EXHIBIT 4
NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION AGREEMENT
NONCOMPETITION AND NONSOLICITATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of
March 25, 2002, by and between Liqui-Box Corporation (the "Company") and Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx ("Xxxxx").
WHEREAS, Xxxxx is an executive and shareholder of the Company with
significant policy making and operational responsibilities in the conduct of the
Company's business;
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to ensure that upon the termination of
Xxxxx' employment with the Company (the "Termination"), Xxxxx will not compete
with the Company, disclose certain information about the Company or solicit
employees or customers of the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties to this Agreement, intending to be legally
bound, agree as follows:
1. NON-COMPETITION.
(a) For a period of five (5) years following the Termination, Xxxxx
shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in (as principal, partner, director,
officer, agent, employee, consultant, owner, independent contractor or
otherwise, with or without compensation) or hold a financial interest in any
business that constitutes a Competing Business (as defined below) operating
worldwide.
(b) As used in this Section 1, a "Competing Business" shall be any
business that, at the time of the Termination, engages in, or plans to engage
in, the business of developing, producing, marketing or selling products of the
kind or type developed or being developed, produced, marketed or sold by the
Company prior to the Termination, including, but not limited to, companies in
the liquid and food packaging industry such as Xxxxxxx, Winpak, Cryovac,
Smurfit, TetraPak and Raypak.
(c) Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in this Section 1, Xxxxx
shall be permitted to own no more than one percent (1%) of the shares of any
class of equity securities of a company which has a Competing Business whose
securities are listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on The Nasdaq
Stock Market.
2. NO SOLICITATION. Xxxxx agrees that for a period ending five (5) years
following the Termination, he will not, either directly or indirectly:
(a) solicit the employment of any person who is employed by the Company
at the time of the Termination, unless such person is involuntarily discharged
by the Company; or
(b) solicit, divert or take away, or attempt to divert or to take away,
the business or patronage of any of the current or prospective clients,
customers or accounts of the Company as of the Termination.
3. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Xxxxx acknowledges that, prior to the
Termination, he has had access to confidential information of the Company and
its affiliates, including, without limitation, information and knowledge
pertaining to research activities, products and services offered, inventions,
innovations, designs, ideas, plans, trade secrets, proprietary information,
advertising, sales methods and systems, sales and profit figures, customer
lists and relationships between the Company and its customers, suppliers and
others who have had or will have business dealings with the Company
("Confidential Information"). Xxxxx acknowledges that such Confidential
Information is a valuable and unique asset of the Company and covenants that he
will not, after the Termination, disclose any such Confidential Information to,
or use any such Confidential Information for the benefit of, any person or
entity other than the Company and/or its affiliates for any reason whatsoever
without the prior written authorization of the Company's Board of Directors,
except as may be required by law. In the event that Xxxxx is subject to a
subpoena or other order of any governmental entity which might seek disclosure
of Confidential Information, Xxxxx shall furnish a copy of such subpoena or
order to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company as soon as practicable but
in no event later than forty-eight (48) hours after his receipt of such
subpoena or order. Confidential Information shall not include: (i) information
known to Xxxxx before he became employed by the Company; (ii) information in
the public domain or known generally in the industry through no fault of Xxxxx;
and (iii) information that is not treated by the Company as confidential or is
disclosed by the Company to third parties without a duty of confidentiality
imposed on such third parties.
4. CONSIDERATION. In consideration for Xxxxx entering into the restrictive
covenants set forth in Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this Agreement, the Company agrees
to pay Davis U.S. $2,000,000, in cash, in a single lump sum, upon the
Termination by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated in writing by Xxxxx.
5. EQUITABLE RELIEF.
(a) Xxxxx acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Sections 1, 2
and 3 of this Agreement, individually and collectively, are reasonable and
necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company and that any
material violation of any provision of those Sections will result in
irreparable injury to the Company. Xxxxx further represents and acknowledges
that: (i) he has been advised by the Company to consult with his own legal
counsel in respect to this Agreement; and (ii) that he has, prior to execution
of this Agreement, reviewed thoroughly this Agreement with his counsel.
(b) Xxxxx agrees that the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and
permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages,
as well as to an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other
benefits arising from any violation of Sections 1, 2 and 3 above, which rights
shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which
the Company may be entitled. In the event that any of the provisions of
Sections 1, 2 and 3 above should ever be adjudicated to exceed the time,
geographic, product,
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service or other limitations permitted by applicable law in any jurisdiction,
then such provisions shall be deemed reformed in such jurisdiction to the
maximum time, geographic, product, service or other limitations permitted by
applicable law.
(c) The parties irrevocably and unconditionally: (i) agree that any
suit, action or other legal proceeding arising out of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, any action commenced by the Company for
preliminary and/or permanent injunctive relief and/or other equitable relief,
may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in Ohio; (ii) consent to
the jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding; and
(iii) waive any objection which such party may have to the laying of venue of
any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.
6. POWER AND AUTHORITY. Each of the parties hereto represents that it has
the due corporate or individual power and authority to enter into this
Agreement.
7. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the
provisions set forth in Sections 1, 2, 3 and 5 of this Agreement shall be
binding on Xxxxx, and shall inure to the benefit of the Company and any of its
respective successors or assigns.
(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws
of the State of Ohio, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of
laws thereof.
(c) This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements regarding
noncompetition, nonsolicitation and nondisclosure between the Company and
Xxxxx, and sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may not be changed,
modified, extended or terminated except upon written amendment executed by
Xxxxx and the Company.
(d) The language of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance
with its fair meaning and not for or against any party. The parties acknowledge
that each party and its counsel have reviewed and had the opportunity to
participate in the drafting of this Agreement and, accordingly, that the rule
of construction that would resolve ambiguities in favor of non-drafting parties
shall not apply to the interpretation of this Agreement or any portion of this
Agreement.
(e) All payments under this Agreement shall be made subject to
applicable federal, state, and local tax withholdings.
(f) All section headings are for convenience only. This Agreement may
be executed in several counterparts, each of which is an original.
[signature page to follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, have
executed this Agreement as of the date(s) written below.
Attest LIQUI-BOX CORPORATION
_____________________, Secretary By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Chief Operating Officer and President
Date: Date: 3/25/02
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Witness:
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Date: 3/25/02 Date: 3/25/02
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