EXHIBIT 10.21
CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED
UNDER C.F.R. SECTIONS
200.80(b)(4), 200.83 and 230.406
**** INDICATES OMITTED MATERIAL THAT
IS THE SUBJECT OF A CONFIDENTIAL
TREATMENT REQUEST FILED
SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION
COKE SUPPLY AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
AND
REPUBLIC ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS.......................................................................... 1
ARTICLE II - COKE SALES.......................................................................... 2
2.1 Quantities..................................................................... 2
2.2 Sampling, Analysis and Weighing................................................ 3
2.3 Prices......................................................................... 4
2.4 Invoices and Payment........................................................... 4
2.5 Delivery, Title and Risk of Loss............................................... 5
2.6 Terms and Conditions of Sale................................................... 6
2.7 Warranty....................................................................... 6
2.8 Freeze-Conditioning............................................................ 6
2.9 Cross-Default; Setoff; Right to Substitute New Terms........................... 6
ARTICLE III - TERM AND TERMINATION............................................................... 8
3.1 Term........................................................................... 8
3.2 Termination.................................................................... 8
ARTICLE IV - MISCELLANEOUS....................................................................... 9
4.1 Payment Errors................................................................. 9
4.2 Dispute Resolution............................................................. 9
4.3 Records........................................................................ 10
4.4 Confidentiality................................................................ 10
4.5 Severability................................................................... 11
4.6 Rights and Remedies; No Consequential Damages.................................. 11
4.7 Costs and Expenses............................................................. 12
4.8 Notices........................................................................ 12
4.9 Assignment..................................................................... 12
4.10 Counterparts................................................................... 13
4.11 Headings....................................................................... 13
4.12 Governing Law.................................................................. 13
4.13 No Third Party Rights.......................................................... 13
4.14 Waiver and Amendments.......................................................... 13
4.15 Force Majeure.................................................................. 14
4.16 Release........................................................................ 14
4.17 Entire Agreement............................................................... 15
SCHEDULE A: 0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Quality Specifications
(i)
COKE SUPPLY AGREEMENT
THIS COKE SUPPLY AGREEMENT, made and entered into this __ day of October,
2004, by and between REPUBLIC ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC, a Delaware corporation
("Buyer" or "Republic") and UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION, a Delaware
corporation ("Seller" or "USS").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Buyer desires to purchase blast furnace coke for use during the
first half of 2005 at its Lorain Works steelmaking facility located near Lorain,
Ohio; and
WHEREAS, Seller desires to supply to Buyer blast furnace coke produced by
Seller at Clairton Works in Clairton, Pennsylvania, in accordance with the terms
and conditions set forth herein;
WHEREAS, Buyer and Seller wish to enter into this Coke Supply Agreement
(this "Agreement"), setting forth, inter alia, the terms and conditions relating
to Seller's agreement to sell to Buyer, and Buyer's agreement to purchase from
Seller, blast furnace coke (including Coke, as defined herein), all upon and
subject to the terms and conditions herein provided.
NOW, THEREFORE, Buyer and Seller hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I - DEFINITIONS
As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
"Agreement" shall have the meaning assigned in the Recitals hereto.
"Buyer" shall have the meaning assigned in the preamble hereto.
"Coke" means blast furnace coke produced by Seller at Clairton Works which
meets the Specifications.
"Default" shall have the meaning assigned in Article 3.1.
"Force Majeure" shall have the meaning assigned in Article 4.15(a).
"Late Payment Rate" means [****].
"Lorain Pipe Xxxxx" or "LPM" means USS' tube/pipe making facility in
Lorain, Ohio (such facility referred to herein as the "Pipemill").
"Material Adverse Change" shall have the meaning assigned in Article
2.5(f).
"Payment Date" shall have the meaning assigned in Article 2.5(c).
"Pellets" shall have the meaning set forth in the Pellet Supply Agreement.
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"Pellet Supply Agreement" means the Pellet Supply Agreement of even date
herewith by and between Buyer and Seller.
"Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm,
corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or
government or political subdivision or any agency, department or instrumentality
thereof.
"Proprietary Information" shall have the meaning assigned in Article
4.4(a).
"Republic" shall have the meaning assigned in the preamble thereto.
"Rounds" shall have the meaning set forth in the Rounds Supply Agreement.
"Rounds Supply Agreement" means the Rounds Supply Agreement of even date
herewith by and among Buyer and USS.
"Seller" shall have the meaning assigned in the preamble hereto.
"Services Agreement" means the Administrative and Utilities Services
Agreement dated August 16, 2002 by and between USS and Buyer.
"Settlement Date" shall have the meaning assigned in Article 2.5(c).
"Settlement Period" shall have the meaning assigned in Article 2.5(c).
"Specifications" means the qualities, sizes, conditions and other
specifications set forth on Schedule A, as the same may be amended from time to
time by mutual agreement of the parties.
"Ton," "net ton" and "NT" each means 2,000 pounds avoirdupois in weight.
"USS" shall have the meaning assigned in the preamble hereto.
ARTICLE II - COKE SALES
2.1 QUANTITIES.
(a) Subject to the terms hereof, Seller agrees to sell and deliver to
Buyer, and Buyer agrees to purchase and accept delivery of, [****] tons per
month, during each month this Agreement is in effect, of blast furnace coke
(also generically referred to herein as "coke") for consumption at Lorain Works.
Seller may fulfill its obligations to sell and deliver Coke under this Agreement
by supplying Buyer Coke produced at Clairton Works by Clairton 1314B
Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("1314B"). Coke produced by
1314B and sold under this Agreement shall be sold by 1314B and will be
identified on invoices issued hereunder on line items separate from Coke sold by
Seller. Payment for the entirety of said invoices shall nevertheless be made by
Buyer to Seller, and Seller shall remain responsible for the product of 1314B
complying in all respects with the requirements of this Agreement, including,
without limitation, the Specifications. The intent of this Agreement is to
provide Republic with sufficient
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Coke to produce approximately [****] tons of Rounds per month for delivery to
USS pursuant to the Rounds Supply Agreement executed contemporaneously herewith.
2.2 SAMPLING, ANALYSIS AND WEIGHING.
(a) Seller shall sample the Coke produced by each production turn as per
its standard practice (four belt cuts per shift), perform chemical and physical
analyses to American Society of Testing and Measurement standards, and average
the analyses of such samples to determine a daily average analysis that shall be
deemed to be the analysis of Coke loaded into railcars for Buyer's account on
such day. The daily weighted average Coke analysis for each day in which Seller
is loading railcars for Buyer's account shall be transmitted electronically or
telefaxed to such Person as Buyer may from time to time direct as soon as
available, it being understood that such analysis will be available as soon as
possible, normally within 24 to 48 hours of the analyzed Coke's loading. Such
daily average analyses shall be rebuttably presumptively correct as to the
quality of Coke sold hereunder; however, if Buyer should encounter material
discrepancies between Seller's daily average analyses and Buyer's own quality
analyses, Buyer and Seller shall meet to discuss the reasons for such
discrepancies and any appropriate remedial action. If Buyer encounters any such
material discrepancy, then Buyer shall retain a sample of the Coke sampled
pursuant to this Article 2.2(a) for its own quality analysis, labeled so as to
identify the railcar which was sampled. In the event that Buyer and Seller
cannot agree as to the quality of the Coke, either party may, without
limitation, submit such dispute for resolution in accordance with Article 4.2.
(b) With respect to shipments of Coke, the weights used for billing
hereunder shall be the weights determined by the rail carrier transporting Coke
to Lorain Works, as adjusted by Seller for moisture to a [****] moisture
standard (per existing procedures). Such weights shall be rebuttably
presumptively correct as to the quantities of Coke sold hereunder; however, if
Buyer should encounter material discrepancies in weights measured by the carrier
and weights measured by Buyer, Buyer and Seller shall meet to discuss the
reasons for such discrepancies and whether remedial action is necessary. In the
event that Buyer and Seller cannot agree as to the weights, either party may,
without limitation, submit such dispute for resolution in accordance with
Article 4.2.
(c) With respect to shipments of Coke, Buyer shall have the responsibility
for making sure the tare weight of each rail car has been properly established.
If a railcar has a tare weight of more than [****] years old, Buyer shall
promptly arrange for said car to be reweighed by the railroad on certified
scales so that a more accurate light weight can be established for billing
purposes hereunder. In the event that Buyer fails to take such action and Seller
discovers that a railcar has a tare weight of more than [****] years old, Seller
shall have the right (but not the obligation) to reject such rail car. Costs of
removing such rail car shall be for Buyer's account. If Seller loads a rail car
that has an inaccurate light weight and Seller learns of the correct tare weight
within ninety (90) days after loading the railcar, Seller shall correct the
billing invoice for such shipment to reflect the correct light weight and
corresponding charges associated with the actual tare weight of a car. Any
discrepancies related to a railcar's correct light weight that are discovered
later than 90 days after the railcar was loaded shall be deemed closed.
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2.3 PRICES.
(a) From the Effective Date to and including June 30, 2005, Buyer shall
pay Seller a purchase price of $[****] per Ton of Coke delivered at Clairton
Works, subject to adjustment as set forth in Schedule A for variation in
quality. [****].
(b) To the extent legally permissible, all present and future taxes
imposed by any federal, state, local or foreign authority which [****] may be
required to pay or collect, upon or with reference to the sale, purchase,
transportation, delivery, storage, use or consumption of Coke, including taxes
upon or measured by the receipts therefrom (except net income and equity
franchise taxes), shall be for account of [****].
2.4 INVOICES AND PAYMENT.
(a) Seller shall invoice Buyer (as below provided), and Buyer shall pay
Seller via wire transfer, the net amount due per such invoices in accordance
with the payment provisions set forth in this Article 2.4.
(b) Invoices shall be issued upon delivery of the coke in accordance with
Article 2.5(a).
(c) Subject to Article 2.9 below, payment shall be made for coke invoiced
during each Settlement Period (as hereinafter defined) on the Payment Date (as
hereinafter defined). A "Settlement Period" shall be the period falling from
[****] (the "First Settlement Period") and the period from [****] ("the "Second
Settlement Period"). On the day following each Settlement Period (i.e., [****])
(the "Settlement Date"), Seller shall provide to Buyer a summary of all payments
to be made on the Payment Date consistent with the invoices issued in accordance
with Article 2.4(b). The Payment Date for the First Settlement Period shall be
on the immediately succeeding [****] and the Payment date for the Second
Settlement Period shall be on the immediately succeeding [****]. In the event a
Payment Date falls on a holiday, the Payment Date shall be the day immediately
following. Any deliveries of coke (including without limitation Coke) for which
an invoice is not available prior to the otherwise applicable Settlement Date
(e.g., due to delays in the normal invoice cycle) and any corrected invoices
will be settled on the next Settlement Date.
(d) On or before [****] and [****], USS shall determine the amount of
Rounds produced by Republic and delivered to USS during the prior [****] and
shall reconcile xxxxxxxx under this Agreement to ensure that the price set forth
herein is applied to the correct number of tons that have been supplied by USS
hereunder and used by Republic for the production of Rounds for USS. Such
reconciliation shall use the following formula: [****]. A reconciled invoice
shall be provided to Republic referencing the credit or debit arising out of
such tonnage reconciliation. Any payment owed by either party after expiration
of the Term shall be paid on the next Settlement Day after issuance of the
reconciled invoice.
(e) Each partial delivery or installment of coke shall be deemed to be
sold under a separate agreement, and no Default by Seller of or with respect to
any partial delivery or installment shall entitle Buyer to treat this Agreement
as breached or repudiated in regard to any balance or installment with respect
to which there is no Default or breach.
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(f) Buyer shall make payment in full of the amount due under each invoice
in strict compliance with the payment terms as set forth in this Agreement
without any deduction for any discount or credits, contra or setoffs of any kind
or amount whatsoever unless expressly authorized in writing by Seller prior to
the Settlement Date relating to such invoice(s). Any delinquent invoice(s) not
paid when due shall bear interest on the unpaid amount at the Late Payment Rate
specified in this Agreement.
(g) Buyer agrees to furnish Seller's Treasury Department on an ongoing
basis (1) unaudited quarterly financial statements of its operations, including
income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements and borrowing bases, (2)
audited year-end financial statements and (3) such other financial data or
information as may be required to reasonably assure Seller of Buyer's continuing
ability to perform this Agreement and comply fully with its payment obligations
at all times as to both existing and future product shipments hereunder. For
purposes of this subsection (f), Seller confirms its obligations under that
certain Confidentiality Agreement dated as of August 16, 2002 by and between
Seller and Buyer. Any failure of Buyer to timely provide any of the documents or
information required by this paragraph shall be deemed a material breach of this
Agreement that entitles Seller to invoke any of the remedies available to Seller
under this Agreement and/or at law or in equity. The parties agree that this
Article 2.4(g), and any dispute arising hereunder, shall be excluded from
Article 4.2 hereof.
(h) In the event, in Seller's sole judgment, of any material adverse
change in the financial condition of Buyer, or deterioration in its liquidity
and/or then current ability to discharge its existing or future payment
obligations hereunder (a "Material Adverse Change"), Seller shall have the right
to require Buyer to provide additional security for its obligations hereunder.
The form, nature and sufficiency of such additional security shall be in
Seller's sole and absolute discretion. If Buyer does not provide such additional
security within 10 days of written notice from Seller that a Material Adverse
Change has occurred and that additional security is required, Seller may (i)
suspend further shipments of coke (including without limitation Coke) until such
additional security is provided, (ii) require Buyer to pay for future deliveries
of coke (including without limitation Coke) on a cash-on-delivery basis, or
(iii) immediately terminate this Agreement. Seller agrees that minor deviations
in Buyer's business will not be deemed to be a Material Adverse Change hereunder
unless such minor deviations continue for three or more consecutive calendar
months.
2.5 DELIVERY, TITLE AND RISK OF LOSS.
(a) Delivery of Coke to Buyer shall take place F.O.B. railcar at Seller's
Clairton Works, or in such other manner or at such other place as shall be
agreed upon by the parties in writing prior to the shipment of Coke. Title and
risk of loss and damage to the Coke shall pass from Seller to Buyer when the
Coke is delivered in accordance with this Article 2.5. Unless otherwise agreed
to by Buyer, Seller shall use its best efforts to schedule such deliveries of
Coke in as uniform rate as practicable from month to month.
(b) Buyer shall arrange [****] for all transportation hereunder of Coke
from Clairton Works to Lorain Works.
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2.6 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.
(a) In the event that any shipment of coke does not conform to the
applicable specifications, the party discovering the nonconformity shall provide
prompt written notice to the other party (and in any event, no later 14 days
after the arrival of the train) of the nonconformity, which notice shall include
copies of all analyses and other documentation describing and quantifying the
nonconformity, and the parties shall promptly undertake negotiations in good
faith to effectuate an appropriate disposition of the nonconforming material,
which may include an equitable price adjustment. In the event that the parties
are unable to agree to an appropriate disposition of the nonconforming material
within fourteen (14) days, either party may submit such dispute for resolution
in accordance with Article 4.2 hereof.
(b) In the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the terms or conditions contained in any notice, shipment,
specifications, purchase order, sales order, acknowledgement or other document
which may be used in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall supersede and
govern, unless expressly waived in accordance with Article 4.14.
2.7 WARRANTY.
(a) Seller warrants that all Coke sold by Seller hereunder will conform to
the Specifications. OTHER THAN AS AFORESAID, SELLER MAKES NO WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE ARE HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED BY
SELLER AND EXCLUDED HEREUNDER. Seller shall not be liable for any incidental or
consequential damages, losses or expenses based upon, resulting from, or arising
out of any use of, or the inability to use, the coke for any purpose whatsoever.
(b) Without limiting the generality of Article 2.7(a), Seller makes no
warranty with respect to and shall have no liability to Buyer in any case where
Coke satisfies the Specifications. If Coke does not satisfy the Specifications
but reasonably can be used by Buyer, then price adjustments shall be made in
accordance with Schedule A. [****].
2.8 FREEZE-CONDITIONING.
At Buyer's request, Seller shall apply a freeze-conditioning product in a
satisfactory and xxxxxxx-like manner to coke shipped hereunder. Buyer shall
notify Seller in writing of Buyer's desired start and stop dates concerning
freeze-conditioning of coke in the upcoming winter. Invoicing and payment of the
costs incurred by Seller in freeze-conditioning coke ordered hereunder shall be
made in accordance with Article 2.4 hereof; provided, however, that Seller
reserves the right to separately invoice for the freeze-conditioning once per
season and the invoiced amounts shall be paid by Buyer on the next Payment Date
after issuance of such invoice.
2.9 CROSS-DEFAULT; SETOFF; RIGHT TO SUBSTITUTE NEW TERMS
(a) Any Default by Republic under the Pellet Supply Agreement, the Rounds
Agreement or the Services Agreement shall be deemed a Default of Republic under
this Agreement.
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(b) Only in the event of a payment Default, which is defined as any
failure by Republic at any time to make a payment in full when due under Article
2.4 of this Agreement, Article 2.4 of the Pellet Supply Agreement and/or Article
3.2 of the Services Agreement (for any reason other than exercising its rights
upon a payment Default by USS), USS may (i) defer payment of any amounts due
Republic under the Rounds Supply Agreement and/or the Services Agreement until
such time as any and all delinquent amounts due and owing USS under this
Agreement, the Pellet Supply Agreement and/or the Services Agreement (the
"Delinquent Amount") are paid, and/or (ii) deliver to Republic a `Notice of
Intent to Effect Set-off.' Provided that Republic has not remitted to USS the
Delinquent Amount within 5 days of Republic's receipt of the Notice of Intent to
Effect Set-off, USS may, on the 5th day following the delivery of such Notice of
Intent to Effect Set-off, set-off the Delinquent Amount against the amounts owed
by USS to Republic under the Rounds Supply Agreement and/or the Services
Agreement as of the date of such Notice. If the Delinquent Amount is not paid in
full within [****] days following the delivery of such Notice of Intent to
Effect Set-off, USS shall have the right to suspend further shipments of Coke to
Buyer until the Delinquent Amount (including any other delinquent amounts owed
to USS under this Agreement, the Pellet Supply Agreement and/or the Services
Agreement that accrue after issuance of the Notice) are paid in full. Interest
on the Delinquent Amount shall accrue at the Late Payment Rate specified in this
Agreement.
(c) In the event that the aggregate amounts due USS in connection with
Republic's purchases of Coke hereunder and Republic's purchases of Pellets under
the Pellet Supply Agreement at any time exceed by $[****] or more the amount due
Republic in connection with USS' purchases of Rounds under the Rounds Supply
Agreement (the "Excess"), Republic shall remit to USS an amount equal to the
Excess within three days of the Settlement Date immediately succeeding the date
that such Excess occurs. If the Excess is not paid in full by such date, USS
shall have the right to withhold and/or setoff against the Excess any amounts
due from USS to Republic under the Services Agreement. If the Excess is not paid
in full within [****] days of such Settlement Date, USS shall have the right to
suspend further shipments of coke (including without limitation Coke) to Buyer
until the Excess is paid in full; provided, that Seller agrees not to suspend
such shipments during such time so long as payment on deliveries of coke
(including without limitation Coke) is made by Buyer on a cash-on-delivery
basis. Interest on the Excess shall accrue at the Late Payment Rate specified in
this Agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary (including
without limitation the provisions of Article 2.4 hereof), in the event that (i)
USS ceases operations at the Pipemill either on a temporary or permanent basis,
(ii) USS sells or otherwise transfers (or enters into an agreement to sell or
transfer) ownership of the Pipemill assets or operations to a third party, or
(iii) USS' purchases of Rounds under the Rounds Supply Agreement and/or
utilities under the Services Agreement are reduced for any reason such that the
Excess exceeds $[****] in [****] consecutive Settlement periods, then USS shall
have the right to substitute new or revised payment terms and conditions for the
payment terms which are then in effect hereunder such that payments due by Buyer
to USS hereunder remain secured at all times.
(e) Republic hereby agrees to continue to perform fully its obligations
hereunder and under the Rounds Supply Agreement, the Pellet Supply Agreement and
the Services Agreement notwithstanding the exercise by USS of any of its rights
hereunder or under Article 2.4.
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ARTICLE III - TERM AND TERMINATION
3.1 TERM.
This Agreement shall be effective as of January 1, 2005 and shall remain
in full force and effect through June 30, 2005 unless terminated as follows:
(i) By written mutual consent of the parties at any time;
(ii) By either party if the other party is in Default under any of the
provisions of this Agreement (except as otherwise expressly provided
in items (iii), (iv) and (v) below) and fails to correct such
Default within 60 days of written notice of such Default;
(iii) By USS pursuant to Article 2.4(h) hereof in the case of a Material
Adverse Change;
(iv) By USS if Republic, at any time, fails (A) to make any payment when
due under this Agreement, (B) to comply with the applicable credit
and/or payment terms (as established or adjusted hereunder) or (C)
to provide the financial statements and information pursuant to
Article 2.4(g) hereof; or
(v) By Republic, upon 90 days' prior written notice, if USS terminates
the Rounds Supply Agreement for any reason other than Default of
Republic thereunder.
In addition to the rights of USS to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
subsection (iv) above, Seller shall have the right, upon the occurrence of any
of the events set forth therein, (X) to suspend production and/or refuse to make
further shipments or deliveries of coke (including without limitation Coke) or
otherwise suspend its further performance under this Agreement or (Y) to declare
immediately due and payable all then outstanding and unpaid invoices covering
coke (including without limitation Coke) previously delivered hereunder.
As used herein, "Default" means failure of either party to perform, keep or
observe any material obligation, provision, warranty or condition contained
herein, unless such performance is otherwise excused by the terms of this
Agreement.
3.2 TERMINATION.
Seller and Buyer agree that upon and after termination of this Agreement:
(i) Buyer shall remain obligated to make any payment due to Seller
hereunder prior to termination.
(ii) Liabilities of any party arising from any act, Default or occurrence
prior to termination shall remain with such party.
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(iii) The parties' rights and obligations under Articles 2.4, 2.7, 2.8,
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.12, 4.15, 4.16 and this Article
III shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV - MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 PAYMENT ERRORS.
(a) If either Buyer or Seller believes that there has been an error in an
amount paid or the timing of any payment hereunder, then such party shall notify
the other party of such alleged error and shall provide such written evidence of
the error as is available at the time of such notice. Each party shall provide
the other with sufficient records relating to the matter so as to permit the
parties to attempt to resolve the inconsistency.
(b) Following the determination of whether an error occurred, any
overpayment or underpayment found shall be remedied by the party that benefited
from such error.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither party may question the
accuracy, correctness, timing or amount of any payment under this Agreement
unless it notifies the other party of its disagreement within the 12 months
immediately following the date on which such payment was due.
4.2 DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
At any time and from time to time, if the parties are unable to resolve a
dispute concerning Buyer's or Seller's performance or nonperformance of their
obligations under this Agreement (excepting any disputes excluded herefrom),
Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, shall provide written notice to the other
of such dispute as provided in Article 4.8 hereof. It is mutually agreed that
any Default by Buyer in its payment obligations hereunder (or any dispute
relating thereto), and/or any dispute relating to USS' exercise of its rights
under Article 2.10 hereof shall not be subject to (and are excluded from) the
provisions of this Article 4.2; it being agreed that any such excluded disputes
(as aforesaid) shall be pursued and adjudicated by the parties in a court of
competent jurisdiction. Any dispute covered by this Article 4.2 shall be
resolved by using the procedures for Mediation and Arbitration set forth below:
(a) Mediation. At any time after a party has provided a written notice of
dispute to the other party, but prior to the time that either party commences
arbitration pursuant to Article 4.2(b) herein, the parties may agree to submit
the dispute to non-binding mediation under terms and conditions satisfactory to
both parties.
(b) Arbitration. At any time after a party has provided a written notice
of dispute to the other party, including at any time during any non-binding
mediation agreed to by the parties, either party may submit the matter in
dispute to a pre-designated arbitrator or, in the event such arbitrator has not
been selected or is unavailable, to a three member arbitral panel to which each
Party shall appoint one member and those two members shall appoint a third
member. Such arbitration shall be governed by the CPR Rules for Non-Administered
Arbitration of Business Disputes. Pending the issuance of an arbitral decision,
the Parties shall continue their full and normal operations and obligations in
accordance with this Agreement. All arbitral awards for the
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payment of money and/or for any retroactive adjustment of any interim prices
paid hereunder shall accrue interest at the Late Payment Rate starting from the
date on which any amount is due or the date on which the interim payment was
due.
(c) Consent to Enforceability. Each of the Parties consents and agrees
that any arbitral award rendered pursuant to Subsection 4.2(b) shall be final,
non-appealable and binding against the Parties and their respective assets, and
may be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction.
4.3 RECORDS.
Seller shall maintain such detailed and accurate records relating to the
sales of coke, adjustment of railcar light weights and freeze-conditioning
hereunder as shall be necessary for the calculation of amounts payable under
Articles 2.5 and 2.9. At all times on or before the date that is 12 months after
the date of termination of this Agreement, representatives of Buyer and its
auditors shall be entitled, at Buyer's expense, to inspect and audit such
records and accounts and to consult with Seller's personnel in a reasonable,
non-intrusive manner upon reasonable notice and during business hours. Seller
shall have the right to require that any audit be conducted by a mutually
agreeable independent auditor and that the details of the information examined
in such audit be kept confidential from Buyer, except to the extent necessary to
resolve any controversy that is pursued in good faith. Such audit expense shall
be borne by Buyer.
4.4 CONFIDENTIALITY.
(a) Buyer and Seller acknowledge that all information about the
businesses, properties, finances, prospects, marketing, processes, products,
methods, computer programs, procedures, machinery, apparatus or trade secrets
owned, or held or used (including under license from or agreement with third
parties) by the other that is disclosed to Buyer or Seller, as the case may be,
during the course of performing its obligations under this Agreement is the
property of, and is proprietary and confidential to the disclosing party (the
"Proprietary Information").
(b) Buyer and Seller agree that they shall use reasonable efforts not to
make any disclosure of the other's Proprietary Information (including methods or
concepts utilized therein other than those commonly known to professionals in
the field) to any person other than officers, employees and agents of and
consultants to Buyer or Seller to whom such disclosure is necessary or
convenient for performance of its obligations hereunder and except as may be
required by applicable legal requirements or by a court of competent
jurisdiction. Buyer and Seller shall appropriately notify each officer,
employee, agent and consultant to whom any such disclosure of the other's
Proprietary Information is made that such disclosure is made in confidence and
shall be kept in confidence by such Person.
(c) Each of Buyer and Seller agrees to use diligent efforts in accordance
with customary and reasonable commercial practice and at least with the same
degree of skill and care that it would manifest in protection of its own
proprietary and confidential property to protect the other's Proprietary
Information.
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(d) Each of Buyer and Seller agrees to notify the other immediately in the
event that it becomes aware of the unauthorized possession or use of the other's
Proprietary Information (or any part thereof) by any third Person, including any
of its officers, employees, agents or consultants. Each of Buyer and Seller
further agrees to cooperate with the other in connection with its efforts to
terminate or prevent such unauthorized possession or use of such Proprietary
Information. Seller or Buyer, as the case may be, shall pay the nonproprietary
party's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so cooperating, unless the
unauthorized possession or use of the Proprietary Information resulted from the
fault or negligence of such nonproprietary party.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligation
of Buyer and Seller to maintain the confidentiality of the other's Proprietary
Information shall not apply to any portion of such Proprietary Information that:
(i) was in the public domain at the time of Buyer's or Seller's
disclosure to the other;
(ii) enters the public domain through no fault of the nonproprietary
party;
(iii) was communicated to the nonproprietary party by a third party free
of any obligation of confidence known to the nonproprietary party;
or
(iv) was developed by officers, employees or agents of or consultants to
the nonproprietary party independently of and without reference to
the Proprietary Information;
provided, however, that Proprietary Information which is specific shall not be
considered to be within the exception provided by this Article 4.4(e) merely
because it is embraced by general information in the public domain; provided,
further, that any combination of features within the Proprietary Information
shall not be deemed within such exception merely because individual features are
within the public domain, but only if the combination itself is within the
public domain.
4.5 SEVERABILITY.
In case anyone or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement is
adjudged to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, except to the extent necessary
to avoid an unjust or inequitable result.
4.6 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES; NO CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
The rights and remedies granted under this Agreement shall not be
exclusive but shall be in addition to all other rights and remedies available at
law or in equity, including, but not limited to, claims for breach of contract,
except that Buyer and Seller agree that in no event shall either party be liable
to the other for any indirect, special or consequential damages or lost profits
as a result of a breach of any provision of this Agreement.
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4.7 COSTS AND EXPENSES.
Each of Buyer and Seller shall bear its own expenses incurred in
connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement.
4.8 NOTICES.
All notices or other communications required or permitted by this
Agreement shall be effective upon receipt and shall be in writing and (i)
personally delivered, or (ii) mailed by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, or (iii) sent by overnight delivery service which provides
proof of delivery, or (iv) sent by telecopy, with a duplicate copy sent via
first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to Seller:
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: General Manager - Raw Materials
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
If to Buyer:
REPUBLIC ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Vice President of Purchasing
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile: (330-670-7006)
or to such other address as hereafter shall be furnished as provided in this
Article 4.8 by either of the parties hereto to the other.
4.9 ASSIGNMENT.
(a) Except as provided in Article 4.9(c), neither party can without the
prior written consent of the other assign any of its rights or benefits or
delegate any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement, and any
attempted assignment or delegation which is not permitted under Article 4.9(c)
shall be null, void and without effect; provided, however, that Buyer may grant
a security interest in Buyer's rights, benefits, duties and obligations under
this Agreement without the consent of Seller. Buyer shall provide Seller written
notice of the granting or revision of any such security interest.
(b) The rights, benefits, duties and obligations of each party hereto
shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, any successors, assigns or
delegates permitted under Article 4.9(c).
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(c) Either party hereto may delegate any of its duties or obligations
under this Agreement to any person, but except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement such party shall remain liable for the full performance of such duties
and obligations. Either party hereto may assign or delegate any of its rights,
benefits, duties or obligations hereunder (i) to any person if it has received
the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, (ii) to its legal successor if it
merges (whether or not it is the surviving corporation) or consolidates with one
or more other corporations or (iii) to any person to whom either party has made
any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of (A) all or substantially all
of its assets, or (B) the consuming facility in the case of Buyer or the
producing facility in the case of Seller; provided, however, that neither party
may make an assignment or delegation described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above
unless there are delivered to the other party such written assumptions,
affirmations and/or legal opinions as such other party may reasonably request to
preserve its rights and remedies under this Agreement.
4.10 COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute a
single instrument.
4.11 HEADINGS.
The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and do not modify or affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.
4.12 GOVERNING LAW.
This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and
governed by, the internal laws of the State of Ohio.
4.13 NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS.
This Agreement is intended to be solely for the benefit of the parties
hereto and is not intended to confer any benefits upon, or create any rights in
favor of, any Person other than the parties hereto, except as expressly provided
to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement.
4.14 WAIVER AND AMENDMENTS.
No waiver shall be deemed to have been made by either party of any of its
rights under this Agreement unless the same shall be in a writing that expressly
refers to this Article 4.14 and is signed on its behalf by its authorized
officer. Any such waiver shall constitute a waiver only with respect to the
specific matter described in such writing and shall in no way impair the rights
of the party granting such waiver in any other respect or at any other time.
This Agreement shall not be amended or modified except by an instrument in
writing signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought.
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4.15 FORCE MAJEURE.
(a) Except for obligations to make payments hereunder, neither party
hereto shall be liable for any failure to perform the terms of the Agreement
when such failure is due to Force Majeure. "Force Majeure" means acts of God,
strikes, lockouts, or other labor disputes or disturbances, civil disturbances,
arrests and restraint from rulers or people, interruptions or terminations by or
as a result of government or court action or orders, or present and future valid
orders of any regulatory body having jurisdiction, acts of the public enemy,
wars, riots, blockades, insurrections, inability to secure or delay in securing
labor or materials by reason of allocations promulgated by authorized
governmental agencies, epidemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes, fire,
storm, floods, washouts, explosions, breakdowns or accidents, inability to
obtain transportation services, or any other cause, whether of the kind
enumerated or otherwise, not reasonably within the control of the party claiming
Force Majeure. The Force Majeure shall, so far as possible, be remedied with all
reasonable dispatch. The settlement of strikes or lockouts or other labor
disputes or disturbances shall be entirely within the discretion of the party
having the difficulty, and the above requirement that any Force Majeure shall be
remedied with all reasonable dispatch shall not require the settlement of
strikes, lockouts, or labor disputes or disturbances by acceding to the demands
of any opposing party therein when such course is inadvisable in the discretion
of the party having the difficulty.
(b) The party whose performance is affected or who has reason to believe
such performance may be affected by reason of Force Majeure shall as promptly as
possible give notice thereof to the other party and shall confirm such notice in
writing if requested, giving the particulars of the event, including supporting
documentation if available. The party so affected shall also take reasonable
steps to resume performance hereunder with the least possible delay.
4.16 RELEASE.
(a) As part of the consideration forming the basis for the parties
entering into this Agreement and the related Pellet Supply Agreement and Rounds
Supply Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, USS and REP do hereby
unconditionally remise, release and forever discharge each other of and from any
and all open and pending claims and disputes arising out of or related to the
2002 Coke Supply Agreement that were in existence as of the Effective Date of
this Agreement; provided however that the foregoing release shall not be deemed
to release any routine payment, weight adjustment and/or quality claims arising
in the ordinary course of business under the 2002 Coke Supply Agreement, or any
claims constituting a material breach or default by either party thereunder that
arise or occur after the date on which this Agreement is executed by all
parties, but prior to the expiration of the 2002 Coke Supply Agreement.
(b) Nothing contained in Article 4.16 (a) above or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall alter or affect REP's or USS' respective rights, or release
either party of their respective obligations under the 2002 Coke Supply
Agreement except as otherwise expressly modified or provided to the contrary
herein.
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4.17 ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This Agreement (including the Schedules hereto) sets forth the entire
understanding and agreement between the parties as to the matters covered herein
and supersedes and replaces any prior understanding, agreement or statement of
intent, in each case written or oral.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered to be
effective as of the date first above written.
UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION REPUBLIC ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------------- --------------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: General Manager - Raw Materials Title: V.P. of Purchasing
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SCHEDULE A
2005 CLAIRTON COKE QUALITY SPECIFICATIONS
REPUBLIC ENGINEERED PRODUCTS, INC
Parameter Typical Penalty Rejection Penalty Frequency
Range/Limit
Stability, % 60.0 57.0-55.0 <55.0 [****] Each Lot
Moisture, % 3.5 3.5-10.0 >10.0 [****] Each Lot
Ash, % (D.B.) 8.6 9.2-10 >10.0 [****] Each Lot
Sulfur, % (D.B.) 0.8 0.90-0.95 >0.95 [****] Each Lot
Volatile Matter, % (D.B.) 0.75 1.00-1.20 >1.20 [****] Each Lot
Phosphorous, % P(2)O(5) in coke ash .024 n/a n/a Monthly
Potassium, % K(2)O in coke ash 0.151 >0.17 n/a [****] Monthly
CSR 59 n/a n/a Monthly
+4 inch, % 0 n/a >5.0 Monthly
+3 inch cumulative, % 11.0 n/a n/a Monthly
+2 inch cumulative, % 55.0 n/a <45.0 Monthly
+1 inch cumulative, % 95.0 n/a n/a Monthly
+3/4 inch cumulative, % 97.5 95-90 <90.0 [****] Monthly
COMMENTS:
- "DB" designates "Dry Basis" as defined by ASTM. All other analyses
reported according to ASTM Standards and/or guidelines.
- The term "Each Lot" refers to daily shipments.
Accepted by:
Republic Engineered Products, Inc. United States Steel Corporation
Name: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
--------------------------------- -------------------------------
Title: V.P. of Purchasing Title: General Mgr. Raw Materials
Date: 10/21/04 Date: 10/21/2004
Schedule A
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