AGREEMENT
Page 37 of 53 Pages
Exhibit 99.8
This
Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2008 (the “Agreement”), is by
and among Xxxxxxx’x Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and
Barington Capital Group, L.P. and certain of its affiliates (“Barington”), Clinton
Group, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (“Clinton”) and RJG
Capital Management, LLC and certain of its affiliates (“RJG Capital”;
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx and RJG Capital each an “Investor” and,
together, the “Investors”).
WHEREAS, the Investors
economically own (as defined below) shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par
value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) as
specified on Schedule
A of this Agreement (the “Shares”);
WHEREAS, prior to the date
hereof an affiliate of the Investors delivered a letter (the “Nomination Notice
Letter”) to the Company, dated as of March 17, 2008, indicating its
intention to nominate (the “Nomination”) four
individuals for election to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the Class
A Stockholders (the “Class A
Stockholders”);
WHEREAS, the Company and the
Investors have agreed that it is in their mutual interests to enter into this
Agreement, which, among other things, terminates the pending proxy contest for
the election of directors at the 2008 Annual Meeting (as defined
below);
WHEREAS, the Company has
agreed that in connection with the Company’s 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the “2008 Annual
Meeting”), the Board will nominate for election as a member of the Board,
and recommend that the Class A Stockholders vote to elect as a director of the
Company, (i) Xxxx Xxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxx (each, an “Investor Nominee”;
together, the “Investor Nominees”)
and (ii) Xxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxx Xxxxxx (each together with the Investor Nominees,
the “Class A
Nominees”); and
WHEREAS, the Investors have
agreed to refrain from submitting any stockholder proposal or director
nominations at the 2008 Annual Meeting and to vote for the election of the
Company’s nominees for directors at the 2008 Annual Meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
Section
1.1 Defined
Terms.
For purposes of this Agreement:
(a) “Affiliate” has the
meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”).
(b) “Associate” has the
meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange
Act.
(c) The terms
“beneficial
owner” and “beneficially own”
have the same meanings as set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under
the Exchange Act. The terms “economic owner” and
“economically
own” shall have the same meanings as “beneficial owner” and “beneficially
own”, except that a person will also be deemed to economically own and to be the
economic owner of (i) all
Page 38 of 53 Pages
shares of
capital stock of the Company which such person has the right to acquire pursuant
to the exercise of any rights in connection with any securities or any
agreement, regardless of when such rights may be exercised and whether they are
conditional, and (ii) all shares of capital stock of the Company in which such
person has any long economic interest, including pursuant to a cash settled call
option or other derivative security, contract or instrument (but excluding, for
avoidance of doubt, put options and other short position
securities).
Section
1.2 Interpretation. When
reference is made in this Agreement to a Section, such reference shall be to a
Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the
words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they
shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The
words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby” and “hereunder” and words of similar import
when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to
any particular provision of this Agreement. The word “or” shall not
be exclusive. This Agreement shall be construed without regard to any
presumption or rule requiring construction or interpretation against the party
drafting or causing any instrument to be drafted.
ARTICLE
II
COVENANTS
Section
2.1 Board of Directors, Annual
Meeting and Related Matters.
(a) Nomination of
New
Directors. The Company agrees that at the 2008 Annual Meeting, the Board
will:
(1) nominate
each of the Class A Nominees as a director of the Company whose term shall
expire at the 2009 Annual Meeting; and
(2) cause all
proxies received by the Company to be voted in the manner specified by such
proxies.
(b) Election of New Directors. The
Company shall use all reasonable best efforts to ensure that each of the Class A
Nominees are elected by Class A Stockholders at the 2008 Annual Meeting
including, without limitation, recommending that the Company’s stockholders vote
in favor of the election of the Class A Nominees at the 2008 Annual
Meeting. Neither the Board nor the Company shall take any position,
make any statements or take any action inconsistent with such
recommendation.
(c) Qualifications. Prior
to the execution of this Agreement, the Executive Committee of the Board has
reviewed and approved the qualifications of each of the Class A Nominees to
serve as members of the Board and has determined that each of the Class A
Nominees (i) is “independent” as defined by the listing standards of the New
York Stock Exchange and in accordance with requirements of Article III, Section
2 of the Bylaws of the Company and (ii) is otherwise qualified to serve as a
Class A director of the Company.
(d) Role of Nominees.
Each of the Class A Nominees, upon election to the Board, will serve as an
integral member of the Board and will be governed by the same protections and
obligations regarding confidentiality, conflicts of interests, fiduciary duties,
trading and disclosure policies and other governance guidelines, and shall have
the same rights and benefits, including, without limitation, with respect to
insurance, indemnification, compensation and fees, as are applicable to all
independent directors of the Company. In addition, at least one of the Class A
Nominees shall be nominated and recommended by management to serve on (i) the
Audit Committee and (ii) the Stock Option and Executive Compensation Committee
(except to the extent, if any, that none of the Class A Nominees is qualified to
serve on such a committee under applicable law or New York Stock Exchange
rules).
Page 39 of 53 Pages
(e) Proxy Solicitation
Materials. The Company and the Board agree that the Company’s proxy
statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting and all other solicitation materials to be
delivered to stockholders in connection with the 2008 Annual Meeting (in each
case excepting any materials delivered prior to the date hereof) shall be
prepared in accordance with, and in furtherance of, this
Agreement. The Company will provide the Investors with copies of any
portion of proxy materials or other solicitation materials that contain
statements relating to the Investors, the Investor Nominees and this Agreement
at least two business days in advance of filing such materials with the SEC or
disseminating the same in order to permit the Investors a reasonable opportunity
to review and comment on such materials, and will consider in good faith any
comments received by the Investors and their counsel. The Investors
will provide, as promptly as reasonably practicable, all information relating to
the Investor Nominees (and other information, if any) to the extent required
under applicable law to be included in the Company’s proxy statement and any
other solicitation materials to be delivered to stockholders in connection with
the 2008 Annual Meeting. The proxy statement for the 2008 Annual
Meeting shall contain the same type of information concerning the Investor
Nominees as provided for the Company’s other director nominees.
(f) Replacement
Directors. If at any time prior to the Company’s 2009 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the “2009 Annual Meeting”)
any Investor Nominee is unable or unwilling to serve (or continue to serve) as a
director of the Company for any reason, then the Investors shall be entitled to
designate a replacement Investor Nominee subject to the consent of the Company,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned (any
replacement Investor Nominee selected in accordance with this Section 2.1(f), a
“Replacement
Nominee”), and such Replacement Nominee shall be deemed an Investor
Nominee for all purposes of this Agreement. In proposing an
individual as a Replacement Nominee pursuant to this Section 2.1(f), the
Investors shall provide the Company with such information regarding such
individual as would be required to nominate such individual as a director
pursuant to Article III, Section 16 of the Company’s By-laws.
(g) Expenses. Within
five business days from the date of this Agreement, the Company shall pay the
Investors $200,000 to reimburse the Investors for their expenses incurred prior
to the date of this Agreement in connection with the Nomination, the
contemplated proxy solicitation, the drafting, negotiation and execution of this
Agreement and all of their other activities and matters related to the
foregoing, including, without limitation, the preparation of related filings
with the SEC and the fees and disbursements of counsel, proxy solicitors, public
relations firms, consultants and other advisors, provided the Investors provide
reasonable documentation with respect to such expenses. The Investors
hereby agree that such payment shall be in full satisfaction of any claims or
rights they may have as of the date hereof for reimbursement of fees, expenses
or costs in connection therewith.
(h) Capital
Structure. The Company and the Board agree to examine in good
faith and take commercially reasonable steps to achieve (in a manner consistent
with any applicable laws or fiduciary duties) an optimal capital structure for
the Company, which steps may include repurchase of shares of Common Stock (as
operating profits, capital markets, and any other applicable considerations and
constraints permit).
Section
2.2 Voting
Provisions. The
Investors, together with their respective Affiliates, will cause all shares of
Common Stock for which they have the right to vote as of the record date for the
2008 Annual Meeting to be present for quorum purposes and to be voted at such
meeting or at any adjournments or postponements thereof (a) in favor of each
director nominated and recommended by the Board for election at such meeting and
(b) against any stockholder nominations for director which are not approved and
recommended by the Board for election at such meeting, provided that the slate
of directors nominated and recommended by the Board includes the Class A
Nominees.
Page 40 of 53 Pages
Section
2.3 Undertakings by the
Investors. By
executing this Agreement, the Investors hereby (i) irrevocably withdraw the
Nomination Notice Letter and any nominations to the Board made prior to the date
hereof, (ii) irrevocably withdraw the demand to inspect certain of the Company’s
books and records, pursuant to a demand letter, dated as of March 20, 2008, sent
by affiliates of the Investors to the Company and (iii) agree to terminate the
pending proxy contest with respect to the election of directors at the 2008
Annual Meeting. Within two business days of the date of this
Agreement, the Investors shall file, or cause to be filed on its behalf, with
the SEC an amendment to its Schedule 13D with respect to the Company disclosing
the material contents of this Agreement.
Section
2.4 Publicity. Promptly
after the execution of this Agreement, the Company will issue a press release in
the form attached hereto as Schedule
B.
ARTICLE
III
OTHER
PROVISIONS
Section
3.1 Representations and
Warranties.
(a) Representations and
Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and
warrants that this Agreement and the performance by the Company of
its obligations hereunder (i) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered
by it, and is a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with its terms, (ii) does not require the approval of
the stockholders of the Company and (iii) does not and will not violate any law,
any order of any court or other agency of government, the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, as amended, or the By-Laws of the Company, as
amended, or any provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument to
which the Company or any of its properties or assets is bound, or conflict with,
result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a
default under any such indenture, agreement or other instrument, or result in
the creation or imposition of, or give rise to, any lien, charge, restriction,
claim, encumbrance or adverse penalty of any nature whatsoever pursuant to any
such indenture, agreement or other instrument.
(b) Representations and
Warranties of the Investors. Each of the Investors represents
and warrants that this Agreement and the performance by each such Investor of
its obligations hereunder has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
such Investor, and is a valid and binding obligation of such Investor,
enforceable against such Investor in accordance with its terms. Each
Investor hereby further represents and warrants that, as of the date hereof, it
and its Affiliates and Associates are, collectively, the economic owners of such
number of shares of Common Stock as are respectively set forth on Schedule A of this
Agreement.
Section
3.2 Confidentiality. The
Company has no obligation to furnish Confidential Information to the Investors
or their respective representatives by virtue of this Agreement except for
Confidential Information provided to the Investor Nominees in their capacity as
directors (and as nominees for director) of the Company. Each of the
Investors hereby acknowledges that it is aware that the United States securities
laws prohibit any person who has material, non-public information with respect
to the Company from transacting in the securities of the Company or from
communicating such information to any other person under circumstances in which
it is reasonably foreseeable that such person is likely to transact in such
securities.
Page 41 of 53 Pages
Section
3.3 Remedies.
(a) Each
party hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees, on behalf of itself and its
Affiliates, that irreparable harm would occur in the event any of the provisions
of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or
were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties
will be entitled to specific relief hereunder, including an injunction or
injunctions to prevent and enjoin breaches of the provisions of this Agreement
and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any state or
federal court in the State of New York, in addition to any other remedy to which
they may be entitled at law or in equity. Any requirements for the
securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are hereby waived.
(b) Each
party hereto agrees, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, that any actions,
suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby will be brought solely and exclusively in any
state or federal court in the State of New York (and the parties agree not to
commence any action, suit or proceeding relating thereto except in such courts),
and further agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by
U.S. registered mail to the respective addresses set forth in Section 3.5 will
be effective service of process for any such action, suit or proceeding brought
against any party in any such court. Each party, on behalf of itself
and its Affiliates, irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the
laying of venue of any action, suit or proceeding arising out of this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby, in the state or federal courts in the
State of New York, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and
agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or
proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an improper or
inconvenient forum.
Section
3.4 Entire
Agreement. This
Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and may be amended only by an agreement in writing
executed by the parties hereto.
Section
3.5 Notices.
All
notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals and other communications
provided for herein and all legal process in regard hereto shall be in writing
and shall be deemed validly given, made or served, if (a) given by telecopy,
when such telecopy is transmitted to the telecopy number set forth below and the
appropriate confirmation is received or (b) if given by any other means, when
actually received during normal business hours at the address specified in this
subsection:
if to the Company: |
Xxxxxxx'x
Inc.
Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxx
000Xxxxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Attention:
General Counsel
|
with
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
Attention: Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx
|
Page 42 of 53 Pages
if
to the Investors:
|
Barington
Capital Group, L.P.
000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
|
Xxxxxxx
Group, Inc.
0
Xxxx 00xx
Xxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Esq.
|
with
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
0000
Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx
Xxxx & Xxxxx LLP
000
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000)
000-0000
Attention:
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
|
Section
3.6 Governing
Law. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the choice of law
principles of such state.
Section
3.7 Further
Assurances. Each
party agrees to take or cause to be taken such further actions, and to execute,
deliver and file or cause to be executed, delivered and filed such further
documents and instruments, and to obtain such consents, as may be reasonably
required or requested by the other party in order to effectuate fully the
purposes, terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Section
3.8 Third-Party
Beneficiaries. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto
and their respective successors and assigns, and nothing in this Agreement is
intended to confer on any person other than the parties hereto or their
respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section
3.9 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
[Remainder of Page Left Blank
Intentionally]
Page 43 of 53 Pages
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Agreement, or
caused the same to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the
date first above written.
XXXXXXX’X
INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx,
Xx.
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx,
Xx.
Title: Vice President and
General Counsel
THE
INVESTORS:
BARINGTON
COMPANIES EQUITY PARTNERS, L.P.
By:
Barington Companies Investors, LLC, its general partner
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Managing Member
BARINGTON
COMPANIES INVESTORS, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Managing Member
BARINGTON
INVESTMENTS, L.P.
By:
Barington Companies Advisors, LLC, its general partner
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Managing Member
BARINGTON
COMPANIES ADVISORS, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Managing Member
Page 44 of 53 Pages
BARINGTON
COMPANIES OFFSHORE FUND, LTD.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Authorized
Signatory
BARINGTON
OFFSHORE ADVISORS II, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Managing
Member
BARINGTON
CAPITAL GROUP, L.P.
By: LNA
Capital Corp., its general partner
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: President and
CEO
LNA
CAPITAL CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: President and
CEO
RJG
CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
By: RJG
Capital Management, LLC, its general partner
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Title: Managing
Member
RJG
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Title: Managing
Member
Page 45 of 53 Pages
CLINTON
MULTISTRATEGY MASTER FUND, LTD.
By:
Clinton Group, Inc., its investment manager
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial
Officer
CLINTON
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND, LTD.
By:
Clinton Group, Inc., its investment manager
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial
Officer
XXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX MASTER FUND, LTD.
By:
Clinton Group, Inc., its investment manager
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial
Officer
CLINTON
LEXINGTON MASTER FUND, L.P.
By:
Clinton Group, Inc., its investment manager
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial
Officer
CLINTON
GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial
Officer
Page 46 of 53 Pages
SCHEDULE
A
Equity |
Number of
Shares
Economically
Owned
|
Barington
|
2,034,869
|
Clinton
|
1,762,150
|
RJG
Capital
|
11,500
|
Total
|
3,808,519
|
Page 47 of 53 Pages
SCHEDULE
B
[See
Exhibit 99.9 for press release]