor any of the Affiliates of any of the foregoing: |
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(a) owns, directly or indirectly, any stock or other ownership interest or investment in any Person that is a competitor, supplier, customer, lessor or lessee of the Polymer Additives Business; provided, however, that the foregoing representation shall be deemed not to be made as to the ownership of not more than 5% of the capital stock of any such Person that has securities registered pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act; |
(b) has any claim against or owes any amount to, or is owed any amount by, the Polymer Additives Business; |
(c) has any interest in or owns any assets, properties or rights used in the conduct of the Polymer Additives Business, other than Sold Assets; |
(d) is a party to any contract or agreement binding upon the Polymer Additives Business or which otherwise benefits the Polymer Additives Business; or |
(e) has received from or furnished to the Polymer Additives Business any goods or services since January 1, 2013, or is involved in any business relationship with the Polymer Additives Business. |
make no representations or warranties to Buyer regarding the probable success or profitability of any business utilizing the Sold Assets. |
Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Sellers as follows:
respective Affiliates or representatives with respect thereto or with respect to any related matter. Except in the case of any knowing and intentional concealment or omission of any material fact by any Seller with the intent to deceive or mislead any Buyer Indemnified Person, none of the Sellers nor any other Person will have or be subject to any liability to Buyer or any other Person resulting from the distribution to Buyer, or Buyer’s use of any such information, including any information, documents, projections, forecasts or other material made available to Buyer or its or their representatives the Data Room, offering memoranda or management presentations or otherwise in expectation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. NO SELLER MAKES OR PROVIDES, AND BUYER HEREBY WAIVES, ANY WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, CONFORMITY TO SAMPLES, OR CONDITION OF THE SOLD ASSETS OR ANY PART THEREOF, IN EACH CASE EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE V OF THIS AGREEMENT. With respect to any projection or forecast delivered by or on behalf of Sellers to Buyer, Buyer acknowledges that (w) there are uncertainties inherent in attempting to make such projections and other forecasts and plans, and that, except in the case of any knowing and intentional concealment or omission of any material fact by any Seller with the intent to deceive or mislead any Buyer Indemnified Person, Buyer is taking full responsibility for making its own evaluation of the adequacy and accuracy of all estimates, projections and other forecasts and plans so furnished to it, including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections and forecasts, (x) the accuracy and correctness of such projections and forecasts may be affected by information which may become available through discovery or otherwise after the date of such projections and forecasts, (y) it is familiar with each of the foregoing and (z) no Seller is making any representation or warranty with respect to such projections or forecasts, including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such projections or forecasts. |
Section 7.01 General. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, this Article VII will govern Tax matters arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
pertaining to the Sold Assets until the expiration of all relevant statutes of limitation (and, to the extent notified by Buyer and Sellers, any extensions thereof). |
(a) Real and personal property Taxes imposed on or relating to the Sold Assets for the current Tax year will be prorated between Sellers and Buyer effective as of the Closing. Proration of Taxes that are undetermined as of the Closing Date (i) will be based on the most recently available Tax rate and valuation, giving effect to applicable exemptions, recently-voted millage, change in valuation and similar items, whether or not officially certified to the appropriate Taxing Authority as of the Closing Date and (ii) will use a 365-day year. On or before the Closing, Sellers will pay all delinquent property Taxes or special assessments not contested by Sellers in good faith, which contested Taxes or assessments will remain Sellers’ liability. |
(a) Subject to Section 7.04(b), Sellers will timely file all Tax Returns with respect to all excise, sales, use, registration, stamp, recording, documentary, conveyancing, franchise, transfer, transaction privilege and similar Taxes, levies, charges and fees incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the “Transfer Taxes”), and Sellers, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other hand, will each pay 50% of all Transfer Taxes owed, whether or not reflected on any Tax Return. Within 30 days after payment, Sellers will provide Buyer with copies of all such Tax Returns and evidence that all such Taxes have been paid. Buyer and Sellers will reasonably cooperate to reduce or eliminate Transfer Taxes to the extent permitted by applicable Law. For purposes of calculating any Transfer Taxes applicable to the Sold Real Property, the Parties agree to use the then-current county assessed valuation of the Sold Real Property as of the Closing Date. |
(b) Buyer will timely file all land transaction returns and pay all stamp duty land tax levied in the United Kingdom in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
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(c) The Sellers shall promptly provide the Buyer with any information (including copies of all relevant documents and correspondence) that comes to the attention of the Sellers after Completion in respect of the actual or potential loss, withdrawal or unavailability of any relief from stamp duty or stamp duty land tax which has been claimed by the Sellers in connection with the Leased Real Property. |
(d) Buyer and Sellers will cause Buyer UK, and Ferro Belgium to make a joint election under Section 198 of the Capital Allowances Act 2001 of the United Kingdom in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 7.04(d), determining that the disposal value of the fixtures (within the meaning of Chapter 14 of Part 2 of the Capital Allowances Act 2001) within the UK Sold Assets required to be brought to account by the Sellers and failing to be treated as expenditure incurred by the Buyer on the acquisition of the fixtures is £3. |
(ii) No later than four months after Closing, Buyer (A) shall form a Subsidiary under the Laws of China (the “China Subsidiary”) and shall cause such China Subsidiary to make a written offer of employment to the Employee set forth on Schedule 8.01(a)(ii)(A) on substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement on Employee Transfer and form of Employment Agreement set forth as an exhibit thereto, each of which is attached as Exhibit K (the “China Employee Transfer Agreements”), (B) shall form a Subsidiary under the Laws of Malaysia (the “Malaysia Subsidiary”) and shall cause such Malaysia Subsidiary to make a written offer of employment to the
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Employee set forth on Schedule 8.01(a)(ii)(B) on substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement on Employee Transfer and form of Offer of Employment and Terms and Conditions of Employment set forth as an exhibit thereto, each of which is attached as Exhibit L (the “Malaysia Employee Transfer Agreements”), (C) shall satisfy the requirements of the applicable Mexico Governmental Authorities that are required under the Laws of Mexico for Buyer Mexico to employ each of the Employees set forth on Schedule 8.01(a)(ii)(C) and shall cause Buyer Mexico to make written offers of employment to the Employees set forth on Schedule 8.01(a)(ii)(C) on substantially the same terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement on Employee Transfer, Employment Agreements and Resignations and Releases set forth as an exhibit thereto, each of which is attached as Exhibit M (the “Mexico Employee Transfer Agreements”), and (D) shall form a branch office of Buyer UK under the Laws of Belgium (the “Belgium Branch Office”) and shall cause such Belgium Branch Office to employ the Employee set forth on Schedule 8.01(a)(ii)(D). The employee employed by Ferro Belgium is listed on Schedule 8.01(a)(ii)(D) (“Transferring Belgium Employee”). The employment contract of the Transferring Belgium Employee is transferred to Buyer UK, as of the Closing Date in accordance with the Belgium Collective Bargaining Agreement n° 32bis of June 7, 1985 and accordingly: (A) the employment contract between Ferro Belgium and the Transferring Belgium Employee will transfer to Buyer UK with effect from the Closing Date pursuant to Belgian Collective Bargaining Agreement n° 32bis of June 7, 1985 and (B) all wages, salaries, bonuses and other benefits (including accrued rights for double holiday pay, rights with respect to holidays not taken up and thirteenth month pay) of the Transferring Belgium Employee set forth on Schedule 8.01(a)(ii)(D) and all withholding tax deductions and social security contributions relating thereto will be discharged by Ferro Belgium in respect of the period up to the Closing Date and by Buyer UK thereafter. If any of the China Employee Transfer Agreement, the Malaysia Employee Transfer Agreement or the Mexico Employee Transfer Agreement are not executed by the parties thereto prior to the Closing, then Buyer and Ferro shall each use its commercially reasonable efforts to get such agreements in the form attached signed by the respective Employees as promptly as practicable after the Closing. Ferro agrees to pay any severance or termination costs due to the respective Employee in connection with the execution of such agreements. In the event that Buyer fails to, or fails to cause its applicable Subsidiaries to, employ any Employee identified on Schedules 8.01(a)(ii)(A) – (D) within four months after Closing as contemplated by this Section 8.01(a)(ii), then Ferro may, in its sole discretion, either (x) retain such Employee as an Employee of Ferro or any of its Subsidiaries or (y) terminate such Employee’s employment with Ferro (or its applicable Subsidiary) and Buyer shall indemnify Ferro and its Subsidiaries for any and all liabilities incurred by Ferro or its Subsidiaries as a result of the termination of such Employee. |
(iii) Each offer of employment contemplated by Section 8.01(a)(i) and Section 8.01(a)(ii) will provide that, for a period of 12 months after the Closing Date (or, in the case of offers of employment contemplated by Section
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8.01(a)(ii), for a period of 12 months after the Employee’s commencement of employment with Buyer’s Subsidiary), the Employee (other than Union Employees) receiving such offer will be entitled to receive, in each case as applicable, (A) a base salary or hourly base wage rate at least equal to the base salary or hourly base wage rate in effect for such Employee immediately prior to the Closing; (B) employee benefits (including vacation and defined contribution plan benefits but excluding defined benefit plan benefits, retiree welfare benefits and equity-based benefits or compensation) that are substantially similar in the aggregate to the employee benefits (including vacation and defined contribution plan benefits but excluding any defined benefit plan benefits, retiree welfare benefits or equity-based benefits or compensation) made available to such Employee by Sellers and their respective Affiliates immediately prior to the Closing Date. For the Transferring Belgium Employee, the employment contract will be automatically transferred to the Buyer UK at the Closing Date, and no offer of employment will be sent to that employee. |
(iv) Vacation. To the extent state law does not require the distribution by any Seller of earned vacation upon termination of employment, Buyer will credit each Transferred Employee with earned vacation for the current calendar year and shall be responsible for such vacation liability, to the extent accrued in the Closing Statement. Ferro will be otherwise liable for all earned but unused vacation benefits of each Transferred Employee, as determined in accordance with the applicable Ferro’s vacation policies and practices, which have not been paid by Ferro prior to the Closing. For the Transferring Belgium Employee, the mechanism described in Section 8.01(a)(ii) will apply. |
(ii) In determining the bonus amounts payable to each eligible Transferred Employee under the AIP (w) such bonus amounts will be equal to or greater than the 2014 AIP payment such Transferred Employee would have received, if any, if such Person remained an employee of a Seller (and had not become a Transferred Employee), (x) such bonus amounts will be determined in accordance with the terms of the AIP as communicated to the Transferred
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Employees prior to the date hereof, and (y) except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.01(b)(ii) Sellers shall not use bonus criteria or factors that are less favorable to the Transferred Employees than those used for Sellers’ other employees. |
(iii) In determining the bonus amounts payable to each eligible Transferred Employee under the USIP (w) such amounts will be equal to the sum of: (A) the site-specific performance amount payable to such Transferred Employee, plus (B) 100% of such Transferred Employee’s 2014 corporate performance amount in each case determined as if such Transferred Employee had remained an employee of Seller, (x) such bonus will be determined in accordance with the terms of the USIP as communicated to the Transferred Employees prior to the date hereof, and (y) Sellers shall not use bonus criteria or factors that are less favorable to the Transferred Employees than those used for Sellers’ other employees. |
(c) Welfare Benefit Plans and 401(k) Plan. |
(i) Buyer will provide the Transferred Employees with full service credit for their service with the applicable Seller for purposes of eligibility to participate and vesting (but not benefit accrual) under Buyer’s 401(k) plan, including any plan to which Buyer deposits amounts pursuant to Section 8.01(e). Buyer will further ensure that the Transferred Employees receive full service credit for their service with the applicable Seller for purposes of eligibility to participate in, and benefits under, Buyer’s medical plan and any other welfare benefit plan that Buyer makes available to Transferred Employees and for purposes of determining the severance benefits and payments to be provided pursuant to Section 8.01(c)(vi) and for purposes of future vacation accrual. |
preexisting conditions, exclusions and service conditions, and insurability requirements with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to Transferred Employees, other than limitations that were in effect with respect to such Transferred Employees as of the Closing Date under the corresponding Seller’s health or welfare benefit plan. |
(iv) To the extent Transferred Employees participate in a dependent care or medical expense reimbursement account under a U.S. Employee Plan (“Sellers’ FSA”) during the calendar year that includes the Closing, such Transferred Employees will continue to participate in Sellers’ FSA through the last day of the Sellers’ FSA plan year in which the Closing occurs (the “FSA Year”) under the same terms and subject to the same elections as in effect immediately prior to the Closing. On and after the Closing, Buyer will take payroll deductions from each such Transferred Employee’s pay in accordance with his or her election under Sellers’ FSA in effect immediately prior to the Closing for the remainder of the FSA Year, and Buyer will transfer to Seller all such payroll deductions taken within 15 days of taking such payroll deductions. |
(v) Ferro will be responsible for any employer obligations under COBRA relating to its welfare plans for the Transferred Employees arising prior to the Closing Date and arising as a result of the Closing. Buyer will be responsible for any employer obligations relating to welfare plans under COBRA for Transferred Employees arising on or after the Closing Date (other than any employer obligations arising as a result of the Closing). |
(vi) Buyer will, or will cause one of its Subsidiaries to, provide each Transferred Employee with the severance payments and benefits as set forth on Schedule 8.01(c)(vi) in the event such Transferred Employee experiences a qualifying termination of employment (as defined on Schedule 8.01(c)(vi)) during the one-year period beginning on the Closing Date. Sellers shall be liable for any severance due under Sellers’ severance plans or policies, contracts with Sellers or under applicable Law as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or as a result of any Employee failing to accept a written offer of employment from Buyer that complies with this Section 8.01; provided, that, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 8.01(c)(vi) is intended to imply that any Employee is or will be entitled to payments under Sellers’ severance plans or policies as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or as a result of any Employee failing to accept a written offer of employment from Buyer that complies with this Section 8.01. |
(d) Cooperation. The Parties agree to furnish each other with such information concerning Transferred Employees, payroll and benefit plans, subject to the other terms of this Agreement (including confidentiality and privacy considerations), and to take all such other action, as is reasonably necessary and appropriate to effect the transactions contemplated by this Section 8.01. |
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(f) Transaction Bonuses. At the Closing, Seller shall pay the Transferred Employees listed on Schedule 8.01(f) the amount set forth opposite his or her name under their respective agreements listed on Schedule 5.10(a)(iv). |
(g) No Right to Employment. Nothing herein expressed or implied will confer upon any Employee any additional rights or remedies, including any additional right to employment, or continued employment for any specified period, of any nature or kind whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement. |
(i) U.S. W-2 Preparation/Successor Employer. Ferro agrees, pursuant to the standard procedure in Revenue Procedure 2004-53, to perform all the reporting
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duties for the wages and other compensation it pays to Transferred Employees, including the filing of quarterly Forms 941 and the furnishing and filing of Forms W-2 and W-3. Ferro agrees to furnish Forms W-2 to Transferred Employees, reporting wages and other compensation paid by Ferro to the respective Transferred Employees. Buyer agrees to perform all the reporting duties for the wages and other compensation it pays to Transferred Employees, including the filing of quarterly Forms 941 and the furnishing and filing of Forms W-2 and W-3. Buyer agrees to furnish Forms W-2, reporting wages and other compensation paid by Buyer to the respective Transferred Employees. |
(a) Subject to the terms of this Section 8.03, Sellers will be responsible for the entire cost and expense of all workers’ compensation claims made by Transferred Employees at any time with respect to injuries or conditions occurring before the Closing Date. Subject to the terms of this Section 8.03, Buyer will be solely responsible for the entire cost and expense of all workers’ compensation claims made by Transferred Employees with respect to (i) injuries or conditions occurring on or after the Closing Date and (ii) injuries identifiably sustained by Transferred Employees on or after the Closing Date that are aggravations or reinjuries of injuries or illnesses that were sustained before the Closing Date. |
(b) With respect to injuries or conditions without an identifiable occurrence date, the Parties will share responsibility as follows: (i) Sellers will be responsible for the entire cost and expense of all such workers’ compensation claims relating to an event or condition where the first claim with respect to such event or condition is made within 30 days after the Closing Date and that is not covered by Buyer’s insurance and (ii) Buyer will be solely responsible for the entire cost and expense of all such workers’ compensation claims relating to an event or condition
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where the first claim with respect to such event or condition is made more than 30 days after the Closing Date and that is not covered by Sellers’ insurance. |
(a) None of the Sellers nor any of their respective Affiliates will, directly or indirectly, in any manner (whether on its own account, through any distributor, or as an owner, operator, manager, consultant, officer, director, employee, investor, agent or otherwise) during the five-year period commencing on the Closing Date (the “Five-Year Restricted Period”), (i) engage anywhere in the world in any business that competes with the Polymer Additives Business, or (ii) employ any Employee or engage any Employee as a consultant or other service provider or solicit any Transferred Employee for employment or to act as a consultant or other service provider; except that it will not be deemed to be a breach of the foregoing clause (ii) for either of the Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates to (A) solicit for employment any Transferred Employee by means of a general advertisement or other non-directed search inquiry or (B) hire any Transferred Employee who is no longer employed by Buyer and has not been employed by Buyer for a period of at least 12 months. |
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.02(a)(i), (i) the operation, performance and development by Ferro and its Affiliates of the Retained Businesses will not be a violation of Section 9.02(a)(i), provided, however, that none of the Sellers nor any of their respective Affiliates will, directly or indirectly, in any manner (whether on its own account, through any distributor, or as an owner, operator, manager, consultant, officer, director, employee, investor, agent or otherwise), (A)(1) during the two-year period commencing on the Closing Date (the “Initial North America Restricted Period”), market, sell or distribute, or attempt to market, sell or distribute, any Retained Products or any other products or services similar to or competitive with those marketed, sold or distributed by the Polymer Additives Business (collectively, the “Competitive Products”) in North America to any Person; provided, however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, benzoic acid marketed, sold or distributed for products other than plasticizers shall not be considered a Competitive Product so long as they are not sold to displace a product sold by Buyer, and (2) during the two-year period commencing of the date that the Initial North America Restricted Period ends (the “Subsequent North America Restricted Period”), market, sell or distribute, or attempt to market, sell or distribute, any Competitive Products in North America to any Person set forth on Schedule 9.02(b)(i)(A)(2) or to any Affiliate of any such Person, (B) during the three-year period commencing on the Closing Date (the “Three-Year Restricted Period”), engage in or assist any affirmative efforts to convert any customer of the Polymer Additives Business set forth on Schedule 9.02(b)(i)(B) or any Affiliate of any such Person, from phthalates and phthalate blends to any Competitive Products, or (C)
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during the Five Year Restricted Period, market, sell or distribute, or attempt to market, sell or distribute, any phthalates and phthalate blends to any Person anywhere in the world other than in accordance with the terms of the Supply Agreement, and (ii) the acquisition by Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates following the Closing of a Person engaged in the Polymer Additives Business will not be a violation of Section 9.02(a)(i), provided that the business of the acquired Person otherwise prohibited by Section 9.02(a)(i) (the “Prohibited Business”) represents less than 10% of such Person’s consolidated gross sales and $30,000,000 in net revenues for its most recent completed fiscal year, provided, further, that, if, at any time after the acquisition of such acquired Person, the business of such acquired Person otherwise prohibited by Section 9.02(a)(i) represents more than 10% of such Person’s consolidated gross sales or $30,000,000 in net revenues, in either case during any trailing twelve month period during the Restricted Period, then Sellers shall, or shall cause their Affiliates to, divest such Prohibited Business within 12 months. |
(c) Sellers acknowledge that the restrictions on Sellers in this Section 9.02 are necessary to protect the goodwill of the Polymer Additives Business, impose a reasonable restraint on Sellers in light of the activities and business of Sellers on the date of the execution of this Agreement and the current plans of the Parties, and that without these protections Buyer would not have entered into this Agreement. |
(d) The Parties recognize that the performance of the obligations under this Section 9.02 by Sellers is special, unique and extraordinary in character, and that in the event of the breach by Sellers of the terms and conditions of this Section 9.02 to be performed by Sellers, Buyer shall be entitled, if it so elects, to obtain damages for any breach of this Section 9.02, and to enforce such obligations through specific performance, injunctive relief, a temporary restraining order, or a permanent injunction in any court of competent jurisdiction, to prevent or otherwise restrain a breach hereof. |
(e) If all or substantially all of the assets of the Antwerp Business are sold, assigned or otherwise transferred to any Person in a single transaction or series of transactions (whether through a sale of stock or other equity securities, by merger or consolidation, by sale of all or a portion of its assets, or by any other manner) (an “Antwerp Business Sale”), then Sellers shall require such purchaser(s) to enter into a written agreement with Buyer, pursuant to which such purchaser(s), for itself and its Affiliates, will agree to be bound by the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 9.02(b)(i)(A)(1), Section 9.02(b)(i)(B), Section 9.02(b)(i)(C), Section 9.02(c) and Section 9.02(d), but only with respect to products manufactured, distributed or sold by the Antwerp, Belgium facility. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties acknowledge and agree that in the event of an Antwerp Business Sale, the Five-Year Period, the Initial North America Restricted Period and the Three-Year Period under this Section 9.02(e) commenced on the Closing Date, not on the closing of the Antwerp Business Sale. |
restrictions set forth are unreasonable, then it is the intention of the Parties that such restrictions be enforced to the fullest extent which the court deems reasonable, and the Parties agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope, duration, or area of the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the time within which the judgment may be appealed. |
(a) Buyer acknowledges that all right, title and interest in and to the names or designs “Ferro” and Ferro’s “Check-in-a-Circle” logo, together with all confusingly similar variations, derivations and abbreviations thereof, any trademarks, trade names, brand marks, brand names, trade dress or logos relating to such names and any other identifiers of source containing or incorporating the foregoing (the “Retained Names and Marks”), are owned exclusively by Ferro, and, except as set forth in this Section 9.05(a), Buyer further acknowledges that it has no rights, and is not acquiring any rights, to use the Retained Names and Marks. Within 180 calendar days after the Closing Date, unless such period is extended with the prior written consent of Ferro, Buyer will remove or cover the Retained Names and Marks from all signs, billboards, advertising materials, telephone listings, labels, stationery, office forms, packaging or other materials included in the Sold Assets. After that time, Buyer will not use, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to use, the Retained Names and Marks for any purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer may use the Ferro Corporation name at all times after the Closing in a neutral, non-trademark manner to describe the history of the Polymer Additives Business. |
(b) Subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions of this Agreement, Buyer grants to Sellers a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable right and license (the “License”) to use the Intellectual Property set forth in Schedule 9.05(b) (the “Licensed Marks”) anywhere in the world in connection with the advertisement, promotion, manufacture and distribution of Santicizer 9000 family of benzoates and Santicizer 400 family of adipate polymerics. Sellers will have no right to sublicense the Licensed Marks, except to wholly owned Affiliates, and any use of the Licensed Marks by Sellers (or Affiliates thereof) will inure to the benefit of Buyer. The License is assignable upon the Antwerp Business Sale, except if such Sale is to a Restricted Person or any of its Affiliates, in which event the License shall terminate automatically. The term of the License commences on the Closing Date and will continue, unless earlier terminated pursuant to this Section 9.05(b), for 180 days thereafter, at which time the License will terminate automatically. For as long as the License is in effect, Sellers will use the Licensed Marks only in connection with Santicizer 9000 family of benzoates
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and Santicizer 400 family of adipate polymerics. Sellers will not use the Licensed Marks in any way that would bring discredit upon the Licensed Marks or cause Buyer’s ownership of the Licensed Marks or the goodwill associated with the Licensed Marks to be impaired, reduced or otherwise adversely affected. If Sellers violate any of the restrictions set forth in this Section 9.05(b), then, in addition to any other rights or remedies available to Buyer, Buyer will have the right to terminate the License, provided that Sellers will have 30 days to cure the breach. |
Section 9.08 Bulk Transfer Laws. Buyer and Sellers hereby waive compliance with any bulk transfer Laws applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
information that is compelled or required by Law to be disclosed, (ii) such confidential information is generally available to the public through no improper action of Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates or (iii) such confidential information is publicly disclosed by Sellers or any of their respective Affiliates with Buyer’s prior written consent. |
unreasonably withheld). Buyer will make available for inspection by Sellers upon reasonable notice all records relating to the need for such work and the cost of performing such work. Buyer will promptly notify Sellers in writing of any warranty claim which Buyer expects, in good faith, to cost more than $20,000. If Sellers do not respond in writing within ten days after receipt of Buyer’s notice or Sellers’ deny liability for such claim, Buyer shall have no obligation to honor such warranty claim; provided, however, Buyer may elect to honor or deny such claim without prejudicing any of their rights or obligations under this Section 9.11 to reimbursement of any validly honored warranty claim. |
(c) Subject to and in accordance with the requirements and conditions contained in Section 10.06(f), Buyer hereby grants to Ferro and Solutia Inc. and their respective officers, directors, partners, employees, agents, representatives, successors
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and assigns, consultants and contractors the right to enter upon the Sold Real Property upon reasonable advance notice in order to perform or monitor the work necessary for Solutia and Ferro to comply with their respective ISRA obligations and Solutia’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (“HSWA”) obligations. If any portion of the Sold Real Property suffers any damage caused by Ferro, Solutia or their consultants or contractors pursuant to this access, including damage arising from sampling or testing conducted at the Sold Real Property, Ferro shall reasonably repair such damage and restore the Sold Real Property substantially to the same condition that existed immediately prior to such damage. |
(e) So long as Ferro is in compliance with Section 9.12, Buyer will not knowingly or intentionally advocate any position with NJDEP or any Governmental Authority that is in conflict in any material respect with any position Ferro has taken with NJDEP or any Governmental Authority with respect to the ISRA Response Actions for which Ferro is responsible for under this Agreement with respect to the Sold Real Property in New Jersey; provided, however, nothing herein shall prevent Buyer from making factual statements required to respond to requests from any Governmental Authority or required by applicable Law. |
Sold Real Property in New Jersey indicating no further action is required for the Sold Real Property for the ISRA proceeding related to the sale or transfer of the Sold Assets pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) an XXX by an LSRP as provided in Section 9.12(a) and/or an applicable Governmental Authority with controlling jurisdiction and authority. |
(g) Until the issuance of a formal written notice from an applicable Governmental Authority indicating that no further action is required or the issuance of a XXX from a LSRP covering the Sold Real Property in New Jersey as required by Section 9.12(a), Ferro agrees, at its own cost and expense, to comply with any monitoring, maintenance, financial assurance and reporting requirements pursuant to Environmental Laws for any Engineering Controls, Institutional Controls, classification exception areas and well restriction areas utilized as part of the remedial actions at the Sold Real Property in New Jersey in connection with Ferro's ISRA obligations, including, without limitation, being named as the primary lead responsible party for compliance with the terms and conditions of any Remedial Action Permits issued by NJDEP pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26C-7.4 to 7.13 (collectively, the “Post-Remediation Obligations”). After the issuance of a formal written notice from an applicable Governmental Authority indicating no further action is required or a XXX from a LSRP covering the Sold Real Property in New Jersey, Buyer agrees, at its own cost, to comply with the Post-Remediation Obligations, including amending any existing Remedial Action Permits issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26C-7.4 to 7.13 with NJDEP such that Buyer shall replace Ferro and become designated as the primary lead responsible party for compliance with the terms and conditions of any Remedial Action Permits issued by NJDEP, provided, however, nothing in this Section 9.12(g) shall affect Ferro’s obligation to indemnify Buyer pursuant to Article X for the Excluded Liabilities or for breaches of representations, warranties or covenants (other than ISRA obligations covered by this Section 9.12(g)). |
(h) To the extent Buyer or any of its agents, contractors, licensees or invitees (not including Ferro, Solutia Inc. and their consultants or contractors) contributes in any greater than a de minimis respect to, exacerbates in any greater than a de minimis respect or causes any new Release of Hazardous Materials after the Closing Date which increase Ferro’s or Solutia Inc.’s cost to comply with ISRA, RCRA or HSWA relative to conditions existing as of the Closing, Buyer shall reimburse Ferro or Solutia Inc., as applicable, for the incremental reasonable out-of-pocket increased cost to comply. |
(i) If Buyer transfers all or any portion of the Sold Assets in New Jersey or the related business subject to ISRA, RCRA or HSWA to any other Person, Buyer shall require such other Person to accept and agree to assume the obligations and liabilities of Buyer set forth in Section 9.12(c), (d), (e), (g), (h), (i) and (j). |
(j) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Buyer shall reasonably cooperate with Ferro and take all commercially reasonable actions necessary to preserve and facilitate recovery pursuant to Solutia Inc.'s indemnification obligations and to preserve and facilitate Solutia Inc.’s ISRA, RCRA and HSWA obligations under Article 10 of the June 21, 2000 Asset Purchase Agreement and/or
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pursuant to the March 30, 2010 Letter Agreement between Ferro and Solutia Inc. (collectively, the “Solutia Agreement”). With respect to the time period after Closing, Buyer shall comply, at its sole cost and expense, with all obligations of Ferro and its successors and assigns arising under Sections 10.3, 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6.4 of such June 21, 2000 Asset Purchase Agreement and under Sections 1.c.iv, 1.f and 13 of such March 30, 2010 Letter Agreement in connection with the Sold Real Property in New Jersey. Ferro shall reasonably cooperate with Buyer and take commercially reasonable actions, subject to reimbursement from Buyer for out-of-pocket costs incurred by Ferro, to enforce Solutia Inc.’s obligations under the Solutia Agreement with respect to any open or unresolved historic ISRA, RCRA or HSWA proceedings involving the Sold Real Property in New Jersey. |
respective Affiliates to provide or provide access to, within a reasonable time after such request in light of the data or information requested, any data or information included in the Sold Assets or directly related to the Sold Assets, the Polymer Additives Business or Assumed Liabilities. Such data or information shall be delivered in the form in which it is currently maintained by Seller or in another electronic form reasonably acceptable to Buyer and Seller. |
Section 9.19 Environmental Insurance. With respect to any matter for which coverage may reasonably be expected to be available under the Environmental Insurance Policy: |
(a) Buyer shall first use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain recovery under the Environmental Insurance Policy, to the extent of coverage, provided that it is agreed that Buyer shall not be required to initiate litigation; and |
(b) In addition to their obligations pursuant to Sections 9.12 and 10.06, Buyer covenants and agrees to (a) use commercially reasonable efforts to refrain from engaging in any act that Buyer has Knowledge would be reasonably likely to invalidate coverage under the Environmental Insurance Policy, (b) provide Ferro with prior written notice of any contemplated act that Buyer has Knowledge would be reasonably likely to invalidate coverage under the Environmental Insurance Policy, (c) prior to undertaking any act that Buyer has Knowledge would be reasonably likely to invalidate coverage under the Environmental Insurance Policy, provide Ferro with a reasonable opportunity to discuss alternatives to such act with Buyer. For purposes of this Section 9.19 Buyer’s Knowledge shall include the Knowledge of Buyer’s officers and Buyer’s employees whose responsibility includes overseeing compliance with Environmental Laws or applicable insurance. |
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Section 10.01 Indemnification by Ferro. From and after the Closing, Ferro agrees to indemnify and hold the Buyer Indemnified Persons harmless from and against
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any and all Losses that any Buyer Indemnified Person actually suffers or incurs arising out of or resulting from: |
(a) any breach, inaccuracy or misrepresentation of any representation or warranty made by Ferro in Article V; |
(b) any Seller’s failure to perform any of its covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; |
(d) BASF obtains ownership of the Tolling Assets pursuant to the BASF Agreement; |
(e) any Excluded Asset or any Excluded Liabilities; and |
(f) the failure to obtain, prior to the Closing Date, either (i) the signature of The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission to that certain Agreement dated December 11, 2014 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit O or (ii) the consent of The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission to the assignment to Buyer of that certain Agreement dated April 11, 2014 between The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission and Ferro. |
Cap”). None of the Buyer Indemnified Persons will be entitled to recover from Ferro pursuant to Section 10.01(d) or Section 10.1(a) with respect to Section 5.11(a)(ii) or 5.11(a(iii) in the aggregate, more than $305,000 (the “Tolling Assets Cap”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Basket, Basket, Cap ,Environmental Cap and Tolling Assets Cap will not apply with respect to the Sellers’ Fundamental Representations and Warranties or any knowing and intentional concealment or omission of any material fact by any Seller with the intent to deceive or mislead any Buyer Indemnified Person. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event will any adjustment made pursuant to Section 3.02 apply toward or be counted against the Basket, the Sub-Basket, Cap, Environmental Cap or Tolling Assets Cap. |
(a) any breach, inaccuracy or misrepresentation of any representation or warranty of Buyer contained in Article VI; |
(b) Buyer’s failure to perform any of its covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; and |
(c) any Sold Assets or any Assumed Liabilities. |
Article VI, or any knowing and intentional concealment or omission of any material fact by a Party with the intent to deceive or mislead any Indemnified Party or (b) under Section 11.14 to obtain an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof. |
(a) Buyer understands and agrees that each Buyer Indemnified Person’s right to indemnification under Section 10.01 will constitute its sole and exclusive remedy against Sellers and their respective Affiliates with respect to any matter arising under Environmental Law relating to the past, current, or future facilities, properties, or operations of the Polymer Additives Business or Sold Assets. Except for Buyer’s rights to seek indemnification for any Losses for which Ferro is obligated to indemnify Buyer pursuant to Section 10.01, Buyer waives any right, whether arising at law or in equity, to seek contribution, cost recovery, damages, or any other recourse or remedy from any Seller and any of their respective Affiliates, and releases Sellers and their respective Affiliates from any claim, demand or Liability, in each case with respect to any such matter arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq. and any other Environmental Laws. |
(c) Ferro’s obligation to indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Persons with respect to any Response Action otherwise subject to indemnification under Section 10.01 will be limited to Response Actions required by Environmental Law, Environmental Permits, and written orders and demands pursuant to valid authority under applicable Environmental Law from Governmental Authorities or Leases and that are conducted in a Commercially Reasonable Manner. “Commercially Reasonable Manner” shall mean cost effective methods (from the perspective of a reasonable business person acting without regard to the availability of indemnification hereunder) for performing a particular Response Action that are required to achieve compliance with Environmental Laws, Environmental Permits, and written orders or demands
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pursuant to valid authority under applicable Environmental Law from Governmental Authorities or Leases, it being understood that such Commercially Reasonable Manner shall include, where applicable to reduce costs, risk-based remedies or remedial standards, Institutional Controls or Engineering Controls or barriers or deed restrictions on real property, provided that such standards, controls and restrictions do not: (y) materially interfere with the continued utilization of the Facilities for industrial uses as occurring and situated/configured as of the Closing including any projects or improvements contemplated in any of Ferro’s written 2014 through 2018 budgets or capital plans and (z) do not restrict the continued use of the production water xxxxx at the Sold Real Property in New Jersey (other than restrictions prohibiting use for potable purposes). Buyer Indemnified Persons shall accept and be responsible for maintaining any such Institutional Controls at their own cost and expense. |
(d) Ferro will have no obligation to indemnify any Buyer Indemnified Persons under Section 10.01 with respect to the portion of Losses to the extent arising from any Releases caused by Buyer and first occurring or contributed to by Buyer after Closing. |
(e) The Buyer Indemnified Persons will promptly notify Ferro in writing upon becoming aware of the need to conduct any Response Action that would be subject to indemnification under Section 10.01, and, pursuant to and in accordance with requirements of subsection (f) below, Ferro will have the right to control and conduct any such Response Action and any related communications with any Governmental Authorities or third parties; provided that Ferro will take commercially reasonable steps to avoid unreasonably interfering with Buyer’s operations at the relevant Facility; and provided further that Ferro will utilize environmental contractors reasonably acceptable to Buyer and provide Buyer with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any proposed Response Action prior to implementation and final drafts of documents prepared for submission to any Governmental Authority or other third party prior to submittal (and will utilize good faith reasonable efforts to accommodate reasonable comments provided by Buyer). |
(f) Upon at least seven days’ prior written notice, Buyer agrees to provide Ferro reasonable access to the Facilities as is requested by Ferro to satisfy its obligations with respect to any Response Action that would be required under Section 9.12 or subject to indemnification under Section 10.01, and Buyer will require Buyer’s employees to provide reasonable levels of support and to cooperate with Ferro (including without limitation, the provision of non-privileged information reasonably available to Buyer) as is requested by Ferro to satisfy such obligations. All actions taken by Ferro pursuant to Section 9.12 and this Section 10.06(f): (i) shall not unreasonably interfere with the operation of the Polymer Additives Business and (ii) shall be completed in a Commercially Reasonable Manner and in accordance with Law, including Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits. Ferro will (A) reimburse Buyer for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs incurred by Buyer in providing support or cooperation requested by Ferro, (B) keep Buyer reasonably informed as to Ferro’s material activities pursuant to Section 9.12 and this Section 10.06 and the status of, and any material development related to, all of the Response Actions that would be subject
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to indemnification under Section 10.01 and the activities required to be undertaken by Buyer pursuant to Section 9.12 and this Section 10.06, (C) promptly provide Buyer with copies of any material correspondence or other material documents provided to or received from any Governmental Authority related to such matters), (D) in connection with such access granted to Ferro to perform Response Actions pursuant to its indemnification obligations under Section 10.01, indemnify, defend and hold the Buyer Indemnified Persons harmless from and against any and all Losses resulting from personal injury or property damage to the extent arising, in whole or part, out the performance by Ferro, its employees, agents, independent contractors, sub-contractors or Persons acting on their behalf, of any of the actions described above, and (E) give Buyer notice of any proposed meeting with any Government Authority concerning such Response Action at least five Business Days prior to such meeting and permit Buyer and its advisors to attend and participate in any such meeting, at Buyer’s sole expense, provided that Buyer shall not advocate any position adverse to or different from Ferro at any such meeting and Ferro shall lead the discussions with any Governmental Authority. Ferro will restore any structures or improvements damaged by such access to Ferro at the Facilities to substantially the same condition as existed prior to the performance of the Response Action. |
indemnification obligations with respect to Section 10.01(d) will survive the Closing Date until the earlier to occur of the 12-month anniversary of the Closing Date or the date upon which Buyer or its Affiliates enter into a new agreement with BASF with respect to the Tolling Assets. All other covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement to be performed following the Closing Date will survive the Closing Date in accordance with their terms. Any claim for indemnification not made by Buyer or Seller on or prior to the date of termination of the applicable survival period (if any) will be irrevocably and unconditionally released and waived, whether or not a longer period would be permitted by applicable Law. However, if Buyer or Sellers, as applicable, provides proper notice of a claim within the applicable time period set forth above, then liability for such claim will continue until such claim is resolved. The right to indemnification, payment of any losses or other remedy based on such representations, warranties, covenants, and obligations will not be affected by any investigation conducted with respect to, or any knowledge acquired (or capable of being acquired) at any time, whether before or after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Closing Date, with respect to the accuracy or inaccuracy of or compliance with, any such representation, warranty, covenant, or obligation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any claim based on any knowing and intentional misrepresentation by Ferro of any representation or warranty set forth in Article V or by Buyer of any representation or warranty set forth in Article VI or any knowing and intentional concealment or omission of any material fact by a Party with the intent to deceive or mislead the other Party may be made at any time without limitation. |
(a) Except for Losses resulting from a Third Party Claim, no Person will be entitled to indemnification under this Article X for punitive, exemplary or special damages or damages that are not reasonably foreseeable (except such items as a Party may be required to pay to a third party as a result of a third party claim). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no Person will be entitled to be compensated more than once for the same Loss. |
(c) No Buyer Indemnified Person will be entitled to indemnification under this Article X for Taxes or Losses related to Taxes for any taxable period or portion thereof beginning after the Closing Date. |
(d) For purposes of determining whether there has been any misrepresentation or breach of a representation or warranty, and for purposes of determining the amount of Losses resulting therefrom, all qualifications or exceptions in any representation or warranty (other than those in Section 5.04(a), the first sentence of Section 5.05, Section 5.10(a), the last sentence of Section 5.16(a) and the last sentence of Section 5.16(b)) relating to or referring to the terms “material”, “materiality”, “in all material respects”, “Material Adverse Effect” or any similar term or phrase shall be disregarded (other than each reference to “Material Contracts”, “Material Customers” or “Material Suppliers” in Article V), it being the understanding of the Parties that for purposes of determining liability under this Article X, the representations and warranties of the Parties contained in this Agreement (subject to the exceptions noted above) shall be read as if such terms and phrases were not included in them. |
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Section 11.02 Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed under and governed by the State of New York applicable to contracts made and performed in such State, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles of such State that would require or permit application of the Laws of another jurisdiction. The Parties expressly elect not to be bound in any way by the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. |
Section 11.04 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the Parties. |
(a) assign any or all of its rights and interests hereunder to one or more of its Affiliates and designate one or more of its Affiliates to perform its obligations hereunder (in any or all of which cases Buyer nonetheless shall remain responsible for the performance of all of its obligations hereunder), (b) assign its rights under this Agreement for collateral security purposes to any lenders providing financing to Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or (c) assign its rights under this Agreement to any Person that acquires the Polymer Additives Business or any of the Sold Assets (in any or all of which cases Buyer nonetheless shall remain responsible for the performance of all of its obligations hereunder). Subject to the foregoing sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any purported assignment in contravention of this Section 11.05 will be void and of no force or effect. No delegation of any obligations hereunder will relieve the Parties of any such obligations. |
If to Buyer:c/o H.I.G. Capital
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
With copy to: XxXxxxxxx Will & Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Fax: (000) 000-0000
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If to Sellers:Ferro Corporation
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
Fax: 000-000-0000
With copy to: Xxxxx Day
North Point
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000) 000-0000
or to such other address or fax number as any Party may designate in writing. Any notice under this Agreement will be deemed to have been duly given (x) on the date such notice is delivered by email or fax or (y) the next succeeding Business Day after the date such notice is delivered to the overnight courier service if sent by overnight courier; provided that in each case notices received after 4:00 p.m. (local time of the recipient) will be deemed to have been duly given on the next Business Day.
acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible. |
(b) Exclusive Jurisdiction. Any legal suit, action or other Proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby may be instituted only in the federal courts of the United States of America or the courts of the State of New York, in each case located in the City of New York and County of New York, and each Party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or other Proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by mail to Party’s address set forth herein will be effective service of process for any suit, action or other Proceeding brought in any such court. The Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or any other Proceeding in such courts and irrevocably agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other Proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. |
(c) WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS
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AGREEMENT, THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER IN THE EVENT OF A LEGAL ACTION, (II) SUCH PARTY HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 11.13(C). |
[Signatures on the following page]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.
SELLERS:
Ferro Corporation
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: President and CEO
Ferro (Belgium) Sprl
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxx
Name: Xxxxx Xxx
Title: Managing Director
Ferro Mexicana S.A. de C.V.
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxx
Title: Managing Director
BUYER:
Polymer Additives, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
Name:Xxxxx Xxxxx
1
Title: President, Treasurer and Secretary
2
Schedule 3.02(a)(i)
1.The cash purchase price payable to Sellers shall be reduced by fifty percent (50%) of the following costs, expenses and taxes incurred by Buyer:
●America National (Surveying and Zoning) $37,482.00
●Zurich (Environmental Insurance) $703,848.60
●Chicago Title (Title Insurance)$88,189.01
●Chicago Title (Deed Transfer Tax) $130,608.00
___________
Total Split Fees$ 960,127.61
50% Fee Split$480,063.81
2.If prior to Closing, for any of the projects listed on the attached schedule, Ferro has not spent the amount indicated on the attached schedule for such project (in each case, a “Spending Shortfall”) then the cash purchase price payable to Sellers shall be reduced by an amount equal to the aggregate of all Spending Shortfalls, which the Seller estimates at Closing is equal to $929,455.50 and thus the estimated cash purchase price payable at Closing will be reduced by $929,455.50. This amount is subject to review and adjustment as provided in Section 3.02.
3.The cash purchase price payable to Sellers shall be reduced by fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate amount owed to the union employees under that certain Agreement to Extend Collective Bargaining Agreement, dated as of October 8 2014, by and between Ferro and The United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union (the “Fort Worth Union”) with respect to any retroactive application of wage increases (for any period ending on or prior to the Closing) set forth in a new or amended collective bargaining agreement between Buyer and the Fort Worth Union plus the amount of any payroll, employment or other Taxes payable by Buyer or any of its subsidiaries with respect to such amounts (the “Retroactive Wage Amount”). The Seller estimates the Retroactive Wage Amount is $10,000 in the aggregate and thus the estimated cash purchase price payable at Closing will be reduced by $10,000. This amount is subject to review and adjustment as provided in Section 3.02.
4. The cash purchase price payable to Sellers shall be reduced by all real property Taxes payable by Sellers pursuant to Section 7.03(a), which Seller estimates equals a net credit to Buyer of $247,407.92 and thus the estimated cash purchase price payable at Closing will be reduced by $247,407.92 . This amount is subject to review and adjustment as provided in Section 3.02.
5. The cash purchase price payable to Sellers shall be reduced by seventy fifty percent (75%) of the Forfeited Employer Contributions, which the Seller estimates equals $85,000 and thus the estimated cash purchase price payable at Closing will be reduced by $63,750. This amount is subject to review and adjustment as provided in Section 3.02.