STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among MANCHESTER INDIANA OPERATIONS, INC., MANCHESTER INDIANA ACCEPTANCE, INC., MANCHESTER INC., the SHAREHOLDERS of each of and Rick Stanley, as Sellers’ Representative December 2, 2006
Execution
Version
by
and among
MANCHESTER
INDIANA OPERATIONS, INC.,
MANCHESTER
INDIANA ACCEPTANCE, INC.,
the
SHAREHOLDERS
of
each of
F.S.
ENGLISH, INC. AND GNAC, INC.
and
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, as Sellers’ Representative
December
2, 2006
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
|
||
ARTICLE
1:
|
DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
1.1
|
Definitions
|
1
|
1.2
|
Accounting
Terms
|
1
|
ARTICLE
2:
|
PURCHASE
AND SALE
|
2
|
2.1
|
Purchase
and Sale
|
2
|
2.2
|
Purchase
Price
|
2
|
2.3
|
Payment
of Purchase Price and Adjustment for Selling Expenses
|
2
|
2.4
|
Payment
of Indebtedness and Selling Expenses
|
3
|
2.5
|
Allocation
to Sellers of the Acquisition Consideration
|
3
|
2.6
|
Merger
of the Acquired Companies into the Purchasers
|
3
|
ARTICLE
3:
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING SELLERS, SELLERS’ REPRESENTATIVE AND THE
TRANSACTION
|
4
|
3.1
|
Authority
and Capacity
|
4
|
3.2
|
Ownership
of Shares
|
4
|
3.3
|
Execution
and Delivery; Enforceability
|
4
|
3.4
|
Noncontravention
|
4
|
3.5
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
5
|
3.6
|
Acquisition
Consideration Representations
|
5
|
ARTICLE
4:
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACQUIRED COMPANIES
|
8
|
4.1
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
8
|
4.2
|
Capital
Stock
|
8
|
4.3
|
Other
Ventures
|
9
|
4.4
|
Noncontravention
|
9
|
4.5
|
Financial
Statements
|
10
|
4.6
|
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events
|
10
|
4.7
|
Taxes
|
12
|
4.8
|
Employees
|
13
|
4.9
|
Employee
Benefit Plans and Other Compensation Arrangements
|
14
|
4.10
|
Environmental
Matters
|
15
|
4.11
|
Permits;
Compliance with Laws
|
16
|
4.12
|
Real
and Personal Properties
|
16
|
4.13
|
Accounts
Receivable
|
18
|
4.14
|
Inventories
|
18
|
4.15
|
Intellectual
Properties
|
18
|
4.16
|
Contracts
|
19
|
4.17
|
Litigation
|
21
|
4.18
|
Product
Warranty
|
21
|
4.19
|
Product
Liability
|
21
|
4.20
|
Material
Suppliers and Customers
|
22
|
4.21
|
Insurance
|
22
|
4.22
|
Indebtedness
|
22
|
4.23
|
Books
and Records
|
22
|
4.24
|
Undisclosed
Liabilities
|
23
|
4.25
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
23
|
4.26
|
Sufficiency
of Assets
|
23
|
4.27
|
Brokerage
|
23
|
|
||
ARTICLE
5:
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASERS AND PARENT
|
24
|
5.1
|
Organization;
Authorization
|
24
|
5.2
|
Execution
and Delivery; Enforceability
|
24
|
5.3
|
Governmental
Authorities; Consents
|
24
|
5.4
|
SEC
Filings
|
24
|
5.5
|
Financial
Statements
|
25
|
5.6
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
25
|
5.7
|
Capital
Stock
|
25
|
5.8
|
Compliance
with Laws and Obligations
|
26
|
5.9
|
Solvency
|
26
|
5.10
|
Franchise
Agreements
|
26
|
5.11
|
Brokerage
|
26
|
5.12
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
27
|
ARTICLE
6:
|
CLOSING
CONDITIONS; CLOSING
|
27
|
6.1
|
Conditions
to Purchasers’ Obligations
|
27
|
6.2
|
Conditions
to Sellers’ Obligations
|
29
|
6.3
|
The
Closing
|
30
|
6.4
|
Termination
|
30
|
6.5
|
Covenants
Pending Closing
|
31
|
6.6
|
Updates
to Disclosure Schedules
|
32
|
|
||
ARTICLE
7:
|
REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AND STOCK LEGENDS
|
32
|
7.1
|
Registration
Rights
|
32
|
7.2
|
Stock
Certificate Legends
|
33
|
ARTICLE
8:
|
COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS
|
35
|
8.1
|
Publicity
|
35
|
8.2
|
Expenses
|
35
|
8.3
|
No
Assignments
|
35
|
8.4
|
Sellers’
Representative
|
35
|
8.5
|
Tax
Matters
|
36
|
8.6
|
Restrictive
Covenants
|
39
|
ARTICLE
9:
|
INDEMNIFICATION
|
42
|
9.1
|
Indemnification
of Purchasers
|
42
|
9.2
|
Limitations
on Indemnification of Purchasers
|
43
|
9.3
|
Indemnification
of Sellers
|
44
|
9.4
|
Limitations
on Indemnification of Sellers
|
44
|
9.5
|
Procedures
Relating to Indemnification
|
45
|
9.6
|
Exclusive
Remedy
|
47
|
ARTICLE
10:
|
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
|
47
|
ARTICLE
11:
|
CONSTRUCTION;
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
|
56
|
11.1
|
Notices
|
56
|
11.2
|
Entire
Agreement
|
57
|
11.3
|
Modification
|
58
|
11.4
|
Mediation,
Jurisdiction and Venue
|
58
|
11.5
|
Binding
Effect
|
58
|
11.6
|
Headings
and Construction
|
58
|
11.7
|
Number
and Gender; Inclusion
|
59
|
11.8
|
Counterparts
|
59
|
11.9
|
Third
Parties
|
59
|
11.10
|
Time
Periods
|
59
|
11.11
|
Governing
Law
|
59
|
11.12
|
Survival
|
59
|
11.13
|
Further
Assurances
|
60
|
11.14
|
Severability
|
60
|
THIS
STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement")
is
entered into as of the 2nd day of December, 2006, by and among Manchester
Indiana Operations, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Indiana
Operations")
and
Manchester Indiana Acceptance, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Indiana
Acceptance,"
and
together with Indiana Operations, each a "Purchaser,"
and
collectively, the "Purchasers"),
Manchester Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Parent"),
each
of the Persons identified on Schedule
4.2.1
(each, a
"Seller,"
and
collectively, "Sellers"),
and
on behalf of himself and each Seller, Xxxx Xxxxxxx ("Sellers’
Representative").
RECITALS:
1. As
more
particularly described in Section
4.2.1,
Sellers
own all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each of F.S.
English, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("FSE")
and
GNAC, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("GNAC"
and
together with FSE, each, an "Acquired
Company",
and
together, the "Acquired
Companies").
2. Each
Purchaser is a special purpose wholly-owned acquisition subsidiary of
Parent.
3. Indiana
Operations desires to purchase all of the issued and outstanding capital stock
of FSE (the "FSE
Shares"),
and
Indiana Acceptance desires to purchase all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of GNAC (the "GNAC
Shares,"
and
together with the FSE Shares, collectively the "Shares").
4. Sellers’
Representative is a direct beneficiary of the benefits and consideration
received by Sellers as a result of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein.
Now,
therefore, in consideration of the mutual representations, warranties, covenants
and agreements set forth in this Agreement, Purchasers, Parent, Sellers and
Sellers’ Representative hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1: DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions.
Certain
terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in Article 10,
or
elsewhere herein as indicated in Article 10.
1.2 Accounting
Terms.
Accounting
terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings attributed to them under GAAP except as may otherwise be specified
herein.
ARTICLE
2: PURCHASE
AND SALE
2.1 Purchase
and Sale.
(a) Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Seller shall sell, assign,
transfer and deliver to Indiana Operations, free and clear of all Liens, and
Indiana Operations shall purchase from each Seller, all of such Seller’s right,
title and interest in and to all of the FSE Shares owned by such
Seller.
(b) Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Seller shall sell, assign,
transfer and deliver to Indiana Acceptance, free and clear of all Liens, and
Indiana Acceptance shall purchase from each Seller, all of such Seller’s right,
title and interest in and to all of the GNAC Shares owned by such Seller. The
FSE Shares and GNAC Shares of each Seller are referred to herein, as to each
Seller, respectively, as the "Seller’s
Respective Shares."
2.2 Purchase
Price.
The
aggregate consideration paid to the Sellers in exchange for the Shares shall
be
as follows:
(a) Two
Million U.S. Dollars ($2,000,000.00) (the "Cash
Purchase Price");
(b) One
Million U.S. Dollars ($1,000,000.00)
in the
form of a promissory note in favor of Sellers substantially in the form attached
hereto as Schedule
2.2(b)
(the
"Seller
Note");
and
(c) Such
number of shares of common stock of Parent, par value $.001 per share,
representing an aggregate amount equal to Three Million U. S. Dollars
($3,000,000.00) as determined by reference to the average of the closing prices
of the common stock of Parent on the five (5) business days immediately
preceding the Closing (the "Manchester
Shares"
and
referred to collectively together with the Cash Purchase Price, the Seller
Note
and the Subordinated Note as the "Acquisition
Consideration").
2.3 Payment
of Purchase Price and Adjustment for Selling Expenses.
Sellers’
Representative, not less than one (1) day prior to the Closing, shall have
caused the Acquired Companies to estimate in good faith the Selling Expenses
of
the Acquired Companies, as of 12:01 AM on the Closing Date and delivered to
the
Purchasers a statement of such expenses. Subject to the terms and conditions
of
this Agreement, at the Closing, the Purchasers shall pay and deliver to Sellers
(a) an amount (the "Closing
Date Payment")
by
means of a wire transfer of immediately available cash funds to an account
as
directed by Sellers’ Representative prior to the Closing (the "Sellers’
Account")
equal
to (i) the Cash Purchase Price less the Selling Expenses; and (ii) the
Manchester Shares. The Purchasers shall, at their sole discretion, determine
the
allocation of Acquisition Consideration to be paid by each Purchaser in exchange
for the FSE Shares and the GNAC Shares, respectively.
2
2.4 Payment
of Indebtedness and Selling Expenses.
(a) Except
as
provided in Section
2.4(b),
the
Closing, the Purchasers shall (i) on behalf of the Acquired Companies, cause
the
Net Indebtedness to be repaid in full to the party or parties entitled thereto
pursuant to the Payoff Letters, (ii) on behalf of Sellers, pay the Selling
Expenses to the parties entitled thereto as set forth on a statement delivered
by Sellers’ Representative to the Purchasers at Closing,
and
(iii) cause each personal guarantee of any Seller of any Indebtedness to be
released.
(b) Notwithstanding
Section
2.4(a)
above,
the Indebtedness held by Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Poor and Sellers' Representative
(the "Subordinated
Debt Holders")
shall
not be repaid, but shall be refinanced with the issuance of promissory notes
to
the Subordinated Debt Holders with an aggregate principal amount of One Million
Five Hundred Thousand U.S. Dollars ($1,500,000.00) in the form attached hereto
as Schedule
2.4(b)
(the
"Subordinated
Note").
2.5 Allocation
to Sellers of the Acquisition Consideration.
The
payment by Purchasers of the Acquisition Consideration into the Sellers’ Account
shall constitute payment by each Purchaser to each Seller and satisfaction
of
Purchasers’ obligation to pay such amount hereunder. After such payment by
Purchasers, Sellers’ Representative shall be solely responsible for allocating
and distributing to each Seller his, her or its portion of the Acquisition
Consideration based upon such Seller’s Respective Shares. Nothing in this
Section 2.5 is intended or shall be construed to confer on any Seller any rights
against Purchasers in respect of the portion of the Acquisition Consideration
allocated to such Seller received after delivery of same into the Sellers’
Account.
2.6 Merger
of
the Acquired Companies into the Purchasers.
At
the
Closing, the officers of each Purchaser and the Acquired Companies shall
execute, deliver and file with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
the respective merger
agreements,
attached hereto as Exhibit A and Exhibit B (collectively, the "Delaware
Merger Agreements"),
and
shall file with the Secretary of State of Indiana the Articles of Merger
attached hereto as Exhibit C and D (collectively, the "Indiana
Merger Filings"),
and
take any and all further actions reasonably necessary to cause the merger of
FSE
into Indiana Operations and GNAC into Indiana Acceptance, such that each of
the
Acquired Companies shall thereafter cease to exist and all business previously
conducted by FSE shall thereafter be conducted by Indiana Operations and all
business previously conducted by GNAC shall thereafter be conducted by Indiana
Acceptance. The Purchasers acknowledge that an important consideration to the
Sellers for this transaction is that the receipt of the Parent's stock by the
Sellers shall be deemed to be a tax free reorganization under Section
368(a)(2)(D) of the Code to the extent of the Acquisition Consideration which
is
delivered to Sellers in the form of Manchester Shares, and each of the Parent
and Acquired Companies agree not to take any actions which would cause this
transaction not to be a reorganization under Section 368(a)(2)(D) of the
Code.
3
ARTICLE
3: REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING SELLERS,
SELLERS’
REPRESENTATIVE AND THE TRANSACTION
Each
Seller and Sellers’ Representative, jointly and severally, represents and
warrants to Purchasers as follows:
3.1 Authority
and Capacity.
Seller
or
Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, possesses all requisite legal right,
power, authority and capacity to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement,
and each other agreement, instrument and document to be executed and delivered
by Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, and consummate the
transactions contemplated herein and therein. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all requisite
organizational action of such Seller (if such Seller is not a natural
person).
3.2 Ownership
of Shares.
Each
Seller is the beneficial and record owner and has good and marketable title
to
all of such Seller’s Respective Shares free and clear of all Liens, except as
otherwise stated on Schedule
4.2.1(b)
and
4.2.2(b).
3.3 Execution
and Delivery; Enforceability.
This
Agreement has been, and each other document, instrument or agreement to be
executed and delivered by Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, in
connection herewith will upon such delivery be, duly executed and delivered
by
such Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, and constitutes, or will
upon such delivery constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of such
Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws of general application
affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights or by principles of equity
(collectively, the "Enforceability
Exceptions").
No
Seller or Sellers’ Representative is a party to, subject to, or bound by any
Order of any Governmental Authority, or any agreement which would prevent the
execution or delivery of this Agreement by such Seller or Sellers’
Representative or the sale of such Seller’s Respective Shares to
Purchasers.
3.4 Noncontravention.
(a) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
3.4:
(i) no
Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, is required to submit any
notice, report or other filing with any Governmental Authority in connection
with his or its execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any
other document, instrument or agreement to be executed and delivered by such
Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, in connection herewith, (ii)
such execution, delivery and performance will not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse
of
time, or both, would constitute a default) under, or give rise to a right of
any
party to accelerate, amend, modify or terminate, or require payments under,
or
require the authorization, consent or approval from any third party or result
in
the creation of any Lien upon such Seller’s Respective Shares pursuant to any
agreement to which such Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, is a
party, and (iii) no consent, approval or authorization of any Governmental
Authority or any other Person is required to be obtained by such Seller or
Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, in connection with his or its execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement or any other document, instrument
or
agreement to be executed and delivered by such Seller or Sellers’
Representative, as applicable, in connection herewith or the consummation of
the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
4
(b) The
execution and delivery by Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, of
this Agreement and any other document, instrument or agreement to be executed
and delivered by such Seller or Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, in
connection herewith and the consummation by such Seller or Sellers’
Representative, as applicable, of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby will not conflict with or violate any Laws applicable to such Seller
or
Sellers’ Representative, as applicable, or by which any of his or its properties
or assets are bound or are subject.
3.5 Legal
Proceedings.
There
is
no Order and no action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, investigation or claim
of
any kind whatsoever, at law or in equity, pending or, to the knowledge of
Seller, threatened against such Seller, which would give a third party the
right
to enjoin or rescind the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
otherwise prevent such Seller from complying with the terms and provisions
of
this Agreement.
3.6 Acquisition
Consideration Representations.
(a) Own
Account. Each Seller is acquiring the Manchester Shares for his or her own
account as principal, and not as a nominee or agent; for investment purposes
only, and not with a view to, or for, resale, distribution or fractionalization
thereof in whole or in part; and no other person has a direct or indirect
beneficial interest in such Manchester Shares or any portion thereof. No Seller
has any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to
sell,
transfer or grant participations in the Manchester Shares to such person or
to
any third person.
(b) No
Advertisement. The Sellers are not acquiring the Manchester Shares as a result
of or subsequent to any advertisement, article, notice or other communication
published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or broadcast over
television or radio, or presented at any seminar or meeting, or pursuant to
any
solicitation of a subscription by a person not previously known to the Sellers
in connection with investment securities generally.
(c) No
Obligation to Register. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
Sellers understand that neither the Purchasers nor the Parent is under any
obligation to register the Manchester Shares under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "Securities
Act"),
or to
assist the Sellers in complying with the Securities Act or the securities laws
of any state of the United States or of any foreign jurisdiction. The Sellers
understand that the Manchester Shares must be held indefinitely unless such
Manchester Shares are registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from
registration is available. Each Seller acknowledges that such person is familiar
with Rule 144 of the rules and regulations of the Commission, as amended,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act ("Rule
144"),
and
that each Seller has been advised that Rule 144 permits resales only under
certain circumstances. The Sellers understand that to the extent that Rule
144
is not available, such Seller will be unable to sell any Manchester Shares
without either registration under the Securities Act or the existence of another
exemption from such registration requirement.
5
(d) Experience.
Each of the Sellers is (1) experienced in making investments of the kind
described in this Agreement and the related documents, (2) able, by reason
of
the business and financial experience of its officers (if an entity) and
professional advisors (who are not affiliated with or compensated in any way
by
the Purchasers, the Parent or any of their affiliates or selling agents), to
protect its own interests in connection with the transactions described in
this
Agreement, and the related documents, and (3) able to afford the entire loss
of
its investment in the Manchester Shares.
(e) Exemption
from Registration. Each of the Sellers acknowledges his understanding that
the
offering and sale of Manchester Shares is intended to be exempt from
registration under the Securities Act. In furtherance thereof, in addition
to
the other representations and warranties of the Sellers made herein, the Sellers
further represent and warrant to and agree with each of the Purchasers and
the
Parent and their affiliates as follows:
(1) Each
Seller realizes that the basis for the exemption may not be present if,
notwithstanding such representations, such Seller is acquiring the Manchester
Shares for a fixed or determinable period in the future, or for a market rise,
or for sale if the market does not rise. No Seller has any such
intention.
(2) Each
Seller has adequate means for providing for his current needs and personal
contingencies and has no need for liquidity with respect to the acquisition
of
the Manchester Shares.
(3) Each
Seller has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters
as to
be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment
in
the Manchester Shares.
(4) Each
Seller has been provided an opportunity for a reasonable period of time prior
to
the date hereof to obtain all publicly available information concerning the
Parent.
(f) No
General Solicitation or Advertising in Regard to this Transaction. Each Seller
acknowledges that neither the Purchasers, the Parent, nor any of their
affiliates nor any person acting on their behalf solicited the Seller either
(1)
in connection with any general solicitation (as such term is used in Rule 502(c)
of Regulation D) or general advertising with respect to any of the Manchester
Shares, or (2) made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers
to buy any security under any circumstances that would require registration
of
the Manchester Shares under the Securities Act.
(g) Private
Transaction. Each Seller acknowledges that this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby have been made pursuant to the exemption from registration
under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, as a non-public transaction that
was
privately negotiated by the parties hereto and their respective legal and other
professional advisors. Each Seller hereby acknowledges that no information
regarding this Agreement or the offer and sale of the Manchester Shares
contemplated hereby has been disseminated by such Seller to any third parties,
other than such Seller’s immediate family, legal counsel and/or professional
business advisors.
6
(h) Risk.
Each Seller understands that an investment in the Manchester Shares is a
speculative investment which involves a high degree of risk and the potential
loss of his entire investment.
(i) SEC
Documents. Each Seller has reviewed or received copies of the Form 8-K filed
by
the Parent with the SEC on October 11, 2006 and has had an opportunity to review
all other SEC Reports filed by the Parent under the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act")
which
are publicly available on the SEC’s website at xxx.xxx.xxx.
(j) Reliance.
Other than as set forth herein, the Sellers are not relying upon any other
information, representation or warranty by the Purchasers or the Parent, or
any
officer, director, stockholder, agent or representative of the Purchasers or
the
Parent in determining to invest in the Manchester Shares. Each Seller has
consulted, to the extent deemed appropriate by such Seller, with such Seller’s
own advisers as to the financial, tax, legal and related matters concerning
an
investment in the Manchester Shares and on that basis believes that his or
its
investment in the Manchester Shares is suitable and appropriate for such Seller.
(k) No
Governmental Review. Each Seller is aware that no federal or state agency has
(1) made any finding or determination as to the fairness of this investment,
(2)
made any recommendation or endorsement of the Manchester Shares, the Purchasers,
or the Parent or (3) guaranteed or insured any investment in the Manchester
Shares or any investment made by the Purchasers or the Parent.
(l) Price.
Each Seller understands that the price of the Manchester Shares offered hereby
bear no relation to the assets, book value or net worth of the Parent and were
determined arbitrarily by the Parent. Each Seller further understands that
there
is a substantial risk of further dilution on his or its investment in the
Parent.
(m) Full
Disclosure. No representation or warranty made by any Seller to the Purchasers
and/or the Parent in this Agreement omits to state a material fact necessary
to
make the statements herein, in light of the circumstances in which they were
made, not misleading. There is no fact known to any Seller that has specific
application to the Shares and that materially adversely affects or, as far
as
can be reasonably foreseen, materially threatens the Shares that has not been
set forth in this Agreement.
(n) Compliance
Undertakings. Each Seller hereby acknowledges that he/she is acquainted with
the
requirements of Section 16 and Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934 and the rules and regulations issued thereunder. Each Seller understands
that, as a result of its acquisition of Shares, and in order to comply with
Section 16 and Section 13(d) and the rules and regulations issued thereunder,
each Seller may be required to file a report on Form 3 and a Schedule 13D and
each such Seller hereby undertakes and agrees to make such filing in a timely
manner if so required, provided, however, nothing herein shall be construed
as
acceptance on the part of any Seller to serve as an officer or director of
the
Parent.
7
ARTICLE
4: REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE
ACQUIRED
COMPANIES
Sellers
and Sellers’ Representative, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to
Purchasers as follows:
4.1 Organization
and Good Standing.
Each
of
the Acquired Companies is a corporation organized, validly existing and in
good
standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation or organization (as
the case may be). Each of the Acquired Companies has all requisite power and
authority to own and lease its assets and to operate its business as the same
are now being owned, leased and operated. Each of the Acquired Companies is
duly
qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation or foreign entity
in, and is in good corporate standing in, each jurisdiction in which the nature
of its business or its ownership of its properties requires it to be so
qualified or licensed, except where a failure to be so qualified or licensed
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule
4.1
sets
forth a true and complete list of (a) all jurisdictions in which each of the
Acquired Companies is qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign
corporation or foreign entity, (b) all directors and officers of each of the
Acquired Companies, (c) all bank, payroll and securities brokerage accounts
of
each of the Acquired Companies and all authorized signers for each such account,
and (d) all powers of attorney granted by each of the Acquired Companies to
any
third party that are currently in effect. All necessary corporate action on
the
part of the Acquired Companies with respect to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby has been taken. Each of the Acquired Companies
has delivered to Purchasers a true, complete and correct copy of its
Organizational Documents, each as currently in effect and reflecting any and
all
amendments thereto, for each of the Acquired Companies. Each of the
Organizational Documents of each of the Acquired Companies is in full force
and
effect, and none of the Acquired Companies is in violation of any provision
thereof.
4.2 Capital
Stock.
4.2.1 Capital
Stock of the Acquired Companies.
The
total number of shares of capital stock of all classes which each of the
Acquired Companies have the authority to issue is Two Thousand (2,000) common
shares, no par value per share, of which 1,000 of such common shares are voting
shares and 1,000 of such common shares are non-voting shares. Of such authorized
shares, Schedule
4.2.1(a)
sets
forth the true and complete record and disclosure of all shares of the Acquired
Companies which are issued and outstanding immediately preceding the Closing.
There are no common shares held in treasury by the Acquired Companies. All
of
the Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
nonassessable, and were issued in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws and any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal
of
any Person. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.2.1(b),
(a)
there are no voting trusts, proxies, or other agreements or understandings
with
respect to the voting of any shares of capital stock of the Acquired Companies,
(b) there does not exist nor is there outstanding any right or security granted
or issued to any Person to cause the Acquired Companies to issue or sell any
shares of capital stock or other securities of the Acquired Companies to any
Person (including any warrant, stock option, call, put, preemptive right,
convertible debt obligation, subscription for stock or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for stock of the Acquired Companies, or any other similar
right, security, instrument or agreement), or (c) there is no obligation,
contingent or otherwise, of the Acquired Companies to (i) repurchase, redeem
or
otherwise acquire any share of the capital stock or other equity interests
of
the Acquired Companies, or (ii) provide funds to, or make any investment in
(in
the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise), or provide any guarantee
with respect to the obligations of any other Person.
8
4.2.2 Subsidiaries.
Schedule
4.2.2
sets
forth each Subsidiary of the Acquired Companies (each, an "Acquired
Companies Subsidiary",
and
collectively the "Acquired
Companies Subsidiaries").
All
of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each Acquired Companies
Subsidiary is wholly owned by the Acquired Companies. There are no agreements,
options, warrants or other rights or arrangements existing or outstanding which
provide for the sale or issuance of any equity securities by any of the Acquired
Companies Subsidiaries. Each Acquired Companies Subsidiary is validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
has all requisite corporate power and authority necessary to own its properties
and to carry on its businesses as now conducted and is qualified to do business
in every jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the conduct of
its
businesses as now conducted requires it to qualify, except in each such case
where such failure would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.3 Other
Ventures.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.3,
none of
the Acquired Companies (i) owns of record or beneficially any equity interest
in
any other Person, (ii) is a partner or member of any partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture or similar arrangement or agreement, or (iii)
owns or holds the right to acquire any stock, partnership interest, joint
venture interest or other equity ownership interest in any Person other than
an
Acquired Company.
4.4 Noncontravention.
(a) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.4(a),
neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any agreement or document
executed by Sellers pursuant hereto, nor the consummation by Sellers of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, nor compliance by Sellers with
any
of the provisions hereof or thereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a
breach of any provisions of the Organizational Documents of any Acquired
Companies, (ii) except as set forth on Schedule
4.4(a),
constitute or result in the breach of any term, condition or provision of,
or
constitute a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both),
or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration with
respect to, or give rise to any obligation of any Acquired Companies to make
any
payments under, or to the increased, additional, accelerated or guaranteed
rights or entitlements of any Person under, or result in the creation or
imposition of a Lien upon any property or assets of any Acquired Companies
pursuant to any Material Contract or Permit to which any Acquired Companies
is a
party or by which any Acquired Companies or any of its properties or assets
may
be subject, or (iii) subject to receipt of the requisite approvals referred
to
on Schedule
4.4(b),
violate
in any material respect any Order or Law applicable to the Acquired Companies
or
any of their respective properties or assets.
9
(b) Other
than as set forth on Schedule
4.4(b),
no
consent or Permit is required to be obtained by the Acquired Companies or any
Seller in connection with (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and
the other agreements and documents to be entered into as contemplated herein,
(ii) the compliance by Sellers with any of the provisions hereof or thereof
or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or (iii)
the continuing validity and effectiveness, immediately following the Closing,
of
any Permit or Material Contract of the Acquired Companies.
4.5 Financial
Statements.
(a) Attached
to Schedule
4.5
are true
and complete copies of (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of
each
of the Acquired Companies as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2005, 2004 and 2003, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated financial statements
of
the Acquired Companies as of and for the nine (9) month period ended September
30, 2006 (collectively, the "Financial
Statements").
The
Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently
applied, and present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of the Acquired Companies as of the dates indicated and
the
results of operations for the periods then ended. The Financial Statements
are
true, correct, and complete in all material respects, and are consistent with
the books and records of the Acquired Companies (which books and records are
correct and complete). The audited consolidated balance sheets of the Acquired
Companies, as of December 31, 2005, is herein referred to as the "Acquisition
Balance Sheet."
(b) Schedule
4.5(b)
sets
forth a true and complete list of all contract receivables due and payable
to
the Acquired Companies, which discloses such receivables in three (3) separate
categories: (i) the first category sets forth all contract receivables that
are
not past due more than sixty (60) or more consecutive days immediately preceding
the Closing Date and
are
not otherwise in default as
of the
Closing Date (the "Current
Receivables");
(ii)
the second category sets forth a list of all other contract receivables that
are
past due more than sixty (60) consecutive days immediately preceding the Closing
Date or are otherwise in default as of the Closing Date ("Default
Receivables");
and
(iii) the third category sets forth all contract receivables which have been
charged off the Financial Statements and are no longer carried as assets of
the
Acquired Companies but nonetheless continue to represent valid contractual
obligations of the parties thereto (the "Charged-Off
Receivables").
4.6 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.6,
since
the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet (i) the Acquired Companies have
conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary course of business
and have used commercially reasonable efforts to preserve such businesses
intact, to keep available the services of the employees of the Acquired
Companies and to preserve the goodwill of the suppliers and customers of the
Acquired Companies, and (ii) there has not been any event, occurrence,
circumstance or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has had
or
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Without limiting
the generality of the foregoing, since the date of the Acquisition Balance
Sheet:
10
(a) there
has
not been any change in the Tax reporting or accounting policies or practices
of
any of the Acquired Companies, including practices with respect to (i)
depreciation or amortization polices or rates, or (ii) the payment of accounts
payable or the collection of accounts receivable; and none of the Acquired
Companies have settled or compromised any Tax liability or made or rescinded
any
Tax election;
(b) none
of
the Acquired Companies have incurred any Indebtedness other than pursuant to
the
agreements, notes and instruments described on Schedule
4.22,
or
assumed, guaranteed, or endorsed the Indebtedness of any other Person, or
canceled any debt owed to it or released any claim possessed by it, other than
in the ordinary course of business;
(c) none
of
the Acquired Companies have suffered any theft, damage, destruction or loss
(without regard to any insurance) of or to any tangible asset or assets having
a
value in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) individually or Thirty
Thousand Dollars ($30,000) in the aggregate;
(d) none
of
the Acquired Companies have (i) made, granted, or committed to make or grant:
(A) any bonus or any wage, salary or compensation increase to any (y) director
or officer, or (z) employee (other than in the ordinary course of business),
independent contractor or consultant, or (B) an increase of any benefit provided
under any Acquired Companies Plan, (ii) adopted, amended or terminated any
employee benefit plan, program or arrangement, or (iii) entered into, amended
or
terminated any employment agreement, deferred compensation arrangement,
collective bargaining agreement or other similar arrangement with any of its
current or prospective directors, officers, employees, independent contractors,
consultants or stockholders.
(e) none
of
the Acquired Companies have sold, assigned, transferred, licensed, or subjected
to any Lien, or has committed to sell, assign, transfer, license, or subject
to
any Lien, any tangible or intangible assets for an amount in excess of Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000) in
the
aggregate, except for sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business
and
except for Permitted Liens;
(f) none
of
the Acquired Companies have purchased or leased, or have committed to purchase
or lease, any asset for an amount in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)
alone or in the aggregate, except purchases of inventory and supplies in the
ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;
(g) none
of
the Companies have made or authorized any capital expenditures or commitment
for
capital expenditures in an amount more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)
individually or Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000) in the aggregate for additions
to properties, plant, equipment, or intangible capital assets or aggregate
capital expenditures and commitments, other than those capital expenditures
or
commitments therefor made or authorized in the ordinary course of
business;
11
(h) none
of
the Acquired Companies have engaged in any transactions with, or entered into
any Contracts with, any Affiliates of the Acquired Companies, except to the
extent required by Law or any then existing agreements;
(i) none
of
the Acquired Companies have made any loans, advances or capital contributions
to, or investments in, any Person or paid any fees or expenses to any Seller
or
any director, officer, partner, stockholder or Affiliate of any Seller except
with respect to payments to, and reimbursement of, fees and expenses of
employees, directors and officers of the Companies in the ordinary course of
business;
(j) none
of
the Acquired Companies have amended, canceled, terminated, relinquished, waived
or released any Contract or right except in the ordinary course of business
and
which, in the aggregate, would not be material to the Acquired Companies taken
as a whole;
(k) none
of
the Acquired Companies have granted any license or sublicense of any rights
under or with respect to any Acquired Companies Intellectual
Property;
(l) none
of
the Acquired Companies have instituted or settled any action, claim, suit or
proceeding that involved more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000);
(m) none
of
the Acquired Companies have made any amendment to its Organizational
Documents;
(n) none
of
the Acquired Companies have declared or paid any dividends or distributions
or
repurchased or redeemed any shares of capital stock or other equity
interests;
(o) none
of
the Acquired Companies have issued or sold any shares of capital stock or in
its
capital or other equity interests or options, warrants, calls, subscriptions
or
other rights to purchase any capital stock or other equity interests of any
Acquired Companies or split, combined or subdivided the capital stock or other
equity interests of any Acquired Companies;
(p) none
of
the Acquired Companies have revalued any of its respective assets, including
writing off accounts receivable or revaluing inventory except in the ordinary
course of business; or
(q) none
of
the Acquired Companies have agreed to take any of the actions described in
sub-clauses (a) through (p) above.
4.7 Taxes.
(a) All
Taxes
due and payable by any of the Acquired Companies or claimed and asserted by
any
Taxing Authority to be due and payable by any of the Acquired Companies have
been timely paid other than Taxes which are not yet due or owing or that are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and for which, in
each
case, adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP on the
Acquisition Balance Sheet. All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf
of the Acquired Companies in all jurisdictions in which such Tax Returns are
required to be filed (after giving effect to any duly obtained extensions of
time in which to make such filings) have been duly and timely filed and are
true
and complete in all material respects and all such Taxes have been paid. Except
as set forth on Schedule 4.7(a),
there
are no Tax claims, audits or proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of
Sellers' threatened in connection with the Acquired Companies. There are not
currently in force any waivers or agreements binding upon the Acquired Companies
for the extension of time or statute of limitations within which to file any
Tax
Return or for the assessment, payment or collection of any Tax. Each of the
Acquired Companies has properly and timely withheld and paid all Taxes required
to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to
any
Person and has complied with the rules and regulations relating to the
withholding and remittance of Taxes. None of the Acquired Companies is a party
to or bound by any Tax allocation or Tax sharing agreement (whether or not
written) with any other Person or has any contractual obligation to indemnify
any other Person with respect to Taxes. No Acquired Companies is or has ever
been a member of an affiliated group filing or required to file an affiliated,
consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return nor does any Acquired Companies
have any liability for the Taxes of any Person under Treas. Reg. § 1.1502-6 (or
any similar provision of Law), as a transferee or successor, by
contract.
12
(b) No
Liens
for Taxes exist with respect to any of the assets or properties of the Acquired
Companies. No claim has been made by any Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction
where any Acquired Companies does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be
subject to taxation by, or required to file any Tax Return in, that
jurisdiction. None of the Acquired Companies have executed or entered into
any
written agreement with, or obtained or applied for any written consents or
written clearances or any other Tax rulings from, nor has there been any written
agreement executed or entered into on behalf of any of them with, any Taxing
Authority, relating to material Taxes, including any IRS private letter rulings
or comparable rulings of any Taxing Authority and closing agreements pursuant
to
Section 7121 of the Code or any predecessor provision thereof or any similar
provision of any Law. No Seller is a foreign person within the meaning of
Section 1445 of the Code.
4.8 Employees.
Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.8,
there
are no pending or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, threatened, controversies,
grievances or claims by any employee or former employee of any of the Acquired
Companies with respect to his or her employment, termination of employment
or
compensation and benefits that, if adversely decided, would have a Material
Adverse Effect. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.8,
there
has not been, since January 1, 2001, any controversies, grievances or
claims by any employee or former employee of any of the Acquired Companies
with
respect to his or her employment, termination of employment or any compensation
and benefits that involve more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) in claims
or
damages individually. Since January 1, 2001, none of the Acquired Companies
is or has been a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement
with
any labor organization. Since
January 1, 2001, the Acquired Companies have not experienced any strike,
work stoppage, lock-up, slow-down or other material labor dispute or any attempt
by organized labor or employees to cause the Acquired Companies to comply with
or conform to demands of organized labor relating to its employees or recognize
any union or collective bargaining units. Schedule
4.8
sets
forth a complete list of all employees of any of the Acquired Companies as
of
July 31, 2006. No labor strike or stoppage is pending or to the Knowledge
of Sellers threatened against any of the Acquired Companies. Each Acquired
Companies is in material compliance with all Laws relating to the employment
of
labor, including all such Laws relating to wages, hours, the WARN Act,
collective bargaining, discrimination, civil rights, safety and health, workers’
compensation and the collection and payment of withholding or social security
Taxes and any similar Tax. There has been no "mass layoff" or "plant closing"
as
defined by the WARN Act with respect to any Acquired Companies since
January 1, 2005.
13
4.9 Employee
Benefit Plans and Other Compensation Arrangements.
Set
forth
on Schedule
4.9(a)
is a
true and complete list of all Acquired Companies Plans. Correct and complete
copies of the following documents with respect to each Acquired Companies Plan
have been made available to Purchasers, as applicable: (i) plans and related
trust documents, insurance contracts or other funding arrangements and all
amendments thereto, (ii) the Forms 5500s and all schedules thereto for the
most
recent two years, (iii) the most recent valuation report, (iv) the most recent
IRS determination letter, (v) the most recent summary plan description and
subsequent summaries of material modifications, (vi) the most recent audited
financial statements, and (vii) written summaries of all non-written Plans.
Except as set forth on Schedule
4.9(b):
(a) no
Acquired Companies nor any ERISA Affiliate has, at any time during the six
(6)
years preceding the date hereof, sponsored, maintained, been liable under,
terminated, participated in, been required to contribute to, or incurred
withdrawal liability with respect of, a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning
of Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or a plan subject to Section 412
of
the Code or Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA and no Acquired Companies nor
any
ERISA Affiliate has any accumulated funding deficiency (within the meaning
of
Section 302(a)(2) of ERISA and Section 412(a) the Code), whether or not waived,
with respect to any such plan;
(b) each
of
the Acquired Companies Plans and any related trusts currently satisfy in all
material respects, and for all prior periods have satisfied in all material
respects, in form and operation, all requirements for any Tax-favored treatment
intended for such plan or trust or applicable to plans or trusts of its type,
including, as applicable, requirements under Sections 105, 106, 125, 401(a),
401(k) and 501 of the Code, and no event, transaction or condition has occurred
or exists that is reasonably likely to result in the loss or limitation of
such
Tax-favored treatment;
(c) all
of
the Acquired Companies Plans have been operated in compliance in all material
respects with their respective terms and all Laws, and all contributions
required under the terms of the Acquired Companies Plans or applicable Law
have
been timely made;
(d) the
Acquired Companies have no liability of any nature (whether known or unknown
and
whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) with respect to any Plan
other than for contributions, payments or benefits due in the ordinary course
under the current Acquired Companies Plans, none of which are
overdue;
14
(e) neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, will now or at any time in the future (i)
result in any payment becoming due to any director, officer, employee, former
employee, independent contractor, consultant or agent of any Acquired Companies
from the Acquired Companies under any Acquired Companies Plan or otherwise,
(ii)
increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Acquired Companies Plan,
(iii)
result in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefits, or (iv) give rise to an obligation to pay any amount by any of the
Acquired Companies or Purchasers (or any Affiliate of Purchasers) or any
Acquired Companies Plan that would not be deductible by any of the Acquired
Companies or Purchasers (or Affiliates of Purchasers) by reason of Section
280G
of the Code;
(f) none
of
the Acquired Companies Plans provide life, medical, dental, vision or other
welfare benefits to Persons who are not current employees of an Acquired
Companies or their dependents or for periods longer than one month after
termination of employment, except as required by Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title
I
of ERISA or any similar state Law;
(g) the
Acquired Companies can terminate each Acquired Companies Plan without further
material liability to the Acquired Companies (except for benefits accrued
through the date of termination);
and
(h) each
Acquired Companies Plan which is a "nonqualified deferred compensation plan"
within the meaning of Code Section 409A(d)(1) has been maintained and
administered in a manner consistent with avoiding adverse Tax consequences
under
Code Section 409A.
4.10 Environmental
Matters.
(a) Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.10(a)
with
respect to each Acquired Companies:
(i) there
has
been no generation, Treatment, Storage, Release, Disposal or transport of any
Hazardous Material, regardless of quantity, at, on, under, or from any of the
Real Property or any other facility or property owned, leased, occupied, or
used
by any Acquired Companies now or in the past;
(ii) there
are
currently no, and have not been any, asbestos- or urea formaldehyde-containing
materials incorporated into or used on the buildings or any improvements that
are a part of the Real Property, or into other assets or products of any
Acquired Companies;
(iii) there
are
no electrical transformers, capacitors, fluorescent light fixture with ballasts,
or other equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls on the Real
Property;
(iv) all
paint
or other Hazardous Material not in current, usable inventory has been removed
from the Real Property and disposed of in compliance in all material respects
with all Laws;
15
(v) no
Acquired Companies has sent a Hazardous Material to a site that, pursuant to
any
Law (A) has been placed or proposed for placement on the National Priorities
List or any similar state list, or (B) is subject to or the source of an Order,
demand or request from a Government Authority to take "response," "corrective,"
"removal," or "remedial" action, as defined in any Law, or to pay for the costs
of any such action at any location;
(vi) no
Acquired Companies has received, any notice, Order or other communication from
any Governmental Authority, citizens’ group, employee or other individual or
entity claiming that it or its business is or may be liable for personal injury
or property damage related to any Release, Treatment, Storage or Disposal of,
or
exposure to, any Hazardous Material; and
(vii) there
are
no underground storage tanks or related piping, or surface impoundments located
on, under or at the Real Property or any other facility or property owned,
leased, occupied, or used by any Acquired Companies, now or in the past, nor
have any underground tanks or piping been removed from any of the Real
Property.
(b) Schedule
4.10(b)
contains
an accurate and complete list of all Phase I or Phase II environmental reports,
audits and assessments prepared for and at the request of each Acquired
Companies or in the possession of an Acquired Companies with respect to the
Real
Property, copies of which have been furnished to Purchasers.
4.11 Permits;
Compliance with Laws.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.11(a),
each of
the Acquired Companies is in compliance with all applicable Laws, and possesses
and is in compliance with all Permits. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.11(b),
since
January 1, 2004, none of the Acquired Companies has received any written or
oral notice from any Person alleging any material noncompliance with any
applicable Law or Permit. Each Permit is valid and in full force and effect,
and
none of the Permits will lapse, terminate, expire or otherwise be impaired
(as
they related to the right or authorization of any Acquired Companies) as a
result of the performance of this Agreement by Sellers, or the consummation
of
the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Permit is listed on Schedule
4.11(c).
There
are no inquiries, demands, customer compliance or investigations with respect
to
any violation of Law being conducted by any Governmental Authority.
4.12 Real
and
Personal Properties.
4.12.1 Real
Property.
(a) Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.12.1(a),
none of
the Acquired Companies currently or ever has owned any real property.
(b) Schedule
4.12.1(b)
identifies the parcels of real property that constitute the Leased Real Property
and lists the leases relating to such Leased Real Property (the "Leases").
The
applicable Acquired Company as set forth on Schedule 4.12.1(b) has a valid
and
subsisting leasehold estate in the Leased Real Property. With respect to each
Lease (i) such Lease is in full force and effect and all rents, required
deposits and additional rents due to date pursuant to each Lease have been
paid
in full, (ii) there is no existing default by the applicable Acquired Company
or, to Sellers' Knowledge, any default by the lessor of such Lease, (iii) such
Acquired Companies has not received any written notice that it is in default
under any of its Leases, and (iv) to Sellers' Knowledge, there exists no event,
occurrence, condition or act (including the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement), that with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the happening
of any further event or condition, would constitute a default by such Acquired
Companies under any Lease. The
Leases delivered to Purchasers are all of the leases and rental agreements,
together with all amendments, that constitute the Leased Real Property and
no
Leases have been amended, modified or terminated since such
delivery.
16
(c) Neither
the whole nor any portion of the Real Property has been condemned,
requisitioned, or otherwise taken by any public authority, and no written notice
of any such condemnation, requisition, or taking has been received by any
Acquired Companies. To Sellers' Knowledge, no such condemnation, requisition,
or
taking is threatened or contemplated. To Sellers' Knowledge, there are no public
improvements proposed or in progress that will result in special assessments
against or otherwise adversely affect any of the Real Property. No Acquired
Companies has been notified in writing of future improvements by any public
authority, any part of the cost of which would or might be asserted against
any
of the Real Property.
(d) The
zoning of each parcel of Real Property permits the existing improvements and
uses of each Acquired Companies,
subject
to no variances, conditional use permits or other special use
restrictions.
(e) Each
of
the buildings, structures and improvements situated on the Real Property is
in
good condition and repair, reasonable wear and tear excepted. None of the
buildings, structures and improvements situated on the Real Property, during
the
period of time during which such Real Property has been owned or leased by
any
Acquired Companies, has been damaged by fire or other casualty except for such
damage as has been fully repaired and restored prior to the date of this
Agreement. Each
of
the buildings, structures and improvements situated on the Real Property are
located within the required set back, side yard and other conditions and
requirements imposed by applicable Law with respect to such buildings,
structures and improvements.
(f) All
of
the systems located at or on the Real Property, including, without limitation,
heating, ventilation, plumbing, electrical and air conditioning systems, and
wiring, paving, roofing and other amenities, are in good working order. There
has not been any recent material interruption in the delivery of adequate
service of any utilities, including, water supply, propane gas or natural gas,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities, electric power and telephone facilities,
or
other public authorities required in the operation of the business currently
conducted at the Real Property and none of the Acquired Companies has
experienced any material disruptions to its operations arising out of any
recurring loss of electrical power, any water penetration, any flooding problems
or limitations to access to public sewer and water, restrictions on septic
service, etc. All utilities servicing the Real Property are publicly provided
and maintained and such utilities are separately metered within each Real
Property. To Sellers' Knowledge, all of the streets, roads and avenues adjoining
and/or adjacent to the Real Property are publicly owned and maintained without
assessment or charge to the Acquired Companies. To Sellers' Knowledge, no fact
or condition exists which would result in the termination or impairment of
the
access of the Real Property to publicly dedicated roadways.
17
4.12.2 Personal
Property.
The
Acquired Companies have good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold
interest in, each of the items of tangible personal property reflected on the
Acquisition Balance Sheet or acquired thereafter (except for assets reflected
thereon or acquired thereafter that have been disposed of in the ordinary course
of business, since the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet), free and clear
of
all Liens, except for Liens identified on Schedule
4.12.2(a).
The
tangible personal property is free from material defects and in good operating
condition and repair (reasonable wear and tear excepted). Except for the
personal property leases indicated on Schedule
4.12.2(b),
no
Person, other than the Acquired Companies, owns or utilizes any material
equipment used by any of the Acquired Companies in the operation of their
businesses. All of the tangible personal property and assets owned or leased
by
any of the Acquired Companies constitute all of the properties and assets used
in the conduct of their respective businesses.
4.13 Accounts
Receivable.
The
accounts receivable reflected on the Acquisition Balance Sheet and accounts
receivable arising after the date of the Acquisition Balance Sheet and reflected
on the books and records of the Acquired Companies represent valid receivables
arising from sales actually made or services actually performed and are
collectible in the ordinary course of business, subject to reserves on the
Acquisition Balance Sheet. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.13,
the
accounts receivable reflected on the Acquisition Balance Sheet are stated
thereon in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, including allowances
for
doubtful accounts. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.13,
none of
the Acquired Companies have received written notice of any contest, claim,
or
right of setoff with respect to its accounts receivable. As of the Closing
Date,
no Person will have a Lien on such receivables or any part thereof, and no
agreement for deduction, free goods, discount or other deferred price or
quantity adjustment will have been made to such receivables.
4.14 Inventories.
Subject
to reserves on the Acquisition Balance Sheet, the inventories of the Acquired
Companies are (i) in good and marketable condition, (ii) usable and saleable
in
the ordinary course of business, and (iii) stated thereon in accordance with
GAAP, on a lower of cost or market basis, consistently applied.
4.15 Intellectual
Properties.
Schedule
4.15(a)
sets
forth a complete and correct list of all of the following Acquired Companies
Intellectual Property: registered patents and pending patent applications,
registered trademarks and pending trademark applications, material unregistered
trademarks, registered copyrights and Internet domain names. Schedule
4.15(b)
sets
forth all material licenses (including software licenses) for which any of
the
Acquired Companies is a party either as a licensee or licensor (specifying
its
status) and any other material agreements under which the Acquired Companies
grant or receive any rights to Intellectual Property. Except as set forth in
Schedule
4.15(c):
18
(a) the
Acquired Companies own and possess all right, title and interest in and to,
or
have a valid and enforceable right or license to use the Acquired Companies
Intellectual Property as currently being used;
(b) the
Acquired Companies Intellectual Property is not subject to any Liens (other
than
Permitted Liens) and is not subject to any restrictions or limitations regarding
use or disclosure other than pursuant to written license agreements applicable
thereto;
(c) to
the
Knowledge of Sellers, the issued patents and registered Intellectual Property,
and the applications therefor, comprising the Acquired Companies Intellectual
Property owned or used by any of the Acquired Companies are valid, subsisting,
in full force and effect, and have not been cancelled, expired or
abandoned;
(d) (i)
none
of the Acquired Companies have infringed, misappropriated or otherwise
conflicted with, any Intellectual Property of any third party; (ii) to the
Knowledge of Sellers, the conduct of the businesses as currently conducted
by
the Acquired Companies does not infringe upon any Intellectual Property owned
by
any third party; and (iii) none of the Acquired Companies have received any
written notice regarding any of the foregoing (including, without limitation,
any demands or offers to license any Intellectual Property from any third
party); and
(e) (i)
To
the Knowledge of Sellers, no third party has infringed, misappropriated or
otherwise conflicted with any of the Acquired Companies’ Intellectual Property;
and (ii) no such claims have been brought or threatened against any third party
by any of the Acquired Companies; and (iii) except as set forth on Schedule
4.15(e): (x) all licenses listed on Schedule
4.15(b)
are in
full force and effect and will remain in full force and effect upon the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and are
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the
Enforceability Exceptions; (y) the Acquired Companies have performed all
material obligations required to be performed by them pursuant to the licenses
and agreements listed on Schedule
4.15(b);
and (z)
there is no existing or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, threatened default under
or violation of any of the licenses or agreements listed on Schedule
4.15(b)
by any
other party thereto.
4.16 Contracts.
Schedule
4.16(a)
lists
all of the following currently effective written or oral agreements, contracts,
leases, licenses, commitments, arrangements, letters of understanding or
undertakings (each a "Contract"
and
collectively, "Contracts")
to
which any of the Acquired Companies are a party or by which any material assets
of any of the Acquired Companies are bound or are subject:
(a) Contracts
or group of related Contracts, other than purchase orders entered into in the
ordinary course of business, which involve commitments to make capital
expenditures or which provide for the purchase of goods or services by any
of
the Acquired Companies from any one Person or group of related Persons under
which the undelivered balance of such goods or services has an aggregate
purchase price in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000);
19
(b) Contracts
or group of related Contracts, other than sales orders entered into in the
ordinary course of business, which provide for the sale of goods or services
by
any of the Acquired Companies to any one Person or group of related Persons
under which the undelivered balance of such goods or services has an aggregate
sale price in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000);
(c) Contracts
relating to Indebtedness or to the granting by any of the Acquired Companies
of
a Lien on any of their respective assets, or any guaranty by any of the Acquired
Companies of any obligation in respect of borrowed money or
otherwise;
(d) Contracts
with dealers, distributors or sales representatives;
(e) employment,
confidentiality and non-competition agreements with any employee, officer,
consultant or management advisor;
(f) Contracts
which limit the freedom of any of the Acquired Companies to engage in any
business or compete with any Person;
(g) Contracts
pursuant to which any of the Acquired Companies are a lessor or a lessee of
any
personal or real property, or holds or operates any tangible personal property
owned by another Person;
(h) stock
option Contracts, warrants, convertible securities, or any other agreements,
for
the purchase or issuance of capital stock of any of the Acquired
Companies;
(i) Contracts
restricting the transfer of capital stock or shares in the capital of any of
the
Acquired Companies, obligating any of the Acquired Companies to issue or
repurchase shares of its capital stock or in its capital, or relating to the
voting of stock or the election of directors of any of the Acquired
Companies;
(j) each
partnership or joint venture Contract;
(k) each
Contract not included in subsection (e) providing for severance, retention,
change in control or other similar payments;
(l) each
Contract with any Seller or Affiliate thereof or any current or former officer,
director, stockholder or Affiliate of any Acquired Companies;
(m) Contracts
under which any Acquired Companies has made advances or loans to any other
Person; and
(n) any
other
Contract material to the businesses of the Acquired Companies.
20
Complete
copies of each Contract required to be identified on Schedule
4.16(a),
including amendments, waivers, or other changes thereto (collectively, the
"Material
Contracts")
have
been made available to Purchasers. In the case of each oral Material Contract,
Schedule
4.16(a)
also
includes a brief description of such Contract. Each of the Material Contracts
is
in full force and effect and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of
each
party thereto and enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, subject
to the Enforceability Exceptions. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.16(b),
each of
the Acquired Companies (as the case may be) has performed in all material
respects all obligations required to be performed by it pursuant to the Material
Contracts, is not in breach or default thereunder (and no event has occurred
that, with the giving of notice, lapse of time, or both, would constitute a
breach or default) and no notice has been received that any other party to
any
Material Contract is in breach or default thereunder.
4.17 Litigation.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.17,
there
are no, and since January 1, 2001, there have been no, actions, suits,
arbitrations, judgments, proceedings, investigations or claims of any kind
whatsoever, at law or in equity, pending or threatened in writing, against
any
of the Acquired Companies involving more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000)
in
claims or damages individually. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.17,
no
Acquired Companies is a party or subject to any order, judgment, ruling,
injunction, assessment, award, decree or writ from any Governmental Authority
(each, an "Order").
4.18 Product
Warranty.
Except
for claims in the ordinary course of business, since January 1, 2006, there
have been no claims made against the Acquired Companies alleging that any
vehicle sold by any Acquired Company are defective and no such claims are
currently pending or threatened against any Acquired Company. Except for
conditions or warranties implied or imposed by applicable Laws or otherwise
contained in any Acquired Company’s standard terms and conditions of sale, no
Acquired Company has given a condition, warranty, or made a representation
in
respect of products or service supplied, manufactured, sold, leased or delivered
by it. Each vehicle sold, leased or delivered by any Acquired Company has been
in conformity with all applicable contractual commitments and all express and,
to Sellers' Knowledge, implied warranties. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.18,
or for
warranty claims based on the Acquired Companies’ standard terms and conditions
of sale, no Acquired Company has any liability (and, to Sellers' Knowledge,
there is no basis for any present or future action, suit, proceeding, hearing,
investigation, charge, complaint, claim, or demand against any of them giving
rise to any liability), for replacement or repair of any vehicle sold, leased
or
delivered by any Acquired Company or other damages in connection therewith.
Section
4.18
includes
copies of the standard terms and conditions of sale or lease for the Acquired
Companies (containing applicable guaranty, warranty, and indemnity
provisions).
4.19 Product
Liability.
No
claims
alleging bodily injury or property damage as a result of any defect in any
vehicle or the breach of any duty to warn, test, inspect or instruct of dangers
therein (each a "Product
Liability Claim"),
have
been made or threatened against any Acquired Company since January 1, 2001.
To Sellers' Knowledge, there are no defects in the vehicles sold by any Acquired
Company which could result in a Product Liability Claim, and there has not
been
any failure by any Acquired Company to warn, test, inspect or instruct of
dangers which could form the basis for a product recall or any Product Liability
Claim against such Acquired Company.
21
4.20 Material
Suppliers and Customers.
Schedule
4.20(a)
sets
forth the twenty (20) largest suppliers in terms of purchases ("Material
Suppliers")
and
any repeat customers that are material in terms of sales ("Material
Customers")
of the
Acquired Companies on a consolidated basis, in each case for the twelve (12)
months ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003. Except as set forth on
Schedule
4.20(a),
since
December 31, 2005, no Material Customer has canceled or otherwise
terminated or made any threats to cancel or otherwise terminate, its
relationship with such Acquired Companies or to materially decrease its
purchases from such Acquired Companies. Except as set forth on Schedule
4.20(b),
since
December 31, 2005, no Material Supplier has canceled or otherwise
terminated or to Sellers' Knowledge made any threats to cancel or otherwise
terminate, its relationship with such Acquired Companies or to materially
decrease its sales of supplies to such Acquired Companies. Except as set forth
on Schedule
4.20(c),
since
December 31, 2005, none of the Acquired Companies has experienced, and
there do not exist, any material quality control or similar problems with the
products currently being supplied or on order from the Material
Suppliers.
4.21 Insurance.
Schedule
4.21(a)
contains
an accurate and complete list of all insurance policies owned, held by or
applicable to any of the Acquired Companies (or its respective assets or
business). All such policies are in full force and effect, all premiums that
are
due and payable with respect thereto have been paid, and no written notice
of
denial of coverage, cancellation or termination has been received with respect
to such policies. Such policies are valid, outstanding and enforceable policies.
Except as set forth on Schedule
4.21(b),
To
Sellers’ Knowledge, in the past twelve (12) months, no event specific to any of
the Acquired Companies has occurred which could reasonably be expected to result
in a material retroactive upward adjustment in premiums under any such insurance
policies or which could reasonably be expected to result in a material
prospective upward adjustment in such premiums. Except as set forth on
Schedule
4.21(c),
none of
the Acquired Companies has any self-insured or co-insurance
programs.
4.22 Indebtedness.
Schedule
4.22
sets
forth a listing of all Indebtedness of any of the Acquired Companies and the
Contracts and instruments under which such Indebtedness exists.
4.23 Books
and
Records.
The
books
and records of the Acquired Companies are true, correct and complete in all
material respects, provided, however, nothing contained in this Section 4.23
shall be deemed to modify or qualify any other representation or warranty set
forth in this Agreement.
22
4.24 Undisclosed
Liabilities.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.24,
no
Acquired Companies has any debt, liabilities or obligations whatsoever (whether
or not accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, whether due
or
to become due and regardless of when asserted) arising out of transactions
entered into prior to the Closing Date, any action or inaction on the part
of
the Acquired Companies prior to the Closing Date, or any state of facts existing
prior to the Closing Date other than those (i) specifically reflected on and
fully reserved against in the balance sheet contained in the Acquisition Balance
Sheet, or (ii) incurred in the ordinary course of business since such
date.
4.25 Related
Party Transactions.
Except
as
set forth in Schedule
4.25,
no
employee, officer, director, shareholder, partner or member of any Acquired
Companies, any member of his or her immediate family or any beneficiary of
any
Seller (each a "Related
Person")
(a)
owes any amount to any Acquired Companies nor does any Acquired Companies owe
any amount to, or has any Acquired Companies committed to make any loan or
extend or guarantee credit to or for the benefit of any Related Person (other
than any participant loans under any Acquired Companies Plan and any payments
to, and reimbursement of fees and expenses of, employees, directors and officers
of the Acquired Companies in the ordinary course of business), (b) owns any
property or right, tangible or intangible, that is used by any Acquired
Companies or (c) has any claim or cause of action against any Acquired
Companies, other than claims for accrued compensation or benefits arising in
the
ordinary course of employment or under any Acquired Companies Plans.
4.26 Sufficiency
of Assets.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule
4.26,
the
assets (tangible and intangible, real and personal) owned and leased by the
Acquired Companies as of the date hereof and on the Closing Date are sufficient
in all material respects for the Acquired Companies to carry their business
as
heretofore conducted and as proposed to be conducted hereafter.
4.27 Brokerage.
Except
for fees or expenses which have already been paid, no Person is or will become
entitled, by reason of any agreement or arrangement entered into or made by
or
on behalf of any of the Acquired Companies, to receive any commission,
brokerage, finder’s fee or other similar compensation in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
23
ARTICLE
5: REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASERS
AND
PARENT
Each
Purchaser and Parent, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to each
Seller as follows:
5.1 Organization;
Authorization.
Each
Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each Purchaser has all requisite power
and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each other
agreement, instrument and document to be executed and delivered by or on behalf
of such Purchaser in connection herewith. Each Purchaser was formed solely
for
the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and
the other documents contemplated hereby. Parent is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada.
Parent has all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform
this Agreement and each other agreement, instrument and document to be executed
and delivered by or on behalf of Parent in connection herewith.
5.2 Execution
and Delivery; Enforceability.
This
Agreement has been, and each other document, instrument or agreement to be
executed and delivered by each of Parent and Purchasers in connection herewith,
will upon such delivery be, duly executed and delivered by each of Parent and
Purchasers and constitutes, or will upon such delivery constitute, the legal,
valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Purchasers, enforceable
in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by the
Enforceability Exceptions.
5.3 Governmental
Authorities; Consents.
No
Purchaser is required to submit any notice, report or other filing with any
Governmental Authority in connection with such Purchaser’s execution, delivery
or performance of this Agreement or any other document, instrument or agreement
to be executed and delivered by such Purchaser in connection herewith, and
such
execution, delivery and performance will not violate any Law by which Purchaser
is bound. No consent, approval or authorization of any Governmental Authority
or
any other Person is required to be obtained by any Purchaser in connection
with
Purchaser’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any other
document, instrument or agreement to be executed and delivered by such Purchaser
in connection herewith or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby.
5.4 SEC
Filings.
Parent
has filed all forms, reports and documents required to be filed by it with
the
SEC (collectively, the "Parent
SEC Reports")
on a
timely basis in accordance with the Exchange Act and all rules and regulations
promulgated by the SEC thereunder. The Parent SEC Reports filed prior to the
date hereof and all similar documents filed prior to the Closing Date (i) were,
or will be, as the case may be, prepared in all material respects in accordance
with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case
may
be, and (ii) did not, or will not, as the case may be, at the time they were
or
are filed (or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this
Agreement, then on the date of such filing) contain any untrue statement of
a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
24
5.5 Financial
Statements.
Each
of
the consolidated financial statements (including, in each case, any related
notes thereto) contained in the Parent SEC Reports was prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis
throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto), and each fairly presents in all material respects the consolidated
financial position of Parent and its consolidated subsidiaries as at the
respective dates thereof and the consolidated statements of income and cash
flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim financial
statements were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end
adjustments.
5.6 Absence
of Certain Changes.
Except
as
set forth in the Parent SEC Reports, there has not occurred since June 30,
2006:
(i) any Material Adverse Effect or any event, change or effect which is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate with other events,
changes or effects, a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) any amendments or changes
in
the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of Parent; (iii) any damage to,
destruction or loss of any asset of Parent (whether or not covered by insurance)
that is reasonably likely to individually or in the aggregate have a Material
Adverse Effect; (iv) any material change by Parent in its accounting methods,
principles or practices; or (v) any material revaluation by Parent of any of
its
assets, including, without limitation, writing off or writing down notes or
accounts receivable or inventory other than in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice.
5.7 Capital
Stock.
The
total
number of shares of capital stock of all classes which the Parent has the
authority to issue is One Hundred Million (100,000,000) common shares, $0.001
par value per share, and Ten Million (10,000,000) preferred shares, $0.001
par
value per share. Of such authorized shares, Thirty Two Million Seven Hundred
and
Eighty Seven Thousand Five Hundred (32,787,500) common shares are issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof. There are no common shares held in treasury
by the Purchasers or Parent. All of the common shares and preferred shares
of
the Parent have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
nonassessable, and were issued in compliance with all applicable federal and
state securities laws and any preemptive rights or rights of first refusal
of
any Person. Except as set forth on Schedule
5.7:
(a)
there are no voting trusts, proxies, or other agreements or understandings
with
respect to the voting of any shares of capital stock of the Parent, (b) there
does not exist nor is there outstanding any right or security granted or issued
to any Person to cause the Parent to issue or sell any shares of capital stock
or other securities of the Parent to any Person (including any warrant, stock
option, call, put, preemptive right, convertible debt obligation, subscription
for stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for stock of the
Parent, or any other similar right, security, instrument or agreement), or
(c)
there is no obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the Parent to (i)
repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any share of the capital stock or other
equity interests of the Parent, or (ii) provide funds to, or make any investment
in (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise), or provide any
guarantee with respect to the obligations of any other Person.
25
5.8 Compliance
with Laws and Obligations.
Except
as
set forth on Schedule 5.8, neither Parent nor any Purchaser is in conflict
with,
or in default or violation of, (i) any Applicable Law or (ii) any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise
or
other instrument or obligation, except for any such conflicts, defaults or
violations which is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
5.9 Solvency.
Parent
is
not now insolvent and will not be rendered insolvent by any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. As used in this Section
5.9
"insolvent" means that the sum of the debts and other probable liabilities
of
Parent exceeds the present fair saleable value of Parent's assets . Immediately
after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement, (a) Parent will be able to pay its liabilities as they become due
in
the Ordinary Course of Business, (b) Parent will not have unreasonably small
capital with which to conduct its present or proposed business, (c) Parent
will
have assets (calculated at fair market value) that exceed its liabilities,
and
(d) taking into account all pending and threatened litigation, final judgments
against Parent, as the case may be, in actions for money damages are not
reasonably anticipated to be rendered at a time when, or in amounts such that,
Parent, as the case may be, will be unable to satisfy any such judgments
promptly in accordance with their terms (taking into account the maximum
probable amount of such judgments in any such actions and the earliest
reasonable time at which such judgments might be rendered) as well as all other
obligations of Parent. The cash available to Parent, after taking into account
all other anticipated uses of the cash, will be sufficient to pay all such
respective debts and judgments of Parent and each Purchaser promptly in
accordance with their terms.
5.10 Franchise
Agreements.
Purchasers
and Parent each acknowledge receipt of the three Second Renewal Franchise
Agreements between Byrider Franchising, Inc. and F.S. English, Inc. dated
February 23, 2006 (the "Franchise
Agreements").
5.11 Brokerage.
No
Person
is or will become entitled, by reason of any agreement or arrangement entered
into or made by or on behalf of Parent or Purchasers, to receive any commission,
brokerage, finder’s fee or other similar compensation in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
26
5.12 Legal
Proceedings.
There
is
no Order and no action, suit, arbitration, proceeding, investigation or claim
of
any kind whatsoever, in law or in equity, pending or, to the knowledge of
Purchasers, threatened against Purchasers, which would give a third party the
right to enjoin or rescind the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or
otherwise prevent Purchasers from complying with the terms and provisions of
this Agreement. There is no Order and no action, suit, arbitration, proceeding,
investigation or claim of any kind whatsoever, in law or in equity, pending
or,
to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent, which would give a third
party the right to enjoin or rescind the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or otherwise prevent Parent from complying with the terms and
provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
6: CLOSING
CONDITIONS; CLOSING
6.1 Conditions
to Purchasers’ Obligations.
The
obligation of Purchasers to consummate the closing of the transaction
contemplated in this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver, at
or
before the Closing, of the following conditions set forth in this Section
6.1:
(a) all
filings, authorizations, approvals and consents shall have been made with or
obtained from all applicable Governmental Authorities;
(b) none
of
the parties hereto will be subject to any injunction, judgment, Order, decree
or
ruling that prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement;
(c) Sellers’
Representative, on behalf of Sellers, shall have executed and delivered to
Purchasers a certificate stating that (i) in the aggregate, the representations
and warranties of Sellers contained in Article 3 and Article 4 that are not
qualified by materiality are true and correct in all material respects at and
as
of the Closing as though then made, and the representations and warranties
of
Sellers contained in Article 3 and Article 4 that are qualified by materiality
are true and correct at and as of the Closing as though then made (except in
each case for those representations and warranties that are as of an earlier
date, which shall be true and correct in all respects or in all material
respects, as applicable, as of such earlier date); and (ii) Sellers and Sellers’
Representative have performed or caused to have been performed in all material
respects all of the covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to
be
performed by Sellers and Sellers’ Representative or the Acquired Companies prior
to the Closing;
(d) there
shall not have occurred any facts, events, developments or circumstances that
constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to constitute, a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to the Acquired Companies;
(e) delivery
to Purchasers of all certificates for the Shares, duly endorsed for transfer
or
accompanied by a duly executed stock power or other appropriate instrument
of
assignment and transfer;
27
(f) delivery
to Purchasers of the written resignation, effective as of the Closing, of each
director and officer of the Acquired Companies;
(g) delivery
to Purchasers of the Payoff Letters, together with terminations of any and
all
security interests in, and releases of any and all Liens (other than the
Permitted Liens) on, the assets of the Acquired Companies;
(h) delivery
to Purchasers of a duly executed affidavit of non-foreign status for each Seller
that complies with the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 1445
of
the Code;
(i) delivery
to Purchasers of certificates of corporate good standing as of the most recent
practicable date from Secretary of State where each of the Acquired Companies
is
incorporated;
(j) delivery
to Purchasers of an employment agreement between Indiana Operations and Sellers’
Representative in mutually satisfactory form and substance;
(k) delivery
to Purchasers of executed lease agreements for the Leased Real Property set
forth on Schedule
6.2(g),
acceptable in form and substance to Purchasers and the landlord thereof;
(l) delivery
to Purchasers of the Release Letters;
(m) delivery
to Purchasers of the Delaware Merger Agreements executed by Sellers’
Representative, acceptable in form and substance to Purchasers;
(n) delivery
to Purchasers of the
Indiana Merger Filings executed
by Sellers’ Representative,
acceptable
in form and substance to Purchasers;
(o) delivery
to Purchasers of executed documentation from Byrider Franchising, Inc.
acceptable to Purchasers relating to waiver of its right of first refusal with
respect to the Acquired Companies;
(p) delivery
to Parent of definitive financing approval from its lender sufficient to
consummate the Closing;
(q) Purchasers
shall have received the written legal opinion(s) of counsel for Sellers,
addressed to Purchaser, Parent and its lender(s) as of the Closing Date in
the
form to be mutually agreed upon; and
(r) any
other
document required to be delivered to Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement
and
such other documents as reasonably requested by Purchasers required in
connection with Purchasers’ financing of the transactions underlying this
Agreement.
28
Any
agreement or document to be delivered to Purchasers pursuant to this Section
6.1, the form of which is not attached to this Agreement as an exhibit, shall
be
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Purchasers.
6.2 Conditions
to Sellers’ Obligations.
The
respective obligations of Sellers to consummate the closing of the transaction
contemplated in this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction, at or before
the
Closing, of the following conditions set forth in this Section 6.2:
(a) all
filings, authorizations approvals and consents shall have been made with or
obtained from all applicable Governmental Authorities;
(b) none
of
the parties hereto will be subject to any injunction, judgment, Order, decree
or
ruling that prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement;
(c) Purchasers
and Parent shall have executed and delivered to Sellers a certificate stating
that (i) the representations and warranties of Purchasers and Parent contained
in Article 5 that are not qualified by materiality are true and correct in
all
material respects at and as of the Closing as though then made and the
representations and warranties of Purchasers and Parent contained in Article
5
that are qualified by materiality are true and correct at and as of the Closing
as though then made (except in each case for those representations and
warranties that are as of an earlier date, which shall be true and correct
in
all respects or in all material respects, as applicable, as of such earlier
date), and (ii) Purchasers and Parent have performed or caused to have been
performed in all material respects all of the covenants and agreements required
by this Agreement to be performed by Purchaser and Parent prior to the
Closing;
(d) Sellers
shall have received a certificate of corporate good standing as of the most
recent practicable date from Secretary of State where the Purchasers and the
Parent are incorporated;
(e) Sellers’
Representative shall have received documentation satisfactory to Sellers’
Representative that all personal guarantees related to the Indebtedness have
been released;
(f) delivery
of the Delaware Merger Agreements executed by Purchasers, acceptable in form
and
substance to Sellers;
(g) delivery
of the
Indiana Merger Filings executed by
Purchasers, acceptable in form and substance to Sellers;
(h) delivery
of the Seller Note duly executed by Purchasers;
(i) delivery
of the Subordinated Note duly executed by Purchasers;
29
(j) delivery
of the Guaranty of the Seller Note and the Subordinated Note duly executed
by
Parent (the "Guaranty");
(k) delivery
of the Security Agreement duly executed by Purchasers and Parent securing the
Seller Note and the Subordinated Note (the "Security
Agreement");
(l) there
shall not have occurred any facts, events, developments or circumstances that
constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to constitute, a Material Adverse
Effect with respect to the Parent; and
(m) Sellers
shall have received the written legal opinion(s) of counsel for Purchasers
and
the Parent, addressed to the Sellers as of the Closing Date, in the form to
be
mutually agreed upon; and
(n) any
other
document required to be delivered to Sellers pursuant to this
Agreement.
Any
agreement or document to be delivered to Sellers pursuant to this Section 6.2,
the form of which is not attached to this Agreement as an exhibit, shall be
in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Sellers’
Representative.
6.3 The
Closing.
The
closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the "Closing")
shall
take place simultaneously at the offices of Ice Xxxxxx LLP, Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, 00000-0000, and at the offices of Wuersch
& Xxxxxx LLP, 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 no later than December 8, 2006, at such date and time
as the parties mutually agree when the respective closing conditions set forth
in this Article Six have been satisfied or waived (the "Closing
Date").
All
proceedings to be taken and all documents to be executed and delivered by all
parties at the Closing shall be deemed taken and executed simultaneously, and
no
proceedings shall be deemed taken nor any documents executed or delivered until
all have been taken, executed and delivered.
The
parties agree to execute the Closing on facsimile signatures into escrow of
respective counsel which shall be fully binding upon the parties, and such
counsel shall deliver and exchange original execution copies of all such
documentation within three (3) business days thereafter. At Closing, the parties
shall sign and deliver this Agreement, the Delaware
Merger
Agreements; and the
Indiana Merger Filings, together with the Acquisition Consideration as set
forth
in Article Two.
All
certificates for the Manchester Shares, duly endorsed for transfer or
accompanied by a duly executed stock power or other appropriate instrument
of
assignment and transfer, shall be delivered within three (3) business days
after
Closing
6.4 Termination.
This
Agreement shall terminate prior to the Closing upon the occurrence of any of
the
following: (i) the written agreement of the Seller's Representative and
Purchasers; (ii) the bankruptcy, receivership or dissolution of the Acquired
Companies or the Purchasers; (iii) by the Seller's Representative, on the one
hand, or by Purchasers, on the other hand, if Closing shall not have occurred
on
or before December 8, 2006 or (iv) by Purchasers, in accordance with
Section
6.6;
provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section shall
not
be available to either party whose material misrepresentations, material breach
of warranty or failure to fulfill any material obligation under this Agreement
has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur
on or
before such date.
30
6.5 Covenants
Pending Closing.
(a) The
Sellers agree that from the date hereof to the Closing Date, they covenant
and
agree to undertake the following actions:
(i) operate
the respective businesses of the Acquired Companies substantially as now
operated and only in the ordinary course and, to the extent of and consistent
with such operation, use reasonable efforts to preserve intact the present
business organization and the relationships with persons having business
dealings with the Acquired Companies;
(ii) maintain
the books, accounts and records of the Acquired Companies in the usual, regular
and ordinary manner and consistent with past practice;
(iii) shall
not
sell, lease or dispose of any material business assets of the Acquired Companies
or encumber the Acquired Companies with liabilities, in either case other than
in the ordinary course of business except as set forth on Schedule
6.5(a)(iii);
or
(iv) not
amend, adversely modify or terminate any Contract, other than in the ordinary
course of business.
(b) The
Sellers’ Representative and the Purchasers will use their respective reasonable
efforts (i) to obtain all necessary consents and approvals of governmental
and
regulatory authorities to the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement, (ii) to obtain all other waivers and/or consents necessary
or
advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including, without limitation, waivers and/or consents pertaining to the
Franchise Agreements, and (iii) to perform, comply with and fulfill all
obligations, covenants and conditions required by this Agreement to be
performed, complied with and fulfilled by them prior to or at the Closing Date.
All transactional matters, corporate ministerial actions, regulatory filings
or
consent payments prior to Closing shall be at Sellers’ sole cost and
expense.
(c) Prior
to
the Closing, the Sellers agree to permit the Purchasers and their respective
employees, agents and representatives to have reasonable access to the
properties, assets, books and records, contracts and other documents of the
Acquired Companies, on reasonable prior notice, during regular business hours.
(d) Prior
to
the Closing, neither the Sellers, on the one hand, nor the Purchasers, on the
other hand, nor any of their agents or affiliates, shall either directly or
indirectly make any press release or other public communication after the date
hereof with respect to the transaction contemplated hereby without the prior
written consent of all other parties hereto (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld) unless required by applicable law, rule or regulation (including
the
rules and regulations of the SEC and any securities quotation system or
securities exchange) to make such a communication.
31
(e) Prior
to
Closing, the Acquired Companies shall fully, faithfully and promptly discharge
each of their ordinary course liabilities as and when due and dischargeable,
according to the terms of the respective liability.
(f) The
Sellers hereby agree that they shall conduct the on-going business operations
of
the Acquired Companies in the ordinary course and shall take no action to
liquidate or distribute their respective business assets except as set forth
on
Section
6.5(a)(iii)
or
dissolve or otherwise reclassify their respective corporate identity, and shall
promptly notify the Purchasers if any third party attempts or executes any
action which interferes with the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
6.6 Updates
to Disclosure Schedules.
Seller's
Representative shall deliver to Purchasers, as soon as possible after discovery
thereof, but not later than one (1) Business Day prior to the Closing Date,
written notice of supplemental information updating the information set forth
in
the representations and warranties of Sellers set forth in Article
IV
of this
Agreement so that such representations and warranties of Sellers, as
supplemented by such information, will be true and correct as of the Closing
Date (the "Disclosure
Schedule Updates").
If
such Disclosure Schedule Updates reflect an occurrence which could reasonably
be
expected to cause one or both of the Acquired Companies to recognize or accrue
previously undisclosed liabilities which
individually or in the aggregate are more
than
$50,000.00, Purchasers shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant
to and in accordance with Section
6.4
of this
Agreement by delivering a written notice of such termination of Seller prior
to
the Closing in accordance with Section
11.1.
ARTICLE
7: REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AND STOCK LEGENDS
7.1 Registration
Rights.
(a) The
Parent and the Sellers agree that if at any time after the date hereof the
Parent shall propose to file a registration statement with respect to any of
its
common stock on a form suitable for a secondary offering, it will give notice
in
writing to such effect to the Sellers at least thirty (30) days prior to such
filing, and, at the written request of the Sellers, made within ten (10) days
after the receipt of such notice, will include therein at the Parent's cost
and
expense (including the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel to all such
holder(s), but excluding underwriting discounts, commissions and filing fees
attributable to the common stock included therein) such of the Manchester Shares
as the Sellers shall request; provided, however, that if the offering being
registered by the Parent is underwritten and if the representative of the
underwriters certifies in writing that the inclusion therein of the Manchester
Shares would materially and adversely affect the sale of the securities to
be
sold by the Parent thereunder, then the Parent shall be required to include
in
the offering only that number of securities, including the Manchester Shares,
which the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize
the success of the offering (the securities so included to be apportioned pro
rate among all selling holders of shares according to the total amount of
securities entitled to be included therein owned by each selling holder of
shares, but in no event shall the total amount of Manchester Shares included
in
the offering be less than the number of securities included in the offering
by
any other single selling holder of shares unless all of the Manchester Shares
are included in the offering).
32
(b) The
Parents obligations hereinabove with respect to the Manchester Shares are
expressly conditioned upon the Sellers furnishing to the Parent in writing
such
information concerning the Sellers as the Parent shall reasonably request for
inclusion in the registration statement. If any registration statement including
any of the Manchester Shares is filed, the Parent shall indemnify the Sellers
from any loss, claim, damage or liability arising out of, based upon or in
any
way relating to any untrue statement of a material fact contained in such
registration statement or any omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except for any such statement or omission based on information furnished in
writing by the Sellers expressly for use in connection with such registration
statement; and the Sellers shall indemnify the Parent (and each of its officers
and directors who has signed such registration statement, each director, each
person, if any, who controls the Parent within the meaning of the Securities
Act, each underwriter for the Parent and each person, if any, who controls
such
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act) and each other such
Sellers against any loss, claim, damage or liability arising from any such
statement or omission which was made in reliance upon information furnished
in
writing to the Parent by the Sellers expressly for use in connection with such
registration statement.
7.2 Stock
Certificate Legends.
(a) Each
certificate representing the Manchester Shares shall be stamped or otherwise
imprinted with legends substantially in the following form (in addition to
any
legend required by applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws):
THE
SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE (THE "SECURITIES") HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT") OR ANY
STATE
SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT
(1)(A) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER
THE ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANOTHER THEN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION UNDER THE ACT AND
STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (B) IN A TRANSACTION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE
REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE LAWS, AND WHEREIN MANCHESTER
INC. SHALL HAVE RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT REGISTRATION OF SUCH
SECURITIES UNDER THE ACT AND UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES
LAWS IS NOT REQUIRED, OR (C) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS
BEEN
DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE ACT (AND WHICH CONTINUES TO BE EFFECTIVE AT THE
TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER); AND (2) PRIOR TO ANY SUCH TRANSFER, IT WILL FURNISH
TO
MANCHESTER INC. AND THE TRANSFER AGENT FOR THE COMMON STOCK SUCH CERTIFICATIONS,
LEGAL OPINIONS, OR OTHER INFORMATION AS MANCHESTER INC. OR SUCH TRANSFER AGENT
MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT
TO
AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS; AND (3) IT WILL DELIVER TO
EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND. FURTHERMORE, HEDGING TRANSACTIONS
INVOLVING THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN
COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT.
33
(b) The
Parent agrees to reissue certificates representing any of the Manchester Shares
without the legend set forth above if at such time, prior to making any transfer
of any such Manchester Shares, such holder thereof shall give written notice
to
the Parent describing the manner and terms of such transfer and removal as
the
Parent may reasonably request. Such proposed transfer and removal will not
be
effected until: (a) either (i) the Parent has received an opinion of counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Parent, to the effect that the registration
of
the Manchester Shares under the Securities
Act
is
not required in connection with such proposed transfer; (ii) a registration
statement under the Securities
Act
covering such proposed disposition has been filed by the Parent with the
Commission and has become effective under the Securities
Act;
(iii) the Parent has received other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the
Parent that such registration and qualification under the Securities
Act
and
state securities laws are not required; or (iv) the holder provides the Parent
with reasonable assurances that such security can be sold pursuant to Rule
144
under the Securities
Act;
and
(b) either (i) the Parent has received an opinion of counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the Parent, to the effect that registration or qualification
under the securities or "blue sky" laws of any state is not required in
connection with such proposed disposition; or (ii) compliance with applicable
state securities or "blue sky" laws has been effected or a valid exemption
exists with respect thereto. The Parent will respond to any such notice from
a
holder within five (5) business days. In the case of any proposed transfer
under
this section, the Parent will use reasonable efforts to comply with any such
applicable state securities or "blue sky" laws, but shall in no event be
required, (x) to qualify to do business in any state where it is not then
qualified; (y) to take any action that would subject it to tax or to the general
service of process in any state where it is not then subject; or (z) to comply
with state securities or "blue sky" laws of any state for which registration
by
coordination is unavailable to the Parent. The restrictions on transfer
contained in this section shall be in addition to, and not by way of limitation
of, any other restrictions on transfer contained in any other section of this
Agreement. Whenever
a
certificate representing the Manchester Shares is required to be issued to
a
Seller without a legend, in lieu of delivering physical certificates
representing the Manchester Shares, provided the Parent's transfer agent is
participating in the Depository Trust Company ("DTC")
Fast Automated Securities Transfer program, the Parent shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause its transfer agent to electronically
transmit the Manchester Shares to a Seller by crediting the account of such
Seller's Prime Broker with DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission
("DWAC") system (to the extent not inconsistent with any provisions of this
Agreement).
34
ARTICLE
8: COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS
8.1 Publicity.
Any
disclosures or announcements relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby will be made only as may be agreed upon in writing by
Sellers’ Representative and Purchasers, or as may be required by Law or by any
Governmental Authority.
8.2 Expenses.
Each
of
the parties shall pay all costs and expenses incurred by it in the negotiation,
preparation and consummation of this Agreement and the other documents
contemplated hereby and carrying out of the contemplated transactions, except
as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. At the Closing, Sellers’
Representative shall deliver to Purchasers letters, reasonably satisfactory
in
form and substance to Purchasers, from all attorneys, accountants, consultants
and all other service-providers to the Acquired Companies and the Sellers (the
"Release
Letters")
stating that, to the extent such parties are not paid at the Closing the fees,
costs or expenses owing to such parties with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, such parties shall hold only Sellers responsible
for any fees, costs and expenses owing to such parties and the Acquired
Companies shall be released from any and all obligations to such parties.
8.3 No
Assignments.
No
assignment of all or any part of this Agreement or any right or obligation
hereunder may be made by any party hereto without the prior written consent
of
all other parties hereto, and any attempted assignment without such consent
shall be void and of no force or effect; provided,
however,
that
(a) Each Purchaser may assign any of its rights or delegate any of its duties
under this Agreement to any controlled Affiliate of such Purchaser provided,
further, that no such assignment shall relieve such Purchaser of its obligations
hereunder; (b) Each Purchaser may assign its rights, but not its obligations,
under this Agreement to any of its financing sources; and (c) Each Purchaser
and
its successors and permitted assigns may assign their rights, but not their
obligations, under this Agreement in connection with a transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of such Purchaser or any of the Acquired
Companies.
8.4 Sellers’
Representative.
(a) By
the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, each Seller hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints Xxxx Xxxxxxx as the initial true and lawful agent
and
attorney-in-fact (the "Sellers'
Representative")
of the
Sellers with full authority and power of substitution to act in the name, place
and stead of such Sellers with respect to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
35
(b) Purchasers,
Parent and any other person, may conclusively and absolutely rely, without
inquiry, upon any consent, approval or action of the Sellers' Representative
as
the consent, approval or action, as the case may be, of each Seller individually
and all Sellers as a group in all matters referred to herein, and each Seller
confirms all that the Sellers' Representative shall do or cause to be done
by
virtue of his or her appointment as the Sellers' Representative.
(c) Each
Seller covenants and agrees that he or she will not voluntarily revoke the
power
of attorney conferred in this Section
8.4.
If any
Seller dies or becomes incapacitated, disabled or incompetent (such deceased,
incapacitated, disabled or incompetent Seller being a "Former
Seller")
and,
as a result, the power of attorney conferred by this Section
8.4
is
revoked by operation of law, it shall not be a breach by such Former Seller
under this Agreement if the heirs, beneficiaries, estate, administrator,
executor, guardian, conservator or other legal representative of such Former
Seller (each a "Successor
Seller")
confirm the appointment of the Sellers' Representative as agent and
attorneys-in-fact for such Successor Seller.
(d) Sellers'
Representative hereby acknowledges and agrees that he has a fiduciary duty
to
act in good faith in connection with this Article
8.
Each of
the Sellers hereby consents and agrees to all actions or inactions taken or
omitted to be taken in good faith by the Sellers' Representative in accordance
with this Article
8.
8.5 Tax
Matters.
8.5.1 Cooperation
on Tax Matters.
Following the Closing, Sellers and Purchasers shall cause the Acquired Companies
to, cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by any other
party, in connection with any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect
to Taxes or the preparation and filing of any Tax Return. Such cooperation
shall
include the retention and (upon any other party’s request) the provision of
records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such Tax matter
or
required by the Code or other applicable Law and making employees available
on a
mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation
of
any material provided hereunder. Sellers and Purchasers agree (a) to retain
all
books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Acquired
Companies relating to any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date
until
the expiration of the statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by
Purchasers or Sellers, any extensions thereof) of the respective taxable
periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with
any
Taxing authority, and (b) to give the other party reasonable written notice
prior to transferring, destroying or discarding any such books and records
and,
if the other party so requests, Sellers or Purchasers, as the case may be,
shall
allow such party to take possession of such books and records. Purchasers and
Sellers further agree, upon request, to use commercially reasonable efforts
to
obtain any certificate or other document from any governmental authority or
any
other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that
could be imposed (including, but not limited to, with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby). Purchasers and Sellers further agree, upon
request, to provide the other party with all information that any party may
be
required to report pursuant to the Code or other applicable Law and all
regulations promulgated thereunder. All Tax sharing agreements or similar
agreements with respect to or involving the Companies shall be deemed terminated
as of the Closing Date and, after the Closing Date, Sellers and the Acquired
Companies shall not be bound thereby or have any liability
thereunder.
36
8.5.2 Tax
Returns.
(a) Sellers
or their designee shall prepare and timely file or shall cause to be prepared
and timely filed all income Tax Returns of the Acquired Companies for
Pre-Closing Tax Periods ("Seller
Tax Returns"),
and
shall pay or shall cause to be paid any and all Taxes due with respect to such
Tax Returns. Sellers shall have the exclusive authority and obligation to
prepare or cause to be prepared all Seller Tax Returns. Such authority shall
include the determination of the manner in which any items of income, gain,
deduction, loss or credit arising out of the income, properties and operations
of the Acquired Companies shall be reported or disclosed in such Tax Returns;
provided, however, that such Tax Returns shall be prepared by treating items
on
such Tax Returns in a manner consistent with past practice with respect to
such
items, unless otherwise required by Law. If any such Seller Tax Returns are
due
after the Closing and Sellers are not authorized by Law to file such Sellers
Tax
Returns, Sellers shall submit drafts of such Seller Tax Returns to Purchasers
for Purchasers’ review at least 30 days prior to the due date of any such Tax
Return. Such drafts of any Sellers Tax Returns shall be subject to Purchasers’
review and approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, and
Purchasers shall timely file, or cause to be timely filed, such Seller Tax
Returns with the appropriate Taxing Authority.
(b) Purchasers
shall prepare and timely file or cause to be prepared and timely filed all
Tax
Returns that are not Seller Tax Returns, Purchasers shall pay or cause to be
paid any and all Taxes due with respect to such Tax Returns. Purchasers shall
provide to Sellers drafts of all Tax Returns that reflect any Pre-Closing Tax
Period described in the preceding sentence required to be prepared and filed
by
any Acquired Companies and a statement certifying the amount of Taxes shown
on
such Tax Return that is allocable to the Seller pursuant to Section 8.5.3 or
Section 9.1(c), together with appropriate supporting information and schedules,
at least 30 days prior to the due date for the filing of such Tax Returns
(including extensions). Within 15 days after the receipt of the draft Tax
Returns, Sellers shall notify Purchasers of the existence of any objection
(specifying in reasonable detail the nature and basis of such objection) Sellers
may have to any items set forth on such draft Tax Returns (a "Dispute
Notice").
Purchasers and Sellers agree to consult and resolve in good faith any such
objection. However, if Purchasers and Sellers cannot resolve any such objection,
the objection shall be referred to the Arbiter Accountants for prompt
resolution. Purchasers and Sellers shall share equally all costs of hiring
the
Arbiter Accountants. Purchasers shall not file any Tax Return subject to this
Section 8.5.2(b) without the prior written consent of Sellers, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that no such
consent shall be required if Sellers shall not have timely delivered a Dispute
Notice or the objections contained in such Dispute Notice shall have been
finally resolved.
8.5.3 Apportionment
of Taxes.
All
Taxes and Tax liabilities with respect to the Acquired Companies that relate
to
a Straddle Tax Period shall be apportioned between the Pre-Closing Tax Period
and the Post-Closing Tax Period as follows: (A) in the case of Taxes that are
either (1) based upon or measured by reference to income, receipts or profits
(but not including sales and use Taxes), (2) imposed in connection with any
sale
or other transfer or assignment of property (real or personal, tangible or
intangible) (other than conveyances pursuant to this Agreement, as provided
under Section 8.5.5), or (3) required to be withheld such Taxes shall be deemed
equal to the amount which would be payable if the Tax year ended at the end
of
the day on the Closing Date; and (B) in the case of Taxes imposed on a periodic
basis with respect to the Acquired Companies, or otherwise measured by the
level
of any item, such Taxes shall be deemed to be the amount of such Taxes for
the
entire period (or, in the case of such Taxes determined on an arrears basis,
the
amount of such Taxes for the immediately preceding period), multiplied by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of calendar days in the period
ending on the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of
calendar days in the entire period. Sellers shall be liable for all Taxes
attributable to a Pre-Closing Tax Period. Purchasers shall be liable for all
Taxes attributable to a Post-Closing Tax Period.
37
8.5.4 Controversies.
Purchasers shall notify Sellers in writing within 10 days of the receipt by
Purchasers or any affiliate of Purchasers (including the Acquired Companies
after the Closing Date) of written notice of any inquiries, claims, assessments,
audits or similar events with respect to Taxes relating to a Pre-Closing Tax
Period for which Sellers may be liable under this Agreement (any such inquiry,
claim, assessment, audit or similar event, a "Tax
Matter").
For
Tax Matters relating solely to a Pre-Closing Tax Period, Sellers, at their
own
expense, shall have the exclusive authority to represent the interests of the
Acquired Companies with respect to any Tax Matter before the IRS, any other
Taxing Authority, any other Governmental Authority or any court and shall have
the sole right to extend or waive the statute of limitations with respect to
such Tax Matter, including responding to inquiries, filing Tax Returns and
settling audits or lawsuits; provided, however, that Sellers shall not enter
into any settlement of or otherwise compromise any such Tax Matter that
adversely affects or may adversely affect the Tax liability of Purchasers or
any
Acquired Companies for any Post-Closing Tax Period, including any Straddle
Tax
Period, without the prior written consent of Purchasers, which consent shall
not
be unreasonably withheld. Sellers shall keep Purchasers fully and timely
informed with respect to the commencement, status and nature of any Tax Matter.
Sellers shall, in good faith, allow Purchasers or Purchasers’ counsel to consult
with it regarding the conduct of or positions taken in any such proceeding.
For
Tax Matters relating to Straddle Tax Periods, each of Sellers and Purchasers
may
participate, at their own expense, in representing the interests of the Acquired
Companies; provided, however, that the representation shall be controlled by
that party which would bear the burden of the greater portion of the sum of
the
adjustments that may reasonably be anticipated and the controlling party shall
not settle or otherwise compromise any such Tax Matter without the prior written
consent of the non-controlling party, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld.
8.5.5 Transfer
Taxes.
Sellers
shall pay any and all sales, use, value added, transfer, stamp, registration,
real property transfer or gains and similar Taxes ("Transfer
Taxes")
incurred as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement when
due, and Purchasers shall file or cause to be filed all necessary Tax Returns
and other documentation with respect to all such Transfer Taxes. Sellers and
Purchasers shall provide reasonable assistance in connection with such filings.
To the extent that any Taxes described in the second preceding sentence are
required to be collected by one party, the other party shall pay its share
of
such Taxes to the first party and the first party shall remit such Taxes to
the
Taxing Authority.
38
8.6 Restrictive
Covenants.
(a) Acknowledgments
by Sellers'.
Each
Seller acknowledges and agrees that as a result and as a part of their
relationship with the Acquired Companies (including the ownership of the
Shares), each: (i) may have had access to Confidential Information (as defined
below) which could have an adverse effect on Purchasers and Purchasers’ business
if it is disclosed, and that as a condition to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby it is reasonable and necessary for each Seller
to promise and agree, subject to the terms and conditions herein, not to
disclose such Confidential Information; and (ii) may have knowledge and
expertise in the business conducted by the Acquired Companies that is special
and unique, and that as a condition to Purchasers’ consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, it is reasonable and necessary for each Seller
to promise and agree, subject to the terms and conditions herein, not to compete
or interfere with the conduct of the business purchased by Purchasers hereunder.
Each Seller further acknowledges and agrees that the benefits provided to such
Seller under this Agreement, constitute good and sufficient consideration for
the agreements and covenants in this Section 8.6.
(b) Nondisclosure.
Each
Seller covenants and agrees that from and after the Closing Date, he shall
not
disclose, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information. If the
disclosure of Confidential Information is required by Law or compelled by any
Governmental Authority, each Seller agrees to provide Purchasers with as much
prior written notice of such disclosure as is reasonably possible. For purposes
of this Section 8.6, "Confidential
Information"
means
(i) all information belonging to, used by, or which is in the possession of
any
Acquired Company, Sellers’ Representative or any Seller relating to any Acquired
Company's business or assets specifically including, but not limited to,
information relating to any Acquired Company's products, services, strategies,
pricing, customers, representatives, suppliers, distributors, technology,
finances, employee compensation, computer software and hardware, inventions,
developments, or Trade Secrets, and (ii) all information relating to the
acquisition of the Acquired Companies by Purchasers hereunder, including without
limitation all strategies, negotiations, discussions, terms, conditions and
other information relating to this Agreement and each other document and
agreement delivered in connection herewith, in each case to the extent that
such
information is not required to be disclosed by applicable Law or compelled
to be
disclosed by any Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
term
"Confidential
Information"
does
not include information that (i) is or becomes generally available to or known
by the public (other than as a result of a disclosure by a Seller); (ii) is
or
becomes available to a Seller on a nonconfidential basis prior to its disclosure
to Sellers’ Representative or a Seller by an Acquired Company; provided,
that
the
source of such information is not known by Seller to be bound by a
confidentiality agreement with an Acquired Company; or (iii) is independently
developed by Seller without violating this Agreement. Each Seller acknowledges
that following the Closing all of the Confidential Information will be the
exclusive proprietary property of the Acquired Companies, whether or not
prepared in whole or in part by any Seller and whether or not disclosed to
or
entrusted to the custody of any Seller.
39
(c) Noncompetition.
(1)
Sellers’ Representative covenants and agrees that during the period from the
date of this Agreement through the third (3rd)
anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Non-Competition
Period for Sellers’ Representative"),
Sellers’ Representative will not, without the prior written consent of
Purchasers, either directly or indirectly, whether or not for consideration,
(i)
in any way, directly or indirectly, solicit, divert, or take away the business
of any Person who is or was a customer of any Acquired Company, or in any manner
influence such Person to cease doing business in part or in whole with Sellers’
Representative; (ii) take orders from, or sell Competing Products to any Person,
or (iii) except for investments or ownership in public entities, mutual
funds and similar investments, none of which constitute more than 5% of the
ownership or control of such entities, own, operate, control, finance, manage,
advise, be employed by or engaged by, perform any services for, invest or
otherwise become associated in any capacity with any Person engaged in the
manufacturing, importing, distribution or selling of Competing Products in
the
United States; or (iv) engage in any practice the purpose or effect of which
is
to intentionally evade the provisions of this covenant. For purposes of this
Section 8.6(c), "Competing
Products"
means
the buy-here/pay-here used car business and/or selling used cars or trucks
and/or financing the purchase of used cars or trucks. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if Sellers’ Representative's employment is terminated without Cause
(as defined in that certain Employment Agreement by and between Sellers’
Representative and Indiana Operations (the "Employment
Agreement"))
or the Sellers’ Representative resigns for Good Reason (as defined in the
Employment Agreement), and Indiana Operations does not make the Severance
Payment (as defined in the Employment Agreement), the Non-Competition Period
for
Sellers’ Representative shall expire on the Termination Date (as defined in the
Employment Agreement).
(2)
Each
Seller other than Sellers' Representative who directly or indirectly owns more
than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of FSE and/or GNAC
immediately prior to the Closing, (each, a "Material
Seller"
and
collectively, the "Material
Sellers"),
covenants and agrees that during the period from the date of this Agreement
through the third (3rd)
anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Non-Competition
Period for Material Sellers"),
Material Seller will not, without the prior written consent of Purchasers,
either directly or indirectly, whether or not for consideration, (i) within
the
territory defined by the Franchise Agreements in any way, directly or
indirectly, solicit, divert, or take away the business of any Person who is
or
was a customer of any Acquired Company, or in any manner influence such Person
to cease doing business in part or in whole with Sellers' Representative; (ii)
within the territory defined by the Franchise Agreements, take orders from,
or
sell Competing Products to any Person, or (iii) except for investments or
ownership in public entities, mutual funds and similar investments, none of
which constitute more than five percent (5%) of the ownership or control of
such
entities, own, operate, control, finance, manage, advise, be employed by or
engaged by, perform any services for, invest or otherwise become associated
in
any capacity with any Person engaged in the manufacturing, importing,
distribution or selling of Competing Products within the territory defined
by
the Franchise Agreements; or (iv) engage in any practice the purpose or effect
of which is to intentionally evade the provisions of this covenant.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, if any Material
Seller is a party to a franchise agreement with Byrider Franchising, Inc.,
other
than a Franchise Agreement, nothing contained in this Section
8.6
shall in
any way be construed to restrict such Material Sellers rights and/or obligations
under any such franchise agreement with Byrider Franchising, Inc.
40
(3)
Each
Seller other than Sellers’ Representative and Material Sellers (each, a
"Non-Material
Seller"),
covenants and agrees that during the period from the date of this Agreement
through the first (1st)
anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Non-Competition
Period for Non-Material Sellers"
and
referred to herein collectively with the Non-Competition Period for Material
Sellers and the Non-Competition Period for the Sellers' Representative, the
"Non-Competition
Period"),
the
Non-Material Seller will not, without the prior written consent of Purchasers,
either directly or indirectly, whether or not for consideration, (i) within
the
territory defined by the Franchise Agreements, in any way, directly or
indirectly, solicit, divert, or take away the business of any Person who is
or
was a customer of any Acquired Company, or in any manner influence such Person
to cease doing business in part or in whole with Sellers’ Representative; (ii)
within the territory defined by the Franchise Agreements, take orders from,
or
sell Competing Products to any Person, or (iii) except for investments or
ownership in public entities, mutual funds and similar investments, none of
which constitute more than 5% of the ownership or control of such entities,
own,
operate, control, finance, manage, advise, be employed by or engaged by, perform
any services for, invest or otherwise become associated in any capacity with
any
Person engaged in the manufacturing, importing, distribution or selling of
Competing Products within the territory defined by the Franchise Agreements;
or
(iv) engage in any practice the purpose or effect of which is to intentionally
evade the provisions of this covenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
restrictions of this clause (3) of Section 8.6(c) shall not apply to each
Non-Material Seller set forth on Schedule 8.6(c).
(d) Noninterference.
Each
Seller covenants and agrees that during the applicable Non-Competition Period,
such Seller will not (i) solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce,
whether or not for consideration, any employee of any Acquired Company to
terminate his or her relationship with any Acquired Company; or (ii) induce
or
attempt to induce any customer or supplier of any Acquired Company to terminate
or adversely change its relationship with the Acquired Company.
(e) Equitable
Relief.
Each
Seller agrees that money damages alone will not be a sufficient remedy for
any
breach of the provisions of Section 8.4, and that in addition to all other
remedies Purchasers will be entitled to specific performance and injunctive
or
other equitable relief as a remedy for any such breach, and each Seller waives
the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such remedy.
(f) Reformation
of Agreement.
If any
of the covenants contained in Section 8.4, or any portion thereof, is found
by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable as against public
policy or for any other reason, such court shall exercise its discretion to
reform such covenant to the end that Sellers shall be subject to nondisclosure,
noncompetition, noninterference, or other covenants that are reasonable under
the circumstances and are enforceable by Purchasers. In any event, if any
provision of Section 8.6 is found unenforceable for any reason, such provision
shall remain in force and effect to the maximum extent allowable and all
non-affected provisions shall remain fully valid and enforceable.
41
(g) Reasonableness
of Terms.
Purchasers and each Seller stipulate and agree that the covenants and other
terms contained in Section 8.6 are reasonable in all respects, including time
period, geographical area and scope of restricted activities, that Purchasers
would not have purchased the Shares had Sellers not agreed to these covenants,
and that the restrictions contained herein are designed to protect the
businesses of the Acquired Companies and ensure that no Sellers engages in
unfair competition against the Acquired Companies.
ARTICLE
9: INDEMNIFICATION
9.1 Indemnification
of Purchasers.
From
and
after the Closing, Xxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxx Poor and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx (the "Indemnifying
Shareholders"),
severally, shall indemnify the Purchasers, the Acquired Companies and their
respective directors, officers, employees, Affiliates, stockholders, agents,
attorneys, representatives, successors and permitted assigns (collectively, the
"Purchaser
Indemnitees"),
against and hold the Purchaser Indemnitees harmless from:
(a) any
Losses based upon, resulting from, arising out of, caused by or in connection
with the failure of, any inaccuracy in, or breach of, any of the representations
and warranties in Article 3 or in Article 4 to be true and correct on the date
hereof or the Closing Date;
(b) any
Losses based upon, resulting from, arising out of, caused by or in connection
with any breach or nonperformance of any covenant, agreement or obligation
of
the Acquired Companies, Sellers or Sellers’ Representative in this
Agreement;
(c) notwithstanding
any disclosure contained herein or otherwise known to the Purchaser Indemnitees,
Losses based on, resulting from, arising out, caused by or in connection with
(i) any Taxes payable by any Acquired Companies with respect to any Pre-Closing
Tax Period or for the Straddle Period, to the extent allocable or attributable
to the portion of such period beginning before or ending on the Closing Date,
(ii) any liability of any Acquired Companies for Taxes of another Person (for
example, by reason of transferee liability), (iii) any transfer Taxes for which
Sellers are liable under this Agreement, or (iv) any Taxes of any Acquired
Companies that are attributable to the Taxes of any member of an affiliated,
consolidated, combined or unitary group (other than any of the Acquired
Companies) of which any Acquired Companies is or was a member on or prior to
the
Closing Date; or
(d) any
Losses based upon, resulting from, arising out of, caused by or in connection
with any failure of Sellers to comply with the provisions of this Article
9.
42
9.2 Limitations
on Indemnification of Purchasers.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, the indemnification of the Purchaser
Indemnitees provided for in this Agreement shall be subject to the following
limitations and conditions set forth in this Section 9.2:
(a) except
as
set forth below, any claim by a Purchasers Indemnitee for indemnification
pursuant to Section 9.1(a) of this Agreement shall be required to be made by
delivering notice to Sellers’ Representative no later than the expiration of
twenty-four (24) months after the Closing Date; provided,
that,
any
claim for indemnification with respect to Section 9.1(a) based upon, resulting
from, arising out of, caused by or in connection with any inaccuracy in or
breach of any representation or warranty contained in (i) Section 3.1 [Authority
and Capacity], Section 3.2 [Ownership of Shares], Section 4.2 [Capital Stock],
or Section 4.27 [Brokerage] may be made at any time, or (ii) Section 4.10
[Environmental Matters], Section 4.7 [Taxes] and Section 4.11 [Permits;
Compliance with Laws] may be made at any time prior to the thirtieth (30th)
day
following the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations (including
valid extensions thereof);
(b) except
for claims for indemnification relating to fraud or with respect to Section
9.1(a) based upon, resulting from, arising out of, caused by or in connection
with any breach of any representation or warranty contained in Section 3.1
[Authority and Capacity], Section 3.2 [Ownership of Shares], Section 4.2
[Capital Stock], Section 4.7 [Taxes], Section 4.10 [Environmental Matters],
Section 4.11 [Permits; Compliance with Laws], or Section 4.27 [Brokerage],
the
Purchaser Indemnitees shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to
Section 9.1(a) set forth above, (i) in excess of an aggregate of three million
dollars ($3,000,000.00) (the "Indemnification
Cap");
(ii)
for any individual item, or group of related items which shall include claims
by
unrelated parties arising out of the same or substantially similar factual
allegations (e.g., class action claims) to the extent all Losses with respect
to
such item or series of related items are less than $1,000 (the "Sub-Basket"),
and
(iii) in respect of each item or series of related items for which all Losses
are equal to or greater than the Sub-Basket, unless the aggregate amount of
all
such Losses exceeds $5,000 (the "Indemnification
Threshold"),
and
thereafter the Purchaser Indemnitees shall be entitled to indemnification only
for amounts in excess of the Indemnification Threshold, except in the case
of
any breach of Section 4.5(b) [contract receivables], as to which Purchaser
Indemnitees shall be entitled to indemnification for all amounts as calculated
from the first dollar of Losses;
(c) the
payment of any indemnification to Purchaser Indemnitees shall be paid: (i)
in
cash, up to an aggregate of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000.00)
("Minimum
Cash Indemnity");
and
(ii) above the Minimum Cash Indemnity amount, indemnification may be paid
one-half in cash and one-half in Manchester Shares, or all in cash, in each
case
at the election of the indemnifying Seller; provided, however, (iii) any and
all
indemnification paid to Purchaser Indemnitees in respect of any breach of
Section 4.5(b) [contract receivables] shall in all instances be paid in cash,
but any payments in such regard shall count towards the calculation of the
Minimum Cash Indemnity threshold in respect of all other indemnification
purposes and the Indemnification Cap, and provided, further, any and all
indemnification under this Agreement required, or elected, to be paid in cash
to
Purchaser Indemnitees shall first be deemed satisfied against any and all unpaid
remaining principal on the Seller Note and the Subordinated Note which amounts
shall correspondingly be offset therefrom;
43
(d) the
value
of Manchester Shares for purposes of satisfying any indemnification payment
shall be deemed to be the same price per share as at the Closing of this
Agreement.
(e) for
purposes of determining whether (i) there has been any breach of or inaccuracy
in representations and warranties contained in this Agreement (including the
schedules and exhibits attached hereto and the certificates delivered pursuant
hereto), and (ii) calculating Losses hereunder, any materiality or Material
Adverse Effect qualifications in such representations and warranties shall
be
disregarded; and
(f) the
indemnification responsibilities of any Indemnifying Shareholder hereunder
shall
be construed as being several in accordance with such Indemnifying Shareholder's
relative pro-rata ownership of the Shares. No Seller other than the Indemnifying
Shareholders shall have any liability or obligation to Purchasers and/or Parent
under this Article
9.
9.3 Indemnification
of Sellers.
From
and
after the Closing Date, Purchasers and Parent shall jointly and severally
indemnify Sellers and their successors and assigns (collectively, the
"Seller
Indemnitees"),
against and hold the Seller Indemnitees harmless from:
(a) any
Losses based upon, resulting from, arising out of, caused by or in connection
with the failure of, any inaccuracy in, or breach of, any of the representations
and warranties in Article 5 to be true and correct on the date hereof or the
Closing Date;
(b) any
Losses based upon, resulting from, arising out of, caused by or in connection
with any breach or nonperformance of any covenant, agreement or obligation
of
Purchasers in this Agreement; or
(c) any
Losses based upon, resulting from, arising out of, caused by or in connection
with any failure of Purchasers to comply with the provisions of this Article
9.
9.4 Limitations
on Indemnification of Sellers.
Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this Agreement, the indemnification of Seller
Indemnitees provided for in this Agreement shall be subject to the following
limitations and conditions set forth in this Section 9.4:
(a) except
as
set forth below, any claim by a Seller Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant
to Section 9.3(a) of this Agreement shall be required to be made by delivering
notice to Purchasers no later than the expiration of twenty-four (24) months
after the Closing Date; provided,
that:
any
claim for indemnification resulting from or arising out of any inaccuracy in
or
breach of any representation or warranty made by Purchasers in Section 5.1
[Organization; Authorization], Section 5.2 [Execution and Delivery;
Enforceability] or Section 5.4 [Brokerage] may be made at any time;
44
(b) except
for claims for indemnification with respect to any inaccuracy in or breach
of
any representation or warranty contained in Section 5.1 [Organization;
Authorization], Section 5.2 [Execution and Delivery; Enforceability] or Section
5.4 [Brokerage], Seller Indemnitees shall not be entitled to indemnification
pursuant to Section 9.3(a) until the aggregate amount of all of Seller
Indemnitees’ claims for indemnification exceeds the Sub-Basket and the
Indemnification Threshold and thereafter Seller Indemnitees shall be entitled
to
indemnification pursuant to Section 9.3(a) only for amounts in excess of the
Indemnification Threshold; and
(c) for
purposes of determining whether (i) there has been any breach of or inaccuracy
in representations and warranties contained in this Agreement (including the
schedules and exhibits attached hereto and the certificates delivered pursuant
hereto) and (ii) calculating Losses hereunder, any materiality or Material
Adverse Effect qualifications in such representations and warranties shall
be
disregarded.
9.5 Procedures
Relating to Indemnification.
9.5.1 Third-Party
Claims.
(a) In
order
for a party (the "Indemnitee")
to be
entitled to any indemnification provided for under this Agreement in respect
of,
arising out of, or involving a claim or demand made by any Person against the
Indemnitee (a "Third-Party
Claim"),
such
Indemnitee must notify the party from whom indemnification hereunder is sought
(the "Indemnitor")
in
writing of the Third-Party Claim no later than thirty (30) days after such
claim
or demand is first asserted (a "Third-Party
Claim Notice").
A
Third-Party Claim Notice shall state in reasonable detail the amount or
estimated amount of such claim, and shall identify the specific basis (or bases)
for such claim, including the representations, warranties or covenants in this
Agreement alleged to have been breached. Failure to give a Third-Party Claim
Notice shall not affect the indemnification provided hereunder except to the
extent the Indemnitor shall have been actually prejudiced as a result of such
failure. Thereafter, the Indemnitee shall deliver to the Indemnitor, without
undue delay, copies of all notices and documents (including court papers
received by the Indemnitee) relating to the Third-Party Claim so long as any
such disclosure could not reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect
on
the attorney-client or any other privilege that may be available to the
Indemnitee in connection therewith.
(b) If
a
Third-Party Claim is made against an Indemnitee, the Indemnitor shall be
entitled to participate, at its expense, in the defense thereof. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if (i) the Indemnification Threshold has been exceeded, (ii)
no
claim for injunctive relief is being made against Indemnitee, and (iii) it
is
reasonably likely that Indemnitee will not suffer a Loss in excess of
Indemnitor’s indemnification obligation hereunder, the Indemnitor may elect to
assume and control the defense thereof with counsel selected by the Indemnitor
that is reasonably acceptable to Indemnitee. If the Indemnitor assumes such
defense, the Indemnitee shall have the right to participate in the defense
thereof and to employ counsel, at its own expense, separate from the counsel
employed by the Indemnitor, it being understood that the Indemnitor shall
control such defense; provided,
that,
Indemnitee’s expenses of counsel shall be an indemnified Loss for purposes of
this Article 9 if such counsel reasonably concludes that a conflict or potential
conflict exists between Indemnitee and Indemnitor that would make separate
representation advisable. If the Indemnitor so assumes the defense of any
Third-Party Claim, all of the indemnified parties shall reasonably cooperate
with the Indemnitor in the defense or prosecution thereof. Such cooperation
shall include, at the expense of the Indemnitor, the retention and (upon the
Indemnitor’s request) the provision to the Indemnitor of records and information
which are reasonably relevant to such Third-Party Claim, and making employees
available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information
and
explanation of any material provided hereunder. If the Indemnitor has assumed
the defense of a Third-Party Claim, (i) the Indemnitee shall not admit any
liability with respect to, or settle, compromise or discharge, such Third-Party
Claim without the Indemnitor’s prior written consent (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed); (ii) the Indemnitee shall agree to any
settlement, compromise or discharge of a Third-Party Claim which the Indemnitor
may recommend and which by its terms releases the Indemnitee from any liability
in connection with such Third-Party Claim without cost or expense and without
any admission of violation, injunction or agreement to take or restrain from
taking any action; and (iii) the Indemnitor shall not, without the written
consent of the Indemnitee, enter into any settlement, compromise or discharge
or
consent to the entry of any judgment which imposes any expense, obligation
or
restriction upon the Indemnitee or requires the Indemnitee to admit or
acknowledge to any fact or event, including any violation of Law.
45
9.5.2 Other
Claims.
In the
event any Indemnitee should have a claim against any Indemnitor under this
Agreement that does not involve a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnitee shall
deliver notice of such claim to the Indemnitor promptly following discovery
of
any indemnifiable Loss, but in any event not later than the last date set forth
in Section 9.2 or 9.4, as the case may be, for making such claim (a
"Claim
Notice"
and,
together with the Third-Party Claim Notices, an "Indemnification
Notice").
Such
Claim Notice shall, to the extent known by Indemnitee at the time, state in
reasonable detail the amount or an estimated amount of such claim, and shall
specify the facts and circumstances, to the extent known by Indemnitee at the
time, which form the basis (or bases) for such claim, and shall further specify
the representations, warranties or covenants alleged to have been breached.
Failure to give a Claim Notice shall not affect the indemnification provided
hereunder except to the extent the Indemnitor shall have been actually
prejudiced as a result of such failure. Upon receipt of any a Claim Notice,
the
Indemnitor shall notify the Indemnitee as to whether the Indemnitor accepts
liability for any Loss and shall make payment to the Indemnitee within ten
business days of receipt of such notice. If the Indemnitor disputes its
liability with respect to such claim, as provided above, the Indemnitor and
the
Indemnitee shall attempt to resolve such dispute in accordance with the terms
and provisions of Section 11.4, provided, however, if the Indemnitor disputes
liability and does not pay such indemnification claim within ten business days
of such receipt, and Indemnitor is ultimately determined to be liable for such
indemnification, interest shall apply to the total amount of such claim at
the
highest legally permissible rate and shall be due and payable in addition to
any
claim for indemnification, which interest shall be calculated from the date
of
receipt of such Claim Notice by the Indemnitor, and Indemnitor shall furthermore
be liable for any and all subsequent Losses incurred by Indemnitee as a
consequence of the failure to pay such indemnification within ten business
days,
including, without limitation, any and all fees, costs, expenses and
disbursements of counsel to Indemnitee in connection with the enforcement of
this Agreement.
46
9.6 Exclusive
Remedy.
From
and
after the Closing, except (i) in the event of fraud (in which case the parties
shall be entitled to exercise all of their rights, and seek all damages
available to them, under law or equity), or (ii) for specific performance of
obligations to be performed after the Closing Date, the sole and exclusive
remedy of the parties hereto for breach of this Agreement shall be
indemnification in accordance with this Article 9. In
furtherance of the foregoing, effective as of the Closing Date, each Seller,
on
behalf of himself, herself or itself and each of its past, present and future
Affiliates, beneficiaries and assigns ("Related
Persons")
hereby
releases and forever discharges each Acquired Companies and each of its past,
present and future Affiliates, shareholders, members, successors and assigns
and
their respective officers, directors and employees (each, a "Releasee"
and
collectively, "Releasees"),
from
any and all claims, demands, proceedings, causes of action, (including rights
of
contribution, if any, court orders, obligations, contracts and agreements
(express or implied), debts or liabilities under or related to the Shares,
the
Acquired Companies or their respective predecessors in interest, including
any
liability or obligation arising under or pursuant to any shareholder agreement,
indemnity agreements, employment agreement or other compensation agreement,
accrued and unpaid compensation or any claim for indemnification pursuant to
the
Organizational Documents of any Acquired Companies, in each case, whether known
or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, both at law and in equity, which such
Seller or any of its Related Persons now has, has ever had or hereafter has
against the respective Releasees. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to
the contrary, Sellers agree that, should they become liable for indemnification
to any Purchasers Indemnitee pursuant to Section 9.1, none of the Acquired
Companies shall have any liability to any Seller for reimbursement,
indemnification, subrogation or otherwise as a result of such breach. No Seller
shall have any right, whether by way of indemnification, contribution or
otherwise, to reimbursement from Purchasers or any of its Affiliates (including
any of the Acquired Companies) for any indemnification payments made by such
Seller pursuant to Section 9.1.
ARTICLE
10: CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
When
used
in this Agreement, the following terms in all of their singular or plural,
tenses, cases and correlative forms shall have the meanings assigned to them
in
this Article 10, or elsewhere in this Agreement as indicated in this Article
10:
"Acquired
Company"
means
each of FSE and GNAC individually, and "Acquired
Companies"
means
each of FSE and GNAC collectively with the Acquired Companies Subsidiaries,
and
includes any Person merged with or into, or was liquidated into, any Acquired
Companies.
"Acquisition
Balance Sheet"
is
defined in Section 4.5.
"Acquisition
Consideration"
is
defined in Section 2.2.
"Acquired
Companies Intellectual Property"
means
the Intellectual Property owned or used by any of the Acquired
Companies.
47
"Acquired
Companies Plan"
means
any
Plan to which any of the Acquired Companies (or any ERISA Affiliate on behalf
of
an Acquired Companies) contributes to, is a party to, is bound under or may
have
liability with respect to
(or
at
any time during the six (6) year period preceding the date hereof has
contributed, been a party to, been bound under or had liability with respect
to)
and
under
which directors, employees,
independent contracts, consultants or other members of the workforce of an
Acquired Companies are eligible to participate or derive a benefit.
"Acquired
Companies Subsidiary"
and
"Acquired
Companies Subsidiaries"
is
defined in Section 4.2.2.
"Affiliate"
of a
specified Person means any other Person which, directly or indirectly, through
one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition,
"Control"
of any
Person means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause
the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through
the
ownership of voting capital stock, by contract, or otherwise.
"Agreement"
means
this Stock Purchase Agreement, as may be amended from time to time.
"Arbiter
Accountants"
is
defined in Section 2.4.3.
"Business
Day"
means
any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks in New York,
New
York are authorized or obligated by Law to close.
"Cash"
means
the cash and cash equivalents of the Acquired Companies minus
any
checks issued by any Acquired Companies and outstanding at the time of
determination.
"Cash
Purchase Price"
is
defined in Section 2.2.
"Charged-Off
Receivables"
is
defined in Section 4.5(b).
"Claim
Notice"
is
defined in Section 9.5.2.
"Closing"
and
"Closing
Date"
are
defined in Section 6.1.
"Closing
Certificate"
is
defined in Section 2.3.1.
"Closing
Date Payment"
is
defined in Section 2.3.
"Closing
Net Indebtedness"
means
the Net Indebtedness of the Acquired Companies as reflected on the Final
Adjustment Statement.
"Code"
means
the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations
thereunder.
"Competing
Products"
is
defined in Section 8.6(c).
48
"Confidential
Information"
is
defined in Section 8.6.
"Contract"
and
"Contracts"
is
defined in Section 4.16.
"Current
Receivables"
is
defined in Section 4.5(b).
"CPR"
is
defined in Section 11.4.
"Default
Receivables"
is
defined in Section 4.5(b).
"Delaware
Merger Agreements"
is
defined in Section 2.6.
"Disposal,"
"Storage"
and
"Treatment"
shall
have the meanings assigned them at 42 U.S.C. § 6903(3)(33) and (34),
respectively, but the terms shall be applied to all "Hazardous Materials,"
regardless of quantity, not solely to "Hazardous Waste" as defined in such
statute.
"Dispute
Notice"
is
defined in Section 8.5.2.
"Enforceability
Exceptions"
is
defined in Section 3.3.
"ERISA"
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the
regulations thereunder.
"ERISA
Affiliate"
means
any Person that is (or at any relevant time was) a member of a "controlled
group
of corporations" with or under "common control" with, or a member of an
"affiliated service group" with, or otherwise required to be aggregated with,
any Acquired Companies as set forth in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the
Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.
"Estimated
Closing Net Indebtedness"
is
defined in Section 2.3.1.
"Estimated
Closing Working Capital"
is
defined in Section 2.3.1.
"Exchange
Act"
is
defined in Section 3.6.
"Financial
Statements"
is
defined in Section 4.5.
"Franchise
Agreements"
is
defined in Section 5.10.
"FSE"
means
F.S. English, Inc., an Indiana corporation.
"FSE
Shares"
is
defined in the recitals.
"GAAP"
means
generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect in the United
States.
"GNAC"
means
GNAC, Inc., an Indiana corporation.
"GNAC
Shares"
is
defined in the recitals.
49
"Governmental
Authority"
means
any domestic, foreign or multi-national federal, state, provincial, regional,
municipal or local governmental or administrative authority, including any
court, tribunal, agency, bureau, committee, board, regulatory body,
administration, commission or instrumentality constituted or appointed by any
such authority.
"Hazardous
Material"
means
any chemical, substance, waste, material, pollutant, or contaminant, regardless
of quantity, the use, Storage, Disposal, Treatment or transportation of which
is
regulated under Law.
"Indebtedness"
means,
as at any date of determination thereof (without duplication): (a) all
obligations (other than intercompany obligations) of the Acquired Companies
for
borrowed money or funded indebtedness or issued in substitution for or exchange
for borrowed money or funded indebtedness (including obligations in respect
of
principal, accrued interest, any applicable prepayment charges or premiums
and
any unpaid fees, expenses or other monetary obligations in respect thereof);
(b)
any indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond, debenture or other debt security;
(c) the lease obligations required to be listed on Schedule 4.22
or
required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP; (d) all obligations for
reimbursement then required to be made of any obligor on any banker’s acceptance
or similar transactions (but excluding standby letters of credit); (e) all
obligations for the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale
obligations of any Acquired Companies under any title retention agreement (but
exceeding trade accounts payable and other accrued liability arising in the
ordinary course of business); (f) any obligations with respect to the
termination of any interest rate hedging or swap agreements; (g) all obligations
of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (f) of any Person for the payment
of which any Acquired Companies is responsible or liable, directly or
indirectly, as guarantor, obligor, surety or otherwise (excluding intercompany
debt); (h) obligations of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (g) of
other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of any Acquired
Companies but only to the extent of the value of the property or asset that
is
subject to such Lien.
"Indemnitee"
and
"Indemnitor"
are
defined in Section 9.5.1.
"Indemnification
Cap"
is
defined in Section 9.2.
"Indemnification
Notice"
is
defined in Section 9.5.2.
"Indemnification
Threshold"
is
defined in Section 9.2.
"Indiana
Acceptance"
means
Manchester Indiana Acceptance, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
"Indiana
Merger Filings"
is
defined in Section 2.6.
"Indiana
Operations"
means
Manchester Indiana Operations, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
"Intellectual
Property"
means
all rights arising from or in respect of any of the following in any
jurisdiction throughout the world: (i) patents, patent applications, patent
disclosures and inventions, including any continuations, divisionals,
continuations-in-part, renewals and reissues for any of the foregoing, (ii)
Internet domain names, trademarks, service marks, service names, trade dress
rights, trade names, brand marks and names, slogans, logos and corporate names
and registrations and applications for registration thereof together with all
of
the goodwill associated therewith, (iii) copyrights (registered or unregistered)
and copyrightable works and registrations and applications for registration
thereof, and mask works and registrations and applications for registration
thereof, (iv) computer software, (specifically excluding all shrink wrap
software), data, data bases and documentation thereof, (v) trade secrets and
other confidential and proprietary information (including ideas, formulas,
compositions, inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or
not
reduced to practice), know-how, manufacturing and production processes and
techniques, research and development information, drawings, specifications,
designs, plans, proposals, technical data, copyrightable works, financial and
marketing plans and customer and supplier lists and information) (collectively,
"Trade
Secrets"),
and
(vi) copies and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or
medium).
50
"IRS"
means
the United States Internal Revenue Service and, to the extent relevant, the
United States Department of Treasury.
"Law"
means
any federal, state, provincial, regional, local or foreign law (including common
law), statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation or other similar pronouncement
binding upon or effecting any Acquired Companies issued by a Governmental
Authority.
"Leased
Real Property"
means
all real property leased by any Acquired Companies together with all
improvements, buildings, fixtures located thereon and appurtenant rights and
interests associated therewith.
"Leases"
is
defined in Section 4.12.1.
"Lien"
means
any lien, charge, mortgage, deeds of trust, pledge, easement, encumbrance or
security interest.
"Loss"
or
"Losses"
means
any and all losses (direct or indirect), liabilities, claims, demands,
judgments, damages, fines, costs, expenses, penalties, actions, notices of
violation, and notices of liability and any claims in respect thereof (including
the costs of reasonable investigation, remediation, accountants and attorney’s
fees).
"Manchester
Shares"
is
defined in Section 2.2.
"Material
Adverse Effect"
means
any effect or change which has had a material adverse or material negative
impact on the properties, assets, operations, prospects or financial condition
of the Acquired Companies or the Parent, as the case may be, or its business
taken as a whole as conducted by the Acquired Companies or the Parent, as the
case may be, immediately prior to the Closing, or the ability of any party
hereto to consummate any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
provided, however, that in no event shall any of the following constitute a
Material Adverse Effect: any adverse change, event, development, or effect
arising from or relating to (i) the announcement or pendency of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) compliance by Sellers with
the terms of, or the taking of any action contemplated or permitted by, this
Agreement; provided,
however, that the following shall not be considered a "Material Adverse Effect":
changes, events, violations, inaccuracies, circumstances and effects that are
caused by conditions affecting the United States economy as a whole or affecting
the industry in which such entity competes as a whole, and any
reduction in the trading price of Parent's Common Stock, whether occurring
at
any time or from time to time, as reported by any automated quotation system
or
exchange shall not constitute a Material Adverse Effect.
51
"Material
Contracts"
is
defined in Section 4.16.
"Material
Customers"
is
defined in Section 4.20.
"Material
Seller"
is
defined in Section 8.6.
"Material
Suppliers"
is
defined in Section 4.20.
"Minimum
Cash Indemnity"
is
defined in Section 9.2.
"Net
Indebtedness"
means
an amount equal to Cash minus
Indebtedness.
"Non-Competition
Period"
is
defined in Section 8.6(c).
"Non-Competition
Period for Sellers’ Representative"
is
defined in Section 8.6(c).
"Non-Competition
Period for Material Sellers"
is
defined in Section 8.6(c).
"Non-Competition
Period for Non-Material Sellers"
is
defined in Section 8.6(c).
"Non-Material
Seller"
is
defined in Section 8.6(c).
"Order"
is
defined in Section 4.17.
"Organizational
Documents"
means
(a) the articles or certificate of incorporation, the memorandum of association,
the articles of association and the bylaws of a corporation, as applicable;
(b)
the partnership agreement and any statement of partnership of a general
partnership; (c) the limited partnership agreement and the certificate of
limited partnership of a limited partnership; (d) any charter or similar
document adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation, or
organization of a Person; (e) the declaration of trust and trust agreement
of
any trust; and (f) any amendment to any of the foregoing.
"Parent"
means
Manchester Inc., a Nevada corporation.
"Parent
SEC Reports"
is
defined in Section 5.4.
"Payoff
Letters"
means
the letters provided by the lenders or other holders of Indebtedness to the
Acquired Companies in connection with the repayment of the Indebtedness as
contemplated hereby.
"Permits"
means
any and all of the approvals, authorizations, consents, licenses, permits or
certificates (including applications or negotiations thereof) required by any
Governmental Authority for the ownership of, leasing or operation of the
business or any assets of any Acquired Companies.
52
"Permitted
Liens"
means
(i) mechanics’, carriers’, workmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising or
incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums that are not yet due and
payable or being contested in good faith, if a reserve as required by GAAP
shall
have been made therefor, (ii) Liens arising under original purchase price
conditional sales contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered
into
in the ordinary course of business, included in the definition of Indebtedness
and under which the Acquired Companies are not in default, (iii) easements,
covenants, rights-of-way and other similar restrictions or conditions disclosed
in policies of insurance provided to Purchasers prior to the date hereof, or
(iv) statutory liens for current Taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges not yet delinquent or the amount or validity of which is being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
"Person"
means
an individual, a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, a
trust, an unincorporated association, a government or any agency,
instrumentality or political subdivision of a government, or any other entity
or
organization.
"Plan"
means
(i) all employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether
domestic or foreign), and (ii) all bonus (including transaction bonus),
incentive compensation, stock appreciation right, phantom stock, restricted
stock, restricted stock unit, performance stock, performance stock unit,
employee stock ownership, stock purchase, equity or equity-based, deferred
compensation, change in control, employment, noncompetition, nondisclosure,
vacation, holiday, sick leave, retention, severance, retirement, pension, money
purchase, target benefit, cash balance, excess benefit supplemental executive
retirement, profit sharing, life insurance, cafeteria (Section 125), adoption
assistance, dependent care assistance, voluntary employees beneficiary, multiple
employer welfare, accident, disability, fringe benefit, welfare benefit, paid
time off, employee loan, and salary continuation plans, programs, policies,
agreements, arrangements, commitments, practices, contracts and understandings
(written or unwritten) including without limitation, any trust, escrow or other
agreement related thereto and any similar plans, programs, policies, agreements,
arrangements, commitments, practices, contracts and understandings (written
or
unwritten).
"Post-Closing
Tax Period"
means
any taxable period that begins after the Closing Date; if a taxable period
begins on or prior to the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date, then
the
portion of the taxable period that begins immediately after the Closing Date
shall constitute a Post-Closing Tax Period.
"Pre-Closing
Tax Period"
means
any taxable period or portion thereof that ends on or prior to the Closing
Date;
if a taxable period begins on or prior to the Closing Date and ends after the
Closing Date, then the portion of the taxable period that ends on and includes
the Closing Date shall constitute a Pre-Closing Tax Period.
"Preliminary
Adjustment Statement"
is
defined in Section 2.4.1.
"Preliminary
Post-Closing Adjustment"
is
defined in Section 2.4.1.
"Product
Liability Claim"
is
defined in Section 4.19.
53
"Purchaser"
and
"Purchasers"
are
defined in the introductory statements of this Agreement.
"Purchaser
Indemnitees"
is
defined in Section 9.1.
"Real
Property"
means
the Leased Real Property and the Owned Real Property.
"Release"
shall
have the meaning assigned it at 42 U.S.C. Section 9601(22) without giving effect
to exception (A).
"Release
Letter"
is
defined in Section 8.2.
"Releasee"
and
"Releasees"
are
defined in Section 9.6.
"Related
Person"
is
defined in Section 4.25.
"Related
Persons"
are
defined in Section 9.6.
"Removal,"
"Remedial"
and
"Response"
actions
shall include the types of activities covered by CERCLA, RCRA, and other
comparable Environmental Laws, and whether the activities are those that might
be taken by a Governmental Authority or those that a Governmental Authority
might seek to require of third parties under "removal," "remedial" or other
"response" actions.
"Rule
144"
is
defined in Section 3.6.
"SEC"
means
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities
Act"
is
defined in Section 3.6.
"Seller"
and
"Sellers"
are
defined in the introductory statements of this Agreement.
"Seller
Indemnitees"
is
defined in Section 9.3.
"Seller
Note"
is
defined in Section 2.2(b).
"Seller’s
Respective Shares"
is
defined in Section 2.1.
"Seller
Tax Returns"
is
defined in Section 8.5.2.
"Sellers’
Account"
is
defined in Section 2.3.
"Sellers’
Representative"
is
defined in the introductory statements of this Agreement.
"Seller’s
Respective Shares"
is
defined in Section 2.1(b).
54
"Selling
Expenses"
means
all (a) unpaid costs, fees and expenses of outside professionals incurred by
the
Acquired Companies and Sellers relating to the process of selling the Shares,
including all legal fees, accounting, tax, investment banking fees and expenses
and (b) all change in control payment obligations of any of the Acquired
Companies resulting from the consummation of the transactions contemplated
herein.
"Shares"
means
all of the FSE Shares and the GNAC Shares.
"Straddle
Period"
means
any taxable period that begins before the Closing Date and ends after the
Closing Date.
"Sub-Basket"
is
defined in Section 9.2(b).
"Subordinated
Note"
is
defined in Section 2.4(b).
"Subsidiary"
means,
with respect to any Person, any corporation of which a majority of the total
voting power of shares of stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence
of
any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination
thereof, or any partnership, association or other business entity of which
a
majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interest is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof. For purposes of this
definition, a Person is deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a
partnership, association or other business entity if such Person is allocated
a
majority of the gains or losses of such partnership, association or other
business entity or is or controls the managing director or general partner
of
such partnership, association or other business entity.
"Tax"
or
"Taxes"
"shall
mean any federal, national, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts,
franchise, estimated, alternative minimum, add-on minimum, sales, use, transfer,
real property gains, registration, value added, excise, natural resources,
severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profit, customs, duties, real
property, personal property, capital stock, social security, unemployment,
disability, payroll, license, employee or other withholding, Unclaimed Funds
or
other tax, of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalties or
additions to tax or additional amounts or required contributions in respect
of
the foregoing; the foregoing shall include any transferee or secondary liability
for a Tax and any liability assumed by agreement or arising as a result of
being
(or ceasing to be) a member of any affiliated group (or being included (or
required to be included) in any Tax Return relating thereto).
"Taxing
Authority"
means
any domestic or foreign national, state, provincial, multi-state or municipal
or
other local executive, legislative or judicial government, court, tribunal,
official, board, subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof, or any
other governmental body exercising any regulatory or taxing authority thereunder
having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or other
imposition of any Tax.
"Tax
Matter"
is
defined in Section 8.5.4.
55
"Tax
Return"
shall
mean any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, information return
or
other document (including any related or supporting schedule, statement or
information) filed or required to be filed in connection with the determination,
assessment or collection of any Tax of any party or the administration of any
Laws, regulations or administrative requirements relating to any
Tax.
"Third-Party
Claim"
is
defined in Section 9.5.1.
"Third-Party
Claim Notice"
is
defined in Section 9.5.1.
"To
Sellers’ Knowledge"
means
those facts or circumstances actually known by each Seller or any of the
directors or officers and management level employees of any Acquired Companies
or any facts or circumstances which would be known by such individual after
due
inquiry.
"Trade
Secrets"
is
defined in the definition of Intellectual Property.
"Transfer
Taxes"
is
defined in Section 8.5.5.
"Unclaimed
Funds" shall
mean any customer deposit, customer credit or other financial asset held by
any
Acquired Companies that has been left inactive by such Acquired Companies and
such financial asset is required by applicable Law to be either reported,
escheated or otherwise remitted to the applicable Governmental Authority that
administers unclaimed funds.
"WARN
Act"
means
the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as amended, and the
regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE
11: CONSTRUCTION;
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
11.1 Notices.
Any
notice to be given or delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be ineffective
unless given or delivered in writing, and shall be given or delivered in writing
as follows:
(a) If
to
Purchasers or Parent, to:
Manchester
Indiana Acceptance, Inc.
Manchester
Indiana Operations, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, 0xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx, 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Telecopy
Number: (000) 000-0000
56
With
a
copy to:
Wuersch
& Xxxxxx LLP
000
Xxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Telecopy
Number: (000) 000-0000
(b) If
to
Sellers’ Representative, Sellers or to any Seller, to Sellers or such Seller in
care of:
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
00000
Xxxxxx Xxx
XxXxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
Telecopy
Number: (000) 000-0000
With
a
copy to:
Ice
Xxxxxx LLP
Xxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Telecopy
number: (000) 000-0000
or
in any
case, to such other address for a party as to which notice shall have been
given
to Purchasers and Sellers’ Representative in accordance with this Section.
Notices so addressed shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) on the third
Business Day after the day of registration, if sent by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, (ii) on the next Business Day following the documented
acceptance thereof for next-day delivery by a national overnight air courier
service, if so sent, or (iii) on the date sent by facsimile transmission or
personal delivery, if electronically confirmed. Otherwise, notices shall be
deemed to have been given when actually received at such address.
11.2 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement and the schedules and exhibits hereto constitute the exclusive
statement of the agreement among Purchasers and each Seller concerning the
subject matter hereof, and supersedes all other prior agreements, oral or
written, among or between any of the parties hereto concerning such subject
matter, including without limitation the Letter Agreement previously entered
into among certain of the parties. All negotiations among or between any of
the
parties hereto are superseded by this Agreement, and there are no
representations, warranties, promises, understandings or agreements, oral or
written, in relation to the subject matter hereof among or between any of the
parties hereto other than those expressly set forth or expressly incorporated
herein. The recitals, schedules and exhibits to this Agreement are incorporated
herein and, by this reference, made a part hereof as if fully set forth at
length herein.
57
11.3 Modification.
No
amendment, modification, or waiver of this Agreement or any provision hereof,
including the provisions of this sentence, shall be effective or enforceable
as
against a party hereto unless made in a written instrument that specifically
references this Agreement and that is signed by the party waiving compliance,
or
in the case of the Seller, by Sellers’ Representative.
11.4 Mediation,
Jurisdiction and Venue.
11.4.1 Mandatory
Mediation.
Unless
and except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed in writing by Sellers’
Representative and Purchasers, in the event of any dispute arising out of or
related to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, the
parties shall be required to enter into mediation of such dispute or
disagreement for a minimum of ten (10) hours prior to the initiation of any
action or proceeding against the other. Upon notice by either party to the
other
of the initiating party’s desire to mediate, the parties shall endeavor to
settle the dispute by mediation under the then current Center for Public
Resources ("CPR")
Model
procedure for mediation of business disputes. The location for the mediation
shall be in New York City, New York, and the neutral third party will be
selected from the CPR Panel of Neutrals applicable to such geographical area.
If
the parties encounter difficulty in agreeing on a Neutral, they will seek the
assistance of CPR in the selection process. A mediation proceeding shall
thereafter be scheduled at a time mutually convenient to the parties involved.
The mediation shall be held within thirty (30) days following the notification
by a party of a desire for mediation. If the parties cannot agree on a date
for
mediation, then the CPR shall select a date it believes is reasonable for the
parties, given all of the alleged conflicts in dates. The parties shall equally
share the cost of the mediator.
11.4.2 Jurisdiction
and Venue.
The
parties agree that no action, suit or proceeding at law, in equity or otherwise
which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be brought prior to the parties’ compliance with
Section 11.4.1, and after such compliance each party hereto agrees that any
claim relating to this Agreement shall be brought solely in the state or federal
courts in New York and all objections to personal jurisdiction and venue in
any
action, suit or proceeding so commenced are hereby expressly waived by all
parties hereto. The parties waive personal service of any and all process on
each of them and consent that all such service of process shall be made in
the
manner, to the party and at the address set forth in Section 11.1 of this
Agreement, and service so made shall be complete as stated in such
section.
11.5 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each
Purchaser, each Seller, and the respective successors and permitted assigns
of
each Purchaser and of each Seller.
11.6 Headings
and Construction.
The
article and section headings used in this Agreement are intended solely for
convenience of reference, do not themselves form a part of this Agreement,
and
may not be given effect in the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
No party shall be deemed to be the drafter of this Agreement and in the event
this Agreement is ever construed by a court of law, such court of law shall
not
construe this Agreement or any provision thereof against any of the parties
as
the drafter of this Agreement. The Purchasers, the Sellers, the Parent, and
the
Sellers’ Representative acknowledge and agree that all of the parties have
contributed substantially and materially to the preparation of this
Agreement.
58
11.7 Number
and Gender; Inclusion.
Whenever
the context requires in this Agreement, the masculine gender includes the
feminine or neuter, the neuter gender includes the masculine or feminine, the
singular number includes the plural, and the plural number includes the
singular. In every place where it is used in this Agreement, the word
"including" is intended and shall be construed to mean "including, without
limitation."
11.8 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed and delivered in multiple counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one
and
the same instrument. A facsimile or other copy of a signature shall be deemed
an
original for purposes of this Agreement. Only one counterpart of this Agreement
executed by the party against which it will be enforced need be provided to
evidence this Agreement.
11.9 Third
Parties.
Except
as
may otherwise be expressly stated herein, no provision of this Agreement is
intended or shall be construed to confer on any Person, other than the parties
hereto, any rights hereunder. Purchaser Indemnitees and Seller Indemnitees
who
are not otherwise parties to this Agreement shall be third party beneficiaries
of this Agreement.
11.10 Time
Periods.
Any
action required hereunder to be taken within a certain number of days shall,
except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein, be taken within that
number of calendar days; provided, however, that if the last day for taking
such
action falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, the period during
which such action may be taken shall automatically be extended to the next
Business Day.
11.11 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of
the
State of New York, without regard to the choice-of-laws or conflicts-of-laws
provisions thereof.
11.12 Survival.
59
The
representations and warranties in this Agreement shall survive the Closing
Date
until the termination of the indemnification obligations under Article Nine.
The
covenants contained in this Agreement shall survive until performed in
accordance with their respective terms.
11.13 Further
Assurances.
Each
party hereto agrees to use such party's reasonable best efforts to cause the
conditions to such party's obligations herein set forth to be satisfied at
or
prior to the Closing insofar as such matters are within its control. Each of
the
parties agrees to execute and deliver any and all further agreements, documents
or instruments necessary to effectuate this Agreement and the transactions
referred to herein or contemplated hereby or reasonably requested by any other
party to evidence its rights hereunder.
11.14 Severability.
Any
provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or
unenforceability without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining
provisions hereof, and any such invalidity or unenforceability in any
jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in
any
other jurisdiction. If any provision is held to be invalid or unenforceable,
such provision shall be construed by the appropriate judicial body by limiting
or reducing it to the minimum extent necessary to make it legally enforceable.
60
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Purchasers, Parent, Sellers and Sellers’ Representative have
executed and delivered this Stock Purchase Agreement, or have caused this Stock
Purchase Agreement to be executed and delivered by their duly authorized
representatives, as of the date first written above.
MANCHESTER INDIANA OPERATIONS, INC. | |||
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|||
Title:
President
|
MANCHESTER INDIANA ACCEPTANCE, INC. | |||
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|||
Title:
President
|
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
|
|||
Title:
Corporate Secretary
|
F.S.
ENGLISH, INC.
|
|||
By: | |||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
GNAC,
INC.
|
|||
By: | |||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
SELLERS’
REPRESENTATIVE
|
|||
/s/
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|||
Xxxx Xxxxxxx |
61
SELLERS:
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxx Xxxxxxx |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx | |||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx |
/s/ Xxxx Poor | |||
Xxxx Poor |
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | |||
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
EJJ6900 LLC | |||
By:
|
|||
Name:
Title:
|
62
Schedules
2.2(b)
|
Sellers
Note
|
2.4(b)
|
Subordinated
Note
|
3.4
|
Noncontravention
|
4.1
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
4.2.1
|
Capital
Stock of the Acquired Companies
|
4.2.2
|
Subsidiaries
|
4.3
|
Other
Ventures
|
4.4(a)
& (b)
|
Noncontravention
|
4.5
|
Financial
Statements
|
4.6
|
Absence
of Changes
|
4.7(a)
|
Taxes
|
4.8
|
Employees
|
4.9(a)
& (b)
|
Employee
Benefit Plans and Other Compensation Agreements
|
4.10(a)
|
Environmental
Matters
|
4.10(b)
|
Environmental
Reports
|
4.11(a),
(b) & (c)
|
Permits;
Compliance with Laws
|
4.12.1(b)
|
Leased
Real Property
|
4.12.2(a)
& (b)
|
Personal
Property
|
4.13
|
Accounts
Receivable
|
4.15(a)(b)(c)
& (e)
|
Intellectual
Properties
|
4.16(a)
& (b)
|
Contracts
|
1
4.17
|
Litigation
|
4.18
|
Product
Warranty
|
4.20(a)(b)
& (c)
|
Customers
and Suppliers
|
4.21(a),
(b) & (c)
|
Insurance
|
4.22
|
Indebtedness
|
4.24
|
Undisclosed
Liabilities
|
4.25
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
4.26
|
Sufficiency
of Assets
|
5.7
|
Capital
Stock of Parent and Purchasers
|
5.8
|
Compliance
with Laws and Obligations by Parent and Purchasers
|
6.2(g)
|
Lease
Agreements
|
6.2(j)
|
Guaranty
|
6.2(k)
|
Security
Agreement
|
8.6(c)
|
Non-Material
Seller Exceptions
|
2
Exhibits
|
|
A
|
Delaware
Merger Agreement - F.S. English, Inc. and Manchester Indiana Operations,
Inc.
|
B
|
Delaware
Merger Agreement - GNAC, Inc. and Manchester Indiana Acceptance,
Inc.
|
C
|
Indiana
Articles of Merger - F.S.
English, Inc. and Manchester Indiana Operations, Inc.
|
D
|
Indiana
Articles of Merger - F.S.
English, Inc. and Manchester Indiana Acceptance,
Inc.
|
3