SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT by and among ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION, ARAM SYSTEMS LTD., CANADIAN SEISMIC RENTALS INC. and SELLERS Dated: July 8, 2008
Exhibit 2.1
by
and
among
ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION,
ARAM SYSTEMS LTD.,
CANADIAN SEISMIC RENTALS INC.
and
SELLERS
Dated: July 8, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES |
1 | |||
1.1 Purchase and Sale of Shares |
1 | |||
1.2 Aggregate Purchase Price |
1 | |||
1.3 The Closing |
2 | |||
1.4 Deliveries at the Closing |
2 | |||
1.5 Escrow; Purchase Price Adjustments; Closing Statement |
3 | |||
1.6 Disputes and Dispute Resolution Procedures |
9 | |||
1.7 Requisite Sellers |
10 | |||
1.8 Exchange Rate |
10 | |||
2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION |
11 | |||
2.1 Representations and Warranties of Sellers |
11 | |||
2.2 Representations and Warranties of Buyer |
12 | |||
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACQUIRED ENTITIES |
14 | |||
3.1 Corporate Status |
14 | |||
3.2 Power and Authority; Enforceability |
14 | |||
3.3 No Violation |
15 | |||
3.4 Brokers’ Fees |
15 | |||
3.5 Capitalization |
15 | |||
3.6 Records |
16 | |||
3.7 Subsidiaries |
16 | |||
3.8 Financial Statements |
16 | |||
3.9 Subsequent Events |
18 | |||
3.10 Liabilities |
21 | |||
3.11 Legal Compliance |
21 | |||
3.12 Tax Matters |
21 | |||
3.13 Title to Assets |
25 | |||
3.14 Real Property |
25 | |||
3.15 Intellectual Property |
26 | |||
3.16 Tangible Assets |
29 | |||
3.17 Inventory |
30 | |||
3.18 Contracts |
30 | |||
3.19 Receivables |
31 | |||
3.20 Powers of Attorney |
31 | |||
3.21 Insurance |
31 | |||
3.22 Litigation |
32 | |||
3.23 Product Warranty |
32 | |||
3.24 Product Liability |
33 | |||
3.25 Labor; Employees |
33 | |||
3.26 Employment |
33 | |||
3.27 Employee Benefits |
34 |
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
3.28 Environmental, Health and Safety Matters |
36 | |||
3.29 Customers and Suppliers |
37 | |||
3.30 Permits |
37 | |||
3.31 Anti-Bribery Laws Compliance |
37 | |||
3.32 Investment Canada Act |
38 | |||
3.33 Bank Accounts |
38 | |||
3.34 Certain Business Relationships with the Acquired Entities |
39 | |||
3.35 Accuracy of Information Furnished |
39 | |||
3.36 Board Approval |
39 | |||
4. PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS |
39 | |||
4.1 General |
39 | |||
4.2 Notices and Consents; Cooperation |
39 | |||
4.3 Operation of Business |
41 | |||
4.4 Preservation of Business |
42 | |||
4.5 Full Access |
42 | |||
4.6 Notice of Developments |
42 | |||
4.7 Exclusivity |
42 | |||
4.8 Confidentiality; Publicity |
43 | |||
4.9 Affiliated Transactions |
44 | |||
4.10 Charges, Fees and Prepayment Obligations |
44 | |||
4.11 Site Inspections |
44 | |||
4.12 Section 338 Election |
44 | |||
4.13 NYSE Listing |
45 | |||
4.14 No Control Of Other Party’s Business |
45 | |||
4.15 No Writedowns |
45 | |||
4.16 Pre-Closing Transactions |
45 | |||
4.17 Privacy Obligations |
45 | |||
5. POST-CLOSING COVENANTS |
46 | |||
5.1 General |
46 | |||
5.2 Litigation Support |
47 | |||
5.3 Transition |
47 | |||
5.4 Confidentiality |
47 | |||
5.5 Restrictive Covenants |
48 | |||
5.6 Releases |
49 | |||
5.7 Tax Matters |
51 | |||
5.8 Securities Filings |
53 | |||
5.9 Registration Rights Agreement |
53 | |||
6. CLOSING CONDITIONS |
53 | |||
6.1 Conditions Precedent to Obligation of Buyer |
53 | |||
6.2 Conditions Precedent to Obligation of Sellers |
54 | |||
7. TERMINATION |
56 |
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
(continued)
Page | ||||
7.1 Termination of Agreement |
56 | |||
7.2 Effect of Termination |
56 | |||
8. INDEMNIFICATION |
56 | |||
8.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants |
56 | |||
8.2 Indemnification Provisions for Buyer’s Benefit |
57 | |||
8.3 Indemnification Provisions for Sellers’ Benefit |
58 | |||
8.4 Third Party Indemnification Claim Procedures |
58 | |||
8.5 Limitations on Sellers’ Indemnification Liability |
59 | |||
8.6 Limitations on Buyer’s Indemnification Liability |
60 | |||
8.7 Sellers’ Maximum Liability |
60 | |||
8.8 Buyer’s Maximum Liability |
61 | |||
8.9 INDEMNIFICATION IF NEGLIGENCE OF INDEMNITEE |
61 | |||
8.10 Other Indemnification Provisions |
61 | |||
8.11 Escrow; Release of Escrow Funds |
62 | |||
8.12 No Extraordinary Damages |
62 | |||
9. DEFINITIONS |
62 | |||
10. MISCELLANEOUS |
74 | |||
10.1 Schedules |
74 | |||
10.2 Entire Agreement |
74 | |||
10.3 Successors |
75 | |||
10.4 Assignment; Benefit |
75 | |||
10.5 Notices |
75 | |||
10.6 Specific Performance |
76 | |||
10.7 Submission to Jurisdiction |
77 | |||
10.8 Time |
77 | |||
10.9 Counterparts |
77 | |||
10.10 Headings |
77 | |||
10.11 Governing Law |
77 | |||
10.12 Amendments and Waivers |
77 | |||
10.13 Severability |
77 | |||
10.14 Expenses |
77 | |||
10.15 Construction |
78 | |||
10.16 Incorporation of Exhibits, Annexes and Schedules |
78 | |||
10.17 Dispute Resolution |
78 |
-iii-
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A – List of Sellers and Share Ownership
Exhibit B – Form of Employment Agreement
Exhibit C – Form of Escrow Agreement
Exhibit D – Form of Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit E – List of Named Employees
Schedules | ||||
1.5(c)(ii)
|
- | Target Net Working Capital of Acquired Entities and Subsidiaries | ||
2.2(c)
|
- | Buyer Consents | ||
3.1
|
- | Acquired Entities’ and Subsidiaries’ Directors and Officers | ||
3.3
|
- | Acquired Entities’ and Subsidiaries’ Consents | ||
3.5
|
- | Capitalization | ||
3.6
|
- | Records | ||
3.7
|
- | Subsidiaries | ||
3.8
|
- | Financial Statements | ||
3.9
|
- | Subsequent Events | ||
3.10(a)
|
- | Liabilities | ||
3.10(b)
|
- | Indebtedness | ||
3.12
|
- | Tax Matters | ||
3.13
|
- | Assets | ||
3.14
|
- | Real Property | ||
3.15(b)
|
- | Intellectual Property | ||
3.15(d)
|
- | Intellectual Property used by Acquired Entities and Subsidiaries | ||
3.16
|
- | Tangible Assets | ||
3.17
|
- | Inventory | ||
3.18
|
- | Contracts | ||
3.20
|
- | Powers of Attorney | ||
3.21
|
- | Insurance | ||
3.22
|
- | Litigation | ||
3.24
|
- | Product Liability | ||
3.27
|
- | Employee Matters | ||
3.30
|
- | Permits | ||
3.33
|
- | Bank Accounts | ||
3.34
|
- | Business Relationships | ||
4.9
|
- | Affiliate Transactions not Terminated as of the Closing | ||
4.16
|
- | Pre-Closing Transactions | ||
9.1
|
- | Calculation of Gross Rental Equipment Assets |
iv
This SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of this
8th day of July, 2008, by and among (i) ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation (“Buyer”), (ii) ARAM SYSTEMS LTD., an Alberta corporation (“ARAM”), (iii) CANADIAN
SEISMIC RENTALS INC., an Alberta corporation (“CSRI” and, together with ARAM, the “Acquired
Entities”), and (iv) each holder of shares of the Acquired Entities named in Exhibit A
(individually, a “Seller” and collectively, “Sellers” and, together with the Acquired Entities, the
“Seller Parties”). Buyer and the Seller Parties are sometimes referred to herein as the “Parties”.
Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Article 9.
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, Sellers own all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Entities; and
WHEREAS, Buyer wishes to purchase from Sellers, and Sellers wish to sell to Buyer, all of the
issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Entities, upon the terms and subject to the
conditions contained herein.
AGREEMENT:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises herein made, and in
consideration of the representations, warranties and covenants contained herein, Buyer and each
Seller Party agree as follows:
1. PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES
1.1 Purchase and Sale of Shares. On and subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Buyer agrees to purchase from each Seller, and each Seller agrees to sell to Buyer, all
of the Shares that such Seller owns, for the consideration specified in Section 1.2.
1.2 Aggregate Purchase Price. Subject to any adjustment required under Section 1.5
hereof, the aggregate purchase price to be paid by Buyer to the Sellers for the Shares shall
consist of the following (collectively, the “Aggregate Purchase Price”), which amounts will be
allocated among Sellers in the proportions as set forth in Exhibit A:
(a) an amount in cash equal to US$275,000,000 (subject to adjustment as may be required by
Section 1.5), which amount shall be paid at Closing (as defined herein) in U.S. Dollars, by
wire transfer to an account or accounts designated by Sellers (the “Cash Consideration”); and
(b) certificates evidencing a number of shares of Buyer Common Stock, to be determined by
dividing (i) the difference between CDN$350,000,000 (converted to U.S. Dollars at the Exchange Rate
pursuant to Section 1.8 below) and US$275,000,000, by (ii) the average of the reported
closing sales prices per share of Buyer Common Stock on the NYSE for the ten (10)
1
consecutive Trading Days ending ten (10) Trading Days prior to the Closing Date (the “Share
Consideration”).
1.3 The Closing. The closing of the purchase and sale of the Shares (the “Closing”) will take
place at the offices of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP in Calgary, Alberta, commencing at 9:00 a.m.,
local time, on the earlier of (a) the Expiration Date and (b) the tenth Business Day following the
completion of all of the following: (i) the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in
Section 6.1(g), Section 6.1(h), Section 6.1(k) and Section 6.2(d);
and (ii) acquisition financing for the Transaction; or on such other date as Buyer and the Sellers
may mutually determine (the “Closing Date”).
1.4 Deliveries at the Closing. At the Closing:
(a) Sellers will deliver to Buyer:
(i) certificates evidencing all of the Shares, which certificates shall be duly endorsed in
blank or accompanied by duly executed share transfer powers;
(ii) a certificate, duly executed by or on behalf of each Seller and each of the Acquired
Entities, as to whether each condition specified in Sections 6.1(a) and 6.1(b) has
been satisfied in all respects;
(iii) except as contemplated by Section 1.4(a)(iv), a copy of each Organizational
Document of each of the Acquired Entities, each of its Subsidiaries and any Seller that is a
corporation;
(iv) certificates of status and certified copies of constating documents (and their
counterpart equivalents in other jurisdictions) for each of the Acquired Entities, each of its
Subsidiaries and any Seller that is a corporation;
(v) the Employment Agreements, duly executed by or on behalf of the applicable Employees party
thereto;
(vi) the Resignations;
(vii) the Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by or on behalf of each Seller;
(viii) the Escrow Agreement, duly executed by each Seller and the Escrow Agent;
(ix) completed Form W-8 or Form W-9, as may be applicable, for each Seller as may be requested
by the Escrow Agent;
(x) a certificate of the secretary of each of the Acquired Entities, each of their
Subsidiaries and any Seller that is a corporation certifying as to resolutions of the boards of
directors of the Acquired Entities, approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and
2
performance by the Acquired Entities of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the
consummation by the Acquired Entities of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and
(xi) the books and records of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries to the extent not
in the possession of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries and in the possession of or
readily available to Sellers.
(b) Buyer will deliver to Sellers:
(i) the Cash Consideration, payable in U.S. Dollars, less the amount to be paid to the Escrow
Agent to be held in escrow pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement;
(ii) certificates for the Share Consideration;
(iii) a certificate of Buyer’s secretary certifying resolutions of the board of directors of
Buyer approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement
and the Ancillary Agreements and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby;
(iv) a certificate, duly executed on behalf of Buyer, as to whether each condition specified
in Sections 6.2(a) and 6.2(b) has been satisfied in all respects;
(v) a certificate of incorporation and certificates of good standing/existence of Buyer
certified by an appropriate authority of the Governmental Authority issuing such certificate;
(vi) the Employment Agreements, duly executed on behalf of Buyer or the appropriate Subsidiary
of Buyer;
(vii) the Registration Rights Agreement, duly executed by Buyer;
(viii) the Escrow Agreement, duly executed by Buyer and the Escrow Agent;
(ix) completed Form W-9 for Buyer as may be requested by Escrow Agent; and
(x) such other documents and instruments as may be required by any other provision of this
Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or as may reasonably be required to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
1.5 Escrow; Purchase Price Adjustments; Closing Statement.
(a) Escrow; Taxes.
(i) At the Closing, the sum of US$35,000,000 shall be deducted from the Cash Consideration
amount (such sum, including any interest or income earned and paid
3
thereon thereafter, being referred to herein as the “Escrow Funds”), and will be deposited by
Buyer in escrow with a commercial bank or other financial institution located in Calgary, Canada
duly authorized by appropriate Governmental Authorities to exercise trust powers, which will act as
escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”) pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agent
will be chosen by the mutual agreement of the Parties. The Escrow Funds shall be available for a
period of not longer than twelve (12) months following the Closing Date, for the purpose of
satisfaction of any claims made by Buyer for indemnification under Article 8 of this
Agreement and for certain adjustments that may be required by Section 1.5 below;
provided, however, that amounts may be required to be retained in escrow after such
twelve-month period as expressly provided in the Escrow Agreement.
(ii) Amounts of any payments required pursuant to this Section 1.5 shall bear interest
from the Closing Date through the date of actual payment at the Interest Rate.
(iii) For purposes of federal, provincial, state and other Taxes based on income, except to
the extent sums thereof are paid out to Buyer in accordance with the terms of the Escrow Agreement,
the Sellers shall be treated as the owners of the Escrow Funds and will report all income, if any,
that is earned on, or derived from, the Escrow Funds, as their income in the Taxable year or years
in which such income is properly includible, and pay any Taxes attributable thereto.
(b) Adjustments. The Cash Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price will
be subject to adjustment by the following:
(i) any and all transaction costs and expenses incurred or liabilities assumed by the Acquired
Entities and their Subsidiaries on or prior to the Closing Date relating to the Transactions,
including but not limited to fees and expenses of financial advisory firms or brokers, outside
legal fees and expenses, fees for tax advisory services and fees of outside accounting firms
(“Transaction Costs”);
(ii) the aggregate amount of all “change in control” or similar payment Liabilities paid or
incurred by the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries as a result of the Transactions (“Change
in Control Liabilities”);
(iii) the Net Working Capital Adjustments (as defined in Section 1.5(h) below); and
(iv) the amounts, if any, set forth in Section 1.5(f), (g), (i),
(j), (k) and (l) below.
(c) Estimated Closing Net Working Capital.
(i) At least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Entities shall
prepare and deliver to Buyer a good faith estimate of the Closing Net Working Capital (the
“Estimated Closing Net Working Capital”) based on the Acquired Entities’ books and records and
other information then available, to be calculated in the same manner as the Closing Net Working
Capital is determined. The Estimated Closing Net Working
4
Capital shall, without limitation, specify the amount of any Pre-Closing Shareholder
Distributions.
(ii) At the Closing, if the Estimated Closing Net Working Capital is less than CDN$58,873,500
(which amount represents the combined net working capital of the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries as of April 30, 2008 plus CDN$1,043,000) (“Target Net Working Capital”), the Cash
Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be reduced, dollar-for-dollar, by the
amount by which the Target Net Working Capital exceeds the Estimated Closing Net Working Capital;
and if the Estimated Closing Net Working Capital exceeds the Target Net Working Capital, the Cash
Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be increased, dollar-for-dollar, by the
amount by which the Estimated Closing Net Working Capital exceeds the Target Net Working Capital.
Such adjustments will be subject to the additional adjustments as set forth in Section
1.5(h) below. The methodology used to calculate Target Net Working Capital is set forth in
Schedule 1.5(c)(ii).
(d) Estimated Transaction Costs, Change in Control Liabilities and Gross Rental Equipment
Assets.
(i) At least ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Entities shall
prepare and deliver to Buyer a good faith estimate, based on the Acquired Entities’ books and
records and other information then available, of (x) Gross Rental Equipment Assets, (y) unpaid
Transaction Costs, and (z) Change in Control Liabilities.
(ii) At the Closing, the Cash Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be
reduced, dollar-for-dollar, by (x) an amount equal to the difference between CDN$35,000,000 and the
amount of such estimated Gross Rental Equipment Assets if the amount of estimated Gross Rental
Equipment Assets is below CDN$35,000,000, (y) unpaid Transaction Costs, and (z) Change in Control
Liabilities. Such adjustments will be subject to the additional adjustments as set forth in
Sections 1.5(f), 1.5(g) and 1.5(k) below.
(e) Closing Statement. Within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall
deliver to Sellers a statement (the “Closing Statement”), showing the amounts of:
(i) the Transaction Costs (if any) referred to in Section 1.5(b)(i) above;
(ii) the aggregate Change in Control Liabilities (if any) referred to in Section
1.5(b)(ii);
(iii) the Closing Net Working Capital (as defined herein) as of the Closing Date;
(iv) the outstanding Receivables and the Allowance for Doubtful Receivables of the Acquired
Entities and their Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date;
(v) the outstanding CSA Receivables of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries as of the
Closing Date;
5
(vi) the Gross Rental Equipment Assets as of the Closing Date; and
(vii) the aggregate amount that would be shown on a combined balance sheet of the Acquired
Entities and Subsidiaries as “income tax receivables” attributable to payment of the bonuses to
certain employees thereof pursuant to the Pre-Closing Transactions (the “Income Tax Receivables”),
as of the Closing Date.
The methodology to be used to determine the Target Net Working Capital included in Schedule
1.5(c)(ii) shall be used to determine the Estimated Closing Net Working Capital and the Closing
Net Working Capital to be set forth in the Closing Statement; provided that the
determination of the Estimated Closing Net Working Capital and Closing Net Working Capital shall
exclude the addition of CDN$1,043,000.
(f) Transaction Costs. If the actual unpaid Transaction Costs (if any) exceed the
estimated unpaid Transaction Costs, the Cash Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price
shall be reduced, dollar-for-dollar, by the amount by which the actual unpaid Transaction Costs
exceed the estimated unpaid Transaction Costs (after taking into effect any payments in respect of
estimated unpaid Transaction Costs pursuant to Section 1.5(d) above), and such amount shall
be payable to Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, out of the Escrow Funds. If the actual unpaid Transaction
Costs are less than the estimated unpaid Transaction Costs, the Cash Consideration portion of the
Aggregate Purchase Price shall be increased, dollar-for-dollar, by the amount by which the
estimated unpaid Transaction Costs exceed the actual unpaid Transaction Costs (after taking into
effect any payments in respect of estimated unpaid Transaction Costs pursuant to Section
1.5(d) above), and such amount shall be paid by Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, to the Sellers.
(g) Change in Control Liabilities. If the total amount of Change in Control
Liabilities exceeds the estimated Change in Control Liabilities, the Cash Consideration portion of
the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be reduced, dollar-for-dollar, by the amount by which the Change
in Control Liabilities exceed the estimated Change in Control Liabilities (after taking into effect
any payments in respect of estimated Change in Control Liabilities pursuant to Section
1.5(d) above), and such amount shall be payable to Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, out of the Escrow
Funds. If the Change in Control Liabilities are less than the estimated Change in Control
Liabilities, the Cash Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be increased,
dollar-for-dollar, by the amount by which the estimated Change in Control Liabilities exceed the
Change in Control Liabilities (after taking into effect any payments in respect of estimated Change
in Control Liabilities pursuant to Section 1.5(d) above), and such amount shall be paid by
Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, to the Sellers.
(h) Closing Net Working Capital. If the Target Net Working Capital exceeds the
Closing Net Working Capital, the Cash Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall
be reduced, dollar-for-dollar, by the amount by which the Target Net Working Capital exceeds the
Closing Net Working Capital (after taking into effect any payments in respect of Estimated Closing
Net Working Capital pursuant to Section 1.5(c)(ii) above), and such amount shall be payable
to Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, out of the Escrow Funds. If the Target Net Working Capital is less
than the Closing Net Working Capital, the Cash Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase
Price shall be increased, dollar-for-dollar, by the amount by which the
6
Closing Net Working Capital exceeds the Target Net Working Capital (after taking into effect
any payments in respect of Estimated Closing Net Working Capital pursuant to Section
1.5(c)(ii) above), and such amount shall be paid by Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, to the Sellers.
The adjustments referred to in Section 1.5(c) above and this Section 1.5(h) are
referred to as the “Net Working Capital Adjustments.”
(i) Receivables Collection History. Following Closing, Buyer will cause the Acquired
Entities and their Subsidiaries to use their respective Best Efforts to collect the outstanding
Receivables in a manner that is consistent with the Ordinary Course of Business of such Acquired
Entities and Subsidiaries prior to the Closing. Promptly after that date which is six (6) months
following the Closing Date, the Parties will review the collection history over such six-month
period regarding the various outstanding Receivables accounts of the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) as of the Closing Date as shown on the Closing Statement,
and will compare the collection history of such accounts during such six-month period to the
Allowance for Doubtful Receivables as of the Closing Date. To the extent that such collection
history indicates that the Acquired Entities should have reserved a greater amount in the Allowance
for Doubtful Receivables than had been reserved as of the Closing Date, the Cash Consideration
portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be reduced by such greater amount, and such amount
shall be payable to Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, out of the Escrow Funds. To the extent that such
collection history indicates that the Sellers and Acquired Entities had over-reserved for the
Allowance for Doubtful Receivables as of the Closing Date, the Cash Consideration portion of the
Aggregate Purchase Price shall be increased by an amount equal to such over-reserved amount, and
such amount shall be payable by Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, to the Sellers.
(j) CSA Receivables Collection History. Following Closing, Buyer will cause the
Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries to use their respective Best Efforts to collect the
outstanding CSA Receivables and maximize net recoveries from equipment sales with respect to
delinquent agreements (if any) in a manner that is consistent with the Ordinary Course of Business
of such Acquired Entities and Subsidiaries prior to the Closing. Promptly after that date which is
eleven (11) months following the Closing Date, the Parties will review the (i) collection history
and (ii) history of net recoveries from equipment sales of delinquent agreements (if any)
(together, “CSA Collections and Net Recoveries”) over such eleven-month period regarding the
various outstanding current and non-current CSA Receivables accounts of the Acquired Entities and
their Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) as of the Closing Date as shown on the Closing
Statement. To the extent that the aggregate amount of CSA Collections and Net Recoveries are less
than the aggregate amount of the current and non-current CSA Receivable accounts as shown on the
Closing Statement, the Cash Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be reduced
by the amount by which the aggregate amount of the current and non-current CSA Receivables accounts
as shown on the Closing Statement exceeds the aggregate amount of CSA Collections and Net
Recoveries, and such amount shall be payable to Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, out of the Escrow Funds.
(k) Gross Rental Equipment Assets. If the amount of Gross Rental Equipment Assets as
of the Closing Date according to the Closing Statement is less than CDN$35,000,000 and the amount
by which CDN$35,000,000 exceeds the amount of Gross Rental Equipment Assets is greater than the
payment, if any, made with respect to the estimate of Gross Rental
7
Equipment Assets pursuant to Section 1.5(d) above, then the Cash Consideration portion
of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be reduced by the difference between such excess amount and
such payment, and the amount of such difference shall be paid, dollar-for-dollar, to Buyer out of
the Escrow Funds. If the amount of Gross Rental Equipment Assets as of the Closing Date according
to the Closing Statement is less than CDN$35,000,000 and the amount by which CDN$35,000,000 exceeds
the amount of Gross Rental Equipment Assets as of the Closing Date is less than the payment made
with respect to the estimate of Gross Rental Equipment Assets pursuant to Section 1.5(d)
above, then the Cash Consideration portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be increased by
the difference between such payment and such excess amount, and the amount of such difference shall
be paid by Buyer, dollar-for-dollar to Sellers.
(l) Income Tax Receivables. On or before the six (6) month anniversary of the Closing
Date, the Parties shall have completed their review of (i) the Income Tax Receivables account of
the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries, and (ii) the extent that (A) amounts with respect to
such Income Tax Receivables have been refunded and paid by the appropriate Governmental Authorities
to Buyer, the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008, and (B) the Acquired
Entities and their Subsidiaries have not otherwise monetarily realized the full amount of such
Income Tax Receivables as of December 31, 2008. To the extent that the total aggregate amount of
such refunds, payments and other realizations with respect to such Income Tax Receivables are less
than the aggregate amount of Income Tax Receivables as of the Closing Date, the Cash Consideration
portion of the Aggregate Purchase Price shall be decreased by the amount by which the aggregate
amount of Income Tax Receivables as of the Closing Date exceeds the total aggregate amount of such
refunds, payments and other realizations with respect to such Income Tax Receivables pursuant to
the preceding sentence, and such amount shall be payable to Buyer, dollar-for-dollar, out of the
Escrow Funds. Sellers agree that they will cooperate and use their Best Efforts to assist Buyer,
the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries to seek and obtain any such refunds, payments or other
realizations.
(m) Construction. Any amounts payable by the Parties hereunder as Aggregate Purchase
Price adjustments as provided for in this Section 1.5 shall not be subject to the terms of
Article 8 of this Agreement and the provisions limiting rights to indemnification as set
forth therein. Amounts taken into account in determining increases or reductions in the Aggregate
Purchase Price in this Section 1.5 will not be deemed to be “Damages” for purposes of the
indemnification provisions of Article 8 hereof.
(n) Access. Following the Closing Date, each Party shall permit the other Parties and
their independent accounting firm access, upon reasonable notice and during reasonable business
hours, to review such Party’s work papers and the books and records of each Acquired Entity and
their Subsidiaries relevant to the items covered by the Closing Statement, and each Party shall
permit such accountants to perform such tests as they may reasonably require to confirm the
accuracy thereof.
(o) Payment. Any payment required to be made by any of the Parties to the other(s)
under this Section 1.5 that is not made subject to the dispute and dispute resolution
procedures pursuant to Section 1.6 below shall be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds within fifteen (15) Business Days after the date of the delivery of the Closing
8
Statement. The amount of any such payment shall bear interest from the Closing Date through
the date of actual payment at the rate per annum referred to in Section 1.5(a)(ii) above,
and such accrued interest amount shall be included with such payment.
1.6 Disputes and Dispute Resolution Procedures.
(a) In the event that the Sellers dispute any matter or matters on the Closing Statement,
Sellers may within fifteen (15) Business Days after the delivery of the Closing Statement (or
fifteen (15) Business Days after that date which is six (6) months after the Closing Date pursuant
to Section 1.5(j) above), notify Buyer of such dispute in a writing, setting forth in
reasonable detail the nature of such dispute and the facts upon which it is based, together with
the adjustments proposed by Sellers, the application or treatment proposed by Sellers and the
reasons supporting the use of such application or treatment rather than that used by Buyer. If
both the Closing Statement as delivered by Buyer to Sellers and the Closing Statement adjustments
as proposed by Sellers would require a payment by Sellers pursuant to Section 1.5, then,
notwithstanding the amount in dispute (which shall be resolved in accordance with Sections
1.6(b)-(e) below), payment of the undisputed portion of such amount will be paid to Buyer from
the Escrow Funds within five (5) Business Days of delivery to Buyer of Seller’s notice and proposed
Closing Statement adjustments, together with interest thereon as provided by Section
1.5(p). If both the Closing Statement as delivered by Buyer to Sellers and the Closing
Statement adjustments as proposed by Sellers would require a payment by Buyer pursuant to
Section 1.5, then, notwithstanding the amount in dispute (which shall be resolved in
accordance with Sections 1.6(b)-(e) below), payment of the undisputed portion of such
amount will be paid by Buyer to Sellers within five (5) Business Days of delivery to Buyer of
Seller’s notice and proposed Closing Statement adjustments, together with interest thereon as
provided by Section 1.5(p). If no such notice is given by Sellers within the time period
specified, the Closing Statement shall be deemed accepted by Sellers.
(b) In the event that the Parties are unable to resolve any disagreement with respect to any
amount remaining in dispute pursuant to Section 1.6(a) above within the ten (10) Business
Day period after Sellers’ delivery to Buyer of Sellers’ notice of dispute and proposed Closing
Statement adjustments, then Sellers, on the one hand, and Buyer, on the other, shall each promptly
nominate (and in any event within ten (10) Business Days following the expiration of the
ten-Business Day period referred to above in this sentence) an authorized senior management
representative to use Best Efforts to resolve such amount(s) in dispute on or before the tenth
(10th) Business Day following the date of such nomination. If such representatives fail
to resolve any such dispute within thirty (30) days after Buyer’s receipt of the notice of dispute
from Sellers pursuant to Section 1.6(a), then either Party may elect to refer such
remaining issues to a neutral accounting firm for resolution pursuant to the procedures set forth
in Section 1.6(c).
(c) If the Parties have not resolved all matters in dispute relating to the Closing Statement
pursuant to Section 1.6(b), then either Party may notify the other in writing that it
elects to submit all remaining issues to resolution by a neutral independent accounting firm of
national reputation in Canada and the U.S. Within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such
notice of election by a Party, the Parties shall agree upon the selection of a neutral accounting
firm or, if they are unable to agree, Sellers and Buyer shall each submit to the other a list of
the names of two neutral firms and, if the same name appears on both lists, such firm shall
9
be selected. A firm shall be considered neutral if it has not within the past three (3) years
performed and does not currently perform or contemplate performing any accounting, consulting or
other services having an aggregate value in excess of CDN$50,000 for any of the Parties and their
respective Affiliates. In the event that the Parties are unable to agree on an accounting firm of
national reputation that is neutral, then either Party may apply to the Court of Queen’s Bench of
Alberta for the appointment of a qualified neutral accountant.
(d) As soon as reasonably practicable, the firm selected shall resolve all matters remaining
in dispute solely on the basis of the provisions of Section 1.5 and this Section
1.6. Such firm shall not be required to follow any particular rules of procedure, it being the
intention of the Parties to create a feasible, practical and expeditious method for resolving any
disagreement hereunder. In this regard, the Parties agree to use their Best Efforts to enter into
any “agreed-upon-procedures” agreement or similar arrangement with such accounting firm to assist
in such resolution. The failure of the Parties to enter into such an agreement will not prevent or
delay such firm from proceeding to decide the matters in dispute. The decision of such firm
hereunder shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to review or challenge of any kind.
The appropriate Party (or Parties) shall pay to the other(s) any disputed amount that is determined
to be due and owing within five (5) Business Days after such determination, together with interest
thereon as provided by Section 1.5(o). The fees and expenses of such firm shall be borne
equally by the Parties. If the appropriate Party (or Parties, as the case may be) does not timely
pay the amount due plus interest as required by the foregoing, then the accounting firm’s decision
may be treated as an arbitration award, and the prevailing Party or Parties may seek to enforce the
decision as a final and binding arbitration award.
(e) If the Parties resolve all matters in dispute relating to the Closing Statement, then the
Closing Statement shall be adjusted as required by the agreement resolving the matters in dispute,
and the Closing Statement as so modified shall be deemed accepted by Buyer and Seller.
1.7 Requisite Sellers. All references in this Agreement to actions to be taken by, or
consents or approvals to be obtained from “the Sellers” under this Agreement shall mean the
collective act of the Sellers, and not of each Seller individually. Any such action, consent or
approval shall be deemed taken and obtained if at least two of the three individual Sellers (one of
whom, in any event, must be Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx (“Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx”) or his personal
representative(s)) have so acted, consented or approved, and shall be deemed denied or rejected if
at least two of the three individual Sellers (one of whom, in any event, must be Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
or his legal representative) have so denied or rejected such act, consent or approval, which
actions, consents and approvals so effected or rejected shall be valid and binding acts of, and
enforceable against, all of the Sellers and their respective heirs, successors, assigns, estates
and personal representatives, and Buyer and the Sellers shall conclusively be entitled to rely
thereon.
1.8 Exchange Rate. The “Exchange Rate” for purposes of this Agreement shall be the daily
average of the closing rates published by Bloomberg L.P.- New York Composite – 5:30 PM U.S. Eastern
Time from the thirteenth (13th) Business Day preceding the Closing Date through the
third Business Day preceding the Closing Date.
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2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION
2.1 Representations and Warranties of Sellers. Sellers, jointly and severally, represent and
warrant to Buyer that the statements contained in this Section 2.1 are correct and complete
as of the date of this Agreement, except as set forth in the Schedules delivered by the Parties on
the date hereof (the “Schedules”).
(a) Seller Entity Status. Each Seller that is a corporation is duly created, formed or
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
creation, formation or organization. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of each Seller
Party, threatened Action (or basis therefor) for the dissolution, liquidation, insolvency or
rehabilitation of any Seller.
(b) Power and Authority; Enforceability. Each Seller that is a corporation has the power and
authority to execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which such Seller is a party, and to
perform and consummate the Transactions. Each Seller that is an individual has the requisite
capacity, competence and authority to execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which he is
a party, and to perform and to consummate the Transactions. Each Seller has taken all actions
necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of each Transaction Document to which such Seller
is a party, the performance of such Seller’s obligations thereunder, and the consummation of the
Transactions. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is
Enforceable against, each Seller party thereto and each other Transaction Document, when executed
and delivered by a Seller party thereto, will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and be
Enforceable against such Seller.
(c) No Violation. The execution and the delivery of the Transaction Documents by each Seller
party thereto and the performance and consummation of the Transactions by such Seller will not (i)
Breach any Law or Order to which such Seller is subject or, if a Seller is a corporation, any
provision of its Organizational Documents, (ii) Breach any Contract, Order or Permit to which such
Seller is a party or by which such Seller is bound or to which any of such Seller’s assets is
subject, or (iii) require any Consent.
(d) Brokers’ Fees. No Seller Party has or will incur any Liability to pay any compensation to
any broker, finder or agent with respect to the Transactions for which Buyer or any of the Acquired
Entities could become directly or indirectly liable, except that the Seller Parties have retained
Tudor, Pickering, Xxxx & Co. Securities, Inc. to act as their financial advisor in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby.
(e) Shares; Seller Information. Each Seller holds of record and owns beneficially the number
of Shares set forth next to such Seller’s name in Exhibit A, free and clear of any
Encumbrances. With respect to each Seller, Exhibit A also sets forth the address, and
province of residence, of such Seller as of the date hereof. No Seller is a party to any Contract
that could require such Seller to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares in the capital
of any of the Acquired Entities (other than this Agreement). No Seller is a party to any Contract
with respect to any shares in the capital of any of the Acquired Entities or any of their
Subsidiaries.
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(f) Investment.
(i) Each Seller is acquiring the shares of Buyer Common Stock to be issued by Buyer pursuant
to this Agreement for its own account for investment purposes and not with a view to distribution
thereof in violation of the Securities Act or Canadian securities Laws.
(ii) Each Seller understands that the sale, transfer or assignment of the shares of Buyer
Common Stock to be issued by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement have not been registered under the
Securities Act and that such shares may not be sold, transferred or assigned unless the sale,
transfer or assignment is first registered under the Securities Act or as may be otherwise
permitted under the rules and regulations of the SEC in effect at the time of sale, transfer or
assignment, and then only in compliance with all applicable Canadian, U.S. and other foreign
federal, provincial and state securities laws. A legend to such effect will be placed on the
certificates evidencing such shares.
(iii) To each Seller’s Knowledge, no Canadian or U.S. federal, provincial or state agency has
made any finding or determination as to the fairness of an investment in, nor any recommendation or
endorsement of, the shares of Buyer Common Stock to be issued by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement.
(g) Residency. Each Seller is not a non-resident of Canada within the meaning of the Income
Tax Act (Canada).
2.2 Representations and Warranties of Buyer. Buyer represents and warrants to Sellers that
the statements contained in this Section 2.2 are correct and complete as of the date of
this Agreement.
(a) Entity Status. Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Buyer has the requisite corporate power and
authority to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business as currently conducted.
There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of Buyer, threatened, Action (or Basis therefor) for the
dissolution or liquidation of Buyer.
(b) Power and Authority; Enforceability. Buyer has the corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver each Transaction Document to which it is party, and to perform and consummate
the Transactions. Buyer has taken all action necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of
each Transaction Document to which it is party, the performance of Buyer’s obligations thereunder,
and the consummation of the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by, and is Enforceable against, Buyer, and each other Transaction Document to which Buyer
is a party, when executed and delivered by Buyer, will be duly authorized, executed and delivered
by, and be Enforceable against, Buyer.
(c) No Violation. The execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a
party and the performance and consummation of the Transactions by Buyer will not (a) Breach any Law
or Order to which Buyer is subject or any provision of its Organizational Documents; (b) Breach any
Contract, Order or Permit to which Buyer is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its
assets is subject; or (c) except as set forth on
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Schedule 2.2(c), require any Consent, except in the case of clauses (b) and (c), for
such matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a materially adverse effect on
Buyer’s results of operations, financial condition or ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.
(d) Brokers’ Fees. Buyer has no Liability to pay any compensation to any broker, finder or
agent with respect to the Transactions for which any Seller could become liable.
(e) Capitalization. As of June 30, 2008, there were (i) 95,480,715 shares of Buyer Common
Stock issued and outstanding (including 1,021,118 unvested restricted shares as described below),
(ii) 70,000 shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding (comprised of 30,000 shares of Series
D-1 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, 5,000 shares of Series D-2 Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock and 35,000 shares of Series D-3 Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, issued and
outstanding), (iii) 6,217,675 shares of Buyer Common Stock issuable pursuant to options granted
under Buyer’s stock option plans and agreements, (iv) 1,021,118 unvested restricted shares of Buyer
Common Stock issued under Buyer’s equity compensation plans and agreements, and (v) 25,159 unvested
restricted stock units of Buyer Common Stock issued under Buyer’s equity compensation plans and
agreements. All issued and outstanding shares of Buyer Common Stock (x) are duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, (y) were not issued in
Breach of any Commitment and (z) were issued in compliance with Buyer’s Organizational Documents
and applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations.
(f) Issuance of Shares. The shares of Buyer Common Stock to be issued to Sellers as Share
Consideration hereunder have been duly authorized and, upon issuance and payment therefor, shall be
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. Upon delivery of such shares pursuant to
Section 1.4(b) hereof, good and valid title to such shares, free and clear of all
Encumbrances (other than restrictions under any securities Laws), will pass to Sellers.
(g) Public Disclosure Documents. Buyer has made available to Sellers each registration
statement, current report, periodic report and proxy statement filed by Buyer with the SEC since
December 31, 2007, each in the form (including exhibits and any amendments thereto) filed with the
SEC prior to the date hereof (collectively, the “Buyer Reports”), and Buyer has filed all forms,
reports and documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to relevant securities Laws
since such time. As of their respective dates, the Buyer Reports (i) were prepared in accordance
with the applicable requirements of NYSE, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and
regulations thereunder and complied with the then applicable accounting requirements and (ii) did
not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading, except for such statements, if any, as have been
modified or superseded by subsequent filings with the SEC prior to the date hereof. Each of the
consolidated balance sheets included in or incorporated by reference into the Buyer Reports
(including the related notes and schedule) fairly presents in all material respects the
consolidated financial position of Buyer and its Subsidiaries as of its respective date and each of
the consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders’ equity included in or
incorporated by reference into the Buyer Reports (including any related notes and schedules) fairly
presents in all material respects the results of operations,
13
cash flows or changes in stockholders’ equity, as the case may be, of Buyer and its
Subsidiaries for the periods set forth therein (subject, in the case of unaudited financial
statements, to such exceptions as may be permitted by SEC Form 10-Q), in each case in accordance
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied during the periods
involved, except as may be noted therein, and except that the unaudited interim financial
statements were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not or are
not expected to be material in amount or effect.
(h) Board Approval; No Stockholder Vote Required. The Board of Directors of Buyer, at a
meeting duly called and held, has duly approved and adopted this Agreement and the Transactions.
No vote of the stockholders of Buyer is necessary to approve and adopt this Agreement and the
Transactions.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE ACQUIRED ENTITIES
Each Seller Party, jointly and severally, represents and warrants to Buyer that the statements
contained in this Article 3 are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement,
except as set forth in the Schedules.
3.1 Corporate Status. Each of the Acquired Entities and each of its Subsidiaries is an entity
duly created, formed or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the
jurisdiction of its creation, formation or organization. Each of the Acquired Entities and each of
its Subsidiaries is duly authorized to conduct its business and is in good standing under the laws
of each jurisdiction where such qualification is required (except where the failure to be so
qualified would not cause or result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries). Each of the Acquired Entities and each of its Subsidiaries has the requisite power
and authority necessary to own or lease its properties and to carry on its businesses as currently
conducted and in which it currently proposes to engage. Schedule 3.1 lists each of the
Acquired Entities and each of its Subsidiaries’ directors and officers. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.6, Sellers have made available to Buyer correct and complete copies of each of
the Acquired Entities’ Organizational Documents and each of their Subsidiaries’ Organizational
Documents, as amended to date. To the Knowledge of any Seller Party, none of the Acquired Entities
and none of their Subsidiaries are in Breach of any provision of their respective Organizational
Documents. There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, threatened, Action (or
Basis therefor) for the dissolution or liquidation of any of the Acquired Entities or any
Subsidiary thereof.
3.2 Power and Authority; Enforceability. Each of the Acquired Entities and each of its
Subsidiaries has the relevant entity power and authority necessary to execute and deliver each
Transaction Document to which it is a party and to perform and consummate the Transactions. Each
of the Acquired Entities and each of its Subsidiaries has taken all action necessary to authorize
the execution and delivery of each Transaction Document to which it is a party, the performance of
such Acquired Entities’ and such Subsidiaries’ obligations thereunder, and the consummation of the
Transactions. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is
Enforceable against, each of the Acquired Entities, as the case may be, and each other Transaction
Document to which one of the Acquired Entities or any of its
14
Subsidiaries is a party, as the case may be, when executed and delivered by the Acquired
Entity or Subsidiary, as applicable will be been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and be
Enforceable against, such Acquired Entity or Subsidiary.
3.3 No Violation. The execution and the delivery of the applicable Transaction Documents by
the Acquired Entities, the performance of their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder,
and consummation of the Transactions by each of the Acquired Entities will not (a) Breach any Law
or Order to which any of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries is subject or any
provision of the Organizational Documents of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries;
(b) Breach any Contract, Order or Permit to which any of the Acquired Entities or any of their
Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its assets is subject, or result
in the imposition of any Encumbrance upon any of its assets (except for any such Breach that would
not cause or result in a Material Adverse Effect on the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries);
(c) except as set forth on Schedule 3.3, require any Consent (except for any such Consent
with respect to which the failure to obtain would not cause or result in a Material Adverse Effect
on the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries); or (d) cause the recognition of gain or loss for
Tax purposes with respect to the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries or subject to the
Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, or their assets, to any Tax, except to the extent
any Section 338 Election is made by Buyer pursuant to Section 4.12.
3.4 Brokers’ Fees. None of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries has any
Liability to pay any compensation to any broker, finder or agent with respect to the Transactions,
except that Seller Parties have retained Tudor, Pickering, Xxxx & Co. Securities, Inc. to act as
financial advisor in connection with the Transactions.
3.5 Capitalization. ARAM’s authorized Equity Interests consist of an unlimited number of
Class “A” Common Shares, an unlimited number of Class “B” Convertible Common Shares, an unlimited
number of Class “C” Non-Voting Common Shares, an unlimited number of Class “D” Preferred Shares, an
unlimited number of Class “E” Preferred Shares, an unlimited number of Class “F” Convertible
Preferred Shares and an unlimited number of Class “G” Non-Voting Preferred Shares, of which 244
Class “A” Common are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof. CSRI’s authorized Equity
Interests consist of an unlimited number of Class “A” Common voting shares, an unlimited number of
Class “B” Common voting shares, an unlimited number of Class “C” Common non-voting shares and an
unlimited number of Preferred Shares, of which 100,000 Class “A” Common voting shares are issued
and outstanding as of the date hereof. All of the issued and outstanding Shares (i) have been duly
authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, (ii) were issued in compliance
with all applicable securities Laws, (iii) were not issued in Breach of any Commitments, and (iv)
are held of record by the respective Sellers as set forth in Exhibit A. No Commitments
currently exist or are outstanding, either with respect to any Equity Interests of the Acquired
Entities or otherwise, and no such Commitments will arise in connection with the Transactions.
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5, no Contracts with respect to the voting or transfer of
the Acquired Entities’ Equity Interests currently exist, or have existed at any time since
January 1, 2005. The Acquired Entities are not obligated to redeem or otherwise acquire any of
their outstanding Equity Interests. There are no outstanding, authorized or contemplated
understandings or arrangements with respect to any Commitments of any kind that could require any
of the Acquired Entities or any of their
15
Subsidiaries to issue or sell any of their Equity Interests (or securities convertible into,
exercisable for or exchangeable for their Equity Interests).
3.6 Records. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6, (a) the copies of the
Organizational Documents of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries that have been made
available to Buyer are accurate and complete and reflect all amendments made through the date of
this Agreement and (b) the minute books and other records of the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries made available to Buyer for review were correct and complete as of the date of such
review, no further entries have been made through the date of this Agreement, such minute books and
records contain the true signatures of the persons purporting to have signed them, and such minute
books and records contain an accurate record of all actions of the shareholders and directors of
the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries taken by written consent, at a meeting or otherwise
since formation. The information contained in each of the annual returns filed for ARAM during the
period from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2003 regarding the identification of the shareholders
and the changes in directors of ARAM was true and correct as of the date each such annual report
was filed. All actions taken by the shareholders and the directors of ARAM during such 10-year
period were not outside the Ordinary Course of Business for such shareholders and directors,
respectively.
3.7 Subsidiaries. Set forth on Schedule 3.7 for each Subsidiary is (a) its name and
jurisdiction of creation or organization, (b) the number of authorized Equity Interests of each
class of its Equity Interests, and (c) the number of issued and outstanding Equity Interests of
each class of its Equity Interests as of the date hereof, the names of the holders thereof, and the
number of Equity Interests held by each such holder. All of the issued and outstanding Equity
Interests of each Subsidiary have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable. The Acquired Entities hold of record and own beneficially all of the outstanding
Equity Interests of the Subsidiaries, free and clear of any Encumbrances except as set forth on
Schedule 3.7. There are no outstanding or authorized Commitments with respect to any
Subsidiary or its Equity Interests and no such Commitments will arise in connection with the
Transactions. There are no Contracts with respect to the voting or transfer of any Subsidiary’s
Equity Interests. No Subsidiary is obligated to redeem or otherwise acquire any of its Equity
Interests. None of the Acquired Entities controls, directly or indirectly, or has any direct or
indirect Equity Interest in, any Person that is not a Subsidiary.
3.8 Financial Statements.
(a) Set forth on Schedule 3.8 are the following financial statements (collectively the
“Financial Statements”):
(i) audited balance sheets and statements of income and retained earnings, and cash flows as
of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 for ARAM;
(ii) unaudited balance sheets and statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows as
of and for the following fiscal periods ended April 30, 2006 and 2007 for:
16
(1) CSRI;
(2) Canadian Seismic Equipment Ltd.;
(iii) unaudited balance sheets and statements of income and retained earnings as of and for
the following fiscal periods ended December 31, 2005 and 2006 and November 30, 2007 for Texas
Seismic Rentals Ltd.;
(iv) unaudited balance sheets and statements of income and retained earnings as of and for the
following fiscal period ended December 31, 2007 for Texas Seismic Rentals GP, Inc.;
(v) unaudited balance sheets and statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows as
of and for the following fiscal period ended December 31, 2007 for Alberta Seimic Rentals Corp.;
and
(vi) interim financial statements comprised of the following (collectively, the “Interim
Financial Statements”) as of, and for the four (4) months ended, April 30, 2008 (the “Balance Sheet
Date”):
(1) an unaudited balance sheet and statements of income and retained earnings for each of:
a. ARAM Systems Ltd.;
b. Texas Seismic Rentals GP, Inc.;
c. CSRI;
d. Canadian Seismic Equipment Ltd.;
e. Alberta Seismic Rentals Corp.;
f. ARAM Systems Middle East FZE; and
(2) an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of ARAM and CSRI and their Subsidiaries, treating
such entities as a consolidated group for financial accounting purposes.
(b) The Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, present fairly the financial condition of
the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries as of such dates and the results of operations of the
Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries for such periods, are correct and complete, and are
consistent with the books and records of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that the Interim Financial Statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments (which
will not be material individually or in the aggregate) and lack footnotes and other presentation
items.
17
(c) PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which has expressed its opinion with respect to the audited
Financial Statements referred to in Section 3.8(a)(i) above, is and has been throughout the
periods covered by such Financial Statements (and is expected to continue to be) (i) a registered
public accounting firm (as defined in Section 3(a)(59) of the Exchange Act), and (ii) ”independent”
with respect to the Acquired Entities within the meaning of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
(d) Each of the Acquired Entities maintains accurate books and records reflecting its assets
and liabilities and maintains proper and adequate internal accounting controls which provide
assurance that (i) transactions are executed with management’s authorization; (ii) transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the consolidated financial statements of the
Acquired Entities and to maintain accountability for the Acquired Entities’ consolidated assets;
(iii) access to the Acquired Entities’ assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s
authorizations; (iv) the reporting of the Acquired Entities’ assets is compared with existing
assets at regular intervals; and (v) accounts, notes and other Receivables and inventory are
recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection
thereof on a current and timely basis.
(e) Since May 30, 2008, no writedowns of balances of CSA Receivables have been taken with
respect to any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries.
3.9 Subsequent Events. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.9, since the Balance Sheet
Date there has not been any Material Adverse Effect with respect to any of the Acquired Entities or
any of its Subsidiaries. Without limiting the foregoing, since that date:
(a) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has sold, leased, transferred or
assigned any assets other than for a fair consideration in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(b) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any Contract
(or series of related Contracts) (i) involving more than CDN$500,000, with respect to any
Conditional Sales Contract or (ii) with respect to Contracts other than Conditional Sales
Contracts, either involving more than CDN$250,000 or that is entered into outside of the Ordinary
Course of Business and except for Sales Contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(c) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has terminated any Contract
except for Contracts that have been terminated in the Ordinary Course of Business;
(d) no Seller Party that is party to any Contract to which any of the Acquired Entities or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound or any of its assets is subject has Breached
any such Contract;
(e) no Encumbrance has been granted by any Seller Party upon any of the assets of any of the
Acquired Entities or any of its Subsidiaries;
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(f) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any capital expenditure
(or series of related capital expenditures) either involving more than CDN$250,000 or outside the
Ordinary Course of Business;
(g) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any capital investment
in, any loan to, or any acquisition of the securities or assets of, any other Person (or series of
related capital investments, loans, and acquisitions) either involving more than CDN$50,000 or
outside the Ordinary Course of Business;
(h) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has issued any note, bond or
other debt security or created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed any Liability for borrowed money or
capitalized lease Contract either involving more than CDN$100,000 individually or CDN$200,000 in
the aggregate;
(i) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has delayed or postponed the
payment of accounts payable or other Liabilities either involving more than CDN$100,000
(individually or in the aggregate) or outside the Ordinary Course of Business;
(j) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has canceled, compromised,
waived or released any Action (or series of related Actions) either involving more than CDN$50,000
or outside the Ordinary Course of Business;
(k) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted any Contracts or any
rights under or with respect to any Intellectual Property;
(l) except as set forth on Schedule 3.5, there has been no change made or authorized
to the Organizational Documents of any Acquired Entity or any of its Subsidiaries;
(m) except as set forth on Schedule 3.5, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its
Subsidiaries has issued, sold or otherwise disposed of any of its Equity Interests;
(n) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has declared, set aside or paid
any dividend or made any distribution with respect to its Equity Interests (whether in cash or in
kind) or redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired any of its Equity Interests;
(o) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has experienced any damage,
destruction or loss (whether or not covered by insurance) to its assets or properties, excepting
normal wear and tear;
(p) except as set forth on Schedule 3.34, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its
Subsidiaries has made any loan to, or entered into any other transaction with, any of its
directors, officers or employees;
(q) except as set forth on Schedule 3.27, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its
Subsidiaries has entered into any employment, collective bargaining or similar Contract or modified
the terms of any such existing Contract;
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(r) except as set forth on Schedule 4.16, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its
Subsidiaries has committed to pay any bonus or granted any increase in the base compensation (i) of
any director, officer or employee thereof that is a Seller (or an Affiliate thereof), or (ii)
outside of the Ordinary Course of Business, of any of its other directors, officers or employees;
(s) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has adopted, amended, modified
or terminated any bonus, profit-sharing, incentive, severance or similar Contract for the benefit
of any of its directors, officers or employees (or taken any such action with respect to any other
Employee Benefit Plan);
(t) except as set forth on Schedule 3.27, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its
Subsidiaries has made any other change in employment terms for (i) any officer or employee thereof
that is a Seller (or an Affiliate thereof), or (ii) outside of the Ordinary Course of Business, any
of its other directors, officers or employees;
(u) none of the Acquired Entities has made or pledged to make any charitable or other capital
contribution either involving more than CDN$25,000 (individually or in the aggregate) or outside
the Ordinary Course of Business;
(v) to the Knowledge of each Seller Party, there has not been any other occurrence, event,
incident, action, failure to act or transaction with respect to the Acquired Entities or any of its
Subsidiaries either involving more than CDN$100,000 (individually or in the aggregate) or outside
the Ordinary Course of Business;
(w) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any payment on any
indebtedness (including trade payables) in advance of its regularly scheduled due date;
(x) except as set forth on Schedule 3.34, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its
Subsidiaries has made any payment on any Liabilities, indebtedness (including trade payables) or
other obligations owed to any Seller Party or any of their Affiliates;
(y) none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any change in its
accounting practice, policies or procedures, made any adjustment to its books and records or
recharacterized any assets or Liabilities;
(z) neither of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries has changed any Tax method
of accounting, made or changed any Tax election, amended any Tax Return, entered into any closing
agreement or settled or compromised any Tax claim or assessment, surrendered any right to a refund,
consented to any extension or waiver of any limitations period applicable to any Tax claim or
assessment, or taken any other similar action relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the
payment of any Tax, if such election, adoption, change, amendment, agreement, settlement,
surrender, consent or other action would have the effect of increasing the Tax Liability of the
Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries for any period ending after the Closing Date; and
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(aa) except as disclosed in this Section 3.9 and in the Schedules referenced
hereinabove, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has committed to do any of
the foregoing.
3.10 Liabilities.
(a) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10(a), none of the Acquired Entities nor any of
its Subsidiaries has any Liability of the nature required to be disclosed in the liabilities column
of a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP (and to the Knowledge of any Seller Party,
there is no Basis for any present or future Action or Order against any of them giving rise to any
such Liability), except for (i) Liabilities quantified on the face of the Interim Financial
Statements (rather than in any notes thereto) and not heretofore paid or discharged, and (ii)
Liabilities which have arisen after the Balance Sheet Date in the Ordinary Course of Business
which, individually or in the aggregate, are not material and are of the same character and nature
as the Liabilities quantified on the face of the Interim Financial Statements (rather than any
notes thereto) none of which results from or relates to any Breach of Contract, Breach of warranty,
tort, infringement or Breach of Law or arose out of any Action or Order.
(b) The aggregate outstanding balance (including principal and accrued but unpaid interest) of
the indebtedness of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries (including the current portion of
such indebtedness) does not exceed CDN$13,377,594 as of June 30, 2008, of which (i) CDN$2,304,925
represents shareholder loan indebtedness owed to the Sellers, (ii) CDN$3,703,330 represents
indebtedness owed to Affiliates other than the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries, and (iii)
CDN$7,369,339 represents indebtedness to unrelated Persons, specifically indebtedness owed to HSBC
Bank Canada and Hewlett Packard Financial Services described in Schedule 3.10(b).
Schedule 3.10(b) lists the outstanding principal amount of and outstanding interest on (as
of the date set forth on such Schedule) all indebtedness for borrowed money and capitalized
equipment lease obligations (including the outstanding principal amount and accrued but unpaid
interest and the name of the lender) owed to a bank or any other Person by either of the Acquired
Entities or any of its Subsidiaries. All of such indebtedness can be repaid at any time without
any restriction or penalty.
3.11 Legal Compliance. Each of the Acquired Entities, each of its Subsidiaries and their
respective predecessors and Affiliates have complied in all material respects with all applicable
Laws, and no Action is pending or, to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, threatened (and to the
Knowledge of any Seller Party there is no Basis therefor) against it alleging any failure to so
comply.
3.12 Tax Matters.
(a) All Tax Returns of or relating to any Tax that are required to be filed on or before the
Closing Date for, by, on behalf of or with respect to any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, those relating to the income, business, operations or
property of any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries, and those which include or should
include any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries (whether on a separate, consolidated,
affiliated, combined, unitary or any other basis), have been or will be timely filed with the
appropriate Governmental Authorities on or before the Closing Date, and all Taxes
21
shown to be due and payable on such Tax Returns or related to such Tax Returns have been or
will be paid in full on or before the Closing Date.
(b) All such Tax Returns were or will be correct and complete in all material respects and
have been or will be prepared in compliance with all applicable Laws, and reflect or will reflect
all liabilities for Taxes for the periods covered by such Tax Returns. No position has been taken
on any Tax Return of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries that is contrary in any material
respect to any publicly announced position of a taxing authority with respect to a transaction,
plan or arrangement (or any similar transaction, plan or arrangement), or that is substantially
similar to any position which a taxing authority has successfully challenged in the course of an
examination of a Tax Return of either of the Acquired Entities or Subsidiary thereof. Each of the
Acquired Entities and its Subsidiaries have withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been
withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owed to any employee, independent contractor,
creditor, holder of its Equity Interests or other third party.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12, none of the Acquired Entities’ or their
Subsidiaries’ Tax Returns are under audit or examination by any Governmental Authority and there
are no agreements, waivers or other arrangements providing for an extension of time with respect to
the assessment or collection of any Tax or deficiency of any nature against any of the Acquired
Entities or their Subsidiaries or with respect to any such Tax Return. No special agreements,
rulings or compromises have been entered into between or among the Sellers or any of the Acquired
Entities or their Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority regarding the assessment or payment
of Taxes by any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries. There are no suits or other
actions, proceedings, investigations or claims now pending or threatened against Sellers or any of
the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries with respect to any Tax, or any matters under
discussion with any foreign, federal, state or local authority (including with respect to
jurisdictions where the Sellers and the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries do not file a Tax
Return) relating to any Tax, or any claims for any additional Tax asserted by any such authority.
(d) All Taxes assessed and due and owing from, against or related to any of the Acquired
Entities or their Subsidiaries on or before the Closing Date have been or will be timely paid in
full on or before the Closing Date.
(e) All withholding Tax and Tax deposit requirements imposed on or otherwise the obligation of
any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries with respect to amounts paid or owing to any
employee, independent contractor, creditor or other Person (whether related or unrelated) for any
and all periods ending on or before the Closing Date, or through and including the Closing Date for
periods that have not ended on or before the Closing Date, have been or will be timely satisfied in
full on or before the Closing Date.
(f) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12, the Financial Statements reflect and include
adequate charges, accruals, reserves and provisions for the payment in full of any and all Taxes
payable with respect to any and all periods ending on or before the respective dates thereof.
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(g) The Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with
all transfer pricing requirements imposed by any Governmental Authority, including, but not limited
to, the use of an arm’s length or similar amount for related person charges, filing of Tax Returns,
preparation of reports, and the maintenance of records and other documentation supporting any
related person charge or other amount. No such authority has proposed, asserted or otherwise
discussed the possibility of a transfer pricing adjustment or failure to comply with any transfer
pricing requirements with the Sellers or any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries.
Sellers and the Acquired Entities have no Knowledge that any transfer pricing adjustment could
reasonably be expected to be proposed, asserted or raised by any authority either before or after
the Closing Date. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12, Sellers and the Acquired Entities
have no Knowledge that, to the extent any transfer pricing documentation were to be reviewed by any
authority, any transfer pricing adjustments would be proposed or asserted against either of the
Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries.
(h) None of the Acquired Entities nor any Subsidiary thereof is (or has been since December
31, 2003) a tax resident of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Acquired Entity or
Subsidiary was formed, incorporated or registered. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12,
Sellers and the Acquired Entities have no Knowledge that any Acquired Entity or Subsidiary thereof
was a tax resident of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Acquired Entity or Subsidiary
was formed, incorporated or registered for any other period of time.
(i) None of the Acquired Entities nor any Subsidiary thereof has waived any statute of
limitations in respect of Taxes, agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment
or deficiency or entered into any closing agreement under applicable Tax Law.
(j) None of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries is (or has been) a United
States real property holding corporation (as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code) during the
applicable period specified in Code Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii).
(k) None of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax
allocation or Tax sharing agreement that affects any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries.
(l) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12, neither of the Acquired Entities nor their
Subsidiaries is or has been a member of any affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar
group for Tax purposes.
(m) All consolidated or unitary groups of which any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries is or has been a party have duly fulfilled, in a timely and accurate manner, all
Tax-related obligations to any Governmental Authority for the period up to the Closing Date.
Adequate provisions for payment of all Taxes, including all obligations regarding the termination
of any consolidated groups or fiscal unities of which any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries is or has been a party, have been made.
(n) None of the Acquired Entities nor their Subsidiaries have made or become obligated to make
any payments that could be nondeductible by reason of Code Sections 280G (without regard to
subsection (b)(4) thereof) or any similar provision imposed by federal,
23
provincial, foreign, state or local Law, nor will any of the Acquired Entities or any such
Subsidiary be required to “gross-up” or otherwise compensate any individual because of the
imposition of any excise tax on such a payment to the individual.
(o) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12, during the current fiscal year and for the
five previous fiscal years, neither of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries has
claimed or been granted exemptions from Taxes in connection with any amalgamation, reorganization
or merger involving any of the Acquired Entities or Subsidiary thereof. Sellers and the Acquired
Entities have no Knowledge that any amalgamation, reorganization or merger involving any of the
Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries consummated before the Closing Date could reasonably be
expected to give rise to the assessment or payment of Taxes after the Closing Date.
(p) None of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any payments, is
obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any Contract that under certain circumstances
could obligate it to make any payments that will not be deductible under Code Section 162(m) (or
any similar provision imposed by any federal, provincial, foreign, state or local Law imposed by
any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction).
(q) The Acquired Entities and each of their Subsidiaries that engaged in a commercial activity
in Canada are duly registered under Subdivision (d) of Division V of Part IX of the Excise Tax Act
(Canada) with respect to the goods and services tax.
(r) None of Sections 78, 79, 80, 80.01, 80.02, 80.03 or 80.04 of the Income Tax Act (Canada)
or any equivalent provision of the Tax legislation of any of the provinces of Canada or any other
Canadian jurisdiction, have applied or will apply to any of the Acquired Entities or any of their
Subsidiaries at any time up to and including the Closing Date and to the Seller’s or the Acquired
Entities’ Knowledge, there will not be any circumstances existing at or prior to the Closing Date
which could, in themselves, result in the application of any such provisions to the Acquired
Entities or any of their Subsidiaries for taxation years ending after the Closing Date.
(s) None of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries has acquired property from a
non-arm’s length Person, within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), for consideration, the
value of which is less than the fair market value of the property acquired in circumstances which
would subject it to a liability under Section 160 of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
(t) Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its
Subsidiaries has claimed or will claim in any Tax Return for any taxation year ending on or before
the Closing Date any reserve of any amount which could be included in the income of the Acquired
Entities or any of the Subsidiaries for any period ending after the Closing Date.
(u) Except for transfers that have been the subject of a valid election under section 85 or
section 97 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or any other valid tax-deferred election under the Income
Tax Act (Canada), none of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries has ever been deemed
for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or any applicable
24
provincial legislation to have acquired or had the use of property for proceeds greater than
the fair market value thereof from, or disposed of property for proceeds less than the fair market
value thereof to, or received or performed services for amounts other than the fair market value
from or to, or paid or received interest or any other amount other than at a fair market value rate
to or from, any Person inside or outside Canada with whom it does not deal at arm’s length within
the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada).
3.13 Title to Assets. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, the Acquired Entities and
their Subsidiaries each have good, marketable and indefeasible title to, or a valid leasehold
interest in, the properties and assets they use, located on their premises, shown on the Interim
Financial Statements or acquired after the date thereof, free and clear of all Encumbrances, except
as set forth on Schedule 3.13 and for properties and assets disposed of in the Ordinary
Course of Business since the date of the Interim Financial Statements.
3.14 Real Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.14, each of the Acquired
Entities and their Subsidiaries do not own, or have any rights or options to acquire, any real
property, and since January 1, 2000, have not owned any real property. Schedule 3.14 lists
and describes briefly all real property leased or subleased to each of the Acquired Entities and
each of its Subsidiaries. Sellers have delivered to Buyer correct and complete copies of the lease
and sublease Contracts (as amended to date) listed in Schedule 3.14. With respect to each
lease and sublease Contract required to be listed in Schedule 3.14:
(a) the Contract is Enforceable;
(b) the Contract will continue to be Enforceable on identical terms following the consummation
of the Transactions;
(c) no Acquired Entity or Subsidiary party to the Contract is in Breach and, to the Knowledge
of any Seller Party, no other party to the Contract is in Breach, and to the Knowledge of any
Seller Party no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time, would constitute a Breach
thereunder, and the consummation of the Transactions will not result in a Breach by any party to
the Contract;
(d) no party to the Contract has repudiated any provision thereof;
(e) there are no Actions, Orders or forbearances in effect as to the Contract;
(f) with respect to each sublease Contract, to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, the
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.14(a) through (e) are true
and correct (subject to the qualifications set forth therein) with respect to the underlying lease
Contract;
(g) except as set forth on Schedule 3.13, none of the Acquired Entities has granted or
suffered to exist any Encumbrance in the leasehold or sub-leasehold Contract;
(h) all facilities leased or subleased under the Contract have received all material Permits
required in connection with the operation thereof and have been operated and maintained materially
in accordance with applicable Laws;
25
(i) all facilities leased or subleased under the Contract are supplied with utilities and
other services necessary for the operation of said facilities;
(j) no Acquired Entity has subleased or sub-subleased to any Person, or granted to any Person
the right to occupy, all or any portion of any of the facilities leased or subleased under the
Contracts;
(k) to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, no Action is pending or threatened that challenges
the validity of any leasehold or sub-leasehold interest of an Acquiring Entity in any of the lease
or sublease Contracts identified on Schedule 3.14;
(l) each Acquired Entities’ present and intended use of the facilities and premises leased or
subleased under the Contracts are permitted under the terms and provisions of the Contracts;
(m) the Acquired Entities have obtained all necessary approvals, licenses, and permits,
including, but not limited to, those relating to zoning, development, building, occupancy, and
business approvals, licenses and permits necessary for each of the Acquired Entities’ present and
intended use of the facilities and premises leased or subleased under the Contracts;
(n) to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, there are no extraordinary repairs or replacements
or capital improvements required to be performed by the Acquired Entities on or in the facilities
or premises leased or subleased under the Contracts;
(o) to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, there does not exist any condition at the premises
or facilities leased or subleased under the Contracts which would materially interfere with the
business of an Acquiring Entity in any of the lease or sublease Contracts identified on
Schedule 3.14;
(p) none of the Seller Parties have violated any Environmental, Health and Safety Requirement
in connection with the use, possession, lease or sublease of any of the facilities or premises
leased or subleased pursuant to the Contracts identified on Schedule 3.14; and
(q) none of the Seller Parties have breached any of their obligations in the Contracts
relating to compliance with any Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements and there are no
Actions or, to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, threatened Actions, or duties or obligations on
the part of any Acquired Entity to perform any remediation, removal or abatement of any hazardous
material or substance in connection with the Acquired Entities’ lease or sublease of the facilities
and premises pursuant to the Contracts identified on Schedule 3.14.
3.15 Intellectual Property.
(a) The Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries own or have the right to use pursuant to a
valid Contract all Intellectual Property necessary or desirable for the operation of the businesses
of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries as currently conducted and as currently proposed to
be conducted. Each item of Intellectual Property owned or used by each of
26
the Acquired Entities and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Closing will be owned or
available for use by the Acquired Entities or Subsidiary on identical terms and conditions
immediately subsequent to the Closing without the need for any further right, license, permission
or consent in respect thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not
impair, alter or limit in any way such ownership or rights. Each of the Acquired Entities and its
Subsidiaries has taken all necessary and desirable action to maintain and protect each item of
Intellectual Property that it owns or uses.
(b) Schedule 3.15(b) identifies each (i) patent, copyright, trademark and service xxxx
which has been issued to each of the Acquired Entities and its Subsidiaries, (ii) patent,
copyright, trademark and service xxxx application, disclosures, reissuances, continuations,
continuations-in-part, revisions, extensions and reexemptions filed by either Acquired Entities or
any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) Contract pursuant to which any of the Acquired Entities or any
of its Subsidiaries has granted to a third party rights under or with respect to any of its
Intellectual Property (together with any exceptions). Each of the registrations and applications
for registration listed in Schedule 3.15(b) is valid and subsisting, in good standing,
enforceable against third parties and recorded, maintained and renewed in the name of the Acquired
Entities or their Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in the appropriate offices to preserve the
rights thereof and thereto. Schedule 3.15(b) also identifies each trade name, unregistered
trademark, and unregistered service xxxx each of the Acquired Entities or its Subsidiaries uses in
connection with any of their respective businesses. With respect to each item of Intellectual
Property required to be identified in Schedule 3.15(b):
(i) the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries possess all right, title and interest in and
to the item, free and clear of any Encumbrance;
(ii) the item is not subject to any outstanding Order;
(iii) except as set forth in Schedule 3.22, no Action is pending or, to the Knowledge
of any Seller Party, is threatened (and, to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, there is no Basis
therefor) which challenges the validity, Enforceability, use or ownership of the item;
(iv) neither of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries has ever agreed to
indemnify any Person for or against any interference, infringement, misappropriation or other
conflict with respect to the item;
(v) to the Knowledge of any Seller Party there exist no facts which would affect the validity,
enforceability, scope or registrability of any of the Intellectual Property; and
(vi) there are no prohibitions or restrictions on the use or other exploitation by the
Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries of the Intellectual Property.
(c) None of the Acquired Entities nor any Subsidiary thereof has interfered with, infringed
upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any other Person’s Intellectual Property
or intellectual property rights, and no Seller Party has ever received any notice alleging any such
interference, infringement, misappropriation or violation (including any
27
claim that the Acquired Entities or any of its Subsidiaries must license or refrain from using
any other Person’s Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property rights). To the Knowledge of
each of the Seller Parties, except as set forth on Schedule 3.15(d), no other Person has
interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any
Intellectual Property or Intellectual Property rights of the Acquired Entities or any of its
Subsidiaries.
(d) Schedule 3.15(d) identifies each item of Intellectual Property (other than
software available on a retail basis having a replacement value of less than CDN$20,000 per copy)
that any other Person owns and that the Acquired Entities or any of its Subsidiaries uses. With
respect to each item of Intellectual Property required to be identified in Schedule
3.15(d):
(i) the Contract is Enforceable;
(ii) the Contract will continue to be Enforceable on identical terms following the
consummation of the Transactions without the need for any further right, license, permission or
consent in respect thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will not
impair, alter or limit in any way any Acquired Entity or its Subsidiaries’ rights in or under such
Contract;
(iii) no Acquired Entity or Subsidiary Party to the contract is in Breach and, to the
Knowledge of any Seller Party, no other party to the Contract is in Breach, and, to the Knowledge
of any Seller Party, no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time would constitute a
Breach thereunder;
(iv) no party to the Contract has repudiated any provision thereof;
(v) with respect to each sublicense Contract, to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, the
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.15(d)(i) through (iv) are
true and correct with respect to the underlying license Contract;
(vi) the underlying item of Intellectual Property is not subject to any outstanding Order;
(vii) except as set forth on Schedule 3.22, no Action is pending (except for Actions
that have been filed and not yet served and about which no Seller Party has Knowledge) or, to the
Knowledge of any Seller Party, is threatened (and there is no Basis therefor) which challenges the
Enforceability of the underlying item of Intellectual Property;
(viii) none of the Acquired Entities nor any Subsidiary thereof has granted any sublicense or
similar Contract with respect to the Contract; and
(ix) there are no royalty payments, license fees or other sums payable to or by the Acquired
Entities or their Subsidiaries in respect of such Intellectual Property except as listed in
Schedule 3.15(d) or to maintain or renew any registrations or applications for registration
in relation thereto.
(e) None of the Acquired Entities nor any Subsidiary thereof will interfere with, infringe
upon, misappropriate or otherwise come into conflict with, any Intellectual
28
Property rights of any other Person as a result of the continued operation of its businesses
as currently conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted.
(f) No Seller Party has any Knowledge of any new products, inventions, procedures or methods
of manufacturing or processing that any competitors or other Person have developed which reasonably
could be expected to supersede or make obsolete any product or process of the Acquired Entities or
any of its Subsidiaries.
(g) To the extent that the Intellectual Property owned or used by Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries includes software, the Intellectual Property has, at all times, operated in accordance
with the operational documentation and specifications therefore without any operating defects,
delays or nonconformance and without the requirement for work around or non-automated process steps
which could affect the operation, conduct or maintenance of the businesses of Acquired Entities or
their Subsidiaries, as currently conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted and does not
contain any unauthorized code, disabling mechanism or protection feature designed to prevent its
use.
(h) All of the persons who either alone or in concert with others created or developed any
element or combination of elements in the Intellectual Property owned by the Acquired Entities or
their Subsidiaries are either employees or former employees of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries (who created or developed the Intellectual Property as part of their employment duties
on the business premises and using only the equipment of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries) or independent contractors or former independent contractors of the Acquired Entities
or their Subsidiaries (who have assigned any and all rights they may have in the Intellectual
Property to the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries).
Waivers of moral rights and all other similar rights with respect to association with or integrity
in a work, whether arising under copyright legislation or otherwise, in favor of the Acquired
Entities and their Subsidiaries have been obtained from each independent contractor, employee, or
other entity who participated in or contributed to the creation or development of any element or
combination of elements of the Intellectual Property.
3.16 Tangible Assets. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, the Acquired Entities and
their Subsidiaries own or lease all buildings, machinery, equipment and other tangible assets
necessary for the conduct of their businesses as currently conducted and as currently proposed to
be conducted. The tangible assets of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries (i) are free
from defects (patent and latent), (ii) are in good operating condition and repair, subject to
ordinary wear and tear and have been maintained in accordance with standard industry practice,
(iii) are adequate for the purpose for which they are being used and are capable of being used in
the business of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries as presently conducted without present
need for replacement or repair, except in the Ordinary Course of Business, (iv) conform in all
material respects with all applicable legal requirements, and (v) in the aggregate provide the
capacity to engage in the business of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries on a continuous
basis, subject to routine maintenance. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16, through the
date hereof, Seller Parties have not deferred any capital or maintenance expenditures with respect
to the business of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries.
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3.17 Inventory. The Acquired Entities’ and their Subsidiaries inventory, whether reflected on
the Financial Statements or not, consists of raw materials and supplies, manufactured and processed
parts and components, goods and products in process, and finished goods and products, which are
merchantable and fit for the purpose for which it was procured or manufactured, and, except as has
been written down on the Interim Balance Sheet, none of which is obsolete, damaged or defective.
Any inventory that has been written down on the Interim Balance Sheet has either been written off
or written down to its net realizable value. The quantities of inventory are reasonable in the
current (and the currently foreseeable) circumstances of the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries. All inventory of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries is physically located
on the premises of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries, and is not held on consignment by
any consignees or by any outsource manufacturers.
3.18 Contracts. Except as otherwise disclosed in Schedules 3.14, 3.15(d),
3.21 and 3.27, Schedule 3.18 lists the following Contracts to which the
Acquired Entities or any of its Subsidiaries is a party:
(a) any Contract (or group of related Contracts) for the lease of personal property to or from
any Person providing for lease payments in excess of CDN$25,000 per annum;
(b) any Contract (or group of related Contracts) for the purchase or sale of raw materials,
commodities, supplies, products or other personal property, or for the furnishing or receipt of
services, the performance of which will extend over a period of more than one year, result in a
material loss to either of the Acquired Entities and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or involve
consideration in excess of CDN$100,000;
(c) any Contract concerning an investment or interest in a limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture or similar arrangement;
(d) any Contract (or group of related Contracts) under which it has created, incurred, assumed
or guaranteed any Liability for borrowed money or any capitalized lease in excess of CDN$100,000,
or under which it has imposed or suffered to exist an Encumbrance on any of its assets;
(e) any Contract concerning confidentiality or non-competition;
(f) any Contract with any Seller or any of their Affiliates (other than the Acquired Entities
and their Subsidiaries);
(g) any profit sharing, share option, share purchase, share appreciation, deferred
compensation, severance or other similar Contract for the benefit of its current or former
directors, officers and employees;
(h) any collective bargaining Contract;
(i) any Contract for the employment of any individual on a full-time, part-time, consulting or
other basis providing for (i) annual compensation in excess of CDN$100,000;
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(ii) compensation as a percentage commission on revenues earned or sold, or (iii) severance
benefits, including but not limited to, any Contract creating a commissioned sales agency, revenue
share alliance or any other form of agency or representation;
(j) any Contract under which it has advanced or loaned or guaranteed and loan in any amount to
any of its directors or officers or any Seller or, outside the Ordinary Course of Business, to its
employees that are not Sellers; and
(k) any other Contract (or group of related Contracts), the performance of which involves
consideration in excess of CDN$100,000.
Sellers have made available to Buyer a correct and complete copy of each written Contract (as
amended to date but with pricing information excluded) listed in Schedule 3.18 and a
written summary setting forth the terms and conditions of each oral Contract referred to in
Schedule 3.18. With respect to each such Contract:
(1) the Contract is Enforceable;
(2) the Contract will continue to be Enforceable on identical terms following the consummation
of the Transactions;
(3) the Acquired Entity or Subsidiary party thereto, as applicable, is not in Breach and, to
the Knowledge of any Seller Party, no other party is in Breach, and, to the Knowledge of any Seller
Party, no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time, would constitute a Breach under
the Contract; and
(4) no party has repudiated any provision of the Contract.
3.19 Receivables. All of the Receivables represent bona fide transactions, and arose in the
Ordinary Course of Business of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries, and are reflected
properly in their books and records. All of the Receivables are good and collectible receivables,
are current, and will be collected in accordance with past practice and the terms of such
Receivables (and in any event within six months following the Closing Date), without set off or
counterclaims, subject only to the reserve for bad debts set forth on the face of the Interim
Financial Statements (rather than in any notes thereto) as adjusted for the passage of time through
the Closing Date in accordance with the Ordinary Course of Business of the Acquired Entities and
their Subsidiaries, consistent with GAAP.
3.20 Powers of Attorney. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20, there are no
outstanding powers of attorney executed on behalf of the Acquired Entities or any of their
Subsidiaries.
3.21 Insurance. Schedule 3.21 sets forth the following information with respect to
each insurance policy Contract (including policies providing property, casualty, liability,
directors’ and officers’ errors and omissions, and workers’ compensation coverage and bond and
surety arrangements) to which the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries has been a party,
a named insured, or otherwise the beneficiary of coverage at any time within the past five (5)
years:
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(a) the name, address and telephone number of the agent;
(b) the name of the insurer, the name of the policyholder and the name of each covered
insured,
(c) the policy number and the period of coverage;
(d) the scope (including an indication of whether the coverage was on a claims made,
occurrence or other basis) and amount (including a description of how deductibles and ceilings are
calculated and operate) of coverage; and
(e) a description of any retroactive premium adjustments or other loss-sharing arrangements.
With respect to each insurance policy Contract:
(1) the Contract is Enforceable;
(2) the Contract will continue to be Enforceable on identical terms following the consummation
of the Transactions;
(3) neither any of the Acquired Entities, any Subsidiary thereof, nor, to the Knowledge of any
Seller Party, any other party to the Contract, is in Breach (including with respect to the payment
of premiums or the giving of notices), and, to the Knowledge of any Seller Party, no event has
occurred which, with notice or the lapse of time, would constitute such a Breach under the
Contract; and
(4) no party to the Contract has repudiated any provision thereof.
Each of the Acquired Entities and its Subsidiaries has been covered during the past five (5)
years by insurance in scope and amount customary and reasonable for the businesses in which it has
engaged during the aforementioned period. Schedule 3.21 also describes any self insurance
arrangements affecting any Acquired Entity or its Subsidiaries.
3.22 Litigation. Schedule 3.22 sets forth each instance in which any of the Acquired
Entities or any Subsidiary thereof (a) is subject to any outstanding Order or (b) is a party or, to
the Knowledge of any Seller Party, is threatened to be made a party to any Action. No Action set
forth in Schedule 3.22 questions the Enforceability of this Agreement or the Transactions,
or could result in any Material Adverse Effect with respect to an Acquired Entity or any Subsidiary
thereof, and no Seller Party has any Knowledge of any Basis to believe that any such Action may be
brought or threatened against any of the Acquired Entities or any Subsidiary thereof.
3.23 Product Warranty. Each product manufactured, sold, leased or delivered by the Acquired
Entities and their Subsidiaries has been so manufactured, sold, leased or delivered, as the case
may be, in conformity in all material respects with all applicable Law, Contracts and all express
and implied warranties, and none of the Acquired Entities nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
Liability (and there is no Basis for any present or future Action against any of them giving
32
rise to any Liability) for replacement or repair thereof or other Damages in connection
therewith, subject only to the reserve for product warranty claims set forth on the face of the
Interim Financial Statements as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in
accordance with the Acquired Entities’ past custom and practice. No product designed,
manufactured, sold, leased or delivered by any of the Acquired Entities or any Subsidiary thereof
is subject to any guaranty, warranty or other indemnity or similar Liability beyond the applicable
standard terms and conditions of sale or lease. Copies of standard terms and conditions of sale or
lease for each of the Acquired Entities and Subsidiary thereof (containing applicable guaranty,
warranty and similar Liability indemnity provisions) have been made available to Buyer.
3.24 Product Liability. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.24, none of the Acquired
Entities nor Subsidiaries thereof has any Liability (and there is no Basis for any present or
future Action against any of them giving rise to any Liability) arising out of any injury to
individuals or property as a result of the ownership, possession or use of any product designed,
manufactured, sold, leased or delivered by any of the Acquired Entities or any Subsidiary thereof.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, none of the Acquired Entities nor any of their
Subsidiaries, and none of their respective predecessors, has designed, manufactured, sold, leased
or delivered any product containing asbestos.
3.25 Labor; Employees. None of the Acquired Entities nor Subsidiaries thereof is a party to
or bound by any collective bargaining Contract, nor has any of them experienced any strikes,
grievances, claims of unfair labor practices or other collective bargaining disputes. None of the
Acquired Entities nor Subsidiaries thereof has committed any unfair labor practice. No Seller
Party has any Knowledge of any organizational effort currently being made or threatened by or on
behalf of any labor union with respect to employees of any of the Acquired Entities or any
Subsidiaries thereof.
3.26 Employment. Each of the Acquired Entities and Subsidiaries thereof, and its respective
predecessors and Affiliates has complied, and is in compliance, in all material respects, with all
Laws pertaining to employment, including, but not limited to Laws governing or regarding the
payment of wages or other compensation, employee benefits, employment discrimination and
harassment, occupational safety and health, workers’ compensation and any and all other Laws
governing or pertaining to the terms and conditions of employment. No Action is pending nor, to
the Knowledge of any Seller Party, is any Action threatened (and there is no Basis therefor),
against any of the Acquired Entities or their respective predecessors and Affiliates alleging any
failure to so comply. To the Knowledge of each Seller Party, none of the Acquired Entities or any
Subsidiaries thereof, nor any of their respective predecessors and Affiliates, has Breached or is
in Breach of any Contract for the employment of any individual on a full-time, part-time,
consulting or other basis. To the Knowledge of each Seller Party, no executive, key employee or
group of employees has any plans to terminate employment with any of the Acquired Entities or any
Subsidiaries thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, there are no outstanding,
pending or, to the Knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened claims, Actions, grievances or
similar proceedings by or before any court, tribunal, panel or Governmental Authority relating to
any Employee or any Person who was previously an Employee of any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries, including without limitation, any matters arising under or by virtue of the
Employment Standards Code (Alberta), the Labour Relations Code (Alberta), the Occupational Health &
Safety Act (Alberta), Workers’
33
Compensation Act (Alberta), the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act (Alberta)
and the Personal Information Protection Act (Alberta). Neither of the Acquired Entities nor any of
their Subsidiaries has received any whistleblower complaints or any other complaints regarding
accounting or auditing matters relating to the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries.
3.27 Employee Benefits.
(a) Schedule 3.27 contains a true, complete and accurate list of each director and
each Person employed by the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries and those employees of the
Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries whose employment duties are substantially dedicated to the
business of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries (the “Employees”), together with such
individual’s title or job description and date of hire by the Acquired Entities or Subsidiaries.
Sellers have previously made available to Buyer a true, complete and accurate list of each Employee
who is compensated on a salaried basis, such individual’s salary, the last date of increase of his
or her salary, and his or her incentive compensation arrangements (including vacation accrual, if
any) with the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, indicating any Employees who are on
medical, maternity or other leave of absence for a period of time exceeding two (2) weeks. Except
as and to the extent set forth on Schedule 3.27, as of the date hereof, neither of the
Acquired Entities nor any their Subsidiaries has received notification that any of the Employees
presently plans to terminate his or her employment during the 2008 calendar year, whether by reason
of the Transactions or otherwise. There are no issued, outstanding or reserved Commitments or
similar obligations that could require the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries to issue
to any Employee or director any of its Equity Interests or any securities or interests linked to
any Equity Interests or any amounts in respect of bonus, incentive or deferred compensation
payments.
(b) Except as and to the extent set forth on Schedule 3.27, Sellers have made
available to Buyer a true, complete and accurate list and brief description of any employee welfare
benefit plan or employee pension benefit plan, including, but not limited to, a plan that provides
retirement income or results in deferrals of income by employees for periods extending to their
terminations of employment or beyond, and a plan that provides medical, dental, surgical, or
hospital care benefits or benefits in the event of sickness, accident, disability, death or
unemployment and any other material employee benefit agreement or arrangement, including without
limitation, any deferred compensation plan, incentive plan, bonus plan or arrangement, share option
plan, share purchase plan, share award plan, golden parachute agreement, severance pay plan,
dependent care plan, employee assistance program, scholarship program, employment contract,
retention incentive agreement, non-competition agreement, consulting agreement, confidentiality
agreement, vacation policy or other similar plan or agreement or arrangement that has been
sponsored, maintained or adopted by any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries at any time
during the past three (3) years, or has been approved by any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries but is not yet effective, for the benefit of any Employees or persons who were
previously Employees (or their beneficiaries), or with respect to which any of the Acquired
Entities or their Subsidiaries may have any Liability (all of the foregoing, collectively, the
“Employee Benefit Plans”). Sellers shall have made available to Buyer prior to the Closing Date
true, complete and correct copies of all plan documents, summary plan descriptions, letters of
determination, financial statements, related trusts, insurance and other funding Contracts or
34
vehicles, agreements pursuant to which any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries may
be obligated to indemnify any Person and filings with all applicable Governmental Authorities for
the past three years relating to the foregoing Employee Benefit Plans.
(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.27, each Employee Benefit Plan has been operated
and administered in all respects in accordance with its terms and applicable Laws and has been
properly funded.
(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.27, neither the execution of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the Transactions, either alone or in conjunction with another event (such as
termination of employment) will (i) entitle any Employee or any person who was previously an
Employee to severance pay from any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries or any other
payment under a Employee Benefit Plan, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting of benefits
under a Employee Benefit Plan, or (iii) increase the amount of compensation due any Employee by any
of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries.
(e) Neither of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries provides employee
post-retirement medical or health coverage for any Employee or contributes to or maintains any
employee welfare benefit plan that provides for health benefit coverage following termination of
employment of any Employee, nor has it made any representations, agreements, covenants or
commitments to provide that coverage.
(f) Neither of the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries, nor any of their
respective officers, employees or agents, nor any of the Employee Benefit Plans, including any
pension plans or any trusts created thereunder, or any trustee or administrator thereof, has
engaged in any prohibited transaction or act or any other breach of fiduciary responsibility that
could subject any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries or Buyer to any Tax or penalty or
to any Liability under any applicable Law.
(g) Any Liabilities of any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries with respect to
future obligations related to pension liabilities, including any unfunded pension plan Liabilities,
have been reflected in the Financial Statements of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries.
(h) There is no Action pending, or to the Knowledge of the Seller Parties, threatened or
contemplated, relating to any Employee Benefit Plan (other than routine claims for benefits).
(i) All premiums required to be paid, all benefits, expenses and other amounts due and
payable, and all contributions, transfers or payments required to be made to or under the Employee
Benefit Plans will have been paid, made or accrued for all services on or prior to the Closing
Date.
(j) Each Employee Benefit Plan which is a “pension plan” (as that term is defined in section
3(2) of ERISA) is the subject of a favorable determination letter issued by the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) with respect to the qualified status of such plan under section 401(a) of the Code
and the tax-exempt status of any trust which forms a part of such plan under
35
section 501(a) of the Code; all amendments to any such plan for which the remedial amendment
period (within the meaning of section 401(b) of the Code and applicable regulations) has expired
are covered by a favorable IRS determination letter; and no event has occurred which will or could
give rise to disqualification of any such plan under such section or to a tax under section 511 of
the Code.
(k) Neither of the Acquired Entities nor any of their ERISA Affiliates sponsors, maintains,
contributes to or has any liability or contingent liability with respect to a “pension plan” (as
that term is defined in section 3(2) of ERISA) which is subject to Title IV of ERISA.
(l) There has been no act or omission that would impair the ability of the Acquired Entities
or their Subsidiaries (or any successor thereto) to unilaterally amend or terminate any Employee
Benefit Plan.
(m) None of the assets of any Employee Benefit Plan are invested in employer securities or
employer real property.
3.28 Environmental, Health and Safety Matters.
(a) Each of the Acquired Entities and its respective predecessors and Affiliates has complied,
and is in compliance, in all material respects, with all Environmental, Health and Safety
Requirements.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Section 3.28(a), each of the Acquired Entities
and its respective Affiliates has obtained, has complied with, and is in compliance with all
Permits that are required pursuant to Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements for the
occupation of its facilities and the operation of its business.
(c) None of the Acquired Entities nor any of its respective predecessors or Affiliates has
received any written or oral notice, report or other information regarding any actual or alleged
violation of Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements or any Liabilities, including any
investigatory, remedial, cleanup or corrective action Liabilities, that relate to any of them or
any of their facilities and arise under Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements.
(d) None of the following exists at any property or facility owned, leased or operated by the
Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries in a manner that has given or would give rise to any
Damages: (i) under or above-ground storage tanks, (ii) asbestos containing material in any form or
condition, (iii) materials or equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls, or (iv) landfills,
surface impoundments or disposal areas.
(e) None of the Acquired Entities nor any of its respective predecessors or Affiliates has
treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled or
Released any substances, including any Hazardous Substances, or owned, leased or operated any
property or facility (and no such property or facility is contaminated by any such substance) in a
manner that has given or would give rise to any Damages, including any response costs, corrective
action costs, personal injury, property Damage or natural resources Damages
36
under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended, the Environmental Protection and Enhancement
Act, as amended, or any other Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements.
(f) The Transactions will not result in any Liabilities for site investigation or cleanup, or
require the Consent of any Person, including pursuant to any of the so-called
“transaction-triggered” or “responsible property transfer” Environmental, Health and Safety
Requirements.
(g) None of the Acquired Entities nor any of their predecessors or Affiliates has, either
expressly or by operation of Law, assumed or undertaken any Liability, including any obligation for
corrective or remedial action, of any other Person relating to Environmental, Health and Safety
Requirements.
(h) No facts, events or conditions relating to the past or present facilities, properties or
operations of the Acquired Entities, nor any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates, will
prevent, hinder, limit or materially increase the cost of continued compliance with Environmental,
Health and Safety Requirements, give rise to any Damages pursuant to Environmental, Health and
Safety Requirements, or give rise to any other Liabilities pursuant to Environmental, Health and
Safety Requirements.
3.29 Customers and Suppliers. No Seller Party has received any notice that any significant
customer or significant supplier intends to, or desires to, cease its business relationship with
any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries, curtail or delay purchases from or sales to any
of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries, renegotiate pricing or terms with any of the
Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries, alter any contract with any of the Acquired Entities or
their Subsidiaries or cease or reduce, curtail or delay its operations or expenditures in any
material respect.
3.30 Permits. The Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries possess all material Permits
required to be obtained and maintained for their businesses and operations. Schedule 3.30
sets forth a list of all such Permits, excluding those Permits set forth on Schedule
3.28(b). Except as set forth in Schedule 3.30, such Permits are in full force and
effect, free from Breach and the Transactions will not adversely affect them.
3.31 Anti-Bribery Laws Compliance. No offer, promise, authorization to pay, or payments or
inducements have been made or given, directly or indirectly, to any government official, including,
but not limited to, any federal or local official or candidate for, any federal, provincial or
state office in Canada, the United States or foreign offices by Sellers or any of the Acquired
Entities or their Subsidiaries, by any of their officers, directors, employees or agents or, to the
Knowledge of Seller Parties, by any other Person in connection with any opportunity, contract,
permit, certificate, consent, order, approval, waiver or other authorization relating to the
business of the Sellers or any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries. Neither Sellers nor
any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries, nor, to the Knowledge of the Seller Parties,
any director, officer, agent, employee or other Person associated with or acting on behalf of
Sellers or any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries, (i) has, on behalf of the Acquired
Entities, made any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating
37
to political activity; (ii) made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any government
official or employee; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the FCPA or any similar
Laws; or (iv) made any bribe, unlawful rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other
unlawful payment in connection with the business of Sellers or any of the Acquired Entities or
their Subsidiaries.
Without limitation of the generality of the foregoing:
(a) no officer, director, employee or shareholder of the Acquired Entities or any of their
Subsidiaries is a foreign official as defined under the FCPA;
(b) with respect to any business a Person provides or may provide to the Acquired Entities or
any of their Subsidiaries, such Person has neither paid nor offered to pay any political
contributions, and, to the extent such Person has paid a political contribution, all such political
contributions will be disclosed prior to the Closing Date;
(c) neither the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries has undisclosed sub-agents or
third parties;
(d) neither the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries has been convicted of, or
pleaded guilty to, an offense involving fraud, corruption or bribery and none is ineligible for, or
proposed for suspension from, government procurement programs;
(e) neither the Acquired Entities nor any of their Subsidiaries has made, or will make,
directly or indirectly, any payments or give anything of value to any foreign official as defined
under the FCPA in connection with its activities or in obtaining any other business from any
government entity; and
(f) the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries will permit an independent audit of their
books and records to ensure compliance with the FCPA and similar anti-corruption laws.
3.32 Investment Canada Act.
(a) The value of the assets of the Acquired Entities (including all other entities in Canada,
the control of which will be acquired, directly or indirectly pursuant to the Transactions) is less
than CDN$295,000,000 as calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Investment Canada Act
and the regulations thereunder.
(b) None of the Acquired Entities (including all other entities in Canada, the control of
which will be acquired, directly or indirectly pursuant to the Transactions) is a business that is
identified in section 14.1(5) of the Investment Canada Act, which businesses include but are not
limited to (i) the production of uranium and ownership of an interest in a producing uranium
property in Canada; (ii) the provision of any financial service; (iii) the provision of any
transportation service; or (iv) is a cultural business, as such terms are defined in the Investment
Canada Act and the regulations thereunder.
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3.33 Bank Accounts. Schedule 3.33 lists the account numbers and names of each bank,
broker or other depository institution at which any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries
maintains a depository account and the names of all persons authorized to sign on or withdraw funds
from each such account.
3.34 Certain Business Relationships with the Acquired Entities. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.34, neither of the Sellers nor any of its Affiliates has been involved in any
business arrangement or relationship with any of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries
within the past twelve (12) months, and none of Sellers and their Affiliates owns any asset that is
used in any of the Acquired Entities’ businesses.
3.35 Accuracy of Information Furnished. To the Knowledge of each of the Seller Parties, no
representation, statement or information contained in this Agreement (including the Schedules) or
any Contract or document executed in connection herewith or delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or
made or furnished to Buyer or its representatives by any Seller Party contains or will contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit any material fact necessary to make the
information contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which it as made, not misleading.
The Seller Parties have made available to Buyer correct and complete copies of all documents listed
or described in the Schedules.
3.36 Board Approval. The Boards of Directors of each of the Acquired Entities have
unanimously approved and adopted this Agreement and the Transactions.
4. PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS
The Parties agree as follows with respect to the period between the execution of this
Agreement and the Closing:
4.1 General. Each Party will use its Best Efforts to take all actions and to do all things
necessary, proper or advisable to consummate, make effective, and comply with all of the terms of
this Agreement and the Transactions (including satisfaction, but not waiver, of the Closing
conditions set forth in Article 6).
4.2 Notices and Consents; Cooperation.
(a) Each Seller Party will give any notices to third parties, and will use its Best Efforts to
obtain any third party Consents, that Buyer reasonably may request in connection with the matters
referred to in Sections 2.1(b) and 3.3.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, Seller and Buyer shall:
(i) promptly make their respective filings under the Competition Act (Canada) and the HSR Act
with respect to the Transactions and thereafter shall promptly make any other required submissions
under the Competition Act (Canada) and the HSR Act;
(ii) use their Best Efforts to satisfy the conditions to Closing in Article 6 as
promptly as practicable and to cooperate with one another in (1) determining which
39
filings are required to be made prior to the Closing with, and which Consents, approvals,
Permits or authorizations are required to be obtained prior to the Closing from, Governmental
Authorities of Canada, the several provinces thereof, the United States, the several states
thereof, and foreign jurisdictions in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the Transactions; and (2) timely making all such filings and timely seeking
all such consents, approvals, permits or authorizations;
(iii) promptly notify each other of any communication concerning this Agreement or the
Transactions to that Party from any Governmental Authority and permit the other Party to review in
advance any proposed communication concerning this Agreement or the Transactions to any
Governmental Authority;
(iv) not agree to participate in any meeting or discussion with any Governmental Authority in
respect of any filings, investigation or other inquiry concerning this Agreement or the
Transactions unless it consults with the other Party in advance and, to the extent permitted by
such Governmental Authority, gives the other Party the opportunity to attend and participate
thereat;
(v) furnish the other Party with copies of all correspondence, filings and communications (and
memoranda setting forth the substance thereof) between them and their Affiliates and their
respective representatives on the one hand, and any government or regulatory authority or members
or their respective staffs on the other hand, with respect to this Agreement and the Transactions;
and
(vi) furnish the other Party with such necessary information and reasonable assistance as such
other Parties and their respective Affiliates may reasonably request in connection with their
preparation of necessary filings, registrations or submissions of information to any Governmental
Authorities, including any filings necessary or appropriate under the provisions of the Competition
Act (Canada) and the HSR Act.
(c) Without limiting the generality of Section 4.2(b), Buyer and Seller Parties shall:
(i) each use its Best Efforts to avoid the entry of, or to have vacated or terminated, any
Order that would restrain, prevent or delay the Closing, including defending through litigation on
the merits any claim asserted in any court by any party; and
(ii) each use its Best Efforts to avoid or eliminate each and every impediment under any
antitrust, competition or trade regulation law that may be asserted by any Governmental Authority
with respect to the Transactions so as to enable the Closing to occur as soon as reasonably
possible, subject to Section 4.2(e) below.
(d) Seller Parties shall request, and use their Best Efforts to cooperate with Buyer in
requesting, early termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act. Buyer shall pay
one-half and Seller Parties shall pay one-half of any HSR filing fees and any fees payable under
the Competition Act (Canada) in respect of filings that may be required.
40
(e) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, this Section 4.2 shall
not be deemed to require Buyer, Sellers, the Acquired Entities nor any of their respective
Subsidiaries to take or agree to take any Action of Divestiture with respect to their respective
assets which would be materially adverse to the business, financial condition, assets or results of
operations of Buyer and its Subsidiaries, or that of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries,
whether before or following the Transactions.
(f) At Buyer’s sole cost and expense, Seller Parties shall:
(i) assist Buyer in Buyer’s preparation of any registration statement, prospectus, current
report, periodic report or any similar or related document to be prepared or filed by Buyer in
connection with the Transactions (including the registration statement to be filed after the
Closing pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement);
(ii) cause the preparation and delivery to Buyer as soon as reasonably practicable of audited
and unaudited financial statements for the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries and such other
financial data of the type required by Regulations S-X and S-K under the Securities Act for
calendar fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007 (audited) and the first two quarters of 2007 and 2008
(unaudited) and will assist Buyer in preparing pro forma financial information showing the pro
forma effects of the Transaction prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X; and
(iii) furnish to Buyer other information as requested by Buyer in connection with any of the
foregoing documents and shall otherwise assist Buyer in connection with any presentations or
materials, including those related to financings, in connection with the Transactions contemplated
hereby.
(g) In order to assist with obtaining any third party financing, at Buyer’s sole cost and
expense, prior to Closing, the Seller Parties shall use their Best Efforts to provide such
assistance and cooperation as Buyer may reasonably request, all subject to and in accordance with
the terms of this Section 4.2(g); provided that such requested cooperation by the
Seller Parties with Buyer in this regard does not unreasonably interfere with the ongoing
operations of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries considered as a whole. The Acquired
Entities shall provide, and shall use Best Efforts to cause their representatives (including their
legal and accounting personnel) to provide, such cooperation, including (i) assisting in preparing
any information memorandum or similar document or marketing material, and, cooperating with one or
more arrangers and agents for such financing, (ii) making senior management of the Acquired
Entities reasonably available for customary syndication presentations and calls, lender or proposed
financing source meetings and rating agencies presentations and (iii) cooperating with prospective
lenders, equity investors and their respective advisors in performing their due diligence;
provided, however, that none of the Seller Parties shall be required to pay any
commitment or other similar fee or incur any other Liability in connection with any such financing.
4.3 Operation of Business. None of the Acquired Entities nor any Subsidiary thereof will
engage in any practice, take any action or enter into any transaction outside the Ordinary Course
of Business or engage in any practice, take any action, or enter into any
41
transaction of the sort described in Section 3.9 outside of the Ordinary Course of
Business, except with the prior written consent of Buyer, not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed, or as contemplated by this Agreement. Subject to compliance with applicable Law, from the
date hereof until the earlier to occur of the Closing Date and the Termination Date, the Seller
Parties will (a) provide to Buyer on a weekly basis, a list of Sales Contracts involving more than
CDN$500,000 entered into by any Acquired Entity or any of its Subsidiaries during such period after
the date of this Agreement, (b) confer on a regular and frequent basis with one or more
representatives of Buyer to report on operational matters and the general status of the ongoing
business, operations and finances of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries, and (c) during
such period, promptly provide to Buyer or its representatives copies of all filings they make with
any Governmental Authority.
4.4 Preservation of Business. Each of the Acquired Entities will keep the businesses and
properties of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries substantially intact, including its
present operations, physical facilities, working conditions and relationships with lessors,
licensors, suppliers, customers and Employees, and will not take any action that would
detrimentally affect its business or properties.
4.5 Full Access. Each of the Acquired Entities will permit representatives of Buyer
(including financing providers) to have full access at all reasonable times, and in a manner so as
not to unreasonably interfere with the normal business operations of the Acquired Entities and
their Subsidiaries, to all premises, properties, personnel, books, records, Contracts and documents
pertaining to the Acquired Entities or Subsidiaries, as the case may be, and will furnish copies of
all such books, records, Contracts and documents and all financial, operating and other data and
information as Buyer may reasonably request; provided, however, that no
investigation pursuant to this Section 4.5 will affect any representations or warranties
made herein or the conditions to the obligations of the Parties to consummate the Transactions.
4.6 Notice of Developments. Seller Parties will give prompt written notice to Buyer of any
development occurring after the date of this Agreement to the Knowledge of any of Seller Parties
which reasonably could be expected to cause any of the representations and warranties in
Section 2.1 or Article 3 to be inaccurate as of the Closing Date. Buyer will give
prompt written notice to Sellers of any development occurring after the date of this Agreement
which reasonably could be expected to cause any of the representations and warranties in
Section 2.2 to be inaccurate as of the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date. No
disclosure by any Party pursuant to this Section 4.6 shall be deemed to amend or supplement
the Schedules or to prevent or cure any misrepresentation or Breach of warranty or covenant.
4.7 Exclusivity. Seller Parties (whether directly or indirectly through their officers,
directors, agents or other representatives) will not (a) solicit, initiate discussions, engage in
or encourage discussions or negotiations with, or accept or consider any proposal or enter into any
agreement, including any non-disclosure agreement, with, any party relating to or in connection
with (i) the possible acquisition of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries (by way of
merger, share purchase, asset purchase, license, lease or otherwise), (ii) the possible acquisition
of any material portion of the shares of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries
(including the issuance of new shares) or assets of the Acquired Entities or any of their
Subsidiaries, or (iii) any other transaction outside of the Ordinary Course of Business that could
42
materially impair the value of the assets of any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries post-closing (collectively, a “Restricted Transaction”), or (b) disclose any
non-public information relating to either of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries or
afford access to the properties, books or records of either of the Acquired Entities or any of
their Subsidiaries, to any person (other than Buyer or its representatives) in connection with a
proposed Restricted Transaction. Upon receipt of any offer or proposal with respect to a
Restricted Transaction or any request for nonpublic information or inquiry that Seller Parties
reasonably believe could lead to a proposal for a Restricted Transaction, the Sellers will promptly
(and in any event within one (1) Business Day) provide Buyer with a copy of any written Restricted
Transaction proposal, request or inquiry received and a written statement with respect to any
non-written Restricted Transaction proposal request or inquiry received, which statement will
include the identity of the parties making the proposal and the terms thereof, and will promptly
(and in any event within one (1) Business Day) advise Buyer of any material modification or
proposed modification, and any other information necessary to keep Buyer informed in all material
respects regarding the status and details of such Restricted Transaction proposal.
4.8 Confidentiality; Publicity.
(a) Except as may be required by Law, stock exchange rule or as otherwise expressly
contemplated herein, no Party or their respective Affiliates, employees, agents or representatives
shall disclose to any third party this Agreement, the subject matter or terms hereof or any such
Confidential Information concerning the business or affairs of any other Party which it may have
acquired from such Party in the course of pursuing the Transactions without the prior written
consent of the Sellers or Buyer, as the case may be; provided, however, any Party
may disclose any such Confidential Information as follows: (a) to such Party’s Affiliates and its
or its Affiliates’ employees, lenders, counsel or accountants, who shall also be subject to the
requirements of this Section 4.8; (b) to comply with any applicable Law or Order, (other
than with respect to Taxes and Tax matters), provided that prior to making any such
disclosure the Party making the disclosure notifies the other Party of any Action of which it is
aware which may result in disclosure and uses its Best Efforts to limit or prevent such disclosure;
(c) to the extent that the Confidential Information is or becomes generally available to the public
through no fault of the Party or its Affiliates making such disclosure; (d) to the extent that the
same information is already known by the Party making such disclosure prior to receipt of such
Confidential Information; (e) to the extent that the Party that received the Confidential
Information independently develops the same information without in any way relying on any
Confidential Information; (f) to the extent that the same information becomes available to the
Party making such disclosure on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a Party or its
Affiliates, which source, to the Knowledge of the disclosing Party, is not prohibited from
disclosing such information by a legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation to the other Party; and
(g) either Party may disclose the “tax treatment” or “tax structure” (as those terms are defined in
Treas. Reg. §§ 1.6011-4(c)(8) and (9), respectively) of the Transactions and all materials of any
kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to the Parties relating to such
“tax treatment” or “tax structure” of the Transactions, except that “tax structure” or “tax
treatment” shall not include the identity of any existing or future Party or its Affiliates. If
the Transactions are not consummated, each Party will return or destroy as much of the Confidential
43
Information concerning the other Parties as the Parties that have provided such information
may reasonably request.
(b) The initial press release relating to this Agreement shall be a joint press release the
text of which has been agreed to by Sellers Representative and Buyer. Thereafter, unless otherwise
required by applicable Law or the rules or requirements of the NYSE, Buyer and the Seller Parties
shall each use their Best Efforts to consult with each other before issuing any press release or
otherwise making any public statements with respect to this Agreement or the Transactions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no press release shall be issued by the Seller Parties without
Buyer’s prior approval, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.
4.9 Affiliated Transactions. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.9, the Seller Parties
will cause all Contracts and transactions by and between Sellers and any Affiliate of Sellers, on
the one hand, and the Acquired Entities and any of their Subsidiaries, on the other hand, to be
terminated effective as of the Closing, without any cost or continuing obligation to the Acquired
Entities or their Subsidiaries, and will deliver to Buyer evidence of such terminations that is
reasonably acceptable to Buyer.
4.10 Charges, Fees and Prepayment Obligations. Seller Parties will, prior to the Closing,
take such steps as are necessary to ensure that (i) no sums are owed or payable by the Acquired
Entities or any of their Subsidiaries to any Person in the nature of a transfer charge or
processing fee with respect to any Contracts of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries, and
(ii) no sums are owed or payable as a prepayment penalty if Buyer or the Acquired Entities elect to
repay any Liability of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries that is outstanding as of the
Closing Date.
4.11 Site Inspections. Subject to compliance with applicable Law and applicable
Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements, from the date hereof until the earlier to occur of
the Closing or the Termination Date, Buyer may undertake (at Buyer’s sole cost and expense) an
environmental assessment or assessments of the operations, business and/or properties of the
Acquired Entities. Such assessment may include a review of Permits, files and records, as well as
visual and physical inspections and testing. The Seller Parties will cooperate in good faith with
Buyer’s effort to conduct such assessments.
4.12 Section 338 Election. Buyer reserves the right to make an election under Section 338(g)
of the Code (“Section 338 Election”) with respect to each Acquired Entity and Seller Parties agree
to provide whatever assistance reasonably required by Buyer to determine whether such election may
be made. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Section 338 Election
is made, Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Sellers and shall pay the amount, if any, that
the Adjusted Seller Taxes exceed the Base Seller Taxes (“Additional Taxes”). The “Adjusted Seller
Taxes” is defined herein as the aggregate amount of Taxes that Sellers, the Acquired Entities and
their Subsidiaries are required to pay or otherwise be responsible for paying or indemnifying Buyer
under this Agreement (but for this indemnification for Additional Taxes) if a Section 338 Election
is made, including any additional Taxes resulting from Buyer’s indemnification or payment to
Sellers Parties pursuant to this Section 4.12. The “Base Seller Taxes” is defined as the
aggregate amount of Taxes that Sellers the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries would have paid
or otherwise been responsible for
44
paying or indemnifying Buyer under this Agreement if Buyer did not elect to make a Section 338
Election. For the avoidance of doubt, the definitions of Adjusted Seller Taxes and Base Seller
Taxes shall take into consideration only such Taxes from recognized gains, revenues or losses
directly resulting from engaging in the Transactions with a Section 338 Election (i.e. sale of the
underlying assets) or without a Section 338 Election (i.e. sale of the Shares), as the case may be,
and shall not take into consideration and shall otherwise ignore any post-acquisition Tax benefits
that may be derived or lost by any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries as a result of
the Transactions with or without any Section 338 Election, including, but not limited to, any
increased, lost or reduced deductions (through depreciation, amortization or otherwise), gains or
losses, as the case may be, from any stepped-up or retained basis in the underlying assets of any
such entities.
4.13 NYSE Listing. Buyer shall promptly prepare and submit to the NYSE a listing application
covering the shares of Buyer Common Stock to be issued at the Closing of the Transactions, and
shall use its Best Efforts to obtain, prior to the Closing Date, approval for the listing of such
shares of Buyer Common Stock, subject to official notice of issuance to NYSE, and the Seller
Parties shall cooperate with Buyer with respect to such listing.
4.14 No Control Of Other Party’s Business. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give any
of the Seller Parties, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct Buyer’s operations or
give Buyer, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the Acquired Entities’
operations prior to the Closing. Prior to the Closing, Buyer, on the one hand, and the Seller
Parties, on the other, shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
complete control and supervision over their respective operations.
4.15 No Writedowns. Each Seller Party will not cause any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries to record any writedowns with respect to the CSA Receivables of either of the Acquired
Entities or any of their Subsidiaries.
4.16 Pre-Closing Transactions. Prior to the Closing, the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries, as applicable, will be permitted to carry out the transactions described in
Schedule 4.16 in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth therein (the
“Pre-Closing Transactions”). All costs and expenses of the Pre-Closing Transactions, including
without limitation, any and all assignment fees and Transfer Taxes and any and all Liabilities for
amounts payable in respect of any excess capital dividend elections pursuant to subsection 184(3)
of the Income Tax Act (Canada) or in respect of any excess eligible dividend designations pursuant
to subsection 185.1(2) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), shall be borne by the Seller Parties. The
Seller Parties shall not execute any transfer documents necessary to consummate the Pre-Closing
Transactions without the consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed. Each Seller Party shall use its Best Efforts so that the amount of any
capital dividend elections and the amount of any eligible dividend designations as part of the
Pre-Closing Transactions will not exceed the amount of the applicable Acquired Entities’ capital
dividend account or be an excessive eligible dividend designation, respectively, for the purposes
of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and, to the extent that there are any such excessive amounts, each
Seller Party concurs with the applicable Acquired Entity (or any successor thereto) making an
election under subsection 184(3) or 185.1(2), as the case may
45
be, to treat any excess capital dividends as separate taxable dividends or any excessive
eligible dividends as separate ordinary dividends (other than eligible dividends), respectively.
4.17 Privacy Obligations.
(a) In addition to any other obligation of Buyer with respect to Confidential Information,
Buyer warrants and agrees that it shall be solely responsible for its own compliance with all
applicable privacy laws, which laws shall include, without limitation and as applicable, the
Personal Information Protection Act (Alberta), the Personal Information Protection and Electronic
Documents Act (Canada), and any similar law that governs the collection, use, disclosure,
retention, destruction and/or storage of any Personal Information regarding the Employees, that is
disclosed to or otherwise acquired by Buyer in connection with this Agreement.
(b) Prior to Closing, Buyer shall limit and shall cause its employees and agents to limit all
collection, use, retention and disclosure of all Personal Information transferred to it, if any,
solely for purposes related to the transactions hereby contemplated, including the determination
whether to proceed with such transactions or that, if Closing occurs, will be required to carry on
with the business of Buyer thereafter.
(c) Prior to Closing, Buyer shall use appropriate security measures to safeguard all Personal
Information transferred to it, and to protect it against accidental or unauthorized access, use,
copying, alteration, deletion, destruction, dissemination or disclosure. Prior to Closing, access
to Personal Information transferred to Buyer shall be restricted to those persons under obligations
of confidentiality to Buyer who require access to the Personal Information for the purposes of this
Agreement.
(d) Upon Closing, Buyer shall limit and shall cause its employees and agents to limit the use
and disclosure of the Personal Information transferred to it, if any, to those purposes for which
the Personal Information was initially collected by Sellers, unless otherwise permitted by
applicable Laws.
(e) If Closing does not occur, Buyer covenants and agrees that it will immediately and
securely destroy all Personal Information transferred to it, including any copies of Personal
Information or another materials containing or derived from Personal Information, in its custody or
control, including in the custody or control of its agents or Affiliates.
(f) Sellers shall, and shall cause any applicable Affiliates to, notify the individual to whom
any Personal Information relates as to the disclosure of such Personal Information to Buyer, if
any, and shall obtain the consent of the individual to such disclosure unless the disclosure is
permitted without notice or consent by applicable Laws.
5. POST-CLOSING COVENANTS
The Parties agree as follows with respect to the period following the Closing:
5.1 General.
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(a) In case at any time after the Closing any further action is necessary or desirable to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement, each Party will take such further action (including, the
execution and delivery of such further instruments and documents) as any other Party reasonably may
request, all at the requesting Party’s sole cost and expense (unless the requesting Party is
entitled to indemnification therefor under Article 8). Sellers acknowledge and agree that
after the Closing, Buyer will be entitled to possession of all documents, books, records,
agreements and financial data of any sort relating to the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries.
Following the Closing, Sellers shall deliver to Buyer any books and records of the Acquired
Entities and their Subsidiaries not in the possession of the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries that any of them may locate and that were not in their possession or readily available
to such Sellers at the Closing.
(b) Buyer will permit Sellers and their representatives reasonable access on reasonable notice
during normal business hours, for a period of three (3) years following the Closing Date and for
such longer period as may be required in connection with any pending or threatened judicial or
administrative proceeding, to the books and records of the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries, including the right to make copies thereof (at such Seller’s expense), and to
personnel (for reasonable inquiry and testimony) in connection therewith. Buyer will also permit
Sellers reasonable access on reasonable notice during normal business hours after the Closing Date
until the date that is six (6) months after the expiration of any applicable statutes of
limitations (including extensions thereof) with respect to books and records relating to
Liabilities for Taxes and Tax Returns of the Sellers, the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries.
5.2 Litigation Support. So long as any Party actively is contesting or defending against any
Action in connection with (a) the Transactions or (b) any fact, situation, circumstance, status,
condition, activity, practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act or
transaction on or prior to the Closing Date involving any of the Acquired Entities or Subsidiaries
thereof, each other Party will cooperate with such Party and such Party’s counsel in the contest or
defense, make available their personnel, and provide such testimony and access to their books and
records as shall be necessary in connection with the contest or defense, at the sole cost and
expense of the contesting or defending Party (unless the contesting or defending Party is entitled
to indemnification therefor under Article 8).
5.3 Transition. No Seller Party will take any action that is designed or intended to have the
effect of discouraging any lessor, licensor, customer, supplier or other business associate of any
of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries from maintaining the same business
relationships with the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries after the Closing as it maintained
with the Acquired Entities and such Subsidiaries prior to the Closing. Each Seller will refer all
customer inquiries relating to the businesses of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries to
Buyer from and after the Closing.
5.4 Confidentiality. Each Seller will treat and hold as confidential all of the Confidential
Information, refrain from using any of the Confidential Information except in connection with this
Agreement, and deliver promptly to Buyer or destroy, at the request and option of Buyer, all
tangible embodiments (and all copies) of the Confidential Information which are in Seller’s
possession. If any Seller is requested or required (by oral question or request for
47
information or documents in any Action) to disclose any Confidential Information, that Seller
will notify Buyer promptly of the request or requirement so that Buyer may seek an appropriate
protective Order or waive compliance with this Section 5.4. If, in the absence of a
protective Order or the receipt of a waiver hereunder, any Seller that is, on the written advice of
counsel, compelled to disclose any Confidential Information to any Governmental Authority,
arbitrator or mediator or else stand liable for contempt, that Seller may disclose the Confidential
Information to the Governmental Authority, arbitrator or mediator; provided,
however; that the disclosing Seller shall use its Best Efforts to obtain, at the reasonable
request of Buyer, an Order or other assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded to such
portion of the Confidential Information required to be disclosed as Buyer shall designate.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, either Party may disclose the “tax treatment” and
“tax structure” (as those terms are defined in Treas. Reg. Sections 1.6011-4(c)(8) and (9),
respectively) of the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that the
foregoing authorization shall apply only to the extent necessary such that the Transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not constitute a “confidential transaction” within the meaning
of Treas. Reg. Section 1.6011-4(b)(3).
5.5 Restrictive Covenants. To assure that Buyer and the Acquired Entities will realize the
benefits of the Transactions, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx hereby agrees not to:
(a) From the Closing Date until that date that is five (5) years after the Closing Date,
directly or indirectly, alone or as a partner, joint venturer, officer, director, member, employee,
consultant, agent, independent contractor or Equity Interest holder of, or lender to, any Person or
business, engage in the business of manufacturing, selling or leasing seismic data acquisition or
processing equipment or technology (the “Relevant Business”) anywhere in (i) Canada, (ii) the
United Arab Emirates, (iii) Russia, (iv) China, (v) India or (vi) the United States.
(b) From the Closing Date until that date that is five (5) years after the Closing Date,
directly or indirectly (A) induce any Person that is a customer of Buyer, any of the Acquired
Entities or any of their Affiliates to patronize any business directly or indirectly in competition
with the Relevant Business conducted by Buyer, the Acquired Entities or any of their Affiliates;
(B) canvass, solicit or accept from any Person who is a customer of Buyer, either of the Acquired
Entities or any of their Affiliates, any such competitive business; or (C) with respect to the
Relevant Business, request or advise any Person who is a customer or vendor of Buyer, either of the
Acquired Entities or any of their Affiliates, to withdraw, curtail or cancel any such customer’s or
vendor’s business with such Person; provided, however, that a general solicitation or advertisement
originating outside of and not specifically targeted to or reasonably expected to target the
territory as to which such Seller is restricted from under this Agreement at such time shall not be
deemed in and of itself to violate the prohibitions of (A) or (B) of this subparagraph.
(c) From the Closing Date until that date that is six months after the Closing Date, directly
or indirectly employ or knowingly permit any Affiliate of such Seller to employ any person who was
employed by Buyer with respect to the Relevant Business, either of the Acquired Entities or any of
their Affiliates within the prior six months.
48
(d) From the Closing Date until that date that is five (5) years after the Closing Date,
directly or indirectly, (A) solicit for employment by such Seller, his Affiliates or anyone else,
any employee or then currently active independent contractor with respect to the Relevant Business
of Buyer, either of the Acquired Entities or any of their Affiliates, or any person who was an
employee or then currently active independent contractor of Buyer, either of the Acquired Entities
or any of their Affiliates, within the six-month period immediately preceding such solicitation of
employment, other than such person (1) whose employment or independent contractor relationship was
terminated by the applicable Person, or (2) who independently responded to a general solicitation
for employment by such Seller or such Seller’s Affiliate; or (B) induce or attempt to induce, any
employee or independent contractor with respect to the Relevant Business of Buyer, either of the
Acquired Entities or any of their Affiliates, to terminate such employee’s employment or
independent contractor’s active contractual relationship with such Person.
(e) From the Closing Date until that date that is five (5) years after the Closing Date,
directly or indirectly, call on any Acquisition Candidate with the Knowledge of such Acquisition
Candidate’s status as such, for the purpose of acquiring, or arranging the acquisition of, that
Acquisition Candidate by any Person other than Buyer, either of the Acquired Entities or any of
their Affiliates.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the beneficial ownership of less than 3% of the Equity Interests of
any Person having a class of Equity Interest actively traded on a Canadian or U.S. securities
exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market shall not be deemed, in and of itself, to Breach the
prohibitions of this Section 5.5. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx agrees and acknowledges that the
restrictions in this Section 5.5 are reasonable in scope and duration and are necessary to
protect Buyer and the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries after the Closing. If Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx is found to have Breached this Section 5.5, then, in addition to all other
remedies that may be available to Buyer, an amount of time equal to the period Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
was found to be in Breach of this Section 5.5 shall be added to the time periods
contemplated by this Section 5.5. If any provision of this Section 5.5, as applied
to any Party or to any circumstance, is adjudged by a Governmental Authority, arbitrator or
mediator not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms, the same will in no way affect any
other circumstance or the enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement. If any such
provision, or any part thereof, is held not to be enforceable in accordance with its terms because
of the duration of such provision, the area covered thereby, or the scope of the activities
covered, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx and Buyer agree that the Governmental Authority, arbitrator or mediator
making such determination shall have the power to reduce the duration, area and/or scope of
activities of such provision, and/or to delete specific words or phrases, and in its reduced form,
such provision shall then be Enforceable and shall be enforced. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx and Buyer agree
and acknowledge that the Breach of this Section 5.5 will cause irreparable Damage to Buyer
and the Acquired Entities and upon breach of any provision of this Section 5.5, Buyer
and/or either of the Acquired Entities shall be entitled to injunctive relief, specific performance
or other equitable relief without bond or other security; provided, however, that
the foregoing remedies shall in no way limit any other remedies which Buyer and/or any of the
Acquired Entities may have.
The Parties acknowledge that certain covenants of this nature will be contained in the Employment
Agreements of certain of the other Sellers.
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5.6 Releases.
(a) Subject to the Closing occurring, each Seller, on behalf of such Seller and each of such
Seller’s spouse, heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns, hereby RELEASES AND FOREVER
DISCHARGES Buyer, each of the Acquired Entities and each of their respective Subsidiaries,
officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders, controlling persons, representatives,
Affiliates, successors, assigns (individually, a “Releasee” and collectively, “Releasees”) from any
and all Actions, Orders, Damages, Liabilities and Contracts whatsoever, whether known or unknown,
suspected or unsuspected, both at Law and in equity, which such Seller or any of such Seller’s
heirs, representatives, successors or assigns now has, has ever had or may hereafter have against
the respective Releasees arising contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing Date or on account
of or arising out of any matter, cause or event occurring contemporaneously with or prior to the
Closing Date, whether or not relating to Actions pending on, or asserted after, the Closing Date;
provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall operate to release any
obligations of Buyer arising under this Agreement. Each Seller hereby irrevocably waives and
covenants to refrain from, directly or indirectly, asserting any cause of Action or commencing,
instituting or causing to be commenced, any Action, of any kind against any Releasee, based upon
any matter purported to be released hereby.
(b) Seller Parties represent and warrant that none of them have previously assigned or
transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, to any Person or entity whatsoever all or any part
of the Actions, Orders, Damages, Liabilities, Contracts or other obligations released herein.
Seller Parties covenant and agrees that Sellers will not, and will cause the Acquired Entities not
to, assign or transfer to any Person or entity whatsoever all or any part of the Actions, Orders,
Damages, Liabilities, Contracts or other obligations to be released herein.
(c) THE RELEASE PROVIDED BY SELLERS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION 5.6 SHALL APPLY
NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE MATTER FOR WHICH RELEASE IS PROVIDED MAY RELATE TO THE ORDINARY, SOLE OR
CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR VIOLATION OF LAW BY A RELEASEE,
ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, PARTNERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS, AND FOR LIABILITIES BASED ON THEORIES OF
STRICT LIABILITY, AND SHALL BE APPLICABLE WHETHER OR NOT NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEE IS ALLEGED OR
PROVEN, IT BEING THE INTENTION OF THE PARTIES TO RELEASE THE RELEASEE FROM AND AGAINST ITS
ORDINARY, SOLE AND CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE AND GROSS NEGLIGENCE AS WELL AS LIABILITIES BASED ON THE
WILLFUL ACTIONS OR OMISSIONS OF THE RELEASEE AND LIABILITIES BASED ON THEORIES OF STRICT LIABILITY;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY CLAIMS, LIABILITIES, DEBTS OR CAUSES OF ACTION THAT MAY ARISE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE FAILURE OF ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO PERFORM ANY OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS
HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OTHER AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR FROM ANY
BREACHES BY ANY OF THEM OF ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES HEREIN OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OF
SUCH OTHER AGREEMENTS SHALL NOT BE RELEASED OR DISCHARGED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT.
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5.7 Tax Matters.
(a) Liability for Taxes.
(i) The Seller Parties shall be jointly and severally liable for, and pay, and pursuant to
Article 8, will defend, indemnify and hold harmless, each Buyer Indemnified Person against
(A) any and all Taxes imposed on any of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, or for
which any of the Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries may otherwise be liable, for any
taxable year or period that ends on or before the Closing Date and, with respect to any Straddle
Period, the portion of such Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date; provided,
however, that the Seller Parties shall not be liable for or pay, and does not agree to defend,
indemnify and hold harmless, any Buyer Indemnified Person from and against (a) Taxes to the extent
taken into account as a liability in computing the Net Working Capital Adjustments (“Excluded
Taxes”) and (b) Additional Taxes. The Seller Parties shall be entitled to any refund of (or credit
of) Taxes for which the Seller Parties are liable pursuant to this Section 5.7(a)(i).
(ii) Buyer shall be liable for and pay and pursuant to Article 8, will defend,
indemnify and hold harmless, each Seller Party against (A) any and all Taxes imposed on any of the
Acquired Entities or any of their Subsidiaries, or for which any of the Acquired Entities or any of
their Subsidiaries may otherwise be liable, for any taxable year or period that begins after the
Closing Date and, with respect to any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period
beginning immediately after the Closing Date, (B) Excluded Taxes and (c) Additional Taxes. Buyer
shall be entitled to any refund of (or credit of) Taxes for which Buyer is liable pursuant to this
Section 5.7(a)(ii).
(iii) For purposes of paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) of this Section
5.7, whenever it is necessary to determine the liability for (or refunds with respect to) Taxes
of any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries for a Straddle Period, the determination of
the Taxes of such Acquired Entity or Subsidiary for the portion of the Straddle Period ending on
and including, and the portion of the Straddle Period beginning immediately after, the Closing
Date, shall be determined by assuming that the Straddle Period consisted of two taxable years or
periods, one which ended at the close of the Closing Date and the other which began at the
beginning of the day following the Closing Date, and items of income, gain, deduction, loss or
credit of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries for the Straddle Period shall be allocated
between such two taxable years or periods on a “closing of the books basis”; provided,
however, that exemptions, allowances or deductions that are calculated on an annual basis,
such as the deduction for depreciation, shall be apportioned between such two taxable years or
periods on a daily basis; provided, further, that all real property, personal property, ad valorem
or other similar Taxes (not including income Taxes) shall be apportioned between such two taxable
years or periods on a daily basis.
(iv) Seller Parties shall be liable for and pay, and, jointly and severally, will defend,
indemnify and hold harmless, each Buyer Indemnified Person against any and all real property
transfer Taxes, sales Taxes, use Taxes, stamp Taxes, stock transfer Taxes or other similar Taxes
imposed on the purchase and sale of Shares contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, “Transfer
Taxes”).
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(b) Tax Returns.
(i) Seller Parties shall timely file or cause to be timely filed when due (A) all Tax Returns
required to be filed by or with respect to each of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries on
or before the Closing Date and (B) all Tax Returns with respect to Transfer Taxes, and the Seller
Parties shall remit, or cause to be remitted, any Taxes shown to be due in respect of such Tax
Returns. With respect to Tax Returns to be filed by the Seller Parties, unless contrary to
applicable Laws, such Tax Returns shall be filed in a manner consistent with past practice and no
position shall be taken, election made or method adopted that is inconsistent with positions taken,
elections made or methods used in prior periods in filing such Tax Returns.
(ii) Buyer shall timely file or cause to be timely filed when due all Tax Returns required to
be filed by or with respect to each of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries after the
Closing Date, and Buyer shall remit, or cause to be remitted, any Taxes shown to be due in respect
of such Tax Returns.
(iii) The Seller Parties shall pay Buyer for the Taxes for which the Seller Parties are liable
pursuant to Section 5.7(a) but which are payable with any Tax Return to be filed by Buyer.
(c) Assistance and Cooperation. After the Closing Date, each Party shall (and cause
its respective Affiliates to):
(i) assist the other Party in preparing any Tax Returns which such other Party is responsible
for preparing and filing pursuant to Section 5.7(b);
(ii) cooperate fully in preparing for any audits of, or disputes with taxing authorities
regarding, any Tax Returns of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries;
(iii) make available to the other and to any taxing authority as reasonably requested all
information, records and documents relating to Taxes of the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries;
(iv) provide timely notice to the other Party in writing of any pending or threatened Tax
audits, examinations or assessments with respect to the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries
for taxable periods for which the other Party may have liability under Section 5.7(a); and
(v) furnish the other Party with copies of all correspondence received from any taxing
authority in connection with any Tax audit or information request with respect to any such Tax
audit;
(d) timely sign and deliver such certificates or forms as may be necessary or appropriate to
establish an exemption from (or otherwise reduce), or file Tax Returns or other reports with
respect to Transfer Taxes; and
(e) timely provide to the other Parties powers of attorney or similar authorizations necessary
to carry out the purposes of this Section 5.7.
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5.8 Securities Filings. At Buyer’s sole cost and expense, Seller Parties shall assist Buyer
in Buyer’s preparation of any registration statement, prospectus, current report, periodic report
or any similar or related document to be prepared or filed by Buyer in connection with the
Transactions (including the registration statement to be filed after the Closing pursuant to the
terms of the Registration Rights Agreement).
5.9 Registration Rights Agreement. As soon as practicable after the Closing Date, Buyer will
file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act to register for resale the
shares of Buyer Common Stock acquired by the Sellers and will use its Best Efforts to cause such
registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC pursuant to the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement.
6. CLOSING CONDITIONS
6.1 Conditions Precedent to Obligation of Buyer. Buyer’s obligation to consummate the
Transactions contemplated to occur in connection with the Closing and thereafter is subject to the
satisfaction of each condition precedent listed below. Unless expressly waived pursuant to this
Agreement, no representation, warranty, covenant, right or remedy available to Buyer in connection
with the Transactions will be deemed waived by any of the following actions or inactions by or on
behalf of Buyer (regardless of whether any Seller is given notice of any such matter): (i)
consummation by Buyer of the Transactions, (ii) any inspection or investigation, if any, of the
Acquired Entities, their Subsidiaries or any Seller, (iii) the awareness of any fact or matter
acquired (or capable or reasonably capable of being acquired) with respect to the Acquired
Entities, their Subsidiaries or Sellers, or (iv) any other action, in each case at any time,
whether before, on or after the Closing Date.
(a) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Each representation and warranty set forth in
Section 2.1 and Article 3 must have been accurate and complete in all material
respects (except with respect to any provisions including the word “material” or words of similar
import and Section 3.8, with respect to which such representations and warranties must have
been accurate and complete) as of the date of this Agreement, and must be accurate and complete in
all material respects (except with respect to any provisions including the word “material” or words
of similar import and Section 3.8, with respect to which such representations and
warranties must have been accurate and complete) as of the Closing Date, as if made on the Closing
Date, exclusive of the effects of the consummation of the Pre-Closing Transactions on such
representations and warranties.
(b) Compliance with Obligations. Each Seller Party must have performed and complied with all
of its covenants to be performed or complied with at or prior to Closing (singularly and in the
aggregate).
(c) No Material Adverse Effect or Destruction of Property. Since the date of this Agreement,
there must have been no Material Adverse Effect on the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or their assets, and there must not have been any action or inaction by a
Governmental Authority, arbitrator or mediator which could reasonably be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Effect to the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
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(d) Consents. The Seller Parties and Buyer must have received Consents to the Transactions
and waivers of rights to terminate or modify any rights or obligations of any Seller Party from any
Person from whom such Consent is required, including under any Contract listed or required to be
listed in Schedule 3.14, 3.15(b), 3.18, 3.21 and 3.27 or
other Law as of a date not more than five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing, or who as a
result of the Transactions, would have such rights to terminate or modify such Contracts, either by
their terms or as a matter of Law.
(e) No Adverse Litigation. There must not be pending or threatened any Action by or before
any Governmental Authority, arbitrator or mediator which shall seek to restrain, prohibit,
invalidate or collect Damages arising out of the Transactions.
(f) Liabilities. Prior to the Closing, the Seller Parties must have obtained and delivered to
Buyer full satisfactions or releases of all Liabilities due to or from the Acquired Entities or
their Subsidiaries which are due to be satisfied or released under this Agreement to or on behalf
of (i) any Affiliate of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries or (ii) Sellers or any
Affiliate of Sellers.
(g) Competition Act. Either (i) an advance ruling certificate shall have been issued under
section 102 of the Competition Act (Canada) in respect of the Transactions; or (ii) (A) the
applicable waiting period under section 123 of the Competition Act (Canada) shall have expired or,
pursuant to paragraph 113(c) of the Act, have been waived and (B) any of the Parties shall have
been advised in writing by the Commissioner of Competition that he or she has determined not to
make an application for an order under section 92 or section 100 of the Competition Act (Canada) in
respect of the Transactions on terms acceptable to Buyer, acting reasonably.
(h) Waiting Period. Any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act must have expired or been
terminated.
(i) Employment Agreements. The Employees named in Exhibit E shall have executed and
delivered the Employment Agreements.
(j) Escrow Agreement. Sellers and the Escrow Agent shall have executed and delivered the
Escrow Agreement.
(k) Financial Statements. The Seller Parties shall have prepared and delivered to Buyer the
financial statements and other financial data in the format(s) described in Section 4.2(f).
(l) Resignations. Buyer and the Sellers shall have agreed on the provisions of the
Resignations and the Sellers shall have delivered to Buyer the Resignations.
6.2 Conditions Precedent to Obligation of Sellers. Each Seller’s obligation to consummate the
Transactions contemplated to occur in connection with the Closing and thereafter is subject to the
satisfaction of each condition precedent listed below. Unless expressly waived pursuant to this
Agreement, no representation, warranty, covenant, right or
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remedy available to any Seller in connection with the Transactions will be deemed waived by
any of the following actions or inactions by or on behalf of any Seller (regardless of whether
Buyer is given notice of any such matter): (i) consummation by Sellers of the Transactions, (ii)
any inspection or investigation, if any, of Buyer, (iii) the awareness of any fact or matter
acquired (or capable or reasonably capable of being acquired) with respect to Buyer, or (iv) any
other action, in each case at any time, whether before, on or after the Closing Date.
(a) Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. Each representation and warranty set forth in
Section 2.2 must have been accurate and complete in all material respects (except with
respect to any provisions including the word “material” or words of similar import, with respect to
which such representations and warranties must have been accurate and complete) as of the date of
this Agreement, and must be accurate and complete in all material respects (except with respect to
any provisions including the word “material” or words of similar import, with respect to which such
representations and warranties must have been accurate and complete) as of the Closing Date, as if
made on the Closing Date.
(b) Compliance with Obligations. Buyer must have performed and complied with all its
covenants and obligations required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with at or prior
to Closing (singularly and in the aggregate).
(c) No Order or Injunction. There must not be issued and in effect any Order restraining or
prohibiting the Transactions.
(d) Competition Act. Either (i) an advance ruling certificate shall have been issued under
section 102 of the Competition Act (Canada) in respect of the Transactions; or (ii) (A) the
applicable waiting period under section 123 of the Competition Act (Canada) shall have expired or,
pursuant to paragraph 113(c) of the Act, have been waived and (B) any of the Parties shall have
been advised in writing by the Commissioner of Competition that he or she has determined not to
make an application for an order under section 92 or section 100 of the Competition Act (Canada) in
respect of the Transactions on terms acceptable to the Sellers, acting reasonably.
(e) Waiting Period. Any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act must have expired or been
terminated.
(f) Registration Rights Agreement. Buyer shall have executed and delivered the Registration
Rights Agreement.
(g) Escrow Agreement. Buyer and the Escrow Agent shall have executed and delivered the Escrow
Agreement.
(h) Listing on NYSE. The listing on the NYSE of the shares of Buyer Common Stock to be
delivered as the Share Consideration shall have been approved.
(i) Resignations. Buyer and the Sellers shall have agreed on the provisions of the
Resignations and Buyer shall have received the Resignations.
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7. TERMINATION
7.1 Termination of Agreement. The Parties may terminate this Agreement as provided below:
(a) Buyer and Sellers may terminate this Agreement as to all Parties by mutual written consent
at any time prior to the Closing;
(b) Buyer or Sellers may terminate this Agreement upon delivery of notice to the other if the
Closing has not occurred prior to the Expiration Date, provided that the Party delivering
such notice shall not have caused such failure to close;
(c) a Canadian or United States federal, provincial or state court or other court of competent
jurisdiction or a Canadian or United States federal, provincial or state or other foreign
Governmental Authority shall have issued an Order or taken any other action (including the
enactment or promulgation of any Law) permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Transaction; provided, however, that the Party seeking to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this clause (c) shall have complied with Section 4.2 and with respect
to other matters not covered by Section 4.2, shall have used its Best Efforts to remove
such Order;
(d) Buyer may terminate this Agreement by giving written notice to the Sellers at any time
prior to the Closing if any Seller Party has Breached any representation or warranty, or any
covenant to be performed by it, contained in this Agreement in any material respect (except with
respect to materiality for any provisions including the word “material” or words of similar import,
and Section 3.8, in which case such termination rights will arise upon any Breach) and
fails to remedy such Breach within ten (10) Business Days of receipt of notice from Buyer to do so;
and
(e) Sellers may terminate this Agreement by giving notice to Buyer at any time prior to the
Closing if Buyer has Breached any representation or warranty, or any covenant to be performed by
it, contained in this Agreement in any material respect (except with respect to materiality for any
provisions including the word “material” or words of similar import, in which case such termination
rights will arise upon any Breach) and fails to remedy such Breach within ten (10) Business Days of
receipt of notice from Sellers to do so.
7.2 Effect of Termination. If the obligation to close the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to any provision of Article 7 hereof, then this Agreement
shall forthwith become void and there shall not be any Liability with respect to this Agreement on
the part of any Party except and to the extent such termination results from the Breach by a Party
of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder.
8. INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants.
(a) Each representation and warranty of Sellers contained in Sections 2.1(a) (Power and
Authority; Enforceability), 2.1(b) (No Violation) and 2.1(d) (Shares; Seller
Information) and in any certificate related to such representations and warranties will survive
the
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Closing and will continue in full force and effect until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the
Closing Date. Each representation and warranty of Sellers contained in Section 2.1(c)
(Brokers’ Fees), Section 2.1(e) (Investment), Section 2.1(f) (Residency) and in
Article 3, and in any certificate related to such representations and warranties will
survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect until the date upon which the Escrow
Period expires, except for (i) the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.12
(Tax Matters) and in Section 4.16 (Pre-Closing Transactions), which shall survive the
Closing and continue in full force and effect until the expiry of the 90th day following the last
day upon which any Governmental Authority may issue an assessment or reassessment for Taxes owing
by any of the Acquired Entities and Subsidiaries in respect of any period ending on or prior to the
Closing Date, and (ii) the representations and warranties contained in 3.2 (Power and
Authority; Enforceability), 3.5 (Capitalization), 3.13 (Title to Assets) and
3.28 (Environmental, Health and Safety Matters), which representations shall survive the
Closing and will continue in full force and effect until the seventh (7th) anniversary of the
Closing Date.
(b) Each representation and warranty of Buyer contained in Section 2.2 and any
certificate directly related to such representations and warranties will survive the Closing and
continue in full force and effect until that date upon which the term of the Escrow Period expires.
(c) Except to the extent set forth herein, the respective covenants of the Parties to this
Agreement shall survive the Closing and shall remain in full force and effect until the seventh
(7th) anniversary of the Closing Date. To the extent that the survival period for the covenants
provided herein exceeds a limitation period provided by the Limitations Act (Alberta), this
Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an agreement within the meaning of section 7 of the
Limitations Act (Alberta) expressly providing for the extension of a limitation period provided by
the Limitations Act (Alberta).
(d) Each other provision in this Agreement or any certificate or document delivered pursuant
hereto will survive for the relevant statute of limitations period, unless a different period is
expressly contemplated herein or thereby.
8.2 Indemnification Provisions for Buyer’s Benefit. The Seller Parties (subject to the
provisions of Sections 8.4, 8.5 and 8.7), jointly and severally, will
defend, indemnify and hold the Buyer Indemnified Persons harmless from and against, and shall pay
any, and all Damages, directly or indirectly, resulting from, relating to, arising out of or
attributable to any one of the following:
(a) any Breach of any representation or warranty any Seller Party has made in this Agreement,
or any other certificate or document any Seller or the Acquired Entities has delivered pursuant to
this Agreement;
(b) any Breach by any Seller Party of any covenant or obligation of any Seller Party in this
Agreement; or
(c) the Pre-Closing Transactions.
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8.3 Indemnification Provisions for Sellers’ Benefit. Buyer (subject to the provisions of
Sections 8.4, 8.6 and 8.8), will defend, indemnify and hold the Seller
Indemnified Persons harmless from and against, and shall pay any, and all Damages, directly or
indirectly, resulting from, relating to, arising out of or attributable to any one of the
following:
(a) any Breach of any representation or warranty Buyer has made in this Agreement, or any
other certificate or document Buyer has delivered pursuant to this Agreement; or
(b) any Breach by Buyer of any covenant or obligation of Buyer in this Agreement.
8.4 Third Party Indemnification Claim Procedures.
(a) If any Action is commenced in which any Indemnitee is a party which may give rise to a
claim for indemnification against any Indemnitor, then such Indemnitee shall promptly give notice
to the Indemnitor. Failure to notify the Indemnitor will not relieve the Indemnitor of any
Liability that it may have to the Indemnitee, except to the extent the defense of such Action is
materially and irrevocably prejudiced by the Indemnitee’s failure to give such notice.
(b) An Indemnitor will have the right to defend against an Indemnification Claim with counsel
of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee if (i) within fifteen (15) Business Days
following the receipt of notice of the Indemnification Claim, the Indemnitor notifies the
Indemnitee in writing that the Indemnitor will indemnify the Indemnitee from and against the
entirety of any Damages the Indemnitee may suffer resulting from, relating to, arising out of or
attributable to the Indemnification Claim, (ii) the Indemnitor provides the Indemnitee with
evidence reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee that the Indemnitor will have the financial
resources to defend against the Indemnification Claim and pay, in cash, all Damages the Indemnitee
may suffer resulting from, relating to, arising out of or attributable to the Indemnification
Claim, (iii) the Indemnification Claim involves only money Damages and does not seek an injunction
or other equitable relief, and (iv) the Indemnitor continuously conducts the defense of the
Indemnification Claim actively and diligently.
(c) So long as the Indemnitor is conducting the defense of the Indemnification Claim in
accordance with Section 8.4(b) above, (i) the Indemnitee may retain separate co-counsel at
its sole cost and expense and participate in the defense of the Indemnification Claim, (ii) the
Indemnitee will not consent to the entry of any Order with respect to the Indemnification Claim
without the prior written consent of the Indemnitor (not to be withheld unreasonably), and (iii)
the Indemnitor will not consent to the entry of any Order with respect to the Indemnification Claim
without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee (not to be withheld unreasonably,
provided that it will not be deemed to be unreasonable for an Indemnitee to withhold its
consent (A) with respect to any finding of or admission (1) of any violation of any Law, Order or
Permit, (2) of any violation of the rights of any Person, or (3) which Indemnitee believes could
have a material adverse effect on any other Actions to which the Indemnitee or its Affiliates are
party or to which Indemnitee has a good faith belief they may become party, or (B) if any portion
of such Order would not remain sealed).
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(d) In connection with any Indemnification Claim for Taxes, or if any condition in Section
8.4(b) above is or becomes unsatisfied, (i) the Indemnitee may defend, to the extent not
defended by the Indemnitor, against, and consent to the entry of any Order with respect to, an
Indemnification Claim in any manner it may deem appropriate, subject to the consent of the
Indemnitor, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, (ii) each
Indemnitor will jointly and severally be obligated to reimburse the Indemnitee promptly and
periodically for the Damages relating to defending against the Indemnification Claim, and (iii)
each Indemnitor will remain jointly and severally liable for any Damages the Indemnitee may suffer
relating to the Indemnification Claim to the fullest extent provided in this Article 8.
(e) Each Party hereby consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any Governmental Authority
in which an Action is brought against any Indemnitee for purposes of any Indemnification Claim that
an Indemnitee may have under this Agreement with respect to such Action or the matters alleged
therein, and agrees that process may be served on such Party with respect to such claim anywhere in
the world.
8.5 Limitations on Sellers’ Indemnification Liability. The Liability of Sellers with respect
to any claims for indemnity under this Agreement shall be subject to the following:
(a) If the Closing occurs, Sellers will have no Liability for money Damages related to
Breaches of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2.1 and Article 3
and any certificate related to such representations and warranties:
(i) unless and until the aggregate Damages claimed under Section 8.2 exceed
US$1,000,000 (the “Sellers’ Threshold Amount”); provided, however, if the aggregate
amount of Damages claimed under Section 8.2 exceeds the Sellers’ Threshold Amount, then in
such event, the Sellers will be obligated to indemnify Buyer and any other Buyer Indemnified
Persons from and against all such Damages relating back to and including the first dollar of
aggregate Damages so claimed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the limitations on Sellers’
Liabilities set forth above in this Section 8.5 shall not apply to (A) Damages related to
any Breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 2.1(a) (Power and
Authority; Enforceability), 2.1(b) (No Violation), 2.1(d) (Shares; Seller
Information), 3.2 (Power and Authority; Enforceability), 3.5 (Capitalization),
3.12 (Tax Matters), 3.13 (Title to Assets), 3.28 (Environmental, Health and
Safety Matters) and 4.16 (Pre-Closing Transactions), (B) any Damages resulting from any
fraudulent act or willful misconduct by any of the Seller Parties; or
(ii) unless the Indemnification Claim arising as a result of a Breach by any Seller Party of a
representation or warranty made in this Agreement or any other certificate or document that any
Seller Party has delivered pursuant to this Agreement, is made in writing no later than the date on
which the survival period as set forth herein for such representation or warranty has expired.
(b) Any payment by Sellers as Indemnitors hereunder shall be reduced by the amount of any
insurance proceeds received by the Buyer Indemnified Person in respect of the occurrence giving
rise to the Indemnification Claim.
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8.6 Limitations on Buyer’s Indemnification Liability. The Liability of Buyer with respect to
any claims for indemnity under this Agreement shall be subject to the following:
(a) If the Closing occurs, Buyer will have no Liability for money Damages related to Breaches
of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2.2 and any certificate related
to such representations and warranties:
(i) unless and until the aggregate Damages claimed under Section 8.2 exceeds
US$1,000,000 (the “Buyer Threshold Amount”); provided, however, if the aggregate
amount of Damages claimed under Section 8.3 exceeds the Buyer Threshold Amount, Buyer will
be obligated to indemnify the Sellers and any other Seller Indemnified Persons from and against all
such Damages relating back to and including the first dollar of aggregate Damages so claimed.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the limitations on Buyer’s Liabilities set forth above in this
Section 8.6 shall not apply to (A) Damages related to any Breach of the representations and
warranties set forth in Sections 2.2(a) (Entity Status), 2.2(b) (Power and Authority;
Enforceability), 2.2(c) (No Violation), and 2.2(e) (Capitalization), or (B) any
Damages resulting from any fraudulent act or willful misconduct by Buyer; or
(ii) unless the Indemnification Claim arising as a result of a Breach by Buyer of a
representation or warranty made in this Agreement or any other certificate or document that Buyer
has delivered pursuant to this Agreement, is made in writing no later than the date on which the
survival period as set forth herein for such representation or warranty has expired.
(b) Any payment by Buyer as Indemnitor hereunder shall be reduced by the amount of any
insurance proceeds received by the Seller Indemnified Person in respect of the occurrence giving
rise to the Indemnification Claim.
8.7 Sellers’ Maximum Liability. The Liability of Sellers to Buyer under or pursuant to this
Agreement, including Liability for Damages suffered or incurred as a result of the Breach of (a)
any representation or warranty any Seller Party has made in this Agreement or in any other
certificate or document that any Seller Party has delivered pursuant to this Agreement, or (b) any
covenant or obligation of any Seller Party contained in this Agreement, shall in no event or
circumstance in the aggregate exceed a maximum amount of US$35,000,000; provided,
that:
(a) the foregoing limitation on Sellers’ maximum Liability hereunder shall not apply to (A)
Damages related to any Breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections
2.1(a) (Power and Authority; Enforceability), 2.1(b) (No Violation), 2.1(d)
(Shares; Seller Information), 3.2 (Power and Authority; Enforceability), 3.5
(Capitalization), 3.12 (Tax Matters), 3.13 (Title to Assets), 3.28
Environmental, Health and Safety Matters), 4.16 (Pre-Closing Transactions), or (B) any
Damages resulting from any fraudulent act or willful misconduct by any of the Seller Parties; and
(b) the aggregate Liability of Sellers to Buyer, including for any Damages excluded from the
maximum aggregate Liability limitation of US$35,000,000 pursuant to Section 8.7(a) above,
shall in no event or circumstance exceed a maximum amount equal to the Aggregate Purchase Price
and, for greater certainty, to the extent that the total of the Damages
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suffered or incurred by Buyer, including the Damages referred to in Section 8.7(a)
above, would exceed an amount equal to the Aggregate Purchase Price, Sellers will have no Liability
to Buyer for any such excess amount.
8.8 Buyer’s Maximum Liability. The Liability of Buyer to Sellers under or pursuant to this
Agreement, including Liability for Damages suffered or incurred as a result of the Breach of (a)
any representation or warranty Buyer has made in this Agreement or in any other certificate or
document that Buyer has delivered pursuant to this Agreement, or (b) any covenant or obligation of
Buyer contained in this Agreement, shall in no event or circumstance in the aggregate exceed a
maximum amount of US$35,000,000; provided, that:
(a) the foregoing limitations on Buyer’s maximum Liability hereunder shall not apply to (A)
Damages related to any Breach of the representations and warranties set forth in Sections
2.2(a) (Entity Status), 2.2(b) (Power and Authority; Enforceability), 2.1(c) (No
Violation), and 2.2(e) (Capitalization), or (B) any Damages resulting from any
fraudulent act or willful misconduct by Buyer; and
(b) the aggregate Liability of Buyer to Sellers, including for any Damages excluded from the
maximum aggregate Liability limitation pursuant to Section 8.8(a) above, shall in no event
or circumstance exceed a maximum amount equal to the Aggregate Purchase Price and, for greater
certainty, to the extent that the total of the Damages suffered or incurred by Sellers, including
the Damages referred to in Section 8.8(a) above, would exceed an amount equal to the
Aggregate Purchase Price, Buyer will have no Liability to Sellers for any such excess amount.
(c) To the extent that the total Damages the Sellers have suffered under or pursuant to this
Agreement by reason of all such adjustments, Breaches or actions exceed an amount equal to the
Aggregate Purchase Price, Buyer will have no obligation to indemnify the Sellers further from and
against any and all amounts of Damages that exceed such Aggregate Purchase Price amount.
8.9 INDEMNIFICATION IF NEGLIGENCE OF INDEMNITEE. The indemnification provided in this
Article 8 will be applicable whether or not the sole, joint or contributory negligence of
the Indemnitee is alleged or proven. Indemnitee’s rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement
will survive the Closing and will not be deemed waived by the Indemnitee’s consummation of the
Transactions and will be effective regardless of any inspection or investigation conducted, or the
awareness of any matters acquired (or capable or reasonably capable of being acquired), by or on
behalf of Indemnitee, or by its directors, officers, employees or representatives or at any time
(regardless of whether notice of such Knowledge has been given to Indemnitor), whether before or
after the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date with respect to any circumstances constituting
a condition under this Agreement, unless any waiver specifically so states.
8.10 Other Indemnification Provisions.
(a) The remedies provided in this Article 8 will be exclusive of and limit all other
remedies that may be available to any Indemnitee, except that the foregoing shall not be in
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derogation of any rights or remedies for specific performance of this Agreement or any
injunctive relief that any Party may assert under Section 10.6. No claim may be made by
Buyer against any Seller Party, or by any Seller Party against Buyer after the Closing Date for any
Damages arising as a result of breach or default under this Agreement, except pursuant and subject
to this Article 8 (other than a claim for specific performance or injunctive relief under
Section 10.6).
(b) Any Liability of the Acquired Entities to Buyer or any Indemnitee under this Agreement
will terminate for all purposes upon Closing, and have no further force or effect.
(c) An Indemnification Claim for any matter not involving a third party may be asserted by
notice to the Party from whom indemnification is sought.
(d) The right to indemnification and payment of Damages based on Breach of any
representations, warranties, covenants and obligations hereunder will not be affected by any
investigation conducted with respect to, or any Knowledge acquired at any time, whether before or
after the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Closing Date, with respect to the
accuracy or inaccuracy of, or compliance with, any such representation, warranty, covenant or
obligation. The waiver of any condition based on the accuracy of any representation or warranty,
or on the performance of or compliance with any covenant or obligation, will not affect the right
to indemnification, payment of Damages or other remedy based on such representations, warranties,
covenants and obligations.
8.11 Escrow; Release of Escrow Funds. During the Escrow Period, all Indemnitees shall be
limited as to, and shall look solely to, the Escrow Funds as their sole source for indemnification
of money Damages pursuant to this Article 8, and none of the Indemnitees shall be entitled
to enforce any remedies against any of the Seller Parties (except with respect to remedies for
specific performance of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.6), by means of offset or
otherwise, other than pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement; provided,
however, that the foregoing limitation shall not be deemed to apply to any fraudulent act
or willful misconduct of any of the Seller Parties.
8.12 No Extraordinary Damages. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no
Party hereto nor any of its Affiliates shall have Liability for any consequential, incidental,
indirect, special or punitive damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, loss of profits or
revenue, loss of use of equipment and facilities, diminished goodwill, and damage to, or
replacement of other equipment or property, and Damages indemnifiable hereunder shall not include
such damages, except to the extent, if any, one of the Parties hereto is held liable for such
consequential damages to a third party and such Party is entitled to be indemnified by any of the
other Parties hereto pursuant to this Article 8.
9. DEFINITIONS
“Acquired Entities” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement. Where the context requires,
the term “Acquired Entity” or “Acquired Entities” shall be deemed to include all predecessor
entities thereof.
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“Acquisition Candidate” means (i) any Person engaged in the Relevant Business, or (ii) any
project with respect to the Relevant Business, and in either case (A) which was called on by Buyer,
any Seller Party or any of their Affiliates, in connection with the possible acquisition by Buyer,
any Acquired Entity or any of their Affiliates, of that Person or project, or (B) with respect to
which Buyer, any Seller Party or any of their Affiliates has made an acquisition analysis.
“Action” means any action, appeal, petition, plea, charge, complaint, claim, suit, demand,
litigation, arbitration, mediation, hearing, inquiry, investigation or similar event, occurrence or
proceeding.
“Action of Divestiture” shall mean making proposals, or executing or carrying out agreements,
providing for the license, sale or other disposition or holding separate (through the establishment
of a trust or otherwise) of any assets or categories of assets that are material to Buyer, the
Acquired Entities or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or the holding separate of share equity
of any of the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries or any of Buyer’s Subsidiaries, or imposing
or seeking to impose any limitation on the ability of Buyer, the Acquired Entities, or any of their
respective Subsidiaries to conduct their respective businesses or operations or own such assets or
to acquire, hold or exercise full rights of ownership of the businesses of Buyer, the Acquired
Entities or their respective Subsidiaries.
“Additional Taxes” is defined in Section 4.12.
“Adjusted Seller Taxes” is defined in Section 4.12.
“Affiliate” with respect to any specified Person, means a Person that, directly or indirectly,
through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such specified Person. As used herein, the term “control” means possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a
Person, whether through the ownership of voting Equity Interests, by contract or otherwise.
“Aggregate Purchase Price” is defined in Section 1.2.
“Agreement” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Allowance for Doubtful Receivables” means the estimated amount of outstanding Receivables
that may go uncollected as documented on a balance sheet.
“Ancillary Agreements” means the Employment Agreements, Escrow Agreement, the Registration
Rights Agreement.
“ARAM” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“ARAM Audited Balance Sheet” means the audited balance sheet of ARAM as of and for the
period(s) ended December 31, 2007 (including the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers).
“Arbitration Request” is defined in Section 10.17(b)(i).
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“Balance Sheet Date” is defined in Section 3.8.
“Base Seller Taxes” is defined in Section 4.12.
“Basis” means any past or current fact, situation, circumstance, status, condition, activity,
practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act or transaction about which the
relevant Person has Knowledge that forms or could form the basis for any specified consequence.
“Best Efforts” means the efforts that a prudent Person desirous of achieving a result would
use, expend or incur in similar circumstances to ensure that such result is achieved as
expeditiously as possible at a commercially reasonable cost.
“Breach” means, as applicable any breach, inaccuracy, failure to perform, failure to comply,
conflict with, default, violation, acceleration, termination, cancellation, unauthorized
modification or failure to notify when required.
“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks in Calgary, Alberta or Houston, Texas are authorized by law to close.
“Buyer” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Buyer Common Stock” means the common stock, US$0.01 par value per share, of Buyer.
“Buyer Indemnified Persons” means (i) Buyer and its Affiliates and their officers, directors,
employees, agents, representatives, controlling Persons, stockholders and (ii) if the Closing
occurs, each of the Acquired Entities and any Person who was an officer, director or employee of
the Acquired Entities if such Person at and after the date hereof and the time of Closing is not a
Seller or an Affiliate thereof.
“Buyer Reports” is defined in Section 2.2(g).
“Buyer’s Threshold Amount” is defined in Section 8.6(a)(i).
“Cash Consideration” is defined in Section 1.2(a).
“Change in Control Liabilities” is defined in Section 1.5(b)(ii).
“Closing” is defined in Section 1.3.
“Closing Date” is defined in Section 1.3.
“Closing Net Working Capital” means the following net amount:
(a) the sum of the aggregate of the amounts that would be reflected as “current assets” on the
face of a combined balance sheet of the Acquired Entities and their consolidated Subsidiaries as of
the opening of business on the Closing Date, prepared in
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accordance with the guidelines set forth in the sentence immediately following this sentence,
and presented in the same format (including as to nature and presentation of accounts and line
items) as Schedule 1.5(c)(ii); minus
(b) the sum of the aggregate of the amounts that would be reflected as (i) “current
liabilities” on the face of a combined balance sheet of the Acquired Entities and their
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the opening of business on the Closing Date prepared in accordance
with the guidelines set forth in the sentence immediately following this sentence, and presented in
the same format (including as to nature and presentation of accounts and line items) as
Schedule 1.5(c)(ii).
(c) “Closing Net Working Capital” shall be determined and calculated strictly in accordance
with the following:
(i) except as otherwise specified in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv)
below, “current assets” and “current liabilities” for purposes of this definition shall be
determined and calculated (x) using the same accounting principles, policies, practices, procedures
and methodologies with respect to financial statements, their classification or presentation,
including the same practices, methods, conventions or assumptions (unless and to the extent
required by objective changes in underlying events) utilized in making accounting estimates, as
were used in preparing the combined balance sheet included in Schedule 1.5(c)(ii), and (y)
subject to and to the extent applicable after giving effect to clause (x) above, otherwise in
accordance with GAAP (as in effect at June 30, 2008);
(ii) in determining and calculating “current assets” as referred to in clause (a) above,
(1) (A) all intercompany investments, (B) the value of any Excluded Asset if shown on
Schedule 1.5(c)(ii) as a current asset, and (C) the value of any assets transferred to the
Acquired Entities pursuant to the Pre-Closing Transactions if such assets are classified as a
current asset, shall be excluded, and
(2) (A) all CSA Receivables, whether classified as short-term or long-term, and (B) the
aggregate amount of all equipment transfers into the non-current Gross Rental Equipment Assets from
April 30, 2008 through the Closing Date, except those transferred to the Acquired Entities pursuant
to the Pre-Closing Transactions (with all such transfers being accounted for using the same
accounting methodologies used by ARAM for such transfers), shall be included;
(iii) in determining and calculating “current liabilities” as referred to in clause (b) above,
(v) no accrual shall be made in respect of Transaction Costs or Change in Control Liabilities, (w)
all indebtedness both classified as short-term and long-term (including but not limited to
operating loans, capital leases, outstanding bank lines, loans from shareholders and loans from
entities controlled by shareholders (including but not limited to loans from 1236929 Alberta Ltd.
and Geox Seismic Ltd.)) shall be included, (x) the Seller Parties will accrue all tax liabilities
for all earnings of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries through the Closing Date, (y) all
accruals for bad debt reserves, obsolescence reserves, warranty reserves,
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vacation and bonus liability, shall be reflected for the period from January 1, 2008 through
the Closing Date and (z) the aggregate amount of all equipment sales out of the non-current Gross
Rental Equipment Assets since April 30, 2008 shall be included on a net book value basis (Gross
Rental Equipment Assets on a net book value basis as of March 31, 2008, on a combined basis, was
CDN$27,380,000); and
(iv) notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) the Income Tax Receivables will be reflected as a
current asset; (B) long-term deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities shall be excluded
from the definition of Closing Net Working Capital; and (C) the Closing Net Working Capital shall
include accruals through the date of Closing including but not limited to reserves and allowances
for bad debt, obsolescence, warranty, vacation and bonus liabilities; Such accruals shall be
calculated by applying Sellers’ formal year-end closing procedures to properly state the accruals.
“Closing Statement” is defined in Section 1.5(e).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and
published interpretations thereunder.
“Commitment” with respect to any Person means: (a) options, warrants, convertible securities,
exchangeable securities, subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights or other Contracts
that could require such Person to issue any of its Equity Interests, or any other securities
convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for or representing the right to subscribe for any
Equity Interest of such Person; (b) statutory pre-emptive rights or pre-emptive rights granted
under the applicable Person’s Organizational Documents; and (c) stock appreciation rights, phantom
stock, profit participation or other similar rights with respect to such Person.
“Confidential Information” means any confidential, proprietary information concerning the
businesses and affairs of Buyer, an Acquired Entity, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, and
for purposes of this Agreement shall be deemed to have the same meaning as the term “Confidential
Information” as defined in the second paragraph of the Confidentiality Letter, and shall apply to
such information of Buyer, the Acquired Entities, and each of Buyer’s and the Acquired Entities’
respective Subsidiaries.
“Confidentiality Letter” is defined in Section 10.2.
“Consent” means any consent, approval, notification, waiver or other similar action that is
necessary or convenient.
“Contract” means any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment, letter of intent,
memorandum of understanding, heads of agreement, promise, obligation, right, instrument, document
or other similar understanding, whether written or oral.
“Conditional Sales Contract” means a sales Contract involving seismic data acquisition systems
and/or associated parts, components or equipment under which the vendor retains title to such
systems, parts, components and/or equipment, and with respect to the Acquired Entities and their
Subsidiaries, are carried as “Conditional Sales Agreements” on the ARAM balance sheet.
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“CSA Collections and Net Recoveries” is defined in Section 1.5(j).
“CSA Receivables” means all receivables of the Acquired Entities with respect to Conditional
Sales Contracts.
“CSRI” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Damages” means all damages (including incidental and consequential damages), losses
(including any diminution in value), Liabilities, payments, amounts paid in settlement,
obligations, fines, penalties, costs (including investigation, remediation, cleanup and corrective
action costs), expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of outside attorneys, accountants
and other professional advisors and of expert witnesses and other costs (including the allocable
portion of the Indemnitee’s internal costs) of investigation, preparation and litigation in
connection with any Action or threatened Action) of any kind or nature whatsoever.
“Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx” is defined in Section 1.7.
“Effect” is defined in the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” in this Article 9.
“Employees” is defined in Section 3.27(a).
“Employee Benefit Plan” is defined in Section 3.27(b).
“Employment Agreements” means the employment Contracts between (i) Buyer (or the appropriate
Subsidiary of Buyer) and (ii) each of the Employees listed in Exhibit E and such other
Employees as shall be mutually agreed by Buyer and Sellers, in substantially the form of
Exhibit B. The Parties acknowledge that the terms of the Employment Agreements that are
actually executed by the appropriate parties thereto will vary from the terms set forth in such
Exhibit B in accordance with such applicable employee’s position and terms of employment.
“Encumbrance” means any Order, Security Interest, Contract, easement, covenant, community
property interest, equitable interest, right of first refusal or restriction of any kind, including
any restriction on use, voting, transfer, receipt of income or exercise of any other attribute of
ownership.
“Enforceable” – a Contract is “Enforceable” if it is the legal, valid and binding obligation
of the applicable Person enforceable against such Person in accordance with its terms, except as
such enforceability may be subject to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other Laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors, and general principles
of equity.
“Environment” means soil, land surface or subsurface strata, waters (including any ocean,
stream, pond, reservoirs, drainage, basins, wetland, ground water and drinking water), sediments,
ambient air (including indoor), noise, plant life, animal life and all other environmental media or
natural resources.
“Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements” means all Orders, Contracts, Laws and programs
(including those promulgated or sponsored by industry associations, insurance
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companies and risk management companies) concerning or relating to public health and safety,
worker/occupational health and safety, and pollution or protection of the Environment, including
those relating to the presence, use, manufacturing, refining, production, generation, handling,
transportation, treatment, transfer, storage, disposal, distribution, importing, labeling, testing,
processing, discharge, Release, threatened Release, control or other action or failure to act
involving any hazardous materials, substances or wastes, chemical substances or mixtures,
pesticides, pollutants, contaminants, toxic chemicals, greenhouse gases, petroleum products or
byproducts, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, noise or radiation (collectively, “Hazardous
Substances”), each as amended and as now in effect at Closing. The term “Environmental, Health and
Safety Requirements” shall also include all guidelines published or recommended from time to time
by entities or organizations such as the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment and Alberta
Environmental Protection.
“Equity Interest” means (a) with respect to a corporation, any and all shares and any
Commitments with respect thereto, (b) with respect to a partnership, limited liability company,
trust or similar Person, any and all units, interests or other partnership/limited liability
company interests, and any Commitments with respect thereto, and (c) any other direct or indirect
equity ownership or participation in a Person.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
“Escrow Agent” is defined in Section 1.5(a)(i).
“Escrow Agreement” means the escrow agreement between Buyer, Sellers and Escrow Agent, in
substantially the form of Exhibit C.
“Escrow Funds” is defined in Section 1.5(a)(i).
“Escrow Period” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is
the first anniversary of the Closing Date.
“Estimated Closing Net Working Capital” is defined in Section 1.5(c)(i).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
“Exchange Rate” is defined in Section 1.8.
“Excluded Assets” means the following assets:
(i) four (4) Houston Texans season tickets owned by ARAM Systems Inc.;
(ii) thirteen (13) Calgary Flames season tickets owned by ARAM;
(iii) condominium unit located at 513 — 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx owned by
CSRI;
(iv) nine (9) Calgary Stampeder tickets owned by ARAM;
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(v) two (2) car lifts owned by CSRI;
(vi) one (1) 2008 Chevrolet Silverado (s/n IGCHK26988E125391) owned by ARAM;
(vii) corporate rights to MSR Houston owned by Texas Seismic Rentals Inc.;
(viii) life insurance policy #728175 issued by Manulife Insurance Company covering Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx;
(ix) life insurance policy #4577909 issued by Great West Life Insurance Company covering
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx; and
(x) the right to the use of the name “Geo-X” name and all related trademarks.
“Excluded Taxes” is defined in Section 5.7(a).
“Expiration Date” means November 1, 2008.
“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.
“Financial Statements” is defined in Section 3.8.
“GAAP” means Canadian generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time.
“Governmental Authority” means any legislature, agency, bureau, branch, department, division,
commission, court, tribunal, magistrate, justice, multi-national organization, quasi-governmental
body or other similarly recognized organization or body of any federal, provincial, state, county,
municipal, local or foreign government or other similarly recognized organization or body
exercising similar powers or authority.
“Gross Rental Equipment Assets” means equipment owned by any of the Acquired Entities or their
Subsidiaries that is held for lease to third parties, carried on a combined balance sheet as “gross
rental equipment” and presented in the same format (including as to nature and presentation of
accounts and line items) as presented with respect thereto in the ARAM Audited Balance Sheet and
Schedule 9.1; for illustrative purposes, Gross Rental Equipment Assets on March 31, 2008
was CDN$43,975,000.
“Hazardous Substances” is defined in the definition of “Environmental, Health and Safety
Requirements” in this Article 9.
“HSR Act” means the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.
“Income Tax Receivables” is defined in Section 1.5(e)(vii).
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“Indemnification Claim” means any claim for indemnification by an Indemnitee against an
Indemnitor under this Agreement.
“Indemnitees” means, individually and as a group, the Buyer Indemnified Persons.
“Indemnitor” means any Person having any Liability to any Indemnitee under this Agreement.
“Intellectual Property” means all (a) inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and
whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all patents, patent applications
and patent disclosures, together with all reissuances, continuations, continuations-in-part,
revisions, extensions and reexaminations relating thereto, (b) trademarks, service marks, trade
dress, logos, trade names and corporate names, and all goodwill associated therewith, together with
all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations, applications, registrations and
renewals relating thereto, (c) copyrightable works, all copyrights, and all applications,
registrations and renewals relating thereto, (d) trade secrets and Confidential Information
(including ideas, research and development, know-how, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and
production processes and techniques, technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, customer
and supplier lists, pricing and cost information and business and marketing plans and proposals),
(e) computer software (including all data and related documentation), (f) other proprietary rights,
and (g) copies and tangible embodiments of the foregoing (in whatever form or medium).
“Interest Rate” means the rate of interest accruing on the Escrowed Funds pursuant to the
Escrow Agreement.
“Interim Balance Sheet” means the balance sheet contained within the Interim Financial
Statements.
“Interim Financial Statements” is defined in Section 3.8.
“IRS” is defined in Section 3.27(j).
“Knowledge” – an individual will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular fact or other
matter only if such individual is actually aware of such fact or other matter. A Person other than
an individual will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular fact or other matter if (i) any
individual who is currently serving as a director or officer of such Person or (ii) any employee
who is currently charged with managerial responsibility for a particular area of the Acquired
Entities’ operations (e.g. a manager responsible for environmental matters), has Knowledge of such
fact or other matter.
“Law” means any law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention,
ordinance, equitable principle, code, rule, regulation, executive order or other similar authority
enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by any Governmental Authority, each as amended or
replaced.
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“Liability” means any liability, duty or obligation, whether known or unknown, asserted or
unasserted, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, conditional or unconditional, latent or
patent, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated or due or to become due.
“Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change, effect, circumstance or development
(“Effect”) that (i) would reasonably be expected to be, either individually or in the aggregate,
materially adverse to the financial condition, properties, assets, liabilities, business,
operations or results of operations of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or (ii) would reasonably be expected to, either individually or in the aggregate, prevent or
materially alter or delay the Acquired Entities’ ability to consummate the Transactions; provided,
however, that in determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, there shall be
excluded any Effect on the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries relating to or arising in
connection with: (a) any action required to be taken or, the failure to take any action prohibited
from being taken, pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (b) changes affecting the
economies of Canada, the United States or any foreign market where the Acquired Entities and
Subsidiaries have material operations or sales generally (provided in each case that such changes
do not have a unique or materially disproportionate impact on the Acquired Entities or
Subsidiaries); (c) changes in, or events or conditions affecting, the seismic, petroleum drilling
or services industries generally, including, without limitation, changes resulting from the price
of oil, gas, natural gas liquids or other hydrocarbon products (provided in each case that such
changes do not have a unique or materially disproportionate impact on the Acquired Entities or
their Subsidiaries); (d) any natural disaster or hostilities, acts of war or terrorism or any
material escalation of any such hostilities, acts of war or terrorism existing as of the date
hereof (provided in each case that such changes do not have a unique or materially disproportionate
impact on the Acquired Entities or their Subsidiaries); (e) the ability of such Person to
consummate the Transactions contemplated by this Agreement or fulfill the conditions to closing
applicable to it set forth in Article 6; and (f) any action to which Buyer has expressly
consented in writing.
“Net Working Capital Adjustments” is defined in Section 1.5(h).
“NYSE” means The New York Stock Exchange.
“Order” means any order, ruling, decision, verdict, decree, writ, subpoena, mandate, precept,
command, directive, consent, approval, award, judgment, injunction or other similar determination
or finding issued by, or otherwise before or under the supervision of, any Governmental Authority,
arbitrator or mediator.
“Ordinary Course of Business” means the ordinary course of business consistent with past
custom and practice (including with respect to quantity, quality and frequency) of the relevant
Person and its Subsidiaries.
“Organizational Documents” means the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation,
charter, bylaws, articles of formation, regulations, operating agreement, certificate of limited
partnership, partnership agreement and all other similar documents, instruments or certificates
executed, adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation or organization of a Person,
including any amendments thereto.
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“Parties” is defined in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Permit” means any permit, license, certificate, approval, consent, notice, waiver, franchise,
registration, filing, accreditation or other similar authorization required by any Law or
Governmental Authority.
“Person” means any individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation,
association, joint stock company, trust, joint venture, labor organization, unincorporated
organization or Governmental Authority.
“Personal Information” means information about an identifiable individual but does not include
business contact information provided that the collection, use or disclosure, as the case may be,
of the business contact information is for the purpose of contacting an individual in that
individuals’ capacity as an employee or an official of an organization and for no other purpose.
“Pre-Closing Shareholder Distributions” means any dividends, distributions or similar payments
of cash or property on the shares of the Acquired Entities to the Sellers by the Acquired Entities
from April 30, 2008 to, and including, the Closing Date.
“Pre-Closing Transactions” is defined in Section 4.16.
“Prevailing Party” is defined in Section 10.17(b)(viii).
“Receivables” means all receivables of the Acquired Entities and their Subsidiaries, including
all Contracts in transit, manufacturers warranty receivables, notes, accounts receivable, trade
account receivables and insurance proceeds receivable, but excluding CSA Receivables.
“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, in substantially the
form of Exhibit D.
“Release” means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, depositing, escaping, leaching,
dumping or other release into the Environment.
“Releasee” is defined in Section 5.6.
“Relevant Business” is defined in Section 5.5(a).
“Resignations” means written resignations, effective as of the Closing, of the directors and
officers of each of the Acquired Entities and each of their Subsidiaries, together with such other
provisions, if any, as may be agreed to by the Parties, including mutual releases of the directors
and officers and the Acquired Entities and Subsidiaries, all in a form satisfactory to the Sellers
and Buyer, acting reasonably.
“Restricted Transaction” is defined in Section 4.7.
“Sales Contract” means a Contract for the sale or rental of any seismic data acquisition
systems and/or associated parts, components or equipment, and includes related maintenance,
72
warranty or other services included in the terms of such Contract but does not include a
Conditional Sales Contract.
“Schedules” is defined in the Section 2.1.
“SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Section 338 Election” is defined in Section 4.12.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
“Security Interest” means any security interest, deed of trust, encroachment, encumbrance,
mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, claim or other similar interest or right.
“Seller” and “Sellers” are defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Seller Indemnified Persons” means each Seller and its officers, directors, employees, agents,
representatives, controlling Persons, stockholders, spouse, heirs, legal representatives,
successors and assigns.
“Seller Parties” is defined in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Seller’s Threshold Amount” is defined in Section 8.5(a)(i).
“Shares” means (i) with respect to ARAM, all of the issued and outstanding shares of ARAM,
including without limitation, all outstanding Class “A” Common Shares and Class “D” Preferred
Shares, and (ii) with respect to CSRI, all of the issued and outstanding shares of CSRI, including
without limitation, all outstanding Class “A” Common Voting Shares.
“Share Consideration” is defined in Section 1.2.
“Straddle Period” means any taxable year or period beginning on or before and ending after the
Closing Date.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any particular Person, any corporation or other Person of
which Equity Interests having the power to elect a majority of that corporation’s or other Person’s
board of directors or similar governing body, or otherwise having the power to direct the business
and policies of that corporation or other Person (other than Equity Interests having such power
only upon the happening of a contingency that has not occurred) are held by the particular Person
in question or one or more of its Subsidiaries. Where the context requires, the term “Subsidiary”
or “Subsidiaries” as it relates to the Acquired Entities shall be deemed to include all predecessor
entities of such Subsidiary or Subsidiaries.
“Target Net Working Capital” is defined in Section 1.5(c)(ii).
“Taxes” means all Canadian federal, provincial and local, U.S. federal, state and foreign and
other taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, imposts, customs or other assessments, including,
73
without limitation, all net income, net proceeds, gross income, gross receipts, gross
proceeds, sales, use, ad valorem, real and personal property (tangible and intangible), transfer,
franchise, profits, profit share, license, lease, user, service, service use, value added, capital,
withholding, payroll, environmental, employment, excise, estimated, alternative or add-on minimum,
severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, or other taxes, fees,
assessments, customs, duties, levies, imposts or charges of any kind whatsoever, whether disputed
or not, together with any interest, penalties, additions to tax, fines or other additional amounts
imposed thereon or related thereto, and the term “Tax” shall mean any one of the foregoing Taxes.
“Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, statement, claim for refund and other
document of, relating to, or required to be filed in respect of, any and all Taxes, including any
schedule or attachment thereto, and any amendment thereto.
“Termination Date” means the earlier to occur of (i) the Expiration Date and (ii) the date on
which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1 (other than
Section 7.1(b)).
“Trading Days” means days on which the NYSE is open for trading.
“Transactions” means all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including: (a)
the sale of the Shares by Sellers to Buyer and Buyer’s delivery of the Aggregate Purchase Price
therefor; (b) the execution, delivery and performance of all of the documents, instruments and
agreements to be executed, delivered and performed in connection herewith, including each Ancillary
Agreement; and (c) the performance by Buyer and Sellers of their respective covenants and
obligations (pre- and post-Closing) under this Agreement.
“Transaction Costs” is defined in Section 1.5(b)(i).
“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.
“Transfer Taxes” is defined in Section 5.7(a)(iv).
10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Schedules.
(a) The disclosures in the Schedules, and those in any supplement thereto, relate only to the
representations and warranties in the Section or paragraph of the Agreement to which they expressly
relate and not to any other representation or warranty in this Agreement.
(b) If there is any inconsistency between the statements in the body of this Agreement and
those in the Schedules (other than an exception expressly set forth as in the Schedules with
respect to a specifically identified representation or warranty), the statements in the body of
this Agreement will control.
(c) Nothing in the Schedules will be deemed adequate to disclose an exception to a
representation or warranty made herein, unless the Schedules identify the exception with reasonable
particularity and describe the relevant facts in reasonable detail.
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10.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Exhibits and Schedules hereto and
the certificates, documents, instruments and writings that are delivered pursuant hereto, and the
Confidentiality Letter dated as of May 28, 2008 executed by Buyer (the “Confidentiality Letter”),
constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the Parties in respect of its subject matter
and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties,
written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the
Transactions, including the Letter of Intent dated June 11, 2008, as amended, between Seller
Parties and Buyer. The terms of the Confidentiality Letter are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and shall continue in full force and effect; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, on the Closing Date, the Confidentiality Letter shall terminate and
the Parties shall be released from all obligations thereunder.
10.3 Successors. All of the terms, agreements, covenants, representations, warranties and
conditions of this Agreement are binding upon, and inure to the benefit of and are enforceable by,
the Parties (and in the case of the Sellers, their respective spouses) and their respective
successors, assigns, heirs, estates and personal representatives.
10.4 Assignment; Benefit. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or
obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the Parties hereto (whether by operation of law
or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Parties; provided,
however, that Buyer may, without any Seller Party’s consent, assign this Agreement or any
of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder to any wholly owned (direct or indirect)
Subsidiary of Buyer and designate one or more of its direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries
to purchase or accept all or any portion of the Shares, provided that in each such case,
Buyer shall remain a party to, and liable under, this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, is intended to confer on any Person other than the Parties hereto, any
claims, rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
10.5 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims, instructions and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing. Any notice, request, demand, claim, instruction or other
communication to be given hereunder by any Party to the other Parties shall be sent by facsimile
(with confirmation received of the recipient’s number) to the number stated below or shall be
delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid and return receipt
requested) to the address stated below.
If to Buyer and after Closing to the Acquired Entities:
ION Geophysical Corporation
0000 XxxxXxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: R. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
0000 XxxxXxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: R. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
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ION Geophysical Corporation
0000 XxxxXxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
0000 XxxxXxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
And
Xxxxx Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to Sellers and before Closing to the Acquired Entities
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0.
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0.
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Gervais LLP
1000 Canterra Tower
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx X.X.
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
1000 Canterra Tower
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx X.X.
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
or at such other facsimile number or address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice. Any
notice which is delivered personally in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to have been
duly given to the Party to whom it is directed upon actual receipt by such Party. Any notice which
is sent by facsimile or addressed and mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively
presumed to have been duly given to the Party to which it is addressed on the date indicated on the
facsimile confirmation or the postal receipt. Any Party may change the address to which notices,
requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the
other Parties notice in the manner herein set forth.
10.6 Specific Performance. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that the other Parties would be
damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement is not performed in accordance with its
specific terms or is otherwise Breached. Accordingly, each Party agrees that the other Parties
will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent Breaches of the provisions of this
Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its terms and provisions in addition to
any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at Law or in equity.
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10.7 Submission to Jurisdiction. Each Party irrevocably and unconditionally attorns to the
jurisdiction of the courts of the Province of Alberta in any Action arising out of or relating to
this Agreement and agrees that all claims in respect of the Action may be heard and determined in
any such court. Each Party also agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this
Agreement in any other court. Each Party waives any objection to venue in any such Action and any
defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any Action so brought and waives any bond,
surety or other security that might be required of any other Party with respect thereto and waives
any right to elect trial by jury. Any party may make service on any other Party by sending or
delivering a copy of the process to the Party to be served at the address and in the manner
provided for the giving of notices in Section 10.5. Nothing in this Section 10.7
will affect the right of any Party to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement
in any other court or to serve legal process in any other manner permitted at Law or in equity.
Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any Action so brought shall be conclusive and may be
enforced by Action on the judgment or in any other manner provided at Law or in equity.
10.8 Time. Time is of the essence in the performance of this Agreement.
10.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
10.10 Headings. The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
10.11 Governing Law. This Agreement and the performance of the Transactions and obligations
of the Parties hereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Province of Alberta, without giving effect to any choice of Law principles thereof.
10.12 Amendments and Waivers. No amendment, modification, replacement, termination or
cancellation of any provision of this Agreement will be valid, unless the same shall be in writing
and signed by Buyer and Sellers. No waiver by any Party of any default, misrepresentation or
breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to
any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or Breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or
affect in any way any rights arising because of any prior or subsequent such occurrence.
10.13 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed severable and the
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
the other provisions hereof, provided that any provision of this Agreement that is invalid or
unenforceable in any situation or in any jurisdiction will not affect the Enforceability of the
remaining terms and provisions hereof or the Enforceability of the offending term or provision in
any other situation or in any other jurisdiction.
10.14 Expenses. Whether or not the Closing occurs, all costs and expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the Transactions shall be paid by the Party incurring such
77
expenses, except that Buyer, on the one hand, and Sellers, on the other, shall each pay and
bear one-half of each other regulatory filing, notification, registration or similar fee required
to be paid by any party in connection with this Agreement and the Transactions under the
Competition Act (Canada) and the HSR Act.
10.15 Construction. The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of
this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement
shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall
arise favoring or disfavoring any Party because of the authorship of any provision of this
Agreement. Any reference to any federal, provincial, state, local or foreign Law shall be deemed
also to refer to such Law as amended and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless
the context requires otherwise. The word “including” means “including without limitation.” The
Parties intend that each representation, warranty and covenant contained herein shall have
independent significance. If any Party has Breached any representation, warranty or covenant
contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty or
covenant relating to the same subject matter (regardless of the relative levels of specificity)
which the Party has not Breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the Party is in
Breach of the first representation, warranty or covenant. The representations, warranties, and
covenants of each of the Sellers contained in this Agreement are joint and several obligations;
this means that each Seller will be responsible to the extent provided in Article 8 above
for the entirety of any Damages or other adverse consequences Buyer may suffer as a result of any
Breach thereof. With respect to any future period of time that is to expire a number of months
following a particular referenced date (e.g., a period that will expire on a date that is six (6)
months following the Closing Date), such period of time shall be deemed to expire on the same
corresponding day as the particular referenced date in the last month in such period of time (e.g.,
a period that will expire on a date that is six (6) months following the Closing Date, assuming
that the Closing Date occurs on July 15, 2008, would mean that the period expires on January 15,
2009). If such date is not a Business Day, the expiration date shall be the next succeeding
Business Day after such date.
10.16 Incorporation of Exhibits, Annexes and Schedules. The Exhibits and Schedules identified
in this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.
10.17 Dispute Resolution.
(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, if any dispute arises under this
Agreement that is not settled promptly, Sellers and Buyer shall seek to resolve such dispute
between them, first, by negotiating promptly with each other in good faith negotiations. If
Sellers and Buyer are unable to resolve such dispute between them within fifteen (15) Business Days
after such dispute arises (or such period as the Parties shall otherwise agree through such
negotiations) then any such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration as set forth in Section
10.17(b) below, other than a dispute in which a Party is seeking interlocutory or interim
injunctive relief or similar equitable remedies.
(b) Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, any dispute herein shall take place on a
confidential basis in accordance with the provisions of the International
78
Commercial Arbitration Act (Alberta) except to the extent modified by this Section
10.17. The resolution of disputes pursuant to the terms of this Section 10.17 shall be
final and binding upon the Parties and there shall be no appeal therefrom, including any appeal to
a court of law on a question of law, a question of fact, or a question of mixed fact and law. The
arbitration shall take place in Calgary, Alberta in accordance with the following procedures:
(i) An arbitration shall be commenced by either Party delivering a request for arbitration
(the “Arbitration Request”) to the other Party. The Arbitration Request shall include in the text
or in one or more attachments: (i) a demand that the dispute be referred to arbitration in
accordance with this Section 10.17; (ii) a general description of the dispute; (iii) the
relief or remedy sought; and (iv) the name of the Person the Party submitting the Arbitration
Request nominates as an arbitrator.
(ii) Sellers and Buyer shall in good faith attempt to agree on a single arbitrator within
thirty (30) days of the demand for arbitration. If the Parties fail to agree on a single
arbitrator within the thirty-day period, then within ten (10) further days each Party shall select
a single arbitrator, who shall together within ten further days select a third arbitrator (and if
no such third arbitrator can be selected, the Parties may refer such selection of the third
arbitrator to the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta). The single arbitrator, or the three
arbitrators, as the case may be, shall preside over the arbitration. Each arbitrator shall have
sufficient relevant experience to consider the subject matter of the dispute.
(iii) Unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties, the arbitration shall take place within sixty
(60) days after the arbitrator or arbitrators, as applicable, are appointed. The arbitration
hearing shall be held on consecutive Business Days.
(iv) The Parties shall be entitled to conduct discovery in accordance with the rules of civil
procedure as in effect where the arbitration occurs, limited to document production and depositions
and subject to further limitation by the arbitrator or arbitrators, as applicable, to secure just
and efficient resolution of the controversy, dispute or claim. The arbitrator or arbitrators, as
applicable, are empowered to issue subpoenas to compel compliance with requirements for pre-hearing
exchange of witness lists and documents or deposition discovery, and to enforce the discovery
rights and obligations of the Parties.
(v) The arbitration shall include the presentation of evidence and examination of witnesses at
an oral hearing. The hearing shall be conducted to preserve its privacy and to allow reasonable
procedural due process. Rules of evidence need not be strictly followed, and the hearing shall be
streamlined. Documents shall be self-authenticating, subject to valid objection by the opposing
Party. Expert reports, witness biographies, depositions, and affidavits may be utilized, subject
to the opposing Party’s right to a live cross-examination of the witness in person. The arbitrator
or arbitrators, as applicable, shall control the scheduling and conduct of the proceedings.
(vi) The decision of the arbitrator or arbitrators, as applicable, shall include a statement
specifying in reasonable detail the basis for and computation of the award, if any. The award
rendered by the arbitrator or arbitrators, as applicable, shall be final, shall not constitute a
basis for collateral estoppel as to any issue in any other legal or arbitration
79
proceeding, and shall not be subject to vacation or modification. Judgment upon the award may
be entered in any court having jurisdiction.
(vii) No Party shall be precluded hereby from securing equitable remedies in courts of any
jurisdiction, including temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions, to protect its
rights and interests, but no Party shall seek any such equitable remedies as a means to avoid or
stay arbitration.
(viii) The Parties other than the Party that substantially prevails (the “Prevailing Party”)
in the arbitration shall share equally the arbitrator or arbitrators, as applicable, fees for the
arbitration. The Prevailing Party shall be entitled, as a component of the arbitration award, to
reimbursement of its costs and expenses including reasonable legal fees. In the event that the
arbitration award fails to clarify which (if any) Party has substantially prevailed, then the
Parties agree that the arbitrator or arbitrators, as applicable, shall be deemed to have retained
jurisdiction for purposes of clarifying, upon request of either Party, such determination and any
resulting allocation of costs, fees or expenses.
(c) The Parties desire that any arbitration should be conducted in strict confidence and that,
subject to the exceptions set out in this paragraph, there shall be no disclosure to any Person of
the existence of the dispute or any aspect of the dispute except as is necessary for the resolution
of the dispute or as required by applicable Law. The arbitration shall be attended only by counsel
and by those Persons whose presence, in the opinion of any Party or the arbitrator or arbitrators,
is reasonably necessary for the resolution of the dispute. All matters relating to, all evidence
presented at and all submissions made in the course of an arbitration, and all documents produced
in accordance with this Section 10.17 or created in the course of or for the purposes of an
arbitration, as well as any arbitral award, shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed
to any Person without the prior written consent of the other Party except as is necessary for the
resolution of the dispute, as required to enforce the arbitral award, or as required by applicable
Law or by an order of the arbitrator or arbitrators made pursuant to a motion or application on
notice to all Parties.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.
BUYER: | ||||||
ION GEOPHYSICAL CORPORATION | ||||||
By: Name: |
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|||||
Title: | President & CEO | |||||
ACQUIRED ENTITIES: | ||||||
ARAM SYSTEMS LTD. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | President | |||||
CANADIAN SEISMIC RENTALS INC. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X’ Xxxxxx | |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | President | |||||
SELLERS: | ||||||
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | ||||||
XXXXXXXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXXX | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: |
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XXXXXX X. X’XXXXXX | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X’ Xxxxxx | |||||
Name: | ||||||
1236929 ALBERTA LTD. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx | |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | President | |||||
BLUE SKY SERVICES INC. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X’ Xxxxxx | |||||
Name: | ||||||
Title: | President |
82