ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by
and
among
CRC
ACQUISITION CO. LLC,
NET
PERCEPTIONS, INC.,
and
SIG
ACQUISITION CORP.
Dated
as
of September 22, 2006
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Section
|
Page
|
||
1.
|
DEFINITIONS
|
1
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2.
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PURCHASE
AND ASSIGNMENT OF ASSETS OF SELLER
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12
|
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2.1.
|
Assets
Purchased
|
12
|
|
2.2.
|
Retained
Assets
|
13
|
|
2.3.
|
Purchase
Price and Costs
|
14
|
|
2.4.
|
Closing
and Post-Closing Adjustment
|
15
|
|
3.
|
ASSUMPTION
OF LIABILITIES
|
17
|
|
3.1.
|
Assumed
Liabilities
|
17
|
|
3.2.
|
Contracts
|
17
|
|
3.3.
|
Prorated
|
18
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|
3.4.
|
No
Further Assumption; Non-Assumed Liabilities
|
18
|
|
4.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO SELLER AND THE PURCHASED
ASSETS
|
18
|
|
4.1.
|
Organizational
Matters Regarding Seller and the Wilmington
|
18
|
|
4.2.
|
Governmental
Consents
|
19
|
|
4.3.
|
Financial
|
19
|
|
4.4.
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
20
|
|
4.5.
|
Powers
of Attorney
|
20
|
|
4.6.
|
Litigation;
Disputes
|
21
|
|
4.7.
|
Licenses;
Compliance With Laws and Regulations
|
21
|
|
4.8.
|
Title
to and Condition of Property
|
21
|
|
4.9.
|
Taxes
|
23
|
|
4.10.
|
Contracts
and Commitments
|
23
|
|
4.11.
|
Intellectual
Property
|
24
|
|
4.12.
|
Environmental
Matters
|
26
|
|
4.13.
|
Transactions
with Affiliates; Related Parties
|
27
|
|
4.14.
|
Benefit
Plans
|
27
|
|
4.15.
|
Product
Warranties; Products
|
28
|
|
4.16.
|
Inventory
|
28
|
|
4.17.
|
Accounts
Receivable and Bad Debts
|
29
|
|
4.18.
|
Employees
|
29
|
|
4.19.
|
Necessary
Property
|
29
|
|
4.20.
|
Labor
|
30
|
|
4.21.
|
Guaranties
|
31
|
|
4.22.
|
Customers
and Suppliers; Supplies
|
31
|
|
4.23.
|
Absence
of Certain Business Practices
|
31
|
|
4.24.
|
Insolvency
|
32
|
|
4.25.
|
Banking
Relationships
|
32
|
|
4.26.
|
Brokerage
|
32
|
|
4.27.
|
FIRPTA
|
32
|
i
5.
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO PURCHASER AND PURCHASER
PARENT.
|
33
|
|
5.1.
|
Organizational
Matters Regarding Purchaser and Purchaser Parent
|
33
|
|
5.2.
|
Governmental
Consents
|
33
|
|
5.3.
|
Litigation
|
34
|
|
5.4.
|
Brokerage
|
34
|
|
6.
|
CLOSING
|
34
|
|
6.1.
|
Closing
Date
|
34
|
|
6.2.
|
Closing
Deliveries
|
34
|
|
7.
|
COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS OF SELLER
|
37
|
|
7.1.
|
Access
to Information and Records; Assistance
|
37
|
|
7.2.
|
Conduct
of Business Pending the Closing
|
37
|
|
7.3.
|
Exclusivity
|
40
|
|
7.4.
|
Interim
Financial Statements
|
41
|
|
7.5.
|
Further
Acts
|
41
|
|
7.6.
|
Payment
of Certain Indebtedness
|
42
|
|
7.7.
|
Restrictive
Covenants
|
42
|
|
7.8.
|
Wilmington
Acquisition
|
43
|
|
7.9.
|
Enterprise
Zone Agreement
|
43
|
|
7.10.
|
State
Tax Clearances
|
43
|
|
8.
|
COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS OF PURCHASER
|
43
|
|
8.1.
|
Further
Acts
|
43
|
|
9.
|
MUTUAL
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
|
44
|
|
9.1.
|
Publicity
|
44
|
|
9.2.
|
Disclosure
of Certain Matters.
|
44
|
|
9.3.
|
Disclosure
Schedule
|
44
|
|
9.4.
|
Confidentiality
|
45
|
|
9.5.
|
Access
to Information
|
46
|
|
9.6.
|
Commercially
Reasonable Efforts; No Delay
|
46
|
|
9.7.
|
Employees
|
46
|
|
9.8.
|
Approvals
and Consents
|
49
|
|
9.9.
|
Stock
Purchase Agreement
|
49
|
|
9.10.
|
Transfer
Taxes and Fees
|
49
|
|
9.11.
|
Certain
Transition Matters
|
49
|
|
10.
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO PURCHASER’S AND PURCHASER PARENT’S
OBLIGATIONS
|
50
|
|
10.1.
|
Representations
and Warranties True on the Closing Date
|
50
|
|
10.2.
|
Compliance
With Agreement
|
50
|
|
10.3.
|
Absence
of Litigation
|
50
|
|
10.4.
|
Material
Consents and Approvals
|
50
|
|
10.5.
|
No
Material Adverse Effect
|
50
|
|
10.6.
|
Closing
Deliveries
|
50
|
|
10.7.
|
Seller’s
Audited Financial Statements
|
50
|
ii
10.8.
|
Purchaser’s
Financing
|
50
|
|
10.9.
|
Closing
of Wilmington Transaction
|
50
|
|
10.10.
|
Stock
Purchase Agreement
|
50
|
|
10.11.
|
Additional
Escrow Agreement
|
51
|
|
11.
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO SELLER’S OBLIGATIONS
|
51
|
|
11.1.
|
Representations
and Warranties True on the Closing Date
|
51
|
|
11.2.
|
Compliance
With Agreement
|
51
|
|
11.3.
|
Absence
of Litigation
|
51
|
|
11.4.
|
Closing
Deliveries
|
51
|
|
11.5.
|
Purchase
Price
|
51
|
|
12.
|
TERMINATION
OF AGREEMENT
|
51
|
|
12.1.
|
Causes
|
51
|
|
12.2.
|
Effect
of Termination
|
52
|
|
12.3.
|
Right
to Proceed
|
52
|
|
13.
|
SURVIVAL;
INDEMNIFICATION
|
53
|
|
13.1.
|
Survival
|
53
|
|
13.2.
|
Indemnification
by Purchaser
|
53
|
|
13.3.
|
Indemnification
by Seller
|
54
|
|
13.4.
|
Limitations
on Indemnification
|
54
|
|
13.5.
|
Procedures
for Indemnification
|
56
|
|
13.6.
|
Procedures
for Third-Party Claims
|
57
|
|
13.7.
|
Certain
Procedures for Environmental Matters
|
58
|
|
13.8.
|
Exclusive
Remedy
|
59
|
|
13.9.
|
Specific
Performance
|
59
|
|
13.10.
|
Disposition
of Reinvestment Shares
|
59
|
|
13.11.
|
Insurance
Claims
|
60
|
|
14.
|
DISPUTE
RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION, ETC.
|
60
|
|
15.
|
NOTICE
|
63
|
|
16.
|
EXHIBITS
|
63
|
|
17.
|
ENTIRE
AGREEMENT; BINDING EFFECT
|
63
|
|
18.
|
HEADINGS
|
63
|
|
19.
|
EXPENSES
|
63
|
|
20.
|
AMENDMENT
|
63
|
|
21.
|
WAIVER
|
63
|
|
22.
|
TIME
OF THE ESSENCE
|
64
|
|
23.
|
ASSIGNMENT
|
64
|
|
24.
|
NO
THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY
|
64
|
|
25.
|
COUNTERPARTS;
FACSIMILE SIGNATURE
|
64
|
iii
TABLE
OF
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
A
|
Assignment
and Assumption Agreement and Xxxx of Sale
|
Exhibit
B
|
Escrow
Agreement
|
Exhibit
C
|
Stock
Purchase Agreement (with Registration Rights and
Lock-Up)
|
Exhibit
D(i)
|
X.
Xxxxxx Restrictive Covenant Agreement
|
Exhibit
D(ii)
|
X.
XxxXxxxxxxx Restrictive Covenant Agreement
|
Exhibit
D(iii)
|
X.
Xxxxxxxx Restrictive Covenant Agreement
|
Exhibit
E
|
X’Xxxxxxx
Consulting Agreement
|
Exhibit
F
|
Xxxxxxxx
Employment Agreement
|
Exhibit
G
|
Xxxxx
Employment Agreement
|
Exhibit
H
|
Commitment
Letter
|
TABLE
OF SCHEDULES
|
|
Schedule
1.1
|
Working
Capital Calculation
|
Schedule
1.2
|
Non-Material
Contracts, Leases and Agreements
|
Schedule
1.3
|
Employee
Bonuses
|
Schedule
1.4
|
Existing
Benefit Plans
|
Schedule
1.5
|
Ohio
Owned Real Estate
|
Schedule
1.6
|
Ohio
Real Estate Additional Liens
|
Schedule
2.1(b)
|
Inventory
|
Schedule
2.1(e)
|
Patents,
Trademarks and Copyrights
|
Schedule
2.1(h)
|
Transferred
Insurance Policies
|
Schedule
2.2(e)
|
Retained
Contracts
|
Schedule
2.3(c)
|
Allocation
of Purchase Price (to be delivered prior to Closing)
|
Schedule
3.2
|
Certain
Waivers and Forbearances under Contracts
|
Schedule
4.1(a)
|
Jurisdictions
of Qualification
|
Schedule
4.1(c)
|
Compliance;
Binding Effect
|
Schedule
4.2
|
Government
Consents
|
Schedule
4.3
|
Financial
Statements
|
Schedule
4.4
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
Schedule
4.6(a)
|
Current
Litigation and Disputes
|
Schedule
4.6(b)
|
Certain
Historical Litigation and Disputes
|
Schedule
4.7(a)(i)
|
Governmental
Authorizations (Exceptions)
|
Schedule
4.7(a)(ii)
|
Material
Governmental Authorizations
|
Schedule
4.7(b)
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
Schedule
4.8(a)(i)
|
Real
Property (Exceptions)
|
Schedule
4.8(a)(ii)
|
Real
Property Leases
|
Schedule
4.8(b)
|
Title
|
Schedule
4.8(c)
|
Condition
|
Schedule
4.8(d)
|
Insurance
Policies
|
Schedule
4.9
|
Taxes
|
Schedule
4.10
|
Material
Contracts and Commitments
|
Schedule
4.10(c)
|
Certain
Actions (Material Contracts)
|
Schedule
4.11
|
Intellectual
Property
|
iv
Schedule
4.12(b)
|
Environmental
Claims
|
Schedule
4.12(c)
|
Environmental
Violations
|
Schedule
4.12(f)
|
Environmental
Information
|
Schedule
4.13
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
Schedule
4.14
|
Benefit
Plans (Exceptions)
|
Schedule
4.15
|
Products
and Product Warranties
|
Schedule
4.16
|
Inventory
|
Schedule
4.17
|
Account
Receivables—Terms of Sale
|
Schedule
4.18
|
Employees
|
Schedule
4.19
|
Necessary
Property
|
Schedule
4.20
|
Labor
|
Schedule
4.21
|
Guaranties
|
Schedule
4.22(a)
|
Customers
and Suppliers
|
Schedule
4.22(b)
|
Customers
and Suppliers (Recent Changes)
|
Schedule
4.25
|
Bank
Accounts
|
Schedule
4.26
|
Brokers
(Seller)
|
Schedule
5.4
|
Brokers
(Purchaser)
|
Schedule
6.2(a)(xi)
|
Payoff
Indebtedness
|
Schedule
7.7(c)
|
Non-Use
of Intellectual Property
|
Schedule
9.7(b)
|
Pre-existing
COBRA Participants
|
Schedule
9.11
|
Certain
Transition Matters
|
Schedule
10.4
|
Material
Consents
|
Schedule
13.4(a)(vii)
|
Indemnification
|
Schedule
13.4(a)(viii)
|
Purchaser
Knowledge
|
Purchaser
Employee
Schedule
|
(Referenced
in Section 9.7(b))
(to
be delivered prior to Closing)
|
v
THIS
AGREEMENT is made as of September 22, 2006 (the “Effective Date”), by and among
CRC ACQUISITION CO. LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”); NET
PERCEPTIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser Parent”); and SIG
ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation (“Purchaser”).
RECITALS
Seller
operates facilities in Chicago Heights, Illinois, Warren, Ohio, and commencing
upon the closing of the Wilmington Acquisition (as defined herein),
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (through the Wilmington Purchaser (as defined
herein)) which design, manufacture and sell various steel products, including,
without limitation, the following products: counterweights, elevator weights,
stage weights, counterbalances, test weights, and crane weights. Purchaser,
a
newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser Parent, desires to purchase,
and Seller desires to sell, substantially all of the assets of the Acquired
Business (as defined below) upon the terms and subject to the conditions
hereinafter set forth.
ACCORDINGLY,
in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants herein contained, the Parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
For
purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:
Accountants.
“Accountants” shall mean the accounting firm of McGladrey & Xxxxxx,
LLP.
Acquired
Business.
“Acquired Business” shall mean the business of designing, manufacturing and
selling various steel products, including without limitation, the following
products: counterweights, elevator weights, stage weights, counterbalances,
test
weights, and crane weights up to the Closing Date, as conducted by the Seller
through the Closing Date.
Affiliate.
“Affiliate” shall mean with respect to a specified Person, any other Person that
directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to (i) vote 50% or more of
the
voting securities of such Person or (ii) direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms and phrases “controlled” and
“controlling” have meanings correlative thereto.
Agreement.
“Agreement” shall mean this Asset Purchase Agreement.
Ancillary
Documents.
“Ancillary Documents” shall mean, once executed and delivered at Closing
pursuant to the terms hereof, each of the certificates, agreements and
instruments contemplated to be delivered pursuant to Sections 6.2(a)(i)-(v),
(vii), and (viii) and Sections 6.2(b)(i)-(v) hereof.
Annual
Financial Statements.
“Annual
Financial Statements” shall mean the unaudited reviewed annual balance sheets
and profit and loss statements of Seller for the fiscal years ended December
31,
2005, 2004 and 2003 attached as Schedule
4.3
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
Audited
Financial Statements.
“Audited Financial Statements” shall mean the audited balance sheets and related
statements of operations, income, equity and cash flows of Seller of and for
the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, including the notes thereto
and the audit reports thereon of the Accountants.
Arbitrating
Accountant.
“Arbitrating Accountant” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4 of this
Agreement.
Assignment
and Assumption Agreement and Xxxx of Sale.
“Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Xxxx of Sale” shall mean the assignment
and assumption agreement and xxxx of sale in the form of Exhibit
A
attached
hereto.
Assumed
Liabilities.
“Assumed Liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1 of this
Agreement.
Benefit
Plans.
“Benefit Plans” shall mean any “employee welfare benefit plan” as defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA, any “employee pension benefit plan” as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA, and any other pension plan, profit sharing plan, bonus plan,
deferred compensation plan, incentive compensation plan, stock ownership plan,
stock purchase plan, stock option plan, stock appreciation plan, employee
benefit plan, employee benefit policy, retirement plan, fringe benefit program,
employee insurance plan, severance plan, disability plan, health care plan,
sick
leave plan, death benefit plan or any other plan, program or arrangement to
provide similar benefits, including the provision of retirement income, bonus
payments, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, severance pay, group
or
individual insurance, fringe or other benefits, whether formal, informal, funded
or unfunded, for former or current employees of the Seller or the Acquired
Business.
Business
Day.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by Law to
close.
Closing.
“Closing” shall mean the conference to be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on
the Closing Date at the offices of Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, LLP, Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000 and Xxxx Xxxxxxx, P.C., 1350 Avenue of the
Xxxxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or such other time and place as Seller and Purchaser
may mutually agree, at which the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be consummated. By agreement of the Parties, the Closing may be effected
by mail or through escrow.
Closing
Balance Sheet.
“Closing Balance Sheet” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4(c) of
this Agreement.
2
Closing
Date.
“Closing Date” shall mean the date specified in Section 6.1 of this
Agreement.
Closing
Working Capital.
“Closing Working Capital” shall mean (i) the sum of the dollar amounts as of the
Effective Time of those asset accounts of the Seller listed in Section A of
Schedule
1.1
attached
hereto, less (ii) the sum of the dollar amounts as of the Effective Time of
those liability accounts of the Seller listed in Section A of Schedule
1.1
attached
hereto, all as determined from the books and records of Seller and in accordance
with the methodologies and procedures set forth in Schedule
1.1
attached
hereto; provided, that the Closing Working Capital shall not include any of
the
assets or liabilities acquired or assumed pursuant to the Wilmington
APA.
Closing
Working Capital Adjustment.
“Closing Working Capital Adjustment” shall have the meaning specified in Section
2.4(e) of this Agreement.
Code.
“Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Commitment
Letter.
“Commitment Letter” shall mean the commitment letter of the proposed lender of
Purchaser and Purchaser Parent annexed hereto as Exhibit
H.
Competitive
Business.
“Competitive Business” shall collectively mean any business (on a worldwide
basis) that is engaged in (i) the design, manufacture and sale of (a)
counterweights, elevator weights, stage weights, counterbalances, test weights
and crane weights made of any material and (b) steel components for heavy
equipment as engaged in by the Seller or the Acquired Business at any time
since
December 31, 2004, or (ii) any other business competitive with the type of
business engaged in by the Acquired Business at any time since December 31,
2004.
Confidential
Information.
“Confidential Information” shall mean any confidential or proprietary
information of the Acquired Business, including (a) trade secrets, designs,
formulae, drawings, intangible property, diagrams, techniques, research and
development, specifications, data, know-how, formats, marketing plans, business
plans, budgets, strategies, forecasts and client data; (b) information relating
to the products developed by the Acquired Business; (c)(i) the names of the
Acquired Business’ customers and contacts, (ii) the Acquired Business’ marketing
strategies, (iii) the names of the Acquired Business’ vendors and suppliers,
(iv) the Acquired Business’ cost of materials and labor, (v) the Acquired
Business’ prices obtained for services sold (including the methods used in price
determination, manufacturing and sales costs), (vi) compensation paid to
employees and consultants and other terms of employment, (vii) production
operation techniques or any other confidential information of, about or
pertaining to the business of the Acquired Business, and (viii) any other
material business information and materials relating to material customers
or
vendors of the Acquired Business; (d) all tangible material that embodies any
confidential and proprietary information as well as all records, files,
memoranda, reports, price lists, drawings, plans, sketches and other written
and
graphic records, documents, equipment, and the like, relating to the business
of
the Acquired Business and (e) any other confidential information or trade
secrets relating to the business or affairs of the Acquired Business; provided,
however, that “Confidential Information” shall not include any information (1)
that is or shall become generally available to the public other than as a result
of an unauthorized disclosure by a party to this Agreement or a Person to whom
a
party has provided such information, (2) that was available to a party to this
Agreement on a non-confidential basis prior to its disclosure by one party
to
the other pursuant to this Agreement as evidenced by such other party’s records
on the date of such disclosure, (3) that is disclosed by the other party in
any
legal proceeding requiring any such disclosure, (4) as otherwise required by
Law, or (5) as is reasonably necessary for any party hereto to enforce its
rights under this Agreement; provided, that in each instance of (3), (4) and
(5)
the party disclosing such information shall provide such other party with notice
and a reasonable opportunity to obtain a protective order preventing or limiting
the disclosure of such information.
3
Contracts.
“Contracts” shall mean (i) all outstanding purchase and sales orders for the
Acquired Business entered into by Seller in the ordinary course of business,
(ii) all of the Material Contracts, (iii) the Wilmington APA and (iv) the other
contracts, leases and agreements listed on Schedule
1.2
attached
hereto.
Defect.
“Defect” shall mean a defect or impurity, whether in design, manufacture,
processing, or otherwise, including any dangerous propensity associated with
any
reasonably foreseeable use of a Product, or the failure to warn of the existence
of any defect, impurity, or dangerous propensity, other than, in each instance,
the use of non-standard bulk steel in the ordinary course of business of the
Acquired Business used solely for the purpose of bulk weight in
counterweights.
Disclosure
Schedule.
“Disclosure Schedule” shall mean the Disclosure Schedule, dated the date of this
Agreement, delivered by Seller to Purchaser contemporaneously with the execution
and delivery of this Agreement, and as the same may be updated from time to
time
after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.
X’Xxxxxxx
Consulting Agreement.
“X’Xxxxxxx Consulting Agreement” shall mean the Consulting Agreement between the
Purchaser and Xxxx X’Xxxxxxx in substantially the form of Exhibit
E
attached
hereto.
Effective
Date.
“Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph
hereof.
Effective
Time.
“Effective Time” shall mean 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Closing Date, subject
to the occurrence of the Closing.
Employee
Bonuses. “Employee
Bonuses” shall mean the bonuses that Seller has promised to certain Employees in
connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as
further set forth and described on Schedule
1.3
hereof.
Employees.
“Employees” shall mean the Persons who are employed by Seller to operate the
Acquired Business, including without limitation employees on temporary leave
of
absence, including family and medical leave, military leave, temporary
disability or sick leave.
Employment
and Consulting Agreements.
“Employment and Consulting Agreements” shall mean collectively, the X’Xxxxxxx
Consulting Agreement, the Xxxxxxxx Employment Agreement and the Xxxxx Employment
Agreement.
4
Environmental
Claim.
“Environmental Claim” shall mean any claim, action, cause of action, order,
suit, demand, lien, request for information, proceeding, investigation or notice
by any third Person alleging liability arising out of, based on or resulting
from (i) the presence (or alleged presence) or release (or alleged release)
into
the environment of any Material of Environmental Concern at any location or
any
remediation (or proposed remediation) thereof, or (ii) circumstances forming
the
basis of any violation (or alleged violation) of any Environmental Law or
Environmental Government Authorization.
Environmental
Laws.
“Environmental Laws” shall mean all Laws, contracts with, or Orders by a
Governmental Authority to which the Seller or the Acquired Business is a party
or otherwise bound, in each instance relating to pollution or protection of
human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground
water, land surface or subsurface strata), including Laws relating to emissions,
discharges, releases or threatened releases of Materials of Environmental
Concern, or to the generation, manufacture, processing, distribution, use,
treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Materials of
Environmental Concern.
ERISA.
“ERISA”
shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
Escrow
Agent.
“Escrow
Agent” shall mean The Bank of New York, as escrow agent.
Escrow
Agreement.
“Escrow
Agreement” means the escrow agreement among Seller, the Escrow Agent and
Purchaser in substantially the form of Exhibit
B
attached
hereto.
Escrow
Amount.
“Escrow
Amount” shall mean $2,000,000.
Estimated
Closing Balance Sheet.
“Estimated Closing Balance Sheet” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.4(a).
Existing
Confidentiality Agreement.
“Existing Confidentiality Agreement” shall mean the existing confidentiality
agreement by and between Purchaser Parent and Riparian Partners, Ltd. applicable
to the Seller and the Acquired Business and dated May 30, 2006.
Existing
Plans.
“Existing Plans” shall mean the existing Benefit Plans of Seller applicable to
the Acquired Business listed and described on Schedule
1.4
attached
hereto.
Financial
Statements.
“Financial Statements” shall mean the Annual Financial Statements, the Interim
Financial Statements, collectively, as well as, effective upon delivery to
Purchaser at or prior to Closing, the Audited Financial Statements.
GAAP.
“GAAP”
shall mean United States generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied.
Governmental
Authority.
“Governmental Authority” shall mean (i) any government or any agency, bureau,
board, commission, court, department, official, political subdivision, tribunal
or other instrumentality thereof, whether international, federal, state or
local, domestic or foreign (including any state or local attorney general),
and
(ii) any third-party arbitrator or third-party mediator to which such Person
is
bound by contract, Law or otherwise.
5
Governmental
Authorizations.
“Governmental Authorizations” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4.7(a)
of this Agreement.
Guaranty.
“Guaranty” shall mean, as to any Person, all liabilities or obligations of such
Person with respect to any indebtedness or other obligations of any other Person
that have been guaranteed, directly or indirectly, in any manner by such Person,
through an agreement, contingent or otherwise, to purchase such indebtedness
or
obligation, or to purchase or sell property or services, primarily for the
purpose of enabling the debtor to make payment of such indebtedness or
obligation or to guarantee the payment to the owner of such indebtedness or
obligation against loss, or to supply funds to or in any manner invest in the
debtor, or otherwise.
Hired
Purchaser Employees.
“Hired
Purchaser Employees” shall have the meaning specified in Section 9.7 of this
Agreement.
Indemnified
Party.
“Indemnified Party” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.5(a) of this
Agreement.
Indemnifying
Party.
“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.5(a) of this
Agreement.
Intellectual
Property.
“Intellectual Property” shall mean any United States, foreign, international and
state patents and patent applications, and continuations, reissues, divisions,
or disclosures relating thereto, industrial design registrations, certificates
of invention and utility models (collectively, “Patents”); trademarks, service
marks, and trademark or service xxxx registrations and applications, trade
names, trade dress, fictitious names, assumed names, logos, slogans, and general
intangibles of like nature, together with all goodwill related to the foregoing
(collectively, “Trademarks”); internet domain names; copyrights, copyright
registrations, renewals and applications for copyright registrations, and mask
works (collectively, “Copyrights”); Software; and technology, trade secrets and
know-how, proprietary processes, formulae, algorithms, models and methodologies
(collectively, “Trade Secrets”).
Interim
Financial Statements.
“Interim Financial Statements” shall mean the unaudited, internally prepared
interim financial statements (balance sheet and profit and loss statement)
of
the Seller for the six-month period beginning January 1, 2006 through June
30,
2006 attached as part of Schedule
4.3
of the
Disclosure Schedule together with the internally prepared interim financial
statements (balance sheet and profit and loss statement) of the Seller for
the
period beginning July 1, 2006 through the end of the calendar month immediately
preceding the Closing Date to be provided to Purchaser pursuant to Section
7.4.
Knowledge
of Seller.
“Knowledge of Seller” and terms of similar import shall mean the actual
knowledge of each of the following persons: Xxxx X’Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx X. XxxXxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xx. and Xxxx
Xxxxxx.
Law.
“Law”
shall mean, with respect to any Person, any statute, law, rule, regulation,
ordinance, treaty, administrative action, Order, or other requirement of any
Governmental Authority (including those requirements imposed by common law),
applicable to such Person (or any of its properties or assets) or any of its
members, managers, officers, directors, employees, consultants or agents in
connection with activities taken on behalf of such Person, as
amended.
6
Leased
Real Property.
“Leased
Real Property” shall mean the real property located at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx that is leased by Seller as lessee pursuant to a
lease
dated January 15, 2002, by and between Seller and S&S Steel Warehouse,
Inc.
Liability.
“Liability” shall mean any direct or indirect indebtedness, claim, loss, damage,
deficiency, obligation or other liability, known or unknown, fixed or unfixed,
xxxxxx or inchoate, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, accrued,
absolute, contingent or otherwise, whether or not of a kind required by GAAP
to
be set forth on a financial statement.
Lien.
“Lien”
shall mean any lien, pledge, mortgage, deed of trust, security interest, claim,
charge, option, easement, right of way, imperfections of title, squatters’
rights, covenant, condition, restriction, encroachment or other survey defect,
transfer or title restriction, voting trust agreement or other encumbrance
(whether arising by contract or by operation of Law).
Losses.
“Losses” shall mean damages, liabilities, claims, actions, judgments, losses, or
costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature (including reasonable attorneys’
fees); provided, however, that Losses shall not include a diminution in the
stock price of any Affiliate of the Purchaser whose shares are publicly traded
or punitive damages.
Material
Adverse Effect.
“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any change, effect, event or circumstance,
that individually or in the aggregate is or would reasonably be expected to
be
materially adverse to (i) the assets, properties, business, prospects or
condition (financial or otherwise), Liabilities or results of operations of
the
Acquired Business or the Purchased Assets; (ii) the relations of the Acquired
Business with any of its material contractors, customers or suppliers; or (iii)
the ability of the Seller to perform its obligations hereunder; provided, that
“Material Adverse Effect” shall not include (a) changes in business conditions
affecting (1) the industry in which the Acquired Business operates in general
and not specifically relating to the Acquired Business, and (2) the steel,
building or heavy construction industries, (b) changes in the economy in
general, (c) the enactment of any Law of general application not specifically
relating to the Acquired Business, or (d) the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement (including any announcement relating to this Agreement or the fact
that Purchaser is the purchaser of the Purchased Assets and will operate the
Acquired Business).
Material
Consents.
“Material Consents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.4 of this
Agreement.
Material
Contracts.
“Material Contracts” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.10
hereof.
Material
Customers and Suppliers.
“Material Customers and Suppliers” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.22 of this Agreement.
Material
Disclosure Schedule Change.
“Material Disclosure Schedule Change” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 9.3(b) of this Agreement.
7
Materials
of Environmental Concern.
“Materials of Environmental Concern” shall mean (i) any substance or material
that is on the Closing Date prohibited, controlled or regulated by any
Governmental Authority under Environmental Law as “hazardous”, “hazardous
substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials,” “extremely hazardous
substances,” “restricted hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” “toxic
pollutants,” “pollutants,” “contaminants,”, “solid wastes,” “special wastes,” or
words of similar import under any Environmental Laws, (ii) to the extent not
including in the foregoing, (a) any petroleum or any products, byproducts or
fractions thereof, (b) asbestos in any form, (c) urea formaldehyde foam
insulation, (d) any form of natural gas, explosives, PCBs, lead, lead based
paint, radon or other radioactive material, and (e) any chemicals, materials
or
substances (including waste materials, raw materials, byproducts, co-products
or
finished products) and (iii) any other substances of any kind regulated or
forming the basis of Liability under any Environmental Law.
Negative
Closing Date Adjustment Amount.
“Negative Closing Date Adjustment Amount” shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.4(b) of this Agreement.
Non-Assumed
Liabilities.
“Non-Assumed Liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.4 of
this Agreement.
Ohio
Real Estate.
“Ohio
Real Estate” shall mean the real estate owned by Seller located in Warren, Ohio
described on Schedule
1.5
attached
hereto, together with all buildings, structures, improvements and fixtures
thereon and all of Seller’s rights pertaining thereto.
Order.
“Order”
shall mean any judgment, decree, order, writ, injunction, permit or license
of
any Governmental Authority.
Ordinary
Course of Business.
“Ordinary Course of Business”, whether capitalized or not, shall mean, for any
Person, the ordinary course of business of such Person, consistent with past
custom and practice (including with respect to quantity and
frequency).
Outside
Closing Date.
“Outside Closing Date” shall mean October 16, 2006 (or such date as it may be
extended through pursuant to Section 12.1(b)(ii)).
Parties.
“Parties” shall mean, collectively, Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and
Seller.
Permitted
Encumbrances.
“Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean any and all (i) mechanics’ liens, workmen’s
liens, statutory liens of landlords, common carrier liens, warehousemen’s liens
and other similar liens, and liens arising under worker’s compensation,
unemployment insurance, social security, retirement and similar legislation,
in
each instance to the extent incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business; (ii)
any and all matters of record, zoning, variances, encumbrances, restrictions,
easements or other imperfections of title or Liens on the Owned Property, the
Leased Real Property or any other of the Purchased Assets which does not
materially diminish the value thereof or materially interfere with the use
thereof in the operations of the Acquired Business as presently conducted and
as
proposed to be conducted or the sale or transfer thereof; (iii) liens for Taxes
not yet due and payable; and (iv) solely with respect to the Ohio Real Estate,
the matters set forth on Schedule
1.6,
each of
which, to the Knowledge of Seller do not (a) materially diminish the value
of
the Ohio Real Estate based on the current use of Seller or (b) materially
interfere with the use thereof in the operations of the Acquired Business as
presently conducted by Seller.
8
Person.
“Person” shall mean a natural person, corporation, trust, partnership, limited
liability company, Governmental Authority, agency or branch or department
thereof, or any other legal entity.
Xxxxxxxx
Employment Agreement.
“Xxxxxxxx Employment Agreement” shall mean the Employment Agreement between the
Purchaser and Xxxx Xxxxxxxx in substantially the form of Exhibit
F
attached
hereto.
Positive
Closing Date Adjustment Amount.
“Positive Closing Date Adjustment Amount” shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.4(b) of this Agreement.
Positive
Closing Date Adjustment Cap.
“Positive Closing Date Adjustment Cap” shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.4(b) of this Agreement.
Pre-existing
COBRA Participants.
“Pre-existing COBRA Participants” shall have the meaning specified in Section
9.7(b) of this Agreement.
Product.
“Product” shall mean any product designed, manufactured, shipped, sold,
marketed, distributed and/or otherwise introduced into the stream of commerce
by
or on behalf of the Seller or the Acquired Business, including any product
sold
by the Acquired Business or the Seller as distributor, agent, or pursuant to
any
other contractual relationship.
Purchase
Price.
“Purchase Price” shall mean the total purchase price paid by Purchaser to Seller
for the Purchased Assets as provided in Section 2.3 of this
Agreement.
Purchased
Assets.
“Purchased Assets” shall mean the assets of Seller purchased by Purchaser
pursuant to Section 2.1 of this Agreement.
Reinvestment
Share Price.
“Reinvestment Share Price” shall mean eighty-five cents ($0.85) per share of
Purchaser Parent’s voting common stock, $0.0001 par value.
Reinvestment
Shares.“Reinvestment
Shares” shall mean 3,529,412 shares of the Purchaser Parent’s unregistered
voting common stock, $0.0001 par value.
Release.
“Release” shall have the meaning set forth in Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 USC §9601 et seq., as in effect on
the date hereof.
Reporting
Requirements.
“Reporting Requirements” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b) of
this Agreement.
Retained
Assets.
“Retained Assets” shall mean the assets of Seller listed and described in
Section 2.2 of this Agreement.
Riparian.
“Riparian” shall mean Riparian Partners, Ltd., a Rhode Island
corporation.
9
Seller
Principals.
“Seller
Principals” shall mean each of Xxxxxxx X. XxxXxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xx. and
Xxxx Xxxxxx.
Software.
“Software” shall mean any and all (i) computer programs, including any and all
software implementations of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in
source code or object code form, (ii) databases, compilations, and any other
electronic data files, including any and all collections of data, whether
machine readable or otherwise, (iii) descriptions, flow-charts, technical and
functional specifications, and other work product used to design, plan,
organize, develop, test, troubleshoot and maintain any of the foregoing, (iv)
without limitation to the foregoing, the software technology supporting any
functionality contained on the Internet site(s), of the Acquired Business,
(v)
all computer-aided design software, including the underlying data, and (vi)
all
documentation, including technical, end-user, training and troubleshooting
manuals and materials, relating to any of the foregoing.
Stock
Purchase Agreement.
“Stock
Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Stock Purchase Agreement between Purchaser
Parent and Seller in the form of Exhibit
C
attached
hereto pursuant to which Seller will purchase all of the Reinvestment Shares
at
the Reinvestment Share Price at Closing.
Taxes.
“Taxes”
shall mean all taxes of any kind, levies or other like assessments, customs,
duties, tariffs, imposts or charges, including without limitation, income,
gross
receipts, ad valorem, value-added, excise, real or personal property, asset,
sales, use, license, payroll, transaction, capital, net worth, franchise taxes
(if not based on income), estimated taxes, withholding, employment, social
security, workers’ compensation, utility, severance, production, unemployment
compensation, occupation, premium, windfall profits, transfer and gains taxes
or
other governmental taxes imposed or payable to the United States, or any state,
county, local or foreign government or subdivision or agency thereof, and in
each instance such term shall include any interest, penalties or additions
to
tax attributable to any such Tax, whether disputed or not.
Tax
Returns.
“Tax
Returns” shall mean all returns, declarations, reports, claims for refund and
information returns and statements of any Person required to be filed or sent
by
or with respect to it in respect of any Taxes, including any schedule or
attachment thereto and any amendment thereof.
Third
Party Claim.
“Third
Party Claim” shall have the meaning specified in Section 13.6(a) of this
Agreement.
Union
Agreement.
“Union
Agreement” means the collective bargaining agreement between Seller and United
Steelworkers Union of America, AFL-CIO-CLC, effective September 1,
2005.
Xxxxx
Employment Agreement.
“Xxxxx
Employment Agreement” shall mean the Employment Agreement between the Purchaser
and Xxxx Xxxxx in substantially the form of Exhibit
G
attached
hereto.
WARN
Act.
“WARN
Act” shall mean the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of
1988, as amended.
10
Wilmington.
“Wilmington” shall mean Wilmington Steel Processing Co., Inc.
Wilmington
Acquisition.
“Wilmington Acquisition” shall mean the acquisition of certain of the assets and
liabilities of Wilmington and the Wilmington Business by the Wilmington
Purchaser and the Seller, as applicable, pursuant to the Wilmington Transaction
Documents.
Wilmington
Acquisition Costs.
“Wilmington Acquisition Costs” shall mean the sum of (i) the amount paid by the
Wilmington Purchaser to Wilmington pursuant to the Wilmington APA, (ii) the
indebtedness of Wilmington assumed by the Wilmington Purchaser pursuant to the
Wilmington APA, (iii) the Wilmington Pursuit Costs, and (iv) the Wilmington
Broker Fee, in each instance to the extent either (i) paid by the Wilmington
Purchaser prior to the Closing Date (as reasonably documented) or (ii) reflected
as a liability in the Closing Working Capital.
Wilmington
APA.
“Wilmington APA” shall mean that certain Asset Purchase Agreement by and between
the Seller, Wilmington and the Wilmington Purchaser dated as of September 19,
2006, pursuant to which the Wilmington Purchaser will purchase the Wilmington
Assets, and assume certain liabilities of Wilmington.
Wilmington
Assets.
“Wilmington Assets” shall mean those assets contemplated to be purchased by the
Wilmington Purchaser pursuant to the Wilmington APA, or by the Seller pursuant
to the Wilmington PSA.
Wilmington
Business.
“Wilmington Business” shall have the same meaning as set forth in the definition
of “Competitive Business” in the Wilmington APA, as such business is conducted
by Wilmington through the Wilmington Closing Date.
Wilmington
Broker Fee.
“Wilmington Broker Fee” shall mean the $100,000 broker fee due to Riparian upon
the acquisition of the Wilmington Assets pursuant to the Wilmington
APA.
Wilmington
Closing Date.
“Wilmington Closing Date” shall mean the “Final Closing Date” as defined in the
Wilmington APA.
Wilmington
PSA.
“Wilmington PSA” shall mean that certain Production Services Agreement dated
September 8, 2006, by and between Seller and Wilmington dated as of September
8,
2006, as assigned to the Wilmington Purchaser on September 19, 2006.
Wilmington
Purchaser.
“Wilmington Purchaser” means CRC Wilmington Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller.
Wilmington
Purchaser Equity Interests.
“Wilmington Purchaser Equity Interests” means 100% of the equity interests of
the Wilmington Purchaser.
Wilmington
Pursuit Costs.
“Wilmington Pursuit Costs” shall mean all out of pocket costs and expenses
(including, but not limited to, legal fees, travel expenses and other due
diligence related expenses and costs) incurred by Seller in connection with
the
acquisition or attempted acquisition of Wilmington, including all costs
associated with the negotiation and drafting of the Wilmington APA and the
Wilmington PSA and all documents contemplated therein.
11
Wilmington
Seller.
“Wilmington Seller” means Wilmington Steel Processing Co., Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
Wilmington
Transaction Documents.
“Wilmington Transaction Documents” means the Wilmington APA, the Wilmington PSA
and each of the documents, agreements and instruments contemplated to be
delivered by the parties thereto at the closing of the Wilmington Acquisition
pursuant to the Wilmington APA.
Work
Interference.
“Work
Interference” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.20(b) of this
Agreement.
Working
Capital Target.
“Working Capital Target” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) of
this Agreement.
2. PURCHASE
AND ASSIGNMENT OF ASSETS OF SELLER.
2.1. Assets
Purchased.
Subject
to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and except
as
provided in Section 2.2 hereof, on the Closing Date Seller will sell, transfer,
assign, convey and deliver to Purchaser and Purchaser will accept, acquire
and
succeed to, all right, title and interest in and to (i) the Wilmington Purchaser
Equity Interests and (ii) the property and assets of the Acquired Business
as a
going concern (including, without limitation, the assets specified in (a) -
(h)
below), and all goodwill related thereto, in each instance free and clear of
all
Liens, except for Permitted Encumbrances, as of the Effective Time:
(a) Personal
Property.
All
tangible personal property used in the operation of the Acquired Business
including fixed assets, machinery, equipment, machine tools, tools, tooling,
parts, dies, molds, furniture, fixtures, furnishings, office equipment,
computers, leasehold improvements and vehicles, including all such personal
property that is capitalized on the books and records of the Seller as of
the
date hereof and as of the Closing Date;
(b) Inventories.
All
inventories of raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and parts
and
supplies, a summary of which, by category and dollar value, as of August
31,
2006 is attached hereto as Schedule
2.1(b);
(c) Contracts.
The
Contracts;
(d) Accounts
Receivable.
All
accounts receivable relating to the Acquired Business and the Purchased
Assets;
(e) Intangible
Property.
All (i)
Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights (including internet domain names) of the
Seller relating to the Acquired Business and the Purchased Assets, all of
which
are set forth on Schedule
2.1(e)
attached
hereto, (ii) all other Intellectual Property of the Seller relating to the
Acquired Business (subject to, with respect to Software, the limitations
set
forth on Schedule
4.11
attached
hereto) and (iii) all employee invention and secrecy agreements; technical
know-how; drawings, models, prints and sketches used in connection with the
manufacture and sale of the Seller’s products; unexpired equipment, construction
and other warranties; customer lists, sales and purchasing lists, sales records,
sales leads; licenses, approvals, memberships, agencies and permits; Seller’s
secrecy, non-disclosure, non-solicitation and privacy agreements; and telephone,
telex and telephone facsimile numbers and other directory listings;
12
(f) Records.
All
books, manuals, records and files, correspondence, logs, technical records,
research and development files, and sales and promotional materials and records
primarily relating to the Acquired Business and the Purchased
Assets;
(g) Ohio
Real Estate.
The
Ohio Real Estate; and
(h) Life
Insurance Policies.
The
key-man life insurance policies set forth on Schedule
2.1(h)
hereto.
2.2. Retained
Assets.
Seller
shall retain and not sell and deliver to Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.1,
and
Purchaser shall not purchase from Seller, the following assets of Seller even
though the following assets may be used in the operation of the Acquired
Business:
(a) Cash
and
cash accounts, short-term investments, marketable securities and other cash
equivalents;
(b) Seller’s
franchise to be a limited liability company, organizational documents and minute
books;
(c) Seller’s
cancelled checks, bank statements, Tax Returns and accounting
records;
(d) All
deferred finance and acquisition costs;
(e) Rights
under the contracts and leases listed on Schedule
2.2(e)
attached
hereto;
(f) Except
with respect to the policies set forth on Schedule
2.1(h),
all
insurance policies and rights to refunds thereunder;
(g) Any
rights to refunds with respect to Taxes and any Tax credit, Tax deductions
and
pre-paid Taxes, including, but not limited to, any deduction with respect to
the
capitalized costs of internally developed software pertaining to the wide area
network, in each instance relating to periods ending on or prior to the Closing
Date;
(h) Seller’s
rights to the original lease deposit of approximately $30,000 (but not the
parking lot repair security deposit) for the Leased Real Property to the extent
that such deposit (i) is not assigned at Closing to the Purchaser and credited
to the account of Seller or (ii) is set forth as an asset on the Closing Working
Capital; and
(i) Seller’s
rights under this Agreement.
13
2.3. Purchase
Price and Costs.
(a) Amount.
The
Purchase Price to be paid by Purchaser to Seller for the Purchased Assets shall
be an amount equal to the sum of the following:
(i) $40,000,000;
plus
(ii) the
Wilmington Acquisition Costs (irrespective of whether Seller consummates the
Wilmington Acquisition); plus or minus, respectively
(iii) the
Positive Closing Date Adjustment Amount or the Negative Closing Date Adjustment
Amount, as applicable (subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section
2.4); plus or minus
(iv) the
prorations to be made on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.3(d), as
applicable.
(b) Payment.
Subject
to the post-closing adjustment provided for in Section 2.4 below, if any, and
the prorations provided for in Section 2.3(d) below, if any, the Purchase Price
shall be payable as follows:
(i) At
Closing, Purchaser shall (i) pay the Purchase Price less the Escrow Amount
by
wire transfer of immediately available funds to or on behalf of Seller pursuant
to instructions delivered to Purchaser no later than one (1) Business Day prior
to the Closing Date, and (ii) deposit the Escrow Amount with the Escrow Agent
to
be held in accordance with the provisions of Escrow Agreement; and
(ii) At
Closing, Purchaser shall assume the Assumed Liabilities as provided in Section
3.1 below by executing the Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Xxxx of
Sale.
Notwithstanding
any provision of Section 2.3(b)(i) above, at Seller’s written direction,
Purchaser and Purchaser Parent may set off the Reinvestment Amount from the
Purchase Price in consideration for the issuance and delivery of the
Reinvestment Shares at the simultaneous closing of the Stock Purchase Agreement
at the Closing.
(c) Allocation.
Seller
and Purchaser agree that for purposes of this Agreement and the treatment for
tax purposes of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Purchase
Price shall be allocated to the Wilmington Purchaser Equity Interests and the
Purchased Assets and reported in accordance with Schedule
2.3(c),
which
schedule shall be prepared and agreed upon by the Parties at or prior to Closing
based on the Purchased Assets set forth on the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet
and thereafter based on post-closing adjustments to the Purchase Price and
the
Closing Balance Sheet, if any. Schedule
2.3(c)
shall be
prepared in accordance with U.S. Internal Revenue Service requirements and
the
applicable provisions of the Code. Neither Purchaser nor Seller shall take
a
position which is inconsistent with the allocation set forth in Schedule
2.3(c)
unless
required to do so under applicable Law.
(d) Closing
Prorations.
To the
extent not included in the Assumed Liabilities, the following closing prorations
and expenses shall be computed as of the Effective Time and paid by Seller
or
Purchaser, as the case may be, as follows: (A) personal property and real estate
Taxes, installment payments of special assessment liens, sewer charges, utility
charges and normally prorated operating expenses actually billed or paid as
of
the Closing Date; and (B) amounts owed by Seller or paid under the Contracts,
if
any, as of the Closing Date shall be prorated as of the Closing Date and be
adjusted against the Purchase Price due at Closing; provided, that within sixty
(60) days after the Closing, Purchaser and Seller will make a further adjustment
for such taxes or charges which may have accrued or been incurred prior to
the
Closing Date, but which had not been billed or paid at that date and to the
extent any amounts are outstanding under (A) and (B) above, and upon receipt
of
payment by Seller of such adjustment in Purchaser’s favor, Purchaser will be
responsible for and pay any amounts due and owing. All prorations shall be
made
on the basis of number of days elapsed before and after Closing for the period
that such amount is owing (with Seller being deemed the owner of the Acquired
Business for the entire Closing Date), a 365-day calendar year, and the actual
number of days in the applicable month.
14
(e) Costs.
The
Parties agree that they shall each be responsible for any fees and disbursements
of counsel and any other consultants that they have engaged in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereunder. Purchaser shall be solely responsible
for any and all title insurance premiums and title insurance costs related
to
the Ohio Real Estate. Purchaser and Seller shall split (i) any and all fees
and
costs charged by the Escrow Agent in connection with its obligations under
the
Escrow Agreement and (ii) any and all recording fees, transfer taxes or any
other fees or costs related to the transfer of the Ohio Real Estate to Purchaser
.
2.4. Closing
and Post-Closing Adjustment.
(a) Estimated
Closing Balance Sheet.
Seller
will prepare or cause to be prepared in good faith and delivered to Purchaser
two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, an estimated closing balance sheet
for the Acquired Business containing the Purchased Assets and the Assumed
Liabilities and setting forth in reasonable detail its estimate of the net
book
value of the Purchased Assets as of immediately prior to the Effective Time
and
the book amount of the Assumed Liabilities as of immediately prior to the
Effective Time, which shall include an estimate with respect to each account
required in determining the Closing Working Capital (such balance sheet is
referred to herein as the “Estimated Closing Balance Sheet”), which shall be
prepared in form reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser. The Estimated Closing
Balance Sheet will be prepared in accordance with GAAP, the books and records
of
the Seller and the methodologies and procedures set forth in Schedule
1.1
(it
being agreed that if there is any conflict among any of the forgoing, GAAP
shall
govern and control), and shall include the accounts to be used in determining
Closing Working Capital, and all the estimates thereon shall be reasonably
determined in good faith.
(b) Closing
Date Working Capital Adjustment.
Subject
to Section 2.4(f) hereof, the Purchase Price will be adjusted at Closing if
the
estimated Closing Working Capital is greater or less than $11,830,000.00 (the
“Working Capital Target”). Subject to Section 2.4(f) hereof, if the estimated
Closing Working Capital is greater than the Working Capital Target, then the
Purchase Price will be increased accordingly on a dollar-for-dollar basis of
the
full amount of such excess (the “Positive Closing Date Adjustment Amount”) up to
an aggregate increase to the Purchase Price of $870,000.00 (the “Positive
Closing Date Adjustment Cap”) and if the estimated Closing Working Capital is
less than the Working Capital Target, then the Purchase Price will be decreased
on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the full amount of such deficiency (the
“Negative Closing Date Adjustment Amount”).
15
(c) Final
Closing Balance Sheet.
Each of
Purchaser and Seller shall have the right, exercisable within forty-five (45)
days after the Closing Date, to require the Purchaser and the Acquired Business
to provide to Purchaser and Seller a final closing balance sheet for the
Acquired Business setting forth in reasonable detail the net book value of
the
Purchased Assets as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and the book
amount of the Assumed Liabilities as of immediately prior to the Effective
Time,
which shall include each of the accounts required in determining the Closing
Working Capital (such balance sheet is referred to herein as the “Closing
Balance Sheet”) following the methodologies and procedures used in calculating
the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet. The Seller shall be given reasonable access
to the work papers and other materials used in the preparation of the Closing
Balance Sheet. The Closing Balance Sheet and the determination of the Closing
Working Capital shall be completed by Purchaser and delivered to Seller within
thirty (30) days after a request is received therefor.
(d) Resolution
of Disputes.
In the
event Seller does not agree as to the Closing Balance Sheet or to the amount
of
the Closing Working Capital determined by Purchaser, then Seller shall deliver
to Purchaser a written statement describing with reasonable detail the basis
for
any such claim within 30 days after receiving the Closing Balance Sheet.
Purchaser and Seller will use reasonable efforts to resolve any such claims
themselves. If they do not obtain a final resolution within 75 days after the
Closing Date, however, Purchaser and Seller will select a regional accounting
firm mutually acceptable to them to resolve any remaining such claims. If
Purchaser and Seller are unable to agree on the choice of an accounting firm,
they will select a nationally recognized accounting firm by lot (after excluding
any such firm engaged by Purchaser, Seller or their affiliates) (the
“Arbitrating Accountant”). Upon submission to the Arbitrating Accountant for
resolution, Purchaser and Seller shall each indicate in writing its position
on
each disputed matter. The Arbitrating Accountant shall make a written
determination on each disputed matter no later than 120 days after the Closing
Date and such determination will be conclusive and binding upon Purchaser and
the Seller with respect to that disputed matter. The proposed Closing Balance
Sheet and the Closing Working Capital will be revised as appropriate to reflect
the resolution of any such claims pursuant to this Section 2.4(d). The fees
and
expenses of the Arbitrating Accountant shall be shared equally between Purchaser
and Seller.
(e) Post-Closing
Adjustments.
Promptly, and in any event no later than the 10th Business Day after final
determination of the Closing Working Capital in accordance with Sections 2.4(c)
and 2.4(d), subject to Section 2.4(f) hereof:
(i) if
the
Closing Working Capital Adjustment is a positive number, then Purchaser shall
pay by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Seller, an amount equal
to such number and such additional amount shall be deemed an increase to the
Purchase Price;
(ii) if
the
Closing Working Capital Adjustment is a negative number, then Seller shall
pay
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Purchaser, an amount equal
to
such number and such amount shall be deemed a decrease to the Purchase Price;
and
16
(iii) if
the
Closing Working Capital Adjustment is zero, then neither Purchaser nor Seller
shall pay any amount to the other.
For
purposes of this Section 2.4(e), “Closing Working Capital Adjustment” shall mean
the amount by which the Closing Working Capital set forth on the Closing Balance
Sheet is greater than or lower than the amount of the Closing Working Capital
set forth on the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet, expressed as a positive
number, if greater, or as a negative number, if lower.
(f) No
adjustments to the Purchase Price pursuant to Sections 2.4(b) and 2.4(e) shall
be payable by Purchaser or Seller to the other unless such adjustment is
calculated to be at least $25,000, upon which the full amount of such adjustment
shall be paid; provided, that the sum of the Positive Closing Date Adjustment
Amount and the Closing Working Capital Adjustment shall in no event exceed
the
Positive Closing Date Adjustment Cap.
(g) Seller
and Purchaser will make any work papers and back-up materials necessary for
the
preparation of the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet or the Closing Balance Sheet,
and any books, records and financial staff of the Acquired Business, available
to the other and their respective accountants and other representatives, and,
in
the event of a dispute involving the Closing Working Capital, to the Arbitrating
Accountant, at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice at any time during
(i) the preparation of the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet or the Closing
Balance Sheet, and (ii) the resolution by Purchaser and Seller and/or the
Arbitrating Accountant of any objections to the Closing Balance
Sheet.
3. ASSUMPTION
OF LIABILITIES.
3.1. Assumed
Liabilities.
At
Closing, as evidenced by the Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Xxxx of
Sale, Purchaser shall assume and be responsible for (i) the payment of all
accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liability accounts of the Acquired
Business unpaid as of the Effective Time to the extent that they are reflected
on the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet or, if created, the Closing Balance
Sheet, and are taken into account in the determination of Closing Working
Capital in accordance with the methodologies and procedures set forth in
Schedule
1.1
and (ii)
any obligations or liabilities assumed by Purchaser as set forth in Sections
3.2, 3.3, and 9.7. Such obligations and liabilities are referred to herein
as
the “Assumed Liabilities”.
3.2. Contracts.
At
Closing, (i) as evidenced by the Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Xxxx
of
Sale, Purchaser shall assume and be responsible for all Contracts transferred
to
Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.1(a) above and (ii) Purchaser shall assume
the
Union Agreement; provided, that (a) Purchaser shall not assume and shall have
no
Liability with respect to any obligations of Seller under the Contracts or
the
Union Agreement required therein to be performed by Seller at or prior to the
Closing or arising out of any breach thereof at or prior to Closing, or (b)
arising from a waiver or forbearance granted in favor of any party thereunder
prior to the Closing, unless such waiver or forbearance is expressly set forth
in the Contracts or described in Schedule
3.2
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
17
3.3. Prorated
Items.
To the
extent not included in the Assumed Liabilities, Purchaser shall assume and
be
responsible for all utilities specified in Section 2.3(d) above provided
Purchaser receives equivalent credits against the Purchase Price under that
Section.
3.4. No
Further Assumption; Non-Assumed Liabilities.
Purchaser does not and shall not assume any obligations or Liabilities of Seller
other than the Assumed Liabilities. All obligations and Liabilities of Seller
and the Acquired Business other than the Assumed Liabilities (the “Non-Assumed
Liabilities”) shall remain with Seller and Seller shall be responsible for and
timely pay and discharge as and when due all of the Non-Assumed Liabilities
after the Closing Date, including (i) any liabilities for Taxes (a) relating
to
or arising out of the Business accruing prior to or on the Closing Date
(including, without limitation, accrued sales taxes), (b) retained by the Seller
pursuant to this Agreement, (c) of Seller or any other Person, whether pursuant
to an agreement, by operation of Treasury Regulation §1.1502-6 (or any similar
provision of state, local, or foreign law), transferee or successor Liability,
or otherwise, (ii) any Liabilities arising under Environmental Laws attributable
to or incurred as a result of any acts, omissions, or conditions first occurring
or in existence as of or prior to the Closing Date, including, but not limited
to, Liabilities for the Release, handling, discharge treatment, storage,
disposal, or presence of Materials of Environmental Concern, (iii) any
Liabilities first occurring or in existence as of or prior to the Closing Date
relating to (A) the employees of the Acquired Business or (B) any Benefit Plans
maintained by the Seller or any Affiliate of the Seller or, to the extent
Seller, Purchaser or Purchaser Parent is liable therefor, any of their
respective predecessors, (iv) any Liabilities relating to Products placed in
the
stream of commerce by the Acquired Business or its predecessors on or prior
to
the Closing Date (provided that Purchaser shall be responsible for the first
$50,000 of Liability in connection with any retrofitting or warranty work
required in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to Products placed
in
the stream of commerce by the Acquired Business, provided, further that any
amounts paid under this Section 3.4(iv) shall in no way be included in the
calculation of Losses pursuant to Section 13.4(a)(iv) or 13.4(a)(v)), (v) any
Liabilities to the equityholders of the Seller; and (vi) except as set forth
herein, any fees, costs or expenses of Seller in connection with legal,
accounting, investment banking or any other services rendered in connection
with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary
Documents.
4. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO SELLER AND THE PURCHASED ASSETS.
Except
as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule, Seller represents and warrants to
Purchaser and Purchaser Parent as follows:
4.1. Organizational
Matters Regarding Seller and the Wilmington
Purchaser.
(a) Organization
and Qualification; Power.
Each of
Seller and the Wilmington Purchaser is a limited liability company duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State
of
Delaware. Seller is, and upon the closing of the Wilmington Acquisition, the
Wilmington Purchaser shall be, duly qualified or licensed, as the case may
be,
and in good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the activities
of
its business or the character of its assets require such qualification, except
where the failure to be so qualified would not have an adverse affect on the
Seller, the Wilmington Purchaser or the Acquired Business. Each jurisdiction
in
which Seller and the Wilmington Purchaser is qualified is listed on Schedule
4.1(a)
of the
Disclosure Schedule. Seller has, and upon closing of the Wilmington Acquisition,
the Wilmington Purchaser shall have, all requisite power and authority to own,
lease and operate the Purchased Assets or the Wilmington Assets, as the case
may
be, and to carry on the Acquired Business or the Wilmington Business, as the
case may be, as conducted by such party. The Seller has delivered to the
Purchaser or its counsel correct and complete copies of its and the Wilmington
Purchaser’s governing documents including their respective certificate of
formation and operating agreement.
18
(b) Authorization;
Validity.
Seller
has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the
Ancillary Documents to which it is a named party and the related agreements,
documents and instruments referred to herein or contemplated hereby and to
carry
out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery by
Seller of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which it is a named party
and the related agreements, documents and instruments referred to herein or
contemplated hereby and the consummation by Seller of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
entity action on the part of the Seller. No further act or proceeding on the
part of Seller is necessary to authorize this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents
to which it is a named party or any related documents or instruments to be
executed and delivered by Seller pursuant hereto or thereto or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. This Agreement constitutes,
and when executed and delivered the Ancillary Documents to which Seller is
a
named party and the related agreements, documents and instruments to be executed
and delivered by Seller pursuant hereto will constitute the valid and legally
binding obligations of Seller enforceable against it in accordance with their
respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by
general equitable principles.
(c) Compliance;
Binding Effect.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
4.1(c)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement,
the Ancillary Documents and the related agreements and instruments referred
to
herein or therein or contemplated hereby or thereby and the sale and transfer
of
the Purchased Assets and the Acquired Business will not: (i) violate any
provision of the Certificate of Formation or Operating Agreement of Seller
or
any provision of applicable Law; (ii) constitute a default under, or constitute
an event which with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or
both
would become a default under any Material Contract; (iii) violate or conflict
with any Order to which either Seller, the Acquired Business or the Purchased
Assets are subject or bound; (iv) result in the creation of a Lien on the
Purchased Assets, or (v) result in the acceleration or give rise to a right
to
accelerate any of the Assumed Liabilities.
4.2. Governmental
Consents.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
4.2
of the
Disclosure Schedule, no consent, approval, authorization, or other action by
or
filing with any Governmental Authority is required for the execution, delivery
or performance by the Seller of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
4.3. Financial.
Schedule
4.3
of the
Disclosure Schedule contains correct and complete copies of the Financial
Statements. Except as indicated in the Disclosure Schedule, the Financial
Statements were prepared in accordance with the policies and procedures of
Seller, Seller’s books of account and records and GAAP consistently applied (it
being agreed that if there is any conflict among any of the forgoing, GAAP
shall
govern and control) through the applicable periods involved, and present fairly
in all material respects the financial condition of the Acquired Business as
of
the respective dates of such Financial Statements and the respective periods
covered thereby, subject to ordinary course year end adjustments that may be
made to the Interim Financial Statements. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.3
of the
Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2005, there has been no change in the
accounting methods or practices of Seller relating to the Acquired
Business.
19
4.4. Absence
of Certain Changes.
Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule and except as disclosed in the Financial Statements, since
December 31, 2005, Seller has conducted the Acquired Business in the ordinary
course of business. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except
as
disclosed in Schedule
4.4
of the
Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2005 there has been no (i) change in
the
Acquired Business which has had a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) material damage,
destruction or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) affecting the
Purchased Assets or the Acquired Business, (iii) increase or commitment to
increase the salaries, bonuses, severance or termination payments, rates of
compensation, or other compensation or level of benefit with respect to any
of
the employees employed in the Acquired Business, except in the ordinary course
of business and for the Employee Bonuses, (iv) termination of any previously
existing contract, agreement or license which, if not terminated, would have
been required to be listed on Schedule
4.10
of the
Disclosure Schedule, other than expirations of such contracts, agreements or
licenses in the ordinary course of business, or increase or decrease or
commitment to increase or decrease the prices charged by the Seller to any
of
its customers or charged to the Seller by its suppliers in the ordinary course
of business, (v) sale, lease, license or disposition of any material assets
or
property of the Acquired Business (other than the sale of Products in the
ordinary course of business and tangible property that has been damaged or
rendered obsolete); (vi) change in any accounting method used by Seller or
adverse effect on Seller of any material change in any accounting method used
by
Seller; (vii) strike, work stoppage or slowdown with respect to the Acquired
Business; (viii) receipt of any notice or adverse change in Seller’s
relationship with any financial institution with which the Acquired Business
currently does business; (ix) acceleration or delay of collection of notes
or
accounts receivable of the Acquired Business in advance of or beyond their
regular due dates or the dates when the same would have been collected in the
ordinary course of business; (x) acceleration or delay of payments of any
accounts payable or other Liability of the Acquired Business beyond or in
advance of its due date or the date when such Liability would have been paid
in
the ordinary course of business; (xi) failure to replenish inventories and
supplies of the Acquired Business in the ordinary course of business, or
entering into of any purchase commitment by the Acquired Business not in the
ordinary course of business; (xii) acquisition by the Acquired Business of
any
significant part of the assets, capital stock, properties, securities or
business of any other Person (other than the Wilmington Acquisition) (xiii)
revaluation of any assets or properties or material write down or write off
of
the value of any assets or properties of the Acquired Business; (xiv)
cancellation, termination or material reduction of a relationship by any single
supplier or customer who accounted for more than 10% of the purchases or sales
of the Seller, determined by reference to Seller’s fiscal year ended December
31, 2005; or (xv) agreement to do any of the foregoing.
4.5. Powers
of Attorney.
No
employee or agent of Seller hold powers of attorney to act with respect to
the
Purchased Assets or the Acquired Business.
20
4.6. Litigation;
Disputes.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.6(a)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, there is no suit, action, claim, or legal, administrative,
arbitration, union grievances, mediation or other proceeding, or governmental
investigation (“Litigation”) pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened
by or before any Governmental Authority affecting Seller (as plaintiff or
defendant), the Purchased Assets or the Acquired Business.
(b) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.6(b)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, there has been no Litigation commenced against Seller
in
the last three (3) years in connection with the Acquired Business other than
(i)
with respect to accounts receivable collection matters solely for money damages
and not having amounts in controversy in excess of $50,000 and (ii) workers
compensation claims that occurred in the Ordinary Course of
Business.
4.7. Licenses;
Compliance With Laws and Regulations.
(a) Governmental
Authorizations.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
4.7(a)(i)
of the
Disclosure Schedule or as relates to Environmental Laws (which are covered
by
Section 4.12), Seller has all material authorizations, consents, approvals,
franchises, licenses and permits required under applicable Law for the operation
and ownership of the Acquired Business and the Purchased Assets (the
“Governmental Authorizations”) and Schedule
4.7(a)(ii)
of the
Disclosure Schedule lists all of the Governmental Authorizations material to
the
Acquired Business as conducted by Seller, except for Governmental Authorizations
under Environmental Laws (which are covered by Section 4.12). All of the
Governmental Authorizations have been duly issued or obtained and are in full
force and effect, and Seller is in compliance with the terms and conditions
of
all of the Governmental Authorizations. To the Knowledge of Seller, no fact,
condition, or violation exists which could cause the Governmental Authorizations
not to be renewed by the appropriate Governmental Authorities in the ordinary
course or which would, for each Government Authorization not being assigned
to
Purchaser at Closing, prevent Purchaser from obtaining the same Government
Authorizations in the ordinary course.
(b) Compliance
With Laws and Regulations.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
4.7(b)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, Seller is in compliance in all material respects with
all
applicable Laws relating to the operation of the Acquired Business, excluding
Environmental Laws which are covered by Section 4.12 hereof.
4.8. Title
to and Condition of Property.
(a) Real
Property.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
4.8(a)(i)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Ohio Real Estate and the Leased Real Property
constitute all real property used in the Acquired Business. Set forth in
Schedule
4.8(a)(ii)
of the
Disclosure Schedule is a list of all of the lease and sublease agreements and
all other instruments granting leasehold interests, rights, options, or other
interests, as amended to date (the “Leases”) relating to the Leased Real
Property. A true, complete, and correct copy of each of the Leases has
previously been made available to the Purchaser.
(b) Title.
Except
as provided in Schedule
4.8(b)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, Seller has good and marketable title to the Purchased
Assets and the Wilmington Purchaser Equity Interests free and clear of any
Liens, except Permitted Encumbrances and the Assumed Liabilities. Seller enjoys
peaceful and undisturbed possession of the Leased Real Property and the Ohio
Real Estate. No Person other than the Seller has any right to use or occupy
any
part of the Leased Real Property and the Ohio Real Estate. To the Knowledge
of
Seller, there are no pending or threatened condemnation or eminent domain
proceedings with respect to or affecting any of the Ohio Real Estate or the
Leased Real Property, and neither the Seller nor the Acquired Business has
received any written notice in respect thereof.
21
(c) Condition.
Except
as provided in Schedule
4.8(c)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, all machinery, equipment and other material items of
tangible property and assets included in the Purchased Assets, taken as a whole,
are in good operating condition and repair for assets of their type and age,
subject to normal wear and maintenance. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.8(c)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of Seller, all improvements located on
the
Ohio Real Estate and on the Leased Real Property are in a state of good
maintenance and repair and in a condition adequate and reasonably suitable
for
the conduct therein of the business as conducted by the Acquired Business.
Except as provided in the Schedule
4.8(c)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, no Person other than the Seller owns any machinery,
equipment or other tangible assets or properties of the Acquired Business
situated on the premises of the Acquired Business or used in its operations
except for (i) items of equipment and machinery leased by Seller, and (ii)
items
of immaterial value owned by employees of the Seller. Except as set forth on
Schedule
4.8(c)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of Seller, the heating, ventilation,
air
conditioning, roofing, plumbing and electrical systems at the Ohio Real Estate
and the Leased Real Property are in working order and repair. To the Knowledge
of Seller, the Acquired Business has not experienced any material interruption
in such services provided to any of the premises located on the Ohio Real Estate
and the Leased Real Property within the last year. To the Knowledge of Seller,
no landlord under the Leased Real Property has any plans to make any material
alterations to any of the Leased Real Property, the construction of which would
interfere in any material respect with the use of any material portion of the
Leased Real Property. To the Knowledge of Seller, no landlord under the Leased
Real Property has any plans to make any material alterations to any of the
buildings located on any Leased Real Property, the costs of which alterations
would be borne in any part by a tenant under the applicable lease.
(d) Insurance.
Schedule
4.8(d)
of the
Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all insurance policies which Seller
maintains that cover the Acquired Business. To the Knowledge of Seller, such
insurance policies are in full force and effect and Seller has not received
any
written notice of any cancellation of such insurance. The Seller has previously
provided the Purchaser with true and complete copies of all of such insurance
policies, as amended. Since December 31, 2001, the insurance policies of Seller
relating to the Acquired Business provided adequate and customary coverage
for
the Acquired Business and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there have been no
historical gaps in coverage. To the Knowledge of Seller (i) no insurance carrier
or insurance agent of Seller has indicated that any of Seller’s insurance
policies would not be renewed in the ordinary course, (ii) no insurance carrier
of Seller is insolvent and (iii) the limits under all policies of Seller have
not been exhausted or significantly diminished.
22
4.9. Taxes.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.9
of the
Disclosure Schedule, all Tax Returns and tax reports required to be filed with
respect to the income, operations, business or assets of Seller or each
affiliated, combined or unitary group (“Tax Group”) of which Seller has been a
member (i) have been timely filed (or will be timely filed) with the appropriate
Governmental Authorities for all periods ended on or prior to the Closing Date,
(ii) are correct and complete in all material respects and reflect accurately
all liability for Taxes of Seller or Seller’s Tax Group, as the case may be, for
the periods to which such returns relate and (iii) all Taxes shown as payable
on
such Tax Returns have been paid (or will be timely paid), including (subject
to
Purchaser fulfilling its obligations specified in Section 9.10 hereof), any
and
all Taxes incurred or imposed as a result of the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No Governmental Authority of a
jurisdiction in which the Company does not file Tax Returns has notified Seller
that the Company may be liable to file Tax Returns in such
jurisdiction.
(b) All
Taxes
that Seller or its Tax Group is required by Law to withhold or collect for
all
periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date have been timely withheld or
collected, or adequately reserved for on the books and records of Seller, and
have either been paid to the appropriate Governmental Authority or set aside
and, to the extent required by Law, held in accounts for such
purpose.
(c) Seller
has previously delivered to Purchaser true, correct and complete copies of
each
of the federal, state, local, and other Tax Returns filed by Seller or its
tax
Group for the past three fiscal years which were due, without regard to any
extensions granted, on or before the date hereof.
4.10. Contracts
and Commitments.
(a) Set
forth
on Schedule
4.10
of the
Disclosure Schedule is a list of each of the following categories of (a) written
contracts, instruments, leases, agreements, arrangements, undertakings and
commitments to which the Seller is a party or otherwise bound and (b) oral
contracts, agreements, commitments and understandings to which the Seller is
a
party or otherwise bound that (I) were either entered into or have material
obligations which are performable after December 31, 2005, and (II) involve
the
receipt or delivery by the Acquired Business of an amount in excess of $25,000
(together with a brief description of the material terms of any such oral
agreement), in each instance (a) or (b), relating to the Acquired Business
or
the Purchased Assets and which have obligations that remain outstanding
(collectively, the “Material Contracts”): (i) agreements not to compete with any
Person in any business or geographic territory, not to engage in any line of
business or not to disclose information; (ii) real property leases, rental
or
occupancy contracts, or any other material contracts affecting the ownership
of,
purchase of, sale of, leasing of, title to, use of, or any leasehold or other
interest in, any real or personal property; (iii) indentures, mortgages,
promissory notes, loan agreements, Guaranties or other agreements for the
borrowing, lending or investing of money or creating or reflecting a Lien on
Purchased Assets; (iv) except for purchase or sale orders for the purchase
of
materials or supplies or for the sale of products entered into in the ordinary
course of business, agreements involving receipt, potential receipt, payment
or
potential payment or other expenditure of more than $10,000 in the aggregate
that is not cancelable on less than 1 months’ notice without the payment of a
penalty or a payment for future products or services which will not be received
or rendered; (v) warranties, guaranties and/or other similar undertakings
extended by the Seller or the Acquired Business; (vi) agreements providing
for
the disposition of a material item of the Purchased Assets, other than in the
ordinary course of business (for such purposes, a material Purchased Asset
is
one that is important to the operation of the Acquired Business, the disposition
of which would prevent an orderly and uninterrupted continuation of operations
and the replacement of which would unreasonably consume time and funds); (vii)
consulting, employment collective bargaining and union agreements; (viii)
agreements with sales representatives, dealers or distributors; (ix)
partnership, joint venture or similar relationship agreements involving a
sharing of profits, losses, costs or liabilities; (x) license, franchise or
management agreements; (xi) agreements that are not cancelable on thirty (30)
days or less notice without penalty; or (xii) any other agreement that the
termination of which, or the expiration without renewal of which, would have
a
Material Adverse Effect.
23
(b) Seller
has previously furnished to Purchaser true, complete and correct copies of
all
written agreements, as amended, required to be set forth on Schedule
4.10.
Each of
the Material Contracts is in full force and effect and is the valid and legally
binding obligation of Seller and, to the Knowledge of Seller, the other parties
thereto, each enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject only to
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors
generally and to general equitable principles. Seller has not received notice
of
its default under any of the Material Contracts, and, to the Knowledge of
Seller, no event has occurred which, with the passage of time or the giving
of
notice or both, would constitute a default by Seller thereunder. Seller has
not
received notice of the pending or threatened cancellation, revocation or
termination of any of the Material Contracts, including, without limitation,
any
agreements relating to borrowed money to which Seller is a party or to which
it
or its assets are bound or subject, nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, are there
any facts or circumstances that could lead to any such cancellation, revocation
or termination.
(c) Seller
has taken such actions as is set forth on Schedule
4.10(c)
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
4.11. Intellectual
Property.
(a) Schedule
2.1(e)
contains
a true and complete list of all Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights associated
with the Purchased Assets or used in the Acquired Business. Seller owns the
entire right, title and interest in and to the items listed in Schedule
2.1(e)
free and
clear of Liens, other than Permitted Encumbrances, and none of such items are
subject to any pending or threatened Litigation or other adverse claims and,
other than as set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of Seller, none of the items listed in
Schedule
2.1(e)
violate
any Intellectual Property of any other Person. To the Knowledge of Seller,
there
are no facts or circumstances that would result in the invalidity or
unenforceability of any of the items of Intellectual Property set forth in
Schedule
2.1(e),
and all
filings with respect thereto required to keep such items effective and
enforceable have been made by Seller. Except as set forth in Schedule
2.1(e),
no
licenses, sublicenses, covenants or agreements have been granted or entered
into
by Seller relating to any such Intellectual Property.
(b) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Seller owns, or has the valid right to use, all
Intellectual Property affiliated with or used in connection with the Purchased
Assets or the Acquired Business as presently conducted or as presently intended
to be conducted, and all of such Intellectual Property will be transferred
with
the Purchased Assets.
24
(c) Set
forth
on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule is a complete and accurate list of (i) each agreement that
is in effect pursuant to which the Acquired Business uses the Intellectual
Property of another Person in any manner that is material to the conduct of
the
Acquired Business and (ii) each agreement that is in effect pursuant to which
the Seller grants to another Person (A) the right to use an item of Intellectual
Property affiliated or used in connection with the Acquired Business or the
Purchased Assets.
(d) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, all Intellectual Property of the Seller affiliated or
used
in connection with the Acquired Business or the Purchased Assets are valid
and
subsisting, in full force and effect, and have not been cancelled, expired,
or
abandoned.
(e) The
Seller takes reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of the material
Trade Secrets of the Acquired Business. To the Knowledge of Seller, except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, no material Trade Secret of the Acquired Business has
been
improperly disclosed or has been misappropriated by another Person.
(f) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of Seller, the conduct of the business
of
the Acquired Business, as currently conducted or as currently intended to be
conducted, does not infringe or misappropriate the Intellectual Property rights
of any Person. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Seller nor the Acquired Business has received
written notice, or, to the Knowledge of Seller, oral notification that (i)
the
conduct of the business of the Acquired Business infringes any Intellectual
Property rights owned or controlled by any third party (either directly or
indirectly such as through contributory infringement or inducement to infringe)
or is defamatory or violative in any way of any publicity, privacy, or other
rights; or (ii) any interference or cancellation proceeding exists before any
court or registration authority in any jurisdiction against the Intellectual
Property affiliated with or used by the Acquired Business.
(g) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of Seller, no third party is
misappropriating, infringing, diluting, or otherwise violating any Intellectual
Property affiliated with or used in connection with the Acquired Business or
the
Purchased Assets, and no such claims are pending against a third party by the
Seller.
(h) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, after the deliveries provided for in this Agreement have
occurred, neither the Seller Principals nor any current or former officer,
manager, member or employee of the Seller (or any family member thereof) will
retain any rights of ownership or use with respect to Intellectual Property
affiliated with or used in connection with by the Acquired Business or the
Purchased Assets.
(i) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Seller owns or has the right to use all Software used
in the Acquired Business or in connection with the Purchased Assets. No
unlicensed copies of any mass market Software that is available in consumer
retail stores or otherwise commercially available and subject to "shrink-wrap"
or "click-through" license agreements have been installed or maintained on
any
of the computers or computer systems of the Acquired Business or the Purchased
Assets.
25
4.12. Environmental
Matters.
(a) Seller
does not have, and to the Knowledge of Seller, is not required to have, any
authorizations, consents, approvals, franchises, licenses and permits required
under applicable Environmental Law which are material to its operation and
ownership of the Acquired Business and the Purchased Assets.
(b) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.12(b)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, there is no Environmental Claim pending against Seller
or,
to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against Seller or the Purchased Assets
and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there exist no facts or circumstances that
would reasonably be expected to result in the institution of any such
Environmental Claim. The Seller has not received notice of any material penalty,
damages or other costs being assessed or awarded against the Seller relating
to
any Environmental Claims; and no settlement or agreement in respect of an
Environmental Claim has been entered into by the Seller; and except as set
forth
on Schedule 4.12(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of Seller,
no
investigation or review has been done by or at the request or direction of
a
Governmental Authority with respect to the Seller or any of its respective
properties relating to compliance with Environmental Laws.
(c) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.12(c),
to the
Knowledge of Seller, the Seller has not, and no prior owner, operator or lessee
of the Ohio Real Estate has, handled any Materials of Environmental Concern
in
violation of Environmental Law (in such a manner as would be likely to result
in
a material Liability of the Seller or the Purchaser) on any property now or
previously owned, operated or leased by the Seller and, without limiting the
foregoing, to the Knowledge of Seller (A) no polychlorinated biphenyls are
or
have been Released, transported, disposed of or stored in violation of
Environmental Law, (B) no asbestos is or has been present, (C) there are no
underground or above ground storage tanks, active or abandoned which are in
violation of Environmental Law, (D) no Hazardous Material has been Released
in a
quantity reportable under, or in violation of, or which would be reasonably
expected to result in material Liability, in each instance (A)-(D) (I) at,
on,
under or from any property now or previously owned, operated or leased by the
Seller, during any period that the Seller owned, operated or leased such
property or, to the Knowledge of Seller, prior thereto or (II) which would
otherwise be reasonably expected to result in a material Liability of the Seller
or the Purchaser.
(d) The
Seller has not received any notice that Seller or any of its contractors, agents
or employees has, and to the Knowledge of Seller the Seller nor any of its
contractors, agents or employees has, transported or arranged for the
transportation of any Materials of Environmental Concern to a location which
would reasonably be expected to result in an Environmental Claim(s) which would
be a material Liability of the Seller or the Purchaser.
(e) No
written or, to the Knowledge of Seller, oral notification of a Release of
Materials of Environmental Concern has been filed by or on behalf of the Seller
and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no property now or previously owned, operated
or leased by the Seller is listed or, to the Knowledge of Seller, proposed
for
listing on the National Priorities List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or on
any
similar state list of sites requiring investigation or clean up.
26
(f) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.12(f),
since
January 1, 2001, there have been no material environmental investigations,
studies, audits, tests, reviews or other analyses or reports thereof which
were
conducted by, or which are in the possession of, the Seller for any property
or
facility now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Seller which have
not been delivered or made available to Purchaser prior to the execution of
this
Agreement.
4.13. Transactions
with Affiliates; Related Parties.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.13
of the
Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2005, the Acquired Business has not
engaged in any material transaction with any entity owned or controlled by
Seller on other than an arm’s length basis. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.13,
neither
Seller nor any current or former (within the past three years) manager, member,
officer or employee of Seller, or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any of their
family members (individually a “Related Party” and collectively the “Related
Parties”), or any Affiliate of Seller or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any
Affiliate of any Related Party: (i) owns, directly or indirectly, any interest
in any Person that is a competitor of the Acquired Business, or a supplier
or
customer of the Acquired Business (except as an owner of five percent or less
of
the stock of any company listed on a national securities exchange or traded
in
the over-the-counter market); (ii) owns, directly or indirectly, in whole or
in
part, any property, asset or right, real, personal or mixed, tangible or
intangible (including, but not limited to, any of the intangible property)
that
is utilized in the operation of the Acquired Business; (iii) has an interest
in
or is, directly or indirectly, a party to any contract, agreement, lease or
arrangement relating to the Acquired Business or the Purchased Assets; or (iv)
has any cause of action or other claim whatsoever against the Acquired Business
or the Purchased Assets.
4.14. Benefit
Plans.
(a) Except
for the Existing Plans, neither Seller nor the Acquired Business maintains
or
contributes to any Benefit Plan. Seller has made available to Purchaser copies
of each of the Existing Plans for which written documentation exists, together
with copies of any summary plan description thereof. Since December 31, 2001,
Seller has not maintained or had an obligation to contribute to, or incurred
any
other obligation in respect of (i) a multiemployer plan within the meaning
of
Section 3(37) of ERISA, (ii) a plan subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title
I, Subtitle B, Part 3 or Title IV of ERISA, or (iii) a funded welfare benefit
plan, as defined in Section 419 of the Code.
(b) With
respect to each Benefit Plan, Seller has heretofore delivered or caused to
be
delivered or made available to Purchaser true, correct and complete copies
of
(i) all documents which comprise the current version of each of such Benefit
Plan, including any related trust agreements, insurance contracts, or other
funding or investment contracts and any amendments thereto, and (ii) with
respect to each Benefit Plan that is an “employee benefit plan,” as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA, (w) the most recent Annual Report (Form 5500 Series)
and
accompanying schedules for each of the Benefit Plans for which such a report
is
required, (x) the current summary plan description (and any summary of material
modifications thereto), (y) the most recently filed certified financial
statements for each of the Benefit Plans for which such a statement is required
or was prepared, and (z) for each Benefit Plan intended to be “qualified” within
the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code, the most recent IRS determination
letter issued with respect to such Benefit Plan. Except as set forth in
Schedule
4.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule, since the date of the documents delivered, there has not
been any material change in the assets or liabilities of any of the Benefit
Plans or any change in their terms and operations which could reasonably be
expected to affect or alter the Tax status or materially affect the cost of
maintaining such Benefit Plan, and none of the Benefit Plans has been or will
be
amended prior to the Closing Date.
27
(c) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.14
of the
Disclosure Schedule (a) no complete or partial termination or wind up of any
Benefit Plan has occurred since December 31, 2001, or is expected to occur;
(b)
full payment has been timely made of all amounts which the Seller is required,
under applicable Law or under any Benefit Plan or any contract relating to
any
Benefit Plan to which the Seller is a party, to have paid, including all
contributions and premiums thereunder, as of the last day of the most recent
fiscal year of such Benefit Plan ended prior to the date hereof; (c) the Seller
has made adequate provisions in its financial records and statements, in
accordance with GAAP, for all obligations and liabilities under all Benefit
Plans that have accrued but have not been paid because they are not yet due
under the terms of any Benefit Plan (or any related trust, insurance contract,
other related contract or fund); (d) each Benefit Plan (and each related trust,
insurance contract, other related contract or fund) has been maintained, funded
and administered in accordance with the terms of such Benefit Plan and the
terms
of any applicable collective bargaining agreement and complies in form and
operation with the applicable requirements of ERISA, the Code and other
applicable Law; (e) all required reports and descriptions have been timely
filed
and/or distributed in accordance with the applicable requirements of ERISA
and
the Code with respect to each Benefit Plan; and (f) the requirements of COBRA
have been met with respect to each Benefit Plan subject to COBRA.
4.15. Product
Warranties; Products.
(a) Schedule
4.15
of the
Disclosure Schedule includes copies of Seller’s standard terms and conditions of
Product sales made. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.15
of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are not any pending claims against Seller for breach
of an express or implied warranty applicable to Products of the Acquired
Business sold by Seller and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there is no such claim
threatened.
(b) Seller
has not received notice of any, and to the Knowledge of Seller there are not
any, set of facts that (i) could furnish a basis for the recall, withdrawal
or
suspension of any Product, Governmental Authorization, approval or consent
of
any Governmental Authority with respect to any Product, (ii) could furnish
a
basis for the recall, withdrawal or suspension of any Product by Order of any
state, federal or foreign court of law, or (iii) could otherwise cause Seller
or
the Acquired Business to recall, withdraw or suspend any Product from the market
or to change the marketing classification of any Product. Seller has not
received notice of any, and to the Knowledge of Seller there are not any,
Defects in the Products that is reasonably likely to give rise to any Losses
or
that will cause such Product not to be useable as intended or
marketed.
4.16. Inventory.
The
quantities of each type of inventory (whether raw materials, work-in-process,
or
finished goods) are not excessive, but are reasonable and warranted in the
present circumstances of the Seller conducting the Acquired Business in the
ordinary course of business. To the Knowledge of Seller, all work in process
and
finished goods inventory held by the Seller is free of any material Defect
or
other material deficiency. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.16
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the inventory of finished goods of the Acquired Business
taken into account in the determination of the Closing Working Capital
(excluding any such inventory included in any inventory reserve or inventory
write down or write off taken into account in the determination of the Closing
Working Capital) has been manufactured in accordance with customer
specifications as set forth in the applicable purchase order. Except as set
forth in Schedule
4.16
of the
Disclosure Schedule, since December 31, 2005, no inventory items have been
sold
or disposed of except in the ordinary course of business.
28
4.17. Accounts
Receivable and Bad Debts.
The
accounts receivable of the Seller arising from the Acquired Business and taken
into account in the determination of the Closing Working Capital (excluding
any
such accounts receivable included in any bad debt reserve, allowance for
doubtful accounts, write down or write off taken into account in the
determination of the Closing Working Capital) are valid and genuine and have
arisen solely out of bona fide sales of goods delivered to the customers of
Seller, or the performance of services or other business transactions of Seller,
in the ordinary course of business of the Acquired Business. Except as set
forth
in Schedule
4.17
of the
Disclosure Schedule, Seller has no standard terms of sale.
4.18. Employees.
Seller
has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating to
the
employment of labor relating to the operation of the Acquired Business,
including provisions thereof relating to wages, hours, equal opportunity,
collective bargaining, age, pregnancy, disability and sex discrimination and
the
payment of social security and other Taxes due in respect thereof. A list of
the
names and titles of and current annual base salary or hourly rates for all
employees of the Acquired Business, together with a statement of the full amount
and nature of any bonuses and other compensation paid or payable to or accrued
for each such employee is entitled, has been delivered to Purchaser from Seller.
Seller does not have any contracts of employment with any of the employees
of
the Acquired Business. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.18
of the
Disclosure Schedule, there is no employment contract, employee benefit or
incentive compensation plan or program, severance policy or program or any
other
plan or program to which the Seller is a party (a) that is or could, pursuant
to
its terms, be triggered or accelerated by reason of or in connection with the
execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or (b) which contains “change in control” provisions pursuant
to which the payment, vesting or funding of compensation or benefits is
triggered or accelerated by reason of or in connection with the execution of
or
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.19. Necessary
Property.
Except
as set forth in Schedule
4.19
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Purchased Assets, together with the assets subject
to
leases or licenses included in the Assumed Liabilities, contains all of the
real, personal and mixed property, whether tangible or intangible, (i) necessary
to operate the Acquired Business in the manner and to the extent presently
conducted by Seller and (ii) used principally in the Acquired Business. Other
than the Purchased Assets, no real, personal or mixed property, whether tangible
or intangible, or owned, leased, or licensed, is currently being used in the
conduct of the Acquired Business in the manner presently conducted by Seller
other than the Retained Assets.
29
4.20. Labor.
(a) Except
for the Union Agreement and as set forth in Schedule
4.20
of the
Disclosure Schedule, Seller is not a party to any collective bargaining or
similar agreement. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.20
of the
Disclosure Schedule, no labor organization or group of employees of the Acquired
Business has made a demand for recognition, has filed a petition seeking a
representation proceeding or given notice to Seller or the Acquired Business
of
any intention to hold an election of a collective bargaining representative
during the past three years.
(b) There
is
no strike, sympathy strike, sit-down, slow-down, stay-in, sick-out, walk-out,
picketing, work stoppage, retarding of work or boycott that is materially and
adversely affecting the Acquired Business (all of the foregoing referred to
as
“Work Interference”), and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there are none pending or
threatened and no claims have been made or are pending or exist that are
reasonably likely to give rise to any Work Interference. Seller has not suffered
any strike, slowdown, picketing or work stoppage by any group of employees
that
has materially and adversely affected the Acquired Business during the past
three years.
(c) Since
January 1, 2006, Seller has not engaged in any reduction in force which triggers
obligations under the WARN Act.
(d) To
the
Knowledge of Seller, Seller has not engaged contractors who are not in
compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, including provisions relating
to
the use of “oppressive child labor” or “oppressive industrial work”.
(e) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.20
of the
Disclosure Schedule, Seller is in full and complete compliance with all present
and past collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of agreement, side letters,
court, administrative, arbitration, ADR, or mediation decisions or awards,
wage
or benefit schedules and all other documents which reflect or pertain to
understandings or practices communicated or agreed upon between Seller and
any
union representatives. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.20
of the
Disclosure Schedule, there are no complaints, charges, claims, allegations
or
grievances pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened, that pertain
to:
(i) any federal, state or local labor, employment, wage or hour, workers
compensation, disability or unemployment law, regulation or ordinance; (ii)
any
claim for wrongful discharge, breach of employment contract or
employment-related tort; or (iii) any breach of restrictive covenant,
non-competitive agreement or employee confidentiality agreement. Neither the
Seller nor the Acquired Business has received notice that an unfair labor
practice charge or complaint against the Seller or the Acquired Business is
pending before the National Labor Relations Board or any similar state or
foreign agency, nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, has such a charge or complaint
been threatened.
(f) A
true
and complete copy of each current material written personnel policy, rule and
procedure applicable to employees of the Seller or the Acquired Business has
been delivered or made available to Purchaser and is listed on Schedule
4.20
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
30
4.21. Guaranties.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.21,
Seller
is not a party to any Guaranty in connection with the Acquired Business, and
no
Person is a party to any Guaranty for the benefit of Seller in connection with
the Acquired Business.
4.22. Customers
and Suppliers; Supplies.
(a) Schedule
4.22(a)
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth (a) a list of the ten largest customers (measured
by dollar volume) of the Acquired Business for the twelve-month period ending
December 31, 2005 and the six-month period ending June 30, 2006, together with
the approximate total sales to each such customer; and (b) a list of the ten
largest suppliers of the Acquired Business, together with the approximate total
amount of purchases made from such suppliers for the twelve-month period ending
December 31, 2005 and the six-month period ending June 30, 2006 (collectively,
the “Material Customers and Suppliers”). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.22(a)
of the Disclosure Schedule, Seller has not received notice of, and to the
Knowledge of Seller, there has not been, or will not be, any change that has
had, may have, or will have a Material Adverse Effect on the relations of Seller
with the Material Customers and Suppliers as a result of the announcement or
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and Seller
has
not received notice that any of the Material Customers and Suppliers has
terminated or is contemplating terminating its relationship with Seller, and
to
the Knowledge of Seller, none of the Material Customers and Suppliers are
contemplating terminating its relationship with Seller. Seller has not received
notice of any, and to the Knowledge of Seller there has been no, work stoppage
or other material adverse circumstances or conditions that may jeopardize or
adversely affect its future relationship with any of the Material Customers
and
Suppliers. Seller does not have any pending disputes or controversies with
(i)
any of the Material Customers and Suppliers or (ii) any customers, suppliers,
or
distributors which dispute or controversy would reasonably be expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect. Seller has not received notice of any and, to the
Knowledge of Seller, there has not been any, state of facts which is reasonably
likely to impair the relationship of the Acquired Business with any of the
Material Customers and Suppliers.
(b) Schedule
4.22(b)
sets
forth a list of all customers of the Acquired Business with annual purchases
from Seller in excess of $25,000 which either commenced or ceased doing business
with Seller during the twelve month period ending June 30, 2006.
4.23. Absence
of Certain Business Practices.
(a) None
of
Seller or the Related Parties or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other Person
acting on behalf of Seller or the Acquired Business or any individual related
to
any of the foregoing Persons, acting alone or together, has with respect to
the
business or activities of Seller or the Acquired Business: (a) received,
directly or indirectly, any rebates, payments, commissions, promotional
allowances or any other economic benefits, regardless of their nature or type,
from any customer, supplier, trading company, shipping company, governmental
employee or other Person with whom Seller has done business directly or
indirectly; or (b) directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any gift
or
similar benefit to any customer, supplier, trading company, shipping company,
governmental employee or other Person who is or may be in a position to help
or
hinder the business of Seller (or assist Seller in connection with any actual
or
proposed transaction) which (i) may subject Seller to any damage or penalty
in
any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given
in the past, may have had an adverse effect on Seller or the Acquired Business
or (iii) if not continued in the future, may materially adversely affect the
Acquired Business or subject Seller or the Acquired Business to suit or penalty
in any private or governmental litigation or proceeding. The Seller has
conducted its business in a manner that complies with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act.
31
(b) Seller
has not operated any business other than the Acquired Business.
4.24. Insolvency.
Seller
is able to pay its debts as they mature and the transfer of the Purchased Assets
by Seller to Purchaser in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall
not
constitute a voidable preference or transfer in fraud of any creditor under
applicable federal or state insolvency law.
4.25. Banking
Relationships.
Schedule
4.25
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth the names and locations of the primary bank
accounts of the Seller used in connection with the Acquired Business. The Seller
does not have any lockboxes and is not subject to any lockbox requirements
by
its lenders.
4.26. Brokerage.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.26
of the
Disclosure Schedule, no Person provided services as a broker, agent or finder
on
behalf of Seller or Seller Principals in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby.
4.27. FIRPTA.
The
Seller is not a “foreign person” within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.
The Seller is not a U.S. real property interest within the meaning of Treasury
Regulations Section 1.897-2(g)(1)(ii), (h)(1)(ii) or Section
1.1445-2(c)(3)(i).
OTHER
THAN THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN SECTION 4.1(a), THE
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN ARTICLE 4 OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
IN
NO WAY BE DEEMED TO APPLY TO THE WILMINGTON BUSINESS, THE WILMINGTON ACQUISITION
OR THE WILMINGTON ASSETS. PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SELLER SHALL HAVE NO
LIABILITY TO PURCHASER OR PURCHASER PARENT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH MATTERS AND
PURCHASER AND PURCHASER PARENT SHALL LOOK SOLELY TO THE WILMINGTON SELLER AND
THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE WILMINGTON SELLER IN THE WILMINGTON
TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE SAME. PURCHASER AND PURCHASER
PARENT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS
ARTICLE 4 ARE SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF PURCHASER, PURCHASER PARENT AND THEIR
SUCCESSORS AND PERMITTED ASSIGNS. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE
ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS AND AGREEMENTS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY
TO BE DELIVERED AT CLOSING, THE SELLER MAKES NO OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY REGARDING THE CONDITION, QUALITY,
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY PURCHASED ASSET
AND
ANY SUCH REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY IS HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED.
32
5. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO PURCHASER AND PURCHASER PARENT.
Purchaser and Purchaser Parent jointly and severally represent and warrant
to
Seller that:
5.1. Organizational
Matters Regarding Purchaser and Purchaser Parent.
(a) Organization
and Qualification; Power.
Each of
Purchaser and Purchaser Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Each of Purchaser
and Purchaser Parent is duly qualified or licensed, as the case may be, and
in
good standing in each jurisdiction where the nature of the activities of its
business or the character of its assets require such qualification, except
where
the failure to be so qualified would not have an adverse affect on such
party.
(b) Authorization;
Validity.
Each of
Purchaser and Purchaser Parent has all requisite power and authority to enter
into this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which it is a named party and
the related agreements, documents and instruments referred to herein or
contemplated hereby and to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder.
The execution and delivery by each of Purchaser and Purchaser Parent of this
Agreement, the Ancillary Documents to which it is a named party and the related
agreements, documents and instruments referred to herein or contemplated hereby
and the consummation by Purchaser and Purchaser Parent of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by the Board of
Directors of Purchaser and Purchaser Parent and, if necessary, the shareholders
of Purchaser and Purchaser Parent. No further act or proceeding on the part
of
each of Purchaser or Purchaser Parent is necessary to authorize this Agreement,
the Ancillary Documents to which it is a named party or any related documents
or
instruments to be executed and delivered by Purchaser or Purchaser Parent
pursuant hereto or thereto or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby. This Agreement constitutes, and when executed and delivered
the Ancillary Documents to which Purchaser or Purchaser Parent is a named party
and the related agreements, documents and instruments to be executed and
delivered by Purchaser and Purchaser Parent pursuant hereto will constitute
the
valid and legally binding obligations of Purchaser and Purchaser Parent, as
the
case may be, enforceable against such party in accordance with their respective
terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable
principles.
(c) Compliance;
Binding Effect.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Ancillary Documents
and the related agreements and instruments referred to herein or therein or
contemplated hereby or thereby and the purchase of the Purchased Assets and
the
assumption of the Assumed Liabilities will not: (i) violate any provisions
of
the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Purchaser or Purchaser Parent
or
any provision of applicable Law; (ii) constitute a default under, or constitute
an event which with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or
both
would become a default under any material contract to which Purchaser or
Purchaser Parent is a party or by which Purchaser or Purchaser Parent is bound;
or (iii) violate or conflict with any Order to which Purchaser or Purchaser
Parent is subject or bound.
5.2. Governmental
Consents.
No
consent, approval, authorization, or other action by or filing with any
Governmental Authority is required for the execution, delivery or performance
by
Purchaser or Purchaser Parent of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
33
5.3. Litigation.
To the
knowledge of Purchaser and Purchaser Parent, there is no action, claim, suit
or
proceeding pending or threatened against Purchaser which questions the legality,
validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
5.4. Brokerage.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
5.4,
no
Person provided services as a broker, agent or finder on behalf of Purchaser
or
Purchaser Parent in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
EXCEPT
AS
SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, THE ANCILLARY DOCUMENTS AND THE OTHER DOCUMENTS
AND
AGREEMENTS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY TO BE DELIVERED AT CLOSING, NEITHER PURCHASER
NOR
PURCHASER PARENT MAKES ANY OTHER REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER AND ANY SUCH REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY IS
HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. SELLER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE 5 ARE SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF SELLER
AND
ITS SUCCESSORS AND PERMITTED ASSIGNS.
6. CLOSING.
6.1. Closing
Date.
Provided that (i) each of the conditions set forth in Section 10 and 11 are
satisfied or waived, The Closing of the transactions provided for herein shall
take place on October 3, 2006, or on such other date as is mutually agreeable
to
Seller and Purchaser; provided, that upon receipt of a Material Disclosure
Schedule Change by Purchaser within seven (7) Business Days prior to the Closing
Date, Purchaser may, at its election in writing, delay the Closing Date to
the
date that is up to seven (7) Business Days after its receipt of such Material
Disclosure Schedule Change in order for it to further investigate the matters
described therein. The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be effective as of the Effective Time.
6.2. Closing
Deliveries.
The
following items shall be delivered by the Parties at Closing:
(a) By
Seller.
At the
Closing, Seller shall execute and deliver to, or cause to be executed and
delivered to, the Purchaser the following:
(i) bills
of
sale, assignment documents and other instruments of transfer duly executed
by
the Seller, which are reasonably requested by Purchaser to vest in Purchaser
title to the Purchased Assets, including a bargain and sale with covenants
against grantor’s acts type deed with respect to the transfer of the Ohio Real
Estate;
(ii) the
Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Xxxx of Sale and the Escrow Agreement,
each duly executed by the Seller;
34
(iii) a
certificate reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, executed
by the Secretary of Seller certifying, representing and warranting (i) the
adoption of resolutions of the Board of Managers of Seller authorizing the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the related
agreements, documents and instruments referred to herein and the respective
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (ii) a true and complete
copy
certified certificate of formation (as filed with the Secretary of State of
the
State of Delaware) and the operating agreement of Seller, each as amended
through the Closing;
(iv) a
certificate reasonably acceptable to Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, executed
by the President of Seller, certifying, representing and warranting that (i)
as
of the Closing the conditions set forth in Sections 10.1, 10.2, and 10.5 have
been satisfied and (ii) the Audited Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with Seller’s books of account and records and GAAP and present
fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Acquired Business
as of the respective dates of such Audited Financial Statements and the
respective periods covered thereby;
(v) an
assignment of the lease pertaining to the Leased Real Property, executed by
Seller (together with applicable landlord consents), and an estoppel and
non-disturbance agreement from the landlord of the Leased Real Property in
a
form reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser;
(vi) a
good
standing certificate from the jurisdiction of Seller’s organization and from the
States of Ohio and Illinois dated not more than thirty (30) days prior to the
Closing Date;
(vii) a
certificate in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Purchaser
establishing that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not
subject to withholding under Section 1445 of the Code;
(viii) an
executed Restrictive Covenant Agreement from each of the Seller Principals
in
the forms annexed hereto as Exhibits
D(i), (ii) and (iii);
(ix) the
Employment and Consulting Agreements as executed by each employee or consultant,
as the case may be, named as a party thereto;
(x) the
Stock
Purchase Agreement executed by Seller;
(xi) final
executed payoff and termination letters and Lien and mortgage releases in a
form
reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser (and suitable for filing with appropriate
Governmental Authorities) in connection with the termination of the Indebtedness
set forth on Schedule
6.2(a)(xi)
attached
hereto and any other debt for borrowed money that is secured by the assets
of
the Acquired Business;
(xii) appropriate
documentation executed by Seller consenting to the transfer of all trade names,
assumed names and foreign qualifications filed by Seller referencing the name
“Concord Steel”, “Concord Steel Company LLC”, or “Concord Steel Company of
Illinois LLC” (or any derivative thereof) in form suitable for filing with the
appropriate Governmental Authorities in Delaware, Illinois and Ohio;
and
35
(xiii) a
favorable opinion of counsel to Seller, in form reasonably satisfactory to
counsel to Purchaser, in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby (and, to the extent such opinions are required by any of
the
lenders to the Purchaser as a condition to making the loans to the Purchaser
referenced in the Commitment Letter, together with a reliance letter or reliance
language in favor of Purchaser’s lender(s) set forth in the Commitment Letter on
commercially reasonable terms and conditions and subject to commercially
reasonable qualifications as agreed by Seller and Purchaser’s
Lender(s)).
(b) By
Purchaser.
At the
Closing, Purchaser shall execute and deliver to, or cause to be executed and
delivered to, the Seller the following:
(i) the
Assignment and Assumption Agreement and Xxxx of Sale and the Escrow Agreement,
each duly executed by Purchaser;
(ii) an
assumption of the lease pertaining to the Leased Real Property, executed by
Purchaser;
(iii) a
certificate reasonably acceptable to Seller, dated the Closing Date, executed
by
an officer of Purchaser, certifying, representing and warranting (i) the
adoption of resolutions of the Board of Directors of Purchaser authorizing
the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the related
agreements, documents and instruments referred to herein and the respective
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (ii) a true and complete
copy
of the Certificate of Incorporation of Purchaser (as filed with the Secretary
of
State of Delaware) and the Bylaws of Purchaser;
(iv) a
certificate reasonably acceptable to Seller, dated the Closing Date, executed
by
an officer of Purchaser Parent, certifying, representing and warranting (i)
the
adoption of resolutions of the Board of Directors of Purchaser Parent
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
related agreements, documents and instruments referred to herein and the
respective transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (ii) a true and
complete copy of the Certificate of Incorporation of Purchaser (as filed with
the Secretary of State of Delaware) and the Bylaws of Purchaser
Parent;
(v) a
certificate reasonably acceptable to Seller, dated the Closing Date, executed
by
an officer of Purchaser and Purchaser Parent, certifying, representing and
warranting that, as of the Closing the conditions set forth in Sections 11.1
and
11.2 have been satisfied;
(vi) a
resale
certificate with respect to the inventory included in the Purchased Assets,
duly
executed by Purchaser;
(vii) payment
by wire transfer of the Purchase Price less the Escrow Amount to Seller and
the
deposit of the Escrow Amount with the Escrow Agent as provided in Section 2.3(b)
of this Agreement;
(viii) the
Employment and Consulting Agreements executed by Purchaser Parent;
36
(ix) the
Stock
Purchase Agreement executed by Purchaser; and
(x) a
favorable opinion of special counsel to Purchaser, in form reasonably
satisfactory to counsel to Seller, in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby.
7. COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS OF SELLER.
7.1. Access
to Information and Records; Assistance.
During
the period prior to the Closing, Seller shall provide Purchaser and its proposed
lenders and investors, and their respective counsel, accountants and other
representatives (i) reasonable access, at times reasonably agreed to by Seller,
to the facilities, properties, books, records, contracts and documents of the
Acquired Business for the purpose of such inspection, investigation, copying
and
testing as such parties reasonably deem appropriate in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and furnish to Purchaser and its
representatives all information (including financial and operating data and
reports) with respect to the business and affairs of the Acquired Business
as
Purchaser may reasonably request from time to time, (ii) with the prior consent
of the Seller in each instance (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed), access to managers, officers, accountants, employees, agents and
representatives for the purposes of such meetings and communications as
Purchaser reasonably desires, (iii) with the prior consent of the Seller in
each
instance, access to vendors, customers and others having business dealings
with
the Acquired Business, and (iv) reasonable assistance in connection with the
securing of financing for the purchase of the Acquired Business, including
the
preparation of summary data as may be reasonably requested. Purchaser shall
coordinate all such access through Seller. Unless otherwise agreed, Purchaser
shall provide written notice at least two (2) business days prior to the day
on
which any access is requested.
7.2. Conduct
of Business Pending the Closing.
The
Seller shall conduct the Acquired Business in the ordinary course of business,
preserve intact its business organization, and use its commercially reasonable
efforts to keep available the services of its employees in the ordinary course
of business, maintain satisfactory relationships with suppliers, distributors,
customers and others having material business relationships with it and not
materially change its methods of purchase, sale, management accounting, or
operation. Without the prior written consent of Purchaser (which consent will
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Seller shall not knowingly commit
or omit to do any act that (i) would cause a material breach of any material
agreement, commitment or covenant of Sellers contained in this Agreement or
(ii)
would cause the representations and warranties as set forth in Article 4 to
become untrue in any material respect.
In
furtherance of the foregoing:
(a) from
the
date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination
of this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof, unless Purchaser has consented
in writing thereto (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed), or except as otherwise expressly set forth in this
Agreement, the Seller shall cause the Acquired Business to:
37
(i) conduct
all business, financial, and other operations, including the payment of all
accounts payable (except as may be permitted under Section 7.2(c) hereof) and
other routine and customary expenses in the ordinary course of
business;
(ii) use
all
commercially reasonable efforts: (A) to preserve intact its business
organizations and goodwill, (B) to keep available the services of its officers
and employees, and (C) to maintain satisfactory relationships with those Persons
with which it has business relationships; and
(iii) upon
the
discovery thereof, promptly (but in no event more than two Business Days after
discovery) notify Purchaser of the occurrence of (A) any breach of any
representation or warranty of Seller contained herein, (B) any lawsuits, claims,
proceedings or investigations that after the date hereof are threatened or
commenced against the Seller or against any officer, director, employee,
consultant, agent or equityholder thereof with respect to the affairs of the
Seller or the Acquired Business, (C) any notice or other communication from
any
Person party to the Contracts alleging that the consent of such Person is or
may
be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
and (D) any notice or other communication from any Governmental Authority (I)
in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (II) that
could materially affect the Acquired Business or Seller or their respective
financial conditions.
(b) Without
limiting the generality of Section 7.2(a), from and after the date of this
Agreement until the earlier of the Closing Date and the termination of this
Agreement, except for actions required to be taken by Seller in the performance
of its respective obligations under the Contracts, unless Purchaser has
consented in writing thereto (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed) or except as otherwise expressly contemplated or
permitted by this Agreement, Seller shall not, and shall cause the Wilmington
Purchaser not to:
(i) acquire
by merger, purchase or any other manner, any business, entity or division or
make an investment in, or enter into a joint venture with, any third party
other
than the Wilmington Acquisition;
(ii) except
as
would not have a material and adverse effect on the Acquired Business, the
Purchased Assets or the ability to of the Seller to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, enter into any
agreement (a) which contains any restrictive covenants or limits the ability
of
Seller to conduct business in any jurisdiction, (b) which relates to any joint
venture or similar arrangement with respect to any material distribution or
supply agreement other than in the ordinary course of business, or (c) with
any
Affiliate;
(iii) except
as
would not have an adverse effect on the Acquired Business after the Closing,
the
Purchased Assets or the ability of the Seller to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, grant any severance
or termination pay to, or enter into any new employment, consulting, change
of
control, retention, salary continuation or severance agreement with, any
officer, manager, member of Seller;
38
(iv) except
as
would not have an adverse effect on the Acquired Business, the Purchased Assets
or the ability to of the Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, (A) transfer, sell or otherwise
dispose of any of its assets other than (I) inventory or obsolete or damaged
equipment that is not currently used or usable (in an amount not to exceed
Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) in the aggregate) in the ordinary course
of business and (II) such assets as are required to consummate the Wilmington
Acquisition, or (B) license, mortgage, encumber or lease any of its
assets,
(v) make
any
capital expenditures or otherwise acquire any material property or assets,
except for (A) purchases of supplies or capital equipment in the ordinary course
of business and having a price of less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000)
and
except for the purchase of raw materials and other inventory in the ordinary
course of business; provided, that Seller may make any capital expenditures
forecasted by the Seller and disclosed to Purchaser in writing prior to the
date
hereof, and (B) such property and assets purchased pursuant to the Wilmington
Acquisition;
(vi) except
as
would not have an adverse effect on the Acquired Business, the Purchased Assets
or the ability to of the Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise
become liable for any indebtedness for borrowed money, including, without
limitation, capital leases, in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000),
individually, or One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in the aggregate,
except (A) indebtedness to trade creditors of Seller or its Subsidiaries, in
the
ordinary course of business (B) indebtedness incurred for the purpose of
consummating the Wilmington Acquisition or (C) additional draws on any credit
facility of the Seller existing as of the date hereof and set forth on
Schedule
4.10.
(vii) except
as
would not have a material and adverse effect on the Acquired Business, the
Purchased Assets or the ability to of the Seller to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, make or forgive
any
loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other
Person;
(viii) bid
for
or enter into any agreement or contract which requires the payment or potential
payment of more than One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000), or receipt
or potential receipt by Seller or the Wilmington Purchaser of more than Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) other than pursuant to the Wilmington
Acquisition;
(ix) except
as
would not have an adverse effect on the Acquired Business, the Purchased Assets
or the ability to of the Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents, modify, amend, terminate or waive
any
rights under any of it written agreements;
(x) except
(i) as may be required of Seller or the Wilmington Purchaser under any plan,
agreement, policy, arrangement, or obligation currently in effect, or as
required by Laws or (ii) with respect to the payment of the Employee Bonuses
on
or prior to the Closing Date: (A) increase the compensation, severance, bonus
or, other benefits payable or to become payable to any of the managers, officers
or employees of the Seller or the Wilmington Purchaser other than in the
ordinary course of business, or (B) establish, adopt, enter into, amend or
modify in any material respect any collective bargaining agreement, employee
benefit plan, trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the benefit of any current
or former managers, officers or employees of the Seller except pursuant to
the
Wilmington Acquisition;
39
(xi) take
any
action to change accounting policies, procedures or practices, except as
required by a change in GAAP or Laws after the date hereof (“Reporting
Requirements”)
(xii) materially
change any method of reporting income, deductions or other material items for
income Tax purposes, make or change any material election with respect to Taxes,
agree to or settle any material claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, or
agree to an extension or waiver of the limitation period to any material claim
or assessment in respect of Taxes, other than in the ordinary course of business
or as required by Reporting Requirements;
(xiii) settle
or
knowingly compromise any claims identified on Schedule
4.6(a)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, or other pending or threatened suit, action, or claim
which
would require the payment by the Seller, the Wilmington Purchaser or the
Acquired Business of more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) or would impose
a restriction on the business, assets or operations of the Acquired Business
following the Closing Date;
(xiv) other
than in the ordinary course of business, accelerate, or accept payment at a
discount in respect of any accounts receivable or trade receivables;
(xv) other
than in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to Section 7.2(c) hereof,
delay any payment of any accounts payable beyond the respective payment
deadlines; or
(xvi) agree
orally or in writing to take any of the actions prohibited by this Section
7.2(b).
(c) Each
of
Purchaser and Purchaser Parent acknowledges that the Seller may from the date
hereof through the date on which the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet is
delivered (i) delay the payment of certain accounts payable, or (ii) make cash
distributions to its members, in each instance solely for the purposes of
ensuring that the Closing Working Capital as reflected on the Estimated Closing
Balance Sheet shall not exceed $12,700,000.00, and that, in the period from
the
delivery of the Estimated Working Balance Sheet to the Closing.
7.3. Exclusivity.
Until
the
Closing occurs or this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms,
Seller covenants and agrees that neither Seller nor any of its equityholders,
managers, members, consultants, agents or otherwise will, directly or
indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of inquiries,
proposals or offers from any Person other than Purchaser, Purchaser Parent
or
their Affiliates or representatives relating in any way to (a) any investment
in
the Seller, (b) any acquisition of direct or indirect control of the Seller,
(c)
the purchase of any of the Purchased Assets, except for inventory sold in the
ordinary course of business, (d) the entering into any lease, exchange,
mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition of any of the Purchased Assets,
or (e) any business combination or other transaction involving the Seller,
including without limitation, any merger, consolidation, acquisition, tender
or
exchange offer purchase, re capitalization, reorganization, dissolution,
liquidation, or issuance or disposition of any nature or other transaction
which
would involve the Seller (each, an “Acquisition Proposal”), (ii) participate in
any discussions or negotiations regarding an Acquisition Proposal or furnish
to
any Person any information for any purpose inconsistent with the foregoing,
(iii) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in,
facilitate or encourage, any effort or attempt by any other Person to do or
seek
any of the foregoing or (iv) formulate or disclose any intention, plan or
arrangement inconsistent with the foregoing. Seller will (A) immediately notify
Purchaser in writing if any discussions or negotiations are sought to be
initiated, any inquiry or proposal is made, or any information is requested
by
any Person with respect to any Acquisition Proposal or proposal which could
lead
to an Acquisition Proposal, (B) immediately notify Purchaser of all material
terms of any Acquisition Proposal including the identity of the Person making
the Acquisition Proposal or the request for information, and (C) in the event
a
third party makes a written offer or proposal to the Seller or any of the
members of Seller with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, the Seller will
promptly send to Purchaser a complete copy of any such written offer or
proposal. The Seller shall, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
ensure that its managers, members, employees, investment bankers, attorneys,
accountants and other agents, immediately cease and cause to be terminated
all
discussions and negotiations that have taken place prior to the date hereof,
if
any, with any Persons with respect to any Acquisition Proposal.
40
7.4. Interim
Financial Statements.
Following
execution hereof and prior to the Closing Date, Seller will deliver to Purchaser
Interim Financial Statements as soon as available and in all events within
fifteen (15) days following the end of each calendar month for such month and
for the period from July 1, 2006 to the end of such calendar month; provided,
that Seller shall deliver the Interim Financial Statements for the month prior
to the Closing together with the Estimated Closing Balance Sheet, if the Closing
occurs prior to the 15th day of the month.
7.5. Further
Acts.
(a) Following
the Closing, Seller shall, without cost or expense to Purchaser, (i) promptly
execute and deliver to or cause to be executed and delivered to Purchaser such
further instruments of transfer and conveyance and take such other action as
Purchaser may reasonably require to carry out more effectively and completely
the sale and transfer of the Purchased Assets contemplated by this Agreement
and
to vest, perfect and confirm Purchaser’s ownership in the Purchased Assets, and
(ii) should any funds or property sold to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement
be paid or delivered to Seller, such funds or properties shall be held in trust
for Purchaser by Seller and Seller shall promptly pay and deliver the same
to
Purchaser.
(b) The
Seller hereby constitutes and appoints, effective as of the Closing Date, the
Purchaser, its successors and assigns as the true and lawful attorney of the
Seller with full power of substitution in the name of the Purchaser or in the
name of the Seller but for the benefit of the Purchaser (a) to collect for
the
account of the Purchaser all accounts receivable of the Acquired Business and
any other item of Purchased Assets and (b) to institute and prosecute all
proceedings which the Purchaser may in its discretion deem proper in order
to
collect all accounts receivable of the Acquired Business or to assert or enforce
any right, title or interest in, to or under the Purchased Assets and to defend
or compromise (subject to Section 13 hereof, if applicable) any and all actions,
suits or proceedings in respect of any of the Purchased Assets and the Acquired
Business. The Purchaser shall be entitled to retain for its own account any
amounts collected pursuant to the foregoing powers, including any amounts
payable as interest in respect thereof.
41
7.6. Payment
of Certain Indebtedness.
The
Seller shall deliver to Purchaser no later than two Business Days prior to
Closing payoff, lien and related termination letters in form reasonably
acceptable to Purchaser with respect to the indebtedness to evidence the
termination and discharge of the debt set forth on Schedule
6.2(a)(xi)
and all
Liens related thereto.
7.7. Restrictive
Covenants.
(a) No
Solicitation; No Interference.
The
Seller shall not, for a period of three years from the Closing Date, directly
or
indirectly, for its own account or jointly with or for or on behalf of any
other
Person, as principal, agent or otherwise, (i) recruit, solicit, induce to leave
or hire any Person who is, or has been during the previous one year, an
employee, consultant or agent of Purchaser or the Acquired Business, (ii) call
upon, accept Competitive Business from (as defined below), or solicit the
Competitive Business of any Person who is, or who had been at any time during
the preceding two (2) years, a customer, known prospective customer, or supplier
of the Acquired Business, or (iii) disrupt or attempt to disrupt any
relationship, contractual or otherwise, between Purchaser or the Acquired
Business and any of their respective customers, clients, suppliers, lessors
or
landlords.
(b) Non-Competition.
Seller
acknowledges that in order to assure Purchaser that Purchaser will retain the
value of the Acquired Business as a “going concern,” the Seller on and subject
to the terms set forth in this Section 7.7, shall not utilize its special
knowledge of the Acquired Business and its relationships with customers,
prospective customers, suppliers and others to compete with the Purchaser by
engaging in Competitive Business. For a period of three (3) years beginning
on
the Closing Date, the Seller shall not engage or have an interest, anywhere
in
the world (except as an owner of two percent (2%) or less of the stock of any
company listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the
over-the-counter market), whether through the investment of capital, lending
of
money or property, rendering of services or capital, or otherwise, in any
Competitive Business. The Seller acknowledges that compliance with the
restrictions set forth in this Section 7.7(b) will not prevent any Person from
earning a livelihood.
(c) Non-Use
of Intellectual Property.
Other
than as set forth on Schedule
7.7(c)
of the
Disclosure Schedule, the Seller shall not at any time, directly or indirectly,
use or purport to authorize any Person to use any name, xxxx, copyright, logo,
trade dress or other identifying words or images which are the same as or
similar to those used currently or in the past by the Acquired Business in
connection with any product or service, whether or not such use would be in
a
business competitive with that of the Acquired Business.
(d) Certain
Acknowledgements and Remedies.
The
restrictions set forth in this Section 7.7 are considered by the Parties to
be
reasonable for the purposes of protecting the value of the Acquired Business
on
a “going concern” basis. The Seller acknowledges that the Purchaser would be
irreparably harmed and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate
remedy to Purchaser in the event the covenants contained in this Section 7.7
were not complied with in accordance with their terms. Accordingly, Seller
agrees that any breach or threatened breach by it any provision of this Section
7.7 shall entitle Purchaser to injunctive and other equitable relief to secure
the enforcement of these provisions, in addition to any other remedies
(including Losses) which may be available to the Purchaser. If any party
breaches the covenants set forth in this Section 7.7, the running of the three
(3) year non-compete period described therein shall be tolled for so long as
such breach continues. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the
provisions of this Section 7.7 be enforced to the fullest extent permissible
under the laws and public policies of each jurisdiction in which enforcement
is
sought. If any provisions of this Section 7.7 relating to the time period,
scope
of activities or geographic area of restrictions is declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to exceed the maximum permissible time period, scope
of
activities or geographic area, as the case may be, the time period, scope of
activities or geographic area shall be reduced to the maximum which such court
deems enforceable. If any provision of this Section 7.7 other than those
described in the preceding sentence are adjudicated to be invalid or
unenforceable, the invalid or unenforceable provisions shall be deemed amended
(with respect only to the jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made)
in
such manner as to render them enforceable and to effectuate as nearly as
possible the original intentions and agreement of the parties.
42
7.8. Wilmington
Acquisition.
The
Seller shall deliver to Purchaser all due diligence, documents and agreements
with respect to the Wilmington Acquisition.
7.9. Enterprise
Zone Agreement.
Seller
shall use its reasonable commercial efforts to assign and transfer, and cause
the Purchaser to have the continuing benefit of, the incentives provided to
Seller pursuant to that certain Enterprise Zone Agreement by and between Seller
and Board of Commissioners of Trumbull County, Ohio, dated March 27, 2002 (the
“EZ Agreement”). To the extent Seller realizes any tax credits, refunds, rebates
or disbursements under the EZ Agreement with respect to periods occurring on
or
after the Closing Date, Seller shall immediately transfer to the Purchaser
an
amount equal to Seller’s benefit upon realization thereof.
7.10. State
Tax Clearances. On
or
prior to Closing, Seller shall (i) cooperate with Purchaser in filing a Form
CBS-1 (Notice of Sale or Purchase of Business Assets) with the Illinois
Department of Revenue and shall furnish all information needed to do so, and
(ii) use its best efforts to furnish recent statements of account from the
Ohio
Department of Taxation with respect to withholding taxes, unemployment
compensation, and other Ohio tax matters. If available, such statements of
account may be provided by use of “online taxpayer account information” or other
means, or if no written evidence is available, by oral advice from Ohio taxing
officials on a conference call with the all Parties present.
8. COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS OF PURCHASER.
8.1. Further
Acts.
On
the
Closing Date, and thereafter for a period of eighteen (18) months, Purchaser
shall, without cost or expense to Seller, execute and deliver to or cause to
be
executed and delivered to Seller such further documents and take such other
action as Seller may reasonably require to carry out and move effectively and
completely the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
43
9. MUTUAL
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS.
9.1. Publicity.
All
notices, releases, statements and communications generally directed to
employees, suppliers, customers, the public or the press relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be made only at such times
and
in such manner as may be mutually agreed upon by Seller, Purchaser and Purchaser
Parent; provided, however, that any Party may make a public announcement of
the
proposed transaction if such Party reasonably deems such public announcement
or
filing is necessary to comply with any Law or any rule or regulation of any
securities exchange or securities quotation system and such Party shall, to
the
extent practicable, consult with the other Party with respect to such
announcements and give reasonable prior written notice of its intent to issue
such announcement.
9.2. Disclosure
of Certain Matters. Each
of
Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and Seller will provide the other with prompt
written notice of any event, development or condition that (a) would cause
any
of such party’s representations and warranties to become untrue or misleading or
which may affect its ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement, (b) had it existed or been known on the date hereof would have been
required to be disclosed under this Agreement, (c) gives such party any reason
to believe that any of the conditions set forth in Articles 10 or 11 will not
be
satisfied, or (d) is of a nature that is or may be materially adverse to the
operations, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of Seller or the
Acquired Business; provided, that the delivery of any notice shall not limit
or
otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder to the party receiving notice.
9.3. Disclosure
Schedule.
(a) Disclosure
Schedule.
Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Seller
is
delivering to Purchaser the Disclosure Schedule. Each item set forth in the
Disclosure Schedule is identified by reference to, or grouped under a heading
referring to, or by specific cross-references to, a specific section or
subsection of this Agreement. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined
in the Disclosure Schedule shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them
in this Agreement. The Disclosure Schedule is deemed to constitute an integral
part of this Agreement and the matters set forth therein are deemed referred
to
by reference thereto in corresponding sections of this Agreement. Subject to
the
next sentence, the inclusion of any item in the Disclosure Schedule shall
constitute disclosure for purposes of the section hereof specifically referenced
therein, but shall not be construed as an indication of the materiality or
lack
of materiality of such item. Seller shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts to number all matters noted in the Disclosure Schedule to correspond
to
the applicable section of this Agreement to which it refers, but it is
understood that the failure to do so shall not constitute a breach of any
representation or warranty made in this Agreement provided that such matter
is
disclosed in a manner that makes it reasonably apparent that it is relevant
to
another section or subsection of this Agreement.
(b) Notification
of Change; Seller Updates to Schedules.
During
all periods prior to the Closing, Seller shall promptly notify Purchaser with
respect to any matter, event or circumstance (i) arising on or before the date
of this Agreement which was known by Seller and that would otherwise constitute
a breach, violation or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of Seller
set forth herein, (ii) arising on or before the date of this Agreement which
was
not known by Seller and that would otherwise constitute a breach, violation
or
inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of Seller set forth herein, (iii)
arising after the date of this Agreement that, if existing at, or occurring
on
the date of this Agreement, the Closing Date or any date in between the date
of
this Agreement and the Closing Date, would constitute a breach, violation or
inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of Seller set forth herein or
(iv)
relating to a breach or violation of any covenant, agreement or obligation
of
Seller set forth herein. No notification of a matter, event or circumstance
set
forth in clause (i) or (iv) shall be deemed to cure any breach, violation or
inaccuracy of any representation or warranty or a breach or violation of any
covenant, agreement or obligation, nor limit or alter any of the
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or obligations of Seller
set
forth in this Agreement nor any rights or remedies Purchaser may have with
respect thereto. Upon notification of a matter, event or circumstance specified
in clause (ii) or (iii) above, Seller may update and supplement the Disclosure
Schedule solely with respect to such matter, event or circumstance by written
notice from Seller to Purchaser no later than two (2) days following the date
on
which Seller receives notice of same. If requested by Purchaser, Seller shall
meet and discuss with Purchaser any such update or supplement to the Disclosure
Schedule made by Seller if, absent such change, such matter, event or
circumstance would result in a condition precedent set forth in Sections 10.1
or
10.5 hereof to remain unsatisfied (a “Material Disclosure Schedule Change”). If
the Parties cannot resolve any differences regarding a Material Disclosure
Schedule Change, then Purchaser shall be entitled to elect to either (a) waive
the same and close the transactions contemplated hereby (in which case the
representations and warranties contained herein shall be deemed to have been
updated by Seller’s disclosure of such matters, events and circumstances but
only to the extent resulting from matters, events and circumstances arising
under (ii) or (iii) above) or (b) terminate this Agreement without liability
to
Purchaser, said election to be exercised no later than ten (10) days following
the date on which Purchaser receives notice of such Material Disclosure Schedule
Change.
44
9.4. Confidentiality.
Except
as
otherwise required in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement
and except as otherwise required pursuant to Law or as may be required in
connection with any filing by Purchaser with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or the Securities and Exchange Act,
any non-public information received by Purchaser, Purchaser Parent, the Seller,
or the advisors of any of the foregoing from another party hereto shall be
kept
confidential. Further, each of Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and the Seller
acknowledge that the Confidential Information of the Acquired Business is
valuable, special and unique assets that shall be kept confidential by the
Seller after the Closing Date, if the Closing occurs, and if the Closing does
not occur, by Purchaser and Purchaser Parent and after the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof. Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and Seller
shall be responsible for any disclosure by their respective Affiliates,
employees, agents, contractors, officers, managers, members or partners. Upon
any termination of this Agreement, each of Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and
Seller shall, upon the request of the Person that provided such Confidential
Information, promptly return any Confidential Information received from the
other party and, upon request, shall destroy all copies of such information
in
its possession. Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and Seller acknowledge that each
would not enter into this Agreement without the assurance that all Confidential
Information will be used for the exclusive benefit of the Acquired Business.
The
terms and conditions of the Existing Confidentiality Agreement, to the extent
not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, are hereby confirmed and
acknowledged as obligations of the parties; provided, that the parties hereto
agree that the Existing Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate at
Closing.
45
9.5. Access
to Information.
For
a
period of five (5) years after the Closing, Seller will grant to Purchaser
and
Purchaser Parent access to any relevant records related to the operation of
the
Acquired Business that is reasonably required by Purchaser and Purchaser Parent
and not transferred hereunder, and Purchaser and Purchaser Parent will grant
to
Seller access to any relevant records related to the Acquired Business that
is
reasonably required by Seller and transferred hereunder.
9.6. Commercially
Reasonable Efforts; No Delay.
Upon
the
terms and subject to the conditions hereof, each of the Parties hereto agrees
to
use its commercially reasonable efforts (i) to perform its obligations
hereunder, and (ii) to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or
cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable including the
preparation and filing of all forms, registrations and notices required to
be
filed to consummate the Closing and the taking of such actions as are necessary
to obtain any requisite approvals, authorizations, consents, orders, licenses,
permits, qualifications, exemptions or waivers by any third party or
Governmental Authority. In addition, no party hereto shall take any action
after
the date hereof that could reasonably be expected to materially delay the
obtaining of, or result in not obtaining, any permission, approval or consent
from any Governmental Authority or other Person required to be obtained prior
to
Closing.
9.7. Employees.
(a) Seller
shall terminate or cause the termination of all employees set forth on the
Purchaser Employee Schedule (as defined herein) as of the Closing Date and
shall
(i) timely pay pursuant to all applicable Law on or prior to the earlier to
occur of (A) any date specified pursuant to Law with respect thereto and (B)
fourteen calendar days after the Closing Date, all wages, pro rated bonuses
and
incentive payments, fringe benefits (including, but not limited to, profit
share, the employer’s matching 401(k) Plan contributions on account of wages
through the Closing Date, accrued vacation pay, sick pay, termination or
severance payments and payroll Taxes) and unemployment taxes arising in
connection with the operation of the Acquired Business through the end of such
shift that occurs immediately prior to the Closing Date; and (ii) subject to
Purchaser fulfilling its obligations set forth in Section 9.7(b), be responsible
for any and all Liabilities to employees required under the Worker Adjustment
and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended (the “WARN Act”), similar
state law and any other applicable Laws arising in connection with the operation
of the Acquired Business through the end of the shift that occurs immediately
prior to the Closing Date. Subject to Purchaser fulfilling its obligations
set
forth in Section 9.7(b), should any Liability occur as a result of the failure
of Seller to comply with or give any required notice to employees under the
WARN
Act and any other applicable Law as a result of the termination of employees
by
Seller, Seller assumes all responsibility and Liability for any wages and
benefits for employees of Seller who did not receive any such required notice
and for civil penalties by local governments which may be imposed for failure
to
give such required notice, including without limitation fines and attorneys’
fees. All wages and fringe benefits of Hired Purchaser Employees shall be
prorated as of the end of the shift that ends on the Closing Date.
(b) Purchaser
shall consider all Employees for continued employment in the Acquired Business
after the Closing but is not obligated to hire any Employee. Purchaser shall,
prior to Closing, provide Seller with a list of Employees to whom Purchaser
shall have made an offer of employment and which offer will become effective
at
Closing (the “Purchaser Employee Schedule”). Each of the employees set forth on
the Purchaser Employee Schedule that commence work with Purchaser shall be
referred to herein as “Hired Purchaser Employees”. Purchaser shall ensure that
offers to the Hired Purchaser Employees shall be of a sufficient number in
the
aggregate and provide continued employment for a period after the Closing Date
(not to exceed 60 days) in order to avoid triggering of a mass layoff or plant
closing by the Seller under the WARN Act or state law of similar effect by
reason of the transactions contemplated to occur at Closing in the absence
of
complying with the provisions of the WARN Act or state law of similar effect
and
Purchaser shall be responsible for any and all Liabilities to employees required
under the WARN Act to the extent that it does not comply with the provisions
of
this Section 9.7(b). Schedule
9.7(b)
of the
Disclosure Schedule sets forth each of those Persons presently electing COBRA
coverage under the Existing Plans of the Seller and each of those Persons who
have separated from employment by the Seller (other than those Persons
separating from employment by the Seller in conjunction with the transactions
contemplated hereby) and are presently entitled to elect COBRA coverage under
the Existing Plans of the Seller (collectively, the “Pre-existing COBRA
Participants”) and with respect to each Pre-existing COBRA Participant the date
of such separation. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that it shall be
responsible for any and all COBRA obligations relating to the employees of
the
Acquired Business; provided, that all obligations with respect to the
Pre-existing COBRA Participants shall be limited to those Persons set forth
on
Schedule
9.7(b)
of the
Disclosure Schedule.
46
(c) It
is
understood and agreed that (i) Purchaser's expressed intention to extend offers
of employment as set forth in this section shall not constitute any commitment,
contract or understanding (express or implied) or any obligation on the part
of
Purchaser to an employment relationship of any fixed term or duration after
Closing or upon any terms or conditions other than those that Purchaser may
establish pursuant to individual offers of employment, and (ii) employment
offered by Purchaser is "at will" and may be terminated by Purchaser or an
employee at any time for any reason (subject to any written commitments to
the
contrary made by Purchaser or an employee and applicable law and regulation).
Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prevent or restrict in any way
the
right of Purchaser to terminate, reassign, promote or demote any of the Hired
Purchaser Employees after the Closing or to change adversely or favorably the
title, powers, duties, responsibilities, functions, locations, salaries, other
compensation or terms or conditions of employment of such employees. Except
as
otherwise agreed in this Section 9.7, Purchaser will set its own initial terms
and conditions of employment for the Hired Purchaser Employees and others it
may
hire, including work rules, benefits and salary and wage structure, all as
permitted by Law.
(d) As
of the
Closing Date, all Employees who are hired by Purchaser shall cease to
participate in any benefit plans sponsored or maintained by Seller for the
benefit of Employees, and Seller shall be solely responsible for any continuing
obligations and liabilities arising from such benefit plans.
(e) Seller
agrees to cooperate with Purchaser in organizing interviews of the Employees
by
Purchaser and its representatives and to otherwise coordinate ongoing
communications with the Employees. Seller further covenants and agrees, prior
to
the Closing, not to promote or advance any Employee without the prior written
consent of Purchaser, other than such promotions or advancements made in the
ordinary course of business.
(f) Seller
covenants that all Hired Purchaser Employees who are participants in Seller's
retirement and savings plans, if any, shall retain their vested benefits
thereunder as of the Closing Date in accordance with the terms thereof and
Seller (or Seller's retirement or savings plans) shall retain sole Liability
for
the payment of such benefits as and when such Hired Purchaser Employees become
eligible therefor under such plans. The parties hereto acknowledge that
Purchaser shall not assume, maintain, or contribute to any employee pension
plan
or employee welfare benefit plan of Seller. Seller will not make or cause any
transfer of, and Purchaser shall not under any circumstances be deemed to have
assumed or accrued, any Liability with respect to pension or other Benefit
Plans
or assets of Seller. Purchaser shall not have any responsibility, Liability
or
obligation, whether to Employees, former employees, their beneficiaries or
to
any other Person, with respect to any Benefit Plans, practices, programs or
arrangements (including the establishment, maintenance, operation, sponsorship
or termination thereof and the notification and provision of COBRA coverage
extension) maintained by Seller. Seller shall give any notices required by
applicable Law and take whatever other actions with respect to the plans,
programs and policies described in this Section 9.7 as may be necessary to
carry
out the arrangements described in this Section 9.7.
47
(g)
Seller
and Purchaser shall provide each other with such plan documents and summary
plan
descriptions, employee data or other information to the extent reasonably
required to carry out the arrangements described in this Section 9.7. If any
of
the arrangements described in this Section 9.7 are determined by the IRS or
other Governmental Authority to be prohibited by applicable Law, Seller and
Purchaser shall modify such arrangements to as closely as possible reflect
their
expressed intent and retain the allocation of economic benefits and burdens
to
the parties contemplated herein in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable
Law.
(h) Seller
has provided or made available to Purchaser on or prior to the date hereof
and
the Closing Date properly completed and executed I-9 forms and attachments
with
respect to all Employees, except for such Employees as Seller certifies in
writing to Purchaser are exempt from such requirement.
(i) Seller
and Purchaser acknowledge that (i) the Acquired Business is subject to the
Union
Agreement, and (ii) subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth
in Section 3.2 hereof (A) at Closing, Purchaser shall assume the Union Agreement
and (B) on and after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall be responsible for
complying with the Union Agreement, including without limitation, making
provision for any Benefit Plans that may be required thereunder; provided,
that
Seller shall be responsible for any and all matters relating to the Union
Agreement which relate to the Acquired Business and its employees prior to
the
Closing Date.
(j) Purchaser
shall not assume any of the 401(k) or Health or Welfare Benefit Plans or
policies of Seller (other than the life insurance policies specified in
Schedule
2.1(h)).
Effective on the Closing Date, Purchaser and/or Purchaser Parent will establish
and sponsor new 401(k) Plans (for the Union and Non-Union employees of the
Seller) and obtain new health insurance policies covering the employees of
the
Acquired Business with substantially the same benefits as received from Seller.
In connection with the Concord Steel 401(k) Plan for Union employees and the
Concord Steel 401(k) Plan for Non-Union employees, Seller (i) shall promptly
permit withdrawal of participants’ account balances as required by Seller’s
Plans’ rules and, if Seller elects to terminate its plan and seek IRS approval
of such termination, (ii) shall not adopt any account freeze; (iii) shall vest
all employees in employer match contributions in account balances as of the
closing; (iv) shall transfer without acceleration or default all outstanding
participant loans to Purchaser’s plans; (v) shall pay, if any, all surrender
fees, market value adjustment fees, discontinuance fees in connection with
distribution of account balances (provided that Purchaser shall reimburse
one-half of such amount to Seller); and (vi) shall assist in enrollment of
participants in Purchaser’s plans to facilitate roll over of account balances.
48
9.8. Approvals
and Consents.
(a) To
the
extent that the assignment by Seller to Purchaser of any of the Contracts
hereunder shall require the approval or consent of a party thereto and such
approval or consent has not been obtained by the Closing, if the Purchaser
and
Seller agree to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
this
Agreement shall not constitute an agreement to assign the same if an attempted
assignment without such approval or consent would constitute a breach thereof
and such Contract shall not be deemed to be assigned under any other provision
hereof. If any such approval or consent of a third party that is necessary
for
the transfer of the Purchased Assets has not been obtained by the Closing,
and
the Purchaser and Seller agree to consummate the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement, the Seller shall continue after Closing to use its commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain such approval or consent.
(b) If
any of
the Purchased Assets is not transferred to the Purchaser pursuant to this
Agreement, the Seller and Purchaser shall cooperate in any commercially
reasonable arrangement designed to provide the Purchaser with all of the
material benefits of, and to have the Purchaser assume the burdens, liabilities,
obligations and expenses expressly contemplated to be assumed by the Purchaser
hereunder with respect to, such Purchased Assets. Seller shall take all
commercially reasonable efforts requested to enforce for the benefit of the
Purchaser any and all rights of the Seller with respect to any Purchased Assets
that are not otherwise transferred pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.
Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that Seller’s agreement to undertake the
actions contemplated by Sections 9.8(a) and 9.8(b) shall be in lieu of any
damages that Purchaser may have and that Purchaser has expressly waived any
conditions to Closing with respect to such matters.
9.9. Stock
Purchase Agreement. At
Closing, each of Purchaser Parent and Seller shall execute and deliver the
Stock
Purchase Agreement and Seller shall purchase from Purchaser Parent, and
Purchaser Parent shall sell to Seller, the Reinvestment Shares for the
Reinvestment Share Price pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Stock
Purchase Agreement.
9.10. Transfer
Taxes and Fees.
Purchaser
and Seller shall equally share and be responsible for all sales, use and other
transfer taxes and fees imposed with respect to the transfer of the Purchased
Assets.
9.11. Certain
Transition Matters. The
Parties agree to take such actions as are specified on Schedule
9.11.
49
10. CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO PURCHASER’S AND PURCHASER PARENT’S OBLIGATIONS.
Each
and
every obligation of Purchaser and Purchaser Parent to be performed on the
Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction prior to or at the Closing
of
each of the following conditions:
10.1. Representations
and Warranties True on the Closing Date.
Each
of
the representations and warranties made by Seller in this Agreement shall be
true and correct in all material respects when made and shall be true and
correct in all material respects (except for such representations and warranties
as are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect, which
representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects),
at
and as of the Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were
made or given on and as of the Closing Date (subject to any changes in the
Disclosure Schedule permitted pursuant to Section 9.3 or otherwise consented
to
by Purchaser in writing).
10.2. Compliance
With Agreement.
Seller
shall have in all material respects performed and complied with all of the
agreements, obligations and covenants under this Agreement which are to be
performed or complied with by Seller prior to or on the Closing
Date.
10.3. Absence
of Litigation.
Neither
Purchaser, Purchaser Parent nor Seller shall be subject to any order or
injunction of a Government Authority which restrains, enjoins or otherwise
prohibits any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
10.4. Material
Consents and Approvals.
All
approvals, consents and waivers listed in Schedule
10.4
attached
to this Agreement (the “Material Consents”) shall have been
received.
10.5. No
Material Adverse Effect.
During
the period from the date hereof to the Closing Date, there shall not have
occurred any condition or fact in connection with the Acquired Business which
has, or which would reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse
Effect.
10.6. Closing
Deliveries.
At
the
Closing, Seller shall have delivered to Purchaser the closing deliveries listed
in Section 6.2(a) of this Agreement.
10.7. Seller’s
Audited Financial Statements.
The
Accountants shall have completed and delivered the audit of Seller’s Annual
Financial Statements and there shall be no material difference in the financial
information presented in the Audited Financial Statements from the information
presented in the Annual Financial Statements other than such changes resulting
from any change from LIFO to FIFO accounting and the inclusion of nonmaterial
standard footnotes.
10.8. Purchaser’s
Financing.
Purchaser
shall simultaneously close on its acquisition financing substantially on the
terms and conditions set forth in the Commitment Letter.
10.9. Closing
of Wilmington Transaction.
Purchaser
shall have received a closing binder containing each of the material executed
documents delivered in connection with the Wilmington Transaction.
10.10. Stock
Purchase Agreement.
The
Stock
Purchase Agreement shall have closed in accordance with its terms.
50
10.11. Additional
Escrow Agreement.
Seller,
Purchaser and Seller’s counsel (as escrow agent) shall have entered into an
escrow agreement providing for the withholding of an amount of the Purchase
Price equal to the estimated amount to repair the matter specified in the second
sentence of Item 1 of Schedule 4.8(c), such funds to be used for the payment
of
such repair.
11. CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO SELLER’S OBLIGATIONS.
Each
and
every obligation of Seller to be performed on the Closing Date shall be subject
to the satisfaction prior to or at the Closing of the following
conditions:
11.1. Representations
and Warranties True on the Closing Date.
Each
of
the representations and warranties made by Purchaser and Purchaser Parent in
this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects when made
and
shall be true and correct in all material respects (except for such
representations and warranties as are qualified by materiality or Material
Adverse Effect, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct
in all respects), at and as of the Closing Date as though such representations
and warranties were made or given on and as of the Closing Date, except for
any
changes permitted by the terms of this Agreement or otherwise consented to
by
Seller in writing.
11.2. Compliance
With Agreement.
Each
of
Purchaser and Purchaser Parent shall have in all material respects performed
and
complied with its agreements and obligations under this Agreement which are
to
be performed or complied with by it prior to or on the Closing
Date.
11.3. Absence
of Litigation.
Neither
Purchaser, Purchaser Parent nor Seller shall be subject to any order or
injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction which prohibits that the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
11.4. Closing
Deliveries.
At
the
Closing, Purchaser and/or Purchaser Parent shall have delivered to Seller the
closing deliveries listed in Section 6.2(b) of this Agreement.
11.5. Purchase
Price.
Purchaser
shall have paid the Purchase Price less the Escrow Amount to Seller and
delivered the Escrow Amount to Escrow Agent in accordance with the provisions
of
Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement.
12. TERMINATION
OF AGREEMENT.
12.1. Causes.
This
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby may be terminated at any
time
prior to the completion of the Closing as follows, and in no other
manner:
(a) By
written agreement between the Parties;
(b) By
written notice of termination from Purchaser or Purchaser Parent to Seller
if:
(i) a
Material Adverse Effect occurs;
51
(ii) at
any
time after the Outside Closing Date, provided that neither Purchaser nor
Purchaser Parent has not breached or failed to perform in any material respect
any of its representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other
obligations set forth in this Agreement; and provided, further, that upon
receipt of a Material Disclosure Schedule Change by Purchaser within seven
(7)
Business Days prior to the Outside Closing Date, Purchaser may, at its election
in writing, delay the Outside Closing Date to the date that is up to seven
(7)
Business Days after its receipt of such Material Disclosure Schedule Change
in
order for it to further investigate the matters described therein;
(iii) an
order
or injunction is entered by a Government Authority which restrains, enjoins
or
otherwise prohibits any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(iv) the
covenant set forth in Section 7.3 is breached or violated; or
(v) pursuant
to Section 9.3(b); or
(c) By
written notice of termination from Seller to Purchaser and Purchaser Parent
if:
(i) at
any
time after the Outside Closing Date, provided that Seller has not breached
or
failed to perform in any material respect any of its representations,
warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations set forth in this
Agreement;
or
(ii) an
order
or injunction is entered by a Government Authority which restrains, enjoins
or
otherwise prohibits any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
12.2. Effect
of Termination.
In
the
event of a termination of this Agreement by Purchaser, Purchaser Parent or
Seller under Section 12.1 above, this Agreement will forthwith become void
and
there will be no Liability on the part of a Party to the other Party, except
for
(i) the Liabilities and obligations of the Parties set forth in Sections 9.1,
12.2, 13, 14, 15 and 20 of this Agreement and (ii) any Liability of any Party
then in breach of this Agreement, which shall survive any termination of this
Agreement.
12.3. Right
to Proceed.
If
any of
the conditions specified in Section 10 hereof have not been satisfied, Purchaser
or Purchaser Parent, in lieu of any other rights that may be available to it,
may waive its rights to have such conditions satisfied prior to Closing and
may
proceed with the transactions contemplated hereby, and if any of the conditions
specified in Section 11 hereof have not been satisfied prior to Closing, Seller,
in lieu of any other rights that may be available to it, may waive its right
to
have such conditions satisfied and may proceed with the transactions
contemplated hereby.
52
13. SURVIVAL;
INDEMNIFICATION.
13.1. Survival.
(a) Each
of
the representations and warranties made by Seller, Purchaser or Purchaser Parent
in this Agreement or in any of the Ancillary Documents delivered hereunder
shall
survive the Closing through and until April 30, 2008; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the forgoing (a) the representations and warranties set forth
in
Sections 4.1(Organizational
Matters Regarding Seller and Wilmington Purchaser),
4.8(b)(Title),
4.9(Taxes),
4.14(Benefit
Plans) and
5.1(Organizational
Matters Regarding Purchaser and Purchaser Parent)
shall
survive the Closing through and until the expiration of the applicable statute
of limitations period relating to such matter, and (b) the representations
and
warranties set forth in Section 4.12(Environmental
Matters)
shall
survive the Closing through and until the third anniversary of the Closing
Date;
provided, further, that the survival periods set forth in this Section 13.1(a)
shall be subject to extension pursuant to Section 13.1(c) hereof.
(b) Each
of
the covenants, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement made
by
Seller, Purchaser or Purchaser Parent in this Agreement or in any of the
Ancillary Documents delivered hereunder shall survive the Closing Date through
the applicable statute of limitations periods relating to such matter; provided,
however, that notwithstanding the forgoing the covenants, agreements and
obligations of the Seller to indemnify the Purchaser Indemnified Parties in
respect of any Losses arising or claimed by the Purchaser Indemnified Parties
in
connection with Seller’s indemnification obligations set forth in Section
13.3(a)(iii) in respect of the Non-Assumed Liabilities set forth in Section
3.4(ii) hereof shall survive the Closing through and until the third anniversary
of the Closing Date; provided, further, that the survival periods set forth
in
this Section 13.1(b) shall be subject to extension pursuant to Section 13.1(d)
hereof.
(c) Any
representation or warranty that would otherwise terminate on the last survival
date with respect thereto pursuant to Section 13.1(a) shall continue to survive
if the notice referred to in Section 13.2(b) or Section 13.3(b), as the case
may
be, of the breach, inaccuracy, default or nonperformance thereof shall have
been
given on or prior to the last survival date with respect thereto to the Party
against whom indemnification may be sought.
(d) The
covenants, agreements and obligations contained in this Section 13 and in
Section 14 of this Agreement shall survive with respect to any indemnification
claim properly asserted pursuant to Section 13.2(b) or Section 13.3(b), as
the
case may be, prior to the last survival date with respect thereto pursuant
to
Section 13.1(b) until such claim is finally settled or resolved in accordance
with the terms thereof.
13.2. Indemnification
by Purchaser.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of this Section 13.2 and the other provisions of Section
13 of
this Agreement, Purchaser and Purchaser Parent shall jointly and severally
indemnify Seller and its managers, employees, agents, successors and assigns
(the “Seller Indemnified Parties”) and hold the Seller Indemnified Parties
harmless from, against and in respect of the full amount of any and all Losses
incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the Seller Indemnified Parties with
respect to, by reason of or in connection with (i) any breach or inaccuracy
on
the part of Purchaser or Purchaser Parent of their representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents; (ii) any
breach, violation, default, lack of performance or non-fulfillment on the part
of Purchaser or Purchaser Parent of any of their agreements, covenants or
obligations contained in this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents; and (iii)
the Assumed Obligations.
53
(b) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Seller Indemnified Parties
shall
not be entitled to indemnification under Section 13.2(a) with respect to any
claim for indemnification thereunder, unless Seller has given Purchaser and
Purchaser Parent written notice of such claim during the applicable survival
period set forth in Section 13.1 relating thereto and setting forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances pertaining thereto.
13.3. Indemnification
by Seller.
(a) Subject
to the provisions of this Section 13.3 and the other provisions of Section
13 of
this Agreement, Seller shall indemnify Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and their
Affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents,
successors and assigns (the “Purchaser Indemnified Parties”) and hold the
Purchaser Indemnified Parties harmless from, against and in respect of the
full
amount of any and all Losses incurred or sustained by, or imposed upon, the
Purchaser Indemnified Parties with respect to, by reason of or in connection
with (i) any breach or inaccuracy on the part of Seller of any of its
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or the Ancillary
Documents; (ii) any breach, violation, default, lack of performance or
non-fulfillment on the part of Seller of any of its agreements, covenants or
obligations contained in this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents; and (iii)
the Non-Assumed Liabilities.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Purchaser Indemnified Parties
shall not be entitled to indemnification under Section 13.3(a) with respect
to
any claim for indemnification thereunder, unless Purchaser or Purchaser Parent
has given Seller written notice of such claim during the applicable survival
period set forth in Section 13.1 relating thereto and setting forth in
reasonable detail the facts and circumstances pertaining thereto.
13.4. Limitations
on Indemnification.
(a) After
the
Closing occurs, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement,
the
Seller Indemnified Parties and the Purchaser Indemnified Parties shall not
be
entitled to indemnification:
(i) in
connection with any claim for indemnification hereunder with respect to which
such party has an enforceable right of indemnification, contribution or right
of
set-off against any third party, unless such party is enjoined by a court of
competent jurisdiction or otherwise legally prevented from receiving the benefit
of any such set-off;
(ii) to
the
extent of any insurance proceeds actually received by the indemnified party
in
connection with the facts giving rise to such indemnification;
54
(iii) to
the
extent such Loss is reserved for, or otherwise taken into account, in the
determination of the Closing Working Capital;
(iv) under
Sections 13.2(a)(i) or 13.3(a)(i) (except in connection with a claim for fraud)
with respect to any Losses as to which the Purchaser Indemnified Parties
(collectively), on the one hand, or the Seller Indemnified Parties
(collectively), on the other hand, may otherwise be entitled to until such
Losses exceed $250,000.00, at which time such parties shall be indemnified
dollar for dollar to the extent any Liability with respect to such matters
exceeds $250,000.00;
(v) for
any
Losses payable in excess of an aggregate amount equal to $2,000,000.00 by the
Seller Indemnified Parties (collectively), on the one hand, or the Purchaser
Indemnified Parties (collectively), on the other hand, under Sections 13.2(a)(i)
or 13.3(a)(i) in respect of a breach or inaccuracy of a representation or
warranty; provided, that the limitation set forth in this Section 13.4(a)(v)
shall not be applicable in connection with (a) a claim for fraud relating to
this Agreement; (b) a breach or inaccuracy of a representation or warranty
set
forth in Sections 4.1(Organizational
Matters Regarding Seller and the Wilmington Purchaser), 4.8(b)(Title),
4.9(Taxes),
4.14(Benefit
Plans),
or
5.1(Organizational
Matters Regarding Purchaser and Purchaser Parent);
or (c)
a breach or inaccuracy of a representation or warranty set forth in Section
4.12
(Environmental
Matters) (the
limitations for which are addressed in Section 13.4(a)(vi) below);
(vi) for
any
Losses payable in excess of an aggregate amount equal to $2,000,000.00 by the
Seller Indemnified Parties (collectively) under (a) Section 13.3(a)(i) in
respect of a breach or inaccuracy of the representations and warranties set
forth in Section 4.12(Environmental
Matters) hereof
or
(b) Section 13.3(a)(iii) in respect of the Non-Assumed Liabilities set forth
in
Section 3.4(ii) hereof; provided, that the limitation set forth in this Section
13.4(a)(vi) shall not be applicable in connection with a claim for fraud
relating to this Agreement;
(vii) for
any
Losses in respect of the matters described on Schedule
13.4(a)(vii);
(viii) for
any
Losses relating to any matter, event or circumstance which would result in
a
breach of a representation or warranty of Seller hereunder and (A) which arose
prior to the date of this Agreement and was actually known to any of the
Purchaser Indemnified Parties at and as of the execution and delivery hereof
as
a matter, event or circumstance which consisted of a breach or violation of
a
representation or warranty of Seller hereunder (but only to the extent such
matter, event or circumstance was known by any of the Purchaser Indemnified
Parties at the time of Purchaser’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, it
being agreed that the Purchaser Indemnified Parties have actual knowledge of,
among other things, the matters set forth on Schedule
13.4(a)(viii);
or (B)
which arose after the execution and delivery hereof (but prior to Closing)
and
was actually known to by any of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties at and as
of
the Closing as a matter, event or circumstance which consisted of a breach
or
violation of a representation or warranty of Seller which were made under the
certificate delivered at Closing pursuant to Section 6.2(a)(iv) hereof (but
only
to the extent such matter, event or circumstance was known by any of the
Purchaser Indemnified Parties at the time of such delivery);
55
(ix) for
any
Losses relating to any matter, event or circumstance which would result in
a
breach of a representation or warranty of Purchaser hereunder and (A) which
arose prior to the date of this Agreement and was actually known to any of
the
Seller Indemnified Parties at and as of the execution and delivery hereof as
a
matter, event or circumstance which consisted of a breach or violation of a
representation or warranty of Purchaser hereunder (but only to the extent such
matter, event or circumstance was known by any of the Seller Indemnified Parties
at the time of Seller’s execution and delivery of this Agreement); or (B) which
arose after the execution and delivery hereof (but prior to Closing) and was
actually known to by any of the Seller Indemnified Parties at and as of the
Closing as a matter, event or circumstance which consisted of a breach or
violation of a representation or warranty of Purchaser which were made under
the
certificate delivered at Closing pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(v) hereof (but
only
to the extent such matter, event or circumstance was known by any of the Seller
Indemnified Parties at the time of such delivery); or
(x) for
an
amount equal to any Tax benefit actually realized directly or indirectly by
an
Indemnified Party in the tax year during which such Indemnified Party made
a
claim for Losses and the immediately following two tax years of such Indemnified
Party (or of any Tax Group of which the Indemnified Party is also a member)
arising as a result of the incurrence or payment of such Losses (after taking
into account all other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit of
such
Indemnified Party or any Tax Group of which the Indemnified Party is a
member).
13.5. Procedures
for Indemnification.
(a) Subject
to Sections 13.6 and 13.7 of this Agreement, if a Party seeking indemnification
pursuant to this Section 13 (the “Indemnified Party”) shall claim to have
suffered a Loss for which indemnification is available under Sections 13.2
or
13.3, as the case may be (for purposes of this Section 13.5, regardless of
whether such Indemnified Party is entitled to receive a payment in respect
of
such claim), the Indemnified Party shall notify the Party from whom
indemnification with respect to such claim is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”)
in writing of such claim prior to the last survival date with respect thereto
pursuant to Section 13.1(a), which written notice shall describe the nature
of
such claim, the facts and circumstances that give rise to such claim and the
amount of such claim if reasonably ascertainable at the time such claim is
made
(or if not then reasonably ascertainable, the maximum amount of such claim
reasonably estimated by the Indemnified Party). In the event that within
forty-five (45) days after the receipt by the Indemnifying Party of such a
written notice from the Indemnified Party, the Indemnified Party shall not
have
received from the Indemnifying Party a written objection to such claim, such
claim shall be conclusively presumed and considered to have been assented to
and
approved by the Indemnifying Party.
(b) If
within
the forty-five (45) day period described in Section 13.5(a) above the
Indemnified Party shall have received from the Indemnifying Party a notice
setting forth the Indemnifying Party’s objections to such claim and the
Indemnifying Party’s reasons for such objection, then the Parties shall follow
the procedures set forth in Section 14 below with respect to the resolution
of
such matter.
56
13.6. Procedures
for Third-Party Claims.
(a) Any
Indemnified Party seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 13 in respect
of any legal proceeding, action, claim or demand instituted by any third Person
(in each case, a “Third-Party Claim”) shall give the Indemnifying Party from
whom indemnification with respect to such claim is sought (i) prompt written
notice (but in no event more than fifteen (15) days after the Indemnified Party
acquires knowledge thereof) of such Third-Party Claim (a “Claim Notification”)
and (ii) copies of all documents and information relating to any such
Third-Party Claim within fifteen (15) days of their being obtained by the
Indemnified Party; provided, that the failure by the Indemnified Party to so
notify or provide copies to the Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party from any Liability to the Indemnified Party for any Liability
hereunder except to the extent that such failure shall have actually prejudiced
the defense of such Third-Party Claim.
(b) Subject
to Section 13.7 of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right,
at its option and expense, to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise
deal with any Third-Party Claim with respect to which it is the Indemnifying
Party and to be represented by counsel of its own choice if it delivers a notice
to the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice
provided by the Indemnifying Party under Section 13.6(a) confirming that, with
respect to such matter, it (i) agrees to assume the defense thereof, (ii) waives
any right to contest the indemnification of the Indemnified Party pursuant
hereto or the enforceability thereof, and (iii) has the financial resources
available to pay the reasonably foreseeable Losses with respect to such matter
(together with the amount held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement), and if
requested by the Indemnified Party, provides reasonably satisfactory evidence
of
such financial resources (a “Defense Notification”). In the event that the
Indemnified Party does not receive a Defense Notification or discontinues its
defense of a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnified Party may defend and settle
such
Third-Party Claim in such manner as it may deem reasonably appropriate without
prejudice to its indemnification claims against the Indemnifying Party. The
Indemnified Party may participate in any Third-Party Claim with counsel of
its
choice and at its expense; provided, that if there exists a conflict of interest
(other than one that is of a monetary nature) that would make it inappropriate
for the Indemnifying Party’s counsel to represent both the Indemnified Party and
the Indemnifying Party, then the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to retain
its own counsel, at the expense of the Indemnifying Party
(c) Neither
the Indemnified Party or the Indemnifying Party shall enter into a settlement
of
any such Third-Party Claim without the consent of the other, such consent not
to
be unreasonably withheld or delayed provided that (i) the Indemnified Party
is
unconditionally released from all Liability, (ii) that no material ongoing
restrictions on the Acquired Business are part of such settlement and (iii)
the
settlement thereof would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Indemnified
Party; provided, that until the Indemnified Party receives a Defense
Notification, the Indemnified Party may settle, compromise, pay or discharge
the
same (provided that if the Indemnified Party proposes to settle such matter
prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period described above in this
section, the Indemnified Party shall provide the Indemnifying Party with five
business days’ advance notice thereof). If a firm written offer is made to
settle any such Third-Party Claim and the Indemnifying Party proposes to accept
such settlement and the Indemnified Party refuses to consent to such settlement,
then, provided that under such settlement (a) the Indemnified Party is
unconditionally released from all Liability, (b) that no material ongoing
restrictions on the Acquired Business are part of such settlement and (c) the
settlement thereof would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Indemnified
Party: (i) the Indemnifying Party shall be excused from, and the Indemnified
Party shall be solely responsible for, all further defense of such Third-Party
Claim; and (ii) the maximum Liability of the Indemnifying Party relating to
such
Third-Party Claim shall be the amount of the proposed settlement if the amount
thereafter recovered from the Indemnified Party on such Third-Party Claim is
greater; and (iii) the Indemnified Party shall pay all of its attorneys’ fees,
legal costs and expenses incurred after rejection of such settlement by the
Indemnified Party.
57
(d)
In
the
event the Indemnifying Party exercises the right to undertake any such defense
against any such Third-Party Claim as provided above, the Indemnified Party
shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in such defense and make available
to the Indemnifying Party, all witnesses, pertinent records, materials and
information in the Indemnified Party’s possession or under the Indemnified
Party’s control relating thereto as is reasonably required by the Indemnifying
Party. Similarly, in the event the Indemnified Party is, directly or indirectly,
conducting the defense against any such Third-Party Claim, the Indemnifying
Party shall cooperate with the Indemnified Party in such defense and make
available to the Indemnified Party, all such witnesses, records, materials
and
information in the Indemnifying Party’s possession or under the Indemnifying
Party’s control relating thereto as is reasonably required by the Indemnified
Party.
13.7. Certain
Procedures for Environmental Matters.
With
respect to Seller’s indemnification obligation under Section 13.3(a)(i) as a
result of a breach of a representation or warranty set forth in Section 4.12
hereof, or under any other Section of this Agreement relating to an
Environmental Claim, Purchaser shall:
(i) if
such
claim relates to the Ohio Real Estate or the Leased Real Property, provide
Seller reasonable access to the Ohio Real Estate or the Leased Real Property,
as
the case may be, so that Seller may conduct its own investigation, testing
and
corrective action with respect to such matter;
(ii) provide
Seller with the results, including analytical data, of any investigation or
testing conducted by Purchaser or, if available to Purchaser, any third
party;
(iii) except
as
may otherwise be required by Law, not contact any Governmental Authority without
the prior consent of Seller (such consent not to be unreasonably delayed or
withheld);
(iv) to
the
extent Seller consents to any contact described in Section 13.7(iii), give
Seller a reasonable opportunity to participate in any discussions or
negotiations with any Governmental Authority concerning such
matter;
(v) if
corrective action is required in any such matter, give Seller a reasonable
opportunity to develop and implement a plan of corrective action using
appropriately licensed and trained professionals for Purchaser’s review and
approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld so long as such plan
(a)
does not materially interfere with the business of the Acquired Business, (b)
reasonably details the proposed work to be completed, (c) estimates costs and
timeframes and provides evidence of compliance with all applicable Laws and
(d)
provides for a performance bond (or other security reasonably acceptable to
Purchaser) for projects likely to exceed $200,000 in cost), and reasonably
cooperate in the development and implementation of such plan on a cost effective
basis;
58
(vi) Any
such
plan of action shall, to the extent permitted under Environmental Laws, be
based
on the continued use of the property for industrial use of the property and
may
rely on and utilize institutional controls (such as deed notices or
restrictions) and shall contain reasonable steps so as to minimize disruption
of
or adverse effect on the ongoing operations of the Acquired
Business;
(vii) cooperate
fully and in good faith with Seller in performing such tasks as Seller and
its
technical professionals and representatives may reasonably request to complete
any environmental investigations or environmental remediation being undertaken
by Seller pursuant to this Agreement and the agreed upon corrective plan
(including to take, or cause to be taken, all commercially reasonable actions
and to do, or cause to be done, all commercially reasonable things necessary
to
cooperate with Seller to effect the corrective plan), with Purchaser being
compensated for any reasonable and actual Losses incurred in connection
therewith. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, Purchaser shall cause
its employees to reasonably cooperate with Seller and to afford Seller, its
agents, employees and technical professionals reasonable access to relevant
records relating to the matters which may be Seller’s responsibility under this
Agreement; and
(viii) with
respect to any environmental remediation undertaken by Seller, Seller shall
be
responsible for completing such remediation only to the extent required under
Environmental Laws in effect as of the Closing Date.
13.8. Exclusive
Remedy.
Subject
to Sections 7.7 and 13.9 of this Agreement, except in the case of fraud, the
indemnification obligations of Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and Seller under
this
Section 13 shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedies of Seller, Purchaser
and Purchaser Parent, respectively, for the breach of any covenant, agreement,
representation, warranty or obligation in this Agreement by the Seller, the
Purchaser or the Purchaser Parent, as the case may be, and the Seller, the
Purchaser and the Purchaser Parent shall not be entitled to rescission of this
Agreement or to any further indemnification rights or claims of any nature
whatsoever in respect thereof, all of which the Purchaser, Purchaser Parent
and
the Seller waive. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement,
no
Party shall be entitled to indemnification under this Section 13 for a
diminution in the stock price of any Affiliate of the Purchaser whose shares
are
publicly traded or punitive damages.
13.9. Specific
Performance.
Because
of the unique nature of the Purchased Assets, each of the Parties shall have
the
right to specific performance of the obligations of the other Party hereunder
with respect to the purchase and sale of the Purchased Assets and the other
obligations of the Parties hereunder.
13.10. Disposition
of Reinvestment Shares.
Seller
agrees and covenants that during the Lock-Up Period (as defined in Exhibit
I to
the Stock Purchase Agreement) the Seller shall not pledge, encumber,
hypothecate, grant or suffer a consensual lien with respect to, transfer, gift
or otherwise dispose of the Reinvestment Shares.
59
13.11. Insurance
Claims.
Notwithstanding
any provision of this Agreement, if Seller does not provide a Defense
Notification with respect to, or discontinues its defense of, any Third-Party
Claim, the Purchaser may (on behalf of itself and the Purchaser Indemnified
Parties), to the extent that the Purchaser Indemnified Parties has any
continuing Losses after taking into account the receipt of payment in respect
of
such Third-Party Claim by Seller or from the Escrow Agent (i) have the right
to
directly tender claims, whether under its own name as successor of the Acquired
Business, or under the name of the Seller, acting as its attorney-in-fact,
under
Seller’s insurance programs regardless of when a claim is presented against the
Acquired Business, (ii) be entitled to the benefit of the insurance proceeds
relating to any Losses for acts occurring or arising with respect to the
Acquired Business prior to the Closing; and (iii) be entitled to require Seller
to tender any claims against the insurance policies of the Acquired Business
on
behalf of the Purchaser Indemnified Parties in any manner reasonably specified
by the Purchaser; provided, that with respect to claims or actions that the
Purchaser shall make or direct to be made pursuant to clause (i) and (iii)
above, Purchaser shall indemnify and hold harmless Seller from any Losses
relating to any claims made, documents submitted, or any actions taken, by
Purchaser (or Seller at Purchaser’s request) if its determined that such claim,
submission or action was made in a fraudulent manner. From and after the
Closing, Purchaser shall have the right to participate in the defense and
prosecution of insurance claims arising prior to the Closing in accordance
with
Section 13.6. Any proceeds actually received under such claims by any of the
Purchaser Indemnified Parties shall be deducted from any indemnification claim
against Seller pursuant to Section 13.4(a)(i) and (ii). Notwithstanding any
provision of Section 13.6(c), if (a) any proposed settlement of an insurance
claim does not represent the full amount of Losses of Purchaser in connection
with such claim and (b) the limits of Seller’s insurance policies are not
exhausted by such claims, then, prior to settling any such claim, Seller shall
obtain the Purchaser’s consent to settle such insurance claim (such consent not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
14. DISPUTE
RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION, ETC.
14.1. Dispute.
As
used
in this Agreement, “Dispute” shall mean any dispute or disagreement between
Purchaser or Purchaser Parent and Seller concerning the interpretation of this
Agreement, the validity of this Agreement, any breach or alleged breach by
any
Party under this Agreement or any other matter relating in any way to this
Agreement; provided, that “Dispute” shall not include any dispute relating to
the Closing Working Capital which shall be resolved in accordance with Section
2.4 hereof.
14.2. Process.
If
a
Dispute arises the Parties shall promptly attempt to resolve any Dispute by
negotiations between the Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and the Seller. Either
Purchaser, Purchaser Parent or Seller may give the other Party written notice
of
any Dispute not resolved in the normal course of business. Representatives
of
Purchaser, Purchaser Parent and Seller shall discuss at a mutually acceptable
time and place within ten (10) calendar days after delivery of such notice,
and
thereafter as often as they reasonably deem necessary, to exchange relevant
information and to attempt to resolve the Dispute. If the Dispute has not been
resolved by these Persons within thirty (30) calendar days of the disputing
Party’s notice, or if the Parties fail to meet within such ten (10) calendar
days, either the Purchaser or the Seller may take such actions and exercise
such
rights as they may have under applicable Law. No provision of this Section
14.2
shall limit or prohibit a Party from sending at any time a notification to
the
Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement; or (ii) taking such actions
as
are required by applicable Law.
60
14.3. General.
(a) Provisional
Remedies.
At any
time during the procedures specified in Section 14.2 of this Agreement, a
Party
may seek a preliminary injunction or other provisional judicial relief if
in its
judgment such action is necessary to avoid irreparable damage or to preserve
the
status quo. Despite such action, the Parties will continue to participate
in
good faith in the procedures specified in this Section 14 of this Agreement.
(b) Tolling
Statue of Limitations.
All
applicable statutes of limitation and defenses based upon the passage of
time
shall be tolled while the procedures specified in this Section 14 of this
Agreement are pending. The Parties will take such action, if any, as is required
to effectuate such tolling.
(c) Performance
to Continue.
Each
Party is required to continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement
pending final resolution of any Dispute.
(d) Extension
of Deadlines.
All
deadlines specified in this Section 14 of this Agreement may be extended
by
mutual agreement between the Purchaser and the Seller.
14.4. Governing Law,
Venue and Waiver of Jury Trial. THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CHOICE OF LAW RULES THAT
MAY DIRECT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION.
EACH
PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT, BY ITS EXECUTION HEREOF, (I) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
SUBMITS, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE (OR IF JURISDICTION THERETO IS NOT PERMITTED BY
LAW, THE STATE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE LOCATED IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY
FOR
THE PURPOSE OF ANY ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT
OR
OTHERWISE), INQUIRY PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON
THIS AGREEMENT OR RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF, (II) HEREBY WAIVES,
AND
AGREES TO CAUSE EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES TO WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED
BY APPLICABLE LAW, AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT, AND AGREES NOT TO ALLOW ANY OF
ITS
SUBSIDIARIES TO ASSERT, BY WAY OF MOTION, AS A DEFENSE OR OTHERWISE, IN ANY
SUCH
ACTION, ANY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT SUBJECT PERSONALLY TO THE JURISDICTION OF
THE
ABOVE-NAMED COURTS, THAT ITS PROPERTY IS EXEMPT OR IMMUNE FROM ATTACHMENT OR
EXECUTION, THAT ANY SUCH PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ONE OF THE ABOVE-NAMED COURTS
IS
IMPROPER, OR THAT THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF MAY NOT BE
ENFORCED IN OR BY SUCH COURT AND (III) HEREBY AGREES NOT TO COMMENCE OR TO
PERMIT ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES TO COMMENCE ANY ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION
OR
SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION
ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER
HEREOF OTHER THAN BEFORE ONE OF THE ABOVE-NAMED COURTS NOR TO MAKE ANY MOTION
OR
TAKE ANY OTHER ACTION SEEKING OR INTENDING TO CAUSE THE TRANSFER OR REMOVAL
OF
ANY SUCH ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR
OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION TO ANY COURT OTHER THAN ONE
OF
THE ABOVE-NAMED COURT WHETHER ON THE GROUNDS OF INCONVENIENT FORUM OR OTHERWISE.
EACH PARTY HEREBY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN
ANY
MANNER PERMITTED BY DELAWARE LAW, AND AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS BY
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, AT ITS ADDRESS SPECIFIED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 IS REASONABLY CALCULATED TO GIVE ACTUAL NOTICE PROVIDED
THAT THE PARTY DELIVERING SUCH NOTICE RECEIVES A SIGNED RETURN RECEIPT IN
RESPECT THEREOF.
61
EACH
OF
THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT ASSERT (WHETHER
AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM
IN
RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR ACTION, CLAIM, CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT,
TORT OR OTHERWISE), INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR
BASED
UPON THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH
OR
RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE
WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH OF THE PARTIES AGREE AND
ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS SECTION 14 CONSTITUTES A
MATERIAL INDUCEMENT UPON WHICH THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO ARE RELYING AND WILL
RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS RELATING HERETO
OR
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. ANY PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A
COPY
OF THIS SECTION 14 WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH
SUCH PARTY TO THE WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
62
15. NOTICES.
Any
notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be considered delivered in all respects when it has been
(i)
delivered by hand or overnight courier, (ii) by acknowledged facsimile
transmission followed by either the original mailed by certified mail, return
receipt requested, or delivered by hand or overnight courier or (iii) three
(3)
days after it is mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, first
class
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
To
Seller
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With
a copy to:
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CRC Acquisition Co. LLC
c/o Riparian Partners, Ltd.
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx XxxXxxxxxxx
Fax: (000)
000-0000
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Xxxxxxxxx
Traurig, LLP
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Fax: 000-000-0000
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To Purchaser or Purchaser Parent: | With a copy to: |
Net Perceptions, Inc.
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Fax: 000-000-0000
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Xxxx Xxxxxxx, P.C.
1350 Avenue of the Xxxxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Fax: 000-000-0000
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or
such
other addresses as shall be similarly furnished in writing by either
Party.
16. EXHIBITS.
All
exhibits and schedules hereto are by reference incorporated herein and made
a
part hereof.
17. ENTIRE
AGREEMENT; BINDING EFFECT.
This
Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits attached hereto) contains the
entire agreement between the Parties hereto with respect to the transactions
contemplated herein, and there are no agreements or understandings between
the
Parties other than those set forth or referenced herein or executed
simultaneously or in connection herewith. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs,
legal
representatives, successors and assigns.
18. HEADINGS.
The
headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
constitute a part hereof.
19. EXPENSES.
Each
of
the Parties hereto shall be solely responsible for and pay its own consulting,
accounting, legal, and other charges and expenses incurred by such Party in
connection with the negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement,
the related agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
without obligation to pay or contribute to the expenses incurred by any other
Party.
20. AMENDMENT.
This
Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded or cancelled, and any of the
terms, covenants, representations, warranties or conditions hereof may be
waived, only by a written instrument executed on behalf of all of the Parties
hereto or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving
compliance.
21. WAIVER.
The
failure of any Party at any time or times to require performance of any
provision of this Agreement shall in no manner affect the right to enforce
that
provision or any other provision hereof at any time thereafter, except as
specifically limited herein.
63
22. TIME
OF THE ESSENCE.
Time
is
deemed to be of the essence with respect to all of the terms, covenants,
representations and warranties of this Agreement.
23. ASSIGNMENT.
Neither
this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder may
be
assigned by any of the Parties hereto without the prior written consent of
the
other Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, at Purchaser’s option
Purchaser shall have the right (i) to designate one or more Affiliates of the
Purchaser to purchase all or any portion of the Purchased Assets and (ii) to
assign as collateral to one or more financing sources, all of its right, title
and interest under this Agreement, provided, however, that no such designation
or assignment by Purchaser shall relieve Purchaser or Purchaser Parent of any
of
their obligations or liabilities under this Agreement.
24. NO
THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY.
Neither
this Agreement nor any provision hereof, nor any statement, schedule,
certificate, instrument or other document delivered or to be delivered pursuant
hereto, nor any agreement entered into or to be entered into pursuant hereto
or
any provision thereof, is intended to create any right, claim or remedy in
favor
of, or impose any obligation upon, any Person other than the Parties hereto
and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
25. COUNTERPARTS;
FACSIMILE SIGNATURE.
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
Each of the Parties to this Agreement agrees that a signature delivered by
facsimile by any of the Parties is intended to be its signature and shall be
valid, binding and enforceable against such Person.
[SIGNATURES
ARE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]
64
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties hereto has executed this Asset Purchase
Agreement all as of the day and year first above written.
SELLER:
CRC
ACQUISITION CO. LLC
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By: | ||
Name:
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Title:
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PURCHASER:
SIG
ACQUISITION CORP.
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By: | ||
Name: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
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Title: Treasurer
and Secretary
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PURCHASER
PARENT:
NET
PERCEPTIONS, INC.
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By: | ||
Name: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
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Title:
Chief
Administrative Officer
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