EARN OUT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 10.2
THIS
EARN OUT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), is
entered into this 14th day of December, 2010
by and between ENERGY STEEL ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation (“ESAC”), Xxxxxx Corporation,
a Delaware corporation (“Xxxxxx” in its capacity of Guarantor under Section 2.3 and otherwise as
expressly provided herein as a direct party to this Agreement), and XXXX X. XXXX, individually and
as the Trustee of the Xxxx X. Xxxx Revocable Trust dated June 5, 2003 (“Seller”). Capitalized
terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to them in that
certain Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Xxxxxx, ESAC, Energy Steel & Supply Co., a Michigan
corporation (“Energy Steel”) and the Seller dated on even date herewith (the “Stock Purchase
Agreement”).
WHEREAS, the Seller beneficially owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Energy
Steel, which is engaged in the manufacture and supply of products and raw materials to the nuclear
power generation industry (the “Energy Steel Business”);
WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, ESAC is acquiring Energy Steel
pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement; and
WHEREAS, as a condition to the consummation of the transactions set forth in the Stock
Purchase Agreement, the Stock Purchase Agreement provides that this Agreement shall be entered into
by the parties, pursuant to which Seller shall be eligible to receive certain performance-based
payments from ESAC if certain performance conditions are satisfied (the “Earn Out Consideration”)
with respect to the Energy Steel Business.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and of the mutual covenants and
conditions contained herein and such other consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
EARN OUT CONSIDERATION
Section 1.1 Defined Terms.
“2011 EBITDA Thresholds” and “2012 EBITDA Thresholds” mean those EBITDA thresholds set forth
in the following tables:
| 2011 EBITDA Thresholds | Amount of First Year Payment | |
| ³ $3,625,000 | $250,000 | |
| ³ $3,750,000 | $500,000 | |
| ³ $3,875,000 | $750,000 | |
| ³ $4,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| 2012 EBITDA Thresholds | Amount of Second Year Payment | |
| ³ $3,625,000 | $250,000 | |
| ³ $3,750,000 | $500,000 | |
| ³ $3,875,000 | $750,000 | |
| ³ $4,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
“Catch-Up EBITDA Threshold” means, subject to the satisfaction of conditions set forth in
Sections 1.3 and 1.4, an aggregate EBITDA of Energy Steel for Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012
of $7,250,000.
“EBITDA” means, for any period, Energy Steel’s net income from continuing operations for such
period on a stand alone basis, plus Energy Steel’s (i) provisions for taxes based on income for
such period, (ii) interest expenses for such period, and (iii) depreciation and amortization of
tangible and intangible assets of Energy Steel for such period as determined in accordance with
GAAP and subject to the GAAP Exceptions. Further, EBITDA shall be adjusted as described in the
last sentence of this definition, and by excluding the effects of, or otherwise taking into
account, any and all of the following accounting principles to the extent otherwise included in the
determination of earnings from operations:
| (a) | gains, losses or profits realized by Energy Steel from the sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business and any “extraordinary items” of gain or loss (as determined in accordance with GAAP and subject to the GAAP Exceptions); |
| (b) | any management fees, general overhead expenses, or other intercompany charges, of whatever kind or nature, charged by ESAC, Xxxxxx or any other Affiliates to the Energy Steel Business, except to the extent they offset expenses that would otherwise be incurred by Energy Steel (e.g., blanket insurance coverage); |
| (c) | any legal or accounting fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement or the Stock Purchase Agreement. |
| (d) | material modifications to staffing levels and compensation packages during the earn out period will require the reasonable agreement of the Seller prior to the implementation of such strategy. If the Seller disagrees with the addition, we would partition out both the costs and corresponding benefits of such addition to be excluded from the EBITDA calculation. |
| (e) | Items deemed to be outside the course of normal operations of the Energy Steel Business which are non-recurring or non-operational shall be an adjustment for purposes of the earn out calculation. |
| (f) | For purposes of the earn out calculation, material variances in the use of estimates, accounting methodologies, prepaid and accrued expense treatment, and application of GAAP shall be adjustments. |
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| (g) | As of the date of closing, Xxxxxx has simultaneously entered into a real estate lease for the premises on which Energy Steel conducts its business. The provisions of the lease also xxxxx Xxxxxx on option to purchase the real estate. To the extent that Xxxxxx exercises its option to purchase the real estate, adjustments will be made to the earn out EBITDA such that the expenses reflect those which would have occurred under the terms of the lease had the option not been exercised. |
In determining earnings from operations, the purchase and sales prices of goods and services
sold by Energy Steel (or ESAC) to Xxxxxx or its Affiliates, or purchased by the Energy Steel (or
ESAC) from Xxxxxx or its Affiliates, or payment of royalties, shall be adjusted to reflect the
amounts that Energy Steel (or ESAC) would have received or paid if dealing with an independent
party in an arm’s-length commercial transaction.
“First Year Payment” means the amount(s) specified in the chart included in the definition of
2011 EBITDA Thresholds and 2012 EBITDA Thresholds above.
“Fiscal Year 2011” means Energy Steel’s year ending December 31, 2011.
“Fiscal Year 2012” means Energy Steel’s year ending December 31, 2012.
“Fiscal Year 2011 EBITDA” means the EBITDA of Energy Steel for the Fiscal Year 2011, based on
the audited financial statements of Energy Steel, as determined by Xxxxxx’x independent auditors in
their reasonable discretion.
“Fiscal Year 2012 EBITDA” means the EBITDA of Energy Steel for the Fiscal Year 2012 as
determined by Xxxxxx’x independent auditors in their reasonable discretion.
“Second Year Payment” means the amount(s) specified in the chart included in the definition of
2011 EBITDA Thresholds and 2012 EBITDA Thresholds above.
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Section 1.2 Generally.
(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Seller shall
be eligible to receive the Earn Out Consideration (as more particularly defined below). Subject to
the satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein, the Earn Out Consideration may consist of two
cash payments. The first payment shall be for and measured against the performance of the Energy
Steel Business during the Fiscal Year 2011, and it shall be known as the “First Year Payment.” The
second payment shall be for and measured against the performance of the Energy Steel Business
during the Fiscal Year 2012, and it shall be known as the “Second Year Payment” (collectively, the
First Year Payment and the Second Year Payment shall comprise the “Earn Out Consideration”).
Except as set forth in Section 1.4 below, each payment is intended to be separate from and
independent of the other payment. Thus, the Seller need not receive the First Year Payment in
order to be eligible to receive the Second Year Payment (and vice versa). The amount of each
payment shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.5 hereof, and no payment shall be made
unless the associated conditions to payment are satisfied in accordance with Sections 1.3 and 1.4
hereof.
(b) ESAC shall pay to the Seller (i) the First Year Payment that corresponds to the 2011
EBITDA Threshold attained by Energy Steel as set forth in the table above, and (ii) the Second Year
Payment that corresponds to the 2012 EBITDA Threshold attained by Energy Steel as set forth in the
table above.
Section 1.3 Conditions to First Year Payment, Second Year Payment and Catch-Up Payment.
(a) ESAC shall pay to the Seller the First Year Payment if, and only if, the Energy Steel
Business as operated by ESAC (or an affiliate thereof), generates EBITDA equal to or in excess of
$3,625,000 during the Fiscal Year 2011.
(b) ESAC shall pay to the Seller the Second Year Payment if, and only if, the Energy Steel
Business as operated by ESAC (or an affiliate thereof), generates EBITDA equal to or in excess of
$3,625,000 during the Fiscal Year 2012.
(c) ESAC shall pay the Seller the Catch-Up Payment if, and only if, the Energy Steel Business
as operated by ESAC (or an affiliate thereof), generates EBITDA equal to or in excess of the
Catch-Up EBITDA Threshold set forth in the table below.
Section 1.4 Catch-Up Payment.
(a) In the event that no First Year Payment is made during Fiscal Year 2011 as a result of
Energy Steel’s failure to meet the minimum EBITDA threshold of $3,625,000, the Seller will be
entitled to receive a catch-up payment in the amount of up to $1,000,000 (the “Catch-Up Payment”),
if Energy Steel’s Fiscal Year 2011 EBITDA plus Energy Steel’s Fiscal Year 2012 EBITDA exceeds the
Catch-Up EBITDA Thresholds, as set forth below:
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| Catch-Up Payment Thresholds | Amount of Catch-Up Payment | |
| ³ $7,250,000 | $250,000 | |
| ³ $7,500,000 | $500,000 | |
| ³ $7,750,000 | $750,000 | |
| ³ $8,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
By way of examples: (i) if the Fiscal Year 2011 EBITDA is $3,500,000 (an event in which the First
Year Payment would not be earned) and the Fiscal Year 2012 EBITDA is $4,500,000, ESAC shall make
pay Seller the Second Year Payment of $1,000,000 plus a Catch-Up Payment in the amount of
$1,000,000; and (ii) if the Fiscal Year 2011 EBITDA is $3,500,000 (an event in which the First Year
Payment would not be earned) and the Fiscal Year 2012 EBITDA is $4,000,000, ESAC shall pay Seller a
Catch-Up Payment in the amount of $500,000.
(b) Notwithstanding the aforementioned subsection (a), Seller’s right to receive the Catch-Up
Payment is conditioned upon Energy Steel’s Fiscal Year 2011 EBITDA being in excess of $3,000,000.
For example, if the Fiscal Year 2011 EBITDA is $2,900,000 (an event in which the First Year Payment
would not be earned) no Catch-Up Payment would be made regardless of the Fiscal Year 2012 EBITDA
attained.
Section 1.5 Calculation and Payment of Earn Out Consideration.
(a) Within a period of ten (10) calendar days following ESAC’s receipt of final financial
statements for Energy Steel for Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012 (which shall be prepared not
more than one hundred twenty (120) days following the end of such fiscal year), ESAC will deliver
to Seller (i) a calculation of the EBITDA for each such year, and (ii) a statement as to whether
the Seller is entitled to the First Year Payment, Second Year Payment or Catch-Up Payment, as
applicable. If ESAC determines that any payment is due hereunder, each such payment shall be made
within ten (10) business days of the delivery of the calculation of such payment to the Seller.
When payments are due hereunder, in each case, ESAC shall make the payment to the Seller by issuing
a check in the payment amount. If any payment date hereunder falls on a day that is a Saturday,
Sunday or holiday on which ESAC is closed, such payment shall be due on the next day on which ESAC
is open for business.
(b) The parties agree that any dispute as to whether Earn Out Consideration is earned
hereunder shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.2 of the Stock
Purchase Agreement.
ARTICLE II.
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Section 2.1 Commercially Reasonable Efforts. In consideration of the opportunity pursuant to
this Agreement to earn the Earn Out Consideration, Seller agrees to use her commercially reasonable
efforts to promote the interests of Xxxxxx, ESAC and the Energy Steel Business during the periods
of time covered by this Agreement. ESAC and Xxxxxx agree that
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they will use commercially reasonable efforts to promote the interests and EBITDA of the
Energy Steel Business and in carrying out its obligations under this Agreement. In this regard,
Xxxxxx and ESAC shall ensure that the Energy Steel Business has adequate working capital and other
resources necessary to carry on the business and affairs consistent with past practice in the
ordinary course of business throughout Fiscal Year 2011 and 2012.
Section 2.2 Right of Setoff. The Seller acknowledges and agrees that any and all amounts of
Earn Out Consideration owed to her pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the right of
setoff in favor of Xxxxxx and ESAC contained in the Stock Purchase Agreement.
Section 2.3 Guarantee of Xxxxxx. Xxxxxx hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees
each and every obligation of ESAC under this Agreement as if Xxxxxx was the direct party obligated
for all payments due hereunder to Seller, as Xxxxxx will benefit directly and indirectly from the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement. Xxxxxx hereby waives
all defenses afforded a guarantor or surety under applicable Laws. Xxxxxx’x obligations hereunder
shall be binding upon its successors and assigns and shall not be extinguished by any bankruptcy or
reorganization of ESAC.
Section 2.4 Covenants of ESAC as to Operation During Earn Out Periods.
(a) ESAC and Xxxxxx will maintain the Energy Steel Business as a separate enterprise within
their corporate structure;
(b) ESAC and Xxxxxx will provide sufficient working capital for operation of the Energy Steel
Business throughout Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012;
(c) ESAC shall utilize reasonable commercial efforts to maintain Key Employees of Energy Steel
throughout the Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012;
(d) ESAC shall operate and market the Energy Steel Business using the name “Energy Steel” (or
any derivative thereof deemed appropriate by Xxxxxx) throughout Fiscal Years 2011 and 2012; and
(e) ESAC and Xxxxxx shall direct all new orders in the same product line as the Energy Steel
Business to Energy Steel and shall not otherwise divert opportunities of Energy Steel to its
Affiliates.
Section 2.5 Acceleration and Early Termination. The payment obligations of ESAC and Xxxxxx
hereunder shall be subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of any one (1) of the following
events:
(a) ESAC determines in its discretion to terminate this Agreement for its business purposes;
(b) The sale (subsequent to the date hereof) of all or substantially all of the assets of
Energy Steel, ESAC and/or Xxxxxx;
(c) A change in control of Energy Steel, ESAC and/or Xxxxxx occurs; or
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(d) ESAC and/or Xxxxxx have committed a material breach of any of their payment obligations,
covenants, or agreements under this Agreement; provided Seller has notified Xxxxxx and ESAC of the
breach, and the breach has continued without cure for a period of thirty (30) days after the
written notice of breach.
In the event of an acceleration under this Section 2.5, Seller shall be entitled to immediate
payment of the maximum payments available for each Fiscal Year. Seller acknowledges that the
maximum payments hereunder shall not exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate.
ARTICLE III.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 3.1 Amendment and Waiver. Only a writing executed by each of the parties hereto may
amend this Agreement. No waiver of compliance with any provision or condition hereof, and no
consent provided for herein, will be effective unless evidenced by an instrument in writing duly
executed by the party sought to be charged therewith. No failure on the part of any party to
exercise, and no delay in exercising, any of its rights hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof,
nor will any single or partial exercise by any party of any right preclude any other or future
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.
Section 3.2 Assignment. No party will assign or attempt to assign any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of each of the other parties
hereto and any attempted assignment will be null and void; provided, however, that
without such consent, but upon notice to Seller, ESAC may assign all of its rights and obligations
hereunder to any subsidiary of Xxxxxx so designated by Xxxxxx, it being agreed that such assignment
will not relieve ESAC from its obligations hereunder.
Section 3.3 Notices, Etc. Each notice, report, demand, waiver, consent and other
communication required or permitted to be given hereunder will be in writing and will be sent in
accordance with Section 9.2 of the Stock Purchase Agreement.
Section 3.4 Binding Effect. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.2, this Agreement will be
binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and
assigns. This Agreement creates no rights of any nature in any Person not a party hereto.
Section 3.5 Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance
with the Laws of the State of New York without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. The
parties agree that the sole and exclusive forum for any Claim related to this Agreement, the
interpretation or construction hereof and the transactions contemplated hereby will be the Supreme
Court of and for the County of Monroe, State of New York. Each party unconditionally and
irrevocably agrees not to bring any Claim in any other forum and not to plead or otherwise attempt
to defeat the trial of such a matter in such court whether by asserting that such court is an
inconvenient forum, lacks jurisdiction (personal or other) or otherwise. Each party hereby waives
the right to a trial by jury.
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Section 3.6 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the
parties, and supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements and understandings, written or
oral, relating to the subject matter hereof.
Section 3.7 Headings; Counterparts. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and do not form a part hereof and do not in any way modify, interpret or construe
the intention of the parties. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument. The parties agree that facsimile copies of signatures will be deemed originals for all
purposes hereof and that a party may produce such copies, without the need to produce original
signatures, to prove the existence of this Agreement in any proceeding brought hereunder.
Section 3.8 Independent Counsel; Seller Taxes. The parties state that they have carefully read
this Agreement, know its contents, and freely and voluntarily agree to all of its terms and
conditions. Each party acknowledges that it has been represented by independent legal counsel of
its choice throughout all the negotiations that preceded the execution of this Agreement, and this
Agreement has been executed with the consent and upon the advice of such independent legal counsel.
Each party shall bear its own legal fees incurred as a result of the preparation, review and
negotiation of this Agreement. Seller shall be responsible for all taxes incurred by Seller as a
result of this Agreement and neither ESAC not Xxxxxx shall be required to withhold any payments
made hereunder except as may be required by law.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement on the date first written
above.
| ESAC: ENERGY STEEL ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware corporation |
||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
| Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | ||||
| Its: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
| GRAHAM: XXXXXX CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation |
||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Lines | |||
| Xxxxx X. Lines | ||||
| Its: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
| SELLER: | ||||
| /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx | ||||
| XXXX X. XXXX, individually and as the Trustee of the Xxxx X. Xxxx Revocable Trust dated June 5, 2003 | ||||
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